UNISON LYCH Your Briefing February 2017

Issue 7

Your Briefing

February 2017

Welcome to your Leeds & York Community Health Branch briefing

Branch Annual General Meeting

The branch held its AGM on the 1st February 2017. Thank you to everyone who attended.

We are delighted to announce that we have four new stewards starting with us - Paris Thompson (Capita), Pookja Ramchandani (NHS England), Samantha Browne (LCH) and Tamsir Bah (LCH).

Paris and Tamsir were actually on their UNISON training so were unable to attend but they’ve written a welcome on the next page. Samantha and Pooja will commence their training soon.

We also welcomed to the branch our new Local Organiser, Tara Oldfield (introduction on page 3).

Wendy Nichols (Yorkshire Regional Convenor and previous President of UNISON) came to talk to us.

Wendy was the President of UNISON until June last year and she has been on the NEC since 2009, as well as chairing the staffing committee. Wendy is also a counsellor where she lives in Selby, North Yorkshire.

It was interesting to hear Wendy’s story of how she started as a school canteen worker and progressed through her career and ended up being President of the largest union in the country.

Wendy spoke about how we need to get more members involved, particularly our young members. She said, “It is only by working together that we can achieve anything for our members.”

Would you be prepared to volunteer some of your time to help us with our campaigning in the coming months?

Would you like to know more and meet with like minded people to share ideas and get involved?

To find out more go to Page 4 UNISON Resource Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Greenhill Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3QE Website: www.unison-lych.org.uk Facebook: UNISON LYCH

Telephone: 0113 855 5168 Twitter: @UNISONLYCH

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New steward for Leeds Community Healthcare I’ve just completed the Unison organising Stewards Course at Northern College, and it was really interesting. It really help me develop my skills, knowledge and confidence, it also helped me to : 1.

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understand the role of an organising union in public services recognise the importance of equalities in UNISON work with members to tackle issues in the workplace work with members in resolving cases know where and when to seek advice and guidance understand how procedures work in practice handle grievance and disciplinary and similar types of cases as the representative of UNISON members within your workplace be certified as competent to accompany members at a disciplinary and grievance hearing in line with Employment Relations Act 1999 understand the broader roles in which UNISON operates, including internationally

Tamsir Bah (Neighbourhood Clinical Assistant) Woodsley Neighbourhood Team

New steward for Capita I've been working for Capita (PCSE) for the last 9 months, mainly within the post-room.

I've recently completed the excellent Organising Steward course at the Northern College, which I really enjoyed, and I'm hoping to use my new position as Steward to defend the rights of my colleagues at work. It's important there's a strong union presence in private companies operating within the NHS, and I'm hoping over the coming months to get more people in my workplace

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Tara Oldfield - Local Organiser Hi everyone, my name is Tara Oldfield. I am a Local Organiser assigned to work with and support the branch in the recruitment of new members and stewards, and to promote both local and national campaigns. I have briefly worked with the branch a couple of years ago for a short period so I may have met some of you previously.

For those of you who don't know me, a little background. I have worked for UNISON for six years. I have just completed a second year working as a temporary Area Organiser. Prior to me joining UNISON l was a Senior Flight Attendant for 11 years. This is where I became an activist and ran campaigns to achieve union recognition within the airline industry. I am currently an ACTS steward for my fellow UNISON colleagues and Branch Employed Staff.

I currently have 2 days per week assigned to work with the branch, currently those days are set at Wednesday and Thursday. The work that I am currently undertaking is attending new staff inductions and visiting workplaces to engage with members and recruit new ones. I also leave updated information from the branch and answer member queries.

I am also doing some work with Karen Smales (Branch Chair) regarding a campaign specifically for the Community Nurses. We are aware that the Nurses are working under extreme pressure. So we are in the process of planning some workplace visits to find out the main issues which we can then run a campaign around and hopefully tackle some of these issues for the Community Nurses.

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Join Our Campaign Committee As a public sector trade union, it seems that we are now engaged in a daily battle to save our services, both locally and nationally our services and our members are under pressure like never before.

Never has it been more important to mount campaigns aimed at saving, I mproving and preserving services on behalf of the patients that we all care for.

The NHS has barely been out of the news since the turn of the new year – Michael Parkinson patients waiting in A&E for 12 hours or more, patients stuck on trolleys to Area Organiser such an extent that NHS Trusts have brought in a new category of nurse called corridor nurses, mental health trusts have suffered such disproportionate cuts in services that the rate of unexpected deaths has been the subject of documentaries on TV. People cannot get a bed in hospital because patients already in hospital cannot be released due to such a pitiful supply of resources and care in the community where staff are forced to work under more and more pressure as cuts are driven deeper and deeper.

UNISON and our members have a proud record of campaigning both nationally and locally to defend services on behalf of patients and the public. Over the coming months and leading on from the national NHS demo in London on the 4 th March, the Leeds & York Community Health Branch are looking at initiating dedicated local campaigns to help save local services.

We are calling on our members to volunteer and join a local Campaigns Group – the purpose of the group will be to meet together, identify local health issues, then work together, promoting awareness and lobbying decision making bodies in a concerted effort to save our local services in Leeds and Yorkshire.

Would you be prepared to volunteer some of your time to help us with our campaigning in the coming months?

Would you like to know more and meet with like minded people to share ideas and get involved?

If the answer is Yes, please call the branch for further information (0113 855 5168).

Michael Parkinson Area Organiser

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Remembering Eric Roberts Eric Roberts, a lifelong servant of our union, and of those in greatest need, has died after a brief struggle with cancer.

He was the President of UNISON, but more importantly he was a loyal and true friend to so many of us.

Born in Litherland, a proud Scouser and Liverpool fan, Eric was a man who lived enough – and had stories to tell – for more than one lifetime. From fixing drums for the Beatles, to wine waiter, baker and pots and pans seller – Eric eventually found his way to London. And one day, seeing an ambulance shooting down Oxford Street, he decided that’s what he’d like to do.

He had found his calling. For 42 years he served the London Ambulance Service with the passion and dedication for which he became well-known, and his union as branch secretary, NEC member and – this year – our President. He was the first ambulance person to be elected as UNISON President – something that I know was a source of immense pride to Eric, his branch, his family and everyone who knew him.

Eric wasn’t someone who sought out high office. Ambition wasn’t what drove him. Instead, it was an unstoppable desire – a need – to serve people and help people. To represent them and to do his best for them.

To Eric, everyone in the union and the ambulance service had a part to play – and every day he did his job to the best of his ability, and brought out the best in others at the same time. His loyalty to this union was as unquestionable and unswerving as his love for its members.

I will miss his honesty. I will miss his infectious personality. But most of all I will miss his friendship. Eric Roberts was a good man who gave so much to so many people. Eric said upon his election as President that UNISON was the “best union in the country”, but the truth is that Eric was the best of us.

Today, our thoughts are with his children Jack and Rhian, family, friends and colleagues, as our union mourns one of our biggest personalities, most loved friends and most powerful advocates for the values that sustain our union.

Eric Roberts – I will miss you.

Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary

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Black Members Conference 2017 Black members’ conference opened on Friday 20 January with a farewell speech from national committee co-chair Margaret Greer, who becomes the union’s national Black members’ officer tomorrow. But after the applause for Ms Greer had died down, delegates returned to debate with a motion from the national Black members’ committee on immigration and austerity, which stressed that “all workers” have an interest in defending migrant workers as well as all workers.

And while there is a genuine fear about the current problems and pressures Milton Allen on public services, the cause is not immigration, but the government’s continBlack Members O.c er ued commitment to ideological austerity. It was stressed that immigrants has helped economies and indeed, in the UK, immigrant workers are essential in keeping services going – not least, the NHS. A busy afternoon at UNISON’s Black members’ conference began with Tania Ebosi McKee, for the national Black members’ committee, introducing a motion on #BlackLivesMatter – solidarity to oppose police brutality and murder. Noting that, there have been nine unlawful killing findings by coroners since 1999, yet not one has resulted in criminal proceedings, she also highlighted the misreporting of such incidents – such as exaggerating the height of a victim and suggesting that he was therefore more of a threatening figure.

“We are not against the police,” stressed another speaker, “but we are against police brutality”, adding that key to policing the police was a system of proper enquiries into deaths in police custody. Conference also discussed the issue of discrimination in the NHS – a debate that heard about a student nurse who was faced with a senior nurse pushing a pork sandwich in her face and demanding to know why a Muslim would not eat pork.

“We are there to welcome new life and there to hold hands as people pass away,” said the speaker, stressing the vital importance of Black workers to the continued running of our health service, yet still the discrimination and disrespect continues. Other speakers also raised the issue of how Black workers had to be better than white workers in order to progress – and how research shows that, while the health service collects data on discrimination, little has changed in a generation.

Earlier in the day, conference saw a video from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who, after his momentous election win last May, has been awarded UNISON’s Nelson Mandela Award.

A UNISON member, he thanked the union and declared himself “a proud trade unionist”, adding that he is determined to make London a city that works for all those who live and work in it.

Conference decided to send this year’s bucket collection to Mind Blue Light, the charity that had been chosen by UNISON President Eric Roberts, who died late last year. Over £280 was raised.

Eric Roberts, UNISON President

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Following the 2013 national Black members’ conference the national Black members committee looks at defining ‘Black’ in UNISON. The motion to conference asked for an explanation of the term to be used consistently throughout Black member’s structures.

In UNISON, Black is used to indicate people with a shared history. Black with a capital ‘B’ is used in its broad political and inclusive sense to describe people in Britain that have suffered colonialism and enslavement in the past and continue to experience racism and diminished opportunities in today’s society. The terms ‘minority ethnic’ and ‘ethnic minority’ are in widespread official use today. However, these terms have clear disadvantages in terms of the connotations of marginal or less important and in many neighbourhoods, towns and cities in Britain it is statistically inaccurate or misleading to describe Black groups as a minority.

Historically in the UK the term Black has been used routinely in anti-racist campaigns starting in the 70s. 25 years ago when four Black MPs Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz were elected at the height of 1980s Black activism, African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean communities had come to realise the importance of unity in our common struggle against racism and under-representation and campaigned under the political term ‘Black’.

Language changes and evolves but terminology is always important in terms of intention and direction. Using Black is about creating unity in our fight against deep-rooted racism that sees Black people disadvantaged in housing, education, employment and the criminal justice and health systems Your race can include your skin colour, nationality, ethnicity and country of origin. In Northern Ireland, members of the Irish Travellers community are regarded as a racial group. Employers must not unlawfully discriminate on the grounds of race. There are many ways in which employers could unlawfully discriminate. These can include: 

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indirect discrimination;

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victimisation;

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direct discrimination.

If your employer or potential employer fails to stop any of these things occurring, they may be discriminating.

It doesn’t matter if the discrimination is deliberate or purposeful, or whether the person committing the act of discrimination thinks it is “harmless fun”. The law exists to prevent discrimination and punish those who discriminate. In a busy morning at UNISON’s Black members’ conference in Brighton, delegates agreed a series of measure to challenge the rise of racism and Islamophobia.

The Prevent agenda was described as making Islamophobia part of the government agenda by demanding that public service workers “spy” on service users. Islam, it was stressed, is not a race or nationality, but the Brexit vote has given ammunition to anti-immigrant platforms and the far-right. Education is the key to breaking down the barriers and bringing communities together.

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Liz Cameron gave an impassioned speech, warning that, “when they attack one of us, they attack all of us”, so we “joined together and fought it”. And she pointed out that, by uniting in such a fight, the likes of the National Front, the BNP and the EDL had been seen off.

“We have more in common than that which divides us.”

That was at the heart of general secretary Dave Prentis’ keynote speech to UNISON national delegate conference. A speech that emphasised what unites members and asserted that the divisive, racist rhetoric of the likes of UKIP will not be allowed to succeed. He opened by paying tribute to murdered MP and UNISON member Jo Cox, he noted that she had been a “young, vibrant woman – she stood for everything we believe in.”

Saying that she was also a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, he said that there were “no words to describe her family’s loss and our heavy hearts go out to them from this conference”.

Jo Cox had stood for kindness, tolerance and respect for others, and the union would never forget her.

But at a defining time in UK politics, as we consider our future in the European Union, “Nigel Farage and his ilk have been nothing short of a disgrace”, he said, employing a “dark and ugly politics”. And he had a warning for the UKIP leader.

“If you pour poison into our communities … if you set worker against worker, we will take you on”, adding that he had had no second thoughts about reporting last week’s UKIP anti-EU poster to the police. At the end of the speech, he told delegates that, “despite all we face, there is no obstacle that can stand in our way.”

“Our name defines us – one voice, one vision, one union: Proud to be UNISON.” UNISON has submitted three motions to the upcoming TUC Congress, all seeking to avoid the potentially damaging repercussions of Brexit. The trade unions share numerous concerns relating to the UK’s exit from the European Union, including the effect on worker and union rights, and the possible worsening of the government’s austerity agenda. And all are appalled by the rise in racist attacks and abuse since the referendum.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said today: “The unexpected vote to leave has thrown up huge uncertainty for people at work, and especially for those employed across our already under pressure public services. The need for stability and reassurance has never been greater, and now we must ensure that neither our public services, nor the communities in which they’re based, lose out as a result of Brexit.”

“That means ensuring that the government protects public services from further budget cuts and isn’t tempted to water down those employment rights won for working people thanks to our membership of the EU.” Humbly submitted: So let us continue to go forward and hopefully see you soon.

Until Then One Love and Peace Always Milton Allen UNISON Leeds Community Health Branch

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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 your branch who will be able to help you.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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February is…

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