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