Latest update from the Reward Consultation and Negotiation Group, including:
- Collective Agreement on Harmonisation of Terms and Conditions of Employment
- Accredited Living Wage
- Guaranteed Minimum Hours and Temporary Services contracts
Dear colleagues,
This is to provide a further update on the progress of the Reward Consultation and Negotiation Group.
Collective Agreement on Harmonisation of Terms and Conditions of Employment
I am pleased to confirm that the University and the Campus Trade Unions have now reached final agreement and signed the Collective Agreement. This will be submitted to the meeting of University Court in June for formal endorsement.
Signing of the Collective Agreement follows an extensive period of consultation between the University and the Campus Trade Unions. I would like to thank all of those involved in this significant piece of work, including all of you who provided feedback earlier on in the process, as well as those who contributed to the workshop, held in November 2023, from which many of the proposals now contained in the Agreement arose.
FAQ have been developed to provide you with further detail, including the key changes and when each are effective from. You can read the FAQ and more information here.
I would like to highlight as per an earlier communication, as part of the Agreement with regard to annual leave entitlement, staff in Grades 1-4 have been given 2 additional day’s leave, to be used in the remainder of the 2023/24 leave year. This applies from now. Taking this into account, the Agreement also includes changes to the public holiday payments for the remaining public holidays in the 2023/24 leave year. Enhanced payments will not apply to these, therefore, if staff are required to work on the July and/or September public holidays, they will be paid at plain time and will be able to take a day’s leave at another time in the 2023/24 leave year.
If you have any questions about the Agreement, please contact your HR Partner, email reward@abdn.ac.uk or contact your trade union representative.
Accredited Living Wage (ALW)
The Group has discussed and agreed a proposal which would act as a ‘shorter-term’ solution in addressing the impact of the ALW rate of £12.00 per hour. As previously notified, from 1 May 2024, we have applied £12.00 per hour to the spinal points that were below that hourly rate. However, we recognise that this is not a solution that can be maintained, and a proposal to ensure differentials between spinal points 7 to 15 has been formulated. The aim of this will be to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place until we know the outcome of the national discussions on the pay spine, which include consideration of the impact of the ALW.
The proposal formulated by the Group will be submitted to SMT for consideration and a further update will be provided in due course.
Guaranteed Minimum Hours and Temporary Services contracts
The Group continues to discuss the University’s use of these types of contracts, bearing in mind the guidance previously agreed to ensure their appropriate use. This includes considering the latest data about hours that have been worked by staff on these contracts and determining from this, and if there is an ongoing need for hours to be worked, whether alternative contract types are more appropriate. As a reminder, if any member of staff has concerns about their GMH or Temporary Services contract they can contact their HR Partner or email reward@abdn.ac.uk.
Best wishes
Tracey
Tracey Slaven
University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer