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UNITY - Sep 2008 (opens in new window)
Retired
Members Newsletter - Sep 08 (opens in new window) The views in the "Retired Members Newsletter" are those of the group and do not necessarily represent the views of the Devon County Branch of UNISON.
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NJC committee agrees way forward on pay
Posted 25 September 2008
From UNISON National Website
(21/9/08)UNISON’s NJC Committee met on 18 September to review progress in the negotiations over the pay award for 2008/9, which followed the two days of action in July, and the joint statement with the LGA which followed them.
A number of important decisions were made at the meeting. They are explained in detail below. Please pass them on to members and activists in your branch. The decisions were:
- not to ask members to take any further industrial action in relation to this year’s pay offer;
- to refer this year’s pay offer to ACAS for binding arbitration;
- to approach this year’s pay offer, any review of the Green Book and pay for 2009/10 separately;
- to submit a pay claim to the employers as soon as possible for 2009/10;
- to agree the trade union side’s aims for any future review of the Green Book;
- to undertake an in-depth review within the NJC Committee of the negotiations and events surrounding this year’s industrial action and to draw up plans to increase our bargaining strength at local and national level;
- to hold meetings of the full Joint trade union side of the NJC on 1 October and 3 November;
Three joint secretaries’ meetings have been held since the July action. UNISON and UNITE have consistently pushed the employers to resolve the outstanding pay dispute and this was the first point included in the framework for the negotiations, which was agreed after the second meeting.
Unfortunately the employers claim that there is no pressure on them to increase their final offer of 2.45% and 3.3% for those on scale points 4, 5 and 6 - either from individual local authorities, the Local Government Association or the government. The joint trade union side of the NJC executive therefore met to take stock of this situation on 10 September and to consider the unions’ aims for any review of the Green Book which might take place in the future. The 2007/8 pay settlement included such a review.
The trade union side recognised that members need and deserve a pay increase as soon as possible. With no apparent prospect of an improved offer, there was therefore a unanimous decision by all three unions – including the GMB – to recommend to their respective national committees that the matter be referred to the Arbitration and Conciliation Service (ACAS) for binding arbitration. The national agreement – the Green Book – provides for either side of the NJC to do this and we believe that the employers will not stand in our way.
NJC committee’s recommendations
The NJC committee – UNISON’s lay committee - with representatives from each region, considered a lengthy report from the negotiators on 18 September and also looked in detail at the results of the consultation on members’ views over further industrial action, which it requested at its last meeting.
With few exceptions, branches responding said that members were not willing to take further action – either ‘all out’ or selective. The committee therefore decided not to call for further action and to accept the recommendation of the trade union side and seek binding arbitration.
Informal discussions have been held with ACAS and they will start the process, which will involve an independent arbitrator, in the near future. We believe that we can show that the cost of living, local government finances and the poor position of local government workers in the public sector pay league table will provide solid evidence for an improved award.
This is obviously not the outcome which UNISON hoped for. However, the employers have not been willing to improve their offer and we believe that members’ pay increase for 2008/9 needs to be resolved and paid as quickly as possible.
The review of this year’s action and negotiations and our bargaining power will kick off at the next NJC Committee. The aim is to create a stronger union presence in local government and ensure that our lay democracy functions well. This is essential if we are to be able to negotiate from a position of strength at all levels and ensure a forceful presence in every council and at the NJC bargaining table.
Green Book negotiations
The 2007/8 settlement included an agreement to undertake a ‘nothing ruled in and nothing ruled out’ review of the Green Book. The employers have been keen to start the review, but the unions have made it clear that we will expect additional funding to underpin it and there has been no progress to date. The employers’ offer for 2008/9 therefore included the objective of completing the review by December 2008.
The joint secretaries have discussed the review. As reflected in the framework for the negotiations above, UNISON and the other unions have sought to establish what funding – if any – is available for improvements, what information is available on the pay bill and the workforce to underpin the negotiations and what the employers’ objectives are. So far little progress has been made.
There is currently no additional funding available and the unions have made it clear that we expect improvements which would bring our members’ conditions at least up to the level of other groups of public sector workers.
The NJC committee considered a proposed list of trade union side objectives for any future review. This will be considered further at the next meeting on 14 November 2008. In the meantime, UNISON has been conducting two branch surveys to establish exactly what members’ current conditions are, to inform any future negotiations.
A very big ‘thank you’ goes to the 82% of local government branches who responded to the survey on working hours and unsocial hours payments. A copy of the results of that survey is included in the Pay News sent to local government branches and the information will be invaluable in showing the scope for improvements in the negotiations. We are currently carrying out a further survey of car allowances and special leave.
Please respond to the second survey. We need the facts to counteract any fiction coming from the employers and to ensure we negotiate for the things you need when any review starts. And please give us any ideas your branch has for possible improvements.
Pay claim for 2009/10
The NJC Committee considered a background paper on the current situation underlying pay increases and other agreements and agreed that we should submit a claim to the employers as soon as possible for pay from 2009/10. This will be considered by the full joint trade union side of the NJC when it meets on 1 October.
It was agreed that we should aim to finalise the claim at the full trade union side of the NJC on 3 November. Branches will therefore be asked to give views on the claim to a tighter timescale than usual, but we hope that you understand that we want to submit the claim as quickly as possible in line with Conference decisions.
Let’s work together…
The union realises that these are tough times for our members facing rising living costs, who took action to secure a higher pay offer. We are doing everything we can to make sure that you all receive a pay rise – and hopefully a higher one than offered – as soon as possible. In the meantime, branches are asked to help members facing hardship as a consequence of the dispute by use of branch industrial action funds. Other hardship claims can be referred to UNISON Welfare.
UNISON RETURN TO LEARN COURSE
Posted 19 September 2008
Return to Learn course, which we are now recruiting for in your area.
The course is a fantastic free opportunity for UNISON members who may have been away from learning for a long time.
I am delighted to send you information about the very popular UNISON
Members who have been on the course say:
- "It has built my confidence and self-esteem, at work and in my social life."
- "It has given me some "me" time."
- "It's given me the chance to move on and further my learning opportunities."
- "It's just what I needed - it's helped me to keep up with the kids' homework!"
The course is run:
- in a friendly and supportive environment
- with the support of WEA (Workers' Educational Association) tutors who are experienced in working with adults
- Without exams at the end - but you gain nationally recognised Open College Network credits.
If you think you might like to do the course, or would simply like more information, then please complete and return the tear off slip inside the leaflet enclosed.
This will not commit you but will allow us to contact you with further details, including an invitation to attend an information session. At this session, you can meet the course tutor, find out more about the course and decide whether or not you would like take part.
The venue for the information session, all of the study groups and the residential weekend will be at The Southgate Hotel, Southernhay East, Exeter, EX1 1QF.
The course will start on the 11th November with the group meeting fortnightly one evening per week (excluding holidays). A weekend school is set for Jan 31 & 1 Feb 2009, and the course will finish on the 5th May 2009.
So in total there will be one information session, 12 study groups and one residential weekend. Dates are as follows;
Information session
Tuesday 28th October 2008 7 – 9pm
Study Groups
Tuesdays 6.30 – 9pm
11 & 25 Nov; 9 Dec 2008; 6 & 20 Jan 2009
10 & 24 Feb; 10 & 24 March; 7 & 21 April & 5 May 2009
Residential weekend 31 Jan-1 Feb 2009
9.00am Saturday morning until 2.00pm Sunday
If you would like any more information about the course, please contact:
- Vanessa Glasgow WEA Course Coordinator (office hours)
Telephone 0117 9166508
E-mail: vglasgow@wea.org.uk
- Edna Warwick in the first instance or one of the membership Development Team if I am not available (during Office Hours) on 01823 285335
You can also talk to your local UNISON Union Learning Representative or Branch.
The closing date for applications will be the 21st October 2008.
Places are limited for this course and will be filled on a first come first served basis.
We very much hope that you will decide to find out more about the Return to Learn course and we look forward to receiving your reply slip.
Yours sincerely
Kay Mackenzie
REGIONAL EDUCATION OFFICER
IT’S ALIVE!!!! PROJECT STRATCOM LIVES!!!
Posted 5 September 2008
Just when you thought it was safe to…….it’s back and in its third phase - but whatever happened Project Stratcom Phase 2?
Stratcom is the authority’s new model for school support services – meetings and consultations with staff members were conducted in the early part of this year resulting in a bit of a rethink.
The Council’s Executive Committee in February 2008 confirmed the services to be included in ‘the entity’ with a full options appraisal of the three most likely viable ‘vehicles’.
- A new Local Authority owned company
- A Joint Venture Partnership with the Local Authority as the minority shareholder
- A Joint Venture Partnership with the local authority as the majority shareholder
The services being looked at for inclusion are;
- Devon Discovery
- Devon Music Service and Schools library Service including Devon Learning Resources
- Devon Education Services
- Devon Governor Services
- Education Psychology Service
- Education Welfare Service
- English As an Additional Language Service
- Inclusion Reintegration and Education other than at school service
- Support and Advisory Teacher Service
- Traveller and gypsy Education
UNISON is seeking your assistance so that we can help you. If you are in any of these affected services then we want to hear from you. UNISON needs stewards or workplace representatives to help support staff throughout the process.
Full training will be available and you will have the support and guidance of senior UNISON stewards.
It seems as if the consultation process will start at some point in the autumn with final recommendations being made in Spring 2009 – as you can see, the timescales are tight.
UNISON will be fully involved in the consultation process and will, of course, be looking to fully protect its member’s interests,
To find out more about becoming a UNISON steward or work place representative, then contact the Branch Office on 01392 382530 or email branchsec@devoncountyunison.org
UNISON will keep you fully informed of Stratcom’s progress as the weeks and months progress and will ensure that it attends all relevant meetings with staff and stakeholders.
The way forward for local government
Posted 2 September 2008
(01/09/08) Trade unions and local government employers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have confirmed their aim to resolve the current dispute over pay "as soon as possible".
In a joint statement issued today to all council chief executives, they reaffirmed that all parties were committed to negotiations that aimed to secure an employment package "which is fit for the future, with positive industrial relations, high quality and efficient local services".
And they pledged to work together "to identify ways of using general efficiency savings to improve the pay and conditions of the local government workforce".
The statement has been signed by all the NJC joint secretaries. It provides the framework for further discussions and holds out hopes that a revised national agreement will have been endorsed by both sides and consulted on by the end of this year.
"The revised national agreement will include core conditions of service that bear comparison with conditions elsewhere in the public sector," it says.
Negotiations will be informed by data on the pay bill, workforce composition, earnings and conditions of service.
Download the full statement:
ACS Business Resources - Your Union Needs You NOW!
Posted 2 September 2008
ACS support staff including finance are just embarking on their modernisation. The title of the project is Business Resources Review (Different Name Same Outcome)
UNISON has been invited to attend the Project meetings, and we expect the documents to officially start the formal consultation period within the next 4 to 6 weeks.
Unlike the other departments within Adult Services Business Resources have no Steward representation?
We are urgently seeking at least one member from each location to come forward and become a Steward.
We need your expertise to help us!
For more information contact:
Pauline Roberts A&CS Convenor on 07816161099 or email pauline.roberts@devon.gov.uk
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW PARTY!
Posted 26 August 2008
To thank our members for the hard work they have put in over the past few
weeks Devon County UNISON will be hosting a “Rocky Horror Picture Show
Party” at the Coaver Club on Friday 3 October. (7:30PM - Midnight)
The party will feature a screening of the film (full participation is
encouraged!), a disco and food. Drinks will be available (at a cost) from the Coaver
Club Bar.
This party will be free to members (who may bring 1 guest), however due to
licensing and space limitations this event is strictly RSVP by 26 September
2008.
Coaches/car shares may be arranged from certain areas if there is sufficient
demand.
So dress up in your best stockings and join us!
If you wish to attend please click here to fill in your details and email it to:
branchoffice@devoncountyunison.org.uk
or post it to:
UNISON,
County Hall,
Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 4QW.
If you have any questions please phone 01392 382530.
OVER 18's Only Please!
UNISON SOUTH WEST REGIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2008
Posted 26 August 2008
Saturday 27th September
University College Plymouth St Mark and St John
10.30 am - 4.00 pm
The day will include:
MAGGIE PARKS
(Agency Director Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Cornwall and Regional Co-ordinator for South West Rape Crisis)
“The Crisis in Rape Crisis”
TRACY EARNSHAW
(Support Worker Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Cornwall and South West Rape Crisis)
“Lap-Dancing clubs and her experience of the campaign in Newquay”
The morning will conclude with a question and answer session.
* * * * *
In the Afternoon there will be a
A WOMEN’S THEATRE GROUP PERFORMANCE
There will be stalls including Fair Trade and Oxfam, women’s information and much more. Registration is free and lunch will be provided
For a registration form please contact Sarah Chandler or Vicky Boroughs on 01823 285335 or via e-mail s.chandler@unison.co.uk or v.boroughs@unison.co.uk
Upcoming Conferences:
Posted 12 August 2008
National Women’s Conference will be from 19-21 February 2009 in Southport. We are entitled to send 3 delegates, one delegate must be low paid.
Black Member’s Conference will be held in Bristol from 16-18 January 2009.
If you or any member you know are interested in attending then please on 01392 382530 or email branchsec@devoncountyunison.org.uk as soon as possible.
Green Travel Meeting
Posted 8 August 2008
UNISON is continuing to negotiate with management about it’s proposals for Green Travel to County Hall: UNISON is holding a lunch time staff meetings from 12 to 2pm on:
8 September in the Council Chamber
(refreshments will be provided)
The UNISON Staff Side wish to update staff on the current negotiations and to hear their opinions so that we can feed them back to management.
Arnel Cabrera granted leave to stay:
Posted 5 August 2008
Following a campaign by many UNISON branches (including this one), Arnel Cabera has been granted leave to remain in the UK. Mr. Carbera had lost the right to live in the UK following the death of his wife Mayra during child birth due to medical negligence. Mayra was a UNISON member who worked as a nurse in the very hospital she died in.
Employers Return To Bargaining Table!
Posted 28 July 2008
Following UNISON strike action in local government on the 16th and 17th of July the Local Government Employers have agreed to re-open negotiations over the pay offer. The new round of talks will being on 13 August 2008.
Buying Back Pension Contributions:
Posted 28 July 2008
IF you participated in the Industrial Action on the 16th and 17th of July and you pay into the Local Government Pension Scheme then you should consider buying back your service for those days so that you don't have a break in service.
To buy back the service you will have to pay both your contributions and the employers contributions for those days.
Please click here to download "buyback pension form 2008.doc"
Claim Strike Pay!
Posted 23 July 2008
If you are a member of the Devon County Branch of UNISON and you ACTIVELY* participated in industrial action on the 16th and 17th of July you are entitled to claim the deductions from your pay for the days you participated from the branch.
To make your claim you will need to submit the Strike Pay Claim form (download here) and a copy of your pay advice slip for both the month showing the deductions and the preceding month. (If you are not paid on salary or their are other extenuating circumstances further evidence of loss of earnings may be required)
To claim you must be registered by a Picket Organiser on a picket, or a Rally Steward. We will only pay for lost earnings for days of participation. If you worked on a day you were not otherwise scheduled to work you will not lose income and therefore will be ineligible. If you only ACTIVELY* participated on one day then you will only be able to claim for that one days loss of earnings.
* Actively Participating is defined as "Having participated on a picket line (as a picketer or official support), attended an official rally, or any other duty as defined by the strike committee.
Exeter High Street Filled:
Posted 17 July 2008
Amended 23 July 2008
Exeter High Street was packed with the better part of 1000 members from UNISON Local Government Branch members from across Devon today as they marched from the Exeter Civic Centre to The Mint Hall where a rally was held.
The Mint Hall was packed to overflowing with members having to stand in the parking lot as members and officials made passionate speeches about the plight of low paid workers.
To view photos and commentary from around the South West Click Here
Picture supplied by RF
Local Government Workers Are On Strike!
Posted 16 July 2008
Local Government Workers across England and Wales are on strike disputing the insulting 2.45% pay offer.
UNISON Members outside Devon County Hall
The Branch Celebrates 60 Years of the NHS:
Posted 8 July 2008
On the 4th July 2008, Roberto Franceschini (2nd from left/Branch Chair) along with Barbara Sherell (Far right/CYPS) Donated a limited edition Print of Tavistock to Tavistock Hospital to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the NHS (5 July 2008)
UNISON is proud of it's activities in the NHS and the Devon County Branch stands united with it's health colleagues in fighting for an improved NHS that it believes should remain truly public.
UNISON - Devon County Branch was pleased to Sponsor RESPECT 2008!
Posted 27 June 2008
Updated 13 July 2008
Exeter Respect (held 12 July 2008) is the city's annual celebration of diversity using the full range of performing and creative arts to promote multi-cultural understanding and say no to racism and all forms of prejudice. The festival has grown year-on-year in scale, scope and quality - and this year's celebration features a wider range of events than ever.
Roger Spackman (Branch Secretary), Mark Kelly (Steward), Darienne Flemington (International Officer) & Alison Buck (LGBT Officer) at the UNISON Stall at RESPECT 2008!
GREEN TRAVEL NEGOTIATIONS REOPENED:
Posted 27 May 2008
At today’s Executive of the County Council managements proposals for the Green travel plan were replaced by a motion that endorses the idea of “A” green travel plan but instructs management to re-engage with the unions to find a green travel policy that is acceptable to staff.
Many councillors expressed concerns that mirrored those expressed by UNISON, and like UNISON were keen to implement green policies, but were unconvinced by the proposals put forward by management.
UNISON welcomes the opportunity to re-open negotiations with management in the hopes of finding a green travel policy that will genuinely help the environment while taking into account the needs of the staff.
COUNTY HALL STAFF LOBBY ELECTED MEMBERS OVER "Green" Travel Policy
Posted 27/5/2008
On the 22nd of May UNISON together with GMB held a lunch time lobby of elected members at County Hall in Exeter. Staff at the County Hall campus have expressed extreme reservations about the "Green" Travel Plan, as it will have serious implications on work/life balance, have major costs especially to the low paid, may incur extra cost to the tax payer, and have little or no benefit to the environment.
Please Click Here For more photos
UNISON gets prestigious TUC union learn Quality Award from John Den ham
Posted 10/4/2008
Rose Gander - Branch Life Long Learning Co-Ordinator and ULR attended.
Please Click Here For Full Story
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