Prospect and FDA sign partnership framework with Cabinet Office

Civil service trade unions Prospect and FDA have established a partnership framework with the Cabinet Office. Union General Secretaries Mike Clancy from Prospect and Dave Penman from FDA met this morning (Tuesday 30 June) along with Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Satvir Kaur to launch the framework.

The partnership framework is a guide that sets out the benefits of a close working relationship between the unions and the Cabinet Office to help achieve common goals and improve the operation of the Civil Service. It is also intended to act as an example of good practice across the Civil Service of how to work in partnership with recognised trade unions.

The framework states that Cabinet Office and trade unions will, as appropriate, endeavour to:

1. Treat others with respect in all means of communication, both oral and written, including the tone and behaviour used when working with one another.
2. Work collaboratively to promote well-timed dialogue, including the exchange of information.
3. Encourage the effective exchange of views and evidence from both the Cabinet Office and trade unions to support high quality informed discussions, using evidence where possible.
4. Approach Civil Service workforce issues jointly and in partnership, as far as possible, whilst respecting delegation.
5. Be open with one another in discussions, while respecting any requirements of confidence where these have been set out.
6. Be mindful that all parties should have an opportunity to participate in discussions, with views taken into consideration.
7. Work collaboratively on joint communications that celebrate successes achieved through working together.

The document also commits to an ongoing dialogue so that when circumstances change, so can the nuts and bolts of the framework.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“Delivering public services works best when the civil service and trade unions come together at the earliest opportunity to meaningfully engage, so I am very pleased to be establishing this partnership framework with the minister today.

“As well as setting out how we can work together to achieve our common goals it signals the changing nature Prospect needs to see in our relationship with the civil service. It also demonstrates mutual respect and an ambition to deliver for the public to the best of our ability.

“The template and best practice should highlight to all Civil Service employers how they can build upon and improve their own relationship with the workforce.”