The Minister made the commitment at a meeting with Prospect and other civil service unions in May and said that such an approach should be seen as a “hallmark” for other employers to aspire to.

She also expressed her support for the work of trade union reps and reiterated her view that facility time for them to undertake industrial relations work with employers should be seen as an investment.

The unions and the Minister also discussed civil service pay and the resource implications of a possible second referendum on Scottish independence.

The unions hope to progress the collective agreement over the summer, with a view to finalising it in the autumn.