Recognition victory in Northampton

Staff in two Northampton theatres have voted for BECTU to represent them.

In a ballot conducted by conciliation service ACAS, two-thirds of staff in the Royal and Derngate theatres supported union recognition.

The ballot, which closed on April 4, was run after the Northampton Theatres Trust merged the union-organised Royal theatre with the Derngate, which did not recognise the union.

Initially, BECTU argued that the recognition agreement should simply be extended to cover the Derngate, however the Trust pressed for a ballot of the combined workforce to be conducted.

ACAS balloted 131 staff at the two sites, and all but 29 returned forms. In answer to the question: "Do you wish your terms and conditions to be negotiated by a trade union?", 67 voted in favour of union recognition.

Both BECTU and the Trust have welcomed the outcome of the ballot, and are looking forward to building a constructive working relationship.

Talks about a new recognition agreement are expected soon, and may be followed by negotiations over terms and conditions.