AGREEMENT BETWEEN PRIMARK GB AND UNION OF SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED WORKERS (USDAW) - 2015
December 2015
1. RECOGNITION AND SCOPE
The Company recognises Usdaw as the sole independent Trade Union representing all staff employed at Primark in Great Britain.
2. GENERAL PRINCIPLE
The Company and the Union recognise that good relations between them are essential to the success of the Company and that this is achieved through mutual respect, openness and trust.
3. REPRESENTATION
Employees of the Company who are members of the Union may be elected as workplace representatives to represent Union members in accordance with the terms of this agreement.
3.1. Appointment
i. The Company and the Union will agree the number of representatives required within each retail store.
ii. Representatives must have not less than one year's service with the Company prior to nomination.
iii. As soon as an employee ceases to be a member of the Union their appointment as a Union representative will cease.
iv. All representatives must be mutually acceptable to the Union and the Company. The Company will not unreasonably object to a choice of representative. In the event that the Company objects to a specific nomination, their objections will be put in writing to the Area Organiser concerned. The Area Organiser can appeal against the objection to the Area Manager, following which a meeting will be held to resolve the matter.
v. The Union will provide the Company with a list of appointed representatives and will supply credentials to its representatives.
vi. The Company and the Union recognise that it is in the interests of their relationship for Union representatives to receive relevant training to achieve the skills required to carry out their responsibilities effectively. The Company agrees to provide union representatives with reasonable time off work without loss of earnings to attend approved Usdaw training in accordance with the provisions set out in the ACAS code of practice “Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities”; and as per the mutually agreed course list. The Union undertakes to give the Company a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice in writing of all requests for training leave, where it is reasonably practicable. Leave will be granted, subject to the operational needs of the business, including level of absence, time of year and the number of employees requesting to attend the course.
3.2. Facilities
i. The Company will give access to facilities comprising, telephone, photocopier, mail and a secure place to store union documents.
ii. The Company will, wherever possible, make available accommodation for meetings of Union members. The dates and times of such meetings will be agreed between the parties and will be arranged to minimise disruption to the activities of the Company. The Union undertakes to give the Company a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice in writing.
iii. Union representatives will be permitted to take reasonable time off without loss of earnings to carry out their duties and responsibilities under this agreement in accordance with the provisions of the ACAS code of practice “Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities”.
iv. Representatives seeking time off for union duties will submit their request to management as far as possible in advance of the reason and likely length of absence.
v. Should the Company request that such time off be postponed for operational reasons, the parties will endeavour to agree a suitable alternative. Neither party will act unreasonably on the question of postponement.
vi. The Company will provide union representatives with reasonable facilities to communicate with other employees, for example space on a notice board (in larger stores, where possible, a dedicated noticeboard; in smaller stores a section of the notice board).The Store/P&C Manager at each store will be informed of the content of the material before it is to be displayed and may withhold any material deemed inappropriate.
vii. The Company agrees to deduct Union subscriptions from pay once it has the necessary authorisation from the employee. All members will be encouraged to use this facility.
4. RECRUITMENT
Primark provides Usdaw with the facilities to recruit new members and supports staff joining and remaining in membership of Usdaw whilst employed by the Company.
The key opportunity for recruitment is at new starter inductions with other methods of
recruitment remaining ongoing. To assist with this:
• Primark will support all new and existing employees covered by this agreement to join Usdaw.
• Usdaw recruitment literature and an Usdaw membership application form will be given out with the induction pack to new starters by the Usdaw’s Area Organiser or Store Representative.
• Usdaw Representatives/Area Organisers will be invited to attend induction sessions to promote the benefits of Usdaw membership and will be allowed around 30 minutes to make an appropriate presentation (including questions and answers).
• The company will notify the Usdaw National Officer of all new store openings a minimum of four weeks prior to opening with details of store address and contact details.
• In the event of a new store opening, an Usdaw Representative/Official will be allowed around 30 minutes to make an appropriate presentation (including questions and answers) as part of the induction programme.
• Primark will also provide recruitment time and facilities for recognised Usdaw Officials to meet existing employees. This will be agreed with the Store/P&C Manager.
• From time to time, Usdaw may request that an Usdaw Representative is stood down from their normal role, typically for a maximum of 12 weeks, to recruit non-members into Usdaw. Wages for all periods of stand down will be paid by the Company and reimbursed monthly by Usdaw.
• The Company will support an annual recruitment campaign at a date and time to be agreed locally to enable employees to take up membership.
5. LEARNING
5.1 Academy/Academy2
Primark agrees to consider release for a maximum of two nominated Usdaw Representatives per year to participate in Usdaw’s Academy or Academy2 for six months. Eight weeks’ notice to be given.
The Usdaw National Officer will formally request release to participate in either Academy from the PNCUK Manager.
Wages for all periods of stand down will be paid by the Company and reimbursed monthly by Usdaw.
5.2 Usdaw’s Annual Delegate Meeting
The Company will support release for 2 Primark Usdaw Representatives to attend the Usdaw Annual Delegate Meeting, subject to 6 weeks advance notice in writing.
5.3 Lifelong Learning
All parties recognise the benefits of lifelong learning and development and that it is essential to the successful future of the organisation and individuals who work there. Therefore, all parties are committed to working together to promote and support Lifelong Learning across the Company and ensure equal access to learning opportunities for all employees.
6. COMMUNICATION
The company agree that once a year a meeting will take place between the Senior P&C Team and Usdaw’s National Officer to discuss business updates and union and general business issues.
SIGNATORIES TO THE AGREEMENT
All those who have signed below signify their acceptance of this agreement between Primark Stores Limited and Usdaw.
This agreement is not intended to be contractual.
This Agreement becomes effective between the parties from the date of signature. If either party wishes to terminate the agreement, they must give six months’ notice in writing, to the Head Office of the Company or Union as appropriate.
- Signed on behalf of Primark Stores Limited
Dave Bradley
Director of People & Culture, Retail Primark
- Signed on behalf of the Union of Shop,Distributive And Allied Workers
David Gill
Usdaw National Officer
Date: 19 - 12 - 2015.
