Inside
UNISON Campaigns: UNISON calls for 10% pay rise
Anti-Racism: 'Show Racism the Red Card' & SUTR Conference
Mental Health Stop Climate in the Chaos!: Workplace Our planet, our workplaces and the world
City and County of Swansea
Review Feeling sick? You will do...
Most people get sick from time to time, and sometimes we are too sick to work. When this happens employers should do all they can to support their workers so that they can return to work fit and well. Occupational sick pay stops people for having the added anxiety and worry of paying the bills, and can focus on getting better. It’s a key part of your overall terms and conditions which include your pay and pension. The Council have stated that sickness absence is increasing, and they want to make changes to the sickness absence policy. The proposed changes include making the trigger points for formal intervention more severe. UNISON have stated we want to work with the employer to try to reduce sickness absence, but we will resist changes to the sickness absence policy that penalise our members for being sick. We believe most sickness absence is genuine, and increasing the trigger points won’t address the problem, and could make it worse by forcing ill people into the workplace, spreading infectious diseases. UNISON has argued that it is unreasonable for the Council to cut the support given to staff by reducing the
www.ccsunison.org.uk Public Service Not Private Profit
Thanks to @moderntoss for use of image
UNISON is currently negotiating a new Management of Absence Policy. Whilst discussions about the many details are ongoing the central thrust of the proposed policy will affect every Council worker when you are unwell.
resources in the Occupational Health Department, and then make it easier to dismiss staff for being ill. Facts and figures Our negotiating team has asked for the latest figures for absenteeism since 2014 as part of the current review of the Managing Attendance at Work Policy. We want to know how long it is taking for occupational health appointments. Are there particular workplace issues in certain departments, and if so, what is being done about it? What is UNISON calling for? UNISON is calling for fair sickness absence policies that help staff get well, and don’t punish them for being sick. It is also calling for more action to tackle the underlying causes of sickness absence such as stress, mental health and MSDs. Managers may also need support to exercise their discretion and not use punitive measures when the employee needs help instead of punishment.
UNISON has called on the Council to remove the proposed changes to trigger points and we will continue to negotiate to protect and promote our members interests. UNISON's negotiating team has reported back to our branch committee and been given a clear mandate that we as a branch will not sign up to a policy that is more detrimental for our members than the current policy, Chris Cooze Branch Secretary has said : "Unison believes it is in everyone’s interests to have as many workers as possible fit, healthy and in work. Rather than focussing just on sickness absence rates and procedures for punishing sick workers, we believe the best way to achieve this is to create healthy workplaces and in particular, tackle the underlying causes of work related ill health and jury. A supportive employer equals a happier work force. But the new policy is very far from this." Detail There are also many health issues relating to physical disability, mental health, gender-reassignment and the menopause which need clarification about how they relate to sickness absense. Without this too much is left to interpretation - and our fear in the present climate is this will not be to employees benefit. UNISON will continue to try and get the best possible deal for our members but a real campaign involving a fight from all our members may be needed.
'Unisonswansea' August 2019
Unions call for 10% pay rise for local government workers The three largest local government unions, representing 1.4 million employees in schools and councils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have submitted a pay claim that attempts to reverse the real terms pay cuts suffered by local authority staff since 2010. The claim for the year from next April would see the lowest paid staff earning at least £10 per hour, and all other council employees receiving a ten per cent pay rise. UNISON, GMB and Unite’s joint claim also includes a oneday increase to employees’ annual leave entitlement and a two-hour reduction in the standard working week. It also calls for a review of the workplace causes of stress and mental health issues. Commenting on the claim UNISON head of local government Jon Richards said: “Council staff have paid a heavy price during the years of austerity, keeping services going when cash was in short supply and hundreds of thousands of their colleagues lost their jobs. “The government claims the cuts are behind us, but no new money behind the recent pay announcement for teachers, police officers and the armed forces suggests otherwise. The new PM should make good the damage of the past, and fund local government properly to protect jobs, wages and services.” GMB national secretary Rehana Azam said: “Our members deserve a real pay rise. Boris Johnson needs to put his money where his mouth is and help reverse the last decade’s brutal cuts to our members’ quality of life. “Local government workers’ earnings have been devalued by up to 22%. After ten years of real terms pay cuts our demand for a 10% pay rise and a minimum of £10 an hour is more than reasonable. Unite national officer for local government Jim Kennedy said: “We are strongly supporting a 10 per cent pay increase and a £10 minimum rate claim for local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the year starting April 2020. “Our claim is based on the fact that local government staff have borne the brunt of the government’s harsh austerity regime since 2010. Our members have seen their pay cut in real terms by 22 per cent since then and they need a substantial pay lift in recognition of the dedicated work that they do to keep council services running smoothly 24/7.” For eight years from 2010 council workers faced eight years of government-imposed pay restraint, with their wages either frozen or held to a one per cent pay increase. Local authority employees are now coming to the end of a two-year pay deal, which included a 2% increase each year, with more for the lowest paid. The unions would like to see the 2020/21 pay deal tackle the fall in living standards school and council workers have faced in the last decade. The unions have presented the pay claim to the Local Government Association this afternoon and the employers are expected to respond in the autumn.
UNISON: Organis Workplace Mental Health Workplace mental ill health is a growing issue as austerity cuts and increased pressures bite. Workrelated stress is one of the biggest health hazards in the workplace. Stress is difficult to identify, but it can be caused by excessive workloads or pressure placed on employees. Employers are responsible for the general safety and wellbeing of their employees while they are at work. The law requires employers to carry out risk assessments to identify hazards, including stress.
What causes stress? Stress can be caused by a number of factors including: long hours and shift work; lack of control or insecurity; lack of job satisfaction, boredom or isolation; fear of violence, b other work colleagues; problems with the working environment (s poor facilities); low pay.
Reps and Safety Reps If you are a rep or a safety rep, you can help change the culture at w Make sure that your employer has included stress in their risk asses with members to discuss how stress might be an issue in the workp
The results of this focus group can be used to organise and demons your workplace and the results can help to inform the risk assessme with stress in the workplace.
Stars in our Schools School support staff across Swansea will be recognised on 29th November as part of a UK-wide celebration of the invaluable contribution they make to the education of pupils. UNISON is organising the 'Stars in Our Schools' event to promote the wonderful work school support staff do every day, and to make sure the world knows just how vital they are to every school. UNISON City & County of Swansea Branch Secretary Chris Cooze said: "This annual UK-wide celebration day is a great opportunity for pupils, parents and teachers to promote the work of their support staff and thank them for their outstanding contribution.
School s our scho young pe cooks, t to family and scho every as could no
As your County o YOUR S Friday 1 Stars na a STAR!
Welcome to Laura - coming to a workplace near you
We are delighted to welcome Laura who has recently been allocat Wales. Laura brings a wealth of experience having been employed i well as working in a UNISON setting for the past 5 years. Laura's foc campaigning, attending induction sessions and helping to draft local activists. Laura said “UNISON is not just the biggest union, but a g bigger, better and bolder in the future. Austerity, pay cuts, job losses and its vital that we stand together to defend our vital services. G UNISON will always remain strong and continue to defending our members and our communities. I'm really looking forward to supporting the branch in the coming months so please come and say hello if you see me out and about.” Laura can be contacted at: e-mail: L.tams@unison.co.uk Tel: 01792 483926
We tea
sing for you
bullying or harassment; bad relations with such as noise, temperature, overcrowding and
work to encourage people to talk about stress. ssment. You can also organise focus groups lace.
strate to the employer that stress is an issue in ent and the way your employer chooses to deal
support staff are so often the unsung heroes in ools and play an integral part of the education of eople. Their roles are incredibly diverse, from teaching assistants, cleaners and caretakers y support advisers, examinations staff ool business managers. They play a vital role in spect of school life and without them schools ot run."
local UNISON branch for support staff at City & of Swansea we would love you to tell us about Star in a School, please drop Laura an email by 1th October to l.tams@unison.co.uk with your ame, job role, school and why you think they are !
u!
ted to support our branch by UNISON Cymru / in a Local Authority setting for over 20 years, as cus will be recruiting new members, recruitment materials as well as identify new rowing union and one that’s committed to being s and attacks on the public sector affect us all
Gower Bike Ride
ell done to the UNISON members am at the annual Gower bike ride this
2019 UNISON Conference Report In the past year, Unison has rightly celebrated the achievements of our first 25 years. Together, we have so much to be proud of. A proud union of the left, fighting and winning for working people. The biggest union in the UK, representing 1.3 million people working for the benefit of our communities.
Safety, towards a more inclusive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) self-organised group, suicide awareness training for stewards and many more valid proposals. Each motion was supported by passionate representation from branches around the UK.
Delegates
Swansea motion
At this year’s conference, the Swansea Branch was represented by delegates: Jan Murray, Michelle Pow, Susan Huggleston, Jayne Harries and overseen by convenor: Patrick McCormack, also attending in a visitors capacity was Branch Secretary Mr Chris Cooze.
Thursday afternoon, this was our big one, ‘Amendments to Rules’. The Swansea branch was specifically backing the amendment to Rule G (Branches), supporting the option to have an annual or biennial election policy, reliant on branch ethos.
Prentis
The rule amend would allow branch officers and stewards two year period in post, supporting the motion on behalf of the Swansea Branch was Jan Murray, Wellbeing Officer, she took the platform, speaking for the proposal.
The conference opened with a welcome, leading to first and second reports of standing orders Committee, who are responsible for the business of Conference, consisting of 12 elected regional members. Day two was time for the General Secretary to take the floor, Dave Prentis, as green and purple flew, delegates stood, applauding and cheering, with Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone reverberating around the hall. Internationalism The focus of his speech “Our solidarity has no borders,” covering UK current issues such as Brexit and encompassing international like-minded unions, defining “Internationalism is the heart of our union; solidarity its bedrock.” Then Mr Prentis turned to how UNISON has become the biggest union in the UK; the fastest growing union in Western Europe, an achievement founded on being a union of compassion and kindness. Growing Unison Concluding with celebrating what solidarity means in reality, paying tribute to striking members, before inviting some of those to join him in front of the rostrum. Conference applauded “UNISON – Britain’s biggest, Britain’s best – solidarity forever!” Inclusive Throughout the week, prioritised motions were addressed, covering relevant topics: Developing Organising Resources in Branches and Regions, Growing the Union, Austerity and Public
The motion was also supported by six other branches in Wales, unfortunately the amendment to the rule was marginally declined. Well done Jan Murray for her eloquence and passion to the motion: a star is born. Roll-on Conference 2020, we will support the motion once again. Cohesive In summary, the Conference, the word that resonates is ‘Solidarity’. The up and coming unknown changes, specifically ‘Brexit’, calls for a united workforce. Show ‘Solidarity’ with Unison make sure we are all working towards a cohesive future, one fit for you, your family and those who matter.
Is Lifelong Learning for you?
Stand Up To Racism International Conference
Every year, more and more UNISON members discover that they can develop their skills for work and home lives. With help you too can be that person, a trained unison learning rep (ULR). So far over 3,360 ULR's have be trained in over 756 branches. As a statistic within Unison's achievement Swansea CCS Branch has it's commitment to Lifelong Learning. Union Learning Reps are volunteers who are willing to encourage and support other colleagues with learning in the workplace. Any UNISON member who is interested in learning and enjoys helping people can become a ULR. Training Many ULRs have themselves discovered the joys of learning through a UNISON course such as Return to Learn and want to help others follow in their footsteps. We provide excellent training to get you started as a ULR, and you can pick up ideas and support from all of our branch, regional and national resources, including our online Organising Space. ULRs have a statutory right to reasonable time off to undertake their role – which also covers their own time to train. Achievements For the past twenty years UNISON has celebrated many achievements, so inspiring to see how members have been able to move on, especially when some used to imagine they would never progress.
YOUR UNION
If you are interested and would like to find out more by contacting the branch 01792 635271
The 5th annual Wear Red Day will take place in England and Wales on Friday 18th October and in Scotland on Friday 4th October 2019. Each October Show Racism the Red Card holds its annual Wear Red Day. The 5th annual Wear Red Day will take place in England and Wales on Friday 18th October and in Scotland on Friday 4th October 2019. Wear Red Day is a national day of action which encourages schools, businesses & individuals to wear red and donate £1 to help facilitate the delivery of anti-racism education for young people & adults throughout England, Scotland & Wales. For just £5, SRtRC can educate one child for a whole day. Every penny raised during WRD enables the campaign to work with more young people and adults across the UK to challenge racism in society. https://www.theredcard.org/wales
The racist and fascist right are experiencing their biggest growth in their support across Europe since the 1930’s. Inspired by the likes of Donald Trump, racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise everywhere. In Britain the toxic debate around the Brexit crisis has seen populist racists like Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage come to the centre stage of politics. Whether you voted “Leave” or “Remain” everyone must oppose their racist agenda. On Saturday 19 October antiracists activists will gather in London from across Europe and the US at the Stand Up To Racism international conference to debate how we build an international movement against the racist and fascist right and how we drive back the populist racism of the Tories and Farage. Contact the branch or go to Stand Up To Racism Swansea on Facebook for details.
Contact us: Unison Office, Rm 153-G, The Guildhall, Swansea SA1 4PE
01792 635271
unison@swansea.gov.uk Branch Secretary: Chris Cooze
Unison has many trained union reps throughout the council, schools and FE colleges. We will advise, support and represent you collectively and individually on issues from sickness, disciplinaries to legal matters inside and outside the workplace. If you need advice or representation please contact the Senior Steward(s) or Contact for your department below or go to your workplace steward. Alternatively please contact the branch office.
www.ccsunison.org.uk
Office Landline: Office Mobile:
01792 635271 07468451764
Chris Cooze: Rob Thomas: Patrick McCormack: Mark Otten: David White: Mathew Shephard:
07754324238 07900702815 07771922985 07554425841 07870465697 07584198885
www.unison.co.uk
This newsletter is produced by the City and County of Swansea Unison Branch. Any letters, comments or suggestions for articles should be posted to the branch address or emailed to Unison@swansea.gov.uk. Correspondence is not guaranteed to be published and contents may not necessarily reflect Unison policy.