As you will already be aware, NIPSA has been working closely with our sister trade union Unison to pursue both historical and current issues challenging our Branch Library Manager members across Libraries NI. I am pleased to report that, following acceptance of a conciliation agreement facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency, by a significant majority of our BLM Members, terms of settlement have been agreed, although the completion of the conciliation process with individual members is likely to take another month or so.
The Conciliation Agreement also includes an outline paper (or Terms of Reference) by which it has been agreed to proceed with the Front Line Services element of the Organisational and Structural Review. This has been held back over the past year due to the BLM dispute. NIPSA is anticipating receipt of initial draft proposals for change from HR by early Autumn, including updated draft job descriptions for front line roles.
The process will commence with a review of the BLM role followed by the Library Assistant role. The SMT has stressed that the review will resolve the ongoing issues of grading, update and future proof roles, provide career development opportunities for those who would like them and ensure necessary front line staffing levels across the organisation going forward. We have agreed that full consultation (and negotiations where necessary) with the trade unions and with staff whose roles may be impacted by the review proposals will take place throughout the process, ensuring every opportunity for you to input into the review process and resolve any related concerns or queries that affected members may have. Further information on the Review process and Management Side’s draft proposals will follow in due course.
On the matter of funding for Libraries NI, you will be acutely aware of the significant unacceptable funding pressures facing the public sector across NI and further afield. I have written to the CEO to ascertain the impact of the indicative funding for Libraries NI provided by the Department for Communities, which is certainly not based upon need and is therefore likely to negatively impact upon the services provided to the citizens of NI and perhaps even how they are provided. Once a response is received, this will assist NIPSA to fully and comprehensively critique and respond to the proposed funding allocations and anticipated negative consequences for protected groups who use the Library network and of course highlight any consequences for you in your workplace and the public service roles which you provide every day.
Of course NIPSA is only as strong as its members and I salute all BLM members who stood their ground and supported NIPSA in fighting for a fair resolution to their many issues. The Conciliation Agreement illustrates why it is so important to be an active member of your trade union as working together, we are stronger. If you know of any staff member that is not a member of a trade union, please talk with them and invite them to consider joining NIPSA to ensure that their voices are heard during the change management process. Applications can be completed online at www.nipsa.org.uk or by filling in the attached form and returning by post or email to NIPSA, and further membership information can be provided by your Branch Secretary John McKeegan or any member of your Branch Committee. Look out for NIPSA information sessions coming to your workplace over the next while!
Kim Smyth
Assistant Secretary
NIPSA Application Form (New Member)