Consultation and integration are the key to a new era of working relations between the Ministry of Defence and the Trades Unions. A revised Consultation Agreement agreed between MoD and the Unions comes into effect today. This Agreement cements the Department's commitment to consulting the Trade Unions at an early stage on all matters that affect civilian staff, in particular on issues arising from Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Public/Private Partnership (PPP) deals. This will encompass a more open and inclusive approach to consultation and discussion on all issues affecting MoD civilian staff. The Unions are being encouraged to play a positive role in managing change. In this changing public environment both the Department and the Trades Unions have adjusted to differing demands and circumstances. The amended Agreement sets out revised procedures for consultation with the Unions. This is especially important given the potential for change that these PFI and PPP projects often offer. Peter Kilfoyle, Defence Minister, said today: "The Department and the Unions already have a successful working relationship. The revisions to the Consultation Agreement can only further enhance this consultation process. I believe that the steps forward that we have made should be seen not only as a model for Government but also for the private sector. This is another example of the MoD and Trade Unions managing change successfully." John Sheldon, Chair of the National Council of Civil Service Unions said of the process: "The Council welcomes the Ministry of Defence's commitment to improving its well established consultation processes. The opportunity to improve informal consultation on PFI and Partnering and the decision to include the Treasury Taskforce Statement on PFI Projects are particularly welcome. This is an opportunity to test the reality of Partnership. We are committed to working with the Department to deliver changes and are looking forward to developing more open and cost effective relationships between managers and our unions." Jack Dromey, Chairman of the MoD Industrial Trades Unions, said: "We don't expect a veto but we do insist on a voice. In too many workplaces, workers are seen but not heard. Not in the MoD!.. We congratulate Defence Ministers on their initiative."
