ITV catering staff vote for BECTU

BECTU has won a 100% vote in favour of union recognition for catering staff working at ITV's Manchester base.

Baxter Storey, the company which employs 20 catering staff on the site, has agreed to accept the outcome of their secret ballot, and is expected to sit down with BECTU officials to draft a formal recognition agreement.

With assistance from government agency ACAS, BECTU and Baxter Storey agreed to a voluntary ballot of staff, and the union did not have to lodge a formal legal claim for recognition, as allowed in new labour legislation.

"Today's announcement from ACAS that Baxter Storey staff have voted unanimously for BECTU recognition is excellent news", said BECTU Official Sharon Elliott.

"Our agreement will give staff every opportunity to influence decisions on their future working conditions, and we look forward to working on behalf of them with the company's management", she added.

Baxter Storey, a contract catering company based in Wokingham, signed an agreement with ITV in 2004 which resulted in the transfer of staff to their employment from ITV catering operations in Manchester, Leeds and London.

The union is arranging talks with the company over details of the new recognition agreement. For further information contact BECTU's press office on 0207 346 0900 or Sharon Elliott on 07770 971 727.