Time Off for Trade Unions - Activities

 An employee who is a member of a recognised Trade Union is permitted reasonable time off during working hours to take part in Trade Union activities and for the purposes of accessing the services of a Union Learning Representative. This time off is not paid.

• Where a member is acting as a representative of a recognised Trade Union, activities can be, for example, taking part in
• Branch, area or regional meetings of the recognised Trade Union where the business of the Union is under discussion
• Meetings of official policy making bodies such as the executive committee or annual conference
• Meetings with full-time officials (for example Branch/Regional representatives) to discuss issues relevant to the workplace

The University has agreed a particular exception to the general Trade Union activities agreement, in that Trade Unions may have up to a total of 5 days categorised as duty to enable attendance at Regional/National conferences or meetings (but not demonstrations or similar) related to Trade Union support for Higher Education. This is defined under Trade Union Duties - Appendix A. Where the total of 5 days has been used in one year, attendance at conferences/meetings within the same year will fall under the activity criteria noted above and will therefore not be paid.

Activities of a Trade Union member may be, for example:

• Attending workplace meetings to discuss and vote on the outcome of negotiations with the employer
• Meeting full time officials (for example Branch/Regional representatives) to discuss issues relevant to the workplace
• Voting in Union elections

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• Last reviewed and updated: 5 August 2021