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Unity Magazine Masthead - November 2005.

Published by Devon County UNISON, Matford Lane Offices, County Hall, Exeter

The views expressed may not reflect the views of the Devon County UNISON Branch

Contents:

County Council admits Domestic Care Workers under paid for travel - disagreement between departments

It was hoped that we could have reported a success on this issue as the UNISON received a letter from Personnel and Performance indicating that Domestic Care Workers would receive the proper mileage rates payable to other staff in the Council. However it is understood that there is an internal debate between them and Social Services as to whether the Council will honour its commitment to pay the proper rate for the job.

UNISON and the gathering storm

You may have seen recent local press reports regarding the imminent modernisation of Adult Services within Devon County.

UNISON is fully aware that reports of this type can cause alarm for members in the workplace - ill-informed reports of this nature are not helpful to anyone.

UNISON members can be assured that its stewards are in at the ground level of discussions and negotiations and are engaging with management on a regular basis and have been for the last three months.

UNISON has successfully negotiated for two lead stewards to be available to represent every UNISON member who could be affected by changes to the service.

UNISON will regularly consult with staff that have concerns and will be visiting all workplaces in the directorate that could be affected by the programme.

UNISON will always act with the best interests of its members at the forefront of any negotiations with management and is committed to keeping all members fully informed and aware of any proposed changes to services in the county.

Any staff who needs support, advice or guidance can speak in confidence to the two lead stewards overseeing the project:

Choice and Flexibility

Are you aware that the Government has consulted the nation on a document entitled Work and Families - Choice and Flexibility and have released their '10 year strategy for childcare'? I expect like me you had no idea. Luckily UNISON has responded nationally on behalf of its members, but there are problems and issues particular to Devon which UNISON would like your feedback.

So what's it all about? The Government's documents point out that the foundations of a modern economy are the talent, energy and creativity of millions of women and men who work in it, however today's families face huge challenges in balancing home and work commitments. Their key policy is to ensure that every child gets the best start in life, and to give all families more choice about how to balance their work and caring responsibilities. To achieve this the Government intends to introduce a package of measures namely:

UNISON's response to these documents is positive, agreeing that it is essential to improve rights for working families, and looks forward to seeing them implemented in full. However UNISON has pointed out ways in which it could be enhanced, for example using trade unions to encourage better take up of government initiatives, simplifying maternity leave legislation, making benefits available to all workers, provision for special extended maternity leave / compassionate leave, extension and paid parental leave until a child leaves school, paid and more flexible paternity leave; encouraging more men to take up flexible working, and tightening up the legislation on employers right to refuse and appeal flexible working requests.

Even with UNISON stoically working for its members to bring about these changes, there is still a lot more needed to assist carers in Devon improve their quality of life. Therefore it would greatly help if you could email or talk to me about some of the issues you have found a problem. For example; finding affordable childcare, taking time off to care for a sick relative, managing work patterns around school hours, critical remarks from colleagues because you don't work typical hours, and overcoming gender stereotypes.

To share your experiences (in confidence) on worklife balance issues email or talk to Joanne Jones (e-mail icon. joanne.jones@devon.gov.uk Telephone icon. Tel 01392 383894), or Karen Silcox (e-mail icon. karen.silcox@devon.gov.uk Telephone icon. Tel 01392 382006).

There will be an informal meeting to discuss these issues, open to all staff, in December 2005, further details will be circulated in due course.

Review of Council Tax

We had been expecting the Lyons Inquiry to publish its results of its investigation into alternatives to Council Tax this autumn. However, Sir Michael Lyons, who is chairing the Inquiry, recently requested that the terms of reference be extended to include considering the functions of local government. The Government agreed and, recognising the delay that this would entail to any reform of Council Tax, has postponed the revaluation of property in England due to take effect in 2007.

Prior to this request, the Inquiry had consulted widely and the Retired Members Section of UNISON contributed to this consultation exercise by submitting its own views to the Inquiry. In summary these were:

The Retired Members' Committee is likely to make a further submission in response to the extended remit of the Inquiry. It remains active in making representations on key issues affecting pensioners. Last year it submitted representations to OFWAT on the Water Price Review.

Current concerns include the proposed introduction of identity cards, the proposed switchover from analogue to digital TV signals and the switch in funding in respect of adult education towards vocational and qualification based courses.

Colin Lomax
Retired Members' Secretary

International labour and trade union studies Ruskin College, Oxford

Ruskin College has introduced a new programme of 'international labour and trade union studies' which enables students to access learning at four different levels: Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, BA Hons or MA (postgraduate).

As well as providing the opportunity to carry out research into issues of concern to unions and labour movement and the opportunity to work with international labour movement activists.

The programme includes topics and issues such as:

For details of entry requirements and how to apply please go to:

Retired Members' Autumn Programme

The Retired Members Section, having completed another successful summer of social trips, has commenced its programme of talks given by visiting speakers. Lasting about an hour (including questions), these are held in the Coaver Club Restaurant commencing at 3.00pm but with refreshments available from 2.30pm. There is no charge for these events.

On Thursday 17th November, our speaker is Frank Letch, whose subject is 'Feet First'. This is an amazing life story told by a man who has overcome a significant disability. He has been recommended by one of our members.

The meeting is open to members of the branch as well as its Retired Members' Section so, provided you can take time off from work, you are most welcome to attend.

I am grateful to Sue Twyford, our Social Secretary, for making the necessary arrangements.

Colin Lomax
Retired Members' Secretary