The statements aim is to give soft facilities management staff (for example porters and cleaners) pay and conditions equivalent to Agenda for Change.
These provisions of this statement are an extension of the Cabinet Office ‘Code of Practice on Workforce Matters on Public Sector Service Contracts’ that was published in March 2005.
The expectation was that from 1 October 2006 staff working on soft FM contracts should have:-
• Terms and conditions no less favourable overall than AfC (excluding pension provisions)
• Basic pay no less than the equivalent AfC pay band but beyond that there is flexibility for contractors to design their own system provided the overall package is no less favourable than AfC
• Use of an agreed evaluation scheme (i.e. the AfC Job Evaluation scheme or equivalent) to ensure equal pay for work of equal value
• A career development scheme linked to pay progression (i.e. the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework or equivalent)
The joint statement is available on the Department of Health's website. A best practice guide, Implementing Agenda for Change for NHS contractors' staff in England, is also available on the Department of Health's website.
Frequently asked questions on Agenda for Change and soft facilities management are available on our website, and we have also issued a briefing to support employers in implementing these provisions.
How can ACAS help?
The joint statement provided for a dispute resolution procedure which can include appointing an independent person from the ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) list of arbitrators.
ACAS can become involved at an earlier stage if discussions are proving difficult and are heading towards dispute or if discussions are difficult to arrange and this in itself is the cause of a potential dispute.
Collective conciliation
This is available where the parties are in or heading towards dispute. It is entirely voluntary so all sides must agree to ACAS' involvement. ACAS will discuss the dispute with all parties and agree how they can help.
This involves:
- Identifying the issues
- Finding common ground
- Holding meetings separately and together to find out how much room there is for negotiation
- Seeking an agreement which will resolve the dispute
Collective arbitration and mediation
This is the role already envisaged in the joint statement whereby ACAS appoints an independent person with clear terms of reference who will make recommendations for resolving the dispute. The difference between the two is that in arbitration the parties have agreed in advance that they will accept the recommendations, in a collective mediation they have agreed to seriously consider the recommendations.
There is no charge for either service and both are available through ACAS' network of regional offices.
How to find out more
If you would like to know more please contact Gill McCarthy, Area Director, ACAS NW on 0161 833 8503 gmccarthy@acas.org.uk who will put you in touch with a local conciliator who can discuss the help available. Contacting ACAS is entirely confidential and they are happy to respond to tentative enquiries and run through the options available.