RECOGNITION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CAPITA GROUP PLC AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION (CWU)
July 2005
RECOGNITION AGREEMENT BETWEEN CAPITA BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED (CAPITA) AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION (CWU)
INTRODUCTION
This agreement embodies the spirit and intent of the Employment Relations Act (as amended) and has been jointly developed by Capita Business Services Limited (Capita) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU). This agreement incorporates formal trade union recognition underpinned by the following principles. Capita and CWU believe that this Recognition Agreement will add value to both organisations and will provide the Company’s employees and the Union’s members with real opportunity to contribute in the future success of Capita. It is aimed at committing both organisations to developing a more progressive and constructive approach to industrial relations and staff participation. It also facilitates improved communications and joint working, to ensure a more inclusive approach to the business and employee relations at strategic and local levels.
SCOPE
This Agreement covers all staff employed on Capita terms and conditions of employment, working on the Capita TV Licensing contract. The introduction of this Recognition Agreement will implemented on an agreed phased basis across the contract.
JOINT VISION & PRINCIPLES
This is a landmark concept for both parties and distinct from the inherited CWU relationship across the contract. As part of this agreement we are committed to modernising the language of the current Industrial Relations Framework to reflect that staff employed on the TV Licensing Contract are no longer employed by the Post Office. Both CWU and Capita are committed to building upon the existing positive relationship and entering this new phase in good faith, with the aim of making it a mutual success. Both organisations: recognise and respect each other’s values and objectives; recognise their mutual shared interests; value their current relationship, but both recognise the benefits for renewal and strengthening of the relationship to make it mutually meaningful; will avoid public attacks on each other; will adopt a joint communication strategy, including promotion of the Agreement, and good employment practice and service delivery innovation; Will work together to maximize mutual benefits as well as benefits for each party in a manner that is in the best interests of Capita employees and Union members;
Will seek to continue to encourage a working environment where all employees are treated equally, with fairness, dignity and respect.
JOINT COMMITMENT _____________________________________________________________________ CWU commits to: Encourage flexibility and the process of change to enhance members’ working lives; Recognise Capita’s right to manage its business; Put in place an internal structure and adequate resource to facilitate the relationship; Develop and implement appropriate representative structures where local site union representatives shall be elected by the whole Capita CWU membership and accredited by Capita, supported where appropriate by Branch/National Officials; Accept the need to maintain strict commercial confidentiality at all times and in all matters concerning Capita’s business planning.
Capita commits to:
Offer job security for its staff by continuing to develop and grow successful business units in consultation with the CWU; Improve career opportunities, skills and attributes of staff in consultation with the CWU; Discuss ideas/issues with CWU at an early stage where this would have an impact on staff, to get views and consider these before final decisions are made; Recognise the value of working with a constructive, modern trade union which accurately reflects the views of its members working in the company; Agree to an appropriate representative structure, which reflects the profile of the workforce and actively engage in regular local meetings; Continue to provide appropriate facilities, as outlined in the Industrial Relations Framework, including reasonable paid time off, to enable representatives to carry out their duties and deal effectively with localised issues on site; Recognise the right of all staff to belong to a trade union and the right of the trade union to represent its members. Support and encourage membership of the union. To this end, Capita will provide the CWU with an opportunity to talk to new entrants as part of their induction process; Ensure that its managers support and are familiar with the terms of the agreement and its implementation.
To achieve this Capita and CWU will continue to jointly:
Working positively together to safeguard the interests of staff and members through the process of consultation and negotiation, with the over-riding principle to reach agreement; Build on our existing working relationship, as outlined in the current Industrial Relations Framework, founded on mutual trust. We recognise this will only happen if we are open and honest with each other and show respect for each other’s views and opinions; Develop processes and procedures at a local level to improve the way people work to raise their skill and efficiency levels; Communicate internally, where appropriate, within a framework of scheduled joint discussions and externally present a positive image to any third party; Adopt a joint problem solving approach; Aim to avoid/resolve disagreements speedily by using existing internal procedures; Where agreement has been reached, adopt a unified approach to the implementation of local initiatives, whether suggested by Capita or the CWU.
RECOGNITION ________________________________________________________ It is agreed between Capita and the CWU that the CWU will be recognised by Capita for the purposes of individual and collective representation of staff employed by Capita.
The CWU will jointly discuss with Capita contractual terms and conditions of employment; these will include pay and pay related matters, pensions, hours of attendance, attendance arrangements, job security, technological change, health and safety and personnel procedures (although this list is not exhaustive). CWU contributions will be deducted from salaries by arrangement with the CWU. Both Capita and the CWU place a high value on the training of CWU representatives. Capita shall therefore, from time to time, allow site representatives and members pre-authorised paid time off to attend CWU education and training courses. Additionally, Capita and the CWU shall plan, develop and deliver joint training programmes which will ensure that site representatives and Capita managers will have a thorough understanding of the procedures and services of Capita and the CWU, as well as relevant external issues, such as employment law, equal opportunities and health and safety, etc.
REVIEW PROCESS
This Agreement is important to both Capita and CWU and there is shared commitment to develop continuously the relationship. It is the intention that this Agreement will last for the duration of the contract but will be jointly developed as appropriate. This Agreement will be the subject of a joint review. The purpose of the review shall be to access the effectiveness of the processes and to reflect our progress and vision for the future success of our relationship. We shall meet annually to review progress and to ensure the longevity of the Agreement. Any amendments to the Agreement shall be jointly determined and agreed. This Agreement is not legally binding and may be terminated by either party giving 3 months notice. This Agreement and all matters arising from it should be treated as commercial and in confidence. …………………………………… Denyse Metcalfe Managing Director TV Licensing …………………………………. Andy Furey National Officer Communication Workers Union
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