NIPSA Reports: December 2013

NIPSA Reports A merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all our members

THE NEWSPAPER OF THE LEADING PUBLIC SERVICE TRADE UNION

Pensions strike called off after late development – See page 3

Minister Poots is a class act – See page 6

Union bid to save DVA heads to Commons – See pages 8/9

December 2013 Tel: 028 90661831 www.nipsa.org.uk

Campaign to save NIHE steps up a gear – See page 10

Union stands up in Assembly for NI Schools Inspectorate – See page 11

LSC members in two-day strike over pay

ONE MILLION REASONS TO JOIN US

NIPSA members at the Legal Services Commission took to the picket lines on December 4 and 5 in their battle for justice over a pay dispute that stretches back more than three years.

The two-day stoppage follows a one-day strike in September.

LSC staff want to be treated equally with counterparts in the Department of Justice and are angered that their management walked away from an agreement reached in 2008.

NIPSA Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon said: “Our members have

received no pay increase since 2009. This has caused significant financial hardship to the lowest paid staff. They have suffered the worst possible and blatantly inequitable treatment.”

Full story and pictures – see pages 4 and 5

Council agrees £250 payment

FOLLOWING a claim by NIPSA and other recognised trade unions, NIPSA was advised that Newtownabbey Council have agreed in principle to pay the £250 for those earning less than £21,000 per annum.

This is for the previous pay year when staff received no pay increase.

Deputy General Secretary Alison Millar said: “While it is a welcome move that Newtownabbey Borough Council have agreed in principle to pay this money to low-paid workers struggling to make ends meet, NIPSA is disappointed that the 26 councils under the NI NIPSA members have pocketed more than £1.4 million in cover for NIPSA members who have made use of the scheme Joint Council recompensation payments for personal injuries sustained in over the past 12 months is the highest yet in the firm’s time as fused to impleaccidents over the past 12 months – thanks to the efforts of NIPSA’s solicitors. ment this.

NIPSA’s solicitors, McCartan Turkington Breen.

“The fact that the scheme is free for NIPSA members provides “We are now Members of the union can avail of free legal assistance on per- them with an invaluable benefit should they find that they are inhaving to lodge sonal injury claims under NIPSA’s highly successful Legal Assis- jured in an incident that was not their fault.” claims in each of tance (Personal Injury) scheme.

If NIPSA members are unsure if they are entitled to compensa- the 26 councils.”

Claims have been made for a range of incidents, including tion, the Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme provides for NIPSA is to road traffic collisions, accidents at work, tripping and slipping aca free initial consultation with a McCartan Turkington Breen soenter discuscidents as well as medical negligence claims. licitor. sions with local The scheme offers members peace of mind, especially for The solicitor will assess the case and make a recommendation management to those who normally would not go to law, as they do not qualify have this impleto NIPSA as to whether it is worthy of pursuit or, at the very for Legal Aid. mented as soon Viv Harty, a partner at McCartan Turkington Breen, told NIPSA least, of further investigation.

Reports: “The level of compensation we have been able to reSEE FULL STORY PAGE 2 as possible.

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Page 2 NIPSA Reports

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News

Challenges lie ahead but we will fight back

CHANCELLOR George Osborne issued his Autumn Statement on December 5 and not unexpectedly he doled out more of the same – more public spending cuts, another increase in the state pension age and yet more misery for millions and millions of people sick to the pits of their stomachs of austerity. As usual the younger generation will be hardest hit and lower and middle income families squeezed heartlessly once again.

More people will have to work until they are 68 before being entitled to a state pension. Previously this Chancellor had been set to change the state pension age from 65 to 68 by 2046.

Now he has even reneged on this and has brought the date forward to the mid-2030s.

As one commentator said: “A child born on the day of the Autumn Statement would have to work to 77 before they would get a State Pension.”

It is ridiculous to think that teachers, firefighters, office workers, paramedics, social workers etc will be expected to deliver highquality public services well into their seventies.

“While people may be living longer, the evidence does not support that people are necessarily healthy and fit to work into their seventies.

This Government has also continued the mantra of the attacks on universal benefits and the welfare state.

Early in the New Year, it is expected that the NI Welfare Reform Bill will come back to the Assembly. NIPSA, together with the Irish Con-

Members pocket £1.4m in compo payments

Editorial

gress of Trade Unions, women’s and community groups are working hard to ensure Northern Ireland’s politicians do not introduce this draconian legislation.

While UK Minister Mike Penning threatened to impose a £5m per month penalty on Northern Ireland if the Assembly doesn’t introduce the Welfare Reform Bill – as reported elsewhere in this edition of NIPSA Reports – it is a fact that £750m will be taken out of the Northern Ireland economy each year if the Bill is introduced.

But, be assured, people are fighting back.

Two days before Osborne’s statement to the House, around 100 trade unionists gathered in Belfast to hear Steve Turner, Chairperson of the National People’s Assembly, describe how across Britain, ordinary citizens were increasing their actions on a wide range of fronts to oppose the austerity measures being forced through by the UK Coalition Government.

On November 5, they organised the “Bonfire of Austerity”, a series of coordinated actions that included 2,000 people blocking Westminster Bridge in London.

The Belfast meeting was supported by both NIPSA and UNITE. It was unanimously agreed that both unions should now be working to develop a similar “People’s Opposition” to austerity in Northern Ireland.

As you will read in this issue of NIPSA Reports, NIPSA members are certainly fighting back.

And they are not only fighting back but demonstrating very clearly that it pays to or-

recommendation to the union.

“The Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme covers members in respect of all of the legal costs incurred in pursuing their case and, as such, gives members peace of mind in knowing that NIPSA will pay for all costs, which can run into several thousands of pounds, to pay for items such as medical assessments, engineers’ reports and barristers’ opinions if the case is unIN THE last 12 months NIPSA’s solicitors Mcsuccessful or is withdrawn.”

Cartan Turkington Breen have secured more The scheme is also available to the families of than £1.4m in personal injuries compensation NIPSA members injured in the same accident. for members.

Viv Harty, partner at McCartan Turkington NIPSA members are entitled to free legal assis- Breen, told NIPSA Reports: “The level of comtance for personal injury claims under the union’s pensation we have been able to recover for Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme.

NIPSA members who have made use of the free The scheme may be used by NIPSA members Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme over and their families who have been injured due to the past 12 months is the highest yet in the firm’s the negligence or breach by statutory duty of time as NIPSA’s solicitors. some other person or organisation.

“The fact that the scheme is free for NIPSA McCartan Turkington Breen have been able to members provides them with an invaluable beneprovide legal help on a wide range of claims, infit should they find that they are injured in an incicluding road traffic collisions, accidents at work, dent that was not their fault.” tripping and slipping accidents as well as medical Members should always make sure that the negligence claims. fact that they have been injured in an accident is The scheme is extremely successful and proreported to the relevant people in positions of auvides cover and peace of mind for those who nor- thority, be they employers, landlords, occupiers mally could not afford to bring legal proceedings or, in some situations such as road traffic collias they don’t qualify for Legal Aid. sions, the police.

A union source said: “If members are unsure of The Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme whether or not they are entitled to compensation, is easy to access and requires the completion of the Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) scheme the Form LS2 application form which is available provides for a free initial consultation with a Mcon the Membership Services section of Cartan Turkington Breen solicitor who will assess www.nipsa.org.uk. the circumstances of the case and then make a Once the form is completed it should be sent to

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.

ganise and resist the attacks on public servants.

Examples of this include the important decision by Stormont Finance Minister Simon Hamilton to exclude privatisation as an option for the delivery of civil service pensions.

This followed the launching of a campaign by the local NIPSA branch to stop the privatisation of the administration of civil service pensions.

It should be noted that the service in Great Britain had already been effectively privatised.

There have been many challenges for NIPSA and members of this union over the past 12 months, but NIPSA members can be proud that they have not been found wanting when we have challenged employers on a range of issues and, in particular, privatisation of a number of services, particularly in the area of leisure services.

Threat of job losses such as the campaign to save 320 jobs in the DVA and the many others has been a thread that has run through the work of the union and this will continue into 2014.

The New Year will see many more challenges for NIPSA members and their families but NIPSA will continue, with your support to grow in strength as a union that will fight to protect members.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and more prosperous 2014.

Alison Millar Deputy General Secretary

NIPSA’s legal team from MTB (McCartan, Turkington and Breen) are: (l-r) Robert McKay, Viv Harty and John McShane.

the Executive Officer (Membership & Legal Services) at NIPSA Headquarters.

A free consultation will then be arranged with a solicitor at McCartan Turkington Breen who will assess the merits of the case.

"Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.”

RIP: Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

PENSIONS STRIKE BID PAYS DIVIDENDS IN THE MAIDEN CITY

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NIPSA has backed the decision by Department of Finance and Personnel Minister Simon Hamilton to retain in-house functions for the future delivery of Civil Service Pensions.

News

with NIPSA official Noel Griffin, mounted a vigorous campaign to retain the services in-house.

As well as holding a public meeting in the town, a NIPSA delegation met with Derry City Council. Councillors unanimously agreed to oppose The move – described as “very public sector job losses in the Northwelcome” by NIPSA Assistant Genwest. eral Secretary Kieran Bannon – As part of the campaign, members comes after a long and determined in Civil Service Pensions Branch campaign by members of the Civil were also balloted on industrial acService Pensions Branch, based at tion.

Waterside House, Derry.

Of the 79 members balloted, 63 As a result the union also called returned their ballot with 73% voting off industrial action scheduled for in favour of industrial action consistearly December.

Mr Hamilton had been considering ing of strike action and 82% voting in a business case involving a number favour of action short of strike acof options, including to outsource the tion. work but NIPSA Branch 73, along After the result of ballot become

known, Assistant Secretary Noel Griffin told NIPSA Reports: “The ‘Yes’ vote and high turnout clearly demonstrates the concerns of members and their conviction about retaining public sector jobs in the Northwest.

“We once again call on the DFP Minister to release the outline business case prior to making a definitive decision which may involve the privatisation of these functions with the potential loss of jobs.

“To suggest our campaign, including the ballot on industrial action, is premature is ridiculous since it would be senseless to await a definitive decision that may be to outsource the work and then to attempt to do something about it.”

On November 29, notice of industrial action in the form of a work stoppage, scheduled for Monday, December 9, was served on the Department.

NIPSA Branch 73 has also put in place arrangements to hold a lunchtime protest outside their offices on Thursday, December 5.

However, NIPSA was advised on December 2 that the Minister had

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determined the work would remain in-house under a “system solution” option involving replacement of the current IT system, which he indicated represented better value for money.

In light of the Mr Hamilton’s announcement both the lunch-time protest and work stoppage were called off.

Assistant General Secretary Bannon commented: “The Minister’s decision is very welcome and confirms what NIPSA has claimed for a long time that in-house services do represent better value for money and we believe higher standards of service.

“This is good news for our members in Civil Service Pensions Branch who should be commended for the sterling work they did in campaigning to keep this work in-house and prevent job losses to the Derry area.

“I know that they very much appreciate the support they received from other NIPSA branches and members and from a number of those within the local community, including a range of local political representatives.”

NIPSA General Council Election 2014/15 – Why it is important to VOTE AS A TRADE union, everything the union does is for the benefit of its members.

The union’s work is governed by the General Council and elections for the General Council are once more upon us.

Procedures for making nominations for election to the General Council have been issued and branches have been asked to submit their nominations by the deadline of 2pm on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.

These elections take place every year by an individual ballot of all members in compliance with our union rule book.

What is the General Council?

The General Council is the governing body of the union and is comprised of the President, Vice-President and Honorary Treasurer (who will be elected at NIPSA’s 2014 Annual Conference from among those elected to the General Council following the individual ballot) plus 22 other members.

The General Council is made up entirely of lay members; no one employed by the union is allowed to stand for election to the General Council.

Those elected to the General Council act to ensure the union is governed effectively. General Council members’ role is to promote the interests of the union and its members on many issues.

Between meetings of the Delegate Conference, the general management and control of the union and the handling of the whole affairs is vested in the General Council.

The strength of our General Council therefore lies in its mandate from you.

This is Your Union – Use Your Vote The ballot process will commence on 28 January 2014 and end on 18 February 2014. Please look out for your ballot paper and ensure you cast your vote and make your choice in this important election.

TWO-DAY STOPPAGE STAGED BY NILSC STAFF IN PAY ROW

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NIPSA members at the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission have staged a two-day stoppage over management’s continuing failure to resolve a pay dispute that stretches back more than three years.

The action, on December 4 and 5, was the outworking of a NILSC management decision to walk away from a pay agreement entered into following talks in 2008.

NIPSA Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon explained: “Prior to the creation of the Department of Justice in 2009, NIPSA negotiated pay arrangements for the then-Northern Ireland Office, NI Court Service and Legal Services Commission.

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News

“All were placed on Northern Ireland Civil Service pay scales fully by 2008. This devolutionfacing approach made sense and received Treasury/Ministerial approval.

“Unfortunately while those arrangements have been honoured and maintained in respect of the former NIO and NI Court Service (now the Department of Justice), they have not been honoured in relation to the NILSC.” He added: “Our members in the NILSC have received no increase in pay since 2009, despite the soaring increases in the cost of living over that period. This has caused significant financial hardship to the lowest paid staff. They have suffered the worst possible and

blatantly inequitable treatment.

“While we hear reports last week of the need for the NILSC to control spiralling costs in terms of the legal aid budget, here we have employees of NILSC at the other end of the scale being paid significantly below their counterparts in the entire ‘justice family’, including its sponsor, the Department of Justice.”

NIPSA has already raised the matter with Stormont Justice Minister David Ford.

In October, Mr Ford informed NIPSA that the necessary business case seeking the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel’s (DFP) had been sent on September 27.

The Minister also indicated he

wanted the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

Mr Bannon commented: “Despite these assurances from the Minister, the matter remains unresolved and DFP have yet to approve the business case.

“Unfortunately the dispute remains unresolved despite the efforts NIPSA has made and once again our members have been forced into taking strike action causing them even further financial hardship.

“It is time the respective managements in NILSC, DOJ and DFP resolved this matter. As some of the lowest paid staff said, ‘We are not looking for special treatment – just to be treated equally and with fairness’.”

LSC members express feelings

MUCH could be said of this dispute and how LSC members have been so badly treated – it is best depicted by the real-life experiences of those low paid workers directly affected.

The following is what just a few of those members had to say:

‘At the end of our tethers’

E says: I have been a CO in the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission (NILSC), for the last four years. I voted ‘yes’ when balloted on industrial action over pay.

I am supporting strike action because I feel that people who work in NDPBs in Northern Ireland should be paid the going rate for the job.

Our employer reneged on an agreement made in 2008 to align our future pay with the rest of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Since 2009, we have seen NICS colleagues receive annual pay deals, the equal pay deal and pay realignment for other grades following on from the equal pay deal of 2009. In the NILSC, we have had an increase of 2.6% imposed on us for 2009 and nothing since.

Since 2009 we have all lived through the most prolonged recession since the 1930s and have seen the cost of living shoot through the roof.

Over the last four years the savings I had when I joined the LSC have gone. I have multiple credit card debts and had to get rid of my car.

For the last three years my summer holidays have been spent camping – during the wettest summers for decades! This year I could take no more and went sun-searching to France for 10 days. I will still be paying off that holiday a year from now.

And we all will see further energy and food bill

price hikes before the end of this year.

When people ask me how I can afford to go on strike, my answer is simple – how can I afford NOT to go on strike! My colleagues and I are at the end of our tethers but my story is by no means unique.

Equal pay now!!!

‘Suffered severe health issues’

R says: I am a clerical officer and have been working in LSC for the past seven years. I participated in the strike on September 6 because I felt I had no other option but to do so.

For over three years now pay negotiations have been going on and as time passes, my life has become increasingly more difficult to cope – both financially and emotionally.

LOCAL WAGES AND POVERTY

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News

Background to LSC dispute

NIPSA in 2008, by imposing a 2.6% increase in 2009 and refusing to reflect the revised rates of pay that all other Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) received in line with the NICS equal pay settlement.

LSC staff have received no pay uplift whatsoever since 2009 – no cost of living and no progression/increment.

NIPSA has refused to accept this position and has kept LSC management at the negotiating table.

Progress was thought to have been made when LSC management and its Board agreed to submit a business case that would have ensured LSC staff were treated the same as their counterparts in other comparable bodies attracting NICS rates of pay.

However, the business case had not been approved by the DOJ, LSCs sponsoring department.

It was argued by some that this was DOJ applying double standards as the former NIO, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), ensured its staff were fully assimilated to NICS (revised) rates of pay with effect from April 12, 2010 when the DOJ came into being.

Assistant General Secre-

‘

LSC staff members stage strike in September. Note: this picture was wrongly attibuted to another union action in the November’s NIPSA Reports.

tary Kieran Bannon, who has been heavily involved in the negotiations along with NIPSA Branch 105 representatives, told NIPSA Reports: “We can no longer have our members in the LSC singled out in this way and subjected to the worst possible and blatantly inequitable treatment.

“The fact is that in the worst economic circumstances since the Great Depression of the 1930s, members in the LSC have effectively had their salaries frozen causing significant financial hardship in many cases particularly, but not exclusively, for the

lowest paid staff.”

While DOJ agreed to submit the pay strategy business case prepared by LSC Management, to DFP, there has been further considerable delay in getting the business case approved.

Since late December, DFP has returned the business case to DOJ and LSC seeking further information and technical data.

NIPSA has made representations throughout this period to all the respective Management Sides in an attempt to achieve progress by way of having the business case approved.

...it goes far beyond pay, it is about a duty of care, hardship, mental wellbeing and poverty – it is about people

in their own words...

The costs of living have increased but my wages have stayed the same for the last four years. I don’t smoke, very seldom go out socially and cannot remember the last time I booked a holiday.

Recently I have suffered severe health issues and rather than take time off work, I opted to seek medical help such as physiotherapy but this too has not been without substantial, personal costs (both financially and physically).

Since my health problems, things have gotten so bad for me that on a monthly basis I have become financial dependent on my mum to help me out because I can’t get my wages to last the whole month.

This has made me feel both depressed and embarrassed because I feel such a failure.

I understand that in this economic climate,

that pay issues are sensitive as everybody is ‘feeling the pinch’.

It’s not that I’m greedy and want to ask for a big pay rise – I would just like a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

I don’t understand how morally it can be that I am being treated differently to my counterparts including civil servants, who are doing a similar job as me, but getting paid thousands of pounds more than me – where is the justice?

I feel I’m being treated like a second-class citizen and there is no moral fairness in that.

I just hope that an agreement can be sorted as soon as possible because I’m so tired of worrying about financial matters on a monthly basis.

If you want me to beg then I will… I beg to be treated equally and with fairness.

‘

ON December 4 and 5, members working in the Legal Services Commission (LSC), a body sponsored by the Department of Justice, were once again forced to take industrial action in a long-running dispute over their pay.

They had last taken to the picket line on September 6, later organising a lunch-time protest on September 13.

The background to this dispute stretches back a number of years.

In preparation for the setting up of the Department of Justice in 2010, NIPSA sought to secure NICS rates of pay in the former NIO, NI Courts Service and LSC by negotiating a three-year pay deal similar to that applied in the NICS over 2006, 2007 and 2008.

This was achieved and by 2008 LSC pay scales were fully aligned with those in the NICS. While NIO and NI Court Service staff members were assimilated to NICS pay scales (as revised by the equal pay settlement) when the DOJ was formed in April 2010, LSC staff were denied those increases in salary.

In fact, LSC management walked away from the agreement entered into with

In the absence of the approval, members of Branch 105 took another two days of industrial action on December 4 and 5.

They did this despite the additional financial hardship this would mean for members in the run up to Christmas.

For their part, Branch 105 members have appreciated the level of support given by those who visited their picket on September 6, December 4 and December 5 as well as those who stood with them during their lunchtime protest on September 13.

A NIPSA source said: “Somehow to routinely describe the situation as merely a pay dispute is rather nondescript – it goes far beyond pay, it is about a duty of care, hardship, mental wellbeing and poverty – it is about people.”

‘Undervalued and de-motivated’

J says: I find that every month is a question of affordability, with my travel costs nearly one-fifth of my monthly salary, and ever increasing cost of living. Not only is this frustrating, but it is also depressing.

With only a 2.6% increase in 2009, how are we meant to survive? With all my bills and expenses to pay, there is very little I can put towards savings or for those unexpected expenses that can occur.

All I want is fair pay for the work that I do. It is very disheartening situation, I feel undervalued and de-motivated.

I’m not asking for any more but just to be treated the same as others within my grade throughout the NICS and other non-departmental bodies, same job for the same rate of pay!

POOTS IS A ‘CLASS’ ACT

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News

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STORMONT MINISTER ACTED UNLAWFULLY IN TRYING TO BAN FORMER NIPSA GENERAL SECRETARY FROM SOCIAL CARE POST Health Minister Edwin Poots identified trade unionists as a "particular class and excluded them from a public body due to their status", a judge has said.

Earlier this year a court ruled that the minister acted unlawfully over the failure to consider a senior trade unionist who had applied for a post.

In November the judge announced detailed written reasons for his decision.

He held that a change in appointments policy was not subjected to consultation.

Mr Justice Treacy added that the changes were only implemented after Edwin Poots came into office.

John Corey, a former general secretary of public sector union NIPSA, brought a legal challenge after being denied the position on the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) after his interview.

"It is accepted that the minister could have simply abandoned the competition instituted by the public notice and/or initiated an entirely new competition to accord with any new policy provided of course the new policy was not unlawful. But he did neither.

"Consequently, in my view the public law obligations generated by the published notice remained in place and were unlawfully departed from by the minister."

Assistant Secretary for NIPSA, Kevin McCabe, said: "We welcome the court's findings which fully vindicate our decision to challenge the minister's refusal to appoint a trade Class and status union representative to the Social Care Council.

But the judge held that it had been "NIPSA calls on the minister to acunlawful to "frustrate" public law obligations from a published notice in the cept the court's findings and to consult properly and fully with the trade process that remained in place. unions representing health and social In newly published further reasons for his decision he said: "I am satis'Irrational and biased' care sector as the court requires. fied that trade unions and their memJohn Corey also welcomed the rulbers were identified as a particular It was specifically advertised as a ing: "Unfortunately this is another extrade union representative on the reg- class and excluded from consideraample where the operation of the tion on the basis of their status." ulatory body. public appointments process has Mr Justice Treacy identified a In a legal challenge to the decision been found wanting.

Mr Corey's lawyers claimed Mr Poots change in policy in relation to ap"As well as the need for a full and was "irrational and biased" in vetoing pointments to public bodies such as fair remedy in this particular case, I the NISCC, the Blood Transfusion his appointment after becoming would expect all those with responsiService and the Council for Nursing health minister in May 2011. bility for the public appointments and Midwifery following Mr Poots Two other recruitment processes process in Northern Ireland to examministerial appointment. started under his ministerial predeine this judgement carefully to ensure "This important change in policy cessor, Michael McGimpsey, for the there is no repetition of such unlawful was not consulted upon," he said.

Blood Transfusion Service and the treatment of candidates for other ap"It is correct that the minister has a Council for Nursing and Midwifery, discretion to appoint whomsoever he pointments," he said. had also sought trade union memA Department of Health spokesman wants and that there was no statutory bers. said: "The department has received But the court was told none was ap- obligation to appoint a trade union pointed by the time Mr Poots came to representative to the relevant council. the written judgement on the outcome "But the clear terms of the published of the judicial review. consider candidates.

"We will wish to consider the detail Mr Corey, who was appointed to the notice and the policy in place at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Com- time the notice was published gener- of the judgment and consult our legal representatives before making any ated public law obligations which mission in 2011, had been put forward by NIPSA for a trade union post were not complied with in the present further comment." case. on NISCC, which regulates the conSource: BBCNI duct of social care workers.

The department was also seeking to appoint a lay member to the body.

Only this position was filled.

Lawyers for Mr Poots said that he did not want to narrow the pool of candidates by ring-fencing positions.

But lawyers for Mr Corey and NIPSA, who mounted a joint judicial review challenge, said the explanation was a smokescreen to hide the minister's opposition to having trade unionists on the panel.

Ruling on the case at the time Mr Justice Treacy acknowledged Mr Poots had a discretion to appoint whoever he wanted.

Minister Poots (above) third strike in the courts.

John Corey welcomed the ruling

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Corey takes on interim role as head of NI Human Rights Commission

FORMER NIPSA General Secretary John Corey took over the caretaker role as head of Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission at the end of October.

He takes up the interim post following the departure of Professor Michael O'Flaherty as head of the organisation.

The outgoing head stepped aside from his £80,000 a year post for personal reasons and served around two years.

He is a former member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and an expert on freedom of expression and the prevention of torture. The academic has spearheaded human rights missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone.

Since September 2011 he has been an outspoken advocate of a bill of rights.

Under his watch the Commission said lack of progress on creating legislation was a matter of regret and called on the Government to act.

The influential organisation also investigated alleged abuses in nursing homes, including elderly residents being admitted to hospital for dehydration because a home failed to provide enough for them to drink.

Professor O'Flaherty said: "The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a remarkable institution that champions the human rights of everyone in society, but especially of the most vulnerable and marginalised. The Commission is implementing a clear plan of action that is based on the human rights commitments freely entered into by the UK." He said it has been an honour and pleasure to serve the Commission.

"I have every confidence in the continued effectiveness of the Commission under the interim leadership of John Corey and with the appointment of a new chief commissioner."

Mr Corey was General Secretary of public service trade union Nipsa from 2003 - 2010 and previously held other positions with the organisation. He was a member of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) executive council and from 2008-2010 chaired the ICTU Northern Ireland Committee.

He works on arbitration for the Labour Relations Agency and represents trade unions on the Northern Ireland Business and Industry Forum.

Mr Corey said: "Over the last two years Michael O'Flaherty has made a very major contribution to the work of the Human Rights Commission. His unique experience and expertise in human rights have enabled the Commission to develop a clear vision and programme of work to advance human rights for every person in Northern Ireland.

"Commissioners and staff will continue to fulfil this programme of work while liaising with the Secretary of State to appoint a new Chief Commissioner."

The position of chief commissioner will be advertised shortly.

News

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THE GRIM REALITY OF WELFARE REFORM NIPSA members and officials at the unveiling of the union’s advert on Corporation St, in Belfast

MANY members will have heard the recent coverage about UK Minister Mike Penning’s threat that if the Northern Ireland Assembly didn’t implement the NI Welfare Reform Bill, then £5m a month would be removed from the Northern Ireland Block Grant from January 2014.

Only time will tell how our local politicians will respond to this threat. However, what Mr Penning failed to say is that if the Bill is implemented in Northern Ireland, £750m a year would be taken out of the local economy. That’s £650 per annum for every working age adult.

This is not scaremongering by NIPSA as some politicians have stated in recent days. This is a fact.

A fact drawn from a NICVA-commissioned report by two highly-respected researchers based on information culled from Treasury sources.

In recent days, members may have seen a number of billboards across Northern Ireland highlighting some of the worst elements of the NI Welfare Reform Bill.

It is a fact that most low-paid workers and those in the social security system spend their money in nearby shops, takeaways and other local businesses. The result of £650 a year less for every working age adult of the population will most certainly impact on these small, family-run businesses,

many of which are already struggling to keep afloat.

Does the Government, the Assembly and those who are backing this Bill not see that they will destroy local communities, families and small, familyrun businesses, if they implement this Bill?

Over the coming weeks NIPSA will be taking out further ads – on billboards and buses – highlighting the impact Welfare Reform will have on Northern Ireland.

It is important NIPSA members realise that, if implemented, the Welfare Reform Bill will also impact on working families. Those most likely to be affected are those who are currently in receipt of tax credits. This will be replaced Universal Credit.

Members will already have seen working families’ tax credits reduced over the last number of years since the Con-Lib Government came to power in 2010. This Government is not concerned about supporting hard-working families – what they say and what they do are totally different.

NIPSA is calling on its members to raise the issue with local MLAs asking them not to introduce this draconian legislation which will have a devastating impact on hard-working, low-paid families, the sick, disabled and the most vulnerable in society.

Write to your MLA and insist they oppose the Welfare Reform Bill.

Page 8 NIPSA Reports

Assembly Committee reports on Pensions Bill

THE Public Service Pensions Bill continues its passage through the Northern Ireland Assembly with the next phase being the consideration stage.

NIPSA will be making further representations to MLAs during this phase which is likely to be held in February 2014 The Bill had been under scrutiny by the Assembly’s DFP Committee.

The Committee, which issued its report on November 28, makes a number of recommendations to amend the Bill, most of them minor and, in the main, to be welcomed.

Though NIPSA sources have expressed disappointment that the DFP Committee did not reject outright the issue of linking Normal Retirement Age (NRA) to State Pension Age (SPA).

However, the Committee did raise concerns about the linking of NRA with SPA and has asked the DFP Minister to table an amendment to provide flexibility at scheme level.

During the consideration stage, NIPSA, working with the other public service unions through NIC-ICTU, will ask members to write to MLAs expressing opposition to the Bill.

In addition a number of briefing sessions are being planned as well as lobbying of MLAs. Over the next number of weeks, work will build up on these activities and from early in 2014 members will be urged to work on the campaign to protect public service pensions.

DVA CAMPAIGN UP AT WESTMIN News

www.nipsa.org.uk

NIPSA’s bid to save 300 jobs in Coleraine gets NIPSA representatives and DVA staff took the campaign to defend vehicle licensing jobs and services right to the heart of government recently when they led a delegation to meet with Transport Minister, Robert Goodwill MP, in London. The delegation also included local MPs, Gregory Campbell and Ian Paisley Jnr.

The Minister was shown a short film, commissioned by NIPSA, which highlights the concerns of local business representatives and the community in the Causeway coast area at the potential loss of jobs at the Driver and Vehicle Agency.

Mr Goodwill thanked NIPSA representatives for going to the effort of producing the film and helping him understand how much the DVA jobs mattered to the local community.

The NIPSA delegation described the meeting as worthwhile and said they were given the time to highlight several crucial points dealing with the impact centralisation would have on the service.

These included increasing number of complaints made to the Department of Transport’s Independent Complaints Assessor since DVLA offices closed, the predictable rise of vehicle crime and tax evasion, issues associated with the land border and other practical problems that do not arise in GB. A source told NIPSA Reports: “We also pointed out how staff would be affected and, in particular, how transferring or relocating staff would not be a solution.

“The Minister listened and was engaged throughout and as the meeting concluded he indicated that he had also been very strongly lobbied by a number of other MPs, the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister’s Office.”

The delegation was informed that the Minister would be unlikely to make an announcement until late December or early in the New Year.

Following the meeting the petition was officially presented to the Minister on the steps of the Department for Transport.

While in London the NIPSA representatives also met with the NI Affairs Select Committee in Westminister.

Although arranged at short notice, several Conservative and Labour MPs attended the meeting and all were supportive of the campaign. The Committee updated the MPs on the previous day’s Committee meeting when they raised the matter with the NI Secretary of State.

Westminster briefing: (from l-r) Linda Laverty (DVA), Sandra Dunlop (DVA), Ian UK Transport Minister, Ryan McKinney (NIPSA Assistant Sec) , Stephen Knowl Dept Sec), Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry MP)

Importantly the Select Affairs Committee extended an invitation to local council representatives and the Chamber of Commerce to meet with them in London. A further meeting in Portcullis House with the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ivan Lewis MP, was beneficial. Mr Lewis also accepted the invitation to come to County Hall, Coleraine, to meet with staff in December.

In the run-up to the meeting with the Transport Minister, NIPSA members worked intensely to increase the number of signatures to the campaign petition.

Assistant Secretary, Ryan McKinney told NIPSA Reports: “The response to the petition has been inspiring. By the time we reached Westminister, over 27,000 people had signed up in support of keeping the

jobs and the local offices.

“This is more than many long running campaigns have managed to gather an a tribute to the efforts of local staff as w as testament to the importance people place on every job in the age of auster “The fact is that there were more sig tures than people living in Coleraine, fo ample, and that point wasn’t lost on the Transport Minister who commented on intensity of the campaign.

“It was agreed before we even left Lo that we would seek to get more that 30 names on the petition and return in De ber to present it to Number 10 Downin Street. That’s exactly what we will do t make sure that the campaign cannot b nored.”

The campaign film produced for NIP

ROLLS NSTER www.nipsa.org.uk

a warm reception

n Paisley Jnr (North Antrim MP), Robert Godwill les (DUP Parliamentary Aide), Bill Dornan (DoE

by the Creative Workers Co-operative has proven to be a huge success with more than 1,000 views on YouTube alone and many ‘shares’ via social media.

The Causeway Chamber of Commerce is hosting the film on their website as are the NICS and local councils.

As NIPSA Reports went to press, it was clear that this additional publicity was bearing fruit as DVA staff gathered several thousand more signatures at local IFA league ondon games and the big Christmas lights switch0,000 ons.

With additional pressure sure to come ecemfrom the 1,500 motor traders who have ng been written to by NIPSA, It will certainly be to abundantly clear to the Transport Minister be igthat these jobs are going to be defended to the very last!

PSA

g nd is well e rity. gnaor exe n the

NIPSA concern over advertising of council CEO posts

Page 9 NIPSA Reports

News

NIPSA has expressed its deep concern after 10 of the 11 new Chief Executive posts to head up councils under RPA local government reform were advertised.

It follows, what the union has described as months of procrastination and abuse of the industrial relations process.

The Minister of the Environment opted to have these posts advertised despite complaints from NIPSA, the Public Service Commission and the Local Government Staff Commission (LGSC).

According to NIPSA, the Minister ignored the RPA Guiding Principles, redundancy legislation and other industrial relation practices in doing this.

The union also raised serious concerns about other appointments being made through public advertisement but has received assurances from the Minister that the Statutory Transition Committee Regulations will not be further used to breach the Guiding Principles.

NIPSA Assistant General Secretary Bumper Graham said: “The work of the RPA Local Government Reform Joint Forum (LGRJF) has been severely hampered by the DOE’s obdurate obstruction of the proper industrial relations process and came close to collapsing the LGRJF. “The Trade Union Side has made it clear to the Minister, the DOE and to the Management

Side that it requires all parties to fully engage in negotiations and to be wholly transparent on all aspects of Local Government RPA.” The LGRJF meeting in mid-December includes a detailed work plan, which will see an intense build-up of work in order to clarify, update and determine the way forward on issues such as: severance scheme; vacancy controls; location/relocation; transfer scheme; and the transfer of functions.

Meanwhile, amid the debacle over the use of Clause 18 of the Statutory Transition Committee Regulations (the clause that provides for public advertisement of posts), the DOE Minister announced his intention to cull the Local Government Staff Commission from 2017.

Underlining the continued need for the Commission, NIPSA described the announcement as “both vindictive and wholly irrational” and emphasised its intention to take every measure possible to prevent it being wound up.

The union is taking its concerns over the Local Government Bill, the main piece of RPA legislation, to the NI Assembly’s DOE Committee.

NIPSA representatives will be giving oral evidence to the Committee in mid-December to supplement an earlier written submission. The oral evidence session will also be used to highlight the issue of the Staff Commission.

MEMBERSHIP CARD: TAKE NOTE OF IMPORTANT CHANGES ON THE WAY IN THE NEW YEAR

THINGS are changing with your Membership Plus Discount Card.

The card which will be issued directly to you in early January 2014 will also be your NIPSA Membership Card and it will last not for 12 months but for two years running right the way through 2014 and 2015.

You can continue to use your current card into early January 2014.

On one side will be the Membership Plus Discount Card. As with the 2013 card to make maximum use of the card you should register on line at: www.nipsa.membershipplus.co.uk or via the homepage of NIPSA’s website www.nipsa.org.uk by using the button. If you registered your 2013 Membership Plus card all you have to do is click on “update” to register your 2014/15

card using the Membership Plus card number. If you didn’t previously register then click on “Register” and complete the short details section.

There is a new NIPSA Membership Plus website which provides enhancements to what was previously available, including better search facilities, storage of favourite offers, more categories of offers and an interactive map.

The site will also provide the opportunity for you to enter competitions limited to NIPSA members.

In addition to being your Membership Plus Discount Card for 2 years it will also be your NIPSA Membership Card detailing your NIPSA Membership Number and your Branch Number. You should provide details of your NIPSA membership number when contacting

NIPSA and when using other services such as Legal Services, Insurance and Financial Services.

The card will issue in early January 2014 to home addresses (if no home address is held it will be issued to your work address). You should therefore ensure that your contact details are correct, to update your details go to the NIPSA website www.nipsa.org.uk contact your Branch Secretary or the membership section at NIPSA Headquarters.

You should retain your combined Membership/Membership Plus Discount Card in your wallet or purse so that you can either access the great offers or quote to NIPSA your membership number.

Replacement cards will be charged at £5 per card.

SAVE THE NIHE BID STEPS UP A GEAR Page 10 NIPSA Reports

www.nipsa.org.uk

News

SINCE Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland’s January 9 announcement of his proposal to break up the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, NIPSA has been campaigning to retain it and – its 90,000 properties – in the public sector.

If McCausland’s plan goes ahead, the union has pointed out that these properties will end up being run by housing associations with private sector funding – from banks and hedge funds – used to build new homes or fund improvements.

NIPSA has voiced its fundamental opposition to this effective privatisation of social housing provision and warned that such a move will not be good for tenants in

the long term.

A NIPSA source said: “Effectively tenants will have to pay higher rents – which is not denied by anyone.”

The facts speak for themselves – in the first voluntary stock transfer in Northern Ireland – in Rinmore, Creggan – 55 homes were handed over to Apex Housing Association.

The motivation for this transfer was purely financial – it was argued that the NIHE did not have the resources available to refurbish and rebuild the homes.

However, Apex Housing Association is funded in a different way… it will seek to pay for the cost of the improvement work using a loan from a commercial bank, and for the new-build

scheme using a mixture of public funding and a loan.

At that time Apex Housing Association promised to make significant improvements including extending or refurbishing kitchens, electrical re-wiring, new gas central heating, as well as some new builds.

However, these improvements were to cost, as the ‘rent charge (and rates) of your homes will increase as a result of the transfer’.

The planned rent rises were huge and significantly more than if the NIHE had been allowed to carry out the works.

For example, the pre-improvement NIHE rent for a three-bedroom house was £52.43 per week. If the NIHE had carried out the

work, that rent would have increased to £53.93 per week. The Apex post-improvement work was planned to be at least £65.60 per week. The actual rent increases have been even bigger – being at least 28.5% higher.

The result therefore of stock transfer is motivated solely by accessing private finance – with the resulting increase in rents for tenants.

Currently while 85% of NIHE tenants are on full or partial housing benefit – that may not be the case moving forward with the proposed introduction of a bedroom tax for existing or new tenants – this will have an impact on the provision of social housing and affordability for tenants.

Currently Department of Social Development officials will not be drawn on whether tenants will have the right to have a vote – NIPSA believes it is absolutely essential that tenants are fully aware of all the facts of a potential of a NIHE break-up and what it may mean for them.

NIPSA will be meeting with tenants over the next few months to make them aware of their rights and to build a campaign of opposition to the effective privatisation of social housing here.

The union is currently organising a number of public meetings that will be widely advertised. Please make your voice heard and stop the privatisation of social housing in Northern Ireland.

A&E staff ‘pushed to the limit’, claims new report ACCIDENT and Emergency staff at the Royal Victoria and Mater Hospitals are being “pushed to the limits with the pressures faced by staff becoming unsustainable”, it has been claimed.

These are the findings of an independent report following an inspection by the College of Emergency Medicine.

The report’s author, Dr Taj Hassan, found

the environment and the workload being faced by A&E staff at the Belfast Trust was worse than anywhere else in the UK. Members of staff are working under intolerable pressure due to understaffing throughout nursing and medical professions caused by years of underfunding.

The report is confirmation of what NIPSA said would

happen when the Assembly Executive and Health Board closed the Belfast City Hospital A&E Department in 2011.

The responsibility for the crisis lies with all the Assembly parties as they continue to oversee health cuts under Transforming Your Care.

A union source said: “While NIPSA commends the A&E staff as they work hard to maintain a

safe service, unfortunately for staff the workload is becoming more and more unachievable and, as such, is not sustainable.”

NIPSA held a demonstration on November 21 at the Royal Victoria Hospital site to highlight this intolerable situation and to demand a reopening of City Hospital A&E. Further protests may be planned.

NIPSA: ‘Consumer Council should be kept’

NIPSA has voiced its opposition to any attempt to abolish the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is currently holding a series of public consultation events on the future of the organisation.

While the consultation document includes the option to retain the CCNI, it is understood the Department’s preference is to abolish it and transfer responsibility for consumer rights to the voluntary sector.

Almost 50 members of staff are

likely to lose their jobs if the CCNI goes.

NIPSA has set out its arguments in favour of retention.

The union claims the CCNI’s efficiency and effectiveness has been “repeatedly established” in previous reviews and points out the DETI consultation document contains “factual inaccuracies, omits key information and offers unbalanced comments”, citing the Council’s own initial response to the proposals.

In fact, NIPSA has called for a “strengthened” CCNI rather than a “diluted or externally funded body”.

A&E protest at RVH

The union also pointed out, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Last year, the Consumer Council handled nearly 4,500 consumer queries and complaints, returning more than £300,000 directly to hardpressed shoppers and service users.

Pointing out that consumer spending represented 60% of GDP, a union source told NIPSA Reports: “Consumers suffering from spiralling living costs need a stable and powerful advocate.

“The suggested alternatives are untested, insufficient and incapable

of affording the level of protection, advice, education and cohesive empowerment that consumers have a right to expect.”

NIPSA has, in particular, praised the CCNI for providing a “unique mix of research, policy, education and complaint handling roles in an integrated fashion”.

This, the union has argued, is unmatched by any other organisation in Northern Ireland and flagged up the fact that 97% of consumers helped by the CCNI expressed satisfaction with how their complaint was handled.

Second equal pay protest at Stormont www.nipsa.org.uk

NIPSA members have taken to the steps of Government Buildings in Stormont again in protest at the number of civil servants who did not benefit from the full terms of the 2009 equal pay settlement brokered by the union.

Speaking before the November 18 demonstration, NIPSA Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon said: "This is the second protest to be held following a disappointing outcome to a court case earlier in the

Page 11 NIPSA Reports

News

NIPSA STANDS UP FOR SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

THE NORTHERN Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee, which is currently undertaking an enquiry into the Education and Training Inspectorate and the school improvement process, recently heard oral evidence from a NIPSA delegation.

This supplemented a previous written submission from the union on the issue.

As NIPSA represents the overwhelming majority of school inspectors, the union was called to give evidence at Stormont.

NIPSA Official Tony McMullan and Departmental Secretary Janette McNulty spoke at the November 6 sitting of the Committee.

The delegation reminded the Education Committee that inspectors possessed a wide range of educational experience, professional expertise and knowledge.

Describing them as “highly reflective individuals”, the Committee heard that the context of the school is foremost in inspectors’ minds at every inspection and that the “the interests of the learner was paramount”.

MLAs were told that inspectors did not shy away from “making difficult decisions where these decisions were merited”.

Mr McMullan pointed out that the work of the school inspectors was “underpinned with rigour”.

However, he cautioned that the Department’s decision to raise the number of inspections with fewer resources (the Chief Inspector had cited a 20% reduction in funding over the next few years) and reduced time for inspectors to evaluate had a clear potential to cause divisions between inspectors and schools.

NIPSA members had, he added, serious concerns about the time allowed to complete inspec-

year. Due to a legal technicality, this group of civil servants have been badly treated.”

He noted that there was a growing level of support for these civil servants on

the basis of “fairness and justice on moral grounds”.

"A few months ago both the First Minister and the Finance Minister said there was a strong moral case for these members. Senior

civil servants have provided a briefing to the Finance Minister on the implications of a payment being made and we await his consideration of that briefing."

Assembly Committee told of ETI evidence by union officials

National Association of Head Teachers.

She claimed NAHT had had made a number of unjustified criticisms about inspectors.

In particular, they had highlighted that inspectors had little or no experience of teaching, leading or managing schools.

Ms McNulty countered that was not the case, pointing out that in order to become an inspector, staff were required to have at least 10 years tions. This led to very little time for professional teaching experience. development.

Slamming the National Association of Head Mr McMullan called for time allocations similar Teachers assertion that the Inspectorate cost a those currently in place in Scotland. School inlot of money, she argued that it represented “exspectors in Scotland are given 40 days a year for tremely good value for money”, comprising just professional development in contrast to the two to 0.3% of the Department of Education’s overall three days offered in Northern Ireland. budget.

One of the issues being looked at by the AsShe also flagged up that consideration was sembly Committee is whether the Inspectorate being given to adopting the inspection models should remain employees of the Department of elsewhere, both within and outside the UK. Education or whether they should be in some In her conclusion, Ms McNulty said that the inform of public body outside the Department. spectors saw themselves as being “a critical Mr McMullan argued strongly that being part of friend providing objective opinion, support and the Department of Education and the wider NICS challenge where appropriate”. allowed the ETI to be accountable for their acMr McMullan said that NIPSA members in the tions and helped foster greater levels of transInspectorate felt that they had a “good mutually parency and public accountability. respectful, high-quality working relationship” with He told the Committee that NIPSA members in schools. the Inspectorate were extremely dedicated and They are aware that young people rely on them hard working. They consistently worked well over to ensure that they do their level best in all situatheir job requirements and over their prescribed tions to make the most accurate evaluation call in hours. the interests of pupils and learners.

Mr McMullan explained that inspectors were He said that inspectors are intrinsically repre“extremely child-focused” and “only wanted the senting and giving a voice to those children best for the children”. whose schools they inspect and, more often than In her presentation, Janette McNulty raised not, they affirm the “very good and outstanding concerns about some comments made by other work of the very many excellent teachers in trade unions, in particular the non-ICTU-affiliated Northern Ireland”.

Organise to protect services, jobs, pay and pensions YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY...SUPPORT YOUR UNION AND YOUR COLLEAGUES

Exploris:

Page 12 NIPSA Reports

Decision deferred to prepare business case

NIPSA has been to the fore in campaigning for regional funding for the Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary after Ards Borough Council’s decision to close the facility was deferred for two months.

This two-month deferment expired at the end of November and the Council was set to make a definitive decision on its future.

However, councillors then voted through a further two-month deferment to allow for a business case to be prepared to save Exploris.

It follows a NIPSA lobby of DOE Minister Mark H Durkan and other departments on the issue.

The Minister advised the union that he would fund a seal sanctuary and give consideration to some capital funding on the basis of a number of points, including a business case put forward by the Council.

However, it is understood council officers could not work outside of the council's decision to close the service.

A motion was tabled to the Council by one of the political parties seeking a further deferment on the decision.

NIPSA and the SEA campaign group had lobbied the Ulster Unionist Party to table an amendment as the original motion would not have gained the required support.

The UUP tabled an amendment seeking a further two-month deferment to allow council officers to submit a business case to the relevant government departments.

The amendment was passed by the Council and work has since begun on the business case.

NIPSA will continue to campaign and lobby for regional funding to ensure the continuation of the service and our members’ employment.

Members who live in the Ards Borough Council area are asked to write to local councillors asking that the service be kept open.

TYC impact on homes highlighted

UNION FIGHT AUSTERIT Y’S News

AUSTERITY is a class war being waged by the rich and powerful against working people, NIPSA Policy and Research Officer John McVey has warned.

He made the comment at the official launch of a new NIPSA publication ‘Their System’s Crisis, Our Fightback’ on November 13.

Mr McVey told those gathered at the Youth Action NI offices in central Belfast, that though the nature of this attack had intensified in recent years, its general thrust had been in place for decades.

“We look at the facts of pay freezes and pay cuts and put these in their historical context to show this isn’t just about the current government in Westminster, there has been a pattern of attack on pay for decades.”

Pointing out that Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of workers paid less than the living wage in the UK – 26% – he contrasted this with what the super-rich paid themselves.

And noted: “By contrast at the tip of the corporate pyramid it is a very different story – average

www.nipsa.org.uk

pay for the top directors has increased by 49% in the last year alone.”

When it comes to pay, it was not a case of private sector versus public sector, “it is the top of the pyramid and the rest”.

In particular, Mr McVey highlighted the pensions issue.

“The people who were attacking us for ‘gold plated pensions’ a couple of years ago and crying crocodile tears for the private sector workers on lesser pensions are now showing how hollow their concern for these workers was.

“The Government has now given a green light to private sector employers to raid pension payouts to dependents, in other words end the obligation to pay out to a retired worker’s surviving spouse.

“The technical stuff on pensions may be and is dull but the politics of it are crucial as they demonstrate the type of society and the type of workforce those in power want – and that is an entirely disposable workforce, worked for as long as feasible, paid as little as possible but IN RECENT months, NIPSA has been to the fore in highlighting the impact the Transforming Your Care (TYC) initiative is having on statutory residential homes in Northern Ireland.

In September, NIPSA Assistant Secretary Kevin McCabe addressed the Health and Social Care Board’s monthly meeting in St Columb’s Park, Derry, having been given speaking rights by HSCB Chair Dr Ian Clements.

He reiterated NIPSA’s opposi-

ING BACK AGAINST CLASS WARRIORS www.nipsa.org.uk

Page 13 NIPSA Reports

News

Union members and officials at the launch of NIPSA’s ‘A Statement to Members’ publication

dumped as cheaply as possible as quickly as possible when they’ve outlived their usefulness.”

Mr McVey said the market system could be summed up in one infamous phrase: “There is no such thing as society”.

He continued: “You have a world where Primark post profits of half a billion pounds, as garment workers in Bangladesh work for seven pence an hour – a dog eat dog society – where we are all vulnerable and ripe for exploitation or treated with negligence and contempt.”

He claimed the anti-welfare propaganda was just a “smoke screen” for an assault on universal provision and represented “a descent from the ideal that there was a duty to provide social security in its fullest sense for citizens and the current model of charity, pay day loans and food banks.”

Turning to the implementation of Welfare Reform across the water, he pointed out that the whole policy was “unravelling” yet the UK Government was still pressing for it to be introduced in Northern Ireland. tion to all closures and noted that the issue had been removed from the Trusts.

Mr McCabe also challenged the Board over the proposed terms of reference and recently published project initiation document.

Given the seriousness of the issue, NIPSA has called for regular engagement with the Board and other bodies on the issue.

A rally and protest involving NIPSA activists, carers, residents

“We’re being asked to go into a burning building because the rest of the town is going to go on fire anyway,” he added.

Slamming local politicians for the response to this, he predicted it would represent the “litmus test of their political seriousness”, before adding that it was a “test they are currently failing”.

Mr McVey claimed the fightback against austerity needed “troops” and underlined the importance of building up the strength of trade unions.

“This starts from the basis of looking at what unions have done for us and what the world of work looks like without them. This will lead to a discussion of the threats we are facing being of historic significance – the defence of health and safety, for example, is to challenge the roll back to legislation that dates from the time of the industrial revolution.”

But he cautioned: “The point is made that not fighting back won’t guarantee us that we keep the status quo – there is no status quo – in these times if we don’t resist – you won’t get less – you’ll get nothing.”

and community representatives was also held to coincide with the meeting.

On October 29, the HSCB held a public consultation on the issue at Grosvenor House, Belfast.

Again, NIPSA held a rally and protest and sought speaking rights at the meeting.

In advance of this, the union produced a leaflet circulated throughout the Health Service calling on patients, carers and

families to join with NIPSA to stop the Board and others “removing your choice, closing residential homes in your area and cutting thousands of hours of domiciliary care across all Trusts”.

Pat Lawlor, a local NIPSA representative from Branch 730 who addressed the meeting on behalf of the union, was scathing of the fact that all the Trusts were operating a no admissions policy to residential homes.

He pointed out that this, when coupled with wilful lack of investment in the homes, was making them ripe for closure.

NIPSA sent a clear message to the Board and other bodies that the union would continue to ensure there is scrutiny and accountability on this important issue and that it would be seeking regular engagement with all stakeholders.

Worrying trend: Alarming growth

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News

MORE than 500,000 people now depend on food banks in Northern Ireland and the UK. NIPSA and the trade union movement have described this “alarming rise” in the number of desperate people turning to help from food banks as a national scandal.

“The huge growth in people

struggling to survive on a daily basis and turning to charitable contributions is no substitute for failed government policies marching to the tune of austerity,” said a NIPSA spokesperson.

The union movement is appalled that inquiries about food banks have rocketed with more than 500,000 in the UK availing themlves of the service.

The NIPSA spokesperson added: “The impact of harsh government benefit reforms can clearly be seen by the rising numbers turning to food banks.

However, this union and its members will not shirk from a responsibility to defend the less well off and the low paid in our community.

“NIPSA is appealing for its

members to support local food banks by contributing non-perishable supplies.

“Many of those who use food banks are low-paid workers, many in the public sector and they are our colleagues.”

A YouGov survey commissioned by Citizen Advice Bureau shows that more than half of those on low incomes have had

Fare way to Share food with those who need it Lucy Gollogly, from View NI, a digital community magazine, reports on the FareShare organisation which delivers food to the charity and community sector

Despite rising food prices, as much as half the world’s food is simply thrown away. Now a Belfast-based organisation is putting some of that ‘surplus’ food onto the plates of those who desperately need it.

FareShare (Island of Ireland) diverts food away from the rubbish tip and delivers it to charity and community organisations working with homeless people and other vulnerable groups throughout Northern Ireland.

Based in Weavers’ Court in south Belfast and managed by the Council for the Homeless in Northern Ireland, it’s one of 17 depots across the UK. When VIEW visited on a cold, wintry morning, the warehouse was crammed with a huge variety of fresh and frozen food, including rice, pasta, soup, vegetables, meat, and even ice lollies.

But as Méabh Austin, the project’s Strategic Development Officer explained, the warehouse is actually relatively Spartan on a Monday morning, as they wait for deliveries from food producers and supermarkets to come in. The food is all good quality and within its best-before-date. It’s just that it can’t be sold for trivial rea-

sons, such as having damaged packaging or being from a seasonal line.

Established in March 2011 and partly funded by the Food Standards Agency and the Public Heath Agency, FareShare currently supplies food to 61 organisations – and that number is growing all the time. Recipients include the East Belfast Mission, the Methodist City Mission, Mindwise in Carrickfergus and Lighthouse in Ballymena.

Méabh said: “In the first year we diverted 154,000 meals from landfill. We were able to work that out using Food Standards Agency guidelines, so if you lined up all the plates they would stretch from Belfast to Bangor.”

The food comes from around 40 local producers, including Avondale, Gilfresh, Premier Bakeries and Dale Farm, and supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s. The organisation is in talks with Asda, and has also taken food from Tesco and Lidl.

The benefits to businesses are obvious – FareShare takes food that they would otherwise have to pay to dispose of as landfill, saving them money, reducing their carbon emissions

A team of workers getting the food ready for delivery from FareShare’s depot in Weaver’s Court, Belfast, to charity and community organisations Picture: Kevin Cooper

and doing their public image no harm either.

Méabh said: “The more food producers that we can get on board, the more food we can get out to community food members – the charities that benefit from the food.”

As well as Méabh and Operations Manager Simon Geddis, there is one other paid staff member, but the project depends on volunteers who receive training in

forklift truck driving, food hygiene and health and safety.

Volunteers Liam McCarville from Belfast and Jim Hamilton from Comber were working in the warehouse when View visited.

Liam said: “I’m a volunteer with Volunteer Now. I make up the food parcels for those who need them.” Jim Hamilton, a former government press officer, said: “My last job was in the DoE so I knew a

bit about FareShare and I was interested in doing something that helped people.”

Méabh said that FareShare is making a real difference to charities and community groups struggling with budgets.

For more information on FareShare, email: meabh.austin@fareshareioi.eu or call 02890 246440.

in Northern Ireland food banks www.nipsa.org.uk

to resort to savings accounts in the past six months so that they can meet living costs.

And 37% of respondents on low incomes report that they have no savings to turn to in an emergency, meaning many have no safety net when they run out of money.

The Citizna Advice Bureau has warned that its offices are begin-

Page 15 NIPSA Reports

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ning to see people in employment seek emergency food supplies before they get paid, despite positive unemployment figures revealed earlier this month.

Like CAB, NIPSA believes that food banks have no place in modern Britain.

“Millions of families are facing a perfect storm of pressures on

their budgets.

“The combined impact of welfare upheaval, cuts to public spending, low wages and the high cost of living are putting unbearable pressure on many households, forcing them to seek emergency help putting food on the table."

Unlike the Con-Dem government ministers who blame the

NIPSA say YES to real jobs at Europa protest

NIPSA members at the Department for Employment and Learning held “a good humoured but determined” protest outside the Europa Hotel on November 14, as DEL Minister Dr Stephen Farry launched a Jobs Fair and Advice Forum inside the building.

Tony McMullan (pictured above at the demo), the NIPSA Official who has responsibility for DEL, told NIPSA Reports: “I want to make it clear that we as a trade union welcome the Department’s objective in providing employment schemes for young people.

“However, while that is a principle we share with the Department, we do not believe that the current YES programme is able to provide the real jobs which young people need in order to play a beneficial role in Northern Ireland society.”

The YES (Youth Employment Scheme) programme is the Department’s attempt at identifying jobs and training opportunities for young people.

Mr McMullan raised concerns that so far the YES programme had not been able to turn its objectives into providing real, meaningful and properly paid jobs for young people.

He said: “The employees of DEL and

members of NIPSA are fully committed to providing the support which our young people need. However, that cannot be done without the necessary training and resources.

“Despite the union’s best efforts, we have not been able to persuade the DEL management to provide additional training for our members which is an essential prerequisite to assisting young people.

“In addition, the union believes that there is a fundamental requirement for the necessary resources, both monetary and physical, to ensure that the YES programme is properly staffed and resourced.”

Mr McMullan, who earlier handed Dr Farry a letter setting out NIPSA’s position, also expressed concern over the Department’s decision to outsource some functions to the private sector.

He added: “We believe that staff in DEL are best placed to provide the quality service which our young people require and we, therefore, urge the Minister to desist from handing over any elements of our work on the YES programme to training providers and instead commit himself to providing the necessary resources to allow his employees to do the job they have committed themselves to carrying out.”

poorest in society for their predicament, NIPSA is urging its members to contact the following food bank organisations in Northern Ireland and contribute in some way: http://www.trusselltrust.org/

http://www.storehousebelfast.com http://www.svp-ni.org

NIPSA concern over salary hikes for senior execs

AS PREVIOUSLY reported in NIPSA Reports, the new Director of Transformation has been appointed on a salary of £142,000, plus £15,000 travel and accommodation costs.

In recent days NIHE Chairman Donald Hoodless, in discussing the advertising of the new Chief Executive post, said: “The Department of Social Development will consider a significant pay rise to the Chief Executive salary in a bid to attract a high-calibre candidate.”

It is speculated that the salary will be advertised in excess of £150,000.

This is at a time when the NIHE salary budget is under severe pressure and has been reduced year-on-year over the past three years.

Staff have just been awarded a meagre 1% pay increase after a three-year pay freeze yet new appointments at a senior level are being paid £50,000 plus more than posts at an

equivalent or previous level.

Deputy General Secretary Alison Millar told NIPSA Reports: “NIPSA is deeply concerned that the NIHE salary budget – which has been capped and reduced for the past three years – will be required to bear the additional salary costs at a time of low pay rises for staff who have had to resort to writing to their MLAs to force the payment of the meagre 1% increase this year.

“I have written to Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland expressing NIPSA’s concern in a bid to ensure that the Department makes available the additional money for the very high salaries currently being offered to new senior staff in the Housing Executive.

“It is unfair that perhaps if this does not happen that more junior staff or temporary staff will lose their jobs – this cannot be allowed to happen.”

CDP ‘blacklisting’ clarification welcomed DEPARTMENT of Finance and Personnel TUS has welcomed clarification issued by the Central Procurement Division over the issue of ‘blacklisting’.

The CDP was responding to representations made by the TUS at a recent meeting of the DFP Committee and follows reports of ‘blacklisting’ in other parts of the UK. TUS wanted to ensure that firms applying to take part in Northern Ireland public procurement competitions were not also engaged in the practice.

In response CPD advised TUS that: n CPD is against black-

listing and does not condone it in any form. n CPD encourages the right of any individual to trade union membership. n CPD will monitor the work of the Ethical Trade Initiative.

CPD’s position was welcomed by DFP TUS. A source said: “While there is no evidence to suggest blacklisting has been a problem in Northern Ireland, it is important it stays that way.

“The assurances from CPD from a public procurement perspective is most helpful, including their recognition of the right to join a trade union.”

And...it’s a goodbye from activist Trevor Page 16 NIPSA Reports

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and Policy and Economics Division.

UNION stalwart Trevor Smyth For the last 16 years Trevor has retired from DARD at the end of September after 42 years in the worked in Agricultural Economy Branch in DARD. Trevor is well NICS. In that time he has worked in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. During the last 42 years Trevor has worked in the Veterinary Research Laboratories, Forestry Division Beef Special Premium Division, Personnel Division

known in the Department and highly respected by his colleagues. His wealth of knowledge and experience has made a valuable contribution to the work of Agricultural Economy Branch over the years and it is fitting Activist Trevor Smyth (yellow jumper) with union colleagues at NIPSA HQ for that he now enjoys a well-earned a party to mark his retirement from NICS rest.

Long-term proposals tabled after Technical Grades review DURING the equal pay negotiations conducted in 2009, NICS management insisted on conducting a review of the Technical Grades I and II (TGI/TGII).

The findings of that exercise confirmed that a very high percentage of TGIIs were undertaking work of the TGI grade and also that a number of TGIs were undertaking work beyond their substantive grade.

Temporary promotion arrangements were put in place for all those doing work of a higher grade although for a number of TGI staff they were only paid the salary of an EOII rather than that of the next

higher grade in their grading structure (i.e. PTO).

The temporary promotion terms were made retrospective to September 2009 and were to remain in place pending the outcome of negotiations on longer-term arrangements.

Recently NICS management responded to the representations made by Trade Union Side on longer-term arrangements.

Following consideration of the proposals, the Civil Service Group Executive accepted them on the basis that they addressed the issues raised by Trade Union Side.

“Silent Night -

The arrangements are:

aminers be re-graded to EOII within the General Service discipline. It is TGII staff proposed this would be facilitated by means of a paper-based assessIn line with NIPSA’s representament and line manager recommentions, it is now agreed that all current TGII posts be confirmed as TGI and dation. The process would mirror that for the TGII staff when agreed. that TGII staff should be re-graded (effectively promoted to TGI with efOther TGI fect from September 1, 2013). affected posts It was also proposed that this be facilitated by means of a paperNICS management indicated that based assessment and line manDepartments had suggested the agement recommendation. The detail of this process is being fineed to create a new PTO II grade nalised with NICS management who for TGI posts that had been evaluwill circulate it to staff and line man- ated as falling within the EOII JEGS agers. score boundary.

It was also agreed that the TGII However, this proposal would have grade would remain part of the Proreintroduced part of the P & T discifessional and Technology Officer grading structure that can be drawn pline structure that existed prior to the P & T re-grading exercise in the upon in the future where the need late 1980s. It would also run conarises. trary to NIPSA policy in seeking to TGI driving address grading anomalies and the potential creation of a new single examiners Executive Officer grade.

These members of staff are curFollowing consideration of this prorently receiving temporary promotion posal by the Civil Service Group Exterms on the Executive Officer II ecutive Committee, it was rejected. salary scale. Over a number of Further discussions with NICS manyears the driving examiner functions agement are planned to consider a have moved between the Profesmore appropriate alternative by sional and Technical and General which NIPSA policy can be achieved Service disciplines.

It has been agreed that Driving Exand members’ interests protected.

Get fit and protect jobs NIPSA has called on members to get fit in the New Year by going to publicly-owned gyms and helping support public sector jobs.

It follows the decision by North Down Council to outsource its leisure centres to international service company Serco.

Local Government leisure services are increasingly under threat and it is understood that a number of other councils are considering the future of leisure centres in their areas.

A union source said: “It is coming to the time of year where members and their families give

consideration to getting fit, joining a gym and generally looking after their health and that of their families, buying presents or making New Year resolutions.

“Members are asked to help protect public services by buying public service gym memberships for presents or by joining public leisure centre gyms in the New Year.

“This will help to protect public services and jobs. It will also ensure your money will be reinvested into public services and not into the pockets of private sector employers.”