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Civil Service GroupAnnual Delegate Conference

City HotelDerry

Protecting Public Services… Supporting Public Servants www.nipsa.org.uk

Agenda2012

Tuesday 29th May 2012w. g.

conference 2O12

Timetable

Tuesday 29th May 201210:30 Tea / Coffee

11:00 Chairperson’s Address

11:15 Appointment of Scrutineers and Tellers

Adoption of Standing Orders Report No.1

11:30 Pay Motions No.1 - No.8

12:20 Recruitment Motion No.12

12:25 RPA Motion No.16

12:35 Privatisation Motion No.19

12:45 HR Connect Motions No.22 - No.24

1:00 Lunch

2:30 Welfare Motions No.29 - No.30

2:40 Pensions Motions No.34 - No.36

3:00 Terms and Conditions Motions No.40 - No.48

3:45 Tea / Coffee

4:00 Leave and Allowances Motion No.51 - No.55

4:20 General Motions No.59 - No.60

4:30 Guillotined Motions

5:00 Close of Conference

Special Notice to Delegates

The Standing Orders and Standing Orders Committee Report No 1 should be read in conjunction with the list of motions. In accordance with Standing Order 37, Branches wishing to move reference back to Standing Orders Report No 1 or at any part of it, should notify their intention to do so in writing to the Secretary, NIPSA Standing Orders Committee, Harkin House, 54 Wellington Park, Belfast, BT9 6DP not later than 11.00 am, Tuesday 22nd May 2012.

Those branches who have so notified their intention to move reference back of Report No 1 will be required to meet the Standing Orders Committee prior to Conference on Friday 25th May 2012

Only those branches who have complied with Standing Order 37 will be permitted to move reference back of Standing Orders Committee Report No 1.

Branches should note that reference back of Standing Orders 1 to 43, or any amendment to them, is not permissible. This rule does not apply to any additional Standing Orders included in Standing Orders Committee Report No 1.

1. These standing orders will apply to General and Group Conferences until they are amended or rescinded by a motion adopted by an annual Delegate General Conference. If any such motion is adopted it shall not come into effect until the conclusion of the conference at which it is adopted.

Reports of Standing Orders Committee

2. Subject to the provisions of these standing orders, the Standing Orders Committee will draw up reports for each conference, setting out its recommendations on the timetable, agenda and such other matters as it considers necessary for the business of the conference. The reports of the Standing Orders Committee will be presented to the conference for consideration and decision.

3. The Standing Orders Committee may, if it considers it necessary recommend additional standing orders on matters not covered in these standing orders. Such additional standing orders shall apply only to the conference at which they are adopted.

4. The first report of the Standing Orders Committee to an Annual Conference hereinafter referred to as “Report No 1”, shall comprise the agenda, which shall contain all the motions received in accordance with these standing orders and the Committee’s recommendation on the timetable and other matters.

The Agenda

5. The Standing Orders Committee will include in a primary agenda those motions which require a decision by conference and will place the remaining motions in a secondary agenda.

6. In each section of the primary agenda any motions which relate to pay and conditions of service shall be placed at the beginning of the section.

7. The secondary agenda will include the following categories:-

(a) Category A - motions which are covered by a composite or comprehensive motion on the primary agenda.

(b) Category B - motions which restate existing union policy.

(c) Category C - motions which can be dealt with by correspondence with Union Headquarters.

(d) Category D - motions which are competent to be dealt with by a body established under rule 6.9(a) of the rules of the Union and which are to be remitted to the General Council for reference to that body.

(e) Category X - motions which the President has ruled are out of order.

8. Composite motions will be used whenever possible to cover a number of motions directed at the same issue. The motion selected as a composite is the one which, in the opinion of the Standing Orders Committee, incorporates the points made in motions covered by it.

9. Comprehensive motions will whenever possible be constructed by the Standing Orders Committee to cover motions, when although directed on the same issue, contain a number of diverse points. The Standing Orders Committee will recommend who should move a comprehensive motion.

10. The passage of a composite or comprehensive motion does not imply acceptance of the detailed variants in the motions which they cover.

11. Motions which seek to amend the rules of the Union or the annexes to them or which would require an amendment to the rules of the Union or the annexes to them will be out of order, unless they are presented in a form which sets out clearly the wording of the amendment(s) necessary.

12. An emergency motion shall deal only with urgent business which has arisen since the final date for the submission of motions to conference and shall require a decision by conference. The Standing Orders Committee shall include in Report No 1, the procedure for dealing with emergency motions.

13. The Standing Orders Committee shall have the sole authority to decide whether or not a motion is competent for consideration as a matter of urgency. It shall publish those motions which it considers to be emergency motions in a report which shall also include provisions for their discussion.

Standing Orders for Conferences

The Timetable

14. The Standing Orders Committee will arrange motions in the primary agenda into sections and specify periods of time for the discussion of each section and for other conference business. If alterations to the timetable become necessary during the course of a conference the Standing Orders Committee shall submit recommendations to the conference. For such an alteration it is not necessary to resort to the procedure set out in Standing Order No 35.

15. The time allotted to each section of the agenda shall be adhered to as far as possible.

16. The Standing Orders Committee may recommend an opportunity, before motions in a section of the agenda are discussed, for the General Council to place before the delegates any factual material necessary to bring up-to-date the annual report in respect of subjects to which the section relates. The time allocated for this purpose to a speaker for the General Council shall be limited to 4 minutes, subject to the President’s discretion in exceptional circumstances.

17. Motions shall be taken in the order in which they appear on the agenda. The time allotted to each motion shall be at the discretion of the President.

18. In order to make the maximum use of conference time for the discussion of motions on which there may be differing opinions, the General Council will indicate which motions, if any, on the primary agenda it is willing to have adopted without discussion. These motions will be listed in a report of the Standing Orders Committee and by adopting the report the conference will carry the motions.

19. Motions which are not taken because of lack of time shall be dealt with as if they had been remitted by conference to the General Council.

Conduct of Debates

20. It shall not be necessary to second motions or emergency motions included in a Standing Orders Committee report which has been adopted by conference.

21. If the mover of any motion is not present when it is called, the President may invite a Branch or the General Council, to move the motion. If the motion is not moved, it will be deemed to have fallen.

22. Each speaker shall announce his or her name and Branch or, in the case of a person speaking on behalf of the General Council or the Standing

Orders Committee, his or her name and office before speaking on any point.

23. Speeches by movers of motions shall be limited to 4 minutes and other speeches to 3 minutes, but these times may be varied at the discretion of the President.

24. The mover of a motion on the agenda shall have the right of reply at the close of the debate upon the motion, if anyone has expressed opposition to the motion.

25. Immediately before the mover of a motion on the agenda exercises his or her right of reply or before the vote is taken if there is no right of reply or it is waived, a speaker on behalf of the General Council will be afforded the opportunity of addressing conference.

26. A motion may be withdrawn only by the proposers with the approval of conference.

27. No one other than a delegate or a member of the Standing Orders Committee may address conference unless authorised by the General Council.

28. Speakers must on all occasions confine themselves strictly to the matter under discussion.

29. Points of information shall be allowed only at the discretion of the President.

30. If the President, rises to call a member to order, or for any purpose connected with the proceedings, the member speaking shall thereon resume his or her seat and no other member shall rise until the chair is resumed.

31. The ruling of the President on any question under standing orders or on points of order or explanation, shall be final unless challenged by not less than 10 delegates. In the event of such a challenge the President shall vacate the chair. The Vice-President, failing whom a member of the General Council, shall then take the chair and shall put it to the vote that the ruling of the President be upheld. Unless two-thirds of the delegates present and voting vote against the motion that the ruling of the President be upheld, the ruling of the President shall stand. When the result of the vote has been declared, the President shall resume the chair and proceed in accordance with the result of the vote.

32. Subject to the rules of the union, a card vote may be taken. Card votes for, against or abstaining on the motion under debate will be collected simultaneously.

33. No question which has not been included in Report No 1 of the Standing Orders Committee and no emergency motion shall be decided on a card vote.

Procedural Motions

34. Motions on procedural matters must be moved and seconded by delegates or members of the General Council. The mover of a procedural motion may speak on the motion only once and no other speeches shall be allowed save as provided elsewhere in these standing orders.

35. These standing orders or any part of them or any provision of a Standing Orders Committee report made under them shall be suspended if a motion to that effect is supported by two-thirds of the delegates present and voting. The mover of such a motion shall be allowed by the President sufficient time to explain the purpose of the proposed suspension within the time limit for speeches then applying. If the motion is seconded the President shall similarly allow the Standing Orders Committee to reply before taking the vote.

36. When the motion to adopt a report of the Standing Orders Committee has been moved the President may call any Branch or the General Council, which wishes to move reference back to vary or delete a part of the report. The Standing Orders Committee may reply to such a reference back before it is voted upon. If subsequently the motion to adopt the report is carried, the report shall have effect as amended by any reference back accepted by the conference.

37. Reference back of Report No 1 of the Standing Orders Committee or any part of it, must be notified to the Committee in writing at least one week before the start of conference and should be discussed with the Committee before the conference. The Standing Orders Committee shall announce arrangements for such discussions.

38. A debate shall be closed if:-

(a) A motion “that the vote now be taken” is carried but such a motion cannot be put to Conference until the opportunity to oppose the motion under debate has been given. Then if such a motion is moved and seconded it shall be put to the vote without discussion. Such a motion shall not be moved or seconded by a delegate who has previously spoken in the debate. If such a motion is carried the mover of the motion under debate shall, before the motion is put exercise any right of reply that s/he may have but no other speeches shall be allowed.

(b) A motion “that conference proceed to next business” is carried but such a motion cannot be put to Conference until the opportunity to oppose the motion under debate has been given. Then if such a motion is moved and seconded it shall not be moved or seconded by a delegate who has previously spoken in the debate. If such a motion is carried, conference shall proceed forthwith to the next item on the agenda.

39. A motion “that this motion be remitted to the General Council” may be moved and seconded by delegates or members of the General Council. The debate on the original motion may continue after the motion to remit it to the General Council has been proposed and seconded, unless the President decides otherwise. At the conclusion of the debate the mover of the original motion shall exercise his or her right of reply, following which the President shall immediately put to conference the proposal that the motion be remitted to the General Council. If the motion to remit is carried, conference shall proceed forthwith to the next item on the agenda, otherwise the original motion will be put to conference.

Miscellaneous

40. In the absence of the President the Vice-President shall preside at conference. In the absence of both the President and Vice-President, the General Council shall elect a member of the Council to preside. The use of the term “President” in these standing orders shall be construed to include the person, other than the President, who presides at conference in accordance with this standing order.

41. Delegates must give one week’s notice in writing to the General Secretary of their intention to ask any question on the annual report or the financial statement.

42. Delegates must give one week’s notice in writing to the General Secretary of their intention to move a reference back of part of the annual report and financial statement specifying which section(s) they propose to refer back. A motion to refer back the annual report or financial statement must be moved and seconded by delegates. The mover of the motion may speak on the motion only once and no other speeches shall be allowed, save that a speaker on behalf of the General Council will be afforded the opportunity of addressing Conference.

43. During conference smoking will not be permitted.

Civil Service Group Agenda - Page 1

Standing Orders Report No.11. A Primary and Secondary Agenda have been devised in accordance

with Standing Orders 5, 6 and 7.

2. Composite Motions have been used in accordance with Standing Order 8. Comprehensive Motions have been used in accordance with Standing Order 9.

3. Delegates representing Branches whose motions are covered by either a Composite Motion or Comprehensive Motion which their Branch is not due to propose shall be afforded an opportunity to speak to the relevant Composite or Comprehensive Motion.

Motions Motions covered by it

Composite Motion No.1 65

Composite Motion No.2 66 - 67


Comprehensive Motion No.6 69 - 70



4. It is recommended that Motion No.42 falls if Motion No.41 is carried.

5. In order to expedite Conference business, Standing Orders Committee recommend that delegates wishing to speak to a Motion once it has been moved, occupy seats reserved for such persons at the front of the Conference Hall. Only those delegates who comply with this procedure may be called upon to address Conference.

6. In accordance with Standing Order 12. Branches are hereby informed that Notice of Emergency Motions must be submitted in writing to the Standing Orders Committee at Harkin House not later than 12 noon on Thursday 24th May 2012. Such submission must be signed by two Branch Officers and indicate the date of the General Meeting at which the Emergency Motions were adopted by the Branch.

Signed: B White (Chairperson) D Gillian M McKee


2012 Annual Delegate Conference

PRIMARY AGENDAAll motions in this agenda are due to be discussed.

● Pay Matters

Composite Motion No.1 (to be moved by the Executive Committee)

Conference is concerned at the continued attack on civil servants pay by the coalition government and in particular notes the position adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn statement that pay for all public servants would be capped at a maximum of 1% during 2012 and 2013.

Conference also expresses its concern that the Chancellor has asked the Pay Review Bodies to examine the issue of relating public sector pay to take account of the local economy. In this regard Conference welcomes the publication by NIPSA of the Pubic Private Sector Pay Gap - A Trojan Horse for Regional Pay and calls upon the Executive Committee to take all necessary measures to ensure that the pay of NI civil servants is not depressed further by spurious references to the pay of the private sector in Northern Ireland.

Conference calls on the Executive Committee to further lobby NI Executive Ministers and MLA’s to achieve a proper level of pay increase, in addition to entitlement to pay progression, taking account of increases in the cost of living with reference to RPI. Conference also calls on the Executive Committee to lobby Ministers and MLA’s to use their devolved powers in this area not to slavishly and/or automatically apply the public sector pay freeze policy of the coalition government.

Composite Motion No.2 (to be moved by the Executive Committee)

Conference notes that, in line with the terms of Resolution No 9 of the 2011 Civil Service Group Conference, NIPSA has been pursuing a range of policy objectives since the engagement with NICS Management commenced on the Comprehensive Pay and Grading Review.

While Conference is concerned at the delays in the review being brought to a conclusion, it nonetheless recognises the paramount importance of securing as many of NIPSA’s policy objectives as possible which were reflected in the agreed terms of reference for the review.

In that regard Conference calls upon the Executive Committee to press for adequate funds to be made available to address the key priorities under negotiation. Conference recognises that this will not be achieved under an imposed pay restriction/freeze regime.


Motion No.3 (Branch 7)

Conference condemns Ministers and NICS Management for their handling of Executive Officer 2 pay. Despite recognising that their own actions had created an anomaly, their continued and deliberate foot-dragging, coupled with hiding behind the legal veil afforded them by the “without prejudice” clause, not only displays their mala fides but has served to disenfranchise a key section of their own workforce and in the process intentionally sow the seeds of dissent amongst the NIPSA membership. Their attempt to mortally wound this venerable organisation and weaken its negotiating hand has failed but it should not be forgiven for attempting to do so nor should its fratricidal experiment be dismissed lightly.

Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to consider all measures open to it, including industrial action if necessary, to expedite the matter and ensure a favourable outcome for those members in the affected grades.

Composite Motion No.4 (Branch 77)

Conference congratulates our esteemed MLAs, the ultimate Public Servants, on their 11% rise which, as demanded by Alasdair McDonnell, has lifted them out of poverty by ending what he described as “starvation wages” and recognises that this proposed settlement sets the precedent for those earning over £21000 (less than 50% of current MLA salary) to also have their lack of pay rises addressed and to that end instructs the Executive Committee to begin immediate action of whatever degree necessary to ensure that Civil Servants are treated in a similar manner.


The implementation of negotiated Civil Service pay awards is delayed for NDPBs because of the imposition of an extra, unnecessary, layer of bureaucracy by their parent departments which demands that each Non-Departmental Public Body completes a business case before the agreed award is implemented. Conference calls on Executive Committee to negotiate a change to this procedure to eliminate this unnecessary and unfair delay and report back on progress to the 2013 Annual Conference.

Comprehensive Motion No.6 (Branch 303)

Conference calls on the Executive Committee to negotiate a pensionable increase in pay for all members, and to urgently address the anomaly for members at the maxima of the pay scales.


Conference in looking at the previous 2 years of a pay freeze when the cost of living has been increasing feels that this year we cannot accept less than a pay deal which addresses the following:

(1) Cost of Living increases for all members

(2) A pay rise for those on the band maximum

(3) A reduced pay scale in line with age discrimination legislation. This is so that those reaching retirement who are not on the top of their scale actually have a chance of reaching it.


Conference in considering the statement in November 2011 from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that a 1% cap would be put on pay increases within the public sector, we do not feel that this would then enable the above to be addressed and call on the incoming Executive Committee to set a schedule of dates for possible industrial action as part of a concerted campaign to secure a satisfactory pay rise for our members, in which all of the above points have been addressed and with action continuing until a satisfactory pay deal has been secured.


Conference calls on the Executive Committee to ensure that members working overtime do not have the hourly rate of pay capped in an unfair manner which does not fully recognise the appropriate rate for the job under overtime conditions.

Motions No.9-11 unallocated

● Recruitment


Conference is concerned at the negative impact of the Management persistence in utilising external Promotion Boards. Conference believes that the format for Promotion Boards, both internal and external, with the inclusion of aptitude tests is discriminatory towards existing civil servants with long service. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to seek the removal of aptitude tests from the promotion format and to press for the implementation of internal Promotion Boards.


● Review of Public Administration

Motion No.16 (to be moved by the Executive Committee)

Conference notes that the Review of Public Administration has resurfaced following the election to the NI Assembly in 2011 and that implementation of these changes to government in Northern Ireland will have a major impact on staff in a number of Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments.

Conference also expresses its concern at the decision of the NI Executive to abolish the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) for reasons related more to political expediency than service delivery objectives.

Conference calls on the Executive Committee to ensure the maximum level of protection for members in the civil service affected by the creation of the Education Skills Authority, transfers to local government structures and the dissolution of DEL. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to insist that the principles of the Public Services Commission in respect of the RPA are fully observed as an important element of protection for NI civil servants.


● Privatisation


Conference acknowledges that privatisation remains a major threat to NI Civil Service jobs and functions and that this has been evidenced for example by the outsourcing of work from the Medical Support Services, a range of facilities management functions and the threat to DVA functions and potential outsourcing under savage welfare reforms.


Conference is concerned that more needs to be done to highlight the impact privatisation of civil service functions has on service provision. This is particularly true where it is planned to outsource functions to companies or organisations which fail to provide services under the terms of their contracts such as HR Connect and ATOS.

Conference calls on the Executive Committee to ensure that the Northern Ireland Audit Office uses its powers to highlight failed projects and pursue a policy of work being returned to the NICS where private companies have failed to deliver a proper level of service.

Conference also calls upon the Executive Committee to take appropriate measures to protect the interests of members who are affected by any plans to privatise or outsource civil service functions.


● HR ConnectMotion No.22 (Branch 8)

Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to negotiate to ensure that staff members are not disciplined and penalised for not recording leave on HR connect in considering HR connect has not worked correctly from its inception. Many ongoing errors prevent leave from being correct on this system and staff do not feel confident in using HR connect. It is therefore unfair that staff can be penalised in a situation such as this where the system they are being asked to use is not fit for purpose and has had constant failures. That a simple error with the system or even forgetting to record this, which can easily happen, in a busy work environment can lead to disciplinary action is unjust and staff should not suffer due to this.


Conference is concerned with the current staff reporting system on H.R. Connect. Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to raise the matter at central level with NICS management with a view to simplifying, changing or removing the current system.


Conference is concerned with the lack of knowledge and professionalism shown by staff employed by HR Connect when NIPSA members raise queries. Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to negotiate with Civil Service Management for HR Connect staff to be properly trained on both HR issues and how to deal with staff professionally.



● Welfare


Conference is alarmed at the continuing rise in domestic abuse and in the apparent lack of support for victims of domestic abuse by our employer.

The after effects of abuse can be devastating on the victim and the responses and support given, by the NICS, to members who have been subjected to such abuses has often been found wanting.

Conference calls upon the Executive Committee to engage with Corporate HR with a view to ensuring the provision of domestic violence officers who members could approach for help, support and advice during what is a deeply disturbing and stressful time.


Conference condemns management’s application of a draconian sick absence policy within the Northern Ireland Civil Service in that many members who are suffering from an infectious disease should not be attending work but do so due to the nature of procedures out of fear that they will be given a warning if they don’t. This therefore puts the health and safety of other staff at risk of contracting an infectious disease. Conference therefore calls on the incoming Executive Committee to launch a campaign to ensure members are treated as individuals and not penalised when they cannot make it to work for this reason.


● Pensions


Conference fully supports the position adopted by NIPSA in the defence of civil service pensions and congratulates members in the Civil Service Group who took strike action on 30th November 2011 as part of the campaign to protect jobs, pay and pensions.

Conference rejects the detrimental changes to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme that are being forced through by government and calls on the Executive Committee to:-

(a) Continue to oppose the increases in employee contributions in 2012 and future years.

(b) Work with other civil service unions to reverse any detrimental changes through campaigns which may include industrial action and lobbying politicians both in Northern Ireland and Westminster.

(c) Expose the myths surrounding the affordability of civil service pensions.

Conference welcomes the publication by NIPSA of the booklet on the myths surrounding public sector pensions and calls upon the Executive Committee to again highlight the fact that the levels of civil service pay is reduced to take account of the non-contributory nature of the civil service pension scheme.



Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to task the Equality Commission to conduct an investigation under Schedule 9 of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, into the Department of Finance and Personnel’s failure to comply with its approved Equality Scheme. DFP have stated in their Response to the Consultation on Increased Employee Contributions for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme that “An Equality Screening Exercise has been conducted and the introduction of the secondary legislation will not differentially impact adversely on any of the Section 75 groups”, however increased pension contributions will be based on a part-time worker’s full-time equivalent, and should this be over the £15,000 threshold, they will pay the increased contribution. NIPSA have already established that women make up the majority of part time workers and are thus unfairly penalised by the disproportionate increase to the pension contributions that they will be forced to make.


Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to ensure that all members who are part of the civil service pension scheme receive the annual report on benefits that they are entitled to by law as this is not presently happening and many members have never received this statement and have no idea of what they are entitled to. We ask that this be challenged by any means necessary legal and otherwise.


● Terms and Conditions

Composite Motion No.40 (Branch 5)

Conference notes with concern the increase in written warnings and lost appeals due to our employer’s intransigence when applying Managing Attendance policies. Conference acknowledges the progressive policy in DWP, where ‘disability consideration points’ protect those staff who have taken absences directly attributable to a disability or underlying medical condition. Conference calls on Executive Committee to vigorously pursue a change in Managing Attendance policy to take account of disability leave and have those absences discounted from any inefficiency policies.


Conference calls on the Executive Committee to actively engage with Management to remove the elective transfer system through HR Connect and replace with a functioning central transfer list.

Motion No.42 (Branch 8) (If Motion No.41 is carried Motion No.42 falls)

Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to use all avenues at their disposal, legal and otherwise to ensure that all staff who apply for an elective transfer are not denied their chance to develop their career in other areas of the civil service via this process. Management in some areas are applying what seems to be a draconian approach of ‘chaining staff to their desks’ in certain areas where turnover has been historically high due to fear of not being able to replace them. This leads to increased stress and sick absence in these areas due to a management failure and inability to keep staff. Members should not be penalised due to this. We also ask that the current policy be scrutinised by the NIPSA solicitors to ensure the policy and how it is implemented complies with the law.



Conference is concerned to learn that it is now routine procedure by some, if not all, General Practitioners to charge a fee for medical letters in support of NICS staff requiring reasonable adjustments (chairs etc) to carry out their jobs.

Conference is shocked to learn that the cost of any fee is payable by the member of staff and not the department, agency etc within the NICS.

Conference believes that if the department, agency etc insists on a medical opinion before a reasonable adjustment for a member of staff can be implemented then the department, agency etc should be liable for any fees, including GP letters, incurred.

Conference therefore instructs the incoming Executive Committee to seek that NICS management instigates this course of action as soon as possible across the whole of the NICS.


Conference recognises that some members have been coerced into an early return to work by pushy managers and calls on the Executive Committee to negotiate for a change to Para 7.7 of the NICS Inefficiency Sickness Absences Policy to allow members to be accompanied to phased return to work interviews.


Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to negotiate with NICS management for the provision of a 360° appraisal system for all NICS staff.


Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to renegotiate the Grievance policy for the Northern Ireland Civil Service. This is to ensure that within the Grievance policy, when it has reached the stage where formal action is necessary, that it is dealt with outside of the command/area where the informal action took place. We feel that for the purpose of impartiality in dealing with cases that have reached the formal action stage, that it is necessary that another manager in a different area who has had no involvement with that issue should be appointed. This will ensure that fair, unbiased, unprejudiced, equitable and reasonable decisions will be made.


Conference calls upon the Executive Committee to seek urgent reform of the managing attendance procedures right across the civil service, with a view to building a culture of empathy and aid rather than the draconian measures that so many Departmental HR’s have introduced over the past few years, which are clearly a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to hostile ministers and media criticism of staff who are genuinely ill. Any current gains that trade union side have made were done so under the auspices of good faith and were designed to help members suffering from a whole variety of illness’ and exceptional circumstances. Unfortunately some departments have behaved contrary to this ethos and actively seek to penalise rather than support staff.

Management see this process as more of a ‘box-ticking exercise’ rather than seeking to redress staff’s reasons for going sick in the first place. Conference therefore calls upon the Executive Committee to re-look at it’s engagement process at a central level, with a view to attaining and further improve this process to the benefit of all staff.



Conference is concerned at the rise within the Northern Ireland Civil Service of discriminatory tactics being used such as

● Managing attendance procedures

● Capability and performance policies

All tactics management is using in order to rid themselves of disabled employees with minimum expenditure. Conference therefore calls on the incoming Executive Committee to:

(a) Submit freedom of information requests to the Northern Ireland Civil Service to obtain data on the number of disabled members who have lost their jobs as a result of their disability

(b) Work with branches and disabled members to actively pursue and eliminate these discriminatory practices.


● Leave and Allowances


Conference calls on the Executive Committee to propose to Management Side an increase in Contractual Maternity Pay provision to full pay for 39 weeks, in line with the statutory provisions.


Conference urges the incoming Executive Committee to increase pressure to ensure that the tax smart scheme is introduced within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). Other public service departments currently avail of this scheme which will be of great benefit to other members in saving money for travel to work and may help to encourage more staff to use public transport and reduce the amount of cars on the road, especially in the current economic climate. Staff in the NICS still await this beneficial scheme being introduced and ask for expediency in negotiations.


Conference feels that the Day Subsistence rates of £4.25 (5-10 hours) and £9.30 (over 10 hours) are much too low to reflect the true cost of meal purchases in the year 2012.

Conference therefore calls on the Executive Committee to seek from NICS management a significant increase in these rates so as to ensure that their staff have a substantial meal(s) when on official business.



Conference welcomes the recent Tribunal decisions regarding the carry over of accrued untaken holiday entitlement due to a period of long-term sick leave, for example:

● NHS Leeds v Larner

● KHS AG v Schulte

● Fraser v South West London St George’s Mental Health Trust

Conference however notes that the current NICS code does not reflect these decisions and continues to restrict the amount of carry over of untaken leave.

Conference calls upon the Executive Committee to raise this matter directly with Management. If no resolution is forthcoming then suitable cases should be identified and submitted to the internal grievance procedure and if necessary the Industrial Tribunal process.


Conference is alarmed that in some departments senior managers continue to take a much narrower view on the application of NICS policy on Special Leave than the policy actually suggests.

Conference calls on the Executive Committee to take action to ensure that policy is applied equally, fairly and consistently across all departments and agencies.


● General


Conference is concerned at the delay by Management Side in progressing the review of Technical Grades in the NICS following the settlement of the NICS Equal Pay claims. Conference believes that in considering the recognised short-term unfairness for staff identified as working out of grade, the review should also address the long-term issue of the need to create a proper career path to facilitate promotion for Technical Grade staff through to PTO, where those opportunities do not currently exist. Conference therefore instructs the Executive Committee to commend this approach to the Central Trade Union Side negotiators at the Central Whitley Council.


Conference calls on the incoming Executive Committee to negotiate with NICS management for the use of pool cars for essential car users.



Secondary AgendaMotions in this Agenda are not to be discussed.


Composite Motion No.1


Conference condemns Civil Service management for implementing the second year of a two year pay freeze. Conference is concerned that NIPSA members are effectively suffering a pay cut whilst their master (MLAs) are receiving above inflation pay rises. The pay freeze and additional pension contribution means that members are taking home less this week than they were at this time last year.

NIPSA members rightfully expect that they will progress towards the maximum of the pay scale through incremental progression on an annual basis in a reasonable timescale and that this will be in addition to an annual rise in pay to take account of the increase in the cost of living.

Conference instructs the incoming Executive Committee to consider all measures including industrial action to ensure that members receive a fair and just payrise in 2012.



Conference is concerned at the delay in progressing the Comprehensive Pay and Grading Review and calls on the Executive Committee to press for a swift and successful conclusion to the Review.


Conference appreciates the commitments given by NIPSA HQ to pressing NICS management to resolve the outstanding pay and grading issues within NICS. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to exert maximum pressure to bring these issues to a satisfactory conclusion.



While NIPSA members are heading into another pay freeze, we note an 11% pay rise for MLAs. Public Sectors workers face the same inflation and cost of living rises – but no pay rise is imminent. We call upon the Executive Committee to raise this matter with the appropriate Assembly Committee, to ensure a fair pay deal for all.

Secondary AgendaMotions in this agenda are not to be discussed.

Category AMotions covered by composite / comprehensive motions contained in the Primary Agenda.


Comprehensive Motion No.6


Conference calls on the Executive Committee to ensure that the pay anomaly for members at the maxima of pay scales is addressed urgently.


Conference calls on the Executive Committee to negotiate a pensionable increase in pay for all members



Conference condemns management for the decision to appoint EOII staff through an external recruitment scheme thus depriving many members of a vital career progression development opportunity.



Conference is concerned with the application of Attendance Management policy in relation to staff with disabilities or chronic medical conditions.

Conference calls upon the executive committee to engage with senior NICS management to seek change that would lead to a new or revised policy to deal with staff with disabilities or chronic illness that better reflects and is sympathetic to their needs and the difficulties they face.

Category BMotions which would restate NIPSA policy.


Conference calls on the incoming General Council to look at and obtain a resolution to the anomalies caused with the EO2 pay scales following the successful battle for equal pay for those at the AA and AO grades. The anomaly created means that an EO2 who was promoted 2 years ago is earning more than an EO2 who was promoted 10 years ago. Those who have been in the grade for longer are more likely to be closer to the age of retirement and may not yet have reached the band maximum of their pay scale and are earning less now. If a member has fallen into the category and decides to retire then they will have been discriminated on because of their age in not being able to achieve this. This anomaly is also present on all pay scales and this issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure this discrimination no longer occurs.


Given the unwillingness of management to initiate a realistic timeframe for staff to progress to the maxima, Conference instructs the Executive Committee to take whatever measures necessary in order to ensure that staff achieve the maxima of their scale in no longer than 5 years.


Category DMotions which are competent to be dealt with by a body established under Rule 6.9(c) of the Rules of the Union which are remitted to the Executive Committee for reference to that body.


Conference calls upon the incoming executive to seek legal advice to redress the problems within CMED which are directly attributable to the mismanagement of the annual budget. CMED staff, who express a wish to apply for Elective Transfers are being routinely denied these opportunities by management who cite their inability to replace the leavers as their business case. Meanwhile overtime, paid at double time is not just freely available but in fact many staff will have worked well in access of the limits set down in the EU Working Time Directive. This policy whereby staff numbers are being reduced through attrition is increasing the burden on remaining staff. Sickness levels are rising and stress is increasingly seen as a primary cause while our management fail to tackle this obvious problem by demanding that staffing levels are maintained rather than allowing them to be depleted.


Conference is extremely concerned that the PSNI has been able to engage hundreds of ex-police officers, who have received redundancy payments, over the past 10 years from a recruitment agency thus stifling the prospects for career development and promotion of legitimately recruited support staff workforce and NIPSA members. Conference calls upon the incoming Council to campaign for an open and transparent recruitment process which holds the PSNI accountable for the make-up of its work force.


Conference is extremely alarmed with the practice within PSNI of the recruitment of former police officers into civilianised roles within the police service by recruitment agencies. Conference believes it is the PSNI’s intention to privatise a further 1200 police staff posts. Conference asks the Executive Committee to fully resist any attempt to rehire former police personnel under the guise of a ‘managed service’


Conference is concerned that the ongoing review of the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) by the accountancy firm KPMG has resulted in major doubts over its future. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to begin negotiations to re-asorb AFBI back into the NICS, as has happened to other Agencies within other Departments.


Category XMotions which the chairperson has ruled out of order.

Motion No.79 is ruled out of order because it is in conflict with NIPSA Rules 1.3(a) -1.3(f).


Conference calls upon the incoming Executive Committee, to mount a legal challenge and lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman over the unjust length of time being taken, on occasion by DHR to reach a decision in MAU cases. Times of three months and longer are not uncommon. Conference believes this runs contrary to natural justice. The effect of this delay is to cause the member unnecessary stress while waiting for the decision and in the cases where a warning is given, it means that the potential for further action by DHR now spans a period well in access of the stipulated two years. DHR have advised that staffing shortages are responsible. This outrageous situation must be remedied by recruiting sufficient personnel and where appropriate backdating any inefficiency action to the date the member returned to work.

Motion No.80 is ruled out of order as it is not sufficiently clear as a means of determining policy.


Conference is appalled that after the recent EO2 competition back in February/March of this year HR Connect has the gall to state “it is expected that the merit list from this competition will expire on 1st March 2014. While this completion remains open, no interview feedback will be provided to candidates.”



Conference recognises the efforts of the Executive Committee and the difficulties encountered by their endeavours to ensure the equal pay settlement of 2009 is applied to those civil servants which DFP have excluded. Conference applauds the outgoing committee, their legal representatives McCartan Turkington & Breen and Full-time HQ officials for their unwavering resolve over this issue.



Conference calls on the Executive Committee to ensure that in any future modifications to the pay scales that all satisfactory preforming members will progress up the scales in both absolute and relative terms.

Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance

Civil Service Group Annual Delegate Conference 2012

The following candidates have been nominated for election at Annual Delegate Conference 2012:

(1) Elected by virtue of Rule 29 (b) of the Civil Service Group Constitution.(2) Elected by virtue of Rule 29 (c) of the Civil Service Group Constitution.(3) Elected by virtue of Rule 29 (d) of the Civil Service Group Constitution.(4) Elected by virtue of Rule 29(e) of the Civil Service Group Constitution.(5) Elected by virtue of Rule 29( f ) of the Civil Service Group Constitution.

Executive Committee (17 votes)

Candidate’s Name GradeMcNulty, J EOIMcNulty, R AOMcWilliams, P AOMillar, T EOIIMoore, B DPMorgan, M EOIIMossman, S SPTOMulholland, B FOIIIO’Lynn, E SOO’Neill, P AORobinson, M SORooney, M AORussell, V HPTOStewart, W AOThompson, D2 PTOThornbury, J5 Senior Instructional OfficerToal, J EOIVeighey, J EOIIWaddell, D EOIWard, W AOWhite, B EOIIWise, A AOWilson, R AO

Candidate’s Name GradeAustin, D AOBannon, D DPClarke, H Clerical OfficerCollins, L EOIICosgrove, E AOCreaney, T SSOICrothers, M1 SGBIDale, P Mapping & Charting OfficerDoherty, E EOIIDornan, B TG1Dummigan, M SSOIIBFarrell, E AOGates, C DPGibson, D4 Scientific OfficerHerron, M EOIHiggins, G3 Insp GP4Lowry, D ProgrammerLyness, G Assistant Assembly ClerkLynn, B EOIIMalone, G Programme AnalystMcGeough, C EOIIMcKee, M AOMcKeown, M DPMcKillop, T EOII

Candidate’s Name Grade Candidate’s Name Grade

Chairperson (1 Vote)

Lynn, B EOII Moore, B DP

Vice Chairpersons (2 Votes)

Dale, P Mapping & Charting Officer Herron, M EOI

Morgan, M EOII Wilson, R AO

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