Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government Property Agency has to recognise the PCS union for its facility management contracts.

Recognition of Trade Union bodies is a matter for the relevant employers to determine. The Government Property Agency works with its Facilities Management providers to ensure effective engagement of both parties in cases where recognition has not yet been achieved.

Contracts also set out agreement that the Principles of Good Employment Practice (as published by the Cabinet Office) will apply in regarding the employee engagement. A key principle of this is:

“Government recognises the premise that engagement between employee, employer and a recognised trade union where appropriate can be a key to unlocking productivity and creating a motivated workforce that feels respected, involved, heard, is well led and valued by those they work for and with.