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Recent Decisions on Union Rules and Complaints
On 21 October 2026, a ruling regarding breaches of union rules was issued in the case of Dabrowski and Whitehouse against the Communication Workers Union. The applicants lodged two complaints associated with the branch elections held in 2026, invoking section 108A(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Following a Case Management Meeting conducted via video conference on 6 October 2026, the Certification Officer reached the following conclusions:
- The first complaint was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction and was subsequently withdrawn by both applicants during the CMM.
- The second complaint by Mr Whitehouse was also dismissed.
- Conversely, Mr Dabrowski’s second complaint was upheld; however, no enforcement order was deemed necessary as the union had already taken corrective measures, including issuing best practice guidance and re-running the election.
Approval of Independence Certificate for Equality for Workers Union
On 16 October 2026, the Assistant Certification Officer approved an application for a certificate of independence from the Equality for Workers Union (EFWU), which was submitted on 9 October 2026.
Union Rules Breach Decisions in Various Cases
On 1 October 2026, two separate decisions regarding breaches of union rules were made. One involved Mr Parker and Unite the Union, where he raised three complaints about breaches related to the 2025 Bramley branch elections. Following a video conference hearing on 9 September 2026, the Assistant Certification Officer did not uphold the complaints.
In another case, Ms Munslow lodged 11 complaints against the Fire Brigades Union concerning its disciplinary procedures. Upon review during hearings on 4 and 5 August 2026, the Certification Officer rejected all of Ms Munslow’s complaints.
Financial Investigations and Recommendations
On 20 August 2026, it was reported that the Certification Officer had received the final report from an independent investigator regarding alleged financial irregularities in UNITE the Union, dating back to 2019. The investigation revealed that UNITE had failed to maintain adequate control over its accounting records and cash holdings for the year ending 31 December 2021. However, the investigator did not attribute this failure to refusal or wilful neglect. Following this discovery, UNITE has undertaken substantial improvements to its financial management practices.
The Certification Officer is currently reviewing the statutory requirements for annual returns in light of the investigation and plans to issue new guidance shortly. Furthermore, it will be recommended that the Executive Committees and Boards of trade unions and employer associations engage in training focused on financial awareness and compliance to enhance their oversight of financial operations.
Union Listings and Removals
On 17 September 2026, the UK Hospitality Union was officially registered on the list of trade unions maintained by the Certification Officer. Conversely, the Libertas Union was removed from this list effective 5 August 2026, following a determination by the Assistant Certification Officer based on representations received regarding its status.
Updates on Complaints Procedures
On 21 July 2026, the Certification Office introduced a revised complaints procedure aimed at enhancing clarity on the issues eligible for complaints, the process for submitting complaints, and the potential outcomes. This updated framework intends to support the objective of increasing transparency and accessibility within the complaints process.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The Certification Officer remains committed to strengthening governance and transparency within trade unions and employer associations. The recent decisions and procedural updates reflect ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with statutory obligations while enhancing the operational efficacy of trade unions across the UK.
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