Partnership working

A partnership approach involves real joint decision-making between unions and employers and allows workers to have a greater say over their immediate working environment.

Partnership is more than just the collective bargaining process, but encourages strong employer/union relationships through the development of trust and openness, and enabling employees to influence issues affecting the quality of working life.

Where partnerships are embedded genuinely, this provides a win-win situation for employers, trade unions and employees. Improved industrial relations and better communication enables both sides to collaborate effectively on a shared agenda.

If your union does not already have a partnership approach in place with your employer (for example, to improve working conditions or provide training and opportunities for workers) then visit
www.partnership-institute.co.uk and www.acas.org.uk
for more information and case studies.