POLICY

PCS policy is the result of motions passed at the Annual Delegates Conference. The ACAS Branch is subject to national policy.

The ACAS Branch policy is also made by the motions passed at the Annual Delegates Conference.

The BEC Representatives are elected by the members of the ACAS sub branches. It is their responsibility to consult with and represent the views of their members. It is vital that they establish good communications with their members and ensure that all views are taken into account e.g outstationed staff, part timers and homeworkers. This includes ensuring that the Newsletter is circulated to all members promptly.

Decisions taken by the BEC are guided by the information provided by the Representatives about their members’ views.

When, after full discussion, the BEC has come to a decision, Representatives have a shared responsibility for this decision and are subject to maintaining any necessary confidentiality and for explaining the BEC’s decisions to their sub branch members.

BEC Representatives should inform the Branch Secretary of any members subject to the ACAS Grievance or Disciplinary Procedures at all stages and he/she should be consulted prior to signing any Local Joint Committee (LJC) agreements in respect of any matter relating to terms and conditions of employment .

The Branch Officers are elected by the membership annually and are responsible for the effective running of the Branch. They are responsible for ensuring that PCS policy is followed and for endeavouring to negotiate with ACAS management in order to comply with any motions passed by the ADC.

Responsible for the conduct of 10 BEC meetings a year, 10 Branch Officer meetings and the Annual Delegates Conference. Chairs NJC TU Side 25-30 meetings including pre-meetings. Probable JNC member (BEC decides membership of the JNC from amongst their number once BEC membership is known).

Attends the BECs etc as above and produces action points. Deals with Branch correspondence from various sources including ACAS and PCS HQ. Joint editor of Branch Newsletter. First point of contact for grievances above local level. Attends appropriate PCS meetings (e.g National Personnel Policy Forum). Attends NJC, probable JNC member as above.

Attends BECs etc as above. Produces BEC minutes. Joint editor of Branch Newsletter. Progress chases issues with management. Attends NJC and produces notes/agrees minutes with management. Carry out other duties as requested by the Branch Chair or Branch Secretary.

Attends BECs etc as above. Chairs PCS Diversity & Fairness Group, Vice Chair of ACAS Diversity & Fairness Group. Deals with Branch issues relating to Diversity & Fairness. Note according to National PCS Union rules this post must be filled by a woman.

Attends BECs etc as above. Maintains Branch membership records. Responsible for membership recruitment and for co-ordinating any internal training for the BEC and Branch Officers. Liaises with PCS HQ about membership/recruitment issues. Chair of the Standing Orders Committee that organises the running of business at the Annual Delegates Conference. Acts as liaison point for members of Sub Committees, Learning Reps and Senior Grades members.

Attends BECs etc as above. Pays claims and maintains Branch financial records. Liaises with PCS HQ about finance matters including budgets and advances.

Note: All Officer posts are available on a job sharing basis.

The NJC deals with collective issues which have national implications. The Branch is normally represented by the Chair , the Branch Secretary and the 2 Assistant Secretaries. There is also a "rotating seat" which is filled in turn by the BEC Representatives. This is in order to ensure that all of the members of the BEC understand how the NJC operates and have the opportunity to take part.

Where a Sub branch has failed to agree at the Local Joint Committee (LJC) the issue is raised at the NJC. If the NJC is unable to come to an agreement on an issue and there is a national failure to agree the PCS Full Time Officer and the ACAS Chairman become involved.

There are informal as well as formal meetings of the NJC. These will not always require the attendance of the full PCS NJC team and may include other Officers depending on the subject e.g the Diversity & Fairness Officer or Branch Organiser. These informal meetings are arranged to discuss a particular topic and can be useful in identifying areas of agreement prior to referring back to the full NJC.

The LJC representatives are elected by the sub branch members. The LJC representatives will agree which one of them will represent the sub branch as the BEC . It is preferable that the LJC includes the BEC Representative. The minimum representatives as set out in the Branch Constitution are Chair, Secretary and Health & Safety Representative. Other posts can include Learning Representative, Organiser and Admin Grades Representative/s. These representatives are responsible for dealing with Regional Management on local issues.

The Learning Representative supports and encourages learning in the workplace, gathers and organises information on learning available locally, through the employer or through PCS.

As mentioned before no local agreement should be signed until it has been ratified by the BEC. If there is any doubt regarding the implications of local actions in relation to PCS ACAS or National policy the LJC representatives should check with the ACAS Branch Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretaries or another Branch Officer.

A local formal failure to agree should be notified to the Regional Director and to the Branch Secretary. It will then go to the NJC as set out in the ACAS Disputes Procedure.

The JNC is composed of BEC Representatives appointed by the BEC. They are responsible for negotiating the best possible settlement of pay and travel & subsistence payments in line with PCS and ACAS Branch policies. The JNC reports to the BEC and acts in accordance with the decisions of the BEC which in turn are based on the BEC Representatives’ consultations with their members. All offers and all issues related to Terms & Conditions are subject to a vote by all members.

PCS may be represented by BEC Representatives, Branch Officers or members. Representatives are nominated by the BEC. Sub Groups/Committees should have clear terms of reference.

These Groups are NOT negotiating bodies.

Recommendations from the Sub Groups will be referred to the NJC for any negotiation and for ratification. If a member of a Sub Group is in any doubt regarding the implications for PCS policy they should immediately refer to the Branch Chair, Secretaries or another Branch Officer.

Representatives are required to maintain the TU perspective rather than their own. Where there is more than one Representative it is important that they present a joint view and there may be times when it will be necessary to request an adjournment.

PCS Representatives on Sub Groups are required to present regular reports on progress or lack of progress to the BEC via the Branch Organiser. A report should reach the Branch Organiser in time for it to be given to every meeting of the BEC.

The Branch Officers usually meet in advance of the BEC. The purpose is to plan the Agenda and any other items which may need to be raised at the NJC. Where appropriate the Branch Officers will make recommendations to the BEC. The Branch Officers do not have any executive authority for decision making.

The BEC meetings are held prior to the NJC in order to discuss the items on the Agenda and any other matter that should be raised at national level. The NJC Representatives will act in accordance with the decisions made by the BEC.

Special BEC meetings may be held if necessary.