20th February 2010, 12:11 PM
(This post was last modified: 20th February 2010, 12:11 PM by oldgirl.)
I can see where this is a positive attempt to move stuff forward, but the IfA is not a union. My opinion is that they have taken the pay thing forward because no-one else would take it on. However, they have no remit to negotiate with FAME or anyone else. They can only enforce minima within the RO system (and that only as part of a parcel of measures) and they can only speak on behalf of their members. Neither RO membership or IfA membership is compulsory. (Come to that, nor is FAME - lots of smaller units aren't members.)
Genuinely, how do you expect them to enforce any resolution? If organisations are not part of the IfA, the IfA can't tell them to do anything. That's not a criticism of IfA, that's just how it is. IfA got Prospect and FAME (then SCAUM - I so preferred it when it was SCUM) to talk to each other quite a few years ago, and - as far as I can see- nothing has come of it. Those are the organisations that need to get their finger out. IfA is and always has been something else (a professional body), they have done the research and lobbied with govt because that is within the legal scope of the organisation. They have also applied rules to the RO system, because they can do that. They can't work as a trade union, their constitution specifically forbids it.
Genuinely, how do you expect them to enforce any resolution? If organisations are not part of the IfA, the IfA can't tell them to do anything. That's not a criticism of IfA, that's just how it is. IfA got Prospect and FAME (then SCAUM - I so preferred it when it was SCUM) to talk to each other quite a few years ago, and - as far as I can see- nothing has come of it. Those are the organisations that need to get their finger out. IfA is and always has been something else (a professional body), they have done the research and lobbied with govt because that is within the legal scope of the organisation. They have also applied rules to the RO system, because they can do that. They can't work as a trade union, their constitution specifically forbids it.