F yorkcityunison YorkCityUNISON www.yorkcity-unison.org.uk
news NISON U York City Branch of UNISON
Hello and welcome to the Autumn 2016 edition of the York City branch newsletter, which is being published on our website or a hard copy posted to you if you don’t have an email address. Your concerns are our concerns, remember to let us know what they are. This is your union and your branch. Andrea Dudding, Branch Secretary and Lead Convenor Terry Shiels, General Convenor Julie Toyne, General and Schools Convenor
2017 AGM
H a v e y o ur s a y !
We have provisionally booked the week commencing 27 March 2017 for our AGM. What would encourage you to attend? What speakers would you like to hear? Would you like aggregate meetings? Let us know so we can plan and organise it for you.
Saturday 5th November The British Library, London Contact the branch for details.
York City
Autumn 2016
UNISON provides essential cover wherever you work in public services: for a public sector organisation, private company or voluntary service organisation delivering public services – UNISON is the trade union for you.
We want you to become more active in the branch It is always the right time to think about becoming more active in your union. Many stewards start out as a contact. So you would be the person to let your colleagues know what is going on, or be that first point of contact if a member wants to know something. Are you the person that is always asked about things at work by your colleagues? Do you think you have some of the answers? Then we want you to become more active in the branch. Full training, mentoring and buddying is provided. Please contact the branch for more details.
the branch office if you would like to be an observer. Young Members If you are under 27, then you are one of UNISON’s young members. Your voice matters to us as you are the future of UNISON. Far too often, young members don’t know their rights and are not always treated properly at work. November is Young Workers’ Month – organised by the TUC. How can we be your voice at work?
Observing branch meetings Your Branch Committee meets 10 times a year. If you are interested in becoming more active, why not come and observe the branch in action? Just contact
Calling all retired members Would you like to share your expertise with us? We are looking to have some help in the office with our administration, answering the phones and membership mapping. Does any of this appeal to you and you have a few hours to spare? Please call us!
Holiday Pay Claim
Women’s Officer training
If you work additional hours over and above your contractual ones, you may have a holiday pay claim. Please get in touch for details about how to make a claim.
Over 70% of our members are women. Are you one of them? Are you are interested in becoming our women’s officer? Then this training course in Leeds on Saturday 1 October is for you.
Contact the branch: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm Tel: 01904 553490 UNISON national helpline 08000 857 857 (open Monday to Friday 6 am to Midnight and Saturday 9am to 4pm) Email: unison@york.gov.uk anytime
Racism and sexism in the workplace Racism If you think that racist abuse may be an issue that is faced by members in your workplace or if you receive any complaints of abuse or harassment then you should raise the issue with the branch and your employer as it may be that the current policies are not effective, are not being implemented or people are unaware of them. If you see an incident, and it is safe to do so, call it out and challenge. Report any and all incidents.
Sexism and Sexual Harassment How many times have we heard sexual harassment in the workplace dismissed as “just a bit of banter”? It may seem like a joke or even a compliment to those who have never experienced it – but those who have, whatever their gender, will know just how undermining, humiliating and sometimes terrifying it can be. 54,000 women are losing their jobs because of pregnancy
and maternity discrimination; and hundreds of thousands of women have been subjected to discrimination according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Please don’t let this happen to you. Report any concerns you may have, no matter how “trivial” you think they may be to the branch immediately. We will call it out and take action.
Social Media: The pleasure and the pitfalls
Spine: Award winning hit
by trade unions to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the contributions made by the volunteer International Brigades, many of whom came from Britain. For further details go to www.townsendproductions. org.uk
A reminder for all our members that we strongly advise that you should not post anything on social media about your job, your place of work, and most importantly what you think about it if you are having issues! We have had several disciplinary cases in branch where members’ use of social media has been seen by employers as not being appropriate. In the most extreme cases, it could be seen as a reason to give a disciplinary warning or to dismiss an employee. Always ask the question of yourself: If I was my employer, what would I think?
Round-up You can join a union! Did you know that wherever you work, whatever job you do on whatever contract you are on, you have a right to join a trade union? So many times we get feedback from people that their workplace doesn’t allow unions, or because there isn’t one there, they can’t join one. This is just not true. If you value your rights at work, then strong trade unions matter for keeping and enforcing them. Trade union membership is 6.5 million and growing. Encourage your family and friends to become members of the union for them (if it’s not UNISON!) – find a union now www.tuc.org.uk/join-union
Spine is a powerful, moving and fun play that centres on our society’s response to the attacks on the public library service. It has received excellent reviews. For more details and to book a seat for a performance near you, go to www.sohotheatre. com/whats-on/spine-tour-2016/
Dare Devil Rides to Jarama A new play Dare Devil Rides to Jarama, (Harrogate Theatre, September) has been sponsored
There for You raffle
A really big thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. We have raised a very respectable £120. The winning tickets have all been notified and prizes collected. We are holding a Christmas jars and bottle tombola to raise yet more funds, so if this is something you would like to contribute to, give us your spare bottle!
Self Organised Groups (SOGS) UNISON is the only union to have self organised groups. So if you self identify as LGBT, Black, disabled or a woman and are interested in setting up a branch SOG, we want to hear from you.
Pre-Retirement Workshop 9 December 2016 9.30am – 4.30pm Leeds This workshop is free for UNISON members. To book a place please complete the form available from the branch website or from Tanya Shearer: t.shearer@unison.co.uk or tel: 0113 218 2330
Overpayment or underpayment of wages We get enquiries from members across all workplaces about mistakes that are made with their pay. Always, always, check your payslip and query anything you think might not be right straightaway. If you think you have been paid too much – put that money aside as an employer has the right to ask for any monies they have overpaid you. If you have been underpaid, you may have a claim for an unlawful deduction of wages. If you have any problems with being paid correctly, and this is not being put right by your payroll department, contact the branch for advice.