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REPORT FROM SCOTTISH HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICE GROUP COMMITTEE
TO SCOTTISH COUNCIL MEETING BEING HELD ON 9 APRIL 2005
From the last report tabled at the February Scottish Council a
limited amount of action has taken place However, on behalf of the
Scottish Higher Education Service Group Committee I am pleased to
advise of the success of the following.
HIGHER EDUCATION GRADE AND PAY MODELLING COURSE
As a result of being successful in achieving funding from the Finance,
Development & Organisation Sub Committee of the Scottish Committee,
the first training course has taken place and the feedback has been
very positive. This is enabling Higher Education Activists directly
involved with the implementation of the Framework Agreement to have
the skills to be able to look at the appropriate grade and pay structures
being put forward arising out of Job Evaluation and Framework Agreement
issues.
Our colleagues at National level are looking at the success of
this course to be able to role out as a programme across the UK
to other Higher Education Branches.
JOB EVALUATION SCHEME
I am pleased to advise that the majority of Higher Education Institutions
in Scotland have gone for the Higher Educational Analysis Job Evaluation
System as opposed to opting for Hay . Our senior activists Working
in Partnership have been able to pursue this vigorously.
SELECTING BENCHMARKS BRIEFING
Again with the support of branches we were able to hold a successful
briefed for branch activists in this area of implementing a Job
Evaluation Scheme.
RECRUITMENT
It is recognised that Higher Education Branches have an ideal opportunity
to maximise recruitment potential during the negotiations for implementing
the Framework Agreement, however the challenges this is making on
activists time is a concern to the Service Group and to senior activists.
FACILITY TIME
As a result of securing the funding from the Scottish Higher Education
Funding Council most employers have now put in satisfactory Facility
Time Arrangements enabling our activists in Higher Education to
participate fully in the negotiations and related work associated
with implementing the Framework Agreement.
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
Our activists in Higher Education are rising to the challenge in
implementing Partnership Working across the sector, however there
are difficulties at local level with certain of the academic trade
unions branches which are exacerbating Partnership Working both
with them and with the employer. The majority of both the employer
and the other trade unions are working positively towards implementing
Partnership working in all Institutions.
CAROL A JUDGE
Scottish Organiser
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REPORT FROM SCOTTISH HIGHER EDUCATION
SCOTTISH COUNCIL - 19 FEBRUARY 2005
Given the short time scale from the last Scottish Council meeting,
this is a short report covering the key items.
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
A number of action have been progressed from the last meeting of
Scottish Council, mainly organising and setting up a Selecting Benchmark
Post briefmg session which takes place at the end of January 2005.
The Policy Session of the Service Group is taking place also at
the end of January and is concentrating on the Framework Agreement,
particularly the challenges of Harmonisation - Hours being at the
top of the list.
The Service Group has agreed to organise a course for all activists
on Pay Modelling and there will be a bid to the Scottish Committee's
Finance, Development & Organisation Sub Committee to offset
the costs. At the Policy Weekend there will also be a structured
discussion on Staff Training and Appraisal Systems which are being
introduced on a more frequent basis within Higher Education.
FACILITY TIME
Along with the normal work, the Framework Agreement has increased
the amount of facility time that is required and it is part of the
joint agreement with employers to address, however many activists
in Higher Education are finding making time for trade union duties
in conflict with their jobs. This is being monitored by the Service
Group.
OBJECTIVES FOR 2005/2006
These are being updated to reflect the changes and will be discussed
at the Policy Session. They already include positive commitment.
support, and positive outcome of the Political Fund Ballot and also
monitoring the impact on the two tier work force noting that protocol
with the Executive through the STUC does not apply to the Higher
Education Sector and therefore the Service Group would like to see
it being extended to Higher Education and other Sectors.
CAROL A JUDGE
Scottish Organiser
Higher and Further Education
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