UNISON Wakefield District Branch Newsletter - Winter 2018

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Wakefield District

UNISON News Winter 2018

News from the Wakefield District Branch of UNISON

Wakefield – where democracy goes to die!

One Cabinet Member defies democracy to recognise the GMB Further to our Special Bulletin in August 2018, you may remember that we alerted members to the fact that the Wakefield Labour Group had recognised the General Municipal Boilermakers (GMB) union. The Leader of the Council (Cllr Peter Box) had formally announced it and the Secretary of the Labour Group (Cllr Darren Byford) had written to UNISON to inform us of the decision. UNISON lodged a formal trade dispute with the Council and we also reported the GMB to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as their approach to the Council for recognition was in breach of trade union rules and principles.

The Council accepted that the Labour Group had no authority to make such a decision and since August the Council has been going through a process to review and audit the decision. Your UNISON representatives have been making sure that your voice has been heard at every stage of this process, to ensure that the Council responds to this request in a fair and equitable manner.

Council Officers recommendation ignored!

The Council’s Chief Executive invited UNISON and the GMB to meet (separately) to discuss the situation.

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UNISON responded and requested that a number of Chief Officers also be in attendance and this meeting took place on the 5th September 2018.

The GMB did not attend the meeting that they were invited to discuss their request for trade union recognition.

After the consultation process had concluded the Council Officers made a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Cllr Les Shaw) that the GMB should not be recognised for collective bargaining until the TUC dispute had been considered. Cllr Shaw ignored this recommendation and signed a Delegated Decision to recognise the GMB. Overview and Scrutiny recommendation defied!

Under the Council’s rules, certain Delegated Decisions can be ‘called in’ by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee within 5 days. UNISON wrote to all Councillors on the relevant Committee and explained why Cllr Les Shaw’s decision needed ‘calling in’ for further scrutiny. The Councillors agreed and the decision got ‘called in’.

UNISON attended the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 25th October 2018 to observe proceedings.

The GMB was not in attendance. It was confirmed in the public meeting by the Council that the GMB had not made any representations to the

UNISON at Wakefield Pride 2018

Committee and had not provided any written submission as to why they thought it would be of benefit to have the GMB recognised. It was also confirmed by Head of HR that the GMB has 13 members in the Council (compared to UNISON’s membership of 4,000, meaning we have a density of over 50%).

After careful consideration the Overview and Scrutiny Committee made a unanimous decision to recommend to Cllr Les Shaw that he should review his decision. Their unanimous view was that a decision to recognise the GMB should not be made until the TUC dispute was resolved.

In what is believed to be the first time in Wakefield Council, Cllr Les Shaw has defied the recommendation of Council Officers and defied the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and he has refused to change his decision and consequently the GMB are now recognised by Wakefield Council for collective bargaining. continues on page two

AGM NOTICE

March

6

UNISON Wakefield District Annual General Meeting Wednesday 6th March 2019 Town Hall (Kingswood Suite) 12:30 – 2pm / 5:30 – 7:30pm

Annual General Meeting

See further information enclosed with this mailing

www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Community & Private Sector

Where democracy goes to die!

UNISON at Wakefield District Housing

continued from page 1

UNISON at Wakefield District Housing are currently in talks regarding the convener post going from part time to full time this is due to the workload that is being put on the UNISON stewards, these talks are likely to take place shortly.

We are currently on with our 2019 pay claim negotiations with Wakefield District Housing and will be in talks within the next two weeks, this will be done as a joint venture with Unite to show unity within the company we hope to keep all members up to date with the negotiation process and would ask that all members participate in the final ballot. The final decision to accept or reject the claim will always rest with our members.

At Wakefield District Housing there are issues with management refusing flexible working which is part of our policy however some of our members have been refused which has an impact on childcare and caring duties to family members, UNISON are on with this to protect our members rights.

Wakefield District Housing are introducing new ICT software into the company called Dynamics this will make Wakefield District Housing fully digital. The first part of this is due to go live on the 1st November this year.

Laurie Brown Wakefield District Housing Convenor

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Why is UNISON challenging the decision?

You will remember that in August UNISON stated that the recognition of the GMB was nothing other than a cynical attempt by the Council to divide and weaken union members at a time when it intends to implement some extremely unpalatable changes. UNISON has a proud history of listening to our members’ views and ensuring that your voices are heard by the Council.

At times this has meant that the Council have had to change their proposals. UNISON has always provided a strong challenge to the Council. Given the concerns that UNISON has continued to bring to the Council especially recently regarding Children’s Services, certain Councillors have tried to weaken UNISON’s influence. UNISON have to view the fact that the Council have now recognised the GMB and extended UNITE’s sphere of influence as nothing other than an attack on you through your union.

The current trade union recognition arrangements have stood for more than 40 years.

Introducing a third trade union and extending the sphere of influence on the second trade union to weaken the main union is not a new tactic

by Governments but it is not the conduct we would expect from a Labour government or Labour Council. Many of our members in Wakefield will remember that in the second half of the 1980s when Margaret Thatcher wanted to drive through her pit closure programme, she knew that the

National Union Mineworkers (NUM) would oppose her so she worked with Ian MacGregor (Chairman of the National Coal Board) to recognise a second trade union (the UDM) to divide and weaken worker organisation in the industry and dilute any opposition to her plans. It is therefore shocking that a Labour Council has introduced this change when the union in question has only 13 members in the Council. Yet they will be given full recognition rights and will be able to influence Council decisions even in areas where they don’t have any membership.

To our mind this is just another cynical attempt by a bullying Council Leadership to try and undermine the Union who have been challenging the bullying and lack of resources in various areas of the Council over the last few years.

UNISON— Together we are stronger New members can join by: ontacting the Wakefield Branch C on tel: 01924 305360 or by email at contact@unison-wakefield.org.uk Freephone: 0800 171 2194 (6am to midnight) Online at join.unison.org.uk *Footnote: In 2017 the National Archive released files that revealed how Thatcher offered preferential treatment to the UDM in a bid to weaken its rivals.The similarities to this situation in Wakefield are staggering: www.independent.co.uk/ news/long_reads/newdocuments-reveal-trueextent-of-minerscooperation-withthatcher-a7851386. html

Wakefield District

Council Matters

Children and Young People’s Service As members are aware Children and Young People’s Directorate (CYPD) are under intense scrutiny due to the Ofsted report. The Commissioner will be concluding his report in November and everyone involved in CYPD and the wider community are tentatively awaiting the outcome.

If the Government appointed Commissioner recommends an ‘Alternative Delivery Model’, UNISON will oppose any privatisation plans.

This is because we believe that Children’s Services should be directly run by Local Authorities, there is no place for private profit and accountability should rest with Elected Members. We have seen examples where Local Authorities have outsourced Children’s Services and realised that it is not the panacea that they were promised. Recently, West Sussex County Council brought the administration of its MASH back in house from Capita when it realised that performance was declining causing unacceptable risk to children in the system. Privatisation is no guarantee of improved performance.

You only have to look at our neighbouring authority Doncaster, where Children’s Services have been a Trust since 2014. They have overspent by millions which could threaten the viability of the Council’s finances

as the Council (who always remain statutorily responsible for Children’s Services) will have to bail them out.

UNISON believes that efficient services depend on adequate funding, effective management, and robust overview and scrutiny from well informed Elected Members. This is the model that we will be supporting.

UNISON members working in this area are in regular contact with me.

For 2 years prior to the Ofsted visiting the Council UNISON had been raising member concerns about caseloads and low morale which led to an exodus of experienced staff.

High caseloads, bullying and stress is a common theme, with the council over relying on agency staff. We have raised our members concerns with Elected Members, with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services. We have met the Commissioner and the Independent Chair of the Strategic Improvement Board and we have made sure that the voice of all our members is heard at every level of the Council.

We will continue to speak truth to power and now we have been provided with a seat on the Practitioner led / Shadow Improvement Board we can assure members that this will continue.

The Bullying Survey recently undertaken by UNISON confirms that members have witnessed and

experienced bullying in the workplace.

The Corporate Service Director, the Commissioner and the Cabinet Members for CYPD were informed that a bullying survey was being undertaken by UNISON and we have shared the results as part of the dispute resolution procedure.

UNISON has repeatedly told the Council that their permanent workforce is their most valuable asset in making the improvements which are necessary to keep the service in house and not be outsourced. The reliance on agency staff continues in CYPD and we will continue to advocate for a stable workforce.

Councils across the country are bracing themselves for the impact that the roll out of universal credit will have on already struggling individuals and families. The Branch anticipates that our members will be affected and have already raised this with the Council.

Thank you to members who contact the branch across all directorates updating of any developments and information that assists the convenors when negotiating on your behalf. Your input is valued and vital during this difficult time.

Janet Hinchliff Branch Secretary / Children and Young People

Wakefield Partnership (Engie / ISS / Arcadis) Over the last few months UNISON has been fighting the battle for members as one of the companies in the Partnership stated that they didn’t recognise UNISON or the Convenor role. It seems that whilst they haven’t minded using the services of the Convenor for different issues when it came to their managers needing

representation, they were told that UNISON was not a recognised trade union. This was not true. After a robust campaign, the ‘partner’ reinstated full recognition rights.

The issue is by no means resolved but rest assured UNISON will not be bullied by employers neither will we let them bully our members.

We are in testing times with government legislation trying to stop Unions powers but with the support from all our members we will win the fight. Together we are strong and I will do my utmost to make sure that WEP members be treated fairly.

Carol Dewrow, Convenor

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www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

UNISON Representation at Sickness Meetings

There for You can offer you support when life gets tough.

Financial Assistance School Uniform Grants Heating Grants Debt Support Well-being Breaks For more information contact 020 7121 5620, email us at thereforyou@unison.co.uk or contact the branch.

Most members will experience sickness absence during their working life. This can result in you being asked to attend meetings as part of your employer’s sickness policy. It has been reported to the Branch that some Managers are encouraging members to attend meetings alone and not to have a UNISON representative, when they are entitled to have one.

This can result in serious negative consequences for our members.

If you are entitled to have a trade union rep at a meeting, we would encourage you to do so. After all, we are on your side! If you require representation or advice please speak with your local Steward or contact the Branch office at the earliest opportunity.

Personal Injury Claims A quick message regarding personal injury claims. You have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim.

members can claim this is just to cover incidentals such as unexpected prescription fees or hospital parking.

If you have had an accident in the last 3 years and not claimed, please contact UNISON direct on 0800 0057057 or the branch office on 01924 305360.

You can also make a claim through the branch or UNISON direct in regards to compensation for a personal injury and Thompsons solicitors will deal with this for you.

UNISON can provide two different types of financial support. You can claim a £100 accident benefit if you have had an accident at work, this is not means tested and all

Free UNISON 2019 Diaries We have a limited number of UNISON 2019 diaries available free for members. The diaries will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

You can collect your diary from your local Steward or from the UNISON Office, 18 Gills Yard, Wakefield, WF1 3BZ during opening hours, Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

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What’s your job?

Keep us updated Do you have a second or third job?

We need to know about all of your jobs because we are only allowed to support you in relation to the employment that you have declared to us.

You can update your records easily either online or over the phone.

Overtime and Holiday pay If you work overtime, you might be entitled to have your holiday pay reflect this. Some employers still only pay a basic hourly rate for holiday, rather than a rate that reflects your actual remuneration. Pay during periods of suspension may also be covered in the same way. Contact us and we can look into your circumstances.

Piers Newland UNISON Caseworker

Wakefield District

2019 Council Pay Negotiations A quick update for members employed by Wakefield Council including all Council schools, those members employed in the Wakefield Partnership (Engie, ISS and Arcadis) and Wakefield Joint Services.

The Branch has now concluded consultation with the Council over the assimilation of the pay offer for 2019.

Members may remember that the pay settlement for 2018/20 was a 2-year deal. The first year was 2% on all spinal column points and the second year was to include a new pay structure which would mean that members may receive different percentage increases.

Negotiations on the new pay structure have been ongoing all Summer and we are pleased to confirm that these negotiations have now concluded and UNISON have

negotiated a pay structure which would see every member receive a pay increase of at least 2% and an average pay increase of around 5% for members and this would be in place in April 2019.

To be clear a decision has not been made by the Council over how the pay deal will be assimilated onto the new pay structure however the Branch is hopeful that the pay structure we have negotiated will be accepted by Corporate Management Team (CMT). As soon as the Council has made their decision the Branch will update members of the detail of the new pay scale and the pay rise that members will be able to enjoy in 2019.

This new pay structure should be seen as an improvement on members’ wages and UNISON is

pleased that by working together in partnership with the Council, we have been able to negotiate a decent pay rise for our members. After 8 years of austerity and public sector pay freezes, this should be the start of local government workers getting pay increases that help lift people out of poverty and ensure that people start to receive a fair wage for the vital work that we undertake on behalf of the people of Wakefield.

This pay offer on its own does not reverse the 8 years of Tory attacks we have faced and this Branch believes that this achievement needs to be built on to ensure that in future years we continue to receive pay increases that are well above inflation and ensure that wages not only recover to pre-2010 levels in real terms but increase beyond that.

explaining what being part of a union is. We are not just here when issues arise at work the benefits are well worth being involved. Trips to Panto or the Xmas market are just the starting point.

On the stall we had wrist bands, pencils and lanyards with whistles.

Someone asked how much? Wakefield people are so generous. Free was not the right answer we were told so small donations were the preferred choice.

I am pleased to say that £49.30 was the result of visitors who did not want

to take a freebie. Wakefield UNISON are proud to say we have donated this money to the Family Donors Charity who supports families who have made the difficult decision to donate the organs of their deceased loved ones to help others survive.

I for one will be doing this event again next year and hope you can all come and visit us there for a fun/ friendly day out.

Wakefield Pride 2018 Wakefield Pride on 12 August was an eventful day. Wakefield UNISON were asked if we would help sponsor some of the event and have a stall for the day by Maz Cotterill who is UNISON’s National and Regional LGBT Yorkshire and Humberside rep/convenor.

Miss Crystal came along to show her support too along with some of our WASPI friends. The rain held off and we had many visitors some already members, others who are interested in joining. A large part of our day was

Carol Dewrow UNISON Convenor

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www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Corporate Service

The Introduction of Universal Credit Unfortunately to our members this will drive in more poverty and hardship and will affect public services. It will affect our frontline staff who will be subject to more verbal and physical threats due to frustration and hardship that will be felt amongst our most vulnerable members of society. Predictions are that crime rates will rise. There is also a prediction that domestic violence rates may rise as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit.

The Introduction of Universal Credit is yet another attack on UNISON members, as frontline staff will be dealing with more referrals to Children’s Services and a further strain on the resources and services that have been cut to the bone. We may also see an increase in child poverty which will also have a detrimental impact on services that are already struggling to meet the needs of society. In other areas where UC has been rolled out it has seen an increase in support that

people require from the local authority.

It has seen a marked increase in rates of homelessness and people using food banks. The Universal Credit system pays claimants in arrears and has also reduced the rates of benefits that those on it receive. This is another disgusting attack by the Tory government who seek to penalise the poorest whilst rewarding the richest with tax cuts!

This change will also affect members who are in work as people who claim tax credits, housing benefit will slowly be moved over to universal credit. If people are struggling with these changes and facing adverse effects please contact the Welfare Officer at the branch to see what support UNISON can offer.

The Branch also welcomes the decision by the Labour Council in Wakefield at the council meeting on the 24.10.18 to continue to provide support and advice to claiming of

Universal Credit who are having difficulty with their claim and finances.

The government announced last week that the Universal Support Service, which helps people on Universal Credit through the claims process, would be taken out of the hands of local authorities and handed over to the CAB. Wakefield Council have vowed to defy this and continue to provide support to people who need it. UNISON support this course of action and believe that our members who work in these areas will want to continue to provide support to the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.

UNISON are interested in hearing from members and Stewards in the workplace regarding the introduction of Universal Tax Credit and the impact it will have on our members. Get in touch with us in Branch.

Jackie Lambert Chairperson and WMDC Convenor

Social Media – are you being watched?

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Tinder, Messenger, etc. Most of us have some sort of social media accounts.

And many employers check up on what you by looking at your profiles for things they might not like (if they do, it should be in their policies).

It’s an invasion of your privacy, but the employer would argue that they are protecting their reputation, and if they can see what you post it is actually in the public domain.

What does that mean for you?

If your employer can see it, or someone reports it, you could be disciplined for your drunken holiday

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snaps from last year, or a swearing rant to your Facebook friends, or a Tweet complaining about colleague, or a sharp comment in a group WhatsApp chat, or a photo on your internet dating page, or even what a friend shared to your Facebook profile.

What can you do?

Check your privacy settings to ensure what you share is not visible to the whole world, or even “Friends of Friends”.

Think carefully before linking with people connected with work.

Don’t type something in a group chat that you’d not say in a meeting.

on’t stay connected with D anyone you have fallen out with.

Double or triple check what you share; if you’d not be happy showing it right outside of work then don’t share it on the internet.

Avoid naming your current employer in any context.

Wakefield District

UNISON Living Great deals for work and play UNISON Living helps you get the most out of your money. We work with a wide range of trusted suppliers to make sure you’re not spending more than you need – from financial advice to exclusive discounts on insurance.

We also have deals for areas of health the NHS doesn’t cover – from opticians to dentists and more.

If you need a new car, with UNISON Living you’ll have access to

exclusive discounts for you and family members, and great discounts on car insurance.

UNISON Living doesn’t just help you get the most from your own time, we’re here to support your whole family too. From exclusive deals on family insurance from our trusted partners, to discounts at high street shops to make sure you’re always the ones to get that bargain.

There’s more to life than work

That’s why UNISON Living is here to help you get the most from your own time too.

Maybe you want to head off to the sunshine on a budget, or perhaps upgrade your car and you want a good deal.

Whatever your need, UNISON Living can connect you with a trusted partner.

Find out more

secure some of the best deals exclusively for you.

Take a look at benefits.unison.org.uk Or call UNISON Direct on 0800 0 857 857 You’ll see how your UNISON membership can benefit your everyday life too.

We’ve used the huge power of our 1.3 million members to

benefits.unison.org.uk

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www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Not to be missed Charity Concert 2019 featuring...

Wakefield’s top soul band

THE SOLICITORS Friday 15th February 2019

The Solicitors specialise in soul music floor fillers, with our years of experience and repertoire of the best Stax soul chart hits of all time they adapt their set list specifically for the event. They involve the audience from the first number right through the evening. The Solicitors perform live soul music to the end of the night with two 45-minute sets.

Balne Lane Working Men’s Club, Benjamin Street, Wakefield WF2 9AN

Doors open: 7.30pm Tickets: £8 in advance

This is a popular band so get your tickets early!

APPLICATION FORM CHARITY CONCERT Friday 15th February 2019 THE SOLICITORS – Wakefield’s top soul band!

Name: Address: Tel no: Membership no: I require

tickets for the concert at a cost of £8 each.

I enclose a cheque for

made payable to Wakefield UNISON.

Please return you payment to: Wakefield UNISON, 18 Gills Yard, Wakefield WF1 3BZ and include a stamped addressed envelope.

Closing date is on the 8th February 2019. page 8

Wakefield District