Stand Up For Salford by Mary Burns Publishing

STAND

FOR SALFORD

the magazine of Salford City UNISON

COPING WITH £28.4 MILLION CUTS UNISON gets a grip… PENSION PUSH! Pay more, get less? Get real! Winter 2012 Free

DAY CARE CARNAGE! Community and UNISON scream `No!’ WELFARE WARFARE! Axe for debt relief dept? ILLNESS ANGELS ‘AVE IT! Home care support workers at tethers end HAVE YOU GOT THE `U’ FACTOR? DR CAMERON’S PROBLEM PAGE

Plus…News, Views, Branch Reports and UNISON around the city…

Dear Salford City UNISON Members Welcome to our first edition of Stand Up, the Salford Branch magazine…

t the time of writing this our Branch is taken up with a number of issues across Salford Council, City West Housing, Salix Homes, Salford Community Leisure, Salford City College, Urban Vision, numerous schools across the city and other employers. We are doing what we can to put the case for jobs, decent terms and conditions and well-funded services, but as you will know none of those things are particularly popular at the moment with the employers that we deal with. We know that cuts to funding from the Government are making things difficult for the public (and former public sector) and for us. The blame for this crisis lies with the bankers who caused it and the politicians in Westminster who support them. But we also feel that the Council here in Salford could be doing a lot more to protect the people of Salford and the people who work in Salford from the effects of those cuts. In the absence of them doing so, we need to be the ones to do that to the fullest extent that we can.

In this magazine you will read about our efforts around Day Centres, for example – one area we are campaigning hard along with service users and the wider Salford community for jobs and decent services. The Branch has changed a lot in the last twelve months and one of the things we really wanted to improve was communication. We complain when the employer doesn’t communicate with us, but we recognise that other than the usual flurry of emails (for which I apologise) we don’t do enough to let you know what’s going on. We hope this magazine will help us to encourage you as our members to get more involved, to come to the AGM, to think about becoming a Steward…perhaps to write an article or a comment for the next issue of this magazine. If you ever want to speak to me directly you can call me on 07557281475 or email me on steven. north@salfordcityunison.org.uk. I hope you find the magazine interesting and hopefully even a little enjoyable. Best wishes for the year to come. Steve Steven North Branch Secretary, Salford City UNISON

Position Name Branch Secretary Steve North Asst Branch Secretary Liz Cameron Chair Lawrence Duke Treasurer Ameen Hadi Health and Safety Officer Alex Gillespie Equalities Officer William McKay Education Co-ordinator Diane Ogg Communications Officer David Heaney Women’s Officer Sue Wray Welfare Officer Paula Lawless Membership Officer Steve Cooke Branch Admin Officer Elaine Clark

SALFORD CITY UNISON CONTACT DETAILS: Branch Office 443 Chorley Rd Swinton 0161 794 7425/793 3126 office@salfordcityunison.org.uk

Email Address Phone steven.north@Salfordcityunison.org.uk 07557281475 liz.cameron@salfordcityunison.org.uk 07557281470 lawrence.duke@salfordcityunison.org.uk778 0617 / 07557281473 ameen.hadi@salfordcityunison.org.uk 07557281471 alex.gillespie@salfordcityunison.org.uk 603 4555 / 07557281474 equalities@salfordcityunison.org.uk 779 8893 07921749933 diane.ogg@salfordcityunison.org.uk 07557281472 david.heaney@salfordcityunison.org.uk 793 2779 sue.wray@salfordcityunison.org.uk 778 0409 / 07557281476 paula.lawless@salfordcityunison.org.uk 779 7800-1 / 07809085203 steve.cooke@salfordcityunison.org.uk 779 6016 elaine.clark@salfordcityunison.org.uk 0161 794 7425/793 3126

STAND UP FOR SALFORD The magazine of Salford City UNISON CONTENTS: CUTS! CUTS! CUTS! £28.4million and counting. UNISON asks `ornaments or bread and butter?’ PENSIONS DISPUTE SIMMERS ON The spirit of Nov 30th lives on! DAY CARE CARNAGE The community joins with UNISON to fight for front line services ILLNESS ANGELS ‘AVE IT! Home care support workers at tethers end DR CAMERON’S PROBLEM PAGE Special guest star answers all your woes WELFARE WARFARE Salfordian help service under fire BRANCH REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE UNISON officers outline their fights and gripes AROUND THE CITY What’s up and what’s out there at Salford Community Leisure, Urban Vision, Salford College, Salix Homes and City West UNISON NEWS Car Allowance latest, Academies and Conferences, plus Have You Got The `U’ Factor? Printed by: Caric Press Ltd, 525 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9AQ Tel: 01202 871766 www.caricpress.co.uk

SALFORD COU

After huge cuts by Salford Council last year, in 2012/13 there’s another £24.8million worth of cuts coming. Here, Steve North assesses the impact…

s a Branch we have done what we can to try and dissuade the Authority from passing a cuts budget. However, our elected councillors have made it clear that, rather than oppose the Government, they will choose to set a cuts budget on 15th February that removes a further £24m from the Council’s spending for 2012-13.

`We can now confirm that there will be no further detrimental changes to terms and conditions this year...’ Recently, we attended a Joint Secretaries meeting with senior Council Management and the elected Members for Human Resources and Finances. They informed us of their proposals relating to workforce impact and we put forward some proposals of our own. After serious negotiations with the Authority we can now confirm that there will be no further detrimental changes to terms and conditions this year. At one point, the Authority touted three possible options, which were not paying staff for the three day Christmas close-down; a 35 hour week with an hour’s lost pay and a freeze on all incremental pay rises. After voicing our opposition they’ve been dropped but that doesn’t mean that they will not be back for next year’s Budget discussions so we need to remain vigilant.

As a Branch we have concerns that the effect of the cuts has been too narrowly focused on those in low and medium paid jobs. We feel that if cuts are to be made, those managers who earn above Scale Point 49 should take their share. And, after serious negotiations, the Authority accepted this and a review of Senior Management structures will take place. The aim of this restructure will be to remove £1m of spending at that level. We do not have the full details at this stage, but the proposals around the restructure are likely to suggest job losses and a reduction in the number of Directorates and service areas. While we have advocated for the best paid to take their share of the cuts, we do not do so without reservation. We have members at that level and our role over the consultation period will be to ensure they receive the support they pay their subs for. We already have concerns as to how such a restructure could limit the sphere of influence the Authority has, thus potentially reducing the number of services we can deliver. We do not share the `Big Society’ vision and don’t wish to see the private sector pick up profitable areas of our local public services. We intend to work with our members involved in this review to look at alternative savings proposals that might reduce any impact on jobs, while recognising that cuts in the resources that go to the well-paid are more than appropriate if everybody else is being asked to suffer.

UNCIL CUTS…

Despite the ongoing climate of cuts, we are relatively pleased with how negotiations have progressed this year. We feel that in avoiding further attacks on terms and conditions and compelling the Authority to look to senior management for cuts we have done a good job of advocating for the majority of our members in Salford.

`We feel that if cuts are to be made, those managers who earn above Scale Point 49 should take their share …’ However, we have no room to rest on our laurels – nor are we satisfied. A further £24m of cuts in the Council’s Budget will mean another year of attacks on jobs and services. As a Branch we will do what we can to fight for any services we can. We need your help as members to do that. We will also support the community in fighting for the services it needs, like the current campaign to save day care centre services at Humphrey Booth and Craig Hall (see feature). We feel that while money is going to Media City and other prestige projects, these services should be supported. On that note we have asked the Council for the contracts relating to Media City, the BBC Philharmonic, Salford Community Stadium and other prestige projects. We are being told that these contracts cannot be renegotiated but we want to be sure for ourselves before we are prepared to accept that. We are not anti-Media City or against any of the other large infrastructure projects that are in development, but we do feel

that the Council shouldn’t be spending on ornaments when it can’t afford bread and butter services. If we can claw some money back we will continue pushing for better investment in back-office services like Admin where our members have taken a hammering in the last few years. These jobs might not be `public facing’ or `front-line’ but they are vital in ensuring that all other services operate properly and we intend to do what we can to fight for them as a matter of priority.

`We are not anti-Media City…but we do feel that the Council shouldn’t be spending on ornaments when it can’t afford bread and butter services…’ 2012-13 will be another difficult year for Salford people and Salford Council workers. All I can promise from our UNISON Branch is that we will do our best to keep listening to your concerns and keep fighting to protect your jobs, terms and conditions and the services you provide as best we can. As always, the strength with which we fight will be guided by the views of those who stand to lose if we don’t fight – you our members and the people who rely on the services we provide. At a national level we will continue to oppose this Government of the wealthy and support other working men and women across the country who want to see decent jobs and decent services for all.

DEFEND DAY CA

A huge campaign has built up uniting service users, carers, the community and workers in defence of day care services and jobs as Salford Council tries to withdraw funding…

“S

alford Council says it’s not closing day care centres, it’s `withdrawing funding’” says a UNISON day care worker “Now, you work that out because I bloody can’t…” And neither can anyone else. How can day care centres stay open with no funding and fewer staff? It doesn’t make sense. And a huge campaign is now in progress to try and force Salford Council to reverse its proposals that will see either of two unpalatable options enacted.

`Where is the quality of service and quality of life? There isn’t one! It’s all wrong...’ Day Care Centre worker Option 1 will see two day care centres closed - Craig Hall in Irlam and Humphrey Booth in Ordsall, with the loss of 40 jobs and 200 service users `removed by reassessment’.

Option 2 will see the closure of three day care centres - Craig Hall in Irlam and Humphrey Booth in Ordsall, plus St George’s in Charlestown, with the loss of 60 jobs and 300 service users `removed by reassessment’. Our UNISON members who work closest to those affected by the cuts know them best. And they have grave concerns for the elderly and people with learning difficulties who use the day care services – that they haven’t been properly consulted and that any future changes will be too much for them…

`Craig Hall…is my brother’s life. I think we should fight for it!’ Bridget, carer “My worry is that I don’t think it’s been explained to them properly” says one worker “They just did this presentation for parents, carers and people who turn up at the centres but it wasn’t in a format that they understood. How are you going to get people with complex needs - who take five minutes to

ARE SERVICES! DEFEND OUR DAY CARE CENTRES! 9th Feb – Vigil outside Craig Hall 4:30-6:30pm 9th Feb – Vigil outside Humphrey Booth, Ordsall 11th Feb – Community Fun Day outside Civic Centre, Swinton 13th Feb – Lobby of Labour Group meeting 15th Feb – Protest at Full Council Meeting, Civic Centre 20th Feb – Protest as Councillor John Warmisham decides on the future of Day Care Services.

choose what they want to eat - to make a big decision and comprehend it in that short period of time? They weren’t told properly and didn’t have time to say their thoughts and worries.” While many jobs are at risk, every UNISON member we spoke to was more concerned about the people they see and care for every day than their own positions. “They’re not thinking about people” explains another day care centre worker “There are people, especially those who attend Craig Hall, who are highly autistic, and they’ve given us an extremely short period of time to work with them. They’re giving us 13-15 months to move them somewhere totally different to somewhere they’ve known all their lives.”

Option 2 will see the closure of three day care centres... with the loss of 60 jobs and 300 service users `removed by reassessment’ This point was emphasised at a public meeting in Swinton last month in defence of day care centres. It was attended by around 150 carers, staff, service users and people from the community who listened as a carer called Bridget stood up and spoke passionately about her brother…”Craig Hall is his life”

she explained “I get more from there than social services. He wants Craig Hall – I think we should fight for it!” The meeting voted unanimously to take direct action against Salford Council, with lobbies of Salford Council, the Labour Group and Councillor John Warmisham, Head of Adult Services, who makes the final decision on the future of day care services on February 20th. There’s also going to be a vigil at Craig Hall, a Fun Day for the community in Swinton and a Day of Humphrey Booth Action in Ordsall, plus petitions getting signed all over Salford. When Salford Council began making horrendous cuts this time last year, John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council, publicly stated… “When coming up with these proposals, we have done all we can to protect the most vulnerable living in the city.” Now listen to a UNISON day care service worker who told us… “I know it’s `integration’ but they want to put people with complex needs and challenging behaviour in the same room with vulnerable elderly people? It’s not going to work. Where is the quality of service and quality of life there? There isn’t one! It’s all wrong...”

Further details on the campaign to save day care centre services and copies of the petitions can be obtained from the Salford City UNISON office.

PENSIONS UP

THE DISPUTE CON Work longer, pay more…get less. Has anything changed?

The Local Government Service Group has endorsed a Headline Agreement with the Government on pensions which many trade unions are still opposing. Here Steve North sums up Salford City UNISON’s concerns…

Following the decisions taken on 10

th January by UNISON’s Local Government and Health Service Groups I need to update you as to where we are on the Pensions Dispute and the next steps our Branch will be taking.

You will probably have seen that the Local Government Service Group, our Service Group voted to accept the Headline Agreement our negotiators have been discussing with the Government and the Local Government Association. Our Branch has serious concerns about this decision. Details of the “Agreement” are contained on Pages 4 and 5 of the “LGPS Campaign” document, which you can read on the UNISON website at http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/LGPS_PoP_Campaign9.pdf Our concerns about the “Agreement” relate to the following points: 1. The principles accept that we would have to work longer as they accept that our normal pensions age would go up in line with the state pension age. There will be no further argument on this point. 2. While delaying any increased contributions until 2014, the principles do not guarantee that we will not pay more in contributions from that date. Any increased contributions would still be paid into the Treasury rather than our pension. 3. The principles do not guarantee that we will not get less out when we come to retire. The principles accept a move to a pension based on a career average rather than a final salary. This means that unless we are able to secure an improved accrual rate we will receive less money out of our pensions because of this change. We feel there is no guarantee of an improved accrual rate and are angry that the move from Final Salary to Career Average was not discussed with members prior to November 30th or prior to these principles being agreed. Essentially, as far as we can tell, nothing in the agreement prevents us from working longer, paying more or getting less. Our Branch is calling for a Special Local Government Conference made up of delegates from every branch to allow the rank and file to decide what we do. That is what is contained within the attached motion. We adopted that position unanimously at our January Branch Committee meeting and have written to Heather Wakefield, UNISON’s Head of Local Government and Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary to request that such a Conference be organised. Those who accepted the agreement are at pains to point out that this does not mean the end of the dispute and that if there is no progress by April we may need to return to industrial action. In their view this agreement has meant that we will not have to pay increased contributions from April this year and has protected the sustainability of the Local Government Pensions Scheme. However, we are concerned that any delay in action while we have no guarantees other than a two year delay will dissipate the momentum that currently exists around this dispute and disrupt the fantastic unity that existed on November 30th. Of the unions involved on that day, the PCS, UNITE, NUT, NASUWT and other unions remain opposed to what the Government has offered them. At the time of writing they are discussing further strike action. Whether we take action with them or not we lend our full support to that action.

PDATE:

NTINUES… Do you know the real pension facts? 1. If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years 2. The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits pa 3. The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated! 4. The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated! 5. Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum

Emergency Motion to Salford City UNISON Branch Committee Salford City UNISON requisitions a Special Conference of the Local Government Service Group to consider the policy of the Service Group in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

ENOUGH IS Home care support workers have reached the end of their tether, as Salford Council begins privatisation of this crucial A1, five star public service…

“W

e’ve always been renowned for doing a good job, we’ve won the award for it five years on the trot and always had the five stars” says Audrey Wilson, who’s spent the last 18 years as a home care support worker.

In response, at the UNISON meeting, the home workers voted to ballot for a ballot on industrial action which included a refusal to work on their own after 6pm and a car strike.

Now the service is being wrecked with the loss of one third of the current staff and huge changes to working conditions that can only negatively affect those who need the help that home care workers provide.

But ultimately, with thirty out of the ninety staff already gone, it’s a fight to protect the whole service from being privatised with the horrors that brings.

“I support service users in the community, in their own home, assessing and enabling them to maximise independence” explains Audrey “If they’ve gone in for an operation or something they come out and it’s a six week process. We help them with things like personal care, shopping, laundry, cleaning, helping them to make their own meals. It’s all about enabling them to be independent. If they didn’t have care before we don’t want them to have care after.” It’s a crucial caring service for some of the city’s most vulnerable people but, yet again, its quality is under attack from Council finance hitmen and hatchet women who can only see the bottom line. “They used to want to get the private sector to work like we do, now they want us to work how the private sector works” explains home care support worker Julie Hulme “So from us being the best they’re trying to bring us down. We have procedures that we follow, whereas the private sector…well, there was a lady who was on the floor for 18 hours because they don’t have the same procedures…” The quality of care was talked about over and over again at a recent Salford City UNISON meeting when workers came together from all districts to share experiences and discuss what action to take against bosses who seem determined to reduce time spent with clients, as well as their rehabilitation period. They also want staff to work alone after 6pm and to be more `flexible’, while blocking union representation and consultation. “We’ve never been like this before” says Julie “Over the years home care has just been walked over, as we all work in our own areas and you never know what goes on in other places. But over the last few months we have all been getting together and we can see what they are doing, and getting a bit more of an idea of how they are picking on different things in different areas. They’ll try and do something in one area and then go to you, `Well, can you do this?’ And you go `No’. And they say `Well, so and so does it in Eccles’...”

“The private sector just come, do what they have to do, and get out, so there’s no enablement” explains Julie “They’ve not got the time to do it, whereas for us that’s not what it’s about.” The care workers Salford Council employ are highly trained, experienced and are saving the Council money. It’s in the private sector’s profit interest to keep clients on the books for as long as possible, while doing the least possible enabling work, so the company keeps getting paid. In the public sector this doesn’t come into it. It’s a six week service to get people back on their feet, which Audrey explains, happens nine times out of ten. The workers support everyone from young mums, to the elderly, to recovering drug addicts and people who are terminally ill. It’s a life support service that Salford Council seems determined to wreck in its obsession with privatisation… “Slowly but surely they’re making us work like the private sector which is incredible when you know that we’ve been giving such a good service and people don’t get left on the floor because of all the procedures we have to do” says Julie “We’re fighting for the service.” Now the service is losing experienced people like Audrey, who after 18 years caring for people in the community, is one of the thirty staff members to leave in the current cull. “Our service users are the most important people to us” she says sadly “We deliver this service to them and they need us, they appreciate us and we do the best service. We do give a Number One service and always will do…” Many staff at the UNISON meeting felt that the remaining sixty workers are only being kept for a transition period, while the whole support service is being handed over to private contractors. “Even if we lost our jobs I’d feel for the people” says Julie “What are they going to get?”

S ENOUGH!

UNISON NEWS

OCCUPY

EVERYWHERE… Salford City UNISON has joined other union branches, members and activists in backing a resolution to support the Occupy protesters in London. Here’s some extracts from the resolution… As trade unionists we express our support and admiration for the activists taking part in the occupation at St Paul’s. We believe that they deserve the support of all those who think that we need a fairer and more just society.

Academies

We Pay the Piper They Call the Tune The Government claim that Academies are a success and this justifies forcing so called ‘underperforming’ schools to convert. ies The Anti-Academy Alliance has analysed the GCSE results for Academ . declined simply have or and found that 20% have made no improvement yet Gove l Michae and DFE the for concern This should be of considerable it is never referred to. The Anti-Academy Alliance has the real facts and true results that, won’t unfortunately, parents and the public are deprived of knowing. You DFE. the or Gove l Michae from analysis d balance a hear This is just one of many reasons why we need to hold on to our it is community schools and oppose `Academization’ of our schools like will who children r personal to you as a parent because it is your child/ou . schools state of be affected by the privatisation prove to We who oppose the Academies don’t celebrate when Academies e to continu also We out. lose will be unsuccessful as it is the pupils who y. Academ an s become school the if rs represent our membe you feel Please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss any concerns or if as I will Status y Academ to ion convers a by you have been or are affected you. to service of be gladly Diane Ogg, Education Co-ordinator, Salford City Unison 0161 794 7425 E: diane.ogg@salfordcityunison.org.uk as Photo shows teaching unions on strike for five days before Christm y Academ Oasis at nt redunda made being staff in opposition to 13 MediacityUK here in Salford.

THE `U’ FACTOR Away from work, do you have an amazing talent or are you doing anything that everyone should know about? Do you sing, dance, paint? Are you the stuffing ferrets down yer trousers champion? Anything and everything goes!

We want to feature UNISON members doing top stuff in their spare time – so if you know anyone who would be up for being featured in this magazine just let us know. Contact the UNISON office and we’ll be there, shining the spotlight on your `U’ Factor talent…

The occupiers represent the rage against the bankers and a government that puts the interests of the rich before the interests of ordinary people. We welcome the occupation’s statement giving support to the public sector pensions strike on 30th November. The support that the occupiers have given to the demonstrations by electricians facing huge attacks to their pay and conditions has also been magnificent…. …The right-wing media and politicians may seek to vilify the occupiers, but we stand firmly with them. We are heartened by the growth of a new, young and vibrant movement that, like us, seeks a better society one that puts human need before bankers’ greed. We call on all trade unionists to sign this pledge at: www.petitiononline.com/tulsx/petition.html

ESSENTIAL USER CAR BALLOT ALLOWANCE LATEST Steve North gives the latest news on the Industrial Action Ballot for those who use their cars for work… I just want to give everybody an update on where things are with our efforts to try and get Essential Car User Allowance reinstated for those who were transferred onto Casual last July. As those who had the Allowance taken away from them will know, we originally raised a Collective Grievance that was put to a number of Salford councillors in summer last year. Unfortunately, that Grievance was not accepted. We then moved to an Indicative Ballot of those UNISON members who had lost the Allowance. That ballot asked if they would be willing to consider an Industrial Action Ballot for Action Short of Strike in the form of a refusal to use their private vehicles for work until the Allowance was reinstated or a fairer criteria was established. A majority of those who voted, voted for an Industrial Action Ballot to take place. We took that response back to HR and asked whether they would be prepared to re-open negotiations in order to stave off potential industrial action, and they agreed to do so. Those negotiations are now taking place and we should see some developments in the lead up to the setting of this year’s Budget. I will keep you all informed as things develop. At this moment in time we are choosing not to action the Ballot as we understand a vehicle stoppage would have a profound impact on service users and we feel HR are willing to talk in good faith. Hopefully we can reach an acceptable solution without triggering the Ballot, but we will have to see how that goes. If these discussions do produce a different proposed settlement, the members affected will be balloted again as to whether they wish to accept.

UNITE AGAINST FASCISTS!

Trade unions are the latest group to be targeted by right wing fascists, like the English Defence League (EDL) which is why UNISON is backing the forthcoming Unite Against Fascism Conference in London on 25th February.

At the Conference, hundreds of antifascists and anti-racists will come together to plan a campaign for this coming year against increased threats from the right – both electorally and on the streets. Conference themes

include Campaigning against the English Defence League; The British Freedom Party - the new fascist electoral threat; Mobilising the antifascist vote in the May elections; Islamophobia and hate crimes against Muslim communities, plus how the fascists have been defeated around the country.

Anyone wanting to attend the conference please contact the UNISON office…

SWAN OFF TO LIVERPOOL

ation SWAN, or the Social Work Action Network, is a campaigning organis social s promote which care social within the fields of social work and ics justice and brings together frontline workers, service users, academ and students. Against a backdrop of Government cuts and austerity measures that are producing a massive crisis in social work and social care, SWAN ol is having its 12th annual conference at Hope University in Liverpo st through th ives alternat ing discuss be will on March 30 and 31 which workshops, talks and a rally. Included in the agenda of the UNISON backed conference are topical s Social themes like The Riots of 2011, The Crisis in Children and Familie of Work, Adult Social Care – The Crisis of Marketisation, and In Defence Youth Work.

“Workers face redundancies, increased workloads, pay cuts, threats of to pensions and a stressful working life that is producing all manner service “For notes nce Confere the states s” social and personal problem ent in users cuts mean worse services, more expense and less involvem significant decisions that affect their lives.” sation, “The Government response has been to argue for greater marketi as a reflection of ‘customer choice’” it adds “They have taken every opportunity to encouraged businesses, large and small, to bid for contracts and make profits from public services, yet as the crisis of not Southern Cross shows, the priorities of companies are always profits, meeting human need.” This year’s SWAN conference addresses these problems and issues, and aims to create a counterpoint to the Government’s mantra that explore ‘there is no alternative to the market’. Instead the conference will and work’ social r ‘anothe that hope offer which alternative visions ‘another form of social care’ is possible. Anyone wishing to go to the SWAN Conference as a UNISON delegate contact the UNISON office. More details at www.hope.ac.uk/swanconf2012

DR CAMERON’S Confused of Eccles writes…

Dear Dr Cameron, Have you any idea where I can invest my life savings? I have around £15,000 in an ISA with a well known bank, but understand this may not be giving me the best return on my money.

Dr Cameron says: Don’t tempt me, dear! Or is that sexist? Could I get into trouble for my condescending and smarmy retort!! Are you in a care home for the elderly or infirm? In that case this government will take that cash and pay for your care. Have you got a house?? Brilliant. Sell up, you selfish creature! That will give you more capital to pay for your bed!

Cleggo of Westminster writes…

Hello. My name is Nick, and you told me I could be in government with you. You said I was very important, and could help you make some decisions that were `tough’ and `difficult’ but would help the country in the long run. So far I have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong, and you seem to get away with anything. People point at me and say “why have you slashed spending so there is no money in the economy to spend, and then expect manufacturing industry to grow?” They say “why have you caused unemployment to rise to two million?” I try to say `WE have made the decision together’, but the funny thing is, you are never around to back me up! And in photos you always seem to be standing behind me, pointing, with a grin on your face. I don’t think this is fair at all. I am going to speak with my friend Vince, who is very popular.

Dr Cameron says: Did I say `IMPORTANT, or was that `IMPOTENT’. Can’t remember. You’ll be glad to know I am passing on the extra special responsibility for The Falklands now – just in case that goes pear-shaped. By the way, I need a cuppa so if you’d be so kind…………

PROBLEM PAGE Worried of Walkden writes…

I am to be made redundant under the stringent cuts due to `austerity measures’ imposed by the government and supported by the local council. I have worked for the local council for twelve years, and have been offered a minimal redundancy settlement that equates to twelve weeks pay. Is there any recourse to appeal?

Dr Cameron says: TWELVE WEEKS!!!??? You

should thank your lucky stars you are getting that! Some people are having to continue to work for longer, pay more in pension contributions and get a worse pension at retirement age! I have to say, if you worked for East Sussex council you wouldn’t be being made redundant as this government made sure there were no cuts there!!! What a fiasco, eh?

Paid Up of Pendleton writes…

Dear Dr Cameron, I would like to know what my pension will be in the year 2024, when I retire? I will have put in 35 years by then and hope to live comfortably because of the amount I will have paid into the pension fund.

Dr Cameron says: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Who are you kidding, buddy? This government needs your contributions to get itself out of a bit of a pickle. You see, some of our extremely gifted bankers, who we shall call `RBS’ and `HS’ and `BC made some `risky’ ventures into the property and business markets – as you do! Well, some of these went a bit belly up, and this caused rather a large `hole’ in the UK economy. Now, we wouldn’t want to lose skilled chaps like that, would we? So, the government has cut public services to fill that gap. Savings of MILLIONS have already been swallowed into paying off debts, but we need MORE! This is where your pension comes in – or rather goes out!! You won’t be seeing much of it, I’m afraid. We have to pay bonuses in the banking sector with something, don’t we?

UNISON A THE CITY SALIX HOMES

Car User Allowance, Change Management and changes to the First Response Team…

Those who work for Salix Homes know that it is an organisation that is constantly undergoing a process of change. Fortunately, our Branch is involved at the heart of any discussions that affect you as staff. Our Stewards, William and Bora, along with Branch Secretary Steve North, meet Salix management every month and do what they can to ensure that no decisions are taken without the views of the staff being represented. Recently we have been engaging with discussions around Car User Allowance, Change Management and changes to the First Response Team. In addition to this, stewards meet regularly with management around workplace changes or individual concerns and we have recently carried out a few members’ meetings that we intend to continue. If you want to get in touch with William or Bora, their details are: William McKay – william.mckay@salixhomes.org Bora Oktas – bora.oktas@salixhomes.org

CITY WEST HOUSING After a few years of difficult re-structures things seem to be calming down in City West. That doesn’t mean we intend to be complacent however. We have worked really hard over the last seven months to re-establish a proper presence in City West and to make sure our members are being supported in the way you deserve to be. Branch Secretary, Steve North, has done a number of Wednesday morning drop-ins at Neighbourhood Offices and we are intending to do another round of them in the very near future. We are also in attendance at the Joint Consultative Committee meetings that take place bi-monthly with management and have recently recruited a new steward Dawn Crossley – who is based at Little Hulton – to help longstanding steward Lesley Dean. If you need any support please get in touch with Dawn or Lesley at the email addresses below: Lesley Dean – lesley.dean@citywest.org.uk Dawn Crossley – dawn.crossley@citywest.org.uk

AROUND SALFORD COLLEGE

Our members will know that the biggest challenge we face in the coming year will be to ensure that Job Evaluation does not become an exercise in pay cuts.

around JE to make sure

UNISON has been involved in all of the discussions that have shaped the JE process and we will continue to do so until new pay structures go live. We will do all we can (and we may need your help) to fight against any reduction in the money allocated to the wages of support staff and will be pushing hard on issues like pay protection for our members who are faced with a pay cut. As far as we are concerned there is no reason for anybody to see an actual reduction in their wages because of JE. The College may say that it needs to consider the impact on jobs if the wage bill is too high, but we see our role as clearly arguing for support staff – commonly the lowest paid staff in the organisation. We will, of course, carefully assess any likely impact of our demands, but we will not automatically be cowed by any threats of job losses that are not backed up by evidence that there is no alternative – and we believe there is money in the college if management look for it. Any strategic decisions we take around JE will be informed by your views. We held four well attended meetings in the Autumn and we will look to do that again in the lead-up to the final discussions

URBAN VISION

Involvement in decisions affecting jobs and services… The Branch now has regular meetings with Urban Vision management to ensure that we are being fully consulted about any changes being made to your employment and so that we can raise issues on your behalf. We know that last year was a difficult year for our members in UV and we want to make sure that this year you are fully involved in any discussions that affect your jobs or services. As you remain Salford City Council employees and come under the remit of the Sustainable Regeneration Directorate, we ensure that any issues relating to UV are not only discussed with UV management but also Directors within the Authority. Steve Cooke, our Convenor for Urban Vision, attends those meetings on a regular basis. You can contact our Reps in Urban Vision at the following email addresses: Steve Cooke – steve.cooke@urbanvision.org.uk Dave Townley – dave.townley@urbanvision.org.uk

we are properly reflecting your views. In the meantime if you have any concerns about JE or other matters please contact one of our stewards at the details below: Jan Boden – jan.boden@salfordcc.ac.uk David Newman – david.newman@salfordcc.ac.uk Nick Brown – nick.brown@salfordcc.ac.uk

UNISON A THE CITY

SALFORD COMMUNITY LEISURE A challenging year…staff reductions, isolation, threats to conditions at work.

A t the commencement of the financial year,ly members

specialist community service they offered.

narrowly escaped a broad range of extreme challenging changes to terms and conditions, reduction in sick leave entitlement, loss of enhancements and change in pay scales, all of which were put forward in order to meet the savings target.

Lower Kersal Library, previously based in the Albion, moved into the Salford Sports Village and this too had an impact on staffing. Although initial troubles are over, the fight for optimum staffing conditions still remain.

Close negotiation with management, regular meetings and a strong communication strategy regarding proposed service changes also allowed for consultation with staff whose feedback led to an honest dialogue which helped to form a resistance against many of the proposed changes.

In late summer, briefings on service updates were held for staff, stating no particular or significant changes. UNISON notes that there have been a number of staff losses through VS and VER and the cessation of some fixed term contracts due to funding withdrawals but we report no compulsory redundancies.

The turnaround was achieved by strong UNISON presence and involvement at local and regional level, where we demonstrated firm resistance to library closures and the will to maintain green book terms and conditions. An additional source of funding which came through for SCL, as well as some financial support from the Council to assist with the VS, eventually managed to stem the tide of impending redundancies. However, there were a number of remaining challenges for staff who had to endure the streamlining of the service in some areas.

Recently key areas of concern were discussed at UNISON staff group meetings for libraries and museums staff. Items of note reported were: communication and the request for personal email addresses, isolation at work, threats to existing terms and conditions of work, fear of library closures, low staff morale, poor communication from staff to managers, and from senior management; concerns about erosion of the quality library service due to reduction in staffing and the impact of the scheme of volunteers staffing libraries its possible impact on paid workers.

As staff levels were minimised and VS posts left empty, leisure service staff complained of feeling pressured to increase their workload, covering staff who were absent. Libraries staff found themselves in much smaller teams with the same quota of work to be achieved, and on a practical level complained at times of over work, isolation and difficulty in being granted leave requests.

These matters have been reported at the local union meeting with senior management, and as a result of this engagement they have agreed to look at increasing and improving staff communication, including regular team meetings.

Enhancements were lost for additional hours worked and a bank set up to cope with staff absences and overtime instead, causing a loss of earnings for many. There were no library closures, although Broughton Library went in to the Broughton Hub (Gateway centre). And whilst there were staff changes which impacted on that and changes in job role for some, staff fully engaged in the consultation process and a strong argument was put forward to retain the

There will be a consultation group to discuss the collective experience of staff using self issue machines in order to make improvements, and evaluate its effectiveness. That same meeting also reported the VS offer with severance which is being re-offered. Fit City Broughton and Cadishead will close. There will be a tightening up of procedures in order to improve practice around attendance management, special leave requests and similar policies. There are no plans for further savings at this time but the union will be immediately informed if this changes.

AROUND

WELFARE WARFARE

As Salford suffers in the recession, welfare advice services in the city could be slashed by as much as two thirds over the next three years. Steve Quinn shows just why these services are so vital…

Salford is suffering because of the recession and the

unnecessary coalition cuts. It’s already the 18th most deprived local authority in the country according to the government, with many people out of work. Approximately 7500 families are living in poverty, with over 21,000 households in fuel poverty. The government is compounding this situation with cuts to benefits through its Welfare Reform (sic) programme. Significant numbers are already being wrongly denied benefit. It is estimated that as much as £36m could be lost to the city from these attacks. It is likely to lead to increased personal debt and force people into higher cost borrowing or even loan sharks; lead to rises in rent / mortgage arrears, repossessions and homelessness; provoke even higher levels of ill health and increase those suffering with mental health needs. With the vulnerable being hardest hit, existing inequalities will merely grow especially as unemployment continues to rise, alongside fuel and the cost of living.

At this time it is essential that welfare rights and debt advice services within the city are maintained. Research shows that these services have a positive effect on the local economy, bringing significantly more money into the city than they cost. In addition their work contributes to the wider wellbeing of the community. Without the help that the advice sector provides, many people will be unable to cope and will face poverty and destitution. In the absence of advice, people’s problems can escalate and cost the public purse more. For example the average quantifiable cost of mortgage repossession is £16,000. That’s without the long term human damage that occurs. The budget for advice services in the city could be cut by as much as two thirds in the next three years. Cuts of this order would devastate, if not destroy these services, leaving the people of Salford unprotected and unsupported. This is at a time when the need for such services has never been greater.

NOTIFICATION OF SALFORD CITY UNISON ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Dear UNISON Member You are warmly invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Salford City UNISON. This year we will be holding our AGM over four sessions covering two days to give all of our members the maximum opportunity to attend and take part in what is the most important meeting of our union branch. The meetings will all take place at: Swinton British Legion, Cheetham Road, Swinton, M27 4UQ The meetings will be at the following times:

Monday 26th March: 12:30 – 2:30pm Monday 26th March: 7 – 9pm Wednesday 28th March: 12:30 – 2:30pm Wednesday 28th March: 7 – 9pm

Members can only attend one of these meetings. Refreshments will be provided. UNISON NEC members Liz Cameron will be speaking at all the meetings while Roger Bannister will speak on Wednesaday evening.

If you would like any assistance with preparing a motion please ring the Branch Office.

The AGM is an opportunity for all members to propose motions to the branch and discuss our priorities in the coming 12 months.

We are inviting nominations for positions including Branch Secretary, Chairperson, Treasurer, Welfare Officer, Communications Officer, Education Co-ordinator, Life Long Learning Co-ordinator, Equality Officer, Health & Safety Officer, Membership Officer, Communications Officer, Branch Auditors* (2), Labour Link Officer**, Young Members’ Officer ***, Retired Members’ Secretary****, International Officer.

We will also be announcing the Branch Officers and Stewards for the following 12 months. Further details will be sent out nearer the time of the agenda and invited speakers, but for the time being I need to draw your attention to the following: 1. Motions Any motions to the AGM must be proposed by a UNISON member and supported by at least 5 additional members. They must be received in the branch office at the above address no later than Monday 19th March 2012.

2. Election of Officers and Stewards

If you are interested in any of the above positions and feel you need any additional information or guidance, then please contact the Branch Secretary on 0161 7947425. . If you would like to stand for one of the positions please return the attached form no later than Monday 13th February 2012.

If you are currently a steward and wish to continue in the role following the AGM, or are interested in becoming a steward please fill out the form and return it to the Branch Office no later than Monday 13th February 2012. If you require more than one copy and do not have access to photocopying facilities please contact the branch office and we will arrange for another to be sent to you. *Auditors must not be members of the Branch Committee. ** Labour Link Officer must be nominated by members paying into the Affiliated Political Fund and must be a member of the Labour Party *** Young Members’ Officer must be under 27 years of age for their whole term of office and nominated by young members **** Retired Members’ Secretary must be nominated by Retired members

BRANCH REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE BRANCH SECRETARY - STEVEN NORTH

For those of you who don’t know me yet, I’ve been Branch Secretary since June, and prior to that I was a Community Care Worker. I’ll be 28 by the time you read this and have lived in Salford all my life. The last nine months since I took on this post have presented a lot of challenges for our branch. For our members in Salford Council - faced with the imposition of £40m of cuts this year alone - we have had to do all we can to ensure that jobs, terms and conditions and services are protected. Given the scale of the cuts this hasn’t always been possible, but wherever our members have wanted to fight we have been there with them. We will do all we can to challenge and oppose any cuts flowing from the further £24m savings that the Council are seeking in March. You have my commitment that members will be fully involved in whatever we do. We do not want to see job losses, but we have to go further than that. The discussions we are currently having with the Council is forcing it to look at the money it spends on projects like Media City and the proportion of the pay budget that goes to high earning officers. Once discussions have exhausted themselves it will be up to members to decide how hard we fight. We need to ensure that communication works for our members in non-Council workplaces as well and I believe we have made good steps in re-establishing links with members in Salix Homes, City West, Schools, Salford Community Leisure and Salford College. Proper workplace meetings have really helped and I want to thank the stewards in those areas for making that happen. I believe we are doing more than ever to involve our members in the decisions we make. We have increased our number of stewards and that has helped us to keep abreast of any workplace developments. If you are reading this and don’t have a steward in your workplace, please consider taking on the role. More stewards means more active involvement from members and a better-run branch. On the campaigning side, we have worked closely with Salford Against the Cuts, Salford Trades Council and other unions to organise a number of successful demonstrations this year. The May Day Demo at Bexley Square, the Feeder March to theth Tory Party Conference Demo and the recent November 30 Demonstration…Salford is firmly re-establishing itself on the political map.

th Can I thank all of you who helped make November 30 a huge the time At day. success. We really did ourselves proud on that take will dispute the n directio of writing we are not sure of the hope I this, read you time the by on moved have but if things you feel your union branch valued your involvement above any other consideration.

Finally, can I thank all Officers, Stewards and Members who have helped me in my first year. I hope we can continue to work together in 2012/13 to challenge any cuts, whether they be to our jobs, our conditions or the vital services we provide.

ASSISTANT BRANCH SECRETARY

LIZ CAMERON

I was appointed in April and as an activist I fight to combat the cuts. I have also been representing members who face workplace discrimination, inequality and oppression. I have been involved in the budget talks, fighting alongside other unions to try to achieve no redundancies, the retention of jobs and our rights to our terms and conditions governing annual leave, sick pay and essential car user allowance, as well as issues such as car parking charges. I have been active in a number of negotiations right across the board and fight for better terms and working conditions within Salford Community Leisure (specifically the libraries), Admin review, Youth services (IYSS), City wide, Black Staff development initiative and Children’s Services social care. I also chair two regional committees for UNISON and have argued the case for Salford members at regional meetings, national meetings and our governing body for the Union, the National Executive Council (NEC), to which I was appointed last year. Equalities is an extremely important issue for me. As a black woman with a disability and also a single parent, I feel I have personally experienced almost every kind of workplace and societal discrimination, and am determined that we have full equality in the workplace. I’ve been involved in establishing a strong emphasis in the branch on equalities, trying to re-energise and establish our self organised groups - Women, Disabled members, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered and Black members. I feel we need to fight as comrades in arms across the public sector services workforce, unions and community groups to preserve them and offer an active response to the ConDem policies as they take shape in cuts to Education, Healthcare, Social Services, Housing, Youth and other key services.

BRANCH CHAIR – LAWRENCE DUKE BRANCH TREASURER – AMEEN HADI I have worked in Local Government for over twenty years and have been with Salford City Council since January 2000. I have always played an active role in the union at either steward or officer level believing that the union has an important role not just defending jobs and terms and conditions but the quality of service we offer the public. Being Branch Treasurer has been my most challenging role as I inherite d a disorganised and antiquated system at a time when members have been placed under intolerable stress by ConDem cuts. In the limited time I have had (I did not get to see the Branch accounts until July) I have attended extensive regional training. With this knowledge I have computerised the Branch accounting system and placed tight but fair conditions on access to petty cash and expenses. I have oversee n the introduction of a new computer system at the union office, made the arrangements for the successful branch development day and moved our office staff to a new payroll provider. All this work has been done along with my duties as Convenor for Community Health and Social Care, while maintaining a full time job as a Community Development Worker in Community Services. I am proud to be part of a Branch that is doing its best to support members both individually as well as collectively. Whether it be a grievance/disciplinary matter or a consultation or restructure I have tried to give my support both to members, stewards and other officers. I believe that it is only through the collective action such as we organis ed on November 30th that we can show how we can defend our services , jobs and conditions. I had the pleasure of organising transport and refreshments on the day but it was the response of ordinary membe rs that made the day such a great success! It was the bankers NOT us who are responsible for the deficit. The attacks on public services and public service workers are NOT necessa ry. A wealth tax, the reintroduction of tax bands that existed under Thatche r and a crackdown on tax evasion would more than cover the deficit! I am confident that the collective leadership of this branch can get stronger with your support and involvement. The ConDem Govern ment clearly wishes to replace public services with private providers or volunteers. They are also attacking pensioners, students and the unemployed; we must all unite to stop them. UNITED WE STAND

This year has been extremely difficult for everyone who works in the public sector. Up and down the country people have been fighting back against the horrendous government led cuts to our services, jobs and on top of all that, our pensions. th Organising for the November the 30 strike held many We yet. been we’ve busiest was the workplace meetings to convince members to join us on the pickets and protests but this amazing day wouldn’t have happened without the support and hard work of ordinary members. It made me very proud to stand by people who had never been on a picket line before, but felt they had no choice but to stand up and defend themselves.

In my directorate, Children’s Services, we’ve been holding regular stewards meetings to organise at a directorate level. We also meet monthly with senior management at our DCSC, in order to take your concerns right to the people who make the decisions, and also to gain information on future cuts before they are implemented. We try our best to ensure that you receive the proper consultation. We hold a monthly branch committee, which your stewards attend, and we recently passed a motion calling for a local government pensions conference to be held, so that the recent decision taken by the national union leadership to consider accepting a pensions deal could be discussed democratically by your branch and others from across the country. In amongst all this we’ve been representing people in their work places, with the day to day problems that you are facing as union members. I have no doubt in my mind that the next few years are going to be extremely difficult, but with the help of all UNISON members, and the sense th of solidarity we felt on November the 30 , we can Tories. the from es ourselv fight back and defend

HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER ALEX GILLESPIE I have worked for Salford Council most of my working life, mainly for the Children’s Services in Education and Social Services. My current post is in Child Protection as a Children and Families Officer. I have been in this post since March 2011. It never occurred to me to be involved with UNISON, only when we had work issues and strike action in the workplace. Our new UNISON rep asked me if I wanted to be our health and safety rep, and he sold it to me in a way I could not refuse.

WOMEN’S OFFICER – SUE WRAY I work in the Children’s Services Directorate (CSD), as a Senior SEN Caseworker, in the SEN Team, Targeted Services. I have been involved in union activities for a relatively short period of time compared to my colleagues, about two years; but I have actively campaigned on equality issues (disability, mental health, homeless issues and women’s issues) for many years. I am involved with several charities including National Gulf Veterans and Families Association (NGVFA), Combat Stress, Rethink, Crisis and Arthritis Research UK (ARC). As the branch’s Women’s Officer and a steward, I have attended UNISON training courses and I have actively communicated with women members regarding issues pertinent to women members and the wider issues that we have been facing due to the ConDem Government cuts which are affecting services, staffing, terms and conditions and, of course, pensions. I have provided advice and support for members and also represented them with the assistance of my experienced mentor, Lawrence Duke, Branch Chair, as part of the branch’s steward mentoring programme. I attend monthly Branch Committee meetings, fortnightly CSD steward meetings and monthly Department Consultative and Safety Committee meetings (DCSC) with the CSD leadership team along with UNISON colleagues and other union representatives from services across the city. At these meetings I represent members and feedback all relevant information to women members and members in my work place. I have been very fortunate to have represented the branch at the 2011 National Delegates Conference and the National Disability Conference 2011 (as I have a disability), and submitted reports on them to the Branch Committee. I have also campaigned on equality issues (increasing the number of disabled parking bays at the civic complex) and to protect our pensions. I attended the October and N30 march and rallies, was involved in the Save Lancaster House campaign, the Hardest Hit Campaign (which brings together disabled people, carers and groups who represent them to campaign against the cuts) and Salford Against the Cuts (SAC), campaigning to protect services within the city, especially services for the vulnerable.

I went home and read all about health and safety, and what it would involve as a rep. I also read about all the suffering workers had to go through in the workplace before health and safety laws, and how many people died because of no health and safety regulations or laws to protect them. As a rep I have had the chance to go on courses on health and safety to give me a better understanding, and learn what laws are in place and how to use them to protect our UNISON members in their workplace. It has been hard work but rewarding at the same time. During my time I have recruited health and safety reps for their workplaces, and, this year, I would like to extend this recruitment to all workplaces where we have UNISON members. As Health and Safety officer I attend meetings with the local authority on behalf of our members to put forward their concerns and negotiate ways of solving health and safety issues. This, again, has been a hard task but things are being put in place for the future to work together with the local authority. There is a lot more to do, but I feel us at Salford UNISON are heading in the right direction for our members and things can only get better. Please feel free to call me anytime on any health and safety issues or concerns.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER DAVID HEANEY I have been employed in Housing for 24 years and have done various jobs ranging from housing repair clerk at the old Pendleton office in the 1980’s to my current position in strategy and enabling in the Sustainable Regeneration Directorate. Currently I am the Pension Champion contact for the Branch and also involved as Communications Officer. I have been involved in the union, firstly as a NUPE member at the very beginning of my career, became a UNISON steward/convener about 15 years ago and have been actively involved in the union since then. Since the last AGM I have been involved in the Pensions campaign and also representing members in the workplace on issues surrounding re-structures, disciplinary meetings and dignity at work issues. I also have regular Departmental Consultative and Safety Committee meetings. Currently we are facing the biggest challenges in a generation for the protection of public services that we deliver and to our own jobs and terms and conditions. It’s a fight that is worth fighting on behalf of all public servants. I would urge all staff in my Directorate to join UNISON.

WELFARE OFFICER – PAULA LAWLESS I have worked for Salford Council for 25 years, within Children’s Services, first as a House Parent in a Residential Unit for Looked After Children, then moving onto the community Looked After Children’s Social Work Team as a Children’s and Families Officer which is my current fulltime post within Salford. I have seen many changes over the years, and I do have to say that some of those changes have not been for the good of the people we work for.

I have been a UNISON member for over 23 years, and have been working within the Branch in my own time for over ten years, as a Children’s Services Steward, and also Health and Safety Rep for Children’s Services. I enjoy these roles very much. Three years ago I was asked to cover as the Branch Welfare Officer and I didn’t have a clue what was expected of me, and I didn’t know what UNISON Welfare did - I was soon quick to learn. Ha Ha. UNISON Welfare is a registered charity run by UNISON for its members, and offers help and financial support to members suffering financial hardship. It also offers well being breaks to members who are under a lot of stress and pressure. Over the past three years we have supported many members with hardship payments, one off school uniform grants, debt advice and financial support. This past twelve months have been a busy time for the Welfare Fund due to the recession and people’s loss of jobs and incomes. I have also suffered financial hardship in my own life and this has helped me have a greater understanding to the needs of our members. Salford UNISON branch has also helped our low paid members with Hardship Payments, after losing a day’s pay through the recent strike action. I was very proud to be part of the March in London earlier this year, and the latest March in Manchester, in November. I do have to say that doing three roles in one within a Branch in your own time can be draining and time consuming, especially as I have three young grand children, who I love spending time with, to keep me on my toes. I am a Salford girl through and through and am very proud to be part of a fantastic team here a Salford City UNISON Branch, and I am happy to support all the staff who work long hours to support our members.

EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR DIANE OGG I am an ‘active’ activist and feel passionately about the current cuts to jobs and services and the effects this has on our members. I am not afraid to speak up and fight for our members to help to secure jobs and services in Salford. I have worked in Salford’s Schools Children’s Services for the last 19 years. I was elected Education Co-ordinator in 2010 but didn’t actually come into office until March 2011, and I pride myself on doing my absolute best for our members either through representation, negotiation, support or referrals. As Education Co-ordinator I have built up communication between stewards, officers and members to encourage training. I have recruited many new School Stewards who are now attending our Branch Committees and are active within their workplace strengthening communication. I have organised courses for Officers/Stewards in Pensions and Employment Law, and have more courses coming up soon in CASE Form training and Health and Safety. I have also been representing members in Environment Services - Refuse and Street Cleansing Section, another area where recruitment is flourishing along with new school members. Also Salford City College stewards have recently recruited an additional new steward. Since the last AGM I have been very much involved in the National Anti-Academies Alliance and attended their conference in London as well as the School Support Staff Seminar in Birmingham. I actively represent members in Disciplinaries, Dignity at Work, Attendance Management Procedure, and I am an experienced Senior Officer in this field of UNISON work. I would encourage colleagues to join UNISON at this very tough time for Public Sector Workers.

EQUALITIES LIZ CAMERON The branch leadership has been doing its branch assessment required by regional and national office, which looks at all aspects of branch busines s and development. This year the matter of equalities has been raised and one action identified was to ensure that self organisation does not go unsupported We therefore aim to facilitate a series of meetings to see if there is interest in maintaining and supporting self organisation within the branch in our main areas, Black members, LGBT, Disabled members and also Women. What I do acknowledge is that in these times of increased pressur e in terms of workplace attendance it may not always be possible for membe rs to come to a meeting and as such may prefer email contact as a way to gain information, see how the branch is working in these areas and to participate in the work of your branch. We have formed a branch equalities group which stewards have been invited to and which a number of branch officers also attend, which will lead this agenda and ensure it does not lose importance. There has been a meeting of the disabled members group where a good discussion took place on subject matter such as staff support groups, attendance management, the recording of disability leave, and the impact of certain policies on disabled members. In addition we had four delegat es to National Disabled Members conference. The Black Members Group also met and wrote a motion for the Nationa l Conference March 2012 which was passed at branch committee. They will have two visitors to conference in February. Equalities was discussed at the branch development day The following suggestions were made:  To have regular meetings of a Unison Equalities Forum.  To continue to pressure the Council about complying with the DDA, especially in respect of the recording of disability leave. A positive piece of work with the Council is being carried out in CHSC (CS are supposed to be part of this but have attended only one meeting ) around consulting BME staff. This has happened due to the persiste nce of UNISON. Two of the branch’s core officers are involved in working collaboratively with the Directorates involved and staff and are using UNISON’s “Challenging racism in the workplace” toolkit. If you would like to get involved in driving Equalities forward in our Branch please contact one of the following Officers: Liz Cameron (Assistant Branch Secretary) – liz.cameron@salfordcityunison.org.uk William McKay (Equalities Officer) – William.mckay@salixhomes .org Sue Wray (Women’S Officer) – sue.wray@salfordcityunison.org.uk

Branch Committee – The Steward’s Tale It was a dark and stormy night... … and Salford City Branch Stewards Committee was meeting at The Civic. It was Committee Room Three, that most imposing of rooms. The cavernous aspect echoed the wind howling outside, and the brew-making machine bubbling inside. The meeting was due to start at 4.45pm, and it was already 4.30pm. But, as yet, nothing had happened…

By Richard Nelson “Only five more until we’re quorate!”, shouted Steve above the throng. Liz nodded sagely. Nothing much happened.

The sandwiches arrived. Nothing much happened.

It was the same people, the same activists, the same names trying to get this branch moving forward. And the same names, the same inactivists, the same people who did not appear.

Steve (North) turned up, and poured himself a glass of water… “Still 23 more to come to be quorate”, he thought.

It was now 5.00pm, and the Committee was lacking two to be quorate.

Andy and Elaine from the Office arrived with `the paperwork’, nodded knowingly to Steve, and began the process of exposing the sandwiches from the tinfoil wrapping...the most important of today’s activities. They helped themselves to a brew. The machine bubbled noisily.

“We are lacking two to be quorate”, stated Steve excitedly.

The lure of refreshment and sustenance seemed to invigorate, and five more stewards arrived, making their way immediately to the sandwich zone. Some opted for the meat-based fare, but others went for the vegetarian option. “Only eighteen before we’re quorate”, thought Steve. Then Elaine found the hot pasties… There was a scramble as there were only eight and all were suitable for any dietary need. The most popular was leek and potato. Nothing much happened. The machine bubbled. Lawrence arrived with Diane, and immediately Lawrence bemoaned the lack of pasties, before bemoaning the lack of stewards. For several minutes the whole world seemed to stand still, until in their dribs and drabs stewards appeared. “Only eight more until we’re quorate”, said Steve aloud. The sandwiches and brew-machine were taking a hammering, and the hubbub of noise was now filling the room.

Nothing much happened. “I will give it ‘til five past to see if anyone else comes otherwise we will formally close the meeting, open up a general discussion, and I will give the Secretary’s Report”. Steve was getting fidgety. Five past came and went, and Steve turned to Lawrence. Lawrence turned to Steve. They shook heads. It was again in vain. Andy had a turkey and cranberry sandwich halfway in, halfway out and almost choked when he realised he had to gather all the “paperwork” in again….. There followed discussions but decision nor vote could be taken as the Committee remained inquorate. The moral of this story is that Salford Branch welcomes representatives who will give undertakings to commit their time to the Branch. The Committee can only be quorate with a proportion of Stewards attending. That proportion is laid down in national union rules, and is non-negotiable. This means that activists have to be just that – ACTIVE!!! If you wish to become a representative of Salford City Branch, or want to know more about the workings of the Branch, or indeed need advice or information please call: 0161 793 3126

Members can only attend one of these meetings.