Section 2:
Head Office, Staffing And National Officials

2.1 Staffing and Head Office From the outset, the Executive Council recognised that the requirement for efficiency savings needed to include Head Office. A task and finish group was established and reported back to the Executive Council in June 2010, as follows: Head Office and Central Functions: The demands on the Union centrally have significantly changed in recent years as a result of important changes within our Service. This has produced, for example, an increased demand for specialist FBU-based training and education. The scale of change at a national level and the absence of central policy structures within the Service have increased the need for FBU research documents on a range of issues. The huge changes in communications have significantly increased the speed with which members can be kept informed of developments, but have also significantly increased demands on staff resources and time. Likewise, the demands placed on Head Office by an expanded IT role will need to be considered and addressed. The following issues need to be considered in relation to staff employed by the FBU: ● Contracts of Employment ● Job Descriptions ● Pay Grades and Salary Scales ● All Benefits Paid The matter of Bradley House was discussed at this stage and it was decided that relocation was not an immediate option at this time. A further report was put to the Executive Council in November 2010 and nineteen general recommendations were agreed. These were reported to Conference 2011. As part of that report a background paper setting out the existing structure of Head Office was produced with current staffing levels; a decision had already been taken by the Executive Council not to automatically replace staff who had left the employment of the FBU. The number of staff employed by Head Office has reduced from 38 to 34 over the past two years - a reduction of 10.5% in numbers, and a year-on year saving in excess of £150,000 in salary costs plus other employment related costs. Further, the Executive Council agreed that at this initial stage staff should, through both their representative body and individually, be approached formally to seek ideas as to how efficiency savings could be made through Head Office. It was emphasised at the time that the recommendations implemented so far had impacted significantly on our committee structures and lay officials and it would be inappropriate for the resources at Head Office not to be looked at. The Current Situation Whilst it can be seen that some progress was made during 2011 it is abundantly clear that further savings need to be made in the functions controlled by Head Office. It is apparent that with a wage bill of £2.14m, long term savings can only be made through restructuring and refocusing the FBU’s resources and its functions. In December 2011 the recognised staff union (GMB) was informed of the intention to implement a long term plan for the restructuring of the FBU’s resources at Head Office. This was then reported to a meeting held for all staff employed at Head Office in January 2012. Discussions with the GMB and with staff have continued on the future needs of the organisation and the implications for staff and for our policies. The Executive Council appreciates the anxiety this may be causing our staff, but given the financial imperative, the Union must continue to review and alter the way we operate in order to ensure we maintain our status as an independent Trade Union and solvent employer. Future Action The following actions are being or will be addressed under the direction of the Executive Council: ● The update and clarification of all policies for staff ● The review of ‘Expressions of Interest’ from staff ● An evaluation of Job Descriptions ● Consultation with staff and GMB over restructure of Head Office ● Inform staff of proposed new structure ● Training for staff where and when necessary ● Review of Regional Offices and of administrative support available for Regions (with a view to ensuring efficiency and more even and improved access for those Regions currently without allocated administrative support) ● To re-visit the issue of Bradley House and instigate a review of the suitability, location and cost of Head Office. 2.2 Full Time Officials The Union has six Full Time Officials (i.e. employed National Officials). These are the General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and four National Officers. Elections for General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary are covered by statutory requirements. Elections for National Officer positions are covered by the FBU election rules alone, as set out in the FBU Rule Book. Conference 2011 agreed that elections for National Officer positions should be suspended to allow a consideration and discussion of the current arrangements. This was prompted in part in recognition of the changing role and types of demands on Head Office and the comparatively high employment costs and financial liabilities associated with employing six Full Time Officials. These include the high costs associated with compensating Full Time Officials who are defeated in an election. Conference 2011 recognised the risks of exposing the Union to such costs in the event of such an election whilst we continued our reorganisation review of Head Office and staff. As part of the ongoing review, the Executive Council has established a working group to review the issue of future pension arrangements for Full Time Officials so as to ensure that good quality occupational pension schemes can be maintained for the future. The role of the Full Time Officials and the various responsibilities and remits which are allocated by the General Secretary have been kept under review as to whether these provide the best use and deployment of resources in the current situation. The Executive Council recommends that Conference grant their authority for the Executive Council to explore the possibilities around reducing the number of National Officers and an accompanying authority to manage the situation and report back to a future conference. A reduction in the number of National Officers requires a change of Rule. 2.3 Recommendations Regarding Full Time Officials Executive Council recommends: ● That the number of National Officers required under rule be reduced from four to three and the necessary rule change agreed ● That the Executive Council be authorised to manage an actual reduction in number in the best interests of the Union and following further discussion with National Officers. Such a change may not take place for some time due to the age and service profile of current post-holders ● The Executive Council should use this period to further consider all options including the potential benefits, further efficiencies and new ways of working that may be achieved through any consequential restructuring of head office around a revised number of National Officers, their role and their elected/ employment status ● That the election processes for National Officer remain suspended to allow the various changes to be introduced and to limit the financial risk to the Union. Due to the age and service profile of current National Officers this may continue for some considerable time. Reports will regularly be presented to conference on progress.