In the Sustaining Progress agreement the phasing of the benchmarking increases are set out. These are 25% with effect from 1 December 2001; 50% of the increases from 1 January 2004; and 25% of the increases from 1 June 2005.
However, payment of these increases, with the exception of the 25% from 1 December 2001, and the general round increases is dependent on meeting the conditions set out in the agreement. These are the absence of industrial action and the achievement of the objectives of the modernisation agenda. The absence of industrial action is very important since such actions have in the past disrupted services to the public for example in hospitals and schools.
The aim of the modernisation process is to improve the delivery of public services. There are a number of general themes included in this agenda: increased flexibility of staff in how the service is delivered, changes in recruitment methods to attract those with the necessary skills and expertise, achieving better value for money, and an emphasis on improving customer service.
In addition to some of the general themes listed above there are other modernisation objectives and specific targets for the main sectors – health, Civil Service, education and local authorities. These include changes in the education sector to standardise the school year, parent-teacher meetings taking place outside school hours initially on a half-in half-out basis, and other changes relating to examinations. In the Civil Service there will be a widening of the access to jobs at all levels and a new Civil Service Regulation Bill. These are just some of the changes. However, in addition to these specific targets there is a general commitment by the unions to co-operation with ongoing change. This should allow for continued developments either through technology or otherwise to improve services.