Co-operative UK

A landmark Partnership Agreement sees Co-operativesUK become the first co-operative organisation to link up with NACO as the recognised trade union with negotiation and consultation rights for all its employees.

The purpose of the link up is to develop a closer and more direct relationship between Co-operativesUK, the apex body for co-operatives, and trade union NACO, the National Association of Co-operative Officials.

"Co-operativesUK has had a long standing and good working relationship with several trade unions in support of the interests of our employees," explains Dame Pauline Green, Chief Executive of Co-operativesUK. “However, in a professional organisation like Co-operativesUK , and one which by its very nature is never going to be large in terms of staff, the division between 'officials' and 'administrators' is a potentially divisive and unhelpful one.

"We have been driving a culture change in Co-operativesUK in the last five years, and in particular have been encouraging the concept of team working and interdependency. It is in this spirit that we sought to bring together the terms and conditions of our small and highly skilled staff group. And it is in this spirit as well that we have had very fruitful discussions with NACO. The Partnership Agreement and associated single union agreement with NACO is the result."

"We're delighted to enter into this agreement with Co-operativesUK," says Neil Buist General Secretary of NACO. "We believe the link up gives both organisations a stronger basis for effectively supporting employees and developing employment policies that help maintain a congenial and productive working environment."

"We're keen to extend reward structures that incentivise employees, improve individual performance and optimise the operation of Co-operativesUK," adds Dame Pauline. "In our view, partnership must be based on the involvement of all employees, allowing each person to have their say and be listened to."

To this end, Co-operativesUK will develop and maintain a positive, progressive relationship with NACO, who will have sole negotiation and consultation rights for ALL employees - a first in the co-operative movement - and a model that Co-operativesUK believes may be applicable for other professional service based co-operative organisations.