UNISON Bradford Newsletter April 2018

news NISON U

Bradford

www.unison-bradford.org.uk

The Newsletter for Bradford UNISON

April 2018

UNISON to battle against compulsory redundancies as Council makes massive cuts to Children’s Services As we reported last November, more than 200 posts are in danger as the Council plans to slash the budget for Prevention and Early Help within Children’s Services.

The Council originally announced a cut of £13.3 million but now propose a £12.3 million cut in spending.

If the cuts are agreed this month, it will mean that between 2010 and 2020, the overall funding for these services will have halved, while demand and costs continue to rise.

Regional Organiser Ashley Harper said the latest cuts are yet another example of the damage being inflicted on local authorities and the communities they serve by central

government austerity cuts.

He said UNISON would now press the Council to assure members there would be no compulsory redundancies if they impose the cuts.

At the time of going to press, Councillors were due to meet to discuss the planned cuts.

Ashley said: “As always we will do everything in our power to protect our members but it is very bad news for Bradford.

“We have a young population and a lot of those are living in areas of high deprivation and poverty.

These young people will suffer now and the negative effects of the cuts will be felt long into the future.

“These are the real human effects of what is a savage

and heartless attack on local government in general and this district will suffer from this more than many others because of the economic and social problems we have to contend with.”

UNISON Convenor for Children’s Services Julie Horbury has been campaigning against the cuts and is now urging members who are not in UNISON to join.

She said: “Anyone who is not a member needs to join now.

Our strength is in our numbers so please speak to colleagues and encourage them to join.

Austerity is devastating the Council’s budgets and the best way for people to protect themselves now and in the future.”

Redundancy fears as Bradford College threatens big spending cuts As this edition of UNISON news went to press, talks were taking place between UNISON and management at Bradford College over the threat of redundancies.

The College has announced it intends to cut spending because of continuing cuts to their budget imposed by the Tory government.

Regional Organiser Ashley Harper said: “At this stage we have limited information but we have serious concerns about the situation.

inside this edition...

“As many as 73 people could be at risk including support staff and those working in marketing and IT, and lecturers.

“We have asked the College to give us a commitment that there will be no compulsory redundancies if they are forced to make more cuts and will keep members informed of all developments.”

Step up and become a steward

Food bank donations: an update

Sexual Harrassment at work

UNISON wins Holiday Pay agreement

Women’s Ripon Races trip: book now!

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Bradford UNISON

Steward Sarfraz honoured for holiday pay victory

Fantastic response from everyone involved in the Christmas foodbank appeal Once again the Branch’s Christmas foodbank appeal brought out the best in everyone with hundreds of donations pouring into the office.

Sarfraz Satti

Around 60 members at the Council’s Shearbridge depot have received backdated holiday pay – thanks to their sharp-eyed steward Sarfraz Satti.

And the Branch has recognised his hard work by presenting him with a piece of sculpted crystal.

Branch Secretary Linda Crowther said drivers were TUPE’d back to the Council two years ago. Sarfraz noticed a report from the European Court which said people regularly doing overtime should have those hours incorporated into their holiday pay.

He took the issue to a Level 3 with ACAS and the Council, which has paid back pay to 2016.

Linda said: “He did a fantastic job especially when some members were afraid to raise it with their managers.

“He spoke to every one of them and if necessary helped them fill in the paperwork required.

“If it hadn’t been for all his hard work these members would not have received the money they are entitled to and the Branch wanted to acknowledge the achievement.”

Our members were as generous as ever but there were also many donations from non-members who had heard about the appeal and wanted to help.

Three Bradford workplaces – Byron Primary, Peel Park Primary and Owlett Children’s centre – collected for the appeal and used it as a way of raising the children’s awareness of the poverty facing many families in their own city.

Branch Secretary Linda Crowther said people had been very compassionate and generous, which for many of them was a genuine sacrifice.

Linda said: “As we are all too aware, many of our members struggle to make ends meet after years of this government’s austerity.

“The fact that they have had their pay frozen for seven years – in fact real terms pay cuts – makes their generosity even more striking.

“We will continue to support the foodbanks but it is a scandal that in the fifth richest country on earth, more and more people depend on them just to survive.”

She added that she had personal awareness of two young children whose father, lately released from prison, had

sold the few Christmas gifts their mother had managed to collect to buy heroin.

He also sold a leg of lamb which was intended for Christmas dinner to pay for drugs so the children went hungry as well.

“Neighbours and other family members rallied round and got them some presents to open but these heart breaking stories are all too common,” said Linda.

“This is happening at a time when funding for social workers, drug and alcohol treatment and other vital support services have been savagely cut by central government.

“It is a scandal and a tragedy that we should even have foodbanks in this country but while there is the need UNISON will always help in every way possible to protect and improve the lives of the weak and the vulnerable.”

UNISON Newsletter

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A word from the Branch Secretary

Linda Crowther

As you will see in this edition of UNISON news, the Branch Christmas Foodbank collection prompted a massive response with hundreds of desperately needed food donations pouring into the office.

It is a testament to our members’ huge generosity towards those struggling to survive and is typical of the spirit of our UNION.

Residential Care Charter and the incorporation of additional payments, like overtime and sleep-ins, into members’ holiday pay.

But as we know, the underlying reason for most of this appalling poverty lies with the Tories in central government.

But we are all too aware that central government has calculated that the damage they have done to local government and the essential services it provides will not be blamed on them.

Plunging families into food and fuel poverty is not an accident or a mistake, it is deliberate, a direct result of huge cuts to funding to help the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The massive cuts proposed for Bradford Children’s Services – £12.3 million – will inevitably lead to job losses.

It is those dedicated staff who will suffer, along with the children whose well-being they work so hard to protect.

We are constantly negotiating with the Council to find ways of protecting services to the most vulnerable and to do everything possible to avoid making compulsory redundancies.

And we are able to agree important policies like adopting UNISON’s

Instead they have shifted all responsibility and all the blame for this needless misery onto local councils.

And as we have seen in recent weeks, this policy is grossly weighted against the North in general which has suffered massive cuts to spending while the government protects its heartlands in the South and South East.

It is widening the North / South divide, crippling any possibility of regenerating our economy and condemning thousands of people – especially children – to poverty and despair.

So we need to be united and strong to protect members from this concerted attack on our communities.

Our strength is in our numbers so please urge colleagues who have not joined to do so, and please consider getting active so we can build a strong network of stewards and point of contacts wherever our members work.

Despite the financial crisis forced on the Council, I know our members will not be ground down.

We will continue to make real changes for the better for our members, and fight in every way available to us to protect essential services across the district.

Bradford Contact the branch Bradford UNISON, 21-23 Neal Street, Bradford, BD5 0BX

Tel: 01274 513170 Email: office.admin@unisonbradford.org.uk www.unison-bradford.org.uk

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Bradford UNISON

Freda’s plea to Incommunities members: “Please step up and become a steward” After many years as a union activist – starting in NUPE in 1983 – Freda Butterfield Freda Butterfield is stepping down from the role at Incommunities.

Now she is appealing to fellow members to step forward and become UNISON stewards themselves.

She said: “The training is great and will really help and support members.

“It gives you knowledge and confidence and widens your horizons.

“I was a Lifelong Learning co-ordinator after training to be a steward and I went on to get GCSEs in maths and English.

“But we do need more stewards in Incommunities because we want to support members as effectively as possible and help to take the pressure off colleagues. I hope people will put themselves forward for this vital role.”

Regional Organiser Ashley Harper has written to members asking people to consider getting more active in the union.

He said there was a range of roles available including Health and Safety Rep, union Learning Rep and Equality Rep. He wrote: “There is also the key role of steward, the person who is the first point of contact with members needing support and the link between the workplace and the wider Branch to which you belong.

“Stewards also attend meetings with management to

negotiate on pay, terms and conditions and other issues affecting you.

“It is a very rewarding role and the more activists we have in the workplace, the stronger our voice is.”

Anyone who wants to become a representative receives paid time off for training and is fully supported by the Branch.

More information can be found on www.unison.org.uk/getinvolved/in-your-workplace/ official-activist-roles/ You can also ring the Branch on 01274 513170.

Donna says we need more stewards in schools – will you be happy to help?

With 260 schools in the district, with Academy Trusts currently growing rapidly, UNISON needs members to get active.

Education Convenor Donna Willoughby said she and fellow convenor Adele Robinson were working flat out to negotiate with management on behalf of member, and take on individual cases.

But she said there was an urgent need for more stewards or people to be prepared to just be “points of contact” with the Branch.

Donna said: “We are dealing

with a growing number of TUPE transfers and restructures and we can’t be everywhere at once.

“The Academy Trusts are now having regular meetings with us to discuss anything that affects their business, including health and safety and bringing other schools into the academy.

“The vast majority of them talk to us which is good but also time consuming which is why we need stewards to come forward to help ease the pressure.

“And if a member doesn’t

feel they want to do the full training they can still be a point of contact for the Branch so we know who to talk to on trade union matters.

“We are trying to build a network of stewards and contacts throughout the district’s schools so we can ensure we are aware of any problems and that we are able represent members when they need us.”

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact education@unison-bradford. org.uk or ring the Branch office on 01274 513170.

UNISON Newsletter

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Getting on the “learning ladder” with UNISON Branch Lifelong Learning co-ordinator David Wright is spreading the word about the value of lifelong learning for members.

UNISON and other public sector unions have signed a lifelong learning agreement with Bradford Council.

It means we can advertise training courses on the Council’s training website Engage so members can see what training is available.

The first two training courses will be held in May and June – a Mental Health Awareness workshop and an Autism Awareness – at the Branch office. To book your

place contact the branch office on 01274 513170.

David said: “Funding for the courses comes from UNISON at national level and in partnership with the Open University.

“If they are successful we are looking to run training courses throughout the year.”

The courses being considered include assertiveness training, English, maths and IT. The branch has invested heavily in terms of time, money and energy into developing our training suite which is available for members and supportive

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employers to make use of.

David said: “Good training is good for members as well as employers who obviously benefit from having a well trained workforce.

“Members can improve their employment prospects by gaining qualification is English and maths but lifelong learning is also about people developing personally and widening their horizons.

“Once again UNISON is leading the way in providing opportunities for our members and we hope as many members as possible will choose to get on the ladder of learning.

£20 gift card for the winner!

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Bradford UNISON

Know your rights – Sexual Harassment UNISON fights for equality in the workplace and part of that fight is challenging any situations where harassment is present.

Sexual harassment is when a person engages in unwanted behaviour that is of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal or physical, that creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating working environment. The harassment does not have to be directed at the person complaining about it – it can still affect the working environment.

The excuse given too often by perpetrators is that it is only ‘banter’ or meant as a joke or as a compliment, but this is no defence nor is it appropriate to dismiss such unwelcome behaviour as trivial.

Examples of sexual harassment include: • unwelcome sexual advances, propositions and demands for sexual favours • unwanted or derogatory comments about clothing or appearance

• leering and suggestive gestures and remarks or jokes • displaying offensive material, such as pornographic pictures, page-three type pin-ups or calendars, including those in electronic forms such as computer screen savers or by circulating such material in emails or via social media • physical contact such as the invasion of personal space and unnecessary touching through to sexual assault and rape (although rape is defined as a separate criminal offence).

Employers should have a clear zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment and UNISON will support our members who approach us to raise concerns about such behaviour, whether that it is through informal resolution or a more formal complaint where necessary.

In some cases, it may also be appropriate for the union to support our members at the Employment Tribunal but the deadlines are strict and

you only have three months in which to present a claim about a particular incident.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, please contact your local UNISON rep for assistance (or the branch office if you are not sure who this is). It would also be helpful if you could do the following, if at all possible: • keep records of incidents, i.e. what happened, when, how and by whom • keep written evidence that you have made a complaint (if you already have done so) • identify any possible witnesses • keep copies of any relevant documents such as letters, text messages, e-mails, etc.

• keep a record of any medical help sought.

Say “hello!” to new office administrator Kim Members visiting the Branch office will now be greeted by Kim Russell on the front desk.

Kim was appointed as office administrator on March 5 and she already feels like part of the team.

A former medical secretary in the NHS, Kim said: “I feel like I have been here for ever and I am enjoying the busy, friendly atmosphere in the office.

“All my colleagues have been so supportive and I must say it’s really nice to be working here.”

UNISON Newsletter

Council looks set to accept UNISON’s Residential Care Charter UNISON has written a Residential Care Charter to improve conditions for our members working in the service.

And the Branch is confident that the Council is prepared to adopt the charter after holding discussions with officers and elected members.

The Charter seeks to ensure residential homes are properly staffed, that the staff are properly trained for their jobs, have properly contracted hours and are paid fairly for the work they do.

UNI SON ’S Residen tial Care Charter

Many residential care workers are poorly paid and poorly treated.

So they struggle to make ends meet and struggle to provide quality care within a system crisis. Yet their role is crucial for in a civilised society to function.

UNISON, the leading representative for care workers in the higher standards UK, is campaigning of care across all residential settings. for the heart of a care Dignity and justice system. Everyone must be in residential care properly looked deserves to be supporte at after – irrespective of their wealth, age d and care workers must or disability be valued. . For this to happen, Residential care workers across the UK came together plague their sector to discuss the barriers and solutions that that would enable them to provide dignified UNISON’s Resident care. ial Care Charter is the outcome of this minimum standard discussion. It sets s and employment out the conditions required Employment levels, to deliver decent pay, conditions and care. training directly impact A more stable, well-equi the quality of care. pped workforce is essential to deliver high quality, consisten Care workers urge t care. councils, commiss ioners and providers private sector to in the voluntary and adopt the Resident ial Care Charter, the standard of care. which sets out solutions to raise UNISON will campaig n for decision makers adequate funding to adopt the Charter for social care. and continue to call for

Convenor David Wright said: “We are very pleased that the Council is considering adopting the charter.

“UNISON is leading the way in the care sector to get better pay and conditions for our members.

“By ensuring staff are well trained and properly paid, the service will be able to attract and retain high quality staff who are essential to making sure the service to residents in these homes is of the highest possible standard.”

New company helping vulnerable people is “good example” to other employers National company Voiceability – which helps vulnerable people to cope with communication and life skills – have won a contract to provide the service in Bradford.

Known as the Advocacy Service, around 30 staff were previously employed by Airedale Advocacy and a company called Choice.

Convenor David Wright said since Voiceability had won the contract, UNISON had been in discussions with them about staff transfers and had agreed a smooth transition for our members.

David said: “We have worked very closely with the company and hope to work very closely with them in future.

“We feel this new company is acting in the best interests of our members and the vulnerable people they serve.

“These are principles which we hope all good employers will follow. They are a very good example for other employers to follow.”

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UNISON wins agreement with Council on holiday pay Anyone who receives additional payments for their work such as overtime and sleep-ins, will now have those payments included in their holiday pay.

As you will see in this edition of UNISON news members in the Passenger Transport Service now have their additional payments incorporated into their holiday pay thanks to the efforts of steward Sarfraz Satti.

Regional Organiser Ashley Harper said: “Since that story appeared in the previous edition of our newsletter, other members approached the Branch from other parts of the Council to see it they are in a similar position to the transport members.

“We have taken these cases forward on their behalf and agreed with the Council that additional payments should be included in all members’ holiday pay.”

Ashley said that if any member has any questions about their own position on this issue they should contact the Branch for advice on how to proceed.

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Bradford UNISON

WOMEN’S RIPON RACE TRIP Saturday 21st July 2018 UNISON MEMBERS ONLY This event is to help launch the Women’s Self Organised Group.

The cost per UNISON member is £25 and includes coach to and from Ripon, entry into the racecourse along with entertainment and food at Ripon Bowling Club.

The coach will leave the Bradford UNISON office at 11am for a full day at Ripon races.

At 5.30pm it will take you into Ripon’s famous market square for a few drinks, then on to Ripon Bowling Club for an evening of entertainment inc live entertainer, bingo, food and disco.

The coach will leave the Bowling Club at 11.30pm back to Bradford.

This event is not open to non-members.

WOMEN’S RIPON RACE TRIP Members Name Membership No No of tickets Names and membership nos of those attending (Essential)

E-mail Address Amount Enclosed Closing Date Friday 27th April 2018. All cheques or Postal Orders to be made payable to Bradford UNISON. Monies are not refundable due to the need to pre-book tickets, coach etc.

Please post form and payment to Bradford UNISON, 21-23 Neal Street, Bradford, BD5 0BX. Communications regarding trip will be by email only, however, should you not have an email address please include a SAE with your payment in order that confirmation and final arrangements can be sent to you.