How and why work together
It may surprise some that the branch works together with the employer and other unions but this is a necessary factor in order to get solutions to problems and provide communication of important matters. Sometimes it can be a difficult process but working together and finding common purpose can prove beneficial to the whole workforce and individuals workers, as well as the population we serve.
The branch inputs at all levels of the council (e.g. service, directorate, political) and is involved in meetings with council officers and politicians regularly (see below). Branch officials and reps attend all these meetings and feedback into the branch committee. Two-way feedback (and feed into) is enabled through reps in workplaces discussing issues with members and taking these issues either directly to management (through JCC or DJCC) or to branch officials.
If we didn’t work together then policies such as absence, disciplinary and performance could be far more punitive, areas such as equalities and terms and conditions might be far less reasonable and the ability of reps to represent individuals and groups may be more restricted than currently.
https://unitececbranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Working_Together_Protocol___April_2023.pdf
The above link displays the main document that governs working together. It is aided by the council’s behaviours and our own union rule book.
Below are graphic and tabular representations of the working together structure.
| Committee | Purpose and Function | Membership | Frequency |
| Joint Consultative Group (JCG) | Consultation on finance, change and employment related matters. Consideration of items referred by other employer/ employee committees (e.g. P@W, HR/TU) | Elected members Senior CEC officers All recognised unions | quarterly |
| Partnership@ Work (P@W) | Consultation on finance, change and employment related matters. Consideration of items referred by other employer/ employee committees (e.g. DJCC, HR/TU) | Senior CEC Officers All recognised unions | monthly |
| HR/TU Engagement meeting | Policy consultation | Senior HR All recognised unions | fortnightly |
| Directorate Joint Consultative Committee (DJCC) | consultation on matters pertinent to directorate | Senior directorate level officers All recognised unions relevant to directorate | bi-monthly |
| Service level Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) | consultation on matters pertinent to service | Senior service level officers All recognised unions relevant to service | bi-monthly |
| Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership Forum (EHSCP) | consultation on matters pertinent to EHSCP | Senior EHSCP officers (inc NHS) All recognised unions relevant to EHSCP (inc NHS unions) | |
| Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers (LNCT) | consultation on matters pertinent to teaching and teachers in CEC | Senior education officers All recognised teachers’ unions |
If you want to know more contact a rep.