Issue 49
Spring 2013
IN THIS EDITION DD Prospect political fund DD Work your proper hours day DD Branch council and delegate conference DD Farewell Steve DD Let’s hear your positive experiences DD Career development as a Prospect rep DD Twin approach to life-saving
Correspondence to: Doug Hyam RPA Room 1 Allen House London E10 5SQ tel: 020 8539 6147 fax: 020 8539 7128 mob: 07867 506959 email: douglas.hyam@ defra.gsi.gov.uk
Muckraker
YOUR UNION – YOUR VOICE
Newsletter of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Branch
,,POLITICAL FUND
Why we need to retain our voice David Heaver of Natural England explains the reasons why we need a political fund PROSPECT’S BIENNIAL National Conference in 2012 decided unanimously that to safeguard our campaigning and lobbying activity in defence of members’ interests, the union must retain a political fund. Without a political fund we run the risk of legal challenges to actions in support of legitimate negotiating objectives but which the courts might deem to be ‘political’. We have received clear advice that the absence of a political fund could leave the union dangerously exposed at a time when we need to campaign effectively in the parliamentary and political arena. The BNC also endorsed the status of the fund and the party political neutrality of Prospect. By law, a new ballot to maintain a political fund is required every ten years. (Both Prospect and Connect held ballots in 2003.) To renew the political fund in 2013 we need to have conducted a ballot of members by March 31 so the ballot will take place between March 4–27. Current ‘political’ activity by Prospect includes campaigning on behalf of members over a range of topics that have an impact on their interests, regardless of sector, industry, working or retired member status. These activities include: DD Opposing privatisation and contracting out. DD Opposing national government policies, for example the RPI-CPI switch for indexation of pensions. the rundown
of health and safety protection; the tripling of university fees. DD Opposing policies that threaten members’ jobs in the public or private sectors. For example public spending cuts; cancellation of investment programmes and contracts; termination of grant aid. DD Lobbying MPs in their constituencies over the local impact of national policies. For example opposition to job losses or site closures, especially during a general election campaign. The term ‘political fund’ is a misnomer, forced on unions by the 1984 Trade Union Act. Its introduction was clearly aimed at getting union members to reject proposals to set up political funds. In fact no union has voted to reject a political fund – a tribute to the effective way unions explained the issues to members and won majority support in ballots. If it was called a ‘campaign fund’ nobody would even question its purpose – to support industrial and negotiating objectives. But the 1984 act continues to make a separate political fund necessary. The National Executive Committee is committed to campaigning on this issue and is keen to be given the opportunity to speak to as many members as possible prior to the ballot. Please ensure that the campaign to maintain our political fund is on the agenda for any section meetings and AGMs. Please send any questions or requests for speakers to politicalfund13@prospect.org.uk.
IT’S TIME TO WORK OUR PROPER HOURS STAFF WORKING in the Efra family are renowned for not claiming all the hours they work. But do you know how many extra hours that adds up to over a year? The TUC’s Work Your Proper Hours Day takes place this year on Friday, March 1. Prospect is encouraging Efra staff to take part. The TUC has calculated that the period between January 1 and March 1 is
equivalent to the time that the average person who does unpaid overtime completes in unpaid days each year before they start getting paid. Work Your Proper Hours Day is a lighthearted campaign that celebrates the unsung – and unrewarded – hours that staff put in to help their employer and boost the UK economy. On that Friday the TUC will be urging bosses to let their staff take a proper lunch hour and leave work on time, and to lead by example by working their proper hours too. Last year, the TUC found that employees across the UK worked nearly two billion unpaid hours, worth over £29bn to the economy. ,, Visit: www. worksmart.org.uk/ workyourproperhoursday/
,,BRANCH COUNCIL AND ANNUAL DELEGATE CONFERENCE
Fund and facilities
THE FIRST Branch Council of 2013 took place on January 30 and, despite the imposition of cutbacks being experienced within the sections, it was well attended. Topics discussed included facility time and how the official side is in the process of attempting to reduce it. Discussions also focused on the political fund, which is eloquently explained in this edition by Natural England’s David Heaver. The Branch Council was followed by the 65th Annual Delegate Conference, which took place on the next day. Twenty-six motions were submitted and debated, of which 25 were carried and one remitted. There was also an emergency motion from the Fera section regarding UK biosecurity and its handling by government without proper consultation with all stakeholders. The guest speakers were Leslie Manasseh who has taken over from Dai Hudd as the Civil Service Sector secretary. Leslie spoke of the heavy workload he faces in the near and long-term future. Jenny Tingle, Prospect’s Young Professionals Network organiser, gave an insight into how the network is trying to communicate with members as well as attract non-members and persuade them to join Prospect.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE – AND LET BEN KNOW ABOUT IT
■■ Delegates at the annual conference
■■ Jenny Tingle: insight
■■ Leslie Manasseh: workload
Have you changed your address? Changed your job? Have you informed Prospect? Are you on the correct subscription rate? If not then let your membership representative know. Alternatively email Doug Hyam on douglas. hyam@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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in May but, like most people working within the Efra family, he is conscientious and has leave owing to him. Therefore it is likely he will be going in April.
NEW CHAIR Ben Pye’s first act as he took on the role was to submit this call to Muckraker: We need more staff to join Prospect. No, don’t move on to the next article … the more members a union has the bigger its effect in the workplace. Your workplace! Has Prospect personally helped you? If we have we would like to know. Why? Because by sharing positive examples
If Prospect has helped you, please share your story
HELP Thank you and goodbye US TO HELP YOU AFTER AN illustrious career as a plant health and seeds inspector with both Defra and Fera, spanning 31 years, Steve Martindale is retiring. Officially Steve retires
,, NEW CHAIR FOR EFRA BRANCH
Steve first joined what was then IPCS in 1986 and started his career as a representative two years later, becoming chair of Efra Branch in 2009. Muckraker, on behalf of all members, wishes Steve a long and happy retirement. Steve relinquished the chair at the Annual Delegate Conference to Ben Pye who also works as a plant health and seeds inspector. ■■ Ben and Steve (right) discuss the job
of how Prospect has personally helped members we are more likely to persuade non-members to join. We are not asking for specific details, just examples that demonstrate the wide range of issues where Prospect really has made a difference. As soon as we have gathered sufficient examples we will publish an article demonstrating the types of challenges Prospect can help with. So, please get in touch with Ben Pye and share your story. Absolutely no individual will be identifiable in the published article. ,, Email ben.pye@fera. gsi.gov.uk or phone 07767 357272.
,,CAREER PROGRESSION – A THING OF THE PAST?
Boost your job prospects – become a Prospect rep Paul Curtis may no longer be with us in body – since retirement – but, in mind, he’s still thinking of his former colleagues CAREER PROGRESSION is a concern for many Prospect members, and realistically many consider it a dream or something that used to happen in the distant past to a lucky few. For the technical and science professionals that form the bulk of Prospect’s membership, pursuing a career based on their technical area of expertise has always been important. In the ideal world, a role of ‘local specialist’ would be followed by progression to ‘regional specialist’ and possibly even ‘national specialist’ – and even for a lucky and talented few ‘international specialist’! Roles used to be available where the gaining of experience could lead to progression to a higher specialist role – and with it access to a higher salary. For many, another route to higher salary scales would be to move sideways from the science and take up a role in team management, finance, project management etc, or even a career shift to another area. Once taken, however, it was difficult, if not impossible, to reverse the process and resume a career concentrating on science or technical skills. But things have changed and any progression is now rare. With cuts across the technical and middle management areas, many members do feel stuck in their current roles – the prospect of any career movement, let alone one that leads to a higher salary, seems remote.
No going back
The other area of concern remains that if someone takes on a new higher paid role there is usually no going back. So if you give up a technical role for promotion to a management position you are stuck with it. If you do not find the new role to be what you expected, or you are not very good at it, you have a potential problem. Naturally many members are reluctant to take the risk of moving into an area they are not familiar with or where they may not have developed all of the skills required. Also, even if they wish to apply, they may be
competing against colleagues from a background that has already allowed them to develop the necessary skills. For example, if applying for a management role, competition may come from admin colleagues with extensive knowledge of the company systems and procedures. So what can Prospect do about it? Prospect is pursuing a range of measures with the department, agencies and nationally, including emphasising that to maintain
If you are a technical or science specialist, moving out of your ‘comfort zone’ applying for a job in team management or in a different area of the organisation to gain a higher salary can often be a daunting prospect – especially if successful, given there is ‘no way back’ if it goes wrong. So how do you gain experience, find out if you might like the work and leave open the door to return to your old job if you decide the change may not suit you? How? By becoming a Prospect local representative. Prospect reps spend a small proportion of their time learning a range of skills (negotiating, dealing with personnel matters, understanding company procedures etc) as well as doing their ‘day job’. It is a great way to add skills to your CV and to expand your knowledge of the organisation you work for – very useful if you are thinking of promotion in the future. Being part of the Prospect network of reps will help to develop your range of skills in a supportive environment with help and training where you need it. What do the management think? A fear among many members is that if they get involved with the union management will ‘hold it against them’. This is rarely the case as management groups across the Defra family recognise the valuable role that Prospect reps play in the delivery of the wider objectives.
Help members and management
Paul Curtis: Being part of the Prospect network of reps will help to develop your range of skills in a supportive environment with help and training where you need it a high skills base employers must improve career development, training and progression for specialist staff. Other measures include encouraging the promotion of science and technical skills at science fairs. But the union also offers members opportunities to enhance their own career progression. How can Prospect do that?
A well-trained and constructive representative helps both members and management to move forward and it is widely recognised that money spent on union reps is repaid several fold. Of course there are some areas of conflict, but Prospect training will prepare you to deal with them – and conflict resolution is a key skill to have on any CV. So, if you want to have a better understanding of your organisation, develop your CV, gain experience of other areas of work and enhance your chance of career progression – without the risk of having to leave the technical role you like – why not consider being a Prospect representative? You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Contact your section secretary (contact details on the back page of Muckraker) for more details of how you can help Prospect and help your own career.
Muckraker Issue 49 spring 2013 3
Muckraker
■■ Julia (right) and Becky
EFRA BRANCH COUNCIL CONTACT DETAILS
POSITION Secretary Chair Vice Chair Asst. Secretary Treasurer Organiser Minutes Secretary Health & Safety Equal Opps. Bulletin Editor Natural England Natural England FERA FERA CEFAS AHVLA AHVLA VMD Core Defra SET Group HQ Officer HQ Officer HQ Officer
NAME LOCATION Russell Brown Home-Based Ben Pye Manchester C. Donaldson Vacancy Gill MacNab Inverness Doug Hyam New Spitalfields Pauline Beckett N. Yorks Ben Pye Manchester Stephen Forde Sand Hutton Doug Hyam New Spitafields David Heaver Worcester Matt Sperring Richard Ginn Sand Hutton Vacancy Sand Hutton David James Lowestoft Jenny Upton Weybridge Aidan Dryden Worcester Iain Jenkins Weybridge See branch secretary details above Alan Barnham Carmarthen G. O’Connell Prospect Hq Rose Willis Prospect Hq Julie Flanagan Prospect Hq
PHONE 01332 523675 07767 357272
01463 728800 020 8539 6147
FAX 01332 523675
01463 711495 020 8539 7128
MOBILE 07836 567148 07767 0357272 07710 966097
EMAIL russell.t.brown@defra.gsi.gov.uk ben.pye@fera.gsi.gov.uk catherine.donaldson@prospect.org.uk
07833 517548 07867 506959
gill.macnab@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk douglas.hyam@rpa.gsi.gov.uk mpbeckett@onetel.com ben.pye@defra.gsi.gov.uk s.forde@fera.gsi.gov.uk douglas.hyam@rpa.gsi.gov.uk david.heaver@naturalengland.org.uk matthew.sperring@naturalengland.org.uk r.ginn@fera.gsi.gov.uk
0161 437 5168 07767 357272
07767 357272 020 8539 7128
020 8539 6147 0300 0601614
07867 506959 7919112990
01904 462526
01932 357755 01905 767111 01932 338404 01267 235244 020 7902 6659 020 7902 6659 020 7902 6659
01932 336618
01267 236549 020 7401 2241 020 7401 2241 020 7401 2241
07951 936686 07810 831622
david.james@cefas.co.uk j.m.upton@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk aidan.dryden@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk i.jenkins@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
07713 511719 07713 511726
a.barnham@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk geraldine.oconnell@prospect.org.uk rose.willis@prospect.org.uk julie.flanagan@prospect.org.uk
SECTION SECRETARIES Core Defra FERA CEFAS Natural England Animal Health RPA/HMI MMO
See branch secretary details above Tom Woods Lowestoft Matt Sperring Bristol Margaret Woleg Preston Lyn Bruce Home-Based See branch secretary details above
01502 524316 0330 0601804 01772 861144 01772 744756
01772 861798 01932 357595
07818 458885 07768 258523
tom.woods@cefas.co.uk matthew.sperring@naturalengland.org.uk margaret.e.woleg@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk lyn.bruce@rpa.gsi.gov.uk
STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE FERA FERA AHVLA
Ged Kerins Richard Ginn John Purkiss
Sand Hutton Sand Hutton Worcester
01904 462342 01904 462526 01905 768811
g.kerins@fera.gsi.gov.uk r.ginn@fera.gsi.gov.uk john.purkiss@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Muck doesn’t stick – this newsletter is published for and on behalf of Efra Branch Council of Prospect. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of either the branch or Prospect. The editor apologises for any errors or inaccuracies.
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,,RESEARCH
Twin approach to life-saving Julia Coneybeer of Natural England and her twin sister have been invited to take part in trials into medical research into hypoxia. Julia explains … “MY SISTER Becky and I are trekking to Everest Base Camp this March, as part of a medical research expedition. It’s organised by a team of British doctors from University College London who are investigating how the human body reacts to low levels of oxygen at high altitude. This is to help their understanding of critically ill patients in intensive care, who normally always suffer low oxygen in their blood, or hypoxia. Whereas some survive the condition, many do not – and the reason for this is not fully understood. It’s a worrying statistic that one in five of us will end up in intensive care at some point in our lives – but the aim of this research is to dramatically increase the odds of patient survival. Part of the research is looking at epigenetics, to see how genetics determine how the human body copes with low oxygen levels. And for that they need identical twin volunteers – that’s where we both come in! We’re really excited to be part of the project. DD For more information on the research and how to make a donation to the project, please visit our Justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/ BeckyandJu.