Recognition takes off at Bristow Helicopters - Formerly anti-union firm Bristow Helicopters has signed recognition and partnership deals with two trade unions. We examine the circumstances that prompted the company's change of heart with the help of interviews with three key players - the firm's HR director and representatives of its newly recognised unions: BALPA and MSF. Our case study tracks the consultation and negotiation that led to the signing last November of two recognition agreements covering: recognition of BALPA, for pilots and aircrew, and MSF, for all other non-managerial staff, providing for full collective bargaining on pay, hours and holidays; consultation of the unions on pensions and redundancy pay and selection criteria; and a partnership agreement with each union.