A recent survey by IRS (subscription required) found that one third of organisations recognise three or more trade unions. However, this was found to be far more common in the public sector than in the private sector. Our research reveals that Unite is the most commonly recognised union by our sample of employers, followed by Unison and the GMB.

Our research also reveals that the experience of working with trade unions (subscription required) among our sample of employers is a positive one. Twenty two per cent of organisations described the relationship as "very good", and 47% as "good".

Where the relationship is characterised as being either "very good" or "good", the basis of this is often related to one or more of the following factors:
• open, two-way communication and information-sharing;
• an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence between the parties;
• well-trained and effective union representatives; and
• "partnership" working, in some cases underpinned by a formal partnership agreement.

The Certification Officer also has a role in investigating complaints from trade union members. In 2007/08, 32 complaints were determined. Of these, 29 involved allegations that a union had breached its own rules, and the remainder related to breaches of statutory provisions.