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"Two parties working together for the common good." That's Andy Hornby's vision of partnership working and, as chief executive of HBOS, he should know because HBOS is one of the first UK employers to have a partnership agreement in place. He is clear that he wants maximum union membership so that "as many people as possible at HBOS feel part of a union and part of a really productive relationship with the company."
So convinced is he that partnership is the right way forward for HBOS that he has made a public commitment to see union membership grow from 50% of the workforce to at least 70% by 2012. And, to demonstrate just how serious he is, HBOS will fund union subscriptions for new starters for their first six months of employment.
HBOS, a top FTSE 100 company providing business, corporate and retail banking as well as insurance and investment services, is already seeing tangible results in terms of revised meeting structures with earlier engagement with their union partners on change initiatives, a 'single voice' response from the unions and the joint development of workplace and manager training.
And when you talk to the two unions, Accord and Unite, they believe that it is a positive development for a major player in the financial services sector to encourage union growth and organisation in the form of a partnership agreement.
Ged Nichols, General Secretary of Accord says: "It's important for the union to help HBOS be a success so that, in return, our members can have secure jobs, fair rewards and dignity at work. The steps we are taking have the potential to transform industrial relations in the business and I believe that the partnership journey will take us to a better place than we would otherwise be in."
Wendy Dunsmore, National Secretary at Unite agrees: "I believe that the partnership consolidates the already strong relationship with HBOS. They clearly view unions as the voice of employees and therefore strong union membership is fundamental to a strong and healthy workforce. We are working together with the company to ensure that we can achieve the best for our members and trade union principles." |
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HBOS newsletter
HBOS Today April 2008 |
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