1. Dealing with Industrial Action Gillian Hibberd Corporate Director (OD & HR) ghibberd@buckscc.gov.uk

2. Dealing with Industrial Action Points I will cover: The Industrial Relations Climate Triggers for Industrial Action Processess you need to have in place Problems that could arise

3. The Industrial Relations Climate

4. What Is Industrial Action? Collectively withdraw labour Refuse to undertake some duties Refuse to carry out reasonable instructions Take part in sit-in, go slow or work to rule Take part in picketing Refuse to cross a picket line

5. Triggers for Industrial Action Redundancies Pay Negotiations Service reductions/closures Unfair treatment of colleagues New policy Changing working practices

6. Processess to Manage Industrial Action National- Influence - Communications - Dont localise the issue Local- Core Negotiations Team - Industrial Action Planning Team - Response Team

7. Pitfalls to watch out for! 1.Business Continuity Planning 2.Internal Communications 3.Reputation Management 4.Picket Line Management 5.Exit Strategy

8. Business Continuity Planning Identify and manage all risks Ensure critical services delivered Negotiate exemptions Service based BCP’s in place

9. Internal Communications Managers Employers (unionised and non-unionised) Members Trade Unions

10. Reputation Management "… This is yet another amateurish negotiating tactic which far from appeasing fire crews has simply hardened our resolve. We are beginning to wonder whether the Council's tactics really are due to their incompetence or whether they are part of a political agenda to deliberately inflame the dispute. …." FBU Hertfordshire Dispute 2006

11. Picket Line Management Involve the Police Identify boundaries Think carefully about where… Risk assess sites Manage carefully on the day

12. Exit Strategy Always think through consequences Know what your options are

13. Key Messages Good ER Climate is critical for organisational stability Risks of industrial action need to be minimised Effective management and planning essential during times of dispute