ULRs at Kier Housing Adding Value
Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) are making a positive contribution at Kier Building Maintenance as they help workers and the company deal with the rapidly changing business environment and the issues impacting on the building, repair and maintenance sectors as a result of the economic downturn.
UCATT ULRs (and other union representatives) are working with the company at local, regional and national level on a range of initiatives to help up-skill the existing workforce; support Kiers’ growing apprentice programme and accommodate a range of business improvement measures which will help position the company as a market leader in the future.
Martin Rooney, Head of Human Resources at KBM, says: “The business case for working with ULRs speaks for itself.
At Kier, we see ULRs as key partners in helping us manage change in a positive and collaborative manner. Our ULRs are a trained and professional resource working in partnership with us to support staff and provide workers with information, advice and guidance on a range of learning and skills issues.
Having ULRs in the company has, over recent months, enabled us to draw down external funding to support our collective training activity; open and resource a learning centre at our Stoke-on-Trent depot; provide NVQ Level 2 qualifications to our Team Leaders and Supervisors; enhance our coaching and mentoring programme; and develop a ‘Response to Redundancy’ approach as part of our managing change initiatives”.
The company and joint-trade unions have established consultative forums at national level to address issues related to the learning and skills agenda; the harmonising of terms and conditions; standardising policies and procedures; and improvements in productivity.
“I would encourage other companies to work with trade unions to develop a network of Union Learning Representatives in their organisations. Providing support for ULRs at local level, in terms of time off and facilities, delivers a return way in excess of the investment - ULRs are good for business” says Martin.
