JOINT NEGOTIATING COUNCIL FOR THE 5 EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARDS

to negotiate the terms and conditions of service of all board employees with the exception of teaching staff for whom separate arrangements apply;   to negotiate the remuneration of all board employees with the exception of chief executives and teaching staff for whom separate arrangements apply;   to achieve by joint consultation the greatest measure of co-operation between Education and Library Boards and the persons other than teachers employed by those boards, with a view to increased efficiency in the provision of services and the well-being of employees.

The Council supports and promotes equality as a core principle underpinning both service delivery and employment relations.

The Council has the authority to reach collective agreements. All agreements reached shall be binding on the Education and Library Boards.

MEMBERSHIP

The Council consists of 32 members of whom 15 shall be appointed to represent Education and Library Boards

Belfast Education and Library Board North Eastern Education and Library Board South Eastern Education and Library Board Southern Education and Library Board Western Education and Library Board

and 17 members appointed to represent the recognised trade unions.

N I P S A U N I S O N T & G G M B UCATT/MSF/AEEU NAEIAC/AEP

SECRETARIAT

The Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards has appointed a Secretary to the Council and its Executive Committee.

The Management and Trade Union Sides have each appointed a member to act as Secretary of their respective sides.

COMMITTEES

The Council has appointed an Executive Committee. The reports of that Committee are submitted to the Council for approval except where special powers have been delegated to that Committee.

MEETINGS

The Council meets as often as required, and at least 4 times each year. The Executive Committee also meets as often as required and at least 6 times each year.

TIME OFF TO ATTEND MEETINGS

Officers of Boards who are members of the Council are granted every reasonable facility, without loss of pay, to attend meetings of the Council or any committee thereof. Similar facilities are granted to officers of Boards who are acting as substitutes on the Council or any committee thereof.

DECISIONS

Decisions of the Council are reached by agreement of both sides.

CONCILIATION

Every effort is made to accommodate differences of opinion between the two sides of the Council in order to reach agreement. However, if a failure to agree is registered, the dispute may be referred to the Labour Relations Agency for conciliation.

ARBITRATION

In the event of a dispute over terms and conditions of employment arising between the two sides of the Council the dispute will be processed in accordance with the arbitration agreement. The arbitration award shall be accepted by both sides and will be treated as though it were an agreement between the two Sides.