Issue 1 March 2017
Invite to the Branch AGM - Thursday 23 March 2017 The Annual General Meeting is the main decision making body for the branch. At this meeting branch members elect the branch committee to carry out the work of the branch for the next 12 months. It is at this meeting that decisions are made around branch budgets and the work plan is agreed. Each year at the AGM UNISON members who wish to be stewards or health & safety representatives must attend to be ratified, this means the branch agrees to them carrying out this role. The AGM is your opportunity to influence how the branch is run. If you have never attended one before why not come along and see what happens, meet your representatives and the team that will be running the branch on your behalf for the next 12 months. The meeting will be held in Teaching Room 1, Field House, BRI, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ. Lunch is provided from 12:30pm, with the meeting at 1-2pm. Veg/Vegan/halal options will be available. There is a prize raffle with high street vouchers to be won! Please support your union - we look forward to seeing you there.
Become more involved in UNISON Are you worn out with continual criticism, ever increasing workload and diminishing pay and conditions? Would you like to help UNISON to try and change this situation and make your workplace a fairer place to be? Remember that the strength of the union is based upon members participating and making their voices heard. By acting in unison at work we can make a difference to the issues that are of importance to healthcare staff. Every workplace needs a strong union team! The representative is the voice of UNISON in each workplace. As a UNISON rep you would regularly communicate with members and are the first point of contact for any concerns they may have. The more workplace based reps we have, the stronger the union will be. Every year, far too many staff are injured at work or suffer illness and ill-health brought on by their work. There are other roles available – contact us to find out more. Tel: 01274 396383 Email: office.admin@unison-bradfordhealth.org.uk
Are you on the correct subs band? Did you know that as a UNISON member it is your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the correct amount of subs? If you have changed jobs or been regraded it could mean you are paying too much or not enough. Annual salary Monthly cost Up to £2,000 £1.30 £2,001-£5,000 £3.50 £5,001-£8,000 £5.30 £8,001-£11,000 £6.60 £11,001-£14,000 £7.85 £14,001-£17,000 £9.70 £17,001-£20,000 £11.50 £20,001-£25,000 £14.00 £25,001-£30,000 £17.25 £30,001-£35,000 £20.30 Over £35,000 £22.50 Students & apprentices £10 per year If you think you’re paying too much you could be due a refund. If you’re not paying enough you could find that you are no longer entitled to receive representation, legal services and all the other benefits of UNISON membership. When members apply for assistance checks are made to ensure that the correct levels of subs are being paid. At this stage payment of back subs will not entitle you to assistance with any existing issues. How do I check that I’m paying the right amount? The first step is to work out how much you earn each year before income tax, national insurance and any other deductions are made by your employer (this is known as your gross earnings). You should include all the jobs you want covered by your UNISON membership and all contractual overtime payments. From the table above you will then be able to work out how much you should be paying each month. If you pay your subs through your employer’s payroll you can find out how much is being deducted by checking your payslip. If you pay by direct debit you should check your bank statement. I’m not paying enough, what should I do? The first thing to do is contact your branch to let them know. If your employer deducts your subs from your wages your branch can let the payroll department know. If you pay by direct debit you will need to let us know so we can adjust the amount we collect. Your branch can do this for you. In some cases you may be asked to make an additional payment to cover the shortfall. If you do not do so you may find that you will lose your entitlement to membership benefits. I think I’m paying too much, what should I do? Speak to your branch who will be able to help you. Your branch will collect the necessary information and send it to the region. If you have overpaid you will receive a refund. Members paying by direct debit will have the amount we collect amended. For those paying through pay roll we will inform you and your employer of the correct amount to be deducted. I’m not sure whether I’m paying the right amount or not. What should I do? Contact the branch who will be able to help you.
Tax Credit Calculator Time is running out... For you to claim the tax credits that you might be entitled to. About a million people are missing out on up to £50 a week. To make sure you aren’t one of them you need to apply now before it’s too late. Why? Tax credits are being replaced with Universal Credit which is less generous for most working people. It is mostly single people who currently get Universal Credit but the plan is to move everyone on to it. When that happens where you live, new claims for tax credits will stop unless you have more than two children. The government says no-one who moves from tax credits to Universal Credit will be worse off unless there is a big change to their circumstances, but UNISON believes it’s important that you claim tax credits before Universal Credit arrives where you live. Make sure the amount you get is protected so you don’t lose out. UNISON has created an easy to use calculator which tells you in two minutes if you qualify and how much you should get. It even has a link so you can immediately order a tax credit claim form online. Go to: https://unison-takeup.entitledto.co.uk/ If you have any tax credit queries please contact HMRC - Tel 0345 300 3900, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or the Welfare Rights section at your Council.
£25,000 cash benefit on first diagnosis of a covered female cancer or carcinoma in situ of the breast (an early stage cancer which hasn’t spread). £2,500 cash benefit on first diagnosis of carcinoma in situ in any covered female organs other than the breast. £50 inpatient benefit for all overnight hospital stays, up to £4,500. £25 outpatient benefit for all hospital visits, up to £1,000. For UK residents aged 18-69. No medical or health questions. This policy is underwritten by AIG Europe Limited. Previously diagnosed cancers are not covered. Click on the image to visit the website.
NMC agrees to regulate nursing associate role The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has agreed to regulate the new nursing associate role. It formally accepted a request by the Department of Health to regulate the role at a meeting of its ruling council on 25 January. Nursing associates, who will require two years’ training and give hands-on care, are intended to sit between healthcare assistants, who are unregistered, and nurses. They will not independently review treatment plans or make decisions on care. The role is controversial, with unions warning against it being used to replace registered staff. What happens now The NMC will now seek changes to legislation to enable it to set standards and a scope of practice framework. The entire process is likely to take two years and cost around £4million – although the regulator has insisted this will not be covered by the £120 nurse registration fee. Instead, the NMC said it would require the government to fund the work. There will be a public consultation. NMC chief executive Jackie Smith told the meeting she supported adding nursing associates to the register and believed no other regulator could do the job better. She said: ‘The role of the NMC is to provide clarity for patients and the profession.
‘What matters to patients is knowing that the person caring for them has the skills and the competence to do the job. If someone else takes on the regulation, we will have no control over clarity, setting the standards and making it clear to nurse associates what we expect of them.’ First cohort The first wave of 1,000 nursing associates began training at 11 test sites in England in December, overseen by Health Education England (HEE). A second cohort will begin training this year, and at present, the role is for England only. It is, said Ms Smith, ‘an England solution to an England problem’. She added: ‘We must be clear we are not imposing this role on anyone, nor will we be in charge of how nurse associates are deployed.’ Chris Longhurst 25 January 2017 Original source
MPs debate petition for fair pay in the NHS MPs debated a public petition calling for fair pay in the NHS on Monday 30 January, raising the pressure on the Government to change its tactics on NHS funding. UNISON sent briefings and information to all MPs, to make a strong case that costs have continued to rise and pay restraint is taking its toll. We called on MPs to show their support for the NHS workforce by demanding an end to pay restraint. A number of MPs referred to UNISON’s work on fighting for NHS pay in the debate, including referring to the results of our annual NHS Pay Survey, which over 21,000 UNISON members filled in last year. In the coming months we will seek to build on the support MPs have given us in taking forward our campaign against the unfair pay cap in the NHS. Time to bust the 1% pay cap UNISON has set out specific asks for returning to fair NHS pay. These goals include:
A return to UK-wide pay scales, levelling up to Scotland scales as a minimum A restructure of Bands 1-3, delivering the real Living Wage and maintaining pay differentials between bands A fair pay award for all staff to reflect cost of living increases We have been clear that these steps are necessary to return to a fair, UK-wide NHS pay structure and that the Government must abandon the unnecessary 1% public sector pay cap.
Next steps The NHS Pay Review Body usually reports to the Government in late February, with the Government issuing a response in March. We will keep you updated throughout the process and continue to build our campaign against the unfair pay cap in the NHS. Want to talk more about pay? Talk to your branch and find out more about how you can get involved in the union.
MPs debate petition for fair pay in the NHS MPs debated a public petition calling for fair pay in the NHS on Monday 30 January, raising the pressure on the Government to change its tactics on NHS funding. UNISON sent briefings and information to all MPs, to make a strong case that costs have continued to rise and pay restraint is taking its toll. We called on MPs to show their support for the NHS workforce by demanding an end to pay restraint. A number of MPs referred to UNISON’s work on fighting for NHS pay in the debate, including referring to the results of our annual NHS Pay Survey, which over 21,000 UNISON members filled in last year. In the coming months we will seek to build on the support MPs have given us in taking forward our campaign against the unfair pay cap in the NHS. Time to bust the 1% pay cap UNISON has set out specific asks for returning to fair NHS pay. These goals include:
A return to UK-wide pay scales, levelling up to Scotland scales as a minimum A restructure of Bands 1-3, delivering the real Living Wage and maintaining pay differentials between bands A fair pay award for all staff to reflect cost of living increases We have been clear that these steps are necessary to return to a fair, UK-wide NHS pay structure and that the Government must abandon the unnecessary 1% public sector pay cap.
Next steps The NHS Pay Review Body usually reports to the Government in late February, with the Government issuing a response in March. We will keep you updated throughout the process and continue to build our campaign against the unfair pay cap in the NHS. Want to talk more about pay? Talk to your branch and find out more about how you can get involved in the union.
Personal Safety It's always better to be safe rather than sorry. Here are some simple changes you can make to decrease your chances of becoming a victim of crime. Walking Follow the light - Even if it takes you longer, stay on the path that is lit rather than taking shortcuts down dark snickets. Stick to streets populated with houses, rather than dark, deserted alleyways. Know which neighbourhoods may require extra precautions.
Walk with confidence and awareness - Attackers are looking for easy prey.
Wear practical shoes that you can move in.
Carry a mobile phone - If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, you can instantly dial 999. Do not call a friend; the police will get there faster, and will be more effective in protecting you.
Hands-free – Don’t use your headphones because they’ll dampen your ability to sense your surroundings. Similarly, if it isn’t raining, keep your hood down so you can see what’s going on around you. The more you cut your senses off the easier it will be for someone to take you by surprise.
Don’t carry your phone in your hand or have other valuables on display.
Attract attention any way you can - If you are fighting but can't get away, try to attract attention. Scream and shout, but use the word "fire" rather than "help" or "rape." This is more effective in attracting people's attention and causing them to call 999.
If there is no other choice, fight and then run - If you are attacked, fight back until you see an opportunity to get away. Mark your assailant - If you are attacked, try to scratch the assailant with keys or fingernails. Any marks you leave may help identify him to the police.
Cars and Parking Lots
Approach the car with your keys out. Relock the door immediately after getting into the car.
Park near your building in a highly visible and well-lit area - Park near the attendant, if there is one, or near the stairs or a well-lit exit in an underground garage.
Use the main building entrance - avoid rear or secluded exits. Keep your valuables out of sight - always lock them in the boot if you have to leave them in the car.
Be alert for suspicious circumstances - For example, if a van is parked beside your car or if there's a man sitting in a parked car next to yours, consider asking a guard or policeman to escort you to your car.
Approach your car from the passenger side. Attackers are expecting people who are alone to enter their cars from the driver's side. Someone lying in wait is less likely to be prepared for you to enter from the passenger side.
Keep the car windows rolled up. While driving, keep the windows high enough so no one can reach in to unlock the car door.
Don't linger in your car. Sitting alone in your car makes you a very visible, vulnerable and easily cornered target. Lock the car when you get in and promptly drive away.
Maintain your vehicle. Keep your car in good working order to avoid breakdowns.
If you think you're being followed, take evasive action. Make several turns to verify your fear. If possible, note the follower's license plate number, car model and make. Dial 999 on your mobile. Do not go home; instead, get on a main road, drive to a well-lit public place where there are people, and honk your horn to attract attention
Stress is one of the biggest causes of health problems in the workplace. In general terms, stress is a reaction to pressure or harassment at work. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) definition of stress is: “The reaction people have to excessive demands or pressures, arising when people try to cope with tasks, responsibilities or other types of pressure connected with their job, but find difficulty, strain or worry in doing so.” Stress can be difficult to identify in an organisation as employees may not admit to feeling stressed. Stress can be caused by a number of factors including: long hours and shift work; lack of control or insecurity; lack of job satisfaction, boredom or isolation; fear of violence, bullying or harassment; bad relations with other work colleagues; problems with the working environment (such as noise, temperature, overcrowding and poor facilities); low pay. Stress can cause mental and physical illnesses such as anxiety, depression, altered appetite, headaches, backache or difficulty in sleeping. Over time, heart disease or ulcers may also develop. People may also try to reduce the symptoms of stress with alcohol, cigarettes, tranquillisers or other drugs, which can lead to further, more serious health issues. What are the laws on stress in the workplace? The law says that employers are responsible for the safety of their employees while they are at work, and this includes stress. Certain levels of stress are normal and may even be helpful. However excessive levels of stress can be destructive and lead to psychiatric injury for which the employer may be liable for a claim in a county court, or Sheriff Court in Scotland, for negligence depending upon the circumstances. Once an employer knows that a worker is or may be at risk of injury, they must investigate the problem and find out what they can do to resolve it. Contact the branch if you need some advice
We are delighted to confirm that the Region’s biggest annual campaigning and social event, ‘UNISON : Providing Essential Cover for those Delivering Public Services” Raceday’, will be held this year at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 5th August 2017. Since 2001 the event has grown year on year with over 4,000 members, family and friends attending last year’s event. The Doncaster Raceday has become a main feature of UNISON’s campaign calendar providing an opportunity for members to come together and support the Union’s campaigning activities and publicise our campaign for public services whilst enjoying a day out with family and friends. Exclusive special ticket offer for UNISON members ‘2 for 1’ Grandstand Tickets Total price £13 (2 tickets) Offer closes: 5.00pm on 28 July 2017 To book tickets call 01302 304200 and quote ‘the UNISON raceday offer’, your UNISON membership number. Early booking incentive drinks voucher for each of the first 400 ticket sales courtesy of UNISON Living. Please note: there will be a £2.50 transaction charge per order except for purchases of four or less tickets.