The Joint Consultative and Negotiating Group (JCNG) is the primary mechanism through which members of the four recognised trade unions, via their elected representatives, exercise our consultation and negotiation rights and responsibilities as the sole bargaining agents for Durham University staff.
JCNG is made up of representatives from DUCU and the Durham University branches of our sibling trade unions (Unite, Unison, GMB) and representatives of the employer. It meets at least three times a year, jointly chaired by the TU and employer sides. Your union representatives negotiate with the employer on matters for local negotiation, seek agreement with the employer on matters of concern and dispute, raise issues on behalf of members, and represent members in consultation. JCNG is where agreements with the employer are negotiated, and where variations in your contracts and terms and conditions of employment are to be ratified, following decision-making processes in the unions.
The Recognition Agreement provides more detail on JCNG and on your recognised rights to representation and bargaining through the trade unions.
If you have a concern you would like your negotiators to raise through JCNG, you can get in touch with your Departmental Rep or with a member of Committee. You can also bring a motion to a General Meeting mandating your negotiators to raise issues and take positions with the employer.