Beyond information and consultation - take the next
step
Decisions are often made that have an
effect on your working practices and patterns, employment prospects
and a range of other issues.
You have a right to be involved, and even to
influence these decisions.
The information and consultation regulations
are the first step. Even if management has introduced a voluntary
works committee or a joint consultative committee you still have
lots to gain from enforcing your right to a legally binding
agreement through this legislation.
Voluntary agreements can be ignored when
tough decisions need to be made. A breach of a statutory agreement
can lead to heavy fines for a company.
Everyone deserves the respect of being
informed and consulted over issues which affect you at
work. It is hoped that these new rights will put an end to
text message redundancies and other such appalling management
practices.
THE NEXT
STEP
The next step is the right to collective
bargaining – the right to negotiate pay and conditions (hours,
holidays etc) and to have a real say in the decision making process
at work.
Collective bargaining is achieved through
union recognition; when over 50 per cent of a workforce, or a
department, joins the union.
At Macmillan's there are some departments,
such as the Basingstoke warehouse, that already have the benefit
and security of union recognition, many do not.
If you would like more information about
collective bargaining and union recognition please get in
touch. Unite has dedicated union organisers who can give
advice and practical support to you and your colleagues.
"DIGNITY THROUGH COMMUNICATION - NOT
ISOLATION"
