Bargaining Information System No 83

Introduction

This briefing aims to provide a background on UNISON's Bargaining Information System and how this can help branches and members.

Background

BIS, the Bargaining Information System, has not only replaced the old companies database but has vastly expanded it to include information on pay and conditions.

BIS is designed to bring together information on UNISON employers for use by UNISON negotiators. It incorporates information gathered over the years on private companies, and new information on agreements.

As well as existing information on companies and contracts held in the companies database, we have surveyed branches and stored data on national and local agreements in BIS.

BIS aims to hold information on all the employers UNISON negotiates with, including information on pay, conditions, and staff transfers. It contains summary information on agreements and private sector contracts, which can be compared across branch, service group and region.

This means that UNISON negotiators have access to the latest and most accurate information about trends in pay and conditions across the country.

Information Stored in BIS

Structure

Organisations:

Details on employers and private companies, including background, current news and financial information.

Agreements:

Information on national and local agreements with employers and/or linked to contracts.

Contracts:

Details on contracts held and issued by organisations

Among more detailed types of information kept on the database are:

• Hours of work

• Pensions
• Contracts
• Staff transfers
• Recognition agreements
• Holiday entitlement
• Health and safety information
• Background on companies, housing associations and voluntary organisations
• Pay increases and pay rates
• Equalities agreements

The Bargaining Information System is still growing and as more branches, service groups and regions add in their agreements and contract information it will become a more comprehensive and powerful tool.

All of the agreement categories in the database are available in Word questionnaire format. Branches or officers can use the questionnaires to collect information on agreements, as well as forwarding a copy of the agreement. This will make it much easier to enter the information in the database.

Reports

BIS can produce reports on organisations, contracts and agreements in different formats.

BIS can also produce statistical analysis of companies and agreements. We can use this to find details on the best or the average pay and conditions per region, sector or using other criteria.

For further information contact the Bargaining Support Group on 020 7551 1309.

Access/ Training

All members of UNISON staff now have access to BIS. To access it you only need to click the button labelled 'Bargaining Information System' on the intranet, or enter http:bis/bislive in your internet browser address line.

At the moment all staff have 'read only' access BIS. If you would like to be able to add and amend information, please contact Bargaining Support at the contact address below.

Training is initially being given to selected regions, but if individual members of staff want assistance in using the system the Bargaining Support Group is happy to provide personal training as well.

For more information, contact Deborah Littman in the Bargaining Support Group at d.littman@unison.co.uk or on 020 7551 1309.

Action for Branches

To provide real benefit it is essential that the information is kept up-to-date. To achieve this we need you to provide us with information on companies, contracts and agreements. Please send agreements etc to Kenny MacLaren (k.maclaren@unison.co.uk) UNISON Scotland, UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX

Use the BIS questionnaires to collect agreement information for every employer you cover. The forms are available from Kenny MacLaren k.maclaren@unison.co.uk.

Also, if you know about new contracts with the private or voluntary sector affecting members in the branches you cover, these can be entered directly or reported to BSG. If you would like a contract update form, please email the Bargaining Support Group at bsg@unison.co.uk or telephone 020 551 1155.

Further Information

If you have questions about the Bargaining Information System, or the information that the Bargaining Support Group can provide, please contact: BSG, UNISON, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ, bsg@unison.co.uk, tel 020 7551 1155, fax 020 7551 1766.