Model Time Off and facilities Agreement for new reps

[LinChong]

We should have one on the CWU website but we don't. This one is based on the TUC site's one:


Time Off and Facilities Agreement for CWU Local Unit Representatives

Royal Mail supports the system of collective bargaining and the principle of solving employee relations problems by discussion and agreement. All parties recognise that it is vital to good employee relations for the workforce to be properly represented by the recognised union. Furthermore all sides believe that a truly representative and effective union will enhance workforce employee relations. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 sections 168 and 170 make provision for employees to be given the right for time off under various circumstances.

It is recognised that it is not possible to be prescriptive about all duties, activities and time required to carry them out. It is agreed that requests for time off will not be unreasonably refused. Accredited representatives will be permitted paid time off during working hours to carry out duties that are concerned with any aspect of collective bargaining and representation of individual members, including:

§ terms and conditions of employment including physical working conditions



§ engagement, termination or suspension of employment and the duties of employment



§ allocation of work or the duties of employment as between employees or groups of employees



§ discipline and grievance



§ activities associated with trade union membership


Where representatives attend meetings called by management, management will always try to ensure that the meetings take place while the appropriate representatives are on duty, either by adjusting dates of meetings and/or amending rotas where possible by agreement with the individual concerned.

When representatives, other than those with full-time secondment, attend meetings called by management during their normal working hours which extend beyond normal finishing time, they will be paid at plain time rates for the additional hours worked, except that, where earnings vary with the work done, the amount will be calculated by reference to the average hourly earnings for the work they are employed to do, including average bonus or contractual overtime payments.

(a) Where representatives attend meetings called by management which occur in their off-duty time, they will be reimbursed for the hours spent at the meetings at plain time rates, or

(b) If a meeting is to take place on the representative’s day off or while the representative is not on duty and (a) is not possible then an equivalent amount of time off in lieu will be given at a time agreeable to both parties, subject to the contingencies of the service. If it is impossible to arrange time in lieu then payment for this time will be made.

The employer will ensure that where necessary and when notice of time off has been given by trade union representatives that work cover will be provided in respect of the representative/s concerned.


Facilities

Royal Mail will provide the following facilities:

The Unit Representative will be released from duty for __ hour(s) a day to be available to CWU members between these times:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Unit Representative will be released from duty for one hour a week to attend a weekly resources meeting with the Unit Manager.

The Unit Representative shall be provided with the use of a private room to meet CWU members and the use of a telephone for CWU related business.

The Unit Manager will ensure that the Unit Representative's duty is always covered during these regular release times.

[LinChong]

There must be some suggestions to improve this.