Written Question·Department for Transport·UIN 117727

Train Operating Companies: Trade Unions

Tabled: 4 March 2026

Answered: 13 March 2026

Question

Andy McDonald

Labour — Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has directed DFT Operator of Last Resort to adopt a standard process for recognition of trade unions and provision of trade union facility time at the end of each train operating company franchise a

Answer

Keir Mather

Recognition of trade unions and provision of facility time is a matter for train operating companies as employers.