The feedback received was positive towards the proposal of increasing the recognition of the Connect sector of Prospect, for the field operations staff covering ex -3(UK), ex- T-Mobile and current MBNL Field Operations groups within the Managed Operations area of the Managed Services Division of ETL.

We are very pleased to confirm that we have reached agreement with Ericsson to extend union recognition for Prospect to include employees in this area. You will have received a similar email to this effect from Ericsson.

This reflects a significant achievement for Prospect and our members, and gives members the opportunity to be represented collectively in line with colleagues working elsewhere in Managed Services.

The Company and Prospect will now work together to create an extended recognition agreement. We have already had constructive discussions that reflect the approach that both Prospect and Ericsson take to industrial relations and the need for us to ensure that we have a structure to help address shared issues in the workplace.

We will send an update to members on the recognition agreement once finalised.

For the union to be most effective we need volunteers to become formal union representatives from the recognised group. We want to encourage a representative group of reps that reflect the make up of the unit as we know that not all members share the same pre-TUPE employer. Previous experience is not required as training and facilities will be provided. If you are a union member, are committed to working as part of a team, and would like to represent your colleagues and then please get in touch with [email protected] or call 07703 335116 for an initial chat. We will provide further information on the election of reps over the coming weeks.

Towards the end of the month we will be arranging meetings at Ericsson sites to meet members and discuss how we see union recognition working. We will be in touch with further details as these are arranged.

In the meantime if you have any colleagues who were waiting for recognition before joining the union now's the time to point them to http://www.prospect.org.uk/joinus. While we already have good levels of membership in Ericsson we are always looking to improve, and the more members we have the more effective we can be so please do share this good news with them.