We continue to work in partnership with Unite on important issues. They are represented at the core of the Group CSR Committee, Group Health and Safety Committee, Group Environmental Committee and Equality and Diversity Committee.
Membership of Unite across the Group was 39% in 2008 compared with 41% in 2007, (Excluding Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM))
We also collectively consult with the Management Consultative Forum, an internal body set up two years ago to collectively represent Managers and Senior Managers.
Both of these mechanisms helped us through some difficult decisions in 2008 regarding changes to our Final Salary pension schemes and the TUPE transfer of IT development employees to TCS.
Organisational Flexibility and Performance
During tougher economic times, we need to improve our flexibility to manage our businesses effectively through cost reduction. We have been in discussion with stakeholders, such as BNP Paribas and Business in the Community (BITC), to do this in the right way.