 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
complete cooperation in the assessment and development of new working practices.
Manning levels. Manning levels will be discussed and mutually agreed with the employees
concerned and/or with their representatives, and no action of any sort will be taken by the
management before such consultation has occurred.
ASTMS.
ASTMS have around 30 staff, almost all of them were clerical workers. The branch has
always been fairly amorphous and has lacked clear representation with management.
Turnover in clerical staff had historically been high in Burke, and management had used
these high rates of turnover to reduce staff in this area following the introduction of
computerised accounting 2 years previously. The union had since then been pressing for a
detailed programme of job evaluation. The current representative had been with the firm
for 3 years and worked in the warehouse as a stock checker.
ASTMS agreement
Introduction. After several meetings between management and members of the
Association the following actions were agreed.
Wage rises. The company agreed to pay an interim settlement towards all hourly and
monthly paid workers of 6 per week. The Association noted, with concern, that its
members wage rates continued to fall behind the regional average and management
agreed that there was an urgent need to upgrade skills and working practices so that more
realistic wages could be achieved. The Association agreed to hold in abeyance the 12 per
cent pay claim outstanding until the vital re-grading exercise had been completed.
Job grading. Both management and the Association agree that there a need to introduce
job grading as soon as possible to improve departmental efficiency. Management agrees
that steps will be taken by October to introduce a new format for the analysis of work
content. The Association and management agree that, if there should be any downwards
movement of grading as a result of such a reassessment, that the individual concerned will
be provided with an allowance equal to the loss of the original grade. This payment would
cease after 18 months.
Productivity. To enable the reforms to be implemented, the Association agrees that it will
provide complete cooperation in the assessment and development of new working
practices.
Manning levels. Manning levels will be discussed and mutually agreed with the employees
concerned and/or with their representatives, and no action of any sort will be taken by the
management before such consultation has occurred.
Action
What are the main problems that you, as J Franklin, are facing? What steps do you need
to take to improve the industrial relations atmosphere at Burke Engineering?
 |