Nipsa reports 2013 july august issuu

NIPSA Reports

NIPSA Reports 2013 July August 02/09/2013 13:29 Page 1

Annual conferences special

NEWSPAPER OF NORTHERN IRELAND’S LEADING PUBLIC SERVICE TRADE UNION

JULY/AUGUST 2013

Tel: 028 90661831 www.nipsa.org.uk

Snowy wins hearts and minds over kids’ cardiac closure plans

NOT only is NIPSA opposed to the closure of the children’s cardiac surgical services in Northern Ireland, but Snowy the Bear turned up at conference to offer his support too.

The serious side of the debate was lightened for a moment when Branch 529 delegate Alistair Bell introduced Snowy to the podium to gaze out at delegates.

But it was Alistair’s personal story about being a 10-year-old who had open-heart surgery that really captured the thoughts of delegates.

He told conference: “Some 28 years ago, I went into hospital as I had a hole in the heart and I was accompanied by Snowy. I thought I was a big lad because I had my own personal cassette recorder and a Dana recording.

“So to me everything was beautiful. That was in Clark Clinic at RVH. But I had mixed emotions.

After my surgery when I awoke, there were two white figures at the bottom of my bed. I thought I hadn’t made it through the operation.

But those two white figures were my parents.

“To me, it is important that parents are able to be there with their children through the operation.

“The work that the Heartbeat Trust does is wonderful and has also provided accommodation for parents to stay with their children on the night before operations, which can be, at 10 years of age, a very scary time.

“As I said, I had Dana and I had Snowy… so I was alright!”

He continued: “But what about the parents… will they have to choose who goes with the child either to Dublin or London? That only adds to their concerns.”

Mr Bell pointed out that both parents are needed to give support to their child in an emergency and that having a Belfast-based service meant both could take it in turns “to go home and come back to the hospital”.

“In my time, 28 years ago, there was only one consultant cardiologist for children. Now they have been able to train up three. So, I

don’t see where the lack of medical help being there comes from.”

Underlining the importance of keeping the service local, Mr Bell reminded delegates: “Fortunately, I was one of the ones who made it through. I was lucky. I remember chatting the night before our operation with another young lad. We had become friendly.

“The next day, he wasn’t there. I presumed he had been transferred out. It was only six months later that my parents told me he had passed away that night.

“My mother didn’t want to tell me because she thought that might hamper my recovery.

“Those poor parents had to go through that ordeal. People should not have to be transferred to Dublin or London.

“I urge you on behalf of myself, my parents and Snowy but, more importantly, on behalf of the children that you support this motion opposing the children cardiac service unit closure.”

Read how the debate went on Delegate Alistair Bell with his hospital companion Snowy page 6.

STAND UP STRIKERS

Standing ovation for heroes of Lakewood THERE were emotional scenes as delegates gave a standing ovation to honour those Lakewood strikers who attended conference.

Fourteen weeks of strike action would test the resolve of even the most committed trade unionist but the 13 night supervisors’ successful struggle to protect terms and conditions was warmly recognised by conference.

And the supporting roles played

by NIPSA HQ, the General Council, NIPSA official Phil Boomer and President Patrick Mulholland were also praised by Geraldine Mullan, who spoke on behalf of the strikers.

Ms Mullan (Branch 732), moving Motion 83 congratulating the strikers on their success, outlined the background to the dispute.

On June 17, 2012, night supervisors at Lakewood children’s home reluctantly began an all-out strike after an unanimous vote in favour.

For three years they had refused to be bullied into accepting new terms and conditions, which would have meant they had to work an extra 36 nights to cover for the lack of proper staffing levels.

Management ignored workers’ pleas about the impact the imposition of these changes would have on work-life balance.

Ms Mullan said: “These are conscientious workers who take pride in their job and this was a coura-

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Lakewood strikers and their supporters receive a standing ovation at NIPSA conference

geous decision on their behalf to strike against the proposed management’s injustice.

“They stood on the picket line for 14 weeks – for six days a week.

Their courage was their strength and [this] resulted in a victory for them and their families.

“Their action and the subsequent outcome achieved presents an unambiguous fact that we have no choice to do what is necessary to protect our working conditions.

“These workers remain steadfast

GENERAL CONFERENCE REPORTS ON Pages 2-11

in their determination and the significance of this strike cannot be understated, especially in the light of the cuts we are now experiencing or faced with.”

She added: “It is not only what we say that matters but – more importantly – what we do. I am proud to move this motion to applaud strikers and commend them for their courage.”

Riki Reid (Branch 730), supporting the motion, said that conference owed their gratitude to the

CONFERENCE FACES CAPTURED ON Pages 8-9

strikers and to the branch.

“This small group of dedicated staff, working with very damaged children and young people were put under enormous pressure to return to work by a management determined to save money at all costs and at the expense of the staff and, sadly, the children they care for by introducing unsafe work practices.”

He added: “They stood firm and their concerted action shows that a trade union dispute like this can be won.

CIVL SERVICE CONFERENCE AND PICTURES Pages 12-15

“Their action also sends a message to public sector management that they should think twice about taking on NIPSA.” Janette Murdock (Branch 517), told delegates that – speaking as classroom assistant who had been on strike – she recognised the difficulties and the pressure the Lakewood workers were under.

“I applaud how you all stuck together all the way and you showed how we can do it and win a dispute.”

PUBLIC OFFICERS’ GROUP Page 16 CONFERENCE

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General Conference ‘You are last line of defence in war against workers’ THE political establishment has “deftly” shifted the blame for the economic crisis away from the bankers and financiers on to the shoulders of public servants, General Secretary Brian Campfield told delegates as he proposed the union’s annual report on the first day of the main conference.

He said: “Over the last four years – and especially since the Tory Lib Dem coalition was formed – the narrative has been transformed from one of greedy bankers and a deregulated financial system into one of a bloated public sector and an underclass of welfare claimants who are bleeding the country dry.”

This was part of an unprecedented attack on the Welfare State and a bid to “Americanise” society.

Mr Campfield then outlined for conference a number of key issues for the union.

On the attack on pay and pensions, he referenced a recent ILO report which revealed how wages had fallen several percentage points as a proportion of GDP since 2007 and pointed out that this meant that “workers are receiving less and less of the wealth generated across the globe”.

“This means that profit has taken an increasing share of the wealth generated. That is why we must ensure, despite the temptation in the current difficult environment to forgo wage increases in order to protect jobs – that decent wage increases remain at the top of our agenda.”

Mr Campfield described as “disappointing” that the strength demonstrated by trade unions and their members on November 30, 2011 had dissipated and flagged up the need for unions to “re-establish that unity of purpose and strength”.

Turning to privatisation, he la-

On organising, Mr Campfield underlined the importance of “building the capacity and strength of branches”. belled it a “more fundamental and “We are currently in defence dangerous threat to our members” mode but there will come a time and referred to the break-up of the when the tide will turn and when it Housing Executive, threats to does, we as a union need to be in leisure services at Belfast City a position to take advantage of Council, outsourcing at the PSNI the improved circumstances. That and soft services at the DSD. means we must make certain we He also singled out attempts to retain or improve our membership open up the health and social density – and the only people care services to the private sector who can do this are our local repthrough the Transforming Your resentatives.”

Care initiative.

But Mr Campfield also acknowlAnd he quoted leading embryologist Jacques Cohen who said edged that “winning our members there was “no end to what corpoto actively support our policies” rations may claim to own… a few was a “major challenge”. years ago it was the gene seHe said: “We must give serious quence. Now it is embryonic consideration to how we engage growth. Next year it may be one’s with members in their workplaces. heartbeat.”

The best way to achieve this is to On tax, he slammed the compatalk to members individually and nies – the Apples, Googles, Starcollectively – circulars, bulletins, NIPSA General Secretary Brian Campfield addresses conference bucks, Amazons – and claimed research publications and union these “headline names” were just “The message I would convey forms as necessary to reward newspapers, while essential, are the “tip of a very dangerous iceto both sections of the community strivers not shirkers.” not enough.” berg”. is this – don’t be obsessed with But the reality, Mr Campfield Mr Campfield then paid tribute He also hit out at how local flags and symbols.” told delegates, was that the bulk to the “courage and determinapoliticians “whinge about the need He told delegates that the of the social security budget went tion” of members at Lakewood to devolve corporation tax so that Northern Ireland Executive and to workers and their families.

Regional Secure Unit who took lower taxes can be levied on com- Assembly were given the task of “Our message for the Assembly part in a 14-week strike. panies in Northern Ireland”. building a shared future “but is ex- and Executive is this – don’t do “If there is a message from this “The reality is that many of the pected to secure this in an ecothe dirty work for the coalition govdispute, it is that where members companies they want to attract nomic straitjacket”. ernment. Tell them it isn’t possible stick together and take industrial pay little or no tax already,” he “The Assembly has been given to build the peace in an era of enaction, it delivers results,” he added, and warned that the com- the task of implementing the neo- forced austerity.” petition to attract Foreign Direct liberal agenda of the UK coalition He also warned local politicians added.

Mr Campfield also took the opInvestment would lead to a spiral government – severe cuts to sothat they would be held to account portunity to thank all NIPSA reprethat would drive down the tax take cial security benefits, cuts to pub- for their decisions. sentatives for their hard work, from private companies “and con- lic services, privatisation of Addressing them directly, he “be assured you are makadding tribute to a real race to the botservices and attacks on public said: “In the absence of any real tom”. servants. What sort of way is this political opposition at Stormont, it ing a real and important contribuOn sectarianism, he said that to build a lasting, durable and is our responsibility in NIPSA and tion to defend our members’ rights but also taking a stand in defence the trade union movement had prosperous future?” the broader trade union moveof the more vulnerable and underchallenged those with “a sterile Describing the Welfare Reform ment to organise resistance to privileged in our society”. agenda” would lead Northern Ire- agenda as a direct attack on the your cuts in public services, to In conclusion, he reminded delland down a “road to nowhere”.

Welfare State, he slammed as your attacks on the low paid, the egates that they were “the last line Mr Campfield also called on “disgraceful” the “cynical manipu- sick and the disabled that the local politicians “to sit down and lation and distortion” that lay beWelfare Reform Bill represents, to of defence” in the war waged reach an accommodation on hind the misinformation peddled the privatisation of the health and against working people “in the interests of big business and the soflags” and to “stop racheting up by the UK government. social care sector and to the primatters”.

“They are characterising the re- vatisation of our leisure services.” called free market”.

GENERAL SECRETARY’S ANNUAL REPORT

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS PRESIDENT Padraig Mulholland has praised the leadership shown by the POG and CSG Executives as well as the General Council, pointing out these bodies were made up of lay activists who contributed time and effort who made “sacrifices” on behalf of the union’s membership

NIPSA President Patrick Mulholland (left) with special guest John McInally from the PCS union

NIPSA Reports

NIPSA Harkin House, 54 Wellington Park, Belfast BT9 6DP, Tel: 028 90661831 Fax 028 90665847 or email: alison.millar@nipsa.org.uk Editorial contact details: Bob Miller email: bob.miller@nipsa.org.uk Correspondence should be sent to the above address.

Unless otherwise stated, the views contained in NIPSA Reports do not necessarily reflect the policy of trade union NIPSA.

‘We are the opposition!

We are the resistance!’

He said that local politicians were once again “pressing the button of sectarianism” and underlined how paramilitaries were using the “desperation grabbing communities” to further their agenda, adding that “poverty is a feeder for sectarIn making these comments in his openianism”. ing address to the main conference, he Mr Mulholland emphasised the “marvelalso thanked the officials, staff of the union as well as seconded officers for the lous work” carried out by the union over the past year. “critical and vital” role they play.

He said: “Some [battles] we have fought He told delegates: “We have to, as a to great success, some to a draw, some union, look after our official structures, our HQ structures and look after our staff and are continuing on.”

Expressing particular pride in the acmake sure that they are part of this union tions of the Lakewood strikers who where – just as you are.”

NIPSA had some “very, very significant involved in a 14-week dispute, he added: “The message went out – if you fight, you tasks” on the coming period. can win… and the message went out to “In Northern Ireland terms, what NIPSA does is of enormous significance – in very employers – NIPSA is no walkover, many ways, we are the opposition and the NIPSA will take you on.”

But the President also warned deleresistance. gates that there were “many more auster“We are the people who defy what is going on. We are the people who are say- ity battles ahead”.

“We have gathered the facts, exposed ing enough of austerity and enough of the myths. We have forced employers cuts. We are also part of the resistance and the Assembly on to the defensive to the darker forces that exist in our sociwhen it comes to making the arguments ety – the forces that would drag us backon cuts, but there is more to be done… ward, the forces that want to see “Karl Marx said, ‘Philosophers have insectarianism in our society, who want to terpreted the world, the point is to change see division in our society.” it’, and I think from the point of view of our Flagging up NIPSA’s proud history of Public Service Defence Campaign, we resisting sectarianism in the past, he have interpreted the cuts, we understand warned that “unfortunately we are going the cuts, we know what the intention of to have to return to that battleground the Tories are – either the Tories in Westagain”.

minster or the Green and Orange Tories in the Assembly – we know what their intentions are.

“Now the point is to fight them, defeat them and drive them back. I think our union is capable of carrying that through to a successful conclusion.”

Mr Mulholland praised the efforts of the organisation and development unit for having put a “breath of fresh air” into the union but warned that the two individuals in the unit could not replace the efforts of “hundreds and thousands of activists engaged on a day-to-day basis to recruit, build and develop the union”.

He added: “They [organisation and development unit] are a supplement – not a replacement. Make sure every activist is a recruiter and every activist is an organiser.”

In concluding he described activists as the “life blood” of the union.

“I want to thank the activists. Thank you for every grievance and disciplinary you have been at, for every meeting and protest you have attended, for every email or letter you have written, and for every time you have had the courage to stand toe to toe with your management saying, ‘No, you’re not on, we’re not having it’.

“Let’s use this conference to rearm with ideas to reorganise and let’s use it to send a clear message to the Assembly – we are the resistance and if you come for us we will come for you.”

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General Conference

1913 Lockout – lessons from the past IT is an “indictment of society” that 100 years after the 1913 Dublin Lockout, many of the same social and economic conditions that gave rise to the dispute are still evident today, conference was told.

Martie McKee (Branch 5), moving Motion 2, outlined how the scourge of rising unemployment, outsourcing, zero hour contracts, the slashing of services and attacks on public servants were a “throw-back” to a pre-trade union “Wild West flexible market”.

“The economy stagnates, debts rise, families collapse under the weight of unpaid bills as angry and work-less parents and adult children become ever more depressed and the vital public services that should sustain and comfort them are sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.”

He slammed “the cabal of Cabinet millionaires and their equallyrich media acolytes”, who were “cocooned by their wealth and privilege” and “immune to the suffering of the many”.

Mr McKee said it had been a mistake that the success of November 30th had not been built on and admitted it was a mistake “that shames us all”, adding, “It is a mistake we must not make again…”

Sean Garland (Branch 62), speaking in support, outlined some of the background to the 1913 dispute when 20,000 workers were

1913 DUBLIN LOCKOUT

Martie McKee

locked out of their workplaces for six months for refusing to sign a pledge to leave the ITGWU. He told delegates: “What has changed? The employers were vehemently anti-trade union, strike breakers were used, the Church denounced Jim Larkin…”

Describing it as a “watershed in Irish labour history”, Mr Garland added: “There was an attempt to break the union and that attempt failed and it was never again attempted by the employers.”

Paddy McWilliams (Branch 8),

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RIC and Metropolitan police baton charge strikers during the 1913 Lockout in Dublin

also speaking in support, agreed that the Lockout had been a watershed and pointed out that the sacrifices made by the workers in 1913 had not been in vain.

“The union wasn’t broken – numbers rose and the strength that it gained from that [dispute] facilitated a lot of the advantages and the terms and conditions that we enjoy today.

“It is quite clear that the sacrifices that they made then resonate to us today because many of the circumstances are the same. We still have a colonialist economy. There is still a neo-liberal mentality to break our terms and conditions and to drive us backwards rather than forwards.

“And they are using the media in exactly the same way to manufacture consent among the public for austerity and for their own policies.”

Greg McMullan (Branch 307) reminded delegates that if the Dublin Lockout was re-run in the present day, “the anti-trade union laws would make it illegal”.

He said: “The ballots required to allow action to take place would mean the momentum of the dispute would be lost before it even began.”

Mr McMullan asked delegates to support the motion and urged Congress both in Ireland and the UK to “dismantle the legacy of Thatcherism” to “ensure that collective action in support of our campaigns is a right – and not at the behest of a ruling elite which shows no respect

for trade unions”.

Frank Cammock reminded delegates that the G8 group of leaders were soon to come to Northern Ireland and called for the centenary to be used as a platform to protest against the visit.

“I think there could be no greater platform than for trade unionists and socialists to come to Enniskillen on June 17th to support the anti-G8 protest.

“They say we should roll out the red carpet and raise the red flag and I would endorse that but I also think we should raise the NIPSA flag.”

In his contribution, Kenny McAdams (Branch 725) underlined the need to get NIPSA members involved in local trades councils.

He said: “All politics is local and we need to take the battle from trade union movement and those in the community and voluntary sector to the local politicians.

“Get involved in trades councils and then get the trades councils to start building partnerships with local community and voluntary sector and ordinary people,” he added.

Sharon Hughes, speaking on behalf of General Council, said the 1913 Lockout had been about the right to organise and 100 years on “many policies are being implemented and agendas enforced by governments across the world that are aimed at taking away our right to unionise”.

“Luckily we have legislation in

placed which gives us some protection in law but this is not nearly enough. One of the biggest blows to the trade union movement was the anti-trade union laws introduced by Thatcher which has limited the trade union movement in what it can do – but this does not mean we are beaten.”

Sharon Hughes

She told delegates that remembering the anniversary of the Lockout was “a good way to reinvigorate our campaign to protect pay, jobs, terms and conditions”.

Ms Hughes added: “Learning from the past helps us to deal with issues that the trade union movement has to face today.”

Motion was carried.

Whatever happened Third Sector ‘vulnerable’ to union’s pension, pay and jobs drive?

IT is a matter of concern for those working in the public sector that the voluntary sector could become a target for the private sector, conference was told.

MOTION 3 called on the incoming General Council to refocus on the industrial action campaign in defence of pensions, pay and jobs and expressed disappointment at “the lack of leadership and direction”.

Marcel Dummigan (Branch 38) claimed the “crux of the disappointment” was “where has our campaign gone?”

He noted after the last day of action, there had been an expectation that “we were in for a long campaign” but that the reality was that the campaign had “to all intents and purposes disappeared from the NIPSA landscape”.

“My branch simply doesn’t know where we are or if the campaign has ended in victory or defeat because no one has bothered to tell us.”

Mr Dummigan told delegates “the simple fact” was that the campaign had “slipped down the agenda to the extent that no one can say for definite that it is still

CAMPAIGNS

active”. He warned: “The very real danger that exists in this vacuum is that if we try to activate our branches for future action, they will simply ask what happened to the last campaign when nobody could be bothered to tell them how a campaign ended.”

Brian Moore, speaking in support on behalf of General Council, said it was accepted that there had been “a lack of leadership and direction across the whole trade union movement” “We as a union can always learn how to do things better and fight better but we have to accept that [in terms of] trade union leadership, unions were led to the top of the hill on November 30 and there was great momentum behind that.”

However, he added: “Unfortunately since then that mass momentum and solidarity has faded away.”

Mr Moore slammed those unions that had brokered side

Marcel Dummigan

deals “for their own interests” rather than maintaining the “momentum and solidarity” shown on November 30.

Such actions had, he underlined, played into the Government’s “divide and rule” strategy.

“When are we as a trade union movement going to learn the lesson about what that divide and conquer strategy brings for us?”

Motion was carried.

Heather McKinstry, speaking on behalf of GC, pointed out that the voluntary sector did not enjoy the same level of “organisation and financial capabilities” when compared with the public sector, which left it “vulnerable”.

“Our concern is that once the voluntary sector organise a particular service, if they are not able to sustain it, the private sector could potentially have opportunity to cherry-pick services,” she added.

Jake Lange (Branch 731) spoke about his own experiences working in the Northern Trust and claimed his own branch had a “good perspective on the privatisation issue”.

He said that following a request to the RQIA the branch had found out that 50 “failure to comply” notices had been issued against privately-run homes in the Northern Trust area in the last years.

In contrast, no “failure to comply” notices had been issued to the nine statutory homes in the area which, Mr Lange added, “reflects [the fact that] the quality of service provided by the public sector is much, much higher and much more consistent than anything that is provided in the private sector”.

Eoin Dawson (Branch 725), giving qualified support, raised concerns about the wording of the motion, which did not refer to the fact that “we have members in the Third Sector”.

He acknowledged that Third Sector

PRIVATISATION

Heather McKinstry

workers played an important role in complementing public service but added that it was beyond “the remit and ability” of the Third Sector to provide public services.

Mr Dawson called on the incoming GC to oppose all attempt at transferring the provision of services to the Third Sector but also to oppose cuts and attacks on workers working within that sector.

Motion was carried.

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General Conference

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Beware the ‘vultures at the table’

MOTION 7 called for proper transfer and career development opportunities to be maintained across the public sector especially in the light of the practice of placing an embargo on transfers and expressions of interest.

Tracey Godfrey (Branch 138), who moved the motion, pointed out that civilian members of staff working for the PSNI were often denied promotion due to the retiring and rehiring of ex-police officers, adding that this was compounded by the implementation of a £180m managed service contract awarded to Resource NI. She told delegates: “PSNI support staff will soon be in the minority gasping for air in a small, muddy pool of permanent staff with no hope or prospect of a transfer that could help career progression, facilitate domestic responsibilities or

PRIVATISATION

Ryan McKinney

INTERNATIONAL

GENERAL Secretary Brian Campfield, moving Motion 14 on behalf of GC, described the latest round of negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC as “a very positive development”, especially with the issuing of a joint statement on the land issue.

He said the continuing attacks on union activists in Colombia had been a particular focus for trade unionists internationally.

“While Colombia is a democracy in the sense that there is a parliament and people are elected [to it], it has been described as a ‘death squad democracy’ because in particular paramilitary organisations can get away with assassinating trade unionists, peasant leaders and human rights activists with impunity and very few of them have been convicted or jailed as a result.”

He continued: “[But] there are positive developments particularly about land. There has been a civil war in Colombia since the late 1940s when groups of peasants organised themselves in self-defence organisations to prevent large landowners from pushing them off their land and to prevent multinational companies from expelling indigenous and afro-Caribbean Colombians off their small patches of land in order to exploit those areas for development.”

Mr Campfield said the motion sought to reiterate the union’s support for the Colombian peace process and called in particular for a “bi-lateral and multi-lateral ceasefire” noting there was no ceasefire in place “and people are still being killed each day.”

He added: “We can only hope that the people involved in the negotiations will come up with a resolution which does allow the progressive political forces in Colombia to challenge the neoliberal agenda in Colombia itself.”

Concluding, Mr Campfield vowed: “If the peace process doesn’t succeed, then we will continue to support Justice for Colombia and our trade union brothers and sisters who will continue to be subject to repression.”

Motion was carried.

Sharon Smyth

issue.

Ryan McKinney, speaking on behalf of GC, told delegates that NIPSA was opposed to outsourcing “as a matter of principle” and argued that the delivery of public services “should not be simply an-

other method of profiteering”.

“We oppose it ideologically but no matter what the intentions of the chief executives or indeed the chief constables the fact is that the G4s, the Sercos and the Southern Crosses are in business because it is business.

“Their priority is making money – not making people better or indeed that workers can do their job well and without the added pressures of low wages, job insecurity or childcare problems.”

He warned conference, “once the vultures are at the table then they pick away at every morsel to ensure they get as much profit as possible”.

“Once these companies get their foot in the door, the shareholder is what matters and their belts never tighten, their thirst for profit is never quenched.”

Motion was carried.

International scandal is ‘beyond our comprehension’

reduce long-distance travel time.

“Our members believe this is deliberate in order to facilitate private sector companies taking over pub-

Support for peace process in Colombia

lic sector jobs. This is an attempt at privatising the PSNI support function and other parts of the public sector by stealth via the back door – in some cases forcing our members to seek employment elsewhere.”

In her contribution, Sharon Smyth (Branch 11) cited a practical example of how bringing in a managed service contract could affect existing permanent staff.

She said: “If you are in Newtownabbey and they decide to privatise there, all the staff who are affected will be transferred to Lisburn. It may not seem like very far but if you don’t have a car, it is difficult to get from Newtownabbey out to Lisburn because there is no direct route to it.”

Ms Smyth also took the opportunity to thank General Council, and in particular Brian Campfield and Ryan McKinney, for their support in making representations on the

“IT’S just capitalism” was how the head of Google shrugged off allegations the search engine giant only paid a fraction of its tax, conference was told.

Ryan Wilson, moving Motion 24 on behalf of GC, said to delegates: “I know what you’re thinking – the sheer arrogance of this man – but, you know, he’s right.

“These people are not even hiding it any more – ‘that’s capitalism, that’s the way it works, folks’.”

Mr Wilson claimed that Google had only paid £10m in UK tax in the five years to 2011, despite having generated £11.9bn in revenue.

He asked delegates to think in terms of billions and what could be done instead with that money.

“Think of what we could buy – the number of care homes, the number of hospitals, the number of schools. Think of the society we could have – the infrastructure, the welfare system, employment for young people. More than enough for every human being on this planet to have a future.”

Mr Wilson added: “That is the type of future we and our children are denied by companies, such as Google, who don’t pay the right amount of tax.”

Paddy McWilliams (Branch 8) pointed out to conference that Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, a former head of the World Bank, had outlined how much inequality impacted not just on the personal wellbeing of individuals but also on economies.

He said: “Economies don’t work very well if you don’t tax properly.”

“Last year the 400 richest people in the Forbes Rich List increased their wealth by an average of 13%. Cameron says we’re all in this together – he must be having a laugh.”

Tax avoidance was both making the recession worse and lengthening it.

And Mr McWilliams posed the question, how

serious is the UK government about collecting tax?

“We had 100,000 [tax collectors] a few years ago, now we have 56,000. We have a government cutting back on a revenue producing area so what are they going to do with the rest of the services [which are not revenue produc-

ing]?”

Brendan O’Kelly (Branch 44), speaking in support, described austerity as “a policy imposed on the 99% by the 1% who control the international financial services industry”.

He said the trade union movement deserved praise for getting international tax avoidance high up the public agenda but pointed out that it also faced a major problem as the mass media was owned by same big international financiers.

Mr O’Kelly commented: “The trade union movement must look at the potential of using social networking as a means of getting its message across worldwide.”

Tax avoidance represented a “huge sucking [out] of wealth out of both developed and developing economies” which then lay unproductively in off-shore tax havens.

“The amounts [involved] are beyond our comprehension. What is not beyond our comprehension is if that wealth was available for productive investment in industry and public services, it would go a long way to addressing many of the problems we are discussing here this week.”

Describing it as “an international scandal of huge proportions”, he claimed that “the very multinationals and their tax advisers” involved in the tax avoidance “actually write UK tax legislation”.

John Morrison (Branch 503), also speaking in support, described PwC as the “darlings of the Assembly” and claimed they made hundreds of thousands of pounds writing reports [for the Assembly] about “how to cut our jobs” at the same time as making large sums giving tax advice to corporations.

“We have to highlight this. They are there basically to make corporations pay less and less tax but also doing reports on how to cut public sector jobs,” he added.

Motion was carried.

Paddy McWilliams

Brendan O’Kelly

John Morrison

TAX AVOIDANCE SCANDAL

Ryan Wilson

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General Conference

RACHELLE Graham (Branch 517) has claimed education chiefs are denying some pupils “the correct level of help they require”.

She made the claim while proposing Motion 25 that outlined how children with special needs are being denied their right for a full-time classroom assistant to help them with their education.

These children were, according to the wording of the motion, being allocated general assistants instead “as a way of getting the same for less money”.

Ms Graham told conference: “Employers expect general assistants to help the children access the curriculum. This is not part of their job description and they should be paid as classroom assistants if they do.”

BELB classroom assistant Jane Scott (Branch 516), speaking in support, reminded delegates of the 17 days of action taken by classroom assistants over the job evaluation process.

She said: “Some of that action was taken to protect the rights of our extremely vulnerable children and young adults [so that they could have] trained classroom assistant support to enable them to access the curriculum to the fullest.”

Now, she pointed out, the Education Minister and the Education Boards were starting to draft in “unqualified people” to help look after these vulnerable children and young adults.

Ms Scott called on the union to oppose this “cheap, unqualified labour” and for general assistant positions to be upgraded to class assistant posts “as that is the job they are being put under pressure to do”.

Helena McSherry (Branch 521) claimed the issue had thrown up what she described as a “postcode lottery”.

She said: “The SELB employs 926 domestic and general assistants – and this is four times the average.

One of the other boards only employs 50 general assistants.

“Nobody here can say that children with special needs in the Southern Board are any different

SPECIAL NEEDS

Rachelle Graham

than those in any other part of Northern Ireland.”

Ms McSherry told conference that most of the 926 general assistants employed by SELB had two roles: “one as a classroom assistant and the other as a general assistant”.

“It used to be five hours general and 15 hours classroom assistant, it’s now a ten – ten [split]. These workers must work to their job description. This is the only way we’re going to improve things.”

Heather McKinstry, on behalf of GC and speaking in support, said General Council “supports members being paid the proper rate for the work they do in schools” She pointed out that NIPSA had, through the job evaluation process, been able to secure a pay rise for general assistants, backdated to the January 1, 2002.

“It is true that curriculum work is not featured on either of the job descriptions but is included on the classroom assistant job description.

Branches with the help of a NIPSA full-time official and branch reps are advising members on a course of action to remedy this.”

Ms McKinstry added: “The challenge members face is telling their school principal they are willing to carry out the curriculum work only if they are paid the proper rate…”

Motion was carried.

NEWS

NIPSA is irrevocably opposed to the dismantling of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and its replacement by a Regional Housing body and separate private landlords.

Deputy General Secretary Alison Millar, moving Motion 31 on behalf of the General Council, launched a scathing attack on Housing Minister Nelson McCausland’s policy, characterising it as “Victorian” in outlook.

She told conference: “NIPSA has made it abundantly clear that housing need in our society was too important to be left to the private and voluntary sectors.

“Such a state of affairs would reintroduce the Victorian philosophy that voluntary effort and charity is the way to address social issues such as housing in our community.”

This is not just an issue for NIPSA members working in the HE, she added, it is an issue of concern for every single union member.

Ms Millar pointed out that one of the key groups whose efforts would help the campaign succeed were Housing Executive tenants But, to date, the views of tenants had been ignored by the minister.

Turning to the issue of housing associations, she said: “I want to make it clear the union is not opposed to them – they have a place in the provision of social housing.

“However, we are opposed to the public housing stock being handed over to them.

“It is also the situation that when NIPSA met with the minister, he indicated that he did not believe any of the Northern Ireland housing associations had the capacity to undertake the HE stock.

“Therefore, it is likely that if the minister’s strategic direction of travel was accepted, then the 90,000 HE homes would be transferred to GB housing associations.”

Ms Millar warned delegates of the many challenges that lay ahead in defending social housing within the public sector and in protecting members’ jobs.

She vowed that General Council was “100% committed” to do all in its power to resist the proposals and ensure the HE is retained as an “overarching housing body” and that the provision of social housing remains within the public sector.

John Morrison (Branch 503) warned that if the minister’s policy was adopted, then rents would rise for former HE housing tenants to match those in the private sector and that this would lead to evictions.

He said: “Effective pressure must be kept up on local politicians and the Assembly. The union must campaign with tenants, community and women’s groups to stop the privatisation of public housing stock.”

Alanagh Rea (Branch 526), supporting the motion, called for the union to organise grassroots meetings

Overstretched A&E units operate under code blue THE collapse of Accident & Emergency services in Northern Ireland was highlighted and the closure of the Belfast City Hospital A&E unit condemned at conference.

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HEALTH

HOUSING

Conor Keenan

with tenant and community groups across Northern Ireland.

She said the union should base its opposition strategy on that of the anti-water charges campaign.

“There needs to be a highly-organised, well-resourced, co-ordinated campaign supported across NIPSA to save this essential public service and the 2,800 jobs,” Ms Rea added.

Conor Keenan (Branch 513), supporting the motion, said the plan to get rid of the Housing Executive and other public services was simply “a means to an end” in raising cash to pay for government loans and to prop up failed banks.

He called for an academic response from the union to present its argument that the NIHE must re-establish itself as the comprehensive housing authority in Northern Ireland.

Conference agreed that General Council be instructed to: (a) Campaign for the retention of the NIHE as a single overarching housing body with responsibility for both housing strategy and landlord functions; (b) Engage with trades councils, residents’ and tenants’ groups, political representatives and wider society for the retention of the NIHE; (c) Insist on a no redundancy clause in any future proposals on the provision of social housing in Northern Ireland; and (d) Commission, if necessary, relevant academic research to build a viable and sustainable alternative.

Motion was carried.

this day and age.”

Pat Lawlor (Branch 730), claimed Northern Ireland A&Es Janette Murdock (Branch 517), moving Motion 32, said were now at breaking point.

NIPSA had fought, along with others, to keep Belfast City HosHe flagged up how Dr Sean McGovern, the Clinical Director pital A&E open but had ultimately been unsuccessful. However, of Emergency Services at Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, had she added, it was now time to fight for the unit to be re-opened. claimed Assembly health cuts were having a major impact on “We predicted at the time of the City’s A&E closure that trolley emergency services. waits would grow and that people would die as it took longer to Mr Lawlor added: “We need to mobilise the full strength of the get to [other] A&E units. trade union movement with local communities across Northern “We were accused of scaremongering and look at what’s hap- Ireland to stop the erosion of the NHS.” pened… our warnings have come to pass.”

John Toal, on behalf of the General Council, described the Ms Murdock recalled how her grandmother had to spend 36 decision to close the City and the Mid Ulster hospitals A&Es as hours on a trolley and died while at Dundonald Hospital, as “appalling”. there was no available bed for her.

Cuts to the NHS imposed by the Con-Dem government and She commented: “I’m not taking away from the care she rethe Stormont Assembly were leading to a “drain” of staff, he ceived from the staff…they were more than sympathetic to her claimed. needs and looked after her well but they didn’t have a bed and “Doctors, nurses, social workers and ancillary staff have that was long before the City’s A&E was closed. We are in an workloads which are now impossible to cope with.” even dire situation now.”

And he called for NIPSA to join with pressure groups to get She added that it was time to launch a new campaign to have the City and Mid Ulster A&Es re-opened. the City’s A&E re-opened.

Janette Murdock “There are people dying on trollies and it is not acceptable in Motion was carried.

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Clark Clinic closure proposals slammed NIPSA members gave their full endorseHEALTH ment to the campaign to keep the children’s gery in Belfast. cardiac surgery unit open in Belfast.

“Nathan would not have made it to Dublin as Pat Lawlor (Branch 730) pointed out to delegates he was moving Motion 33 opposing would hundreds of other children in Northern Irethe closure of children’s cardiac surgery in land,” she told delegates.

Ms Austin argued there would no provision to Belfast while wearing three hats.

A ‘threat to you and your families’ Dolores Austin

PRIVATISATION

DEPUTY General Secretary Alison Millar, in moving Motion 34 on behalf of GC, claimed privatisation was not some “far away threat” but was “real… and it is happening now.”

She told delegates: “Since our last conference we have seen the privatisation of NICS support grades, NICS cleaning and catering contracts, leisure services in a number of councils and an increasing private sector intervention in Health through Transforming Your Care.”

Ms Millar said privatisation represented a massive redistribution of wealth [to the rich] and pointed out there seemed to be a widespread acceptance that public services should be sold off.

“Public services should be subsidised yet there are some who argue that services such as elder care, leisure facilities, libraries etc should be self-sustaining or profitmaking.

“They do not join the dots and see that decent social housing, libraries, leisure facilities can lead to improvements in health – which in turn means less need to use the health service – particularly as citizens get older.”

Ms Millar also slammed what she called “the cloud of secrecy” that surrounded the outsourcing process which meant that there was no accountability “for the [private sector] services or the money expended on them”.

She warned conference that the “temperature is being turned up on the privatisation agenda” and expressed General Council’s commitment to continue to raise awareness among members about privatisation “and the threat it poses to them and their families”.

Ms Millar vowed that NIPSA would also challenge the main political parties when they support privatisation initiatives.

Motion carried.

“Firstly, as a staff nurse working in an area dealing with complex congenital heart disease and surgery; secondly, as a parent who had a child who availed of those services successfully and; thirdly, as a trade unionist.”

Mr Lawlor explained that the issue surrounding the proposed closure of this service is about its supporters claiming it would be beneficial and would be able to assist in the care of these babies.

“I have been involved in the transfer of babies to Dublin. No matter what the health board or the Assembly say, it is a frightening situation trying to move a critically-ill baby who needs various infusions down a 100-mile road.

“Usually, this transfer is at 70mph with flashing lights. It’s not an ideal situation or something we should agree to.”

The Clark Clinic, he added, offers a superb service, providing the highest of care and a highly-trained team.

“This proposed cut in childcare services is based purely on budgetary reasons. Most health professionals do not support this proposal. They have exposed the review by Sir Ian Kennedy into Northern Ireland children’s cardiac services as flawed.”

Dolores Austin (Branch 517), speaking in a personal capacity, lifted up a picture of her nephew Nathan who had spent a total of 23 hours in sur-

cater for emergencies once the unit was closed.

“A 24/7 service is a requirement for safety and without this unit operating in Belfast, this cannot be achieved,” she said.

Thoughout the review process, Dublin health officials had stated they could not guarantee an emergency service – and she pointed out: “Dublin cannot even guarantee beds.”

Although many MLAs had signed up to save the service, Ms Austin said she hoped this was not “a simple act of tokenism” on their part.

“Let’s keep the pressure on our MLAs to stop this service closing.”

Alison Wise (Branch 27), speaking as a mother, said she could not imagine the trauma that a parent would feel being told that their child had to go for heart surgery.

“But imagine coupled with that, you were being told that the child was to go to Dublin or London.

Even the aftercare of the child even in these difficult economic times, parents have to try and make a living.

“What are they going to do… abandon the child in Dublin or London?

“This is only the tip of the iceberg. They are now planning to close the children’s orthopaedic ward in Musgrave Hospital and transferring patients into adult wards where people are getting hip replacements. This is not something either the adults, parents or children want.”

Pat Lawlor Motion was carried.

‘All still to play for’

THE Assembly is to discuss a Pension Bill in Northern Ireland – and this is mainly down to the hard work of NIPSA, conference heard.

Bumper Graham, moving Motion 40 on behalf of the General Council, said there was “a very severe danger” that what the Assembly would have done was “accept legislative consent and apply the bill being introduced in Westminster”.

He added: “We now have the opportunity to shape the Northern Ireland Bill, as hard as that may be, and influence the shape of public sector pensions for ourselves.

“But let’s make no mistake about it. They will seek to have a mirror image of the GB Bill – to introduce the link between the state pension age and normal retirement age.

“They will introduce career average over final salary but will also introduce issues, which will give the Treasury actuaries in London greater say and control over future pensions costs in Northern Ireland.”

PENSIONS

Bumper Graham

Mr Graham pointed out that not only “do we have to be wary of DFP” but claimed the Treasury’s role was “to reduce the costs of public sector pensions to put this cash back into the pockets of big business”.

“And for you, as public servants,

to work longer, get less and pay more for pensions.”

He added: “In the autumn, there will be an opportunity when the Bill is introduced in the Assembly to attend committee stages to lobby MLAs. “Currently, through NIC-ICTU we’re up in front of the Assembly committee every month and we are making some headway.

“One of the things we are arguing for is that there should be a macro-economic assessment of the employment market as a consequence of making people work longer.

“If you are saying to a public servant that they have to work for another six or seven years in the job means that a young person is being denied employment for six or seven years.

“Nobody has done any assessment of the costs of that.

“We are demanding that the Assembly do an assessment because it says it is committed to resolving the problem of youth unemployment.

“But increasing the age of retirement will do nothing for youth unemployment – in fact, it will make it worse.”

Mr Graham vowed that NIPSA would continue to fight the privatisation of services, but will also argue that transferees are still able to maintain and contribute to their public service pension schemes.

He added: “But we have to argue that private sector employers who want to take on this work will have to provide more.

“The only way we can do that is to ensure what is known as Fair Deal is incorporated into the legislation and not just a policy that government may pay lip-service to in the future.

“We will be campaigning – unlike in Britain – that Fair Deal is part and parcel of the primary legislation.”

In going forward, NIPSA had also to make sure, Mr Graham added, that Northern Ireland has proper and meaningful negotiating structures on pensions.

Motion was carried.

Further action on safeguarding pensions CONFERENCE agreed the pensions campaign opposing increased contributions, working longer and getting less, needed to be reinvigorated.

Denise Crilly

Moving Motion 41, Denise Crilly (Branch 8) said that members after taking action demonstrating against the proposed changes, now seemed resigned to paying the increases.

She asked the General Council to ascertain if there needs to be further action taken in defence of public sector pensions.

“Our members are seeing lit-

PENSIONS

tle evidence of results after taking industrial action,” Ms Crilly told conference.

Brendan Mulholland (Branch 304) spoke of the danger of members pulling out of the pension schemes and making them unviable by doing so.

It was imperative for NIPSA to take a “sober look” at how the campaign had progressed to date.

He argued that because it was a devolved issue, NIPSA should take the lead in opposing this attack and develop a

strategy to pull in the other Northern Ireland public sector unions for further action.

Gillian Lyness, supporting the motion on behalf of the General Council, claimed NIPSA was fighting on a number of fronts for its members – pensions, jobs losses, welfare reform and the abolishing of the NIHE. She warned: “The incoming General Council has a difficult time ahead. Urgent work is needed to unite the membership – to devise a campaign that will be meaningful and significantly impact and reverse the austerity agenda.”

Motion carried.

Brendan Mulholland

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General Conference

Education sector members RPA fears were ‘justified’

CONFERENCE agreed that where the Review of Public administration (RPA) is being used to attack members’ terms and conditions, then it would be opposed.

Moving Motion 51, Jane Scott (Branch 516), told delegates: “We are all aware that RPA was just another way for the employers to disguise a cuts campaign on the public services and we have all suffered already by its hand.”

She added that RPA is just another means of attacking the terms and conditions of workers in the education sector.

“The legislation that has been written for the new Education Skills Authority (ESA) will annihilate trade unions in this sector.

“The proposal to give every school the autonomy to set its own terms and conditions is totally preposterous and would be totally unmanageable for collective bargaining and negotiation purposes.

“It will mean that already low wages will drop even further and workers’ T&Cs will be demolished.”

Ms Scott underlined that NIPSA could not stand back and watch this happen.

Elaine Fleming (Branch 517), supporting the motion, claimed RPA was about cutting jobs and attacking the T&Cs of public sector workers.

She said: “The proposed legislation, if allowed to go through, will give all the powers of employment to the board of governors in every school.

“If a school is in financial difficulty, the salary budget could be the first target as a way to save money, effectively putting an end to collective bargaining across the whole of education.”

Ms Fleming added: “The Department of Education is keen to play down this issue and states it feels most schools will follow ESA polices and agreements.

“But, ask any NIPSA member working in any school if they would trust that DoE statement and have faith that principals and board of governors would not see this as an opportunity to cut the cost of salaries, and you will get a different answer.”

She continued: “Our members’ livelihoods are at risk. NIPSA must challenge ESA to protect our members’ jobs and T&Cs.” Cara Murchan (Branch 733), pointed out that members working in the health sector had already undergone RPA and warned it had “pilfered and annihilated” their T&Cs. “Let’s hope our education members can learn from what the health members went though.

“We had members moved like packs of ants from one end of the country to the other.

“We had many voluntary redundancies because of the incessant pressure laid on members during this process.”

Janette McNulty, on behalf of the General Council, said when RPA was first introduced in 2007, it was sold on the basis that there would be £20m in savings across the education sector that would be reinvested in frontline services and that 420 jobs would be lost overall. “These job losses were absorbed in the main through voluntary severance but the promised reinvestment was rescinded and the money returned to the Treasury instead.

“At this point, the unions whose members were directly affected by RPA within that sector withdrew their support but obviously needed to continue engaging in negotiations to secure the best terms under transi-

EDUCATION

Jane Scott

Elaine Fleming

Health impact of increased workloads NEWS

INCREASED workloads in the public sector due to austerity measures are a grave cause of concern for members, conference was told.

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Warning that “this will affect us all”, Ms Hughes explained: “As staff leave, vacancies are not being filled and posts which had been there in the past are disappearing. The workload is then Kris Bailie (Branch 60), moving being redistributed on to existing Motion 46, claimed this situation staff. was leading to increased stress – “These staff members are not despite a refusal by management being given the choice but are to acknowledge the problem. being forced to do more work and He told delegates: “Management the resulting pressure this is caushave a legal obligation and a duty ing is leading to more episodes of of care to alleviate stress where stress and mental health problems possible. There has been a rein the workplace.” ported increase of injuries in the She emphasised that steps were workplace due to stress and a now being taken to tackle this marked rise in drug prescriptions issue and claimed advice from the for anti-anxiety, depression, insomHealth and Safety Executive was nia and work-related symptoms. straightforward.

“We are talking about our colKris Bailie “You can get them to come into leagues, our friends, our families, your workplace to do a stress risk our future. They’re making life She claimed the government’s hell.” aim was to reduce the size of pub- assessment – but this would need He also pointed out that if hard lic services – “by any means fair or to be management driven. This is because management would then work was so wonderful “the rich foul”. be tied into actually doing somewould have kept it all to them“Using efficiency savings, pay thing with the report rising out of selves”, adding, “It’s time we put cuts and other means, the public the process, which would ultithe stress on them.” services that we all depend on and mately benefit staff.”

Sharon Hughes, supporting the work within have been reduced She added: “Workplaces need to motion on behalf of the General with further reductions planned for be organising this now.”

Council, called for stress risk assessments to be carried out. the future.”

Motion was carried.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Youth joblessness is EU-wide catastrophe YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

THE catastrophic level of youth unemployment in Northern Ireland and across the UK and Europe was described as an “abhorrent situation.”

Tiernán Millar (Branch 113), moving Motion 56, was highly critical of the current work experience schemes offering eight weeks employment training.

Mr Millar, who works in the Jobs and Benefits Office (JBO), said that in four years of working Cara Murchan there, he had never seen an aption to the new bodies for their mem- plication form ask for eight bers. weeks experience in a job role “The transition under RPA is com- as essential or even preferred plex and diverse, involving not only criteria. the education sector but local gov“This is the type of experience ernment, sections of three separate offered through the Dept of EmNICS departments and the Northern ployment and Learning’s flagship Ireland Housing Executive all of scheme, the Youth Employment which have members transferring Scheme and the ever popular under RPA,” she said.

Adding that Branch 516 had raised Steps to Work.”

Youth unemployment across a number of concerns in the motion, she said it was a fact that the legisEurope was now at epidemic levlation as it currently stood allowed els, he added, with 3.6 million 18 for employing authorities to deterto 24-year-olds jobless in the Eumine their own terms and conditions rozone alone and 5.7 million and that this was something that across the whole European NIPSA was trying to change.

Union.

NIPSA had also led the talks on “The Youth Employment RPA with input from three other nonScheme is being touted as the teaching unions and had secured solution. A programme that offers assurances that all affected staff would move across under TUPE eight-week ‘work experience’ arrangements, protecting current placements in key job roles, terms and conditions. such as an apprentice green In addition, the union had recently keeper and another as a reconstituted its RPA subcommittee, brochure folder. drawn from all the affected areas, “I am not joking… brochure thus giving each a platform to relay folder was an actual advertised members’ concerns so NIPSA had vacancy.” first hand information that could be Young people do not need two used to develop a co-ordinated apto eight weeks work placements, proach in negotiations.

Ms McNulty admitted that “more he added, they needed “jobs, could always be done”, but emphatraining, education and a future”. sised that General Council fully Ryan McKinney, supporting the recognised the concerns of memmotion on behalf of the General bers regarding RPA. Council, told delegates that Motion was carried. many commentators have

Tiernán Millar spoke of the generations lost to emigration

pointed out how young people face being worse off than their parents for the first time in generations.

He said: “Whole swathes of this island have seen a lost generation as tens of thousands have emigrated, often to England or the States more often to Australia.

“It is hardly a surprising choice considering the alternative. If young people do stay, then they will compete for mundane and low paid work. If they don’t get that, then they will be labelled as benefit scroungers.

“For young people, this is a Catch-22, but – unlike young people, who have no real choice – the government have any number [of choices] but won’t choose.”

He warned that the govern-

ment’s current policies could see Northern Ireland heading towards the kind of unemployment levels among young people present seen already in Portugal, Spain and Greece.

“The trade union movement must put investment in jobs top of the agenda. It is even more crucial that we do this now before the impact of forcing workers to work to 67 or 68 causes even more damage to the aspirations and hopes of our young people.

“We should not aim to do this on behalf of young people. We need to challenge and inspire young people to join us, to work with us and, most importantly, to educate us about the future they want and only they will inherit.”

Motion was carried.

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Faces of a conference at work

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Delegates, staff and sponsors working hard at the 2013 conference but not forgetting to enjoy the wonderful sunshine that shone in Enniskillen

NIPSA Annual Conference – coverage of debates – reporters Bob Miller and Joe Mitchell – pictures Kevin Cooper: Photoline and Paul Hartin from HQ

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HQ

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Employers ignoring DDA ‘should be held to account’ NIPSA was instructed by conference to initiate a campaign to expose employers who use discriminatory practices against disabled members.

Frank Cammock (Branch 19), moving Motion 63, said the Disability Discrimination Act made it unlawful for employers to discriminate against disabled people in terms of promotion, training, working conditions, discipline and dismissal.

He pointed out that the most significant provision of the Act was the “reasonable

(Branch 77), supporting the motion and speaking a H&S rep, claimed adjustment duty”. local management “will This is imposed on do as little as possible” employers when an to accommodate disemployee is placed at abled members of staff. a disadvantage.

Conference, in passMr Cammock told ing the motion, agreed delegates: “The introduction of managing at- to: promote the role of the Trade Union Distendance targets and trigger points has seen ability Champions; organise an accredited public sector employers increasingly ignore training course for the Act in order to meet NIPSA reps and activists; produce inforpre-determined minismation terial targets on abbooklet/newsletter insence.

“Employers who use forming members of such practices are act- their rights and access ing contrary to the DDA to legal advice and asAct and should be held sistance in a timely fashion. to account.”

Motion was carried.

Eamonn Farrell

DISABILITY

Scourge of pay day loans

THE unfolding misery caused by pay day loans to thousand of households was highlighted at conference.

PERSONAL FINANCES

with these companies.

Ms Quinn explained how one member recently reported that beIt was agreed that NIPSA should produce literature signposting mem- cause a pay day loan company had unexpectedly taken money out of bers to advice and guidance over their account, they could not afford this increasing problem. to get into work and had subseDenise Quinn (Branch 8), moving Motion 58, claimed a recent Citizens quently received a written warning.

Mairead Rooney, supporting the Advice Bureau review found that motion on behalf of General Council, some of the companies were offerpointed out that figures for the numing money to under-age persons, ber of people seeking help after takpeople who were drunk and even overcharging lenders and refusing to ing out these type of loans were spiralling out of control. refund it.

The NIPSA Youth Committee, she Conference heard how NIPSA added, were to be commended for Youth produced a leaflet in January publishing an e-zine highlighting the detailing the impact pay day loans issue of pay day loans and advice were having on members.

Delegates were told how members and for giving guidance on how to deal with the issue. are coming to union reps daily outlining the problems they were having Motion was carried.

Welfare State is target of Reform Bill THE Con-Dem government are attacking the Welfare State by cutting £18 billion from welfare, conference was told.

Maria Morgan, moving Motion 77 on behalf of the General Council, said it recognised and congratulated the work done by NIC.ICTU, voluntary and community groups and NIPSA in highlighting the detrimental impact the Welfare Reform Bill will have on Northern Ireland society, both for in-work and out-of-work families.

Ms Morgan explained that while the legislation has been enacted in Britain, it was still making its way through the legislative process in Northern Ireland.

“The Bill will affect not only those who are unemployed but also thousands of our members’ families who are currently in work and receiving tax credits.

“Though you don’t hear that from the government spin as they try to create a divide among those in work and those out of work as they demonise benefit claimants.

“We are aware that 45% of our members who administer benefits will in fact become claimants of the new Universal Credit.”

The cuts envisaged for Northern Ireland, Ms Morgan added, meant a reduction of between £500m and £600m.

“The cuts are needed say the government to get people back into work. However, currently there are 120,000 looking for work in Northern Ireland and only approximately 5,000 vacancies. So there are no

WELFARE REFORM

Maria Morgan

jobs to allow this new system to work. It is simply an ideological attack on the Welfare State.”

She warned it also represented a prelude to the privatisation of public services and called for further mass opposition when the Bill came before the Assembly for consideration.

“We must insist that the Northern Ireland Executive do not impose these cuts. Our communities need jobs and security and neither did they vote for MLAs that would impose cuts at a time they cannot guarantee employment.”

Motion was carried.

Gay marriage threatens no one Delegates voting their approval of a motion

NIPSA delegates backed a motion supporting the right of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community to have equal marriage rights with heterosexuals and the rest of the UK. Dáire Toner (Branch 22), who is chair of NIPSA LGBT, moving motion 62, said: “Marriage – just a simple word, so what’s in a word?

There’s a lot in this word… put simply, marriage is a union. A union is the joining of two consenting adults.”

He added: “I’m in a truly loving relationship. And I’m proud of that relationship. Like many couples, we have discussed our future together. We have a bond… a special bond. And one day when the moment is right, like all other couples, I would like the opportunity to cement our relationship and that special bond and marry my partner.”

Mr Toner added: “But some people say you have the opportunity for a civil partnership. But that is not the same.

“Why would we want less rights on pensions, inheritance, life insurance, adoption or next-of-kin status?

“Marriage equality does not threaten society. To all heterosexual married couples, same sex marriage does not affect your individual marriage, how you carry out your individual marital obligations.

It does not affect how your marriage functions and it does not affect your personal life.”

He explained that the Equal Marriage Bill passed its third reading in Westminster.

Scotland will follow suit as will the Republic following a national convention.

“The Northern Ireland Assembly has had two motions on equal marriage – both of which failed due to Petitions Of Concerns being tabled by the DUP. “Political parties in the North abuse the spirit of Petitions Of Concerns. They were intended to prevent nationalists or unionists feeling inferior but the DUP and UUP fail to understand that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender span both communities.

“The majority of opposition was based on religious doctrine with full disregard to civil society. They seem to have forgotten hat there is a separation between church and

tion in today’s society” where people have “the right to equality of opportunity in all aspects of life”.

She said unions had “long fought” for “the individual’s right to be treated without prejudice”.

“We have come a long way from the Dark Ages where it was deemed acceptable to persecute a person for their sexual orientation.

“It is thankfully not acceptable to discriminate on the ground of employments, pay, recruitment or contractual agreements in the workplace – so, why should marriage be treated differently?

It is indeed a contract…a legal declaration.”

On the sanctity of marriage, she asked: “If we are supposed to worship the traditional status and nature of marriage, why do we freely allow divorce?”

“This is not a matter,” Frances Dáire Toner added, “of asking for ‘special rights’ but demanding the same rights as everyone else… civil rights that most people take for granted.”

Ms O’Neill said: “I thought marriage was supposed to be about love and harmony – a joint approach… a strengthening of society. How can marriage between two consenting adults hurt anyone?”

Janette McNulty, supporting the motion on behalf the General Council, said: “This motion is about equality – not all same sex couples will want to marry, just as not all different sex couples choose to marry. The difference is that different sex couples have that choice whereas same sex couples currently do not.

Frances O’Neill “The only perversity around this state. Legislation should not be whole issue is that the very politiwritten or denied on the personal cians who most champion family prejudices of individual ministers.” values are the same ones who Mr Toner said he recognised that have been most vitriolic on an people had strong religious views issue which, ironically, would allow but vowed that LGBT members in same sex couples to conform to NIPSA “would not stand idly by” those family values by entering a and let the Northern Ireland Exec- legally recognised secure partnerutive discriminate “through Comship. mon Law or the basis of their “Simply put, this motion is just religious doctrine”. about giving same sex couples the He warned: “Northern Ireland same opportunity as different sex will soon be left behind creating an couples to enter a secure legallyunjust and unequal society in recognised partnership which these islands. I urge you to supwould allow them to benefit from port the motion.” all facets of family life that many Frances O’Neill (Branch 62), in others currently take for granted supporting the motion, pointed out and which they are denied.” that there was “a tide of expectaMotion was carried.

EQUALITY

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Small branch delegate bid lost

Casting off shackles of anti-trade union laws NEWS

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strated when many MLAs “shame“THATCHER is dead, ThatchTRADE UNION LAWS fully” crossed NIPSA picket lines at erism is not,” warned Eithne Stormont.

Cosgrove (Branch 113) as she A CALL to nurture new branch acIt was now time, Mr Griffin told moved Motion 91 on anti-trade CONSTITUTIONAL tivists by allowing branches with conference, for the Assembly to union legislation.

AMENDMENT up to 200 members two conferrepeal all the anti-trade union legShe told delegates: “It is today ence delegates instead of one islation brought in by the Tories. perpetuated by her heirs in both said this was not just about smaller was defeated.

With regard to ballots, he inthe Tory and Labour parties”, branches with only one delegate.

Tommy Wright (Branch 28), said sisted it was up to individual trade adding, “it is also perpetuated in She pointed out she was a single while moving Motion 67, that it was unions to determine their own Stormont”. designed to improve participation by delegate from a branch that could rules of working – not govern“The Department of Employment have had three delegates attend members of the union. ments, but judges appeared “quite and Learning is now the custodian conference.

He said: “Nearly 30% of NIPSA happy to slap fines and embarrass of anti-trade union laws in North“This is not only an issue about a branches have under 80 members trade unions at every opportuern Ireland and it is perhaps ironic and therefore only one delegate. It is branch that has only one delegate nity… no matter how small the that industrial relations in the debut it brings it into focus that there a huge deterrent to new delegates [balloting] error or oversight.” partment are at an all-time low.” are many branches that don’t attend to come here alone and unsure of Mr Griffin also pointed out the Ms Cosgrove claimed trade conference because there’s only the environment and protocols. time required to give notice of inunions were being forced “to bend maybe one person willing or able to Guaranteeing a minimum of two deldustrial action effectively handed the knee at the altar of neo-liberal- Noel Griffin egates for every branch makes con- go. to employers ample time to draft in ism” and “jump through hoops” just away by Thatcher in the interests “Not all branches who ference a shared to defend the most basic rights of of capitalism and her big business agency or temporary workers to have a single delegate experience for colleagues. frustrate the aims of the action. members. supporters.” would have the confi“It softens the often esoHe called for the scrapping of And she pointed out that the Ms Webster pointed out to condence, after many, many teric nature of what goes election of the Labour government ference that the Stormont Assem- the prevention of secondary action years, to come here on on if you have a wing perand pondered, “wouldn’t it have in 1997 did not inaugurate the bly had the power to repeal the their own as a new deleson with you. been a marvellous sight if we all rolling back of “one anti-union gate not knowing the legislation.

“Most importantly it puts could have ‘upped sticks’ and process of how it all works statute”.

“SDLP and Sinn Fein say that more people here to be exgone on strike one afternoon in She concluded: “It’s about time and not knowing anybody posed to trade union support of our colleagues in Lakewe sent a message to the folks on they’re opposed to this legislation in this room. but it’s easy to talk, we’re waiting democracy.” wood?” the hill that ordinary working peo“The trainee delegate for them to do something about it.”

Mr Wright pointed out The issue at hand was about scheme is brilliant for peo- ple need their unions to be able to She added: “Personally, I feel that some would argue that democracy “and the democratic act in their interests.” ple to learn about conferthis would increase the right of unions to set their own Eileen Webster (Branch 734), in we should be building towards a ence but you are not general strike. In my opinion, bad cost of the conference, but rules”. support, said her branch was Tommy Wright guaranteed a trainee delecountered: “So what?

Anti-trade union legislation is “frankly fed up” with the lack of col- laws are there to be broken. From gate.” the Chartists right through to the NIPSA has never baulked specifically put in place to “weaken lective leadership on the part of Ms Allaway added: “Sometimes suffragettes – if laws weren’t broat spending money to make the and stifle” the role of unions, he the trade union movement. you have to do radical things to union better or more influential. ken, we wouldn’t have very many added.

She told delegates: “The legislamake things happen.”

“Others will argue that one venue rights at all…”

“We need to lobby and prestion was enacted by Thatcher to Kevin Lawrenson (Branch 730) or another doesn’t have enough Noel Griffin, speaking in support surise our Assembly to repeal all shackle the trade union movement he opposed the motion but not said beds. But what if all the current [anti-trade union] legislation. There – the right to assemble, the right to on behalf of GC, told delegates it on financial grounds and claimed if branches sent delegates, they would not surprise them to find out is no excuse. When they come picket, the right to strike… passed smaller branches would couldn’t be accommodated as it is. knocking at your door, demand ac“These rights were hard won by that many MLAs “do not support The accommodating argument is ef- have higher representation than tion and be ready with your argutrade unionists of the past – on oc- or, indeed, like the trade union larger branches. fectively an argument to tolerate, movement”. ments.”

And he called on General Council casion with the loss of their lives. even encourage, disinterest.”

These hard won rights were swept He said this was clearly demon- Motion carried. to look at this issue and resolve it Frank Cammock (Branch 19), sup“once and for all”. porting the motion, claimed many On behalf of General Council, small branches were unrepresented Bumper Graham said the GC had to at conference and said he believed it was time to make a rule change to take an urgent look at all the alterna- WORKFARE and other similar schemes were tives that “progressed democracy for WORKFARE attract their activists. described as slave labour programmes. all within the union” and called on Jane Scott (Branch 516), opposThe nearest Northern Ireland equivalent is ‘Steps when they use Workfare placement. ing the motion, said she understood conference to oppose the motion. to Work’ which is only slightly less objectionable, “We have to engage with charities to make them In his right of reply, Tommy Wright, “where the smaller branches are Tommy Wright (Branch 28) claimed while moving Mo- aware that this is unacceptable.” said the opposition was a “shameful coming from” but pointed out that tion 78.

Tony McMullan, on behalf of General Council, said there was already a system in place attempt to appeal to self interest” He pointed out the schemes compel people on the trade union movement have been the bastion of and he criticised the lack of action to allowing branches to send a trainee benefits to work for no pay or lose their benefits. opposition to slave labour programmes yesterday, deal with the matter over the interdelegate to conference.

“When the initial Workfare scheme was utterly dis- today and tomorrow. vening years after it had been first She asked conference to allow credited it was allegedly made voluntary – this is a The scandalous Workfare is exploitation of the unraised.

General Council to address the sleight of hand, it is still mandatory for those not volemployed, which pays them below the national miniMotion fell on a card vote For: whole issue of participation. unteering. mum wage.

14,165: Against: 16,503.

Amanda Allaway (Branch 103) “Even more perversely the Government counts “Workfare is also completely unfair to paid workers people on Workface as ‘employed’ even though they who find themselves in competition with unpaid workare effectively an unpaid labour force,” he added. ers. This results in job losses and a deterioration of NIPSA, Mr Wright said, must oppose any mandapay, overtime and other conditions. tory unpaid work scheme which “raises its ugly head “In addition employers who have opted not to use in Northern Ireland.”

Workfare workers find themselves competing with Roger Clifford (Branch 521), told delegates: “Exother firms who are effectively being subsidised by n Reduced collective THE Northern Ireland ploitation of human beings is something you expect the taxpayer.”

TRADE UNION redundancy consultaAssembly must not from criminal gangs.

NIPSA, he vowed, would resist vigorously any atRIGHTS tion periods; “However, when charities go down that route, it re- tempts to bring Workfare programmes into Northern adopt any legislation n New tribunal rules of ally makes you sit up and think.

Ireland. which strengthens weaken trade union or- procedure making it “It is in our nature to support charities but we can’t Motion was carried. the hand of employ- ganisation generally by more difficult to pursue ers and that underrestricting the ability of a case ¬– introduction mine trade union unions to effectively of fees, increasing the and workers’ rights, represent their memqualifying period to two teacher as some sort of relic of a COLIN Cowan, moving Motion bers. conference heard. years, new strike out EDUCATION bygone age.”

“It also seeks to atKieran Bannon 93 on behalf of Branch 521, powers; Mr Wilson spoke of the difficultack workers under pointed out to delen The reform of TUPE told delegates that NIPSA schools so that if – or when – our gates that the previous plans to significantly di- regulations; and young people get a job, they know ties highlighted by a similar educaneeded to produce support minish statutory emfew years had seen a n Attempts to introduce material that could be used to about trade unions and, hopefully, tion initiative pioneered by ICTU Youth. ployment protections.” resurgence of neo-libemployee-shareholders “teach young people the imbecome members.”

He told delegates: “The board of He added: “There is eral and Tory-led atcontract, under which Jane Scott (Branch 516) underportance of being in a trade governors, heads of departments no basis whatsoever to employees would give tacks on trade union lined the importance of teaching union”. went they caught wind of this, they support claims that facilities and employup certain statutory young people about the imporHe told delegates the Learning wouldn’t have a union about the scrapping statutory pro- rights in exchange for ment rights legislation. tance of trade unions “while they for Life and Work part of the North- are still at school”. place. tections will do anything shares in their emHe made the comern Ireland curriculum at Key “It is very difficult to make any to boost the economy, ments while moving ployer’s business – all She said: “Many of our post-priStage 4 presented a way of edu“But there is a basis Motion 84 on behalf of for £2,000. mary students have part-time jobs sort of impact because you are cating young people about the going into a potentially hostile ento the fact that UK the General Council.

Mr Bannon warned: in various places and it is imporvironment. Schools these days are Mr Bannon said: “No workers enjoy fewer “Trade unions may well merits of joining a trade union. tant that they know how and why Mr Cowan said: “This was disnot geared towards young peomatter when in govern- rights than any of the become the last line of to join a union when they start in cussed several years ago at conple’s rights, particularly when it ment or opposition, the world’s [other] economi- defence to protect these jobs.” cally developed counTories have always workers’ rights. We call ference and to my knowledge Ryan Wilson, speaking on behalf comes to the workplace.” there has been nothing produced He added: “So how do we comtries.” pushed deregulation on the Assembly to of GC, said the only time he had to be put into schools. This is a Nevertheless workunder the guise of its strengthen workers’ heard about trade unions was in a bat this? The only way is to get beperfect opportunity for NIPSA to hind the teaching unions and try ers’ rights were set to economic competitiverights and not lessen “tiny module in A-Level politics”. supply schools with information be further weakened, ness policy.

He continued: “Even then, it was and give support to them…” them.” and to get NIPSA’s name into a thing to be poked fun at by the Motion carried.

“This policy seeks to he warned, through: Motion was carried.

‘Slave labour’ schemes slated

Unions ‘last line of defence’ in workplace rights

Educating youth about unions

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Our fight for members and our battle to defend public services

CIVIL Service Group Chairperson Billy Lynn has dubbed NIPSA “Northern Ireland’s premier union”.

And he warned that the Welfare Reform Bill would affect members twice over.

“Not many people know this – they think this change only affects the unemployed or He made the remarks in his opening address to delegates at the Civil Service Group the disabled but 70% of people who will be affected by the Bill are in work. A lot of our conference in Enniskillen on May 28. members will be affected by the changes to Thanking activists “throughout this great the welfare system as we know it.” union” for their hard work, he said other Cuts in public spending had to be counmuch larger unions in England, Scotland and tered and suggested that some unions Wales “look up to us for what we do in deneeded to “step up to the plate” to do this. fending our members”.

“It’s time that they said ‘enough is enough’ He told delegates: “The civil and public and joined with us in a campaign which services are under attack once again. Our could – and must – I believe include induspensions are under attack – they are currently looking at the Public Services Pension trial action to nullify all the attacks on us and Bill which, in reality, will make you work until upon society in general.”

Mr Lynn warned that Chancellor George you drop.

Osborne’s demands for a further £11.5bn cut “Jobs are under threat. And the most disgraceful decision was made earlier this year in public spending starting in 2015 would impact on the Northern Ireland bloc grant and to privatise the functions of SGBs within lead to further attacks on the welfare and DSD – many of whom had given over 30 benefits systems. years of their lives to the civil and public Turning to equal pay, he commented: “This service. That decision was an absolute disunion is bitterly disappointed at the result of grace.

“Locally we have been able to get the vast the county court judgment for PSNI/DoJ majority of them redeployed but the very fact staff. We believe that there is a moral argument for those members to get what we bethat the function now has gone out of the lieve is rightfully theirs.

Civil Service makes us fear what is going to ‘I don’t want to give any false hope but this happen to the public service and the civil service in the coming years with the threat of union will continue to lobby the MLAs who have the power and the authority to give more and more and more privatisation.”

Vowing to stand up for public services and those members the equal pay that we believe they deserve and many know that they to oppose privatisation, he characterised it as “the race to the bottom” and “getting away deserve.

“At the end of the day, this lies with the Fiwith paying the minimum amount possible”. nance Minister Sammy Wilson – he’s the

Chair Billy Lynn thanked all the NIPSA activists for their work during the past year

man with money in his pocket. He should be putting his hand in his pocket and paying those members what they are entitled to.”

Concluding, Mr Lynn expressed his pride in NIPSA. He told conference: “We are a great campaigning union. We are a great negotiating union. When necessary we get the best legal

advice that we need and the best legal representation that we need, and when we need to, we take industrial action.

“I believe that more and more this year we will have to consider taking more industrial action – hopefully with other unions – in order to stop the attack on our terms and conditions.”

‘A basis on which to build on’ KIERAN Bannon, proposing Motion 1 dealing with the NICS Comprehensive Pay and Grading Review proposals on behalf of EC, admitted to delegates “there is still much to do on the pay front”.

PAY

Thomas McKillop (Branch 113) referred in his contribution to a recent Department of Health paper on market facing pay. The authors of the paper had concluded marketfacing pay was inappropriate for high earners but that “everybody else could suffer from it”.

He said the motion sought to He told delegates: “It said in the identify a number of key issues rereport that if you’re under paid lating to pay policy and pay struccompared to the market, it results tures that were “subject to detailed in a higher turnover of staff, with a negotiation”. higher agency spend, lower quality Mr Bannon warned that Whiteof work and generally lower prohall’s vigorous push for ‘market facductivity. ing pay’ and the attack on “Effectively they concluded that incremental progression had to be market facing pay doesn’t work but countered by the union through [their view was] go ahead and do it seeking to persuade Stormont to anyway because effectively it is a reject such policy initiatives. race to the bottom.

He pointed out some comfort “Market facing pay has been discould be drawn from the fact that proven across the whole of the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson public and private sector. The did not back market facing pay and whole purpose of it is to literally recognised it would remove any drive salaries down.” prospect of securing economic staBrendan Mulholland (Branch Kieran Bannon bility or growth.

304), speaking in support, told con“Any change through market fac- port, congratulated the Executive ference it was right to reflect on ing pay would considerably reduce Committee and Headquarters staff NIPSA’s successes over the last available disposable income to the for their work on pay, in particular few years – “with thousands of our Northern Ireland economy”, he contracting minimum and maximum members gaining what they were noted. points as well as cutting out the entitled to under equal pay”.

Flagging up the importance of “leap-frogging and overlaps” which But he pointed out that other “pay structures and relativities”, Mr he described as “a perennial prob- groups of members had been Bannon explained that objectives lem”. “treated absolutely shabbily” by achieved by NIPSA under the ComHe told delegates being able to Management Side, which he deprehensive Pay and Grading Reprogress to the maximum of the scribed as an “utter disgrace”. view “provided a basis on which to pay scale – “or at least have the Mr Mulholland said: “The incombuild” and positioned the union to potential to do that” – was a “good ing Executive obviously have to address a number of outstanding and significant achievement”. treat all members the same but issues, including – among others – However, Mr Garland reminded what I would say is that those the span between the minimum conference of “the forces that are groups of our members who have and maximum within each pay against us” and referred to a 2013 been treated so shabbily by Manscale and the value of each increCBI report backing regional pay in agement Side should be treated ment. the public sector. first among equals.”

He continued: “The EC believes He warned: “They are coming off He slammed what he labelled the this motion sets appropriate param- with this sort of rhetoric about pay “continual propaganda of attack” eters for the pay negotiations in re- progression and they have the ear against the public sector and lation to the 2014/15 pay round.” of the Tory-led coalition governwarned about the “looming spectre” of regional pay. ment.”

Sean Garland, speaking in sup-

Thomas McKillop attacked ‘race to the bottom’ over pay

Describing as “utter nonsense” the view that the public sector was crowding out the private sector in Northern Ireland, he said the fact was there was not enough decent employment either in the public or private sector.

“We have a job of work to do – we know it. I think most of our members know that regional pay and a pay cap is coming down [the track] but what we have to do is to bring confidence to the members that we have succeeded in the past, [and] we can do so again. We need to say to our members to get ready to fight.”

Brian Moore (Branch 15) said that members needed to be made aware of the fact that austerity measures were “a lie”.

He continued: “They were created by the Government – not out

of economic fact nor need. The idea that governments have to live within their means just like individuals is nonsense. The Government is not an individual – it can borrow money and can take all sorts of measures to reinvigorate the economy.”

Mr Moore warned that NIPSA had to think about how it was going to deliver a campaign against austerity.

He said: “If we get to the point where if we can’t negotiate our way forward and we’re hitting a brick wall, we have to use all the means at our disposal. And to make sure that we have the support of the membership in order not just to have leadership but to ensure the members are with us.”

Motion was carried.

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No credible case for contribution hikes

PENSIONS used to be seen as deferred PENSIONS pay, Janette McNulty, pointed out as she proposed Motion 17 on behalf of EC. speaking in support, told delegates the She told delegates: “For years when we changes were designed to force people “to had little or no pay increase, it was implicit pay more, to work longer and, at the end of that we would eventually receive some rethat, to receive less”, adding that it was ward at the end of our service through our “dressed up in the flowery language of repension entitlement but this notion has form”. been far from the fact in recent years.”

He told conference: “In reality we all And Ms McNulty underlined that memknow what it is an attack on your terms and bers also used to bank on retiring at 60 conditions. The very thing you go to work when “still fit enough to enjoy that retirefor is your pay and your pension and they ment”. are coming at both time after time.”

NIPSA had, she said, continually opMr Mulholland also pointed out that the posed pension reform and pension inlong-term viability of pensions schemes creases. were being endangered as more people “In 2010 during the interim stages of the opt out of them because they can’t make Hutton review, we scrutinised the existing the payments. public sector pension schemes and exCalling on members to hold local politiposed the real cost to the taxpayer.” cians to account for the move, he said: But in March 2012, the Northern Ireland “This is not coming from London, this is Executive agreed to reform public service coming from Stormont. We should be putpensions with the introduction of the ironiting all the pressure we can on MLAs when cally-titled CARE (Career Average Revalthey come knocking at our door seeking ued Earnings) scheme and not to adopt votes.” different approaches to its implementation in Northern Ireland.

“We expect better from the Northern Ireland Executive and, particularly, the Northern Ireland Assembly than to just replicate bills passed by the government in Westminster and – along with our sister Civil Service unions across the UK, we have consistently opposed these pension increases which are, in essence, another attack on terms and conditions and which will result, in real terms, in financial loss for our members.”

Ms McNulty insisted there was “no credible case” made for these increases as the current scheme was “both affordable and sustainable over the long term”.

She added: “These deductions are not earmarked for the pension pot but are a further tax on public sector workers to make us pay for a budget deficit that we Janette McNulty had no part in making.”

Members were now being expected to “This is no longer a fight about pensions work until nearly 70, which, Ms McNulty with Whitehall or Westminster, this is with warned, could mean they will retire into ill the Assembly and I think we should be health. looking at joining with other unions in She said: “Research has shown that alNorthern Ireland for industrial action. though life expectancy has increased, “Make absolutely no mistake we have healthy life expectancy peaks at aged 68 two choices – we either fight now or we for women and 67 for men – in other fight in the future because they will come words, if the Government get their way, just back for us again and again. The longer we as we retire at 68, we can expect our leave it, the further back we will be.” health to degenerate!”

Motion was carried.

Brendan Mulholland (Branch 304),

‘Give young people a chance’ PAUL McVeigh (Branch 64) said his branch noted with concern that there were no NICS employees under the age of 20 and called on the union to “use whatever influence they have” to encourage management to address the issue through recruitment and competitions.

RECRUITMENT

“Some people say they are slave labour, because if you work and you don’t get paid, [well] that is slavery…”

Diane Gibson, speaking on behalf of EC, highlighted the impact the recruitment embargo has had on under-representation of younger workers in the NICS. She told delDenise Quinn (Branch 8) asking delegates to oppose the motion, which she de- egates that this had been complicated by the rise in the retirement age as well as the scribed as “fundamentally flawed”. She scope for partial retirement in senior said her branch did recognise that unemgrades. ployment was high among young people Ms Gibson said: “The effects can be but that the consensus was they couldn’t seen in the high number of candidates apsupport the motion “as it discriminates on plying for external competitions and the the grounds of age and equality”. worryingly high rate of youth unemployMs Quinn concluded: “Solely focussing on such an age restriction is unfair and un- ment.

“In line with the under-representation of necessary. By supporting this motion you are supporting discrimination and inequality workers of specific gender or religious background, positive discrimination welin the workplace.” coming applications from younger people is Ken Miller in his contribution admitted not discriminatory. there was an [age] imbalance in the Civil “It is a proportionate means of achieving Service. a legitimate aim to balance the age of the “It has been said you can start the Civil Service at 16 and work your way up to Per- NICS workforce.”

In his right of reply, Paul McVeigh told manent Secretary, but realistically you can’t delegates that all the motion called for was get in the Civil Service before you’re 21.”

And he slammed “so-called employment “to give young people a chance”.

Motion was carried. schemes”.

Talks prediction over UK compo scheme roll-out was correct

NIPSA General Secretary Brian Campfield called for a lobby of MLAs over pensions

GENERAL Secretary Brian Campfield, proposing Motion 19 on behalf of EC, spoke about how NIPSA had been fighting with the Department of Finance and Personnel for two years in a bid to prevent the terms of a redundancy compensation scheme being forced upon UK civil servants being extended to Northern Ireland.

PENSIONS

He warned that the introduction of the new terms would mean that the civil service redundancy terms would be worse than those applied other areas of the public sector in Northern Ireland.

“The terms will be no more than up to 12 months pay on compulsory redundancy and no more than 18 months on voluntary redunHe said the 1972 Superannuation Bill had dancy whereas in other sectors in Northern been amended by the UK government to reIreland, it is up to two years.” move the trade union veto on any detrimental changes to the scheme.

He pointed out Mr Wilson had “no qualms” Mr Campfield said the union had given eviabout departing from parity with the UK on isdence before the Stormont DFP Committee on sues such as Corporation tax or libel law but the issue. wanted to stick to it on pensions and redun“We advised them that if the veto was redancy compensation. moved there would be no pressure on the “If Sammy can cherry-pick, then so can we,” NICS to seriously enter negotiations with trade he added. unions.”

Mr Campfield called on members and their However, despite this, the Superannuation families to lobby MLAs during the formal conBill was passed at Stormont and the union’s sultative process on the issue, but warned that “worst fears” had been realised. the DFP had the power to implement the He told delegates: “It was clear the Minister changes “by way of regulations” as they did had no intention of allowing his officials to enter into serious and meaningful negotiations not require an Assembly vote to be implemented. with the trade unions.”

“We will also need to consider in what other Mr Campfield said it was clear Finance Minways we can respond, including the potential ister Sammy Wilson intended to worsen the for industrial action.” redundancy terms for all civil servants and staff in NDPBs. Motion was carried.

‘Not at any price’

“WE don’t support flexible working at FLEXIBLE WORKING any price,” Tony McMullan told delegates as he moved Motion 35 on behalf of the vided earlier in the morning and later at night and possibly on Saturdays.”

Executive Committee.

He said the Finance and Personnel Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly had launched an inquiry into the issue which was set to look at a variety of areas, including working patterns, flexible working arrangements, technology and workplace design.

“Let me make it clear that we as a union are not opposed to the principle of flexible working – it was this union that fought for such a long time and was successful in obtaining flexible working arrangements for NICS staff.”

But he warned: “We don’t support flexible working at any price.”

Mr McMullan said members always became “concerned” when “Management Side say that we have to do what is done in the private sector”.

He added: “We are not the private sector.

We are better than the private sector and we should continue to have flexible working which suits the needs of members and staff and which suits the needs of the service we are here to provide for the public.”

Mr McMullan claimed the union defended public services and it had always “been to the fore” in building up and retaining policies that defended members’ needs as well as ensuring public money was used correctly.

He predicted major changes lay ahead in DSD and DEL as well as in the NIHE and HMRC which were sure to present a “potentially huge issue” for members.

“Already in those discussions we have had with management, they have indicated that they will be looking at changes to working time… it could mean that the service is pro-

But Mr McMullan vowed that the union would not run away from the challenge of negotiating “enhancements” and “protections” for members if such changes were implemented.

“Ultimately our goal is to enhance technology, use it for the benefit of members and for the public but we will not, as we have never throughout the years, been prepared to accept a diminution in terms and conditions and the loss of posts and career advancements.”

Brendan Mulholland (Branch 304), speaking in support, said the reality of a review into flexible working – “which on the surface should be something good” – is that it was going to be used as “another way to screw people down”.

He identified various “pit-holes” with flexible working, including health and safety concerns, issues over working hours and whether members would lose their “sense of belonging” after being “dislocated from their own workplace”.

Mr Mulholland added: “For us there is also the potential for anti-trade unionism in that.

Because if people are working in different places – home working – it is difficult for the union to organise them.”

He suggested that incoming Executive had “a tightrope to walk” because “members are increasingly asking us to look at these different options.”

“We as a union should be at the forefront of pushing these new work methods forward but with the conditions that our health and safety, terms and conditions and our ability to organise a union is protected.”

Motion was carried.

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‘Don’t create a new inequality on NICS overtime payments’ CIARAN Logue (Branch 34), in moving Motion 37 calling on the EC to work towards ending discriminatory practices against part-time workers, defined overtime for conference as “hours worked over agreed contractual hours”.

the opportunity to avail of overtime as they are underpaid.”

Mr Logue pointed out that 40% of females – compared with 10% of males – work part-time. In total, 80% of part time employees are female and discriminating against part time workers was, he suggested, a “damning indictment on He pointed out that the Labour any professed equality agenda”.

Relations Agency confirmed that Thomas McKillop (Branch 113), part-time workers were entitled to speaking in favour, said he worked the “same contractual rights pro in a department where overtime rata as comparable full time workwas on offer “once a year or once ers”. every couple of years”.

“We as a union need to ensure And he claimed part time staff that part time workers are treated tried to up their hours [in advance no less favourably as is enshrined of this] so that they could do the in law and pay overtime rates for all overtime. overtime hours worked above any Part time staff shouldn’t be pecontractual obligation. nalised, Mr McKillop pointed out, “While fundamentally opposing “just for the fact that they have difthe use of overtime to cover up de- ferent contractual hours”. ficiencies in staff complement, the “The point has been made you reality exists that overtime is, and shouldn’t have to work overtime but will be, available throughout the it does come up. It is a necessity NICS. and why should somebody who “This points to the fact that we’re has given up their weekend or their understaffed and staff need to take extra hours to do that get paid a dif-

PART TIME STAFF

Ciaran Logue

ferent rate than somebody else who is working alongside them?”

Ryan McKinney, speaking in opposition on behalf of EC, pointed out that no movement had worked harder against discrimination than the trade union movement – and

Education managers on DDA MANAGERS should be educated on the workings of the Disability Discrimination Act, Karen Burch (Branch 8) told conference as she proposed Motion 42.

DISABILITY

ability Discrimination Act was “or how it should be applied in the workplace”.

He said if mandatory training on disability-related issues was introduced for She said: “I find it astounding given the number managers, it would give of people covered under the them a better awareness of the “potential barriers their DDA that our managers staff may face” and allow seem to have no idea what them to implement “reasonit means or what their reable adjustments” to deal sponsibilities are under it. with the matter.

“This motion would help Mr Clarke told confertowards ensuring that manence: “I have been involved agers know their role to in numerous disability-rehelp with [making] reasonlated cases in the workable adjustments in the place and the additional workplace.”

Harry Clarke, speaking in stress that our members suffer due to the lack of support of the motion on knowledge of the DDA is enbehalf of EC, claimed “all tirely preventable.” too often” managers failed Karen Burch to understand what the Dis- Motion was carried.

that that opposition had taken many forms.

He said: “The law now protects part-time workers from being treated less favourably than fulltime staff – something that came about because of campaigning by trade unions.’

But added: “While this motion is aimed at furthering those hard-won rights, it is likely to be counter productive.”

“For instance, if part-time workers were paid overtime rates – say time and a half – then someone contracted to work 10 hours a week at £10 an hour could earn £100 per week on average but £550 if they worked a 40-hour week.

“A colleague contracted to work 40 hours would be earning £400 – less than their part-time colleagues.”

Mr McKinney pointed out that the above example was “neither fair for the full-time employee nor likely to be attractive to employers in general”.

He claimed that tactically mount-

ing a campaign risked discriminating against full-time workers.

Urging conference not to create a “new inequality” but to “stick to what we do best – more jobs and better pay for all”, he reminded delegates of the trade union view that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

In his right of reply, Ciaran Logue said it was good to hear Mr McKinney talk about protection for part time workers but that he disagreed with his argument on wages.

“Part time workers are not going to be in doing all the hours God sends in overtime. Most are part time because they have to be, because they have caring responsibilities. That argument doesn’t wash with me.

“Full time workers have nothing to fear from part time workers being paid reasonable rates for overtime.

If anything, it will bolster their position and prevent management using part time workers as a source of cheap labour.”

Motion was lost.

NICS needs a disability leave policy THERE must be a stand-alone policy at the NICS to deal with disability leave, conference was told.

on behalf of EC, pointed out that the Disability Discrimination Act placed a “positive duty” on employers to make “reasonable adjustments to their poliKaren Burch (Branch 8), proposing Motion 41, claimed the introduction of a cies and premises” with disability leave being considered a “reasonable adjustdisability leave policy would be “very beneficial for members with a disability”. ment” under the legislation.

He said that distinguishing between She suggested if it was introduced, it would cut sick leave as [disabled] mem- general sickness and disability-related sickness absence “helped remove the bers “would be able to avail of this indisadvantage experienced by disabled stead”. employees”.

Ms Burch added: “Within CMS we Disability-related sickness absence have an unsympathetic DHR who are trying to push staff out the door through should also not be included in an employee’s sickness record or influence [use of the] inefficiency policy if they decisions about promotion, assessing have any DLA issues.” performances or selection for redunIan Boersma (Branch 121) speaking dancy. To do this, he argued, might disin support, detailed how a colleague criminate against the disabled who had been forced because of her disability to take a number of absences employee.

Mr Russell underlined the importance had received a final written warning as of putting in place a “well-written and a result.

“This is clear discrimination [and] we constructed” disability leave policy that was administered by a management should be doing more to support our that understood its importance. disabled members,” he added.

Val Russell, also speaking in support Motion was carried.

NIPSA Reports 2013 July August 02/09/2013 13:31 Page 15

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Civil Service Conference

NEWS

Page 15 NIPSA Reports

Battle to safeguard facility time THERE is substantial evidence from the UK Civil Service that paid trade union facility time for local reps and seconded officials saves the Government millions of pounds each year, General Secretary Brian Campfield has claimed.

He made the comments while proposing Motion 29 on behalf of EC. Mr Campfield told conference that a review into facility arrangements at NICS initiated by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson was nearing conclusion.

NIPSA had provided the review team with information and had held meetings with Permanent Secretaries and HR chiefs from all departments to discuss the issue.

FACILITY TIME

ronment, then it will have to invest in this to make it work – whether at local, departmental or central “It is clear”, Mr Campfield told delegates, “they understand the im- level.”

He noted that there had been a portance of the existing arrangefurther deterioration in industrial rements and how vital they are to lations at the UK Civil Service since ensure stable industrial relations facility time and full-time secondand how as a consequence they ment arrangements had been curcontribute significantly to the tailed and expressed a hope that achievement of business objecthe Finance Minister would follow tives.” the Scottish government’s lead, He said it would soon become rather than that of Westminster, in clear whether management would emphasising the important role opt for “a pragmatic approach to in- played by facility arrangements. dustrial relations” instead of the “illIn concluding, Mr Campfield informed prejudiced anti-trade urged caution and said that a posiunion views held by groups such as tive outcome to the review was not the Taxpayers Alliance”. a foregone conclusion.

“If a government department “We are at a very dangerous wants to ensure a stable and conjuncture and we need to ensure we protect all our facility arrangements structive industrial relations envi-

‘It can be a win-win situation’ NOEL Griffin, proposing on behalf of EC, said the wording of Motion 59 recognised that a fairer distribution of civil service jobs reaffirmed current NIPSA policy but also recognised its impact on members.

Describing the relocation of the DARD HQ to Ballykelly as a “political decision”, he noted that there had been no consultation or equality assessment made before it was announced.

Mr Griffin added that there was potential for a judicial review on the issue.

“We have had an assurance from the Minister that no-one will be forced to move… and we intend to hold her to that.”

He said that members living the North West now had an “excellent opportunity” to “get off the road” and not be forced to spend four to five hours travelling to and from work so that they could have a “proper work-life balance”.

“Likewise, we have to ensure that those who do not wish to relocate are accommodated close to their existing offices.”

Mr Griffin acknowledged that this was “no small task” but needed to be done in a “structured manner with an agreed skill-set transfer arrangement” on a phased basis

RELOCATION

at seconded as well as local office and workplace level.”

Brendan O’Kelly (Branch 44) described Motion 29 as “the most political item on the agenda so far”.

He told delegates: “The genesis of this obviously comes from the vicious anti-trade union views of the present right-wing Tory element of the coalition government where Francis Maude has been trumpeting it from the rooftops that trade unions should not have facility time to negotiate.”

Thankfully he added there was a “different climate” about this issue in Northern Ireland and pointed out that NIPSA was a “constructive union”, which while “robustly defending” its members, also tried to be constructive in “making the system work”.

However, he warned conference not to underestimate Senior Civil Service’s capacity “to implement the directions they get from their political lords and masters”.

He suggested that MLAs would not want to be embarrassed into being identified with a “right-wing, anti-trade union approach” to industrial relations.

“We can reason with the Senior Civil Service. We can try and reason with the Finance Minister and one would hope that he would be open to reason. This issue needs to be fought out in the media and in public with a view to exposing any growing support within the Assembly for this rather misconceived idea.”

Motion was carried.

Noel Griffin explains the phased approach to relocation

Child Benefits in CastleCourt the North”. needing a forester, a farm inAlison Wise (Branch 27), givspector or an agricultural econing qualified support, said her over a 10-year period. omist!” branch supported the “concept” “We do not see 700 DARD staff in BalIn his right of reply, Noel Griflykelly by 2016. We have a commitment that behind the motion but called for fin said the policy had been in any proposal to relocate Civil members’ mobility, welfare and equality implace for “many, many years” plications will be fully considered,” he added. Service jobs out of Greater and suggested that “a few Belfast to be “well thought out, Mr Griffin underlined that relocation of myths had been expressed make sense and follow proper NICS jobs presented a great opportunity – a here today”. procedures”. “win-win situation” – to “get our members He claimed NIPSA had “arNoting that the Agriculture closer to home”. DARD relocation could be a Minister had had to back-track gued hard” about Fisheries – success and could set a standard for future and it was now going to south on the original planned move of relocations – “but we have to get it right”.

Down, as well as about the the Rivers Agency and FishFrank Cammock, calling for remission, River Agency – which was now eries to Ballykelly, she asked said his branch was concerned that they going to Cookstown. delegates: “If I said that Shankill were being asked to vote on a relocation pol- and Falls benefit offices were to Mr Griffin also insisted that icy that “the vast majority of us have never nobody would be forced to go move to Enniskillen, you would seen”. to Ballykelly. say that is ridiculous, but it is no Frank Cammock He claimed there had been “no consultaHe said those who would be more ridiculous than what is tion or discussion on any of this”. relocating to Ballykelly were happening in Agriculture.

Mr Cammock also countered that it wasn’t those who are currently travelling every day “If the Fisheries move had gone ahead, a “win-win” situation for everyone affected. to Belfast. our members would have been in Ballykelly “If you’re in a job at a location that you’re “They are our colleagues – and we want to trying to manage the fishing fleet 100 miles quite happy with and then you’re told to away – where’s the business sense in that?” get them off the roads.

“It is a win-win if we get it right. We’ve got She pointed out that Agriculture had a sigmove miles and miles away to go to your job, nificant number of posts requiring the holder to get it right. We won’t run away from it. It you’re not going to be very pleased.” will be a phased approach and will take up to to have specific qualifications.

He also warned the move could make 10 years and management recognises this.”

“I cannot see Gloucester House jobcentre NIPSA a less effective organisation with Remission lost, motion carried. having much call for a veterinary officer or “members scattered to the four corners of

Detached duty payments

JAN Davidson (Branch 27) proposed Motion 53 dealing with how detached duty was applied across amounts to over 60 lost hours the NICS.

the respective interpretation and application of NICS Handbook guidance relating to detached duty allowances.”

Ms Davidson called on the asked for excess travel time ALLOWANCES incoming EC to raise the we felt we were entitled to.” on average.”

In her remarks, she referred issue at Central Whitley level that normal hours applied Ms Davidson also claimed Ms Davidson pointed out to the 2012 flooding of Dunas a matter of urgency. while on detached duty and the Staff Handbook “conthat NIPSA representatives donald House and the subse- had been initially assured that that travelling time was not Margaret Carruthers on betained several pieces of guidquent redeployment of staff to staff would not lose time but half of the EC spoke in suppayable for journeys to and ance” that “directly Belfast city centre which report of the motion. from work. contradicts the Department’s that DHR had then issued sulted in an average extra She quoted from the Staff “However, neither of these position” and outlined a numguidance that staff were not commute of 45 minutes a Handbook definition of deber of examples for deleentitled to claim flexi credit for points was relevant as we day. tached duty and claimed gates. additional travelling time while had neither asked for a She told delegates: “Over a on detached duty. change in conditioned hours, She said: “There is clearly a there was no room for misinperiod of four months, workterpretation.

“The reason given was that nor time for our normal home- lack of consistency across Margaret Carruthers the Staff Handbook states to-work journey. We only NICS departments regarding Motion was carried. ing five days a week, this

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Public Officers Group

POG Chair lashes welfare reform plans NEWS

THE CON-DEM austerity programme has been a complete disaster for working people, the unemployed, children, the sick and elderly people, the Public Officers’ Group conference was told.

Eileen Webster made the comments as she opened her address as chair of the Public Officers’ Group.

Lashing out against the socalled welfare reforms, she said the Universal Credit proposals covered tax credits, housing benefit, employment and support allowances – all of which affected both working and non-working families.

She pointed out that pilot schemes in England had been a

www.nipsa.org.uk

disaster – with computer system failures and claimants being left with no money to live on.

“Despite the myths of scroungers and idlers, the bulk of social security payments are made to those in work – that’s because of scandalously low wages.”

And Ms Webster added: “The Con-Dems’ answer is to cut benefits further.”

Condemning Stormont’s proposal to abolish the NI Housing Executive, she told delegates: “This will mean the loss of 90,000 publicly-owned houses and potentially upwards of 3,000 job losses.”

Ms Webster also called for the reversal of the Tory policy that left the NIHE unable to borrow and

Offer tabled by NJC was ‘derisory’

Eileen Webster addressing the POG conference

DEPUTY General Secretary Alison Millar slammed as “derisory” the National Joint Council pay offer of 1%.

build new homes.

On the issue of pensions, she said NIPSA must continue to fight to retain decent pensions for members already suffering with the public sector pay.

“The 1% pay increase for some in the sector,” Eileen added, “does not make up for the loss in real terms of 20% or more over the last 10 years.”

She added: “Many services in the public sector are under attack, such as local government leisure services, educational and health provision cutbacks.”

Ms Webster also described Transforming Your Care as a “poorly thought out policy” that left elderly people stranded with an inferior service.

PAY

cision taken by UNISON, Unite and GMB to advise their members that this was the best offer on the table without taking sustained strike action in a bid to improve it.

Union members covered by the NJC “This is the result of the hard work of But she pointed out to delegates that had seen their pay reduced by 16% over NIPSA which has sought to get the best the last three years, she told conference, possible deal for members. These negoti- the motion supported industrial action in the pursuit of better pay and that NIPSA while moving Motion 1. ations must continue in areas where we fully backed a campaign of industrial acMs Millar, said: “Over this period mem- have not yet secured the increase.” tion to deliver a real pay increase. bers have been denied the £250 for She added: “It is despicable that after Dolores Austin (Branch 517) said pay those earning less than £21,000 per three years of a 0% increase the NJC freezes had resulted in “members being annum. employers first sought to offer members a “This is the paltry amount the Chancel- paltry 1% in return for the sell-off of many driven into poverty.”

She added: “If we had all taken strike lor of the Exchequer announced would be terms and conditions including occupaaction five years ago we wouldn’t see pay paid to the lowest paid public sector tional sick pay, maternity pay and a repushed back year after year.” workers when he announced his first duction in mileage rates.

Ms Austin called for a campaign to pubic sector pay free on June 22, 2010.

“Quite rightly this offer was rejected by build members’ confidence in strike ac“Since 2010 the NJC employers have NJC trade unions as well as the second tion as a means of standing up for a fair refused even to pay the £250 saying that option of 0.6% on all spinal columns.” they are not bound by a central governMs Millar claimed that NIPSA members wage and decent terms and conditions.

“If you are not prepared to fight, step ment decision.” were well aware of the impact the pay aside, let those of us who are prepared to However, she reported that some mem- freeze had had over the last three years stand up and fight for our members [to do bers had received or been promised the with many struggling with day-to-day livso] for better pay.” £250 following local talks by NIPSA reps ing costs. in a number of sectors She described as disappointing the de- Motion was carried.

Helene McSherry outlining union issues

Get ready for a battle on pensions Vow to oppose NILGOSC proposals

NIPSA was urged to come out fighting to protect pension rights for members.

PENSIONS

changes pointing out that the mood of members was “strong and defiant”.

“Get your hands off our pensions! It’s time to make Frances O’Neill (Branch sure our local politicians are 517), moving Motion 2, said: left in no doubt. We have “We have faced ongoing and taken as much as we are systematic attacks on our pay, going to. our terms and conditions, our “The mood is alive for fightjob security and now our pening back. The wound is raw sions. and the tide is turning.

“It seems that public sector “Our members are screamworkers are fair game to ating out… we must give them tack… easy targets… Well, a voice.” enough is enough!”

Frances O’Neill calling for In his contribution, NIPSA She continued: “Public sec- action in pensions battle President Patrick Mulholland tor workers should not be acwarned delegates to be average pension’s value will countable for paying a public aware that Stormont was reduce from 23% of a perdeficit they did not cause. Livplanning a full assault on pubson’s salary to 15%. ing standards are declining lic sector pensions.

She said: “That’s a cut of and the patience of our mem“The real issue is what is around 33% while in addition bers is wearing thin.

NIPSA going to do in repension benefit for public sec“In November 2011, public sponse to this attack?” sector workers took a stand… tor employees have been Mr Mulholland, a member of brought into line with Conit was firm and purposeful.” the POG Executive Commitsumer Price Index (CPI) Ms O’Neill called on the tee, continued: “We need to rather than the Retail Price Government to stop “putting re-invigorate the pension Index (RPI). your hand in our pension pot” campaign and say to MLAs “They’ve been devalued aland stealing from hard-workthat you are not going to get ready… hit us in the pension ing honest people “who paid away with introducing Conpocket… Well, no more!” into a system they believed Dem policies.

She reminded conference in”.

“MLAs must be told that that workers are expected to Motion 2 called for a full NIPSA will resist these work longer (eventually to consultation to be initiated changes.” with all members affected be- 68), pay higher contributions He added: “We also fully to receive pensions based on support our members being fore changes are agreed to average salary and not final NILGOS pension. told fully of what is happening salary.

The drafters of the motion during negotiations and that “Not the most appealing of also called for a campaign to they remain fully transparent.” offers to members who are albe organised to stop MLAs And he vowed there would implementing Con-Dem pen- ready incurring pay freezes be no “back door deals.” sion changes in Northern Ire- and job cuts and higher living “If our members reject any costs and more demands on land. new proposals, then we as a Frances went on to explain our income.” union must come out fightMs O’Neill called for a fight ing.” that the Pension Policy InstiMotion was carried. tute had estimated that the back against pension

NIPSA will continue to oppose any proposed detrimental changes to the NILGOSC scheme either through amendments to the NI Public Service Pensions Bill and/or to the draft NILGOSC 2014 Regulations.

Bumper Graham, moving Motion 3 on behalf of the POG Executive Committee, said the union should take credit for influencing the Assembly in not consenting to adopt the Westminster Public Service Pension Bill.

PENSIONS

This gives the union the opportunity to challenge any changes to the NI Public Service Pensions Bill or any amendments the DoE are proposing to make to the NILGOSC scheme.

The NI Pension Bill is to be discussed at Stormont during the autumn and Mr Graham said members would be kept fully briefed.

Motion was carried.

TUPE proposals would erode workplace rights CONFERENCE backed a call to protect Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) for members in local government and education.

Alanagh Rea, moving Motion 4 on behalf of the POG Executive Committee, pointed out to delegates that the NI Assembly (DEL) and the UK government had consulted jointly on proposed changes to TUPE – changes which they claimed would improve and simplify the regulations.

She told conference: “Let’s be clear. This is not about clarifying or improving the regulations – this is an attack on employment law, this is about the erosion of employment rights.”

She added: “On the UK government’s own website, it states it is concerned that some businesses believe that the TUPE regulations went further than the Acquired Rights Directive required. It also states that advice is often needed to see how TUPE might be avoided.

“It is clear that the government sees its role in helping business to avoid the responsibility of protecting workers during the transfer of their terms and conditions.”

RPA

Alanagh said the government proposals was preparing the way for removing obstacles that will allow employers to cuts jobs and wages.

“TUPE,” she added, “is not perfect. It can be complex and has notable limitations but it does provide some protection for workers and it is preferable to the changes being proposed.

“Even the Law Society has condemned the changes saying they will create uncertainty and increase disputes and that there has been no proper equality assessment.”

Ms Rea claimed these proposals were part of a broader political push to erode basic employment rights as well as increase the outsourcing of public services.

She said: “The PO Group and NIPSA are vigorously opposed to the proposed changes and to this end it will be necessary to prepare our members to take action, including industrial action, to safeguard those hardwon rights that have been afforded elsewhere in the Review of Public Administration.”

Motion was carried.

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