Unison signs historic pact

A ground-breaking pact between Unison, the UK's largest union, and services company Capita will protect white-collar staff in London who are affected by outsourcing.

The two signed an agreement at the end of November at the Trade Union Congress. The move was initiated by Unison's local government services group, which felt its members were becoming too dispersed as a result of outsourcing in local government.

The agreement gives union members influence over issues relating to health and safety, equal opportunities and training, as well as disciplinary and grievance matters. Capita will give training to Unison representatives as part of the deal.

Jim Cornelius, Unison's local government services group secretary, said this was the first time the union had signed a deal with a major white-collar outsourcing company. 'Our members have traditionally been organised in local authority branches. Unison felt it was important to track and protect outsourced members,' he said.

Although the marriage of Unison, which has 1.3 million UK members, and Capita, which employs more than 1,500 staff, is restricted to London-based staff, Cornelius said that the deal would extend nationally in the near future.

Chris Humphreys, Unison regional secretary, said: 'The agreement is a significant breakthrough for Unison white collar members in London.'