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Arena Magazine 2007 Issue 3 Autumn Arena |
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Co-op Partnership
Usdaw has teamed up with the UK’s fourth biggest Co-operative to sign a groundbreaking partnership deal, which will see the union work closely with the Oxford and Walsall-based Midcounties Co-op Society.
At the very centre of the new deal is mutual respect, a commitment to open communication and consultation and a determination to ensure employment security, fair terms and conditions, and learning and development for all staff.
General secretary John Hannett has welcomed the agreement. "This is a landmark for both us and the Co-operative movement," he said. "This deal will underpin the excellent working relationship we have developed with Midcounties over many years. I know this partnership agreement will benefit both our members and the society."
Usdaw and Midcounties worked together during the union's National Respect Day, part of the Freedom From Fear campaign. "There will be many future initiatives of this kind that are central to the way we run our business," said Trish Poole, group general manager, personnel services. "We are the first co-operative to sign a partnership deal with Usdaw and I hope other societies follow."
After signing the partnership deal with Midcounties chief executive Ben Reid, John Hannett went on to meet members at the society's retail, funeral, motor and nursery divisions.
The society has 10,000 employees, 600 outlets across seven divisions with a turnover of half a billion pounds.
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