UNISON has signed a new recognition agreement with the newly merged company Notting Hill Genesis. This means that our recognition as a union post-merger is secure.
It also means that for Genesis employees who have never had the benefit of a union before, these employees can now join if they wish. Membership numbers are expected to increase and the local branch to go from strength to strength.
This follows the signing of a recognition agreement between Optivo Housing and UNISON in February.
UNISON general secretary, Dave Prentis, and Optivo chief executive officer, Paul Hackett, signed the agreement at Optivo’s head office, Grosvenor House, Croydon. The agreement covers the whole organisation and allows the union to both recruit members and bargain and negotiate on members behalf at a Joint Negotiating Committee.
Optivo, formed by the merger of Amicus Horizon and Viridian Housing Association, is one of the UK’s largest housing associations with over 44,000 affordable homes in London, the South East and the Midlands.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “UNISON and Optivo have worked closely together to develop a strong working relationship since the merger last May, building upon the foundations which were already in place.”
“The organisation is always willing to work with UNISON to ensure that our members have a voice that is heard and respected in the workplace”
Agreements have also been recently signed by Clarion Housing and L&Q/East Thames.