Trade Union Recognition at North Northamptonshire Council

North Northamptonshire Council maintains a voluntary Trade Union Recognition Agreement (TURA) with the following independent trade unions: UCU, Unison, GMB, Unite, AEP, Prospect, NEU, NASUWT, NAHT, ASCL, Voice.

The TURA sets out the agreed framework for partnership working between the Council and recognised trade unions. It facilitates collective bargaining, consultation and engagement on workforce matters, representation of employees, trade union recruitment and organisation activities, and the provision of appropriate facilities and workplace access arrangements.

The Code of Practice: Right of trade unions to access workplaces recognises that where satisfactory voluntary access arrangements already exist between employers and trade unions, those arrangements should continue to be used in preference to the statutory access process.

Accordingly, North Northamptonshire Council remains committed to constructive industrial relations and encourages recognised trade unions to continue operating under the provisions of the existing TURA.

Trade Union Right of Access Requests (from 30 October 2026)

The council encourages any qualifying independent trade union seeking workplace access arrangements to explore and, where possible, agree a voluntary arrangement before initiating the statutory right of access process.

Any trade union wishing to request workplace access should submit its request in writing to:

Chief Executive
North Northamptonshire Council
Email: [email protected] 
A copy should also be sent to: [email protected] 
Upon receipt, the council will consider the request in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions, associated regulations, and the Code of Practice on the Right of Trade Unions to Access Workplaces.

Last updated 27 October 2026