Workplace issues

Employment Relations and Union Services function profile

The Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) function is the trade union arm of the CSP. Our role is to support CSP members, both individually and collectively, in the workplace and to promote both the CSP and our members' interests at local, regional, national and even international level. We negotiate and make representations on behalf of CSP members with employers, the Department of Health and other national bodies.

The CSP is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress and staff in the Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) function provide all of the services members would expect from a modern trade union.

Support in the workplace

Through our network of local workplace stewards and safety representatives, backed up by full-time officers, the Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) function is responsible for representing and supporting CSP members with problems or difficulties in the workplace. Much of the work undertaken on behalf of members is behind-the-scenes, conducted in confidence, but is of vital importance in protecting and enhancing members' terms and conditions of employment and health and safety.

Examples of our work: ERUS secured one of the highest personal injury awards ever for a CSP member in an out-of-court settlement of £115,000. We have also helped members secure awards for a variety of work-related injuries and unfair dismissal, as well as achieving successful regrading claims.

Please also note: in common with most other trade unions, the ERUS function does not normally provide help and representation in respect of workplace problems which pre-date membership of the Society. This policy has been formalised by the CSP's Council with the following wording:

"Except in exceptional circumstances, the CSP will not give advice or representation on any employment problem which has originated before the date of membership. The decision on what constitutes exceptional circumstances will rest with the appropriate CSP officer in conjunction with the Director of Employment Relations and Union Services."

The rationale behind this policy is simple: it would be unfair on members who pay their subscriptions year in-year out if someone who only joins the CSP at the point at which they have a problem they want help with received the same level of advice and support.

TUC research shows that dealing with problems in the workplace is still one of the biggest reasons that people choose to join a union, and it is important that when recruiting we send a clear message that people need to join before a problem occurs rather than waiting for the worst to happen and then not being able to access the support they need.

Stewards

For members needing support in the workplace CSP stewards should be the first port of call. CSP stewards are thoroughly trained by ERUS' dedicated training officers and are supported by their own regional steward and senior negotiating officer (SNO). CSP stewards are there for CSP members who need representation in grievance or disciplinary hearings or who need advice on other workplace issues.

For more information on the role of the CSP steward see the Stewards section.

CSP safety representatives

CSP safety representatives perform a vital role in representing CSP members' interests and raising health and safety standards in the workplace. CSP members with any health and safety concerns should see their CSP safety rep.

For more information on CSP safety reps see the Health and Safety section.

Legal services

The Society's Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) function also offers a comprehensive range of legal services to members. Some of these services are available free of charge as a result of CSP membership and (almost all of them) can be accessed via freephone:

1. Personal Injury Services
2. Conveyancing
3. Wills and probate
4. Free legal telephone advice
5. Criminal Law Representation

See the legal services page in this section for more details on the above and the freephone number.

For other legal services:

• Employment law advice and representation: contact your local steward for initial support and information. If you have no steward at your workplace, then call 020 7306 6666 and you will be referred on to your Senior Negotiating Officer.
• Copyright Advice: free initial advice in respect of copyright matters and special terms for any matters that need work beyond initial advice. Contact CSP Negotiating Officer (legal) on 020 7306 6674

Please note: the CSP reserves the right to decide in respect to each case whether to support the individual member and if so to what level. There is no automatic right to advice and representation.

The CSP uses Thompsons solicitors - a UK wide firm of Employment and Personal Injury specialists. Thompsons only acts for claimants and employees and is recognised as the leader in its field.

National level representation

Officers from the Employment Relations and Union Services function represent the CSP at UK-wide and national level negotiations with the Department of Health, the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and the Scottish Executive. The CSP, for example, is Staff Side Chair in the Welsh Partnership Forum.

The Employment Relations and Union Services function represents the CSP in the Agenda for Change pay modernisation negotiations. ERUS is also responsible for the CSP's evidence to the Pay Review Body. ERUS officers are also involved in developing CSP policy and contributing to national initiatives through working with the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Commission and Executive and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on equal opportunities, health and safety, pensions and other issues. This work includes responding to government proposals and consultation documents on a wide range of employment and health policy subjects.