There is some discussion about the BASSA chair not being derostered.
Here is a copy of the agreement we operate where I work, one of the unions involved being Unite.
I would guess this is a pretty standard agreement to comply with legislation.
2 Governing Principles
2.1 The Company and the trade unions jointly recognise the importance and value of ensuring that staff have access to properly trained and accredited lay representatives. It is also recognised that the spheres of operation of lay trade union representatives should reflect the Company’s organisation within the context of Annex 2 to this Appendix.
2.2 It is jointly accepted that a balance must be struck between the following requirements: (a) ******* operational, safety and business requirements and obligations to provide service to the customer;
(b) the need to keep to a minimum both additional cost and interference with ****** business;
(c) the mutual benefit to ******* and the trade unions of reasonable opportunities being afforded to lay trade union representatives to carry out relevant trade unions duties and to trade union members to take part in relevant trade union activities.
2.3 Accordingly, unreasonable requests should not be made and no facility covered by this Agreement should be unreasonably withheld.
2.4 Any specific request for such facilities should be made as far in advance as possible and should be for the appropriate time and/or resources necessary to meet the purpose of the request.
No facilities will be granted in respect of any activity, which are proposed in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute.
2.5 The Company recognises that the role of the representative within the Company and his/her trade union will have a bearing on the amount of time off requested. For example, representatives involved in Company-wide bodies may require additional time off compared with representatives who have a purely local role. However, it is not the intention of any of the recognised trade unions that an individual representative’s trade union duties should have any significant impact on his/her work for the Company or on the work of his/her colleagues.
The bolding and italics are mine!