Improving local redundancy policies
Negotiating favourable redundancy and restructure procedures and enhanced redundancy pay ahead of time can help protect members during redundancy and restructuring. Once a restructuring process begins, employers often seek to move quickly and the scope for negotiating improvements may be more limited.
NEU reps should therefore ensure that redundancy and restructure policy forms part of our bargaining agenda as a matter of course. Regular review of local policies against the NEU redundancy and reorganisation model policy and checklist can help identify weaknesses and create opportunities to secure stronger protections for the future.
Redundancy processes can provide valuable bargaining opportunities. Where weaknesses in a policy become apparent during consultation, reps should seek commitments from employers to address them once the process concludes. Each restructuring should leave members better protected than before.
Negotiating stronger protections
The statutory redundancy framework provides only minimum protections. Collective bargaining can secure significantly better arrangements and improve outcomes for members facing restructuring.
A key priority is redundancy pay. Reps should seek policies that calculate redundancy payments using actual weekly earnings rather than the statutory cap. A number of NEU branches have already secured this enhancement through negotiation, demonstrating that improvements are achievable when workplace groups organise around clear bargaining demands.
Employers should also be encouraged to prioritise the avoidance of compulsory redundancies. Local policies can help achieve this by creating a clear commitment to explore alternatives before compulsory measures are considered, and by offering voluntary redundancy or voluntary severance arrangements where appropriate. Reps should seek assurances that members can request information about these options without prejudicing their position.
The NEU believes that all redundancy exercises should involve meaningful engagement with recognised trade unions. Local policies should support collective consultation, provide sufficient time for proposals to be scrutinised and allow reps access to the information needed to challenge and improve employer proposals. Additional facilities time for union representatives can help ensure members receive effective support throughout the process.
Reps should use the bargaining cycle to build power behind demands and ensure member-determined outcomes in all cases.