For the FM industry, partnership usually defines a new kind of relationship between client and contractor. New research published by the TUC this month examines partnership between companies and unions.

According to the TUC it shows that companies that both recognise unions and practice partnership with them, perform better than other companies. The report A boost to Business is published to mark the TUC's announcement that it is to set up a Partnership Institute that will provide consultancy, training and research to companies and unions that want to establish or deepen partnership working.

The research, drawn from the authoritative government sponsored Workplace Employee Relations Survey, shows that companies that recognise unions and have "high commitment personnel practices" are more likely to have both better financial performance and productivity.

TUC General Secretary John Monks said: "This is the most authoritative research so far that shows that unions can be a boost to business. Partnership makes managers take their workforce with them. This is no burden on business but the secret to success.

"But partnership is no easy process. It takes new skills and new attitudes from unions and managers. This is where the TUC's Partnership Institute will come in. We are already helping many workplace partnerships and we know the demand is there for our services. I have always said that unions must be part of the solution, not part of the problem. The Partnership Institute will show just how powerful the partnership concept can be."

Health & Safety

In a statement issued last Friday the TUC said that the Health & Safety Executive must run "inspection blitzes" of workplaces in Britain to protect young people at work. According to a poll conducted by BMRB, well over 37% of 15 – 24 year old have had no health and safety training even though employers are required by law to offer it.

The TUC is running a new 'play safe at work' campaign aimed to make young people aware of their health and safety rights.