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CAC reports an increase in the volume and complexity of its workload

CENTRAL ARBITRATION COMMITTEE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 5 July 2007

Annual Report 2006-07

This year has seen the number of recognition applications received by the CAC rise slightly compared to the previous year. The cases have been more complex in detail, and applications have been received under Part III and Part IV of the Schedule which deal with changes in the bargaining arrangements and derecognition.

The Information and Consultation Regulations (I&C), which covered undertakings with at least 150 employees and from 6 April 2007 undertakings with 100 employees, have brought a small number of applications to the CAC.

There has also been an increase in the proportion of recognition applications involving organisations employing less than 200 workers.

In terms of published performance measures, the CAC achieved:

- a response within three days to all written enquiries;

- 94% of users who rated their level of satisfaction with the administration of their case and/or with procedural guidance as good or very good;

- no formal complaints about the CAC's handling of a case.

There were no applications for a judicial review of a CAC decision in 2006-07.

The Committee chairman, Sir Michael Burton, said,

"The CAC is now well-established and continues to provide an effective service in a relatively low-key fashion."

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1. The CAC is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) resourced by Acas but operating independently. The CAC's main role is dealing with requests for trade union recognition and de-recognition under the statutory procedures of Schedule A1 to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Each recognition case is handled by a tripartite panel, with members drawn from employer and union backgrounds and a panel chairman (usually a lawyer or senior academic).

2. The CAC also determines disclosure of information complaints under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (Section 183) and deals with disputes over the constitution and operation of European Works Councils, and the employee consultation obligations on European Companies and the European Cooperative Societies. From 6 April 2005, the CAC's role under the Information and Consultation Regulations 2004 came into effect. In addition, it provides voluntary arbitration in collective employment relations disputes, although this role has not been required for some years.

3. The CAC Chairman is Sir Michael Burton, who is a High Court Judge.

4. Details of applications received by the CAC, decisions taken, and forthcoming hearings, can be found on the CAC's website http://www.cac.gov.uk

Central Arbitration Committee
PO Box 51547 London SE1 1ZG
020 7904 2300

Issued on behalf of the Central Arbitration Committee by Government News Network London.

A pdf version of the report is available at http://www.gnn.gov.uk