Public and Commercial Services Union

• RDA co-ordinating committee conference 2009
• Keynote speech from Phil Wood, SEEDA executive board
• Conference workshop – organising and recruitment as a priority in the RDAs
• Pay, terms and conditions mapping 
• RDA co-ordinating committee action plan 2009-2010
• New Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

RDA co-ordinating committee conference 2009

Delegates from each of the English Regional Development Agencies gathered in Brighton on 19 May 2009 for the annual RDA co-ordinating committee conference.

The delegates were joined by David Millar, former secretary to the RDA co-ordinating committee, as well as other PCS staff with responsibility for RDA issues.

The keynote speech was given by Phil Wood, executive board member for SEEDA and Unison south east regional secretary.

Phil pointed to the difficulties faced by staff in RDAs over previous years, not least the uncertainty caused by continual restructuring and the threat of redundancy.

Delegates also debated the 2009-2010 RDA co-ordinating committee action plan which established priorities for the co-ordinating committee in the coming year.

In particular, it was unanimously agreed that PCS should increase it’s focus on recruitment and building our influence and membership density within the RDAs if we are to protect and represent staff effectively in the difficult times ahead.

To this end, a workshop was held which concentrated on methods for effective organising in RDA offices, which was well received at the conference.

The election results for chair and national organiser of the co-ordinating committee were declared at the conference, with Denis O’Connor from NWDA and Lynne Davies from One North East taking the honours.

All present believed the event was a success, and left the conference feeling enthusiastic and positive about carrying out the agreed mandates during the year ahead.

Keynote speech from Phil Wood, SEEDA executive board

In an informative and interesting contribution, Phil outlined the history of the formation of the RDAs, and the changing political landscape which has led to almost continuous restructuring of our functions and workplaces.

He also explained some of the reasons for the uncertainty about the future role of RDAs. He cited the rejection by the people of north east England of plans for a regional assembly as an example of why the government has almost had to go back to the drawing board on the issue of regional government and regeneration.

The rejection of the concept of regionalism made it more difficult to maintain the social and economic partnerships formed to tackle specific regional issues where RDAs play a key role.

Phil also stressed the continuing need for a regional approach to tackle the economic downturn, while emphasising that RDAs are beginning to work together on common goals.

Delegates also discussed the various studies commissioned which suggest different ways forward for RDAs, such as the sub-national review, and the centres for cities report.

Finally, Phil welcomed the increased trade union organisation within the development agencies, in particular the national co-ordinated approach to what is an ever-changing working environment.

Conference workshop – organising and recruitment as a priority in the RDAs

Having agreed that organising and recruitment are a top priority for the coming year, delegates were split into two groups to discuss the best methods to apply in order to effectively achieve these aims.

The workshop was organised by Jessica Pearce from the south west regional office of PCS and Sarah Taiwo of PCS HQ.

Delegates considered the importance of undertaking thorough mapping of all RDA sites, to find out exactly where staff worked and where both PCS members and non-members were situated to enable targeted recruitment.

Similarly, the PCS membership system, Commix, needs to be updated to accurately reflect membership density and the health of the branch.

PCS will also look into the production of recruitment and other material on memory sticks, given the widespread use of electronic data by staff within RDAs.

Also important is a continuing series of meetings in all offices, to ensure branches are given the support they need to maintain effective representation for members.

Pay, terms and conditions mapping

PCS representatives in RDAs voiced the difficulties which arise when involved with pay and other negotiations, because of the widely varied terms and conditions from one region to the next.

An exercise was undertaken to ‘map’ policies such as pay, sickness absence, annual and maternity leave.

This information has been drawn together in a document which was discussed at the conference.

RDA co-ordinating committee action plan 2009-2010

The RDA co-ordinating committee action plan is a living, working document, which sets out how the committee will campaign and better serve PCS members working at RDAs during 2009-2010.

The plan was agreed by participants at our co-ordinating committee conference in Brighton on 19 May 2009.

The key areas of activity in which the committee will focus in the next 12 months are highlighted.

New Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

A press release about the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which aims to lead fight against recession and build now for future prosperity was posted on the BERR website on 9 June 2009.