Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk

About the FCTU

The Forestry Commission employs over 3000 people, about two-thirds of whom are members of a trade union. The trade unions currently recognised in the FC are:

• Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
• Unite
• Prospect
• GMB
• First Division Association (FDA)

The FCTU is a democratic partnership, formed by these unions, to represent the interests of all union members who work in the FC. The FCTU coordinates the work of the unions in areas such as:

• negotiating changes to the staff handbook and other terms and conditions of service
• promoting good health and safety, as well as the welfare interests of members
• representing members' interests during organisational changes, such as changes in; working patterns, staff numbers, office locations etc.
• external representation with outside bodies, other government departments and government ministers.

At a GB level the FCTU works through monthly meetings of the FCTU Departmental Committee (DC) which is made up of the FCTU chairperson (Robert Beaney), the FCTU Secretary (Edward Shephard) and one representative from each of the unions*. The constituent unions—through the Departmental Committee—are responsible for overseeing the FCTU's work.

Since UK devolution the FCTU has also operated through a number of Area Committees one each for England, Scotland, Wales, Silvan House, FC Business Units and Forest Research.

Formal relationships with senior FC managers are maintained through a Staff Council† which meets once per year. Similar staff councils operate for each part of the FC.

FCTU Office

The work of the FCTU is supported and managed by the FCTU office based in Silvan House. The FCTU office team are:

• Robert Beaney - FCTU Chairperson (based at Glenbranter).
• Sue Gillingwater - Network Manager.
• Sam Telford - Network Support.
• Edward Shephard - FCTU Secretary.

The office’s main responsibilities are:

• Representing and promoting the interests of union members in the FC with managers and other stakeholders (e.g. Ministers).
• Working with FC management to promote good ‘industrial’ relations.
• Providing support and guidance to constituent unions and representatives on issues such as organisational change, terms and conditions of service, disciplinary & grievance cases etc.
• The development of union policy within the FC.
• Providing news and information to union members.

Probable Workload Drivers for 2008/9

Some of the office's likely main areas of work for 2008/9 are:

• Supporting our regional teams in the implementation of post-CSR organisational changes.
• Negotiating implementation of FC People Strategy workstreams.
• Pay Negotiations (inc. proposals for new pay and reward system).
• Review of Facility Time Agreement.
• Development of network management framework.
• Development of support needs for Health and Safety and H&B reps.
• Communication and recruitment.

Workload Driver RACI Matrix

*The FDA only has a few members in the FC and is not directly represented on the committees.
†The Staff Council is part of the Civil Service Whitley Council structure.

Copyright © 2008 Forestry Commission Trade Unions, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT. The FCTU Website is intended to inform FCTU members about the activities of the FCTU and its constituent unions (PCS, Unite, Prospect, GMB, FDA). Any views expressed within this website are not necessarily those of the FCTU, its constituent unions, the Forestry Commission or of any individual member. Whilst we attempt to keep the information on this website accurate and up-to-date, neither the FCTU nor any of the above organisations accept any liability for any errors or omissions and as such cannot accept any liability for actions arising from its use. Use of the FC Logo is by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. M