Access to new staff

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Facilities for union reps often include access to new members of staff with a view to union recruitment. The Acas Code notes that “to operate effectively and democratically, trade unions need the active participation of members”, adding that this can be “very much in employers’ interests”. In the LRD survey, almost two-thirds of respondents (63%) had some arrangement allowing the union to approach new staff, although the demise of traditional induction arrangements is undermining that (for example, where employers are using online methods).

Management often agrees to tell new recruits about the union, but they may also facilitate any of the following:

• union information available at induction;

• union information in appointment letters or induction packs;

• someone from the union to meet new starters;

• a union stall at induction events;

• inductions spoken to by a rep or official;

• a separate union presentation to new staff;

• someone from the union delivering induction/training;

• time allowed for employees to join during induction; and

• contact details (for example email) for post-recruitment follow-up.