0113 245 8442 branch@leedsunison.org.uk UNISON Leeds Branch, Geoff Hodgson House, 160a Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9EN
Leeds Branch
UNISON News October 2017
News from the Leeds Branch of UNISON
A word from Joint Branch Secretaries Liz and Martyn
Pic: Sarah Curley, Jane Ward, Maggie Virtue, Shirley Edwards
Big thank you to “fantastic” branch office staff Welcome to the latest edition of our Branch Magazine. We are aiming to produce newsletters like this three times a year to keep our members fully informed of what the Branch is involved in on their behalf.
Joint Branch Secretary Martyn Walker has praised the branch office staff without whom, he says, the union couldn’t function. Martyn said: “Everyone relies on them and we couldn’t do our job looking after members without that crucial back-up.
Members are always welcome to be involved in branch activity and what we would like is your personal stories so they can be included in future editions of the magazine.
“I come into work in the morning and I have a plan of what I am going to do during the day. Sometimes I don’t even get started on that plan because other things happen that overtake my plan.
As well as the important day to day issues members face
“I could get tied up in casework for example or find I don’t have the right
Continued on page two...
It’s time to lift the pay cap
Find out more on page 4
documents I need for a meeting. “Staff will remind me, provide me with documents and do all they can to make sure everything runs efficiently. They are fantastic. “Our staff are an integral part of our Branch Development plan and regularly go out with us on recruitment events. “They are a crucial part of the team, and by working as a team, we are making sure we have a strong and constantly developing branch.”
Leeds Branch
A word from Joint Branch Secretaries Liz and Martyn Continued from front page
at work we are also interested to hear about your personal exploits outside work. This magazine highlights the continuing effect the cuts to Public Sector Services are having on our members but also the successes we are having in fighting for workers’ rights. We have a growing retired members section and an active young member’s officer who has increased membership in his workplace. We often see our retired and young members supporting Branch activity. This just shows if we all work together we can build to effectively defend the jobs and terms of conditions of our members and the vital services they provide. You may not know we have a web page at: www.leedsunison.org.uk We also have a Facebook Page @leedsunison.org.uk and twitter feed @leedsunison Please enjoy the magazine and don’t forget to let us know your views and stories so we can make sure we are covering what you need to know about.
Branch holds its own on recruitment despite massive central Government cuts Despite savage budget cuts, the Branch is holding its own with latest figures showing the biggest number of new members for three years. Joint Branch Secretary Martyn Walker says in every meeting he has attended recently, members are saying they are going out into people’s workplaces to sign up new members. He said: “It’s because we have a development plan that is committed to recruiting in the workplace that more people are joining us. “More of our members than ever before are now employed in the
“So we must make every effort to keep in regular contact with them and communicate the importance of being in UNISON. “We have shown our strength as an organisation with the victory in the Supreme Court on Employment Tribunals. “These are the sort of things we can achieve and people should be encouraged to join for their own protection against austerity and for the good of all workers as we fight for justice and fairness for all.”
Huge fight ahead for UNISON to save public services and jobs Austerity has not gone away and nothing suggests that central Government cuts to Local Government will cease. That is the warning from Joint Branch Secretary Martyn Walker, who also said employers were becoming more ruthless in how they achieve their targets for job cuts. Martyn said: “Restructuring and outsourcing directly threaten existing pay and conditions across the public services. “There is still a continuing
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private and voluntary sectors after being transferred from the Council.
threat of redundancy hanging over Leeds City Council staff, with around 400 staff being potentially at risk of being made redundant. Some of these redundancies may be compulsory. “We are still in a huge fight to save jobs and services. “People need to know that it is very important they are in a trade union in order to protect themselves and their colleagues as austerity continues to wreak its social and economic damage.”
Leeds Branch
Our Branch Convenor team Richard Whiskin
Leon Kirkham
Andy Pointon
Glen Pickersgil
l
Stella Smales
Mick Binks
Warning to all members – be very careful about what you write on social media! Every day of the week, an employee in the public sector somewhere in the region is being disciplined for a comment they have posted on social media. Many of our members now use sites like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their friends. But far too many members don’t realise that these sites are actively monitored by employers. Employers are looking for reasons to sack people cheaply and quickly to meet central government budget cuts. One of the easiest ways is to show that a worker is in breach of their contract of employment in the event of them posting
inappropriate comments on social media. Joint Branch Secretary Martyn Walker said: “I have dealt with people who have been disciplined and even dismissed for social media posts. “People can fall out with friends and colleagues, or be angry with their boss and then take to social media to express their views and opinions. “But others can be alerted to the posts or just access them by other means and that can lead to the sack.
“Some people mistakenly believe that if they are not the author of a post – for example a racist message from someone else – and have just forwarded it to others then they are not responsible. “But they are effectively condoning and effectively agreeing by publishing it in their name and will face any consequences.” So the message is always think very hard before you press the send button. It may very well be that your employer, or someone who may happily bring it to their attention, will see the post and use it against you.
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Leeds Branch
Pay Up Now! campaign will keep up pressure on Tories UNISON’s national campaign to force the Government to scrap years of pay caps for public sector workers is now gaining widespread support. The scandal of 1 per cent or below pay rises for our members in the last seven years has led to widespread hardship, rapidly deteriorating standards in public services and an inability to retain and recruit staff. On average public sector pay rose by 4.4 per cent – but the cost of living in that period has risen by 22 per cent. Joint Branch Secretary Liz Bailey said UNISON members had suffered more than any other group during the “austerity” years which saw essential central Government funding slashed. Liz said: “UNISON’s General
Secretary Dave Prentis has said that the tide is turning against the destruction and privatisation of essential public services. “The Tories are now aware of the public mood on this issue, and that people are appalled when they realise how their services are being asset-stripped by privatisers and profiteers. “Across local government and the NHS – and also the police and fire service – it is clear that this government has no concern for the safety and welfare of citizens. “We are fighting for an immediate pay rise for all public sector workers and an end to government interference in pay bargaining in the public sector.
“Our branch will support this campaign in every way possible. “The pay cap is an insult to our members, without whom essential services, including those to the most vulnerable in society, would collapse. “We must keep the pressure up and fight for fairness at every turn. “If the tide really is turning, we have to make sure we maximise that public support and make our case as far and wide as possible.”
Youth officer Ben leaves branch in g When he started work in an assisted living facility in Leeds, Ben Mayor saw there was only a handful of UNISON members among the social care providers. Therefore he decided to do something about it. As Ben leaves for a new job elsewhere, he is proud that UNISON now has a membership
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density of 75 per cent across six work sites in Leeds. Ben said: “We are also recruiting UNISON reps at all these sites and by the time I leave there will be four reps in place. “The mood among staff is overwhelmingly positive. “Once, openly hostile management are now talking
about joining. Some are still hostile but it shows how things have improved. “Members are now confident to put their own grievances in because they know they have our support. “The employer is one of the lowest paying in the sector even though the work our members do is difficult, draining and often
Leeds Branch
Fantastic legal victory for UNISON in employment tribunal battle hailed by workers everywhere UNISON Regional Organiser Dean Harper says UNISON’s Supreme Court triumph shows exactly why people should flock to join us. The Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that the government had acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when, in coalition with the Lib-Dems, it introduced the tribunal fees four years ago. Whitehall will now have to reimburse £32 million worth of fees it has collected since 2013.
Our UNISON legal team celebrates its landmark victory at the Supreme Court in London with general secretary Dave Prentis.
Dean said: “The then Tory justice secretary Chris Grayling introduced fees of up to £1,200 for taking cases to tribunal. Predictably, this led to a 70 per cent fall in the number of cases that were brought.
manner of ways.
“Tens of thousands of people have been priced out of gaining justice against employers who have treated them unfairly in all
“I know we will all make colleagues aware of the importance of being in UNISON using this victory as a classic
“But because UNISON is strong and tenacious in our pursuit of justice we have gained a huge victory for our members and for working people in general.
example of why they should join us.” UNISON General Secretary said of the Supreme Court ruling: “UNISON took the case on behalf of everyone who’s ever been wronged at work, or who might be in future. “Unscrupulous employers no longer have the upper hand.”
n good shape very complex.” Ben said members were building a campaign to win: I mplementation of the Leeds Living Wage with proper scales for all roles ime and a half rate for any T overtime or weekend work A learning agreement with the union
onsultation with members C on issues affecting pay and conditions oint working with the J employer on health and safety Ben said: “We do not accept that companies such as ours can get away with paying such low wages to committed and dedicated staff whilst caring for
vulnerable clients. Ben said: “Our members take on and work in risky situations every day. We are seeking to get recognition of this truly skilled work and of the members who deliver this vital service.”
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Leeds Branch
Carol is inspiring people to learn because “knowledge is power” UNISON Lifelong Learning co-ordinator Carol McGrath passionately believes that the learning opportunities available to members can transform their lives. The Adult Social Care Commissioning Officer at Leeds City Council has been a member for 25 years and a rep for the past ten years. She is currently on secondment from Leeds City Council to the Branch to mentor and coach other learning reps so they can encourage and guide members into learning. Carol said: “We now give support to activists who have become learning reps but who need help to know how to progress from there. “People don’t necessarily have the confidence to become active learning reps and we can help and encourage them. “I am a great believer that knowledge is power. UNISON can provide learning opportunities that others can’t. “We make sure it’s fun and interactive and they are helped and supported. “We are “up-skilling” the workforce which is good for UNISON members and also for the employer, which is why they are supportive of our work.” There is a very wide range of courses available to members: English and maths, a wide
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range of IT and computer skills, money management and assertiveness training. The opportunities are endless. The aim is to match people’s skills to jobs they would hope to do in the future and guide them in the best direction to achieve their goals. Learning new skills and planning career development transforms people’s working lives, but the benefits stretch into all aspects of people’s lives.
If you would like to find out more about learning opportunities in UNISON, Please contact Carol McGrath on 0113 3783835 or on carol. mcgrath@leeds.gov.uk
Not a member? Join UNISON now. 0113 245 8442 or JOINUNISON.org
Carol said: “We want to encourage members to take the opportunities we have available and get involved. “Once people decide to take up learning, either again or for the first time since school, they really enjoy it and I would urge everyone to consider taking part.”
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
Leeds Branch
UNISON’s “There for You” welfare service helps members out of the misery of debt and hunger Branch Welfare Officer Matthew Jenner is all too aware of the personal problems caused by austerity pay cuts, plunging many into debt. Matthew is committed to ensuring all our members are aware of the charity and how they can access it in complete confidentiality.
Don’t suffer in silence. You can contact There for You in complete confidence on 020 7121 5620
Matthew said: “The most striking thing about members who have been helped by UNISON is the level of debt people are facing. “People who are working in low-paid jobs are forced to supplement their income with bank loans and other credit. “This creates a spiral of debt as members are facing ever increasing living costs.” There for You does not give cash to members, it pays bills – like rent, mortgage repayments and utility bills - which they cannot meet. It also helps with things like buying school uniforms which can put huge strain on already stretched family incomes. Matthew gives an example of one teaching assistant who was paying so much for rent and utilities that she was having to going hungry. The Branch ordered her online Christmas shopping so she did not go hungry and provided advice about how to deal with debt.
Matthew said: “People often face threats of eviction and harassment from debt collectors and this causes a great deal of stress and anxiety for people, with the most vulnerable always suffering the most. “Mental health conditions can develop or be made worse under these financial pressures. “There for You can give people a desperately needed break from financial worries. It gives them a rare chance to simply relax and enjoy themselves. “I want members to know they are not alone and help is at the end of a telephone.”
Legal challenges lodged against Foundation’s “inducements and threats” to staff Staff working for Foundation have been offered “inducements” and been threatened with dismissal to try and get them to sign up to cuts in Tim Vincent their conditions of service. Members took strike action over the cuts in March and June against the employer’s plan to cut their pay if they are sick. They would also have their redundancy entitlements cut by thousands of pounds. Foundation exists to help and support people to manage a tenancy, find a job, tackle addictions and improve relationships. Their head office is in Leeds but it provides a service across Yorkshire and beyond. Tim Vincent, Branch Development Officer, said UNISON was very concerned about how Foundation have conducted themselves throughout the dispute and that the inducements to push people to accept cuts are wholly unacceptable. Tim said, “Staff have been offered a variety of inducements including threats of dismissal and disallowing holiday for staff who don’t sign to accept. They have also offered an extra day’s holiday for those who do. We have a signed agreement with Foundation that says they should negotiate any changes with UNISON. They have failed to do this. “We are now looking at what legal action is open to us on behalf of individual members. We will explore every avenue to protect our members from these cuts, and the threats and inducements they have endured.”
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