Appendix A4.3
Constitution of the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee (JNCC)
1. Objectives
The JNCC provides the machinery for dealing with the consultation and negotiation of terms and conditions of service for BBSRC JNCC employees. It aims to ensure that employer and employee cooperate to meet their respective objectives.
1.1 Membership
The Committee consists of a management side (MS) and a Trade Union Side (TUS). MS comprises the Director and Deputy Director of Human Resources, an establishment Head of HR, a Head of Operations and a representative of the MRPs. The TUS comprises TUS officers and up to four representatives of each of the recognised unions. Both sides can appoint substitutes to replace members who are unable to attend a particular meeting. Committee membership is confirmed or varied at each annual meeting.
Please see ( appendix A4:4) for the TUS right of access to the BBSRC Chief Executive and the attendance of additional union members at JNCC meetings.
1.2 Officers
The Chair is appointed by MS and the Vice-Chair by the TUS. Each Side appoints a secretary who may or may not be a member of the Committee.
1.3 Quorum
Four members of each Side of the Committee will constitute a quorum.
1.4 Meetings
The Committee meets as often as necessary, as agreed by the Secretaries. An annual meeting is held in May or June each year. An agenda with associated papers is circulated to all members ahead of meetings. Business not on the agenda will be taken if the Chair and Vice-Chair agree to it.
Emergency meetings of the Committee may be called at less than 15 days notice by the Chair on his/her own initiative or at the request of the Vice-Chair. The business of an emergency meeting is restricted to matters stated on the notice calling the meeting. Copies of the minutes are sent to the joint secretaries of establishment Committees.
1.5 Functions
The Committee deals with any matter affecting terms and conditions of employment including:
- the general principles of the conditions of service
- changes to employment terms and conditions
- training and further education policy
- any legislation affecting employment
- keeping under regular review the HR practices and employee relations procedures, in order to ensure consistency of application of the principles
- health, safety and security
- equity of treatment in terms of equality of opportunity and diversity
- dealing with issues of principle regarding appointment, promotion or disciplinary procedures
- receiving necessary financial information about all sites
The Committee deals with areas of disagreement referred to it by an NCC, if referred jointly by the two NCC secretaries (NCC process at ( appendix A4:2, Model Constitution for Negotiating and Consultative Committee(NCC)). It is agreed that, where local matters are agreed to give rise to a wider issue of principle with implications for the BBSRC as a whole, that wider issue will be placed on the agenda for discussion at the JNCC. The Committee will review the functioning of establishment Committees, and take action to keep them operating effectively.
The Committee can establish working parties and subcommittees to deal with specific issues. Subcommittees may include representatives of either Side who are not members of the JNCC. They report to the JNCC which discusses and ratifies agreements.
1.6 Local committees
Each establishment has an NCC to deal with local matters. JNCC determines NCC procedures. Copies of minutes of meetings are sent to the Joint Secretaries of the JNCC.
1.7 Decisions
Committee decisions are reached by agreement between the two sides and minuted. Decisions can also be recorded in a separate document, where appropriate and signed by the Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair and the Vice-Chair ensure that agreed actions are efficiently implemented.
1.8 Amendments
This constitution may be amended by agreement at the annual meeting or at an extraordinary meeting called for that purpose. Notice of amendment of the constitution must be given and circulated to members at least 30 days before the meeting.