Bath Spa University

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Joint Recognition and Procedure Agreement

The Board of Governors has entered into a Joint Recognition and Procedure agreement with the recognised trade unions which is set out below:

1. Introduction

1. This agreement establishes the basis upon which Bath Spa University recognises the unions who are signatories to this document. It provides the necessary procedures to govern relations between Bath Spa University and those unions.
2. The purpose of this agreement is to establish local consultative and negotiating arrangements to cover all groups of staff within Bath Spa University up to but not including the Directorate.
3. The agreement does not cover certain senior management, holders of other 'senior posts' as designated within the Articles of Government of Bath Spa University and certain other employees including those who are paid on rates determined by conditions of a research council, grant, government department or similar such bodies. These posts are: Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive and Corporation Secretary.
4. In establishing this agreement Bath Spa University and the recognised unions accept that affairs will be conducted taking due account of the Polytechnics and University's National Negotiating Committee (UCEA).
5. In this context it is accepted that agreements reached within the UCEA will be recommended for implementation by all parties in the expectation that they will act in good faith.

2. Objectives

1. The signatories to this document agree to promote harmonious employee relations through the development of effective joint consultative and negotiating machinery.
2. The signatories to this document recognise that it is in the interests of Bath Spa University, its employees and the students that the Institution's business should function effectively to the benefit of both the Institution and the employees and that this is a common objective.
3. The signatories to this document jointly recognise the need for the provision of strong and effective institutions including the establishment of career structures and the encouragement of proper training programmes.
4. The signatories of this document agree that positive measures must be adopted to identify unnecessary differences between staff.
5. The signatories to this document agree that it in no way detracts from or lessens the requirement for direct and constructive relationships between individual employees and the employer.

3. Recognition

1. The Board of Governors and the Vice-Chancellor recognise that the named unions are the sole bargaining agents. The unions identified are:
2. UNISON Support staff excluding the Corporation Secretary
3. UCU Academic Staff excluding the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
4. The recognised unions accept that it is the right and responsibility of the institution to manage its domestic affairs in the context of this agreement.
5. The recognised unions accept that this agreement confers certain rights and responsibilities. There is no legal obligation upon Bath Spa University to abide by any national pay and conditions recommendations of the Polytechnics and University's National Negotiating Committee (UCEA). However, Bath Spa University reaffirms its good intention to participate in good faith in the National negotiating framework.
6. The recognised unions accept the requirement for teaching and non teaching to jointly convene meetings with management under the processes described in this document.

4. Procedures

1. The existence of this agreement in no way detracts from an employee's right of access to institution management or the institution's right to communicate directly with its employees or the recognised unions' right to communicate with their members.
2. Negotiations will take place between the nominated representative(s) of the Vice-Chancellor and the representative(s) of the recognised trade unions.
3. The parties will have due regard to the need to limit the numbers of representatives attending meetings to ensure efficient and speedy resolution of mutually agreed agenda items.
4. The number of representatives from each union will be:
   1. For Full JCNC Forum:
      • UNISON: 3 representatives
      • UCU: 3 representatives
   2. Plus such observers as agreed between the joint secretaries prior to the meeting.
   3. For Common Interest Groups:
      • Elected representatives plus a Union Official.
   4. Constitutions of the JCNC and Common Interest Groups are appended.
5. While certain matters will need to be discussed collectively since they will be pertinent to all unions, it is expected that other matters will be decided directly between the appropriate common interest group recognised unions and management.
6. The common interest groups will be:
   • Support Staff: UNISON
   • Teaching Staff: UCU
7. Bath Spa University and the recognised unions agree that in order to maintain good relationships problems should be discussed without undue delay and be resolved at the earliest stage through constructive collective bargaining.
8. To this end there will be the minimum of delay in arranging meetings between management and the recognised unions.
9. Requests for meetings between the management and the recognised unions collectively, or any of the common interest groups (see above) may be initiated by the Unions or the management.
10. There will be a minimum of one collective meeting each term, plus a minimum of one meeting for each common interest group each term, unless there is insufficient business to discuss.

5. Procedure for dealing with unsolved issues

1. It is mutually agreed that the aim of the negotiating procedures as outlined is to avoid disputes until all stages of the procedure have been exhausted.
2. In the event of the unions collectively or one of the common interest groups failing to resolve an issue within its defined remit, the recognised unions and the management shall consider the matter jointly and may, if mutually agreed to do so, refer it to conciliation, arbitration or other forms of assistance.
3. In the event of a local disagreement on the interpretation of any UCEA joint recommendation, use may be made of the good offices of the management side secretary and the appropriate recognised union side secretary to assist in resolving those disagreements, should both parties locally decide to request such referral.

6. Variation during and termination of this agreement

1. Variation or changes to this Agreement can only be made by mutual agreement between the signatory unions to this document and representatives of Bath Spa University.
2. Either the collective signatory unions to this document or representatives of Bath Spa University may terminate this Agreement by giving nine months notice in writing to the other parties to the Agreement.
3. This local Agreement in line with the National Recognition Agreement will cease to exist on 1st March, 2000 unless it ceases to exist prior to that date arising from the parties to this Agreement operating the above section to this Agreement.
4. There will be a meeting of all parties to this Agreement at least six months before 1st January, 2000 to examine the prospects of renewing and/or revising this agreement.