Civil service unions have agreed a partnership framework with the Cabinet Office which aims to help achieve common goals and improve the operation of the civil service.
The framework, launched this morning, sets out the benefits of a close working relationship between the unions and the Cabinet Office. It is also intended to act as an example of good practice across the civil service of how to work in partnership with recognised trade unions.
Union general secretaries from the FDA, the union for mid-ranking and senior civil servants; Prospect, which represents technical and special officials; and the POA, which represents prison staff, met this morning with Cabinet Office minister Satvir Kaur to launch the new agreement.
The framework states that Cabinet Office and trade unions will, as appropriate, endeavour to:
- Treat others with respect in all means of communication, both oral and written, including the tone and behaviour used when working with one another
- Work collaboratively to promote well-timed dialogue, including the exchange of information
- Encourage the effective exchange of views and evidence from both the Cabinet Office and trade unions to support high quality informed discussions, using evidence where possiblee
- Approach civil service workforce issues jointly and in partnership, as far as possible, whilst respecting delegation
- Be open with one another in discussions, while respecting any requirements of confidence where these have been set out
- Be mindful that all parties should have an opportunity to participate in discussions, with views taken into consideration
- Work collaboratively on joint communications that celebrate successes achieved through working together
The document also commits to an ongoing dialogue so that when circumstances change, the nuts and bolts of the framework can too.
Welcoming the launch of the framework, the FDA's general secretary Dave Penman said: “The framework is the foundation for a better relationship between the FDA and the civil service.
“Working in partnership with employers is how we deliver what FDA members want from their union, influence over their world of work. It strengthens our influence without compromising our ability to challenge if necessary."
Penman added that the framework "is the beginning, not the end of this project".
"Understanding the challenges, pragmatic early engagement and a constructive approach to problem solving," he said. "That’s what defines partnership working. We now need to deliver that on the ground to improve the working lives of civil servants and the public services they deliver.”
Also commenting on the new framework, Prospect's general secretary Mike Clancy said: “Delivering public services works best when the civil service and trade unions come together at the earliest opportunity to meaningfully engage, so I am very pleased to be establishing this partnership framework with the minister today.
“As well as setting out how we can work together to achieve our common goals, it signals the changing nature Prospect needs to see in our relationship with the civil service. It also demonstrates mutual respect and an ambition to deliver for the public to the best of our ability.
“The template and best practice should highlight to all civil service employers how they can build upon and improve their own relationship with the workforce.”
CSW has approached PCS, the civil service's biggest union, for comment on whether it plans to sign the partnership framework.