|
 |
Severn Trent Water reinvigorated their long-standing collective bargaining arrangements in 2002.
The company recognises four trade unions (Unison, GMB, T&G and Unite/Amicus) and though the existing arrangements were perceived to be working, they were time-consuming, weren't respected and tended to over-centralise the decision making process.
A joint panel was established to steer the revision process which led to the development of a new partnership framework. Operating at two levels, the new framework replaced geographically based groups with divisional business forums.
The benefits of introducing the new arrangements include: |
 |
decisions are taken more quickly and departments are more effective at managing change |
|
business forums deal with the issues that affect them directly and consequently the unions are seen to have a greater involvement in decision making |
|
more time is given to consultation and all managers are now more involved in working in partnership |
|
interest in union membership has improved and membership levels have remained stable in spite of general decline in the sector |
|
| |
|
|
