Checklist for union representatives

• obtain early meeting with employer to clarify what is happening and to address key issues of recognition agreement, bargaining mechanisms and arrangements for check-off;

• obtain information on who and what is likely to transfer;

• ask for information on any potential bidders, including information on their financial performance, their current terms and conditions, whether they have recently declared any redundancies, and whether they recognise unions;

• seek agreement from the current employer for union representatives to interview or meet prospective bidders;

• on a change of service provider, press for access to the client commissioning the service;

• take careful advice on arrangements for employees who do not want to transfer to retain the right to remain with their current employer;

• ensure that the employer provides facilities for meetings with affected employees and other representatives both at the current workplace and at the workplace where work is being transferred.