Outsourcing provider Haden has signed a recognition deal with the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), covering Haden’s office support services contract with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Haden was awarded a seven-year deal with the DWP last year for a range of office services, including postroom, switchboard operations, typing and secretarial services. The contract went live in March, with hundreds of government jobs transferring to the private company.
The deal with the PCS embraces business development, training and learning, a joint dispute resolution process, as well as full collective bargaining.
Graham Steel, PCS senior national officer, said the union still opposed the privatisation of services, but realised it was better to work with Haden in bringing people together under one contract.
Don Walker, HR director at Haden, said he wanted the agreement to cover all 3,000 staff involved in the deal, not just those switching from the DWP.
