National Grid News
UNISON Bulletin
UNISON Business & Environment Section, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ. Tel: 020-7388-2366
Sector Committee and National Grid Staff
Forum Updates - April 2010
Best Wishes to Peter and Karen
The annual general meeting of the UNISON National Grid Sector Committee
was held on 23 March. As many of you will know Peter Hicks, the Chair of
the Sector, left the company at the end of March. The new Chair is Dave
Oakley with Eileen Griffin and Alan Morgan the Vice Chairs for the electricity
and gas businesses respectively.
The Committee placed on record its gratitude to Peter for his outstanding
service to UNISON and our members in National Grid. In the evening Peter
and his partner Karen were the Committee’s guests at a retirement dinner at
which we were joined by friends from the Employee Relations team.
Everyone in UNISON wishes Peter and Karen a bright and happy future.
National Grid Staff Forum
Now that the 2009 pay claim has been resolved the trade unions have
confirmed the constitution of the National Grid Staff Forum (NGSF) which
takes over from the Company Council and Gas Staffs Forum – both these
bodies are now disbanded. The NGSF held its first formal meeting on 17
March and developments at this and the second meeting held on 14 April
are summarised below.
UNISON’s representatives on the NGSF are Dave Oakley and Eileen Griffin
with Mike Jeram, National Secretary as an ex officio member along with the
other unions’ full time officers.
A full list of UNISON’s representatives on company bodies is attached. If
anyone is interested in filling any of the vacant posts please contact Dave or
Eileen or Mike Jeram at m.jeram@unison.co.uk
Holiday Entitlements for New Starters
As agreed as part of the 2009 pay deal, the company and the unions have
set up a joint working group to explore the issue of holiday entitlements for
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new starters. Dave Oakley and Eileen Griffin supported by Mike Jeram,
National Secretary, will represent UNISON on the working group which will
attempt to reach agreement by 1 July. If agreement is not reached by that
date the issue will be referred to an independent body for settlement.
The Working Group will meet in the near future to begin the discussions.
Non Standard Hours Payments for Day Workers
The NGSF has an outstanding action to negotiate a common set of
payments to day workers for non standard hours payments. The NGSF
received an update on the work undertaken on this issue by the Non
Standard Hours Working Group which will be most helpful in taking the
debate forward. A new working party is to be established and will begin work
on this issue in the near future.
Common Handbook
Another piece of unfinished business that the NGSF will take responsibility
for is the creation of a common handbook for all non industrial staff to
replace the current separate agreements. A lot of work has already been
done including the constitution, salary structure, shift pay, grievance and
disciplinary procedures, maternity, sick pay, relocation etc. Holidays and day
workers premium rates are the main issues outstanding.
Pay 2010
In most years the trade unions would have submitted their pay claim by now
but because of the protracted negotiations over the 2009 pay award, the
unions are still considering our position. The UNISON Sector Committee had
a thorough debate on the pay scene. The Committee is under no illusions
about the 2009 settlement but given the economic circumstances – the RPI
was minus 1.6% on 30 June last year-is satisfied that the right strategy was
pursued.
In relation to 2010, the Committee obviously notes that the UK economy has
come out of recession and is improving. Inflation as measured by the RPI is
now positive again and in the last two months has been stable at 3.7%; the
Government’s preferred measure of inflation the CPI has shown modest
reductions this year.
The Committee also appreciates that members are frustrated when the
settlement is delayed beyond the operative date (1 July) but also
acknowledges that the for the trade unions to get the best possible deal it
does not always pay to be driven by a particular date.
Taking all the se factors into account the Committee has adopted the
following objectives for the 2010 pay claim:
A one year, consolidated increase, based on an RPI plus formula,
with no strings and flow through to salary related allowances.
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A settlement that is implemented on 1 July provided that is consistent
with achieving a satisfactory deal which is acceptable to members.
UNISON’s representatives on the NGSF presented this position to the other
unions on 14 April. The other unions have similar positions to ours but the
Trade Union Side decided to take further soundings before submitting a
formal claim. A meeting of senior representatives is being arranged in
London on 13 May so that an agreed position can be put to the company on
19 May when the NGSF next meets.
At the NGSF both sides agreed that it should be a shared objective to avoid
a repeat of the difficulties faced over the 2009 agreement. The company
agreed to participate in the reps meeting and outline their perspective on the
pay scene.
Fulcrum
National Grid is trying to sell Fulcrum its connections business. Regular
communications are taking place with National Grid but as yet no definite
buyer had been identified. A letter had been sent to the potential purchasers
seeking urgent discussions on restructuring, severance and pensions but no
reply has yet been received. A consultative survey of Fulcrum members had
shown strong support for the union’s stance. The Sector agreed to send a
letter on behalf of the Committee to Steve Holliday urging him to ensure that
Fulcrum staff are treated fairly in the sale. A reply is awaited.
Smart Travel devices in company cars
The Sector Committee was concerned to learn about the company’s
proposal to fit smart travel, tracker devices in company cars and private cars
used on company business. This policy is causing considerable concern to
members over individual privacy and data protection. Representations have
been made to the company and the issue was raised at the NGSF. The
Trade Union Side advised the company that while we understood the
business case for the use of these devices members were not happy about
the potential intrusion into their private lives.
The company was asked to suspend fitting these devices in company/private
cars to enable further discussions to be held. It was further suggested that a
protocol should be agreed setting out the rights and responsibilities of both
the company and the employees and clarifying the role of the external party
that maintains the data derived from the devices.
The company agreed to take these suggestions back to the business (UKD)
and to arrange a teleconference early next week.
UKD Reorganisation
A number of operational staff remain on designate appointments at level 6
and 7 following the resource management trial and PCR restructure.
Agreement has now been reached with the company and a separate
communication will be sent to the relevant members shortly.
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JOIN UNISON
If you are reading this bulletin but are not yet a member of
UNISON you are very welcome to join us. You can join on
line at
www.unison.co.uk/join
15 April 2010
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Sector Committee Membership 2010-03-25
Mike Jeram (FTO)
Dave Oakley (Chair)
Eileen Griffin (Vice Chair)
Alan Morgan (Vice Chair)
UK Distribution
Chris Moore (N West)
Deborah Hodgetts (E Mids)
Mick Smith (EA) (National Lead H&S)
Paul Cawdell (NL)
Dave Oakley (WM)
Kevin Wood (Coalition)
Lisa Spracklen (Network Strategy)
John Merrell (Distribution Support – Hinckley)
John Caulfield (Distribution Support –
Northampton)
Rebecca Reece (Distribution Support – Hinckley)
Terry Merrin (Killingworth – till August)
Vacant Seat (Gloucester)
Jason Mann/Jim Aldridge (Distribution National Control
Centre)
Business & Shared Services
John Flynn Finance
John Caulfield Northampton
Vacant Seats Legal, Comms, HR, Property, IS?
UK Transmission (Gas)
Alan Morgan LNG & PMC (Lead H&S Gas)
Vacant Seat (Gas Nat Control Centre / Ops &
Trading
Norman Daniel Terminals & Compressors
UK Transmission (Electricity)
Barry Garber Network Operations
John Fellows Asset Mgt (Lead H&S Elec)
Eileen Griffin Asset Mgt
George Francis/Gavin Ward Asst Mgt (shared seat)
Non – Regulated Businesses
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Colin Mackay (Fulcrum Connections)
Alan Dudbridge (Isle of Grain)
Ed Metcalfe/Donna Danks (Xoserve)
Pauline Rose (Onstream)
David Wray (Metering)
Other Seats
Joy Pearce (Women’s Seat)
Andy Coe (Gas Managers)
COMPANY FORUMS AND
WORKING PARTIES 2010/11
Sector Officers
Mike Jeram, Dave Oakley, Eileen Griffin, Alan Morgan
National Grid Staff Forum
Mike Jeram, Dave Oakley, Eileen Griffin (subs Barry Garber & Alan Morgan)
National Grid Central Forum
Mike Jeram, Dave Oakley, Eileen Griffin, Barry Garber, Alan Morgan
UK Transmission Forum
Eileen Griffin, Alan Morgan, Barry Garber, John Fellows
UK Distribution Forum
Dave Oakley, Mick Smith, John Merrell, Jason Mann, Paul Cawdell, Chris
Moore
National Grid Shared Service Forum
John Flynn, John Caulfield – Vacant seats
UKD Staff Operations Forum
Dave Oakley, Paul Cawdell, Mick Smith, Chris Moore, Deborah Hodgetts,
Kevin wood
Joint Construction Forum
Dave Oakley, Eileen Griffin, Graham Chafer, Dickie Copner,
UK Distribution Customer Support Forum
Dave Oakley, John Merrell, John Caulfield
UKD Network Strategy Forum
Lisa Spracklen, Jason Mann
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UK Transmission Commercial Forum
To be confirmed
National SHES Forum
Mick Smith (National H&S Lead) Alan Morgan, Norman Daniel, John
Fellows, Dave Oakley, John Flynn.
UKD SHES Forum
Dave Oakley, Mick Smith, Chris Moore
National Grid Business Councils
Asset Management
John Fellows, Eileen Griffin
Network Operations
Barry Garber
Appointment and Vacancy Monitoring
Mike Jeram, John Fellows, John Flynn, Alan Morgan
Joint Role and Competency Review Group
John Flynn, John Fellows, Norman Daniels
Equal Opportunities
John Caulfield, George Francis, Joy Pearce
Policies and Procedures
Mike Jeram
John Fellows
John Flynn
Company Car Forum
Dave Oakley, Mick Smith(Sub)
London Allowance Working Group
Kevin Wood
Common Handbook
John Flynn, John Merrell (substitute)
Annual Holidays Alignment Working Group
Dave Oakley, Eileen Griffin
Day Working Group – members to be advised
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