Staff Induction: Trades Unions

1. Staff Induction:Trades Unions Mark Sinfield UNISON Branch SecretaryJoints Unions Convenor

2. The Role of Trades Unions • Negotiations and Consultations • Representation • Services to Members • How Unions Work • How You Join

3. Negotiations and consultations Collective Bargaining • Agreements between the University and a trade union are binding on all staff the union is recognised as representing • The University can use this mechanism to change your contract

4. Negotiations and consultations Partnership Working • The University recognises the value of the trades unions as representing and speaking for staff. • The Unions recognise the benefits of avoiding confrontation and being involved at earlier stages in the development of policy and procedures. • The approach is based on mutual respect and good communications. • It doesn’t yet extend much beyond senior management level.

5. Negotiations and consultations Central paradox • The unions are deeply woven into the fabric of University governance and administration • The unions are self-governing, democratic organisations, recognised by the University but not answerable to it. • The effectiveness of the union rests on its membership • You join to strengthen that effectiveness

6. Negotiations and consultations Pay and Grading • Cost of Living increases negotiated nationally • Nationally agreed pay spine • Local grade structures Recent changes • Major re-working of grades • Intensive negotiations with unions

7. Negotiations and consultations Job Evaluation • System for determining grades • Agreed with the unions • Operated jointly with the unions • All grades are determined according to the same criteria • Otherwise it would be all determined by management say-so

8. Negotiations and consultations Terms and Conditions of Employment e.g. • hours of work • holidays • sick pay • pensions Re-negotiated and harmonised August 2006

9. Negotiations and consultations Health and Safety • Trades unions have a clear legally defined role in Health and Safety matters and significant powers. • The unions are represented on the University Safety Committee. • There is a network of Safety Reps in departments, though more volunteers are always needed.

10. Negotiations and consultations Other policies e.g. • redundancy procedures • fixed term contracts • discipline and dismissal • dignity at work • The University listens • The Union is your voice

11. Representation • Right to be represented written into many policies • Representation can mean: • Someone with training and experience • A bit of support • A witness • A spokesperson • A broker • Legal representation at an Employment Tribunal

12. ServicestoMembers • Legal advice and representation • Financial benefits (insurance, mortgages) • Welfare support • Education and training • Holiday clubs • Not what it’s all about, but worth checking out

13. How Unions Work • Who is “the union”? • The members, who elect stewards and officers [mostly also doing a full-time job] • Benefits of belonging to a national union • Expertise • Professional support and advice • Training • Communication and solidarity with others

14. Which Union? (1) The University recognises the following unions: • UCU (University and College Union)[formerly AUT] • UNISON • Unite – The Union[includes Amicus (formerly MSF & EETPU) TGWU (includes ACTS)]

15. Staff on academic pathways 1, 2, 3 Professional & administrative staff on Grade J and above Professional & administrative staff on grades A-H Technical and Craft Staff Senior Domestic Staff Manual Staff UCU UCU UNISON Unite [Amicus] Unite [ACTS] Unite [TGWU] Which Union (2) Staff categories are normally represented as follows: (Grade I could be either)

16. Howdo I Join? • Contact details and/or forms available from websites:go to University website homepage then Information for Staff then Trades Unions • Or go to national websites:www.ucu.org.uk www.unison.co.uk www.amicustheunion.org www.tgwu.org.uk • Pick up a leaflet