Clause 9 - Employer's notice to end bargaining arrangements
Employment Relations Bill
3:15 pm
Mr Malcolm Bruce (Shadow Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, Trade & Industry; Gordon, Liberal Democrat)
I have some sympathy with the amendment, but the Minister is arguing his case. The hon. Member for Hastings and Rye (Mr. Foster) made a point about businesses that are on the cusp. I am slightly concerned at the idea that a business with 22, 23 or 24 employees that has agreed to union recognition, but then drops to 19 or 20 employees will be more concerned about derecognising the union than managing the business. If the legislation works, as it does in most cases, a business will be helpful and co-operate with the union, rather than moving to derecognise it at a time when the business is clearly vulnerable. I would be slightly worried about a business that regarded derecognising the union as the most important matter that it had to address in such a situation.