Notice by employer

(1) Upon receiving a copy of an application for the certification of a trade union as a bargaining agent for a bargaining unit comprising the employees of an employer served upon him under section 24 (3) of this Act, an employer shall within fourteen days indicate by written notice to the (a) his agreement to recognise the trade union as the bargaining agent of his employees comprised in the bargaining unit; (b) his refusal to recognise the trade union as the bargaining agent of his employees comprised in the bargaining unit, and state therein the reasons, if any, on which his decision is based. (2) A copy of the notice made under subsection (1) of this section, shall be served on the trade union to which it applies.