Social Partnership - Annual Report (2024/25)

In this section

3. Existing Trade Union Consultation & Negotiation Frameworks Within Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC)

CCC has well-established information, consultation and negotiation frameworks in place with its recognised Trade Unions. The Trade Unions recognised for collective bargaining purposes are:

  • UNISON
  • GMB
  • Unite
  • National Association of Headteachers (NAHT)
  • National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
  • National Education Union (NEU)
  • Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC)
  • Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)

The current employee relations frameworks provide for regular meetings within the Communities, Education & Children’s Services and Place, Infrastructure and Economic Development Departments. 
These meetings are attended by the respective Directors and Heads of Service.

A Corporate Employee Relations Forum, chaired by the Assistant Chief Executive and attended by the Cabinet Member for Organisation & Workforce and Trade Union (non-schools) Regional Organisers, allows for consultation and negotiation to take place on corporate matters relating to NJC employees.

The Joint Consultative Forum provides the opportunity for communication and consultation between the political Group Leaders of Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) and representatives of the Trade Unions recognised for negotiating purposes (for NJC employees).

Within its explanatory communication to public bodies, WG has stated that:

“Social partnership is a way of working designed to pursue mutual gains within the context of policy development and implementation, or operational change, but not primarily used as forums for information exchange, collective bargaining, or consultation. It works on the basic principle that more can be achieved by employers and workers, predominantly through their trade unions, working together in a spirit of co-operation and collaboration.”

Notwithstanding the established consultation and negotiation frameworks that allow for regular interface with the Trade Unions, the advent of social partnership provides an opportunity not only to review the efficacy of these arrangements but to strive to develop a more positive working relationship by emphasising the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement.