Parties agreeN.I.
10.—(1) If before the end of the first period the parties agree a bargaining unit and that the union is (or unions are) to be recognised as entitled to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the unit, no further steps are to be taken under this Part.N.I.
(2) If before the end of the first period the employer informs the union (or unions) that the employer does not accept the request but is willing to negotiate, sub-paragraph (3) applies.
(3) The parties may conduct negotiations with a view to agreeing a bargaining unit and that the union is (or unions are) to be recognised as entitled to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the unit.
(4) If such an agreement is made before the end of the second period no further steps are to be taken under this Part.
(5) The employer and the union (or unions) may request the Agency to assist in conducting the negotiations.
(6) The first period is the period of 10 working days starting with the day after that on which the employer receives the request for recognition.
(7) The second period is—
(a)the period of 20 working days starting with the day after that on which the first period ends, or
(b)such longer period (so starting) as the parties may from time to time agree.