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LOCAL RECOGNITION AND PROCEDURAL
AGREEMENT
1
Introduction and Purpose
1.1
The purpose of this Agreement is to establish arrangements for consultation and negotiation
between East Surrey College (“the College”), UCU and UNISON (“the Unions”).
2
Scope
2.1
The agreement covers all members of staff.
3
General Principles
3.1
The spirit and intention of this Agreement is to promote harmonious relations between the College
and its employees through the development of effective joint consultative and negotiating
machinery.
3.2
It is a common objective of the parties that the College should function efficiently and effectively to
the benefit of both the College and its employees.
3.3
The Agreement is not intended to detract from an individual employee’s right of access to
management or the College’s right to communicate directly with its employees, or the Union’s right
to communicate directly with its members.
4
Responsibility for implementation
It is the responsibility of the Director of Human Resources and Professional Development to
ensure that procedures are in place and that these procedures are acted upon.
5
Policy Statement
Recognition
5.1
The College recognises the Unions in respect of academic and support staff for the purposes of
collective bargaining, communication and consultation as appropriate.
5.2
The Unions recognise that it is the right and responsibility of the College to manage the institution.
Disclosure of Information
5.3
The College recognises that Union representatives are entitled to be provided with relevant
information concerning the College in accordance with Section 181 of the Trade Union and
Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (“TULRA”) in order to carry out their collective
bargaining activities.
Variation and Termination of this Agreement
5.4
Variations to this Agreement can only be made by agreement between the College and the Unions
and must be in writing to be effective.
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5.5
The College or the Unions may terminate this Agreement by giving six months’ notice in writing.
6
Access to Policy
This Policy is available from the Directorate, Human Resources and on the College Intranet.
7
Mechanisms for Feedback
Constructive comment on the continued improvement of this Policy is welcomed and should be
forwarded to the Director of Human Resources and Professional Development.
8
Training and Guidance
Questions about this policy and/or procedure, and requests for training, guidance or information on
this policy and/or procedure, should be directed to the HR Team.
9
References
None
10
Further information
None.
11
Produced/Reviewed by:
Director of Human Resources and Professional Development
Date: March 2016
12
Approved by: Directorate
Date:
March 2016
13
Approval: Finance and Resources Committee
Date: June 2016
14
Review by: June 2018
15
Policy Code: ESC27
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LOCAL RECOGNITION AND PROCEDURAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
1
Procedures
1.1
There will be a joint committee for academic and support staff (“the Joint Committee”).
1.2
The Joint Committee will meet as often as necessary to maintain good employee relations at least
3 times a year.
1.3
The Joint Committee will consider matters relating to conditions of employment and other matters
of common concern for the purpose of achieving understanding and agreement. It will be a forum
for negotiation, consultation and communication as appropriate. Matters within its remit shall
include all relevant employment matters in accordance with Section 178 of the Trade Union and
Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (“TULRA”) and good industrial relations practice as
defined by ACAS.
1.4
Requests for meetings may be made by either the College or the Unions and meetings shall take
place at a mutually convenient time and location. There should be the minimum of delay in
arranging meetings.
1.5
The representatives on the Joint Committee will be as follows:-
1.6
Management side: 4 representatives of the College
1.7
Trade Union side: 2 representatives of the UCU Union (Branch Official & Health and Safety
Representative)
1.8
2 representatives of the UNISON Union.
1.9
A full-time Union official for UCU/UNISON may be present at a meeting of the Joint Committee in
an advisory capacity.
1.10
College management will provide administrative support for the work of the Joint Committee,
including the preparation of an agenda based upon items submitted by either party and the
keeping of minutes.
1.11
Attendance and participation in the work of the Joint Committee shall be an approved duty and
reasonable time shall be allowed by the College for such attendance and participation by the
representatives of the Unions.
1.12
The Principal will act as Chairperson for the Joint Committee meeting.
2
Procedure for Dealing with Unresolved Issues
2.1
It is agreed by all parties to this Agreement that every attempt will be made to use the above
procedures to avoid disputes.
2.2
Where there is a failure to agree, or where both parties feel that a matter warrants it, the formal
procedure for resolving collective disputes should be invoked.
2.3
Where any disagreement concerns the interpretation of a national agreement approved by the
College, the Joint Secretaries of the appropriate national body may, if both parties agree, be
requested to advise on resolving the matter.
3
Facilities
3.1
The College recognises that representative trade unions are an effective means of achieving
constructive industrial relations and will therefore make new employees aware of the Unions within
the induction process.
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3.2
The Unions will elect their representatives in accordance with their rules. The elected
representatives must work at the College within the employment group for which the union is
recognised.
3.3
The College shall have the right to raise with the Unions any objection which the College may
have to the election of any particular individual. Such objections will be discussed with the Unions.
3.4
The College will offer facilities within normal working hours for the election of representatives.
Names of elected representatives will be given to the College’s Director of Human Resources and
Professional Development as soon as possible after the election.
3.5
Union representatives will be given reasonable time off in accordance with the provisions of the
TULRA Sections 168-170, The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the ACAS Code of
Practice entitled “Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities”. Time off with pay will be
dependent on whether the activities engaged in are Trade Union Duties or Activities, as defined in
TULRA.
3.6
Reasonable additional release from normal duties will be granted for representative training. Prior
permission must be obtained before any commitments are made which involve absence from the
College.
3.7
In accordance with the recommendation of the ACAS Code, representatives of the Unions will be
provided with a dedicated office space for their use which is adequate for consultation and small
meetings and which affords secure accommodation for files and administrative work. They will be
able to make reasonable use of photocopiers, stationery, external telephones calls, faxes, e-mail
and similar items upon reasonable request.
4
Disclosure of Information
4.1
The College recognises that Union representatives are entitled to be provided with relevant
information concerning the College in accordance with Section 181 TULRA in order to carry out
their collective bargaining activities.
5
Variation and Termination of this Agreement
5.1
Variations to this Agreement can only be made by agreement between the College and the Unions
and must be in writing to be effective.
5.2
The College or the Unions may terminate this Agreement by giving six months’ notice in writing.
Produced/Reviewed by: Director of Human Resources and
Date: March 2016
Professional Development
Approved by:
Directorate
Date: March 2016
Approved by:
Finance and Resources Committee
Date: June 2018
Review by:
June 2018
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