[WiLT] Sector needs better relations with trade unions, says report

[WiL Admin]

Sector needs better relations with trade unions, says report

Charities and voluntary organisations should draw up a collective
agreement with trade unions in order to improve relationships and
avert disputes, according to an Acevo report.

The Way Ahead: Trade Unions And The Third Sector, which is published
by Acevo today, says there should be a national strategy for improving
human resources and employment relations, exploring the joint
development of a kitemark-style quality accreditation for good
employers and discussing a possible sector-wide pension scheme.

It also says that unions and third sector organisations should set
aside ideological differences in areas such as the involvement of
charities in the delivery of public services and explore drawing up a
dispute resolution procedure.

The report's author is Nita Clarke, who was union adviser to Tony
Blair when he was Prime Minister.

The report also suggests ways to improve dialogue and understanding
between trade unions and third sector organisations. It recommends a
protocol to cover areas such as skills development, ethical standards
and best practice in staff and volunteer relations.

"It would be a code agreed at national level between organisations
such as Acevo, the NCVO and the TUC, and would be about defining and
spreading good practice," Clarke told Third Sector.

The voluntary sector should work with trade unions to see how its poor
record in this area could be improved, Clarke said.

"A lot of government support for the sector is based around
capacity-building and working in partnership, but because of the
nature of the third sector it needs help in industrial and employment
relations," she said.

Mike Short, national officer for the community and voluntary sector at
trade union Unison, said unions would welcome the development of a
joint protocol on how unions and third sector organisations should
work together.

"Anything that contributes towards the building of good, healthy
partnership working is good for us," he said. But he warned that a
one-size-fits-all approach should be avoided.

The report says...
* Unions and third sector organisations should develop a national
strategy for improving human resources and industrial relations
* Both sides should discuss setting up a sector-wide pension scheme
* Ideological differences should be set aside and a method for
allowing regular dialogue between unions and third sector
organisations should be established.

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/Article/813817/Sector-needs-better-relations-trade-unions-says-report/


ACEVO Press Release re report
https://www.acevo.org.uk/index.cfm/display_page/news_press/control_contentType/news_list/display_open/news_1269