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embargo: 00.01 Friday 4 January 2002 |
Attention: news, industrial and economics desks
Partnership means a grown-up relationship between bosses and workers
When bosses and employees work together in partnership businesses increase productivity and profitability, they have less staff turnover and less sickness absence, says a new TUC report Partnership works, which is published today (Friday 4 January 2002).
The report showcases the unique contribution that unions, and the TUC’s Partnership Institute, can make to the success of companies. It also shows how such an approach makes employees jobs more secure and fulfilling. Forty six companies are currently using the TUC Partnership Institute’s consultancy service to promote union involvement in strategic decisions, effective relationships between line managers, supervisors and union representatives, and greater employee involvement. The Institute is progressing partnership agreements with companies in its varied client base including manufacturing, utilities and finance companies, NHS hospitals, local government agencies, NGOs and government departments.
John Monks, TUC General Secretary, said: 'Effective workplace partnership is a relationship based on trust, and that can only be delivered through strong, independent unions representing the workforce. Our members want to feel a sense of personal achievement at work. They also want to be proud of the company they work for, and in return to be treated with respect. Successful businesses know this by seeking partnership agreements.'
Partnership works also draws on wide range of recent research to back its claims quoting a personnel manager saying: 'Trade unions in many ways assist me in solving my problems. They solve problems for me before they even come to my attention.' This opinion is echoed by most human resource managers: in this year’s Industrial Relations Services survey of personnel practitioners some 57% said unions were relevant to the needs of employees.
Partnership works summary
- Partnership workplaces are one-third more likely to have financial performance that is a lot better than average; and are a quarter more likely to have labour productivity that is a lot better than average.
- Partnership between workers, their unions and employers leads to lower labour turnover and absenteeism, and higher sales and profits.
- An international call-centre study based on interviews with staff and managers, found that a partnership relationship with the union had a considerable beneficial impact on job design, control, training and career development.
- The TUC has six key principles that make up a meaningful partnership agreement:
- First, a joint commitment to success of the enterprise.
- Second, unions and employers recognising each other’s legitimate interests and resolving difference in an atmosphere of trust.
- Third, a commitment to employment security.
- Fourth, a focus on the quality of working life.
- Fifth, transparency and sharing information.
- Sixth, mutual gains for unions and employers, delivering concrete improvements to business performance, terms and conditions, and employee involvement.
Notes to Editors:
All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
For more on the TUC Partnership Institute see www.partnership-institute.co.uk
Contacts:
Media enquiries: 020 7467 1248 or email media@tuc.org.uk before Friday 21 December 2001 or after Wednesday January 3rd 2002
Sat 22, Sun 23, Mon 24 - Philip Taylor, pager 07699 744 115
Tues 25, Weds 26, Thus 27 - Nigel Stanley pager 07699 755 102
Fri 28, Sat 29, Sun 30, Mon 31, Tues 1 - Richard Darlington, pager 07654 589 780
Other enquiries: David Coats 020 7467 1205, email dcoats@tuc.org.uk or Richard Exell 020 7467 1319, email rexell@tuc.org.uk
Press release (600 words) issued 3 Jan 2002
