This Order specifies, for the purpose of certain provisions of Schedule A1 to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, the method by which collective bargaining might be carried out. The specified method is required to be taken into account by the Central Arbitration Committee (“CAC”) when, following an application for trade union recognition under Schedule A1, it is required to specify a method by which the union and employer concerned are to conduct collective bargaining.

The CAC can be required to specify a collective bargaining method in two circumstances. The first is where, following a declaration by the CAC that a union is recognised as entitled to conduct collective bargaining, the union and employer do not agree on a method for conducting collective bargaining themselves, or fail to follow an agreed method, and either applies for the assistance of the CAC. The second is where the union and employer, having made a voluntary agreement for recognition during the initial stages of the procedure, do not agree on a method themselves, or fail to follow an agreed method, and either applies for the assistance of the CAC.

The Order comes into force on 6th June 2000.