Employee Relations
Draft Future IR Model(ii)for Local Government
Karen Hargan
Head of Human Resources
Coleraine Borough Council
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Strategic Goal:
“Local Government will establish an agreed
Employee Relations Framework and
environment that delivers results, enables
change to happen smoothly at sector and
council level and provides consistency.”
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
• An agreed and effective
model for negotiation
• Trust, mutual respect and
co-operation
• Resolving disputes at early
stages
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
A future Industrial Relations Model
for Local Government
Future = Post Reform
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Research
• NI
• GB
• ROI
• Assistance from LRA
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Conclusions:
No departure from “Whitley” approach
• Generally accepted
• Representative
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Focus currently is on work carried out by:
• Work of NIJC
• Work of LGRJF
• Recognise national and local dimensions
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Current position:
• NIJC has been subject to review –
currently the constitution is being revised
• Joint Forum to be reviewed post reform
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
MODEL STRUCTURE : REGIONAL LEVEL
Regional
Industrial Relations
Machinery
Independent
Secretariat
Working
Committee
Trade Union
Side
Local Council
Input
Employers’
Side
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Key components and roles:
• Regional machinery
• Working Committee
• Secretariat
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Canvassing views:
• Stakeholders
• Today
• Feedback to ER Working Group,
The Commission and the Joint Forum
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Questions:
• Is the Model Appropriate/Workable?
• Are any areas not covered?
• How do we progress the model?
• Any other comments?