Trade unions and employers work best when they work collaboratively in an atmosphere of reciprocal trust. Strong relationships, built on a long-term perspective, allow unions to influence outcomes for members, while employers gain unique insight on issues that they would not get through their usual management channels.
Yesterday, three trade unions – Prospect, FDA and the Prison Officers Association – together with parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office Satvir Kaur, launched a joint partnership framework setting out a new commitment to embed a better employee relations culture in the civil service. It commits both sides to better quality engagement early on in the decision-making process, co-creating solutions to not only address the many challenges the civil service faces, but to improve the working lives of our members and the quality of the public services they deliver.
This partnership approach recognises that we have a shared objective of working pragmatically and constructively together. That is how our unions, Prospect and the FDA, have always sought to represent our members’ interests. We have done so because over the longer term it drives better results for our members. There will always be disagreements and frustrations – that is the very nature of employee relations – but strong unions are unafraid to reach agreement, as well as unafraid to challenge. That’s why we are successful, growing unions and why we have been pressing this government from day one for a partnership framework to extend that influence.
Words do matter, and this commitment to partnership places obligations on both sides over how we conduct consultation and negotiation. It is however only a framework; it describes a high-level commitment to better engagement. What we now need to do is put this into practice across government, so we demonstrate better outcomes for the civil service and the public.
Our work will start immediately. Prospect and the FDA have always worked closely together, sharing many values and an approach to constructive – but robust – engagement with employers. We know how challenging it is to deliver the high-quality public services the country deserves and how committed our members are to that cause.
The previous government and this one have had varying and shifting ‘reform’ agendas. Impending political change in this government will also bring fresh ideas and direction However, whatever the agenda, ensuring that those tasked with delivering it are fully engaged and can help shape it is the key to successful delivery.
So, whether its AI transforming services or a new commitment to devolution, public sector reform works best when public servants and their unions are consulted and engaged at the start and throughout.
That’s why this partnership framework can be the key to unlocking better outcomes, both for our members and the services they deliver.
Dave Penman is the general secretary of the FDA. Mike Clancy is the general secretary of Prospect