Staff at the Royal Society of Arts from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) are to push for statutory trade union recognition after they say the charity repeatedly knocked back its requests to be recognised voluntarily.

The union currently represents around half of RSA staff through its charity workers branch but is to seek legal recognition after it says the charity denied three requests for voluntary recognition.

This would be the first time a trade union among staff has been recognised in the charity’s 270 history, says the IWGB

“Being in a union enables the RSA to be a more collaborative, more forward-looking organisation, and a more democratic place to work,” said RSA staffer Ruth Hannan.

“It is also a more enjoyable place to work; through organising, I have come to know more colleagues than before and build wonderful relationships with other members of staff, many of whom live in a different city to me. For me, a unionised RSA can only keep improving”.

The IWGB says union recognition would be in keeping with RSA’s history, having advocated for the scrapping of anti-trade union laws, and invited union leaders to speak to its staff.

The charity has also previously praised the IWGB for its support for gig workers in the UK.

“The RSA has been a long-time advocate for trade unions in the UK and it’s inspiring to see the workforce holding the organisation to these ideals,” added another RSA staff member, Ajmal Waqif.

Union membership of around 50% at the RSA is “well over” the 10% minimum needed for statutory recognition, added the IWGB.

“Everybody deserves a voice at work,” said IWGB president Alex Marshall.

“That’s why staff at the RSA have come together and democratically chosen the IWGB as their union to represent them. The RSA has rightly championed this kind of workplace democracy and it is surprising to see senior management so far attempting to avoid a recognition deal.”

An RSA spokesperson declined to comment on union claims that voluntary recognition was turned down three times by management.

“The RSA is committed to using whatever time and resources are necessary to secure the strongest and most representative democratically elected staff voice on a broad range of issues, and until the central arbitration committee process is complete it would not be appropriate for us to comment,” the spokesperson added.

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