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Fourth Round Projects (The Partnership At Work Fund)

THE PARTNERSHIP AT WORK FUND

Fourth Round Winners

Projects with National Coverage

AMEY Rail and the RMT – Partnership at Work

AMEY Rail and the RMT are seeking to implement a dissemination and workplace based project to engineer a culture change. As the organisation moves from being autocratic to one of a more open nature, this must be followed by working in full partnership in areas such as recruitment and selection, discipline, grievance, managing for attendance and poor performance, and health and safety. The long-term objective of this exercise will be to commence a culture change throughout the company including senior management representative and the elected staff council working in harmony towards a common objective.

Sector: Transport

Unions Involvement in the Business Boards

Royal Mail Service Delivery with the CMA and CWU are aiming to introduce partnership working at national, regional and area levels. The project will help develop a Partnership Vision that will encompass all employees and harness there efforts to make the organisation successful. Unions, managers and employees will be unified in their aim secure a prosperous future for Royal Mail Service Delivery.

Sector: Public

Working on the Future — Together

Sainsbury’s Supermarket Supply Chain Division, the TGWU and USDAW’s project plans to communicate, engage and involve all supply chain colleagues in the business transformation. The scheme also intends to develop the management and Trades Union working relationship.

Sector: Retail

Performance Improvements Partnerships – Improving productivity and service excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry

Hospitality and Leisure Manpower, the British Hospitality Association and the Academy of food and Wine Services have combined to create a national network of ‘Performance Improvement Partnerships’ with the aim of improving productivity and service excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Sector: Leisure

Working Smarter – Not Harder

KFAT and the British Footwear Association (BFA) have jointly developed a proposal to improve the already internationally competitive and efficient UK footwear sector.  Aims of the project include: reduction in the physical effort required within part of the manufacturing process; removal of the non-added value elements from within the manufacturing process; reduction in the throughput time and quality element of the product; improvements to the health and safety of workers; removal of gender discrimination in job opportunities; and to encourage more young people into the industry, particularly women returners into traditionally male dominated jobs.

Sector: Manufacturing

Partnership at Work in the Shipping Industry: NUMAST/ P&O Nedlloyd

NUMAST and P&O Nedlloydare aiming to build on an existing ‘partnership at work’ program.  The existing Partnership Committees that help to facilitate the involvement of the companies’ employees/union members in the strategic direction of the company as well as the working environment and terms and conditions of employment.  This project will help to support and sustain the representatives through partnership training and enable them to disseminate partnership philosophy throughout the company, the union’s members and the shipping industry.

Sector: Transport/Shipping

Sustaining Partnership in an Environment of Uncertainty

AMICUS and Leeds University Business School’s project will produce a Partnership Framework Document for the Insurance Sector, which establishes a common set of principles and practices for building and sustaining partnership relations at the workplace.  The Framework Document will establish best practice standards across three ‘pillars’ of partnership (involvement, training, and the quality of the working environment) and promote good and mutually beneficial employment relations.

Sector: Trade Union

Accelerated Implementation of Sector Skills and Qualifications to Promote the Effective Competitiveness of the Glass Manufacturing Sector

Glass Training Ltd, S. Murray & Co. Ltd, Bibby Sterilin, FBV Anchor and QVF Process Systems have united to present a project that will extend the process of employee participation within the glass manufacturing sector.  The vehicles used will be the promotion of lifelong learning, learning for all using the framework of NVQ’s to promote best practice within glass manufacturing.

Sector: Manufacturing

Working in Partnership Agreement with PCS

The Passport and Records Agency together with the PCS Union are working to facilitate the culture of partnership within the Agency by developing a Partnership Agreement with their recognised Trade Union – PCS, with the aim of improving employee relations.  Partnership principles will be introduced to managers and local PCS representatives in regional offices using joint training sessions. Management training will be developed to improve and standardise management skills to ensure consistency of treatment across the Agency.

Sector: Public

Partnership Working – A Practitioner’s Guide

A dissemination based project from IPA, EEF and USDAW. The aim of the project is to produce a practitioner’s handbook that will act as a detailed good practice guide to assist with the growing need to sustain established partnership agreements.

Sector: Voluntary

Facing the Future – Establishing Common Purpose

The Samaritans’ project will seek to improve communication between the 203 Branches with 18,700 volunteers, and General Office in order to create and agree a common purpose that is relevant to society and best serves callers.  This will help to ensure that The Samaritans remain available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Sector: Voluntary

NORTH EAST

Putting Partnership to Work

Employee Relations Forum for NE Englandaims to develop and promote a positive climate of employee relations in the North East.  This will contribute to the economic prosperity and social regeneration of the region.  The project will also enhance the objectives of the Regional Economic Strategy and existing frameworks for collaborative action, through the building of an adaptable and highly skilled workforce in the region.

Sector: Trade Union

Increasing Asbestos Awareness and Maintaining Accurate Records

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and the GMB have created a project which aims to increase asbestos awareness and initiate a process that will allow current records to be updated. The council and the combined Unions will work in partnership to reduce the danger of exposure to asbestos. The aim is for employees to be involved in health and safety at work and play a full part in the improving of awareness for asbestos issues.

Sector: Public

NORTH WEST

Process Improvement Works

Tessenderlo UK Ltd have developed a workplace-based project to tackle issues of teamwork, communication and training in order to work together as teams to improve business performance.

A Project to Significantly Improve Employee Relations Within Arriva Trains Merseyside

Arriva Trains Merseyside, the RMT, TSSA and ASLEF are sponsoring a culture change project to move away from the ‘them and us’ culture through employees and managers working together.  The aim is to increase knowledge and understanding of the procedure agreements as well as improving and enhancing the skills required to apply them.  Improved internal communication is the desired outcome from the project.

Sector: Transport

Merseyside Call Centre Partnership for Change

The TUC North West (Unison, USDAW, MSF, PCSU & CWCU) with Liverpool Occupational Health Partnership, Liverpool City Council, Riverside Housing and McIntyre & King Ltd have all combined to bring managers, trade unions, enforcement agencies, and occupational bodies in a working group. The aim is to promote a partnership approach to improve health and occupational health in call centres on Merseyside.

Sector: Call Centre

Thriving Citizenship-Participation at the Lesbian and Gay Foundation

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation with AMICUS have developed a project to tackle issues of participation, citizenship and inclusion, following major changes in the organisation that has a wide spectrum of activities and stakeholders.  The project will also open new channels of communication and co-operation between staff and volunteers, to make the LGF welcoming and productive for our diverse clients and members.

Sector: Voluntary

Partnership for Cultural Change

The Big Life Company (formerly The Big Issue in the North Trust and Diverse Resources) is a large charity that includes a number of small businesses and social enterprises.  The organisation now needs to review and evaluate its effectiveness.  The project will help promote a jointly owned set of values in the merged organisation enabling staff to identify how their job performance can contribute to the overall success of the workplace. The charity is seeking to improve its strength and sustainability that will lead to further diversification.

Sector: Voluntary

The Change Through Partnership Project

Ethel Austin Ltd and USDAW, have developed a proposal that intends to change the culture and behaviour in the Head Office and distribution centres.  The aim is to develop a higher degree of management and staff involvement to match the levels in the Ethel Austin stores.  They will implement a change in systems, structure and procedures, in addition to the introduction of a pay and reward system.  The ultimate aim is to gain the commitment and ‘buy-in’ of staff in order to build a business that will provide security for staff and an appropriate result for stakeholders.

Sector: Retail

A Partnership Approach to Flexible Team-Working

The National Library for the Blind and the GMB are seeking with support from the Partnership Fund to develop a pro-active approach to managing change.  Staff are to be prepared for the move to flexible team working practices, enabling the organisation to achieve its goals.

Sector: Voluntary

YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE

Partnership in the Workplace

The TGWU and Employee Relations Forum for Yorkshire and Humberside have developed a dissemination project to identify and promote best practice in partnership development in both the public and private sectors. The aim of the project being the creation of more effective relationships within the workplace, thereby facilitating other initiatives such as workforce development.

Sector: Public

Tackling Bullying and Harassment Through Effective Partnership Working

A workplace based project from Barnsley District General Hospital and Unison. The project seeks to create an organisational culture change by the use of joint training developed through partnership working. The aim is to promote recognition of Bullying and Harassment, an understanding of the issues, including identification of Racial and Sexual Harassment and the needs of other groups identified in the Trust Policies – providing managers with a strategy for dealing with complaints of Bullying and Harassment including where to access information and further support.

Sector: Public

Building Constructive Employee Relations for Sustainable Success

A workplace based project from Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) Ltd.The project seeks to build a constructive and non-adversarial climate of employee relations within GNER and to ensure that business success; job opportunities and reward become regarded by all managers and other employees as interconnected and compatible.

Sector: Transport

Working Together

A workplace based project from Doncaster MBC, Unison, GMB, TGWU, AEEU and UCATT. The aim of the project is to develop a number of initiatives aimed at partnership working with the Trade Unions that represent the majority of council employees.

Sector: Public

Delivering Primary Care Through Effective Partnership Working

A workplace based project from West Hull PCT, Unison, RCN, MSF, RCM and BMA. The aim of the project is to support a new modern working culture through development of effective partnership arrangements which improves the working lives of staff by allowing greater participation, involvement and partnership working in delivering and developing primary care services.

Sector: Health

Establishing Business Solutions and Implementation Strategies by Working in Partnership

A workplace based project from Ciba Speciality Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd and GMB. The project seeks to develop a partnership approach to the resolution of problems and changes in working practices and organisation. The aim is to achieve a culture change, which will give a platform on which to build real partnership by the involvement of all employees, and to enable sustained business growth and performance.

Sector: Manufacturing

EAST MIDLANDS

Equipping Ourselves to Make Partnership Work Together

A workplace based project from University College Northampton. The project seeks to develop and embed a culture of partnership between staff, staff representatives and leaders at UCN in the management of change, equipping individuals within the partnership with the skills and knowledge to make the partnership effective and add value to UCN as a whole.

Sector: Training

Equality Through Partnership

A workplace based project from S&A Foods Ltd and TGWU. The project seeks to develop a relationship with employee representatives based on respect, trust and mutual understanding. To enable employees and their representatives to gain a greater understanding of the business, and to encourage a greater contribution in delivering progress and cultural change through partnership.

Sector: Manufacturing

PFB – Pride In Our Factory – Pride In Our Brand

A workplace based project from Pork Farms and TGWU. The aim of the project is to deliver world class manufacturing standard efficiency, through enhanced skill levels and team working, supported by an open partnership between employer and employees.

Sector: Manufacturing

Best Practice Dissemination Project – Cultural Change to Increase Productivity

EEF East Midlands, Garryson Ltd, Carlton Lasers, Cressfall Resistors Ltd and Steelcraft Ltd have combined to work in Partnership with their employers’ federation to increase their knowledge and commitment to meet the competitive challenges of the future and increase productivity and profits.

Sector: Engineering/Construction

Butt Foods – “A New Way of Working”

Butt Foods, in tandem with their workforce, aim to introduce new ways of working to build a genuine partnership between all the employees and Managing Director.  The desired outcome is to move the business from a current entrepreneurial and paternal culture to a partnership culture. Together they will unlock and develop vital skills the business needs to address challenges presented by the customer.

Sector: Manufacturing

Stress Within the Authority

Boston Borough Council, the GMB and Unisonhave joined to develop a project that aspires to identify the causes of stress and wherever possible seek to reduce its impact.  This will be attained by equipping the workforce with the necessary skills to implement suitable coping strategies.  Outcomes of the project will be the improvement of the working environment, a reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover – key themes of the Partnership Fund.

Sector: Public

WEST MIDLANDS

Developing And Applying The Principles of Partnership: Working For Solutions

A workplace based project from Cadbury Trebor Bassett, TGWU and Amicus/AEEU. The project seeks to achieve two main linked objectives: (1) to develop and utilise problem solving skills using a partnership approach under the new joint agreement “Clearly the Best” initiative and (2) to focus on solutions which support Work-life balance and which use the partnership agreement to tackle under representation.

Sector: Manufacturing

SOUTH WEST

Business Awareness within John Heathcoat & Company (Holdings) Ltd

A workplace based project from John Heathcoat & Co Ltd and TGWU.The project seeks to improve business awareness of employees through effective use of partnership working in order to improve the quality of products and delivery times.

Sector: Manufacturing

Shaw Trust Cross Functional Partnerships

The Shaw Trust with their staff have developed a project that intends to establish cross functional partnerships to ensure that staff at all levels and in all functions are engaged and involved in the development of Shaw Trust, and contribute in a positive and meaningful way to the growth of Shaw Trust.

Sector: Voluntary

Developing Partnership at the Audit Commission

The Audit Commission and their employeesaim to develop the methods of working with the Trade Unions to improve employee involvement in the organisation.  This will be done through encouraging greater staff participation within the Union and Staff Association in decision making, and to operate a dissemination project to promote awareness of Partnership with the development of the existing Partnership intranet site.

Sector: Public

Employee Partnership Forum

Rowe & Co (Cornwall) Holdings and their six subsidiaries aim to establish an Employee Partnership Forum for the group.  This will include Director/management representatives from each of the subsidiary companies.  The outcomes of the meetings will be disseminated to all staff throughout the organisation through various media including a staff website

Sector: Construction, IT & Transport

Improving Consultation Mechanisms

A workplace based project from Bath & North East Somerset Primary Care Trust, RCN and Unison. The aim of the project is to encourage staff to become involved in current organisational issues and hopefully lead to an increase in the number of staff side representatives. The project also aims to improve the effectiveness of current consultation mechanisms such as the Joint Consultative Forum and also introduce new mechanisms and ways of consulting with staff.

Sector: Health

SOUTH EAST

Our Co-operative Advantage

A workplace based project from Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op Society. The project seeks to involve people and bring about a change in the way people work in partnership, through participation and involvement at every level.

Sector: Retail

Partnership for Common Sense

A workplace based project from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Services, Fire Brigades Union and Royal Berkshire Combined Fire Authority. The project seeks to give every member of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the combined Fire Authority, a voice in planning the future of the service, improving the way in which individuals and groups work together leading to an inclusive and dynamic organisation.

Sector: Public

Developing a Culture of Participative Involvement at Elphicks

Elphicks with participation from employees across all levels of the business aims to create a culture that will establish the rules and regulations by which Elphicks Ltd will be managed and governed in preparation for its future as an employee owned enterprise.

Sector: Retail

LONDON

Partnership Forums – New Ways of Working

A dissemination based project from Royal College of Nursing. The project seeks to develop partnership agreement at all levels within the organisation. A partnership agreement among all of the stakeholders of the Royal College of Nursing was agreed in June 2001. Ongoing work will ensure that the agreement works effectively, is implemented and becomes embedded into organisational culture.

Sector: Voluntary

WALES

Wales and Borders Partnership Project

Wales and Borders Trains, ASLEF and the RMT are working together to develop and implement policies, procedures and agreements that are streamlined, clear and concise whilst at the same time protecting the rights of individuals. This will be accomplished via a partnership agreement and approach, rather than continuing to work within the historically confrontational framework of industrial relations.

Sector: Transport

Using Communications and Teamworking to Build Sustainable Business Advantage

A workplace and dissemination based project from The Royal Mint, Amicus, Prospect, PCS and WCS International. The project seeks to build sustainable business benefit through effective communications and teamwork by widening the involvement to all employees and their representatives and also to share experiences via case study with the rest of UK industry.

Sector: Public

SCOTLAND

One Plus Employee Participation Forum

A workplace based project from One Plus: One Parent Families. The project seeks to establish an employee forum within One Plus to facilitate effective and consistent communication both horizontally and vertically, utilising innovative ICT-based solutions to the challenges posed by a geographically diverse workforce.

Sector: Voluntary

Evolving Star

A workplace based project from Star Refrigeration Ltd. The aim of the project is to secure employee participation in a continuous improvement programme based on lean thinking with resultant benefits in productivity and work-life balance.

Sector: Manufacturing

Disseminating Good Partnership Practice to Renfrewshire SMEs

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerceseeks to disseminate good partnership practice to Renfrewshire based SMEs. 40 businesses will be encouraged to include partnership working concepts in their medium term strategies.  25 businesses will actively pursue the implementation of partnership working including the development and implementation of policies.

Sector: Trade Association

Building Trust

Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Staff side are seeking to implement a workplace-based project to build trust between employees and their leaders. The aim of the project is to achieve real working partnership through a recognised and credible ‘Partnership Forum’.

Sector: Health

Communicating Partnership

Sense Scotland and their employees,have developed a project that aims to improve staff representation and communication within the organisation. The vehicles they seek to use are: the development of a staff consultation group; strengthening their organisational culture including communication systems; developing and improving staff skills in a range of areas including negotiation skills, communication and information technology.

Sector: Voluntary