Staff Induction:

Trades Unions

Mark Sinfield

UNISON Branch SecretaryJoints Unions Convenor

1. The Role of Trades Unions1. Negotiations and Consultations

2. Representation

2. Services to Members

3. How Unions Work

4. How You Join

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

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.

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

Negotiations and consultations

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

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

Negotiations and consultations

Terms and Conditions of Employment

e.g.– hours of work– holidays– sick pay– pensions

Re-negotiated and harmonised August 2006

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.

Negotiations and consultations

Other policiese.g.– redundancy procedures– fixed term contracts– discipline and dismissal– dignity at work

The University listens

The Union is your voice

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

Services to Members

• 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

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

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)]

Which Union (2)

• 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]

Staff categories are normally represented as follows:

(Grade I could be either)

How do I Join?

• Contact details and/or forms available from websites:

go toUniversity website homepage

thenInformation for Staff

thenTrades Unions

• Or go to national websites: www.ucu.org.uk www.unison.co.uk www.amicustheunion.org www.tgwu.org.uk

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