The protocol agreement and contacting CCSU or your trade union

This note reminds DTUSs, officers and reps about the 'protocol' agreement for handling
surplus staff situations, outlines the key stages in the agreement, suggests who reps and
officials should contact about potential redundancy situations and suggests that they should
do so as soon as they hear that compulsory redundancies seem likely.

It is being circulated to DTUSs, and constituent unions and others affected by the protocol
are being asked to circulate it within their unions together with any specific union advice.

The 'protocol' agreement

What is the 'protocol' agreement?

The 'Efficiency and relocation support programme: protocol for handling surplus staff
situations' was agreed between the Cabinet Office and Council of Civil Service Unions in
April 2008.

The agreement is attached and is also available at:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/Assets/strengthening_protocols_tcm6-2846.doc

The agreement aims to avoid compulsory redundancies for those who want to continue their
career in the civil service or NDPBs, by outlining a number of steps that must be followed by
the employer in full consultation with the union before issuing compulsory redundancy
notices. It applies to all of the civil service and 'relevant' NDPBs, that is those employing civil
servants, those in which any CCSU union has recognition, and in the view of CCSU any
NDPB that has members of any CCSU union.

Key points in the protocol

The key steps and tasks for employers in the protocol are:

• identification of surplus staff

• negotiations with the trade union side on measures to avoid redundancy
• departments with vacancies must advertise these first on CSVACS
• efforts to redeploy surplus staff and support them to continue or change their careers
• request period of reflection (minimum of six weeks before issuing notices)
• notice that compulsory redundancy notices will be issued (minimum of two weeks
before issuing)
• issuing of compulsory redundancy notices
• continuing to redeploy and support surplus staff during their notice period.

What is the role of the trade union?

The protocol says that departments with surplus people should consult with the appropriate
trade union on redundancy avoidance measures including redeployments and voluntary exit
schemes, prior to formal meaningful consultation, and during meaningful consultation. They
should begin consultation as soon as they are aware there are likely to be surplus staff.

• Local reps will be involved on behalf of people identified as being at risk of

redundancy in departments and NDPBs, and should ensure that they know the
situation of every individual
 • Departmental trade unions will be fully involved in consultation on redundancy
avoidance measures from the earliest stages
• Full-time officials are likely to be involved at least at the period of reflection stage if
not before
• CCSU will be involved at the period of reflection, and before if called on by DTUSs or
full-time officials.

Other unions not in CCSU

The protocol agreement also covers members of other unions who have members in the civil
service or NDPBs (as long as a CCSU union has members or recognition). Officers and reps
from those unions work with colleagues locally and nationally and with CCSU in dealing with
the surplus staff situation in their area under the protocol agreement.

Contacting CCSU or trade union headquarters protocol contact

When to contact CCSU or trade union headquarters protocol contacts:

• as soon as colleagues need advice on the operation of the protocol, particularly if

there are problems
• any advertisements for vacancies that haven't been done through CSVACS or
haven't given surplus staff opportunities for redeployment
• if efforts by the employer to redeploy surplus staff seem to be unsatisfactory
• as soon as the employer suggests that compulsory redundancy notices are likely,
and especially if they mention the period of reflection (even if those affected are
'acquiescing' to compulsory redundancy)
• when a period of reflection meeting is being arranged
• at any other point that colleagues need advice
• to keep CCSU and the unions up-to-date with any developing redundancy situations,
or on request

Who to contact: CCSU; protocol contacts at trade union headquarters

CCSU
Charles Cochrane
020 7223 8340 (office)
07850 913582 (mobile)
charles@pcs.org.uk

PCS
Imogen Radford
020 7801 2639
imogen@pcs.org.uk

Prospect
Dave Allen
020 7902 6618 (office)
07770 304494 (mobile)
dave.allen@prospect.org.uk

FDA
Dave Penman
020 7401 5555
dave@fda.org.uk
Unison
Simon Watson
020 7551 1309
s.watson@unison.co.uk