25 March 2005
Further education colleges will discuss the extension of the two-tier workforce agreement to their sector but have given no commitment on implementation, their representative body has told Public Finance.
John Brennan, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said members had merely agreed to 'exploratory talks' and the outcome would depend on the impact of any changes.
'We don't have a preconceived idea of what the outcome of the discussions will be,' Brennan said. 'Colleges are independent, free-standing bodies and decisions on adoption of an agreement will always be taken at college level.'
His comments followed the announcement on March 18 that the two-tier workforce agreement, already in force in local government, would be extended to include civil servants and NHS and school staff.
Under the code of practice on workforce matters, staff employed after privatisation must be offered terms and conditions that are 'overall no less favourable' than those for transferred staff.
But there were some exemptions, including the FE sector. Cabinet Office minister David Miliband said he recognised concerns about 'fair treatment' for FE staff.
Other exemptions include Private Finance Initiative contracts in the NHS, already subject to the retention of employment agreement, and 'commercially driven' bodies such as the Post Office.
Trade union leaders warmly welcomed the roll-out. Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'We now look forward to rapid implementation across the public sector through agreement between public employers and relevant unions.
PFmar2005
