Staff staying TUPE'd

Both management and the EIS must be asking why?

Why are staff in Glasgow Clyde College ignoring a ballot result accepting new Terms and Conditions, preferring to remain under their TUPE'd version?

Well for some it appears that the result was not just as democratically clear cut as would have been liked for such a major item with 57% not voting to accept!

You may now be asking what's going on!

Well, we will tell you!

The ballot result was 162 to accept with 74 rejecting and 1 spoiled paper! Seems like a victory for the accepts!

However 378 ballot papers were issued which means that only 236 members voted and 142 didn't!

Now, where do we count the non-voters - for accepting or for rejecting!

From an EIS perspective it is quite straight forward - it was 162 to 74! - and therefore the branch accepted!

Mind you - if this was a ballot on industrial action the EIS might - well actually would - take the position that 57% of the membership did not vote for industrial action therefore we cannot sanction it!

Hmm! Talk about cake and eating it!

From a management perspective they don't really care - the EIS will support the acceptance - and do the job for them!

However there are some issues in that the ballot was expeditiously run over the October holiday break with some members not being fully aware of the latest offer. 

Also members wishing to remain under TUPE are being advised that they need to contact the EIS Area Officer for support and guidance as the Branch Secretary is dealing with those who voted to accept! Hmm who will represent the 142?

It appears that  Glasgow Clyde has further issues as Unison has advised their members not to sign the new terms and conditions contracts! This comes after another ballot voting to accept!

Oh dear - the troubled waters trying to force harmonisation!