Introduction
Our trade union facility time data is published annually for the financial year (April - March).
Data published in this guide includes both the council’s central function employees and education employees of recognised Trade Unions and Professional Teaching Associations.
Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for fire and rescue service employees.
Trade union representation
Staffordshire County Council has a Partnership and Facilities Agreement with its recognised Trade Unions and Professional Teaching Associations. The Agreement sets out the Council’s commitment to partnership working with trade unions and recognises the value this relationship adds to the business. The terms of the Agreement are in compliance with the ACAS Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities.
Trade Union representatives have a statutory right under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act (TULR(C)A) 1992 to reasonable paid time off to fulfil trade union duties, such as negotiating with employers, representing members, performing duties of an accredited Health and Safety Representative or Union Learning Representative, and attending training to enable these duties to be carried out.
Trade Union representatives also have a statutory right to reasonable unpaid time off to carry out trade union activities, such as meetings where the purpose or principal purpose is to discuss internal union matters, Trade Union conferences, or internal administration of the union.
The Trade Unions and Professional Teaching Associations recognised by Staffordshire County Council for collective bargaining purposes are:
- UNISON
- GMB
- UNITE
- National Education Union (NEU)
- National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
- Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)
- National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
- Association of Educational Psychologists
Other publication requirements
In addition, the Trade Union Regulations 2017 require us to publish details about the number of relevant union officials, time spent on union duties and activities and the cost to the authority. We are required to submit this data to the Cabinet Office for publication on the gov.uk website.