HC Deb 24 October 1995 vol 264 c638W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide in respect of his plan for pay delegation submitted to the Treasury(a) a description of the staff in each bargaining unit covered by the plan, distinguishing staff in headquarters functions, agencies and agency candidates, and in other identifiable business units and (b) proposals for trade union recognition in each bargaining unit and the negotiating machinery to be put in place in each bargaining unit. [38280]

Mr. Burt

In line with the Government's Civil Service White Papers, "Continuity and Change" and "Carrying Forward Continuity and Change", at April 1996 DSS will have six bargaining units; Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency, Contributions Agency, Information Technology Services Agency, War Pensions Agency and DSS headquarters. Each bargaining unit will have responsibility for all staff up to and including unified grade 6, including professional equivalents.

DSS headquarters will also have responsibility for the pay of staff in the five non-departmental public bodies related to the Department Central Adjudication Service, Independent Review Service for the Social Fund, Independent Tribunal Service, Pensions Ombudsman's office and the Executive Office of the Occupational Pensions Board.

All six units have recognised the Civil and Public Servants Association and the National Union of Civil and Public Servants for collective bargaining purposes. Additionally, BA, ITSA and headquarters have recognised the Association of First Division Civil Servants and BA and headquarters have recognised the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists. The War Pensions Agency has a small number of staff represented by the Transport and General Workers Union whose pay will follow the settlement reached between the Ministry of Defence and the TGWU.

Those bargaining units which took delegation in 1994—BA, CA and ITSA—and in 1995—CSA and WPA—agreed bargaining mechanisms with unions for past negotiations and these have been either single-table or multi-table. Arrangements for 1996 will be agreed in due course.