Inside
EU Vote: the crisis and the Lessons
Nazi kills Jo Cox MP
Museum Strike: All-out action brings victory
City and County of Swansea
Review No to austerity...
Hammered by Tory Cuts Local government workers are experiencing unprecedented pressure and stress in the workplace – and government cuts are to blame, says a report recently published from UNISON. The report – Under Pressure, Underfunded and Undervalued – is based on a survey of more than 2,000 local council staff, including teaching assistants, social workers, librarians and carers who look after people in their own homes. Morale The findings highlight how staff morale and working conditions have suffered as a result of government costcutting, with more than half a million jobs in local government axed since 2010. Three quarters (75%) of council workers said workload and pressure have increased in the last 12 months, nearly two thirds (63%) believe morale has declined and nearly three quarters (73%) report rising stress levels. Three in five (60%) respondents said they are working beyond their contracted hours with nearly a quarter (23%) doing unpaid overtime.
Nearly two thirds (63%) of local government workers who took part in the survey have experienced a job review or reorganisation at work that has led to cuts both in staffing and resources in some cases. Bullying Under Pressure, Underfunded and Undervalued also reveals that bullying in the workplace is a major issue for local government staff. Three in five respondents (60%) have faced at least one form of abuse such as violence, verbal or physical threats, and bullying or harassment. This abuse is most common from people using services but managers too are to blame as cash-strapped councils come under increasing pressure, says UNISON. Harassment Seventeen per cent of respondents had witnessed harassment from employers and 13 per cent been victims. UNISON’s head of local government Heather Wakefield said: “Council staff are being worked into the ground because of government cutbacks.
Shortages A key reason for staff shortages is that employers are failing to replace workers when they leave, according to more than one in five (21%) respondents.
“If you neglect the people who empty our bins, who support our children and care for our vulnerable relatives then you neglect the services we all depend upon. Everyone suffers if those on the front line are so stressed and undermined they cannot do their jobs properly.”
Under Pressure, Underfunded and Undervalued can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/28QWORF
Take an active part in UNISON! Members are invited to express an interest for the following City & County of Swansea Unison Branch Officer positions: Convenor Young Members Officer Benefits Officer Welfare Officer Equalities Officer These are voluntary positions and are therefore not salaried but they do attract a small honorarium for work conducted outside normal working hours. Some posts may be allowed facility time. Please contact the Unison Office (see back page) for job descriptions and further details
Public Service Not Private Profit
July 2016
An issue we can't afford to park As many members will be aware car parking at both the Civic Centre and the Guildhall is a very pressing issue. Many of our members have come to us with concerns about safety, caring responsibilities and the unfair way in which passes are being distributed. Overflow It appears that both sites do not currently have the parking provision necessary with those working in the Guildhall expected to park on the street or at the Recreation Ground and those in the Civic being expected to make do parking in overflow car parks as far away as Trawler Road.
How do we res to the crisis?
At the time of going to press, the vote over EU membership ha Lack of space and the rapidly-changing events mean an in-depth
However it seems clear that Britain’s rulers face seismic poli Leave vote. David Cameron departed just hours after the refe should mourn him after he headed up the most brutal austerity
Chancellor George Osborne emerged from hiding soon after the stock markets that “our economy is as about as strong as it cou big slump in share prices.
Evidence In order to try to build a wealth of evidence to combat these issues Unison decided to launch a petition in order to allow all members to express their concerns around car parking. Some of the things have that become apparent from this include: Employees having to spend a large amount of time during the day moving cars (especially at the Guildhall) meaning that they are having to take time out of their working day. This appears to be both inefficient and time wasting and is affecting some employees’ ability to plan their working day. Increasing frustration from employees who are having to use car parks such as Trawler Road, especially those who have been caught in showers whilst walking to the Civic. There have even been cases of files being ruined in particularly heavy showers when employees are having to carry these from their cars. The current plans do not make allowances for those with caring responsibilities. Whilst this may appear to some not seem to have much of an effect on most employees, if someone has to walk for fifteen minutes to reach their car before they can go home to attend to the person that they care for then this could cause disruption and also safety concerns especially for those who care for elderly relatives. Worries about employee safety especially from those who are based in the West Car Park in the Civic Centre or those who are expected to make their way to the Recreation Ground late at night. Many employees have stated that they see this as a risk especially in light of the attack in the West Car Park in 2013. Many of the promises that were made then are seen as not having been followed through on with the car park still seen as very dark and unsafe. With these concerns having been raised we now call upon the authority to rethink their parking strategy. Drastic change is needed not just for the convenience of employees but also for their safety. Action has already been taken through the form of two lunch time protests but further action may have to be taken if this is not resolved effectively. Action We are still running the survey and would appreciate if you are able to fill it in in order to add to the wealth of evidence that we have: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CCSparking
The Brexiteer Tories are also discovering that European states them. Their promises, such as more money for the NHS, have dis
The Tory leadership contest will divide them even more sh independence referendum is on the agenda. A general election early in 2017. These blows to the establishment reinforce one a is marked by inertia, paralysis and drift and is in a genuine cris
It is important in this current crisis - whichever way we vot into gloom. It is also a chance to unite together, break the resist cuts and resist the racism that characterised much
Ordinary people can shape how the crisis unfolds. We hav the outcome, not spectators of manoeuvres at the top of s
Whichever side had won the referendum, we would have still face we still need to resist and fight for a decent future.
Please support the national demonstration against austerity an http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/emergency_demo_16j
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An anti-migrant poster unveiled by Nigel Farage has been reported to the police with a complaint that it incites racial hatred and breaches UK race laws. Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison, has written to the Metropolitan police about the poster, which shows a queue of mostly non-white migrants and refugees with the slogan “Breaking point: the EU has failed us all.” Prentis described the Ukip poster as a “blatant attempt to incite racial hatred”. He said: “This is scaremongering in its most extreme and vile form…To pretend that migration to the UK is only about people who are not white is to peddle the racism that has no place in a modern, caring society. That’s why Unison has complained about this blatant attempt to incite racial hatred and breach UK race laws.”
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We will be working in the coming weeks and months to hold the leave campaigners to the promises they’ve made – that there will be more money for the NHS, and that our rights at work will remain intact. But this also has to be a time for our country to heal. At its best the campaign has enabled genuine debate and discussion in our homes, workplaces and communities about the future of the economy and the kind of country we want to live in. At its worst, the campaign has been typified by hatred, vitriol and misinformation that have done a huge disservice to our democracy and values. Over the coming weeks and months, all political leaders must think about how to address the issues that people in our communities care most about – falling incomes, insecure jobs, unaffordable housing and the huge challenges facing our public services after more than half a decade of cuts. Dave Prentis
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murder of Labour MP, and UNISON member, Jo Cox has led to widespread shock and had spoken out in favour of and in defence of refugees.
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s a Nazi party founded by former the fascist British National Party urt, Mair gave his name as “Death eedom for Britain”.
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London election campaign. She talked of politicians guilty of “ruining our country...We will not rest until every traitor is punished for their crimes against our country. And by punished, I mean good old fashioned British justice at the end of a rope!” It isn’t yet completely clear why Cox was killed. But it is clear that Mair had connections with Nazi organisations. And it is clear that the killing took place in the context of relentless racism against migrants and refugees. This racism was ratcheted in the European Union (EU) referendum campaign. But politicians and right wing rags were spouting it well before that. They have consistently encouraged ordinary people to fear and hate refugees, and blame migrants for all of their problems.
Striking workers at National Museum Wales supported by UNISON and many others - have voted to end their dispute after forcing concessions from there employers in their fight over weekend pay. PCS union members voted by 78 percent on an 81 percent turnout to end their all-out strike after more than eight weeks. They had been striking indefinitely since 28 April against attempts to scrap weekend premium payments—a move which could cost some workers as much as £3,000 a year. All-out get results The deal strikers have got from bosses is a clear improvement on previous offers—and shows that all-out action gets results. Managers have agreed to pay workers compensation buyouts equal to five years of weekend payments. Workers have the option to take this as a lump sum, spread out over five years, or over four years with pension contribution deductions. The deal also means no worker will have to work more than 50 percent of weekends in a year. Many strikers see the result as a victory. PCS assistant branch secretary Geraint Parfitt said, “It was accepted almost unanimously. I’m quite impressed. For a branch of just over 200 members to achieve this, it shows that if we can do it, anyone can do it”. The fight to save the premiums had lasted for more than two years. But it was only when the workers launched their all-out strike this year that the Welsh first minster, Labour’s Carwyn Jones, stepped in to broker a deal. Strikers determination Welsh ministers had previously tried to keep the dispute at arm’s length despite the fact that the museums are publicly funded. But there are also problems with the deal—and some strikers were unhappy with it. But the deal is testament to the strikers’ determination to stay out so long. And Geraint thanked their supporters for the solidarity that’s helped strikers keep going. He said, “We’ve been all over the country talking to people to raise support. “I’m happy to go anywhere and tell people what we’ve done. And if anyone wants us to support them when they fight, I’m happy to go out and show solidarity”.
Unison School Uniform Grants What are UNISON There for You School Uniform Grants? are limited to one per household •• Applications In addition to our normal range of services and in response to Ensure you send all requested paperwork with the form or the growing difficulties many members on low income face, a programme has been put in place that will assist our most vulnerable members with the cost of purchasing school uniforms. How much are the Grants? They are one-off grants of £40.00 per school age child, up to a total of £120.00 Am I eligible? To be eligible you must be:
A member who has paid 4 weeks subscriptions before the • launch date of this programme (23/5/16) a total net annual household income of £18,000 or • Have less. [Note:By household income we mean net earnings after tax, national insurance, pension deductions of you, your partner and any other adults living in the property. Please also refer to next bullet point: following is not included as income for the purpose of • The this specific grants programme: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Child Benefit and the childcare cost element only of Working Tax Credit for meeting household bills and struggling to • Responsible pay them responsible for the child/children. •• Financially Not eligible for funding for uniform costs from your Local Authority Is there anything else that may affect my entitlement to apply? Members and their partners must not have combined savings or, a rolling bank balance of more than £800.00. Savings of any other adults in the household do not apply You must not have received financial assistance from UNISON There for You during the previous six months
YOUR UNION
• • •
Contact us:
the application cannot be accepted
How do I apply? To apply for a School Uniform Grant simply: out and complete the short 2-page application form. • Print Download from our website www.unison.org/thereforyou Unison Direct on 0800 0857 857 for a form to be • Contact posted to you us with evidence of your entire household income • Provide by sending copies of you and your partner (if applicable) last month’s payslip(s). Also last full month’s bank statements for all bank accounts held by you and your partner (if applicable) the form along with the completed short survey by • Submit 15 July 2016. Post your application including all supporting paperwork to: UNISON Welfare, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. Where can I go for further help or advice? There is a limited amount of funding in the school uniform grants programme and once it has been exhausted no further awards for the year can be made. However if you are facing unforeseen hardship it may be possible for you to apply to our general grants programme. We will let you know if this applies to you. For further information, please see our web pages at www.unison.org/thereforyou, contact your Branch Welfare Officer or the There for You Support Team on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk. If you are experiencing difficulty with credit card and other consumer debts, please refer to our additional information at https://www.unison.org.uk/gethelp/services-support/there-for-you/debtline-support/, or contact our Debtline direct on 0800 389 3302.
Unison Office, Rm 153-G, The Guildhall, Swansea 01792 635271
unison@swansea.gov.uk
Branch Secretary: Mike Davies / Asst. Secretary: Andrea Thomas Unison has over 100 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. SENIOR STEWARD SOCIAL SERVICES ALISON DAVIES 01792 636351 / 07941757853 FINANCE CONTACT RHYDIAN PRISMICK 01792 635803 / 07835757517 SENIOR STEWARD REGENERATION (OUTDOOR LEISURE) JOHN LLEWELLYN 07920560208 SENIOR STEWARD REGENERATION (INDOOR LEISURE) ROGER OWEN 07847942458
Sports & Social website: www.suss.me.uk
SENIOR STEWARDS ENVIRONMENT IAN ALEXANDER 07584505793 PAUL WATKINS (CLYDACH) 07572153750 PAT LOPEZ (CAVE ST) 07557560097 MARK OTTEN 07789485009 EDUCATION CONTACT JOHN AUSTIN 07796275039 HOUSING CONTACTS SALLYANNE TAYLOR 07825401711
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.