UNISON North Lincs newsletter Oct 2017

01724 296317 unison@northlincs.gov.uk North Lincolnshire UNISON Branch, 17 Frances Street, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 6NS

North Lincolnshire

UNISON News October 2017

News from the North Lincolnshire Branch of UNISON

Support UNISON’s campaign to lift the public sector pay cap Find out about UNISON’s major campaign to scrap the cap!

INSIDE

Pages 2 - 3 Pay Up Now! Pages 4 - 5 A message from your Branch Secretary Pages 6 - 7 North Lincolnshire Council matters Page 8 UNISON victories

North Lincolnshire

Support UNISON’s campaign to lift the public sector pay cap Local Government pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010 due to a pay freeze between 2009 and 2012 and below inflation increases of 1% since 2013.

For someone employed by North Lincolnshire Council earning £20,000, this represents £4,000 in loss of earnings. Meanwhile prices for everyday goods continue to rise.

UNISON has submitted a 5% pay claim to the Local Government Association as part of our campaign to lift the public sector pay cap.

The Conservative government has offered increases of more than 1% to police and prison officers and firefighters have rejected a 2% offer. All public sector workers need and deserve a decent pay rise.

The tide is turning. The government is now under real pressure to scrap the 1% cap on public sector wages and UNISON is leading the fight to get you the pay rise you deserve.

More and more people are listening and supporting our Pay Up Now! campaign even the DUP!

page 2

The government suffered a humiliating defeat in parliament over NHS pay when their £1 billion buddies in the DUP sided with the Labour Party. We must keep up the pressure for a decent pay rise.

Write to your local Councillor and ask them to raise the issue of public sector pay at the next Full Council meeting and ask for their support to #scrapthecap

Together, UNISON can win for all public sector workers, wherever you work, and deliver that long-overdue pay rise. Here are 4 things you can do you to support our campaign for a decent pay rise for all public servants:

UNISON and the TUC are lobbying MPs, and particularly Conservative MPs, on public service pay and lifting the pay cap in Parliament Square, Westminster, London on 17 October 2017.

The lobby of MPs starts at 2pm. Write to your local MP and ask them to attend the lobby on behalf of their constituents who work in public services.

For more information: www.facebook.com/ events

Attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) pay campaign event on Tuesday 24 October 12.30 -1.30pm at Hull City Hall in Queen Victoria Square.

Use the pay calculator on the UNISON website to find out how much your pay has fallen by since 2010 www. unison.org.uk/ourcampaigns/pay-upnow/ Reading this but not a member?

Join now 0800 0857 857 join.unison.org.uk

North Lincolnshire

Living Wage in North Lincolnshire Council On the 5th May 2017 UNISON met the new Head of Paid Service at North Lincolnshire Council (Denise Hyde) and we raised the issue of the Living Wage for all workers. The idea behind a living wage is very simple: that a person should be paid enough to live decently and to adequately provide for their family. The Living Wage rate is independently calculated every year and the current hourly rate for workers outside London is £8.45 per hour.

UNISON will continue to campaign for a real Living Wage for all workers and we would like to see Scunthorpe become a Living Wage town. At the heart of our Living Wage campaign is an ethical argument for preventing in-work poverty and ensuring workers are not exploited through low wages. It also supports our local community and our

economy. As one of the largest employers in the area, we believe that the Council should lead by example and implement the Living Wage for all employees.

UNISON make pay claim for members at Humberside Airport In August, UNISON made a written pay claim to the Chief Executive of Humberside Airport on behalf of all our members. The Airport responded to our pay claim and UNISON met with the management on the 26th September to commence negotiations. These negotiations are currently ongoing and we will keep members fully updated.

Further Education pay UNISON has expressed disappointment at the pay offer put forward by the Association of Colleges (AoC) for our members at North Lindsey College and John Leggott College.

The union believes the offer of a one per cent increase or £250, whichever is greater, will

plunge college staff further into poverty.

UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “This offer is hugely disappointing. It will do little to lift workers out of debt and poverty, particularly as colleges are under no obligation to implement it.

“Colleges know good salaries are vital to

attract and retain staff.

But if the government continues to underfund further education, workers will seek employment elsewhere.”

As part of the pay offer, the Association of Colleges has agreed to campaign with the further education unions to improve funding for the post-16 sector.

page 3

North Lincolnshire

A message from your Branch Secret

I was asked to write a few words to reflect on the key political events of the Summer and introduce our latest Branch newsletter. I can’t think of anything more momentous than the general election result in May. The Tories had been predicted to get a landslide majority with hundreds more seats in the House of Commons.

However, against all predictions and media bias Labour led a magnificent campaign

Branch supports the WASPI campaign

page 4

and destroyed Theresa May’s majority.

Although Labour did not win the General Election, there is no question that advances were made. In Brighton, Labour MP Lloyd Russell increased his majority from just over 1,000 to almost 19,000 and a bit closer to home, here in Scunthorpe, Nic Dakin MP also increased his majority. There were also successes for UNISON members.

Our former UNISON president Eleanor Smith became MP for Wolverhampton South West. For a black woman to be elected in to the seat once held by the Conservative MP Enoch Powell is an enormous source of pride for UNISON. Other UNISON members such as Angela Rayner (a home care worker) has also taken pride of place in the Shadow Cabinet.

The euphoria of

the general election result was soon overshadowed by the fire at Grenfell Tower.

This tragedy has left the nation reeling and it is a stark reminder of the social inequality embedded in our society and it has shed a light on the nation’s social housing crisis. By selling off social housing and not using the money to build new homes there is a national social housing shortage. We feel the impact of this locally. In 2016/17 over 800 people in North Lincolnshire were either in a bed and breakfast or temporary accommodation.

Thousands more are in the private sector where private landlords in crisis-hit areas know they can charge high rents to desperate councils.

Cuts to housing benefits also contribute to homelessness and rough sleeping rates.

North Lincolnshire Council is looking to launch a new licence for private landlords who own properties in Crosby & Park Ward and also in the Town Ward.

The licence is aimed to ensure the landlords provide homes that are fit for tenants and have all the facilities. UNISON has responded to the public consultation and welcomed the licence but we have expressed concern that it is not far reaching enough and the licence should include a rent cap to stop private landlords charging astronomical rent to vulnerable tenants and the council. A rent cap would prevent homelessness, reduce the need for temporary accommodation and ultimately protect the public purse.

The minutes from a North Lincolnshire Council meeting on the 16th February 2017

Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) is a campain started by five ordinary women to fight against the unequal and unfair treatment of women born in the 1950s through an increase in the state pension age. The WASPI campaign supports the equalisation of the

pension age between men and women but it objects to the unfair transition of it.

The Conservative government should have given people 15 years notice, instead they gave the men 6 years notice of a 1 year increase in the state pension age but they gave the women a

1 or 2 years notice of a 6 year increase in the state pension age and some women got no notice at all. By giving the women little or no notice that they were not going to receive their pension on the date they planned, they did not have time to make alternative arrangements to prevent

North Lincolnshire

etary Vicky Rowland record Councillor A Davison and L Foster raising an amendment to a motion that stated: “This council rejects the implementation of the Conservative Government’s austerity based financial settlement upon the residents of North Lincolnshire.

The six year government imposed austerity programme has failed the people of North Lincolnshire, with ever restrictive financial reductions bringing more and more pain and suffering to those most in need of the services that North Lincolnshire Council should and must deliver and protect.

With ever increasing numbers of rough sleepers both nationally and locally the pressing need for additional suitable

social housing provision appears to be blocked at every opportunity”.

UNISON agrees with Councillor Davison and Foster’s assessment of austerity. When I see that charred tower on the news it reminds me that austerity is a failed experiment.

We meet members every week in our Branch who are suffering because of austerity, they are suffering poor mental health, their relationships and families have broken down because of financial stressors, they visit food banks so they can feed their children and they come to our Branch needing help when things have started to impact on their ability to do their job.

I recently met one woman who was contemplating

financial hardship in retirement.

This affects many UNISON members and we recently held an open day at Scunthorpe Hospital and also at the Branch Office for members to drop in and find out if they are a WASPI woman and if so what they can do to help the campaign. If you want to find out more about the campaign, please contact the Branch Office.

suicide because of debt and in work poverty. The Branch is working tirelessly to support members across North Lincolnshire who are in difficult circumstances.

We can’t work miracles but we can promise support, advice, kindness and lovely cup of tea. Please don’t suffer in silence, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed, there is nothing that I haven’t heard or seen before, so if you need anything, please call me at the Branch Office.

I hope you enjoy reading our latest newsletter and catching up on the work we’ve been doing to improve the working lives of our members and to make North Lincolnshire a great place to work.

Vicky Rowland with Rosemary, the North Lincolnshire WASPI campaign co-ordinator

North Lindsey College expected to merge with Doncaster College In December 2017 Scunthorpe’s local College is expected to merge with Doncaster College. North Lindsey College was opened on the Kingsway in 1953 and has trained generations of the town’s steelworkers. It has a long proud history and is a source of immense pride for the town. The merger will bring together around 14,000 students in the region and more than 1,300 lecturers and other staff.

UNISON has attended meetings with the management at both organisations and formal consultation is due to start any day. At this stage neither side is talking about job losses.

UNISON members will be represented throughout the consultation and our priorities will be job security and protection of pensions, pay terms and condition. We will also be aiming to prevent any further privatisation. UNISON is committed to campaigning for a properly funded further education sector that is accessible to all the people of North Lincolnshire.

If members at North Lindsey College have any concerns or worries or if you want us to raise anything on your behalf then please contact us at the Branch Office, details on the cover.

page 5

North Lincolnshire

Day for libraries 19th October Public libraries are a hub for our communities but government austerity has hit this vital service hard. 478 public libraries have closed since 2010 thousands of jobs have been cut and many libraries are now staffed by volunteers. UNISON is holding a national day for libraries on 19th October 2017 to raise the profile of library services, the precious services they provide and the workers we have left.

The library in Scunthorpe has been serving our town for 43 years and it is to receive a £1 million investment and become a community hub for people to access many different public services.

The refurbishment starts on the 14th November 2017 and the new resource is expected to open in Spring 2018. UNISON welcomes this investment in our local public library service and we are pleased that the popular children’s library and local studies service is to remain in the new community hub. We will conduct a health & safety inspection of the new premises and if members experience any difficulties during refurbishment or after, please contact us at the Branch Office.

North Lincolnsh Well done to Children’s Services UNISON congratulates all workers in Children’s Services for achieving “outstanding” in the recent OFSTED inspection.

North Lincolnshire Council are one of only three Children’s Services to achieve this result and “outstanding” is the highest accolade that can be achieved. Amongst the findings, the independent inspectors concluded that direct work with children and families was effective, children are engaged fully and

workers achieve measurably improved outcomes. Of interest to UNISON was that the inspectors concluded that the workers were well trained and the workforce was stable.

The majority of workers in Social Care are UNISON members and we wanted to thank all our members and congratulate them on this fantastic achievement. You work so hard and you all deserve this recognition for the contribution you make.

Agency spending in the council Many Social Workers have been raising with UNISON the huge numbers of agency staff in the Council, and at the Corporate Consultation Group meeting on the 21st September UNISON raised the issue and the cost of agency workers on behalf of our members. North Lincolnshire Council spending on temporary agency staff has doubled in just 4 years, it is now over £2 million and this is very concerning for UNISON. We are concerned about the cost that agency

workers have on the public purse as whilst public money is going to line the pockets of employment agencies this takes away from the council’s other spending priorities and this money can’t be spent on investing in permanent jobs and services. UNISON will continue to challenge excessive agency spending in North Lincolnshire Council and we will continue to campaign for properly funded, quality public services provided by properly rewarded workers.

Members in schools and academies Earlier in September, the Branch distributed a special newsletter, just for our members working in schools and academies. We sent it by email to all those members for whom we have an email address for. If you didn’t receive it, please contact the Branch and update your membership details.

page 6

North Lincolnshire

shire Council Matters s Reviews and restucture During the Summer UNISON members have been represented collectively throughout the following reviews and restructures:• Health Improvement Team Consisting of North Lincs Council staff and external organisations TUPE transferred into the council on the 1st of September to create a comprehensive Health Improvement service for the future.

• Winter Service – ensured that our members are to be properly rewarded for the work they will do over the Winter and the rotas are fair and equitable.

• Waste – ensured that our members were not at any disadvantage when the Council decided to suspend bin collections on the day of the Tour of Britain.

• Adult Social Care Services (Phase 1) – ensured that there is sufficient capacity in the system, that there were no compulsory redundancies and the effects of any voluntary redundancies and post deletion is mitigated.

• Support Services – supported our members in the Civic Centre manage changes to their roles.

• Annualised hours in Neighbourhood Services • Senior Management review – ensured that there were no compulsory redundancies. The changes created a cost saving of £850,000 over the next 4 years.

The following reviews are ongoing or about to start. We will ensure members voices are heard throughout the consultation and that members influence the changes and then when the council has decided on the final structure we will support individual members if the changes will impact on their personal circumstances :• Phase 2 of Adult Social Care will cover rehabilitation, reablement and community and hospital services incorporating a 7 day service.

• Schools Catering and Cleaning Services • Fleet Services – On the 21st September 2017 UNISON requested a copy of the results of the ‘soft market testing’ and the action plan that has come out of this exercise.

• Participation & Achievements – the scope of this review is very wide and the review will take place in 2 phases. It will include hundreds of staff in sport, leisure, culture, business development, adults and community education.

• Enabling Support Team – this involves approx 15 staff and the emphasis is on refocusing the purpose of the services.

• Economy & Growth – this is in its infancy stages of scoping but it will include the regeneration and growth of the various geographical and commercial aspects of the Council.

• Disability Services – Following concerns from UNISON where it is necessary to appoint interim managers the Head of Service has ensured a minimum term of 12 months is required to enable consistency.

page 7

North Lincolnshire

UNISON victories - celebrating two major court cases Our first victory this Summer was to scrap Employment Tribunal fees. Employment Tribunals (ETs) make decisions about disputes over employment rights, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, wages, and redundancy.

Going to ET used to be free, but in July 2013 the Conservative government brought in charges for working people to access justice.

UNISON fought hard against this, and this July we won a huge victory at the Supreme Court. The judges said the fees were discriminatory and prevented people with valid claims from accessing justice due to the cost. The ruling means that anyone who has been treated illegally or unfairly at work will no longer have to

pay to take their employers to court – as a direct result of UNISON’s legal challenge.

The government will also have to refund more than £27m to the thousands of people charged for taking claims to tribunals since July 2013, when fees were introduced by then Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling.The second victory, a few days later, was to do with your employer’s duty to consult with your trade union about changes to your contract. This time, the court case focused on changes to working hours and holiday pay. Our general secretary, Dave Prentis, said, “[bosses] will have to treat their staff more fairly over pay and

Retired Members Section

speakers talking on a variety of topics, enjoying days away, going out to lunch, meeting for coffee, renewing friendships or making new ones?

Question Are you a UNISON member who has just retired or is about to retire from work and looking for other interests to occupy your newly acquired leisure time, for example, listening to interesting

We have the answer You are cordially invited to join the North Lincolnshire Retired Members Section of UNISON. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Civic Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.

Refreshments are served

ESSENTIAL COVER IF YOU WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICES page 8

working conditions,” “If they fail to consult unions then they will be acting unlawfully and could be taken to court.” This has huge implications for your day to day working life.

Both cases used parts the Human Rights Act to ensure your rights at work are protected. These legal victories demonstrate that this Conservative government is being challenged in the courts and rejected at the ballot box.

at 2.15pm prior to our meeting at 2.30pm. We are a friendly group, determined to keep our wits about us, stay healthy and enjoy life. We arrange a mystery long weekend away in the Summer, we meet for coffee and a natter on a Monday morning, once a month.

We arrange for interesting speakers to give talks and we meet for lunch usually on the first Wednesday of the month at different selected venues.

If you are reading this and are not a UNISON member then why not join now...

Call free on 0800 0 857 857 or www.join.unison.org.uk