Involving the campus trades unions

The Mediation Project has a dedicated strand of work on involving the campus trades unions. This work has begun with an introductory letter to the union HE national officials sent on 18 April, which will be followed up by in depth discussions.

The main nationally recognised campus trades unions in England are Amicus, BMA (clinical academics), GMB, TGWU, UCU and UNISON. We will also keep EIS, which has members in Scotland, informed.

Unions have complex and multiple objectives in the handling of individual workplace disputes. Alongside the interests of the individual member concerned, the union has also to consider collective interests and policies oriented around organisational change. Cases may be dealt with in a variety of ways including by lay reps, full time officials and union lawyers. There has been some experience of using mediation but it is not part of the regular experience of union officials and representatives. Unions are likely to have a comparable potential to the employers to save on legal costs where disputes which might otherwise go to court or tribunal are suitable for mediation. We expect that unions will have relevant views and experience to contribute to our thinking as the project develops.

At the early stage of the project, our discussions with the union HE national officials and with union lawyers is expected to focus on the following questions:

  • The union's experience, current practice and any views on dispute resolution and the use of mediation in HE.
  • The union's views on the types of disputes suitable for mediation (the focus being on individual cases rather than collective disputes).

As the project develops we will keep in touch with the union officials and envisage further discussion around:

  • The evolving good practice guidelines.
  • The role of union solicitors, full time officials and other representatives in relation to mediation.
  • Training needs for the above in relation to their role as mediation provision develops in the HE sector.
  • In the later stages of the project, we will be keen to involve the unions in making use of project materials and promulgating the project results, if as we hope they are found to be beneficial to unions and their members in higher education.

David Bleiman is leading this strand of work and Jill Scott is working with him. Both are Steering Group members (see profiles) and are active in their respective campus unions.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has documents and data regarding mediation. See: http://www.cipd.co.uk