Prospect and Babcock agree to look at specific issues with new group-level discussions
Prospect and Babcock International Group have agreed in principle to discuss certain issues at a national and corporate level, rather than at branch level, as they are currently.
Babcock’s Rosyth Dockyards in 2020
The agreement is a significant and positive development for Prospect, which has argued the necessity of such an arrangement with Babcock for some time, says Prospect Negotiations Officer, Leon Walton.
While the details of how the group-level discussions will work are yet to be formalised, one potential model could be the existing ‘Babcock Coalition’ of Prospect branches that meets quarterly to discuss topics of general and shared interest across the organisation.
It is envisaged that Prospect and Babcock could also meet four times a year for their discussions.
Among the issues that have been identified for discussion at a group-wide level include:
- Pensions
- Recognition (most major Babcock areas are recognised but some smaller and newer areas are not)
- Company financials
- Reward and recognition structures
- Career progression and development pathways
- Formalising employee voice and engagement
- Health, safety, wellbeing culture and policy
- Political and industrial lobbying
Prospect’s push for tackling these issues at a group-wide level was given momentum when it wrote to David Lockwood, chief executive of Babcock International Group, to raise a formal Failure to Agree in June, following unsuccessful negotiations over making much-needed improvements to the company’s pension scheme.
All of Prospect’s Babcock branches had jointly developed and submitted the proposals, signalling a unified and urgent need for engagement on pensions reform, but had all been met with the identical local response: we cannot negotiate on pensions.
On the new agreement in principle, Leon Walton said:
“While the pension discussion is the first priority, this is an opportunity to align on strategic workforce matters that will determine the company’s ability to retain talent, maintain a motivated workforce, and deliver on business objectives.”
“Prospect seeks to build a collaborative relationship where workforce insights are valued as a key part of Babcock’s strategic planning.”
READ MORE:
Prospect Negotiations Officer Leon Walton explains the significance of the agreement in principle with Babcock that will see the union and the company engage on specific issues at a corporate, group-wide level.
Babcock agreement: “Better results for members is the ultimate goal”
