Ministry of Defence trade union network

The MOD is an employer/sector facing a great deal of change. The CSP alongside your stewards and other representatives works to defend and improve your terms and conditions and protect the services you deliver.  

We recognise that some of the employment and professional issues faced by members employed in the MOD will be unique to this sector. We have developed this page as a resource for you to find out more information and develop your knowledge of how the CSP and MOD work together.

You can find details of your CSP MOD representatives in your region or primary care rehabilitation facility (PCRF) by contacting the CSP Enquiry Helpline on 0207 306 6666 or enquiries@csp.org.uk

What do CSP stewards at the MOD do?

CSP stewards at the MOD have a platform upon which to represent the voice of civilian CSP members at the workplace and a direct route into the CSP to raise issues specific to members employed by the MOD.  

As CSP representatives you are part of a wider team with the access to the support and advice of specialist CSP staff, including a senior negotiating officer.

Representing you in the workplace

CSP stewards provide representation for members on individual issues covered by formal disciplinary and grievance procedures. These rights are established in the Employment Rights Act 1996. 

Informally within local services CSP reps support members to raise issues that are affecting them in the workplace as individuals or as teams. 

This is usually done by discussion with managers to highlight areas of concern to avoid the use of  formal grievance or disciplinary procedures.   It may include consultations over changing working practices, locations or supporting members on specific issues such as time off for training and development and flexible working applications.  

Representing you at national level

The CSP along with other AHP, nursing and professional unions works with the trade union Prospect.  Prospect is recognised at national level by the MOD for collective bargaining purposes covering all civilian employees except doctors. 

The CSP has a formal agreement with Prospect to ensure that issues affecting CSP members at national level are brought to the MOD.  This includes the negotiation of policies and national strategies that apply to or affect the civilian workforce. 

CSP reps feed member views into the national CSP negotiators on key issues affecting members in these discussions.

Representing you at AHP regional forums

Depending on the issue,  CSP representatives can work with and through the regional AHP forums and physiotherapy leads to improve professional and employment aspects of MOD employment.

The union representative can support professional campaigns and offer another voice to highlight the concerns expressed by CSP members. 

The role of a CSP steward at the MOD

• Representing members in your area and workplace
• Giving advice on employment and safety issues to members.
• Informally raising individual and collective issues in the work place.
• Individual representation for CSP members at formal grievances and disciplinaries
• Provide feedback to members about CSP initiatives and issues that directly affect them at the workplace.
• Working with the CSP regional and national officers on a range of member and CSP issues.
• Working with managers of MOD services on issues that affect members

Support from the CSP

As a CSP representative,  you are given comprehensive training that introduces you to your role and helps you develop the skills and knowledge you will need to be a CSP steward or safety rep.

• You are given training in your role and on-going support for your role from a regional senior negotiating officer and organiser.
• You have access to dedicated training, on line and face to face on an ongoing basis, with agreed expenses met when you need to travel. 
• Assistance in your professional development
• Support to help you in your role, including access to and support from the CSP regional officer and the other CSP officers.
• Access to specialist advice on employment and professional matters
• Being part of a wider network of representatives from other employers who are CSP stewards
• Support in promoting and developing better working environment and clinical practices, to encourage a healthy and safe workplace

CSP representative networks

You can join and access an informal network of CSP union networks of CSP representatives who represent members in the NHS, independent and private sectors.   

For more information about becoming a CSP steward at the MOD please see the links at the bottom of this page or email jointheteam@csp.org.uk

Agenda For Change contracts

The MOD recognises the NHS Agenda for Change contract and employs civilian physiotherapists on a “mirror”  Agenda for Change contract. 

This means that the grading structure, use of the job evaluation scheme and terms and conditions set out in the Agenda for Change agreement are broadly applied to MOD civilian physiotherapists. 

There are some differences between Agenda for Change contracts in the NHS and MOD mirror Agenda for Change contracts of employment. The CSP works with MOD stewards and nationally to ensure that civilian MOD staff are supported and not disadvantaged with these changes. 

Pay

Pay in the MOD for civilian healthcare staff is decided by the pay awards agreed by the Government for NHS employees.

This means that the NHS Pay Review Body recommendations will form part of the Governments decisions on what national pay awards are in place for civilian MOD employees.

If you have worked with your CSP steward to resolve a workplace issue we’d love to hear about it, so please email Iain Croker, CSP organiser on crokeri@csp.org.uk