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Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding between the House of Commons Commission and Unite

It is agreed that where there are terms and conditions, minimum standards, or other features and matters which are widely, generally or universally applicable to the employment relationship and/or contract of House of Commons MPs' staff, and emanate from the House of Commons Commission or its successors, these will be subject to consultation with representatives of Unite.

(It is accepted by Unite and the House of Commons Commission that the House of Commons Commission (or successor bodies) and individual MPs may wish to consult additionally, individually or by other means on all these matters– and that consultation with Unite may not be the exclusive form of consultation)

Such consultation with Unite will be with a view to reaching agreement on any changes which are proposed on these matters by either the House of Commons Commission (or successor bodies) or employee representatives, or as a result of legislation. Such consultation, in line with definitions in legislation, will be timely and prior to any decisions having been taken.

Matters subject to consultation will at least include pensions, training, standard contracts, health and safety, redundancy.

It is agreed that Unite's elected representatives, who will be notified to the House of Commons Commission (or successor), will have reasonable time-off and facilities in line with the various ACAS Codes of Practice (as required by legislation), governing time-off for Workplace Representatives, Safety Representatives and Union Learning Representatives.

This memorandum relates to the matters indicated above only. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not represent recognition for the purposes of collective bargaining and it does not indicate any agreement between Unite and the House of Commission about the precise employment status of staff working with MPs, although future discussions are not precluded.

Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch

Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch

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