FTE Trade Union staff and payments to Trade Unions

I am writing to obtain information about the total amount of money paid to trade unions by Ordnance Survey and the amount of staff time spent on union activities by Ordnance Survey employees. To outline my query as clearly as possible, I am requesting:

1. The total amount of money paid to all trade unions for financial periods 2008-09 and 2009-10. Where possible this should be broken down by the individual payments to each trade union by name, however if this disaggregated information is not available please continue to provide a total figure for union payments.

(CLARIFICATION: I can confirm for question 1 I require information about grants and financial assistance provided to trade unions by Ordnance Survey and membership subscriptions given to trade unions that have been deducted from Ordnance Survey employees’ payroll).

2.The amount of paid staff time, in terms of full-time equivalent staff numbers (FTE), spent working on behalf of a trade union – this is sometimes called ‘Trade Union facility time’ - in the financial periods 2008-09 and 2009-10. Where possible this should be broken down by each trade union by name, however if this disaggregated information is not available please continue to provide a total figure for staff time.

Thank you for your initial e-mail dated 25^th May 2010, and clarification e-mail of 26^th May 2010. We are pleased to provide you with the following information with regard to your request.

In response to your question one, the answer is nil.

In response to your questions two, Ordnance Survey has two FTE staff working solely on behalf of a Trade Union. The two recognised unions being: Prospect and PCS.

In addition to the above there are other elected representatives who are allocated facility time for their duties to the above two unions. However, I regret to inform you that this information is not held, as Ordnance Survey does not maintain records detailing the specific amount of time each representatives attributes to their union duties, although we do have a Facility Agreement which is adhered to by all.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information guidelines.  As all requested information has been provided, we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this instance.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU 

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI1071/May 2010