Education Personnel Services

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603 223833)

EPS/BS/BH/VW 01603 222418

18 April 2002 01603 222119

bob.hedley.edu@norfolk.gov.uk

Dear Colleague

You will have received a letter from the GMB Trade Union dated 19th March, asserting that "We are in discussion with Norfolk County Council regarding the implementation of a new job evaluation scheme…", and requesting that representatives of the union attend your school to talk to support staff, to "explain the various aspects of job evaluation and how best the objectives can be achieved…". Unison subsequently wrote to all schools, in a letter dated 10th April, putting a rather different picture.

I am writing to advise you of the LEA's position on these matters. I have consulted with the Director of Corporate Resources at County Hall, who is the County Council's lead on employee relations matters.

GMB are a recognised Trade Union in the County Council for administrative, manual and technical staff. But Unison has overwhelmingly the greater membership, and the LEA and County Council would normally deal mainly with Unison.

GMB have not initiated any discussions with the County Council or the LEA about job evaluation. No job evaluation scheme "has to be carried out". Unison has asked that joint discussions take place at a senior level in the County Council on the question of equal pay, but it will take a considerable time, and much consultation with those who have an interest, before it is clear what results, if any, come out of those.

The GMB request amounts to a request for facilities (accommodation and potentially time off for staff to attend) to meet with non-GMB members, about an issue which is not presently under discussion between GMB and the Council. I strongly advise against agreeing to that request. This could be seen as a recruiting drive by GMB, and if other Unions requested similar facilities you would find it difficult to justify refusal. Your school may be caught up in a Trade Union turf war. Of course, any recognised Union has the right to request reasonable access to employees who are members, but the request goes well beyond that.

I am concerned that GMB has seen fit to write to schools in this manner and the Director of Corporate Resources has taken the matter up with the regional representative. If you have any query or problem arising from this matter or similar, I suggest you contact your Personnel Consultant at County Hall.