Newsletter of UNISON Leeds & York Community Health Branch
OCTOBER 2016
The Windrush Generation The arrival of the Empire Windrush in June 1948 at Tilbury Dock, Essex, marked the beginning of post-war mass migration. The ship had made an 8,000 mile journey from the Caribbean to London with 492 passengers on board. Most of the passengers were ex-servicemen seeking work, many whom had fought for Britain during the war. This marked the beginning of post-war mass migration. The passengers on board were invited to come to Britain after World War II, to assist with labour shortages. They later became known as the ‘Windrush Generation.’
AGM
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
There was plenty of work in post-war Britain and although African-Caribbean people were encouraged to journey to Britain via immigration campaigns created by successive British governments, many new arrivals were to endure prejudice, intolerance and extreme racism from sectors of White British society. This experience was to mark African-Caribbean people’s relations with the wider community over a long period. Many found private employment and housing denied on the basis of race, trade unions were unhelpful and black people were barred from many pubs and clubs. This led to clashes and even riots. In 1958, attacks in the London area of Notting Hill by white youths marred relations with West Indian residents, leading to the creation of the
annual Notting Hill Carnival, which was initiated in 1959 as a positive response by the Caribbean community. The shared experience of employment by organisations such as London Transport and the National Health Service also played a role in the building of a British African-Caribbean identity. Read the full story in the special edition of Your Briefing for Black History Month. This will be sent by email, as well as being available on the website. If you require a printed version, please let the branch know. Until then One Love and Peace. Milton Allen Black Members Officer
Wednesday 1 February 2017 at 4:30pm for refreshments – meeting starts promptly at 5pm.
Britain post-Brexit: Page 2
Moorside TARA Community Centre, St Catherine’s Drive, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 2JX
Visit us: www.unison-lych.org.uk
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME!
Tampon tax: Page 3
Twitter: @UNISONLYCH
The Matchgirls: Page 4
Facebook: UNISON LYCH
October 2016
VOICE
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Leeds & York Community Health
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UNISON Leeds & York Community Health Branch
Britain post-Brexit As you will no doubt be aware, the outcome of the referendum was to leave the EU. It came as a huge shock to politicians, particularly David Cameron who resigned just days later, and to the public. We are now in a position where, once Article 50 is invoked, negotiations to leave can take place, although this could take a least two years. The fallout from the Brexit vote has had a particularly damaging consequence on EU migrants to this country, particularly for those working in the NHS, with the appalling increase in hate crime. The outcome of the vote appears to be down to the lies told by supporters of Brexit and the mainstream media.
There has been a significant increase in verbal abuse towards NHS staff from Europe by patients and visitors and this needs to stop. Trusts and other NHS employers need to ensure a zero tolerance approach to tackling this and we as a union, need to support our colleagues. Whatever happens with the negotiations, our colleagues must not be subjected to abuse by anyone. We as a union and as members of the Labour Party, must ensure that our working conditions which have come from Europe must not be eroded as part of the negotiations. It certainly looks like we will
have a huge fight on out hands as the Tories will try their best to weaken, if not get rid of our protections at work. Labour Leadership Elections Just a reminder to use your vote. Also, please be mindful of language when discussing candidates whether face to face or on social media. Everyone’s opinion is valid, even if you do not agree with it. Gail Bramma Branch Labour Link Officer
Young Members Did you know that UNISON has around 63,000 young members? As a UNISON member under 27 years of age you are automatically entitled to participate as a young member. Why not get involved and help us campaign for the issues affecting young workers? Our young members group works to encourage recruitment, organisation and participation of young workers. The group also provides a powerful voice for young members and the
opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge. UNISON can help you develop your career with training, advice and guidance. Being a member of UNISON can help you get training in, for example, communication, IT, problem-solving or interpersonal skills. Volunteering for UNISON makes a good addition to any CV. There are many opportunities to gain new experience such as event management and people management.
Full training is provided. As a UNISON representative you have the right to request paid time off work for training and conferences. You can get involved at local, regional and national levels. You might want to join the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Young Members’ Forum. Please contact the branch if you would like to learn more.
find out more www.unison-lych.org.uk
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Tampon tax After the UK joined the Common Market in 1973, a 17.5% sanitary tax was introduced. It was justified when Parliament classified sanitary products as “nonessential, luxury” items. After years of hard work, in 2000 Labour MP Dawn Primarolo announced that during the following year sanitary tax would be reduced to 5%. She explained the reduction was “about fairness, and doing what we can to lower the cost of a necessity”.
Labour MP Paula Sherriff has been campaigning for an end to the tax and she put forward an amendment to the Finance Bill in October 2015. On the 5th September Parliament debated the end of tampon tax and they made a firm commitment. While Brexit has slowed down the scrapping of tampon tax and complicated the issue somewhat, MP Jane Ellison confirmed that a deadline will be set to end the unfair and illogical tax ‘if the move is legal at that
point under EU law’. That deadline is April 2018. While this is great news, it doesn’t mean that we can relax quite yet. We still need to keep up pressure. Sherriff’s amendment was accepted thanks to public support and we need to make sure it’s implemented as soon as practically possible by continuing our activism until we see tampon prices drop. Karen Smales Branch Chair
Employer appointed to HSE board instead of union nominee Government appoints previous director of the food retailer Greggs to the HSE board into one of three positions that are reserved for Trade Union nominees. The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed Susan Johnson, former chief executive of the Durham and Northern Business Forum, and previously a director of the food retailer Greggs, to the HSE governing board into one of three positions that have been reserved before for TUC nominees. The Trades Union Congress has condemned this with the TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady responding by saying: “The government cannot appoint an employer to represent workers. It’s a blatant abuse of rules that are there to ensure a fair balance between workers and bosses. The HSE works best when
employers and unions work together as equal partners, as intended by the Health and Safety at Work Act. By rejecting the consensus approach, the government is sending out a dangerous signal to bad bosses who put staff at risk by cutting corners.” The tripartite structure of the HSE board (formerly the Health and Safety Commission), representing employee, employer and government interests, was provided for in the Health and Safety at Work Act. Section 2(3)(b).This says the secretary of state “shall appoint three members after consulting such organisations representing employees as he considers appropriate”. A similar clause provides for three employer representatives among the total of up to 11 members. Martin Temple, since appointed
as HSE chair, said the board needed a broader range of skills to help steer the regulator. Temple recommended a relaxation in the fixed numbers of employer and employee representatives if the DWP found it was “not possible to achieve the appropriate balance of skills/competences and required experience/background.” The government’s response said it did not see a need to change the prescribed numbers of representatives, but the TUC argued that it has effectively done so now by appointing Johnson to one of the employee representative positions and that the decision “upsets the statutory balance of representation between workers and employers on the HSE board”. Paul Bullivant Health & Safety Officer
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UNISON Leeds & York Community Health Branch
Meet your new steward at CAPITA Paul Bell, who works at CAPITA Leeds, recently completed his UNISON Steward course at Northern College in Barnsley. Paul thoroughly enjoyed the course and has commented how spectacular the surroundings were. Paul spoke to Jayne Jordan, UNISON Local Organiser, and explained how he is finding his new role as a UNISON steward very
rewarding. Paul is offering advice and support to his colleagues and by communicating our members queries to management. He is finding that this is helping colleagues enjoy their working environment more. If you are employed by CAPITA and would like to discuss any concerns you may have or if you would like to join UNISON please contact Paul on: p.bell3@nhs.net
Celebrating the solidarity of the Matchgirls Wortley Hall is proud to be hosting the musical The Matchgirls presented by Steel Valley Beacon. The play / musical is about the strike in the summer of 1888 when the poor women workers at the Bryant & May factory did what no other working women had thought possible by walking out of work and took to the
streets of London to share their plight of poor working conditions and poor pay with the world. The Matchgirls is a celebration of their achievement. Wednesday 19th October at 7:30pm Wortley Village, Sheffield, S35 7DB Tickets: £10. Includes a pie and pea supper. To book call 0114 2882100.
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