date: 29 June 2000

embargo: 00.01hrs Monday 3 July 2000

Attention: Yorkshire media

two pages

A perfect partnership for unions and employers in Yorkshire

Unions and employers in Yorkshire will be extolling the virtues of partnership today (Monday) as they tell a TUC/Yorkshire Forward conference in Leeds how this new spirit of co-operation is signalling success for bosses and workers alike in the region.

Partners for progress is the third of four regional events organised by the TUC, and a number of business organisations, in advance of the launch of the TUC's Partnership Institute later this year.

Delegates from both sides of industry attending the day-long event- which takes place at the Metropole Hotel, Kings Street, Leeds - will hear presentations from DETR regions minister, Beverley Hughes MP; Susan Clews, Assistant Director, ACAS; Julian Hemmings, Director of Yorkshire Forward (the local Regional Development Agency); and TUC economics chief, David Coats.

Throughout the day union and employer representatives from the public and private sectors, with first hand experience of partnership, will talk about how the new way of working is proving to be a recipe for success.

Case study presentations during the day will come from Elida Faberge, Robert McBride and Leeds University.

TUC General Secretary, John Monks said: "More and more employers are realising that greater success belongs to those companies who work in partnership alongside trade unions. Many businesses and unions in Yorkshire are already using partnership as the model for best practice in the workplace. I hope as a result of today's conference, those employers and unions yet to be seduced by the benefits of partnership will be encouraged to embrace this common sense way of working."

Regeneration Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Partnership is at the heart of the government's regeneration and economic development policy. We welcome the new spirit of co-operation that is signalling success for employers and their staff in Leeds. Just as businesses and unions are using partnership as the model for best practice in the workplace so Government sees partnership between unions, employers, local government and the wider community as the key to successful economic development and regeneration."

Case studies

· Elida Faberge. Elida Faberge has a partnership agreement with the shopworkers' union, USDAW and MSF, the white collar workers' union. The company was the first in the UK to commit to the Investors in People standard in 1991. The partnership agreement has a strong focus on learning at work - the company makes a 24 hour learning centre available to all staff and their families. The learning centre offers access to computers, educational videos and a library. Courses available range from languages and information technology to assertiveness training.

· Robert McBride. Robert McBride employs 2,500 people making household and personal care cleaning products. Around three years ago the company developed a new business strategy which set developing people as one of its key goals. Part of this commitment included increasing employee involvement in the decision making processes of the business and improved terms and conditions for all employees, as well as the development of a joint union/employer training programme.

Later this year, the TUC's Partnership Institute will open its doors for business with the aim of spreading the partnership message to businesses across the UK. The Institute will:

· offer practical support in establishing partnerships in workplaces through training, consultancy and advisory services.

· support a network of organisations learning from each other about successful partnerships.

· provide research and policy development that promotes partnership at work.

Notes to Editors: All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

Contacts: Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen on 020 7467 1248 or 01399 744115 (pager)

Other enquiries:

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Press release (700 words) issued 3 Jul 2000