South Tyneside UNISON Newsletter Summer 2019

S.T.U.N SUMMER EDITION CONTENTS PAGE 2: MESSAGE AND REPORT BY BRANCH SECRETARY PAGE 3: LOCAL SERVICE CHAMPIONS PAGE 4: MAUREEN MAKES PAGE 5: COFFEE BREAK PAGE 6: SCHOOL NEWS PAGE 7: SPOTLIGHT PAGE 8: BLACK MEMBERS IN UNISON PAGE 9: WELCOME LGBT+ & PRIDE PARADE

A MEMBER OF UNISON YOU ARE ALREADY A WINNER BUT HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A PRIZE TOO” PAGE 5

“AS

Stay up to date with what your Branch is involved in and meet team members in SPOTLIGHT!! Page 7

“Be a

hero at home as

well as at work by making the delicious recipe in Maureen Makes”page 4

Keep the kids occupied with a summer

wordsearch Page 5

Branch Secretary Message Welcome to your summer edition of the S.T U.N. We have had another busy time so this edition is packed full of interesting articles outlining everything that we have been doing in Branch on your behalf.

Of course we have the usual coffee time section with the chance to win a prize in the quiz and other fun things. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy summer

The Conference was held in Liverpool between 16th and 21st June 2019.

In attendance from your branch were Jan Green Branch Secretary, Jen Smith Branch Treasurer, Jane Parkes Branch Education Co-ordinator, Kyonai Houghton Young member.

Report from Jan Green Local Government Conference As a National Representative you feel a bit removed from the actual conference and this is not helped by having no voting rights. This year was no different sat at the back of the hall in a dark corner, miles away from the Regional Delegation.

Conference opened with a great speech from Gordon McKay followed by Glen Williams, Chair of the Service Group Executive, who as always has us laughing in our seats.

The first morning passed without any controversy with regular business being undertaken.

In the year of the Young Member the afternoon opened with speeches in support of apprenticeships brought by the Young Members Forum and these were and supported by everyone. Listening to the speeches it is appalling how some apprentices are not being paid correct rate for their age.

There was a brilliant speech from Neville Southall, the former footballer, who spoke about why we should get the Tory’s out and how they are killing our country. Neville spoke with passion in support of his union UNISON. National Delegates Conference (NDC) It was a busy first day at NDC lots of motions moved. I also attended two seminars the first one was Women in UNISON and then at the end of the day Pensions both were interesting but for different reasons.

My take away from Pensions seminar was that the state pension is actually ÂŁ3000 less than the Government has stated is the required amount to be able to live on if you want to be self sufficient and not living in poverty.

It is shocking that this is how we treat our retirees.

Women and Pensions This weekend I am attending a pensions seminar in London which encompasses both of these subjects. The aim of the Seminar is to discuss developments and changes to pensions policy and the impact on women. A key objective is to refresh our lobbying and political strategy in tackling Occupational and State pension inequalities facing all women and as the first trade union to affiliate to the official WASPI Campaign Ltd.

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17 October is to be Celebra0on day.

Refuse workers, trading standards officers, environmental health inspectors, youth workers, librarians, school cleaners, care assistants to name but a few silently deliver vital services to local communities. In recent years Local Government has been an easy target for budget cuts and unfortunately people have been less likely to defend them because the services provided are, to a certain extent, taken for granted unlike the more recognisable services like the 3! NHS or schools.

Did you know •

42% of local government workers said that they wanted to work in local government because of its public service ethos; being able to make a difference to people’s lives and their communities.

•

60% of local government workers have said that they work beyond their contracted hours showing their dedication.

•

Shockingly despite this dedication the local government sector continues to be undervalued and as a result of Government cuts has lost 875,000 workers since 2010 while being expected deliver the same level of service..

On Thursday 17 October, UNISON activists and local communities will join together to celebrate members working in local government services our,

Local Service Champions.

This celebration is a part of UNISON’s campaign to raise the profile of local government workers across UNISON, reminding the public, media and politicians of the vital work that local government staff do and the services they deliver.

We in South Tyneside Local Government Branch want to celebrate Our Local Service Champions and to do this we would like you to nominate who you think goes above and beyond in their work and why.

ITS ABOUT TIME THE WORK LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO WAS RECOGNISED To nominate please send the name of the person you wish to nominate where they work and why you think they are a CHAMPION. You can send an email to office.admin@unison-southtyneside.org.uk or send/drop in a letter

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Maureen Makes Summer has finally arrived and what better way to celebrate the British summer than with this wonderful Strawberry Shortcake.

Cooking time: 20 mins Preparation time 20 mins Oven temperature 375-400 F Gas 4-5 (Second shelf in oven) You will need 2 x 7inch lined sandwich tins.

Ingredients 4oz margarine 4 oz castor sugar 4 oz self raising flour 2oz cornflour 2 eggs

For the filling: 1 small punnet of fresh strawberries ¼ pint thick cream 1 egg white Sugar to taste

Method 1. Cream margarine and sugar until light and soft 2. Sieve the flour and cornflour 3. Add beaten eggs then once combined fold in the flour with a metal spoon 4. Place the mixture evenly in the baking tins and flatten the top 5. Bake for the for the time given until crisp and golden 6. Cool on a wire cooling tray 7. Prepare strawberries set to one side.

8. Whip the cream in a bowl and in another bowl whip the egg white. Fold together and sweeten if wished.

9. Cover one shortcake with cream and some of the strawberries 10. Top with the second shortcake and the rest of the cream and strawberries.

To serve: Cut into slices To vary you can use dessert pears mixed with the strawberries.

To store: this cake keeps before decorating for 1-2 days only

Date for your Diary Christmas Trip

The annual for 30th

trip is planned

November and the destination is Edinburgh.

Full details will be sent out in the Autumn edition of the S.T.U.N The cost will be £10.00 per member and £15.00 none member.

Please note there is a restriction of 2 none members per 1 member booking

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UNISON Quiz Competition Please return the answers to the quiz on hard copy below to the Branch Office along with your name and contact details and phone number to be entered into the draw to win a choice of afternoon tea for two, a ÂŁ20 LOVE2SHOP Gift Voucher or tickets to a South Shields Football Club home game.

This competition is open to UNISON Members only. CLOSING DATE 11TH OCTOBER 2019 1. Who famously sailed in HMS Beagle?

2. Who was the legendary son of British king Luther Pendragon?

3. In which decade of the 20th Century was insulin first used to treat diabetes?

4. In the book by Washington Irving, for how many years did Rip Van Winkle sleep?

5. What sort of movies are sometimes referred to as 'horse operas'?

6. Which ex-politician took part in his own play, The Accused, on the West End stage in 2000?

7. Earl Hammer Jr. was the creator and narrator of which TV series?

8. Who sang the first solo part on USA For Africa's 'We Are The World'?

9. Which TV presenters enjoyed chart success as PJ and Duncan?

10. Which self-promoting star of the late Eighties was once a regional Golden Gloves boxing champion in Florida?

11. What should you do in the Arab countries to show that the food was delicious?

12. What is the Hungarian word for pepper?

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SCHOOL NEWS !!

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Spotlight On The Team George Coser (Branch Chair)

1. What is your role in the Branch Office and what does this involve?

My role is Branch Chair which mainly covers ensuring that meetings are conducted fairly and all attending can take part and be heard. I also advise on union issues assist colleagues and represent members.

2. What would your autobiography be called?

It would be called George who?

3. What do you often eat for your breakfast? And why?

I rarely eat breakfast no particular reason why just not something I do.

4. How long have you been active in the Union movement?

I have been active for 20 years from being a steward and then progressing to becoming the Branch Chair.

5. How many hats do you own?

I have two hats one is a UNISON one and the other is a one I treasure, although, it’s a little bit fragile now, as it was made for me by my Grandma 6. During childhood what was your favourite tv programme.

My favourite tv programme as a child was the Magic Roundabout.

7. If you weren’t working for UNISON what would your job be?

I don’t actually work for UNISON I’m an elected representative, so if I stopped doing this would be a business support worker for South Tyneside Council, or I might go back to my first job which was welding.

8. What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

The Dark Side of the Moon album by Pink Floyd, and I still have it.

9. What do you do with your spare time?

I play Darts and I work for/with the Royal British Legion as branch secretary/poppy appeal coordinator.

10. Which is your favourite food item and why?

Chips, there doesn’t have to be a reason other than they’re chips, what’s not to like?

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You may already know that International Nelson Mandela Day is a global day to celebrate the birthday of the man himself.

It is a day to celebrate the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact. Th intention of the day is to encourage to help change the world for the better.

Nelson Mandela gave 67yrs of his life fighting for social justice and the campaign asks that individuals, groups and organisations adhere to this legacy and ethical framework of “service to ones fellow human” donating 67 minutes on 18th July and every day thereafter to give back to their community. You can check out what others are doing to mark the day around the world at: www.mandeladay.com.

UNISON Nelson Mandela Award UNISON’s Black members conference agreed to establish Nelson Mandela award that embodies his attributes.

UNISON is proud to have made him and honorary president of UNISON and to have stood by him and others in the movement on their historic struggle for equality, justice and in ending apartheid.

The award is presented to a Black member who has supported and gone above and beyond to represent black members. The award winner will be invited to attend the Black Members Conference and presented with the award.

Details of how to submit a qualifying nomination and relevant deadlines can be found on the UNISON website.

U N I S O N m e m b e r s S AV E o n y o u r

CAR INSURANCE and enjoy a Multi Car discount too

For your member discount, go to

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LV.com/UNISON

Welcome, LGBT+ UNISON’s constant striving for equality and inclusion took a big step forward in Liverpool, as national delegate conference backed the move to rename the Union’s LGBT group as LGBT+ group.

Jennifer Black of the local government service group executive emphasised that there is no definitive list of words that people use to self-identify stating, “language continues to evolve” ….”and people will find more ways to identify” The motion passed unanimously and a short while later to applause and cheers and hugs, conference also unanimously backed the necessary rule change.

London Pride Parade and 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots In a world where nationalism and intolerance are rising and governments pander to reactionary views, a million and a half people hit the streets of London on Saturday 6th July to celebrate tolerance and diversity and thumb their noses at bigotry.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In the 60s in New York Police raids on gay bars were routine, but when the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village on 28 June 1969, they got

To mark this anniversary and to share in the Pride celebration UNISON LGBT+ members took part in the London Pride. Helping bring colour to a rainbow-coloured day, with a samba band adding a beat that had the crowds dancing and cheering. The following day, the union also had a presence at Black Pride in East London, hosting an event exploring the importance of unions in the struggle for equality.

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Middlefields Matters There are big changes happening at Middlefields.

Development work will begin in July 2019 and there is an estimated completion date of June 2020.

The proposed works include: •

Internal road diversions

•

New waste recycling facility

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New de-watering facility and washing station

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Re-roofing of the main depot

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Wind turbine

The works will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption.

Staff are reminded to keep to the pedestrian walkways when visiting the site.

Information about road closures and any changes of access to the site during these works will be available at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/middlefields

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