The
S. U. N. Shropshire Unison News Volume 4, Issue 9
Newsletter Date Jan 2015
Special points of interest: Branch Sec Report
PAY DISPUTE SETTLED NATIONALLY
Branch Officers Local Org Report National News Diary Dates
BRANCH AGM 5th FEBRUARY 2015 The Branch will be holding its Annual General Meeting on the 5 February between 12.00— 2.00pm at the Theatre Severn, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury. All members are invited to attend and a hot buffet will be provided. Please send your request to attend the AGM to unison@shropshire.gov.uk, advising us of your membership number and if you intend to stay for the buffet. The Branch is currently looking to secure a guest speaker and details of that will be made available in due course.
1.5 million council workers and school staff have taken a pragmatic decision to accept a two-year deal which is worth around 2.35% on average and up to 9.6% for the lowest paid. That puts the 2014 pay dispute to bed but there are still serious financial challenges ahead for local government services and our members who provide them. Members covered by the National Joint Council for Local Government have the lowest pay in the public sector and have suffered significant attacks on their conditions of work in recent years. We will continue to campaign for the Living Wage* to become the minimum rate of pay in local government and for a commensurate increase for all other NJC employees, to reflect the invaluable work that our members do to keep vital local services running. For the local view on this see the Branch Secretary’s report…..
SHROPSHIRE UNISON GENERAL BRANCH, The Old Print Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6ND 1 The SUN Volume 4 Issue 9 01743 252958—unison@shropshire.gov.uk—www.shropshire-unison.org.uk
BRANCH SECRETARY’S REPORT Hello Everyone, At the time of writing the one topic on the lips of everyone who work in schools and local government is the recently arrived at pay deal for 2015/2016. Sadly, and in spite of vigorous opposition in a number of regions (including clear majorities in opposition in London and the North West and our own Shropshire) the decision has been taken nationally to accept – in my viewthe disgraceful local government pay proposals. Disgraceful because I believe it once again amounts to nothing more than another kick in the face for a workforce that has been at the very front of budget and spending cuts and of a government austerity programme that is absolutely nothing to do with paying off some imaginary national debt, and is absolutely everything to do with dismantling public service within this country, so that the profiteers and chancers aligned to The Tory Party can pick up juicy contracts for public work, and in doing so they can pay less staff worse salaries in the process. It is disgraceful because once again this gives local government workers a below inflation pay award that in essence amounts to another pay cut. We in Shropshire are now 22% worse off in terms of take home pay than we were five years ago ! That is shameful and totally unacceptable.
What this pay deal actually means is that nationally we have decided to squander the effort that went into the 10th July strike, a strike that saw Shropshire General Branch have its most effective day of action in years and which we very much saw as a really strong starting point for us to go on – along with our colleagues nationally- to build upon and to really put pressure on the employers
to come up with a deal that was fair and was affordable. What this means in effect is that our members have a further decline in their living standards and to tie them into as bad a deal as possible for two whole years. I find it all the more staggering that we have somehow managed to do this with what promises to be a fierce and desperately close general election looming within months, the very time we should have been upping the ante to punch home whatever advantage that we held. The very next time I have to go to the membership of Shropshire General Branch and ask for their support to take industrial action for whatever reason I have absolutely no doubt that I will be faced with the question ‘Why should I bother? It didn’t work over pay did it? “ Now that the deal is done and signed off I think it is time that we, as a union nationally spend some time looking at this year’s campaign for fairer pay, investigate what went wrong, and just how we came to accept a worse offer than that we were originally offered, and put in place strategies and plans to make sure we avoid doing anything similar in the future. To this end, and as a first step along the way, there is a growing campaign – proposed by Manchester UNISON – for an emergency recalled Local Government Conference to be convened to discuss just such matters. Our Branch Executive at its recent meeting voted unanimously to support this motion and we shall be attending and making our views known at any recalled conference
In order to make best use of this opportunity we must seek to understand the path that led us to this unacceptable outcome, we must look at all levels of the union’s strategy, nationally and within local branches. We must look at how it can be – as appears to be the case- that there looks to be a decline in workplace organisation which undoubtedly contributed to
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the majority of members either not voting or simply accepting the miserly offer without a fight, we need look at what worked and crucially, what didn’t work, in our Regional and National co-ordination plans for this campaign and we need to understand why our negotiators were unable to secure us all a better deal. If we are to retain national pay bargaining (and I believe we should try to at all cost because the alternative for us in Shropshire is unthinkable) then we must redesign our pay consultation procedures to prevent just such a scenario ever happening again.
“Nearly a third of people visiting food banks are doing so because they are in work but suffer low-wage poverty”
The Shropshire UNISON General Branch would like to ask its members to assist it in providing the daily necessities to members of the Shropshire community by donating any unwanted (in date) food stuffs. The Branch will also pledge £50 worth of food stuffs to be given to the Barnabas Centre on behalf of its members. If you can help the Branch in its endeavour to address those worst of than yourself please can you drop off items you can spare to the Branch Office, Old Print Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND or call 01743 252958
Diary Dates
Drop In Sessions: The Branch Secretary has been successfully holding Drop In Sessions around the County for the past two years. We will be scheduling dates for 2015 in the next couple of weeks and if anyone would like the Branch Secretary to hold a Drop In Session at their workplace please contact the Branch on 01743 252958 or email unison@shropshire.gov.uk
RECRUIT A FRIEND AND EARN £10— FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT: unison@shropshire.gov.uk
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Retired Members Secretary
Unison Retired Members’ Conference 2014. Southport
The Pier, Southport. Early morning of 15.10.14
It’s true, the sea goes far out at Southport, but we found a warm reception at the Convention Centre and are glad the Club agreed to donate £10 to their staff “Christmas Box”. Conference was chaired by the union’s President and welcomed by the Mayor of Sefton, with the Unison’s Asst. Gen. Secretary giving the Conference speech. There were some 450 + delegates and visitors. Thanks from the four delegates, Sue, Mo, Reg and Peter to the Branch for its support; in particular to Chris in the Branch Office who arranged transport, our hotel and who wrestled with the computer system through which our three motions had to be processed. These were on: Assisted Dying – which the Standing Orders Committee killed off; ruling it out of Order as being not sufficiently relevant to retired members!! Reducing the number of motions any one branch can put to Conference to three- which, despite Reg’s best efforts, was clearly defeated. It was agreed, however, that another way to make Conference more relevant and efficient is to be worked out by the National Committee. Housing for Older People – this was agreed without opposition. Mo, although restricted to 3 minutes, did a very professional job. It was the last motion at Conference and she generated a lot of interest. Other issues to note were: Benefits – a concern that immigrants are being blamed for austerity measures and a reminder that UKIP is no friend to trade unions. Care - A collection was taken for low paid care workers employed by CareUK, who were taking industrial action in Doncaster. The Ethical Care Charter is very important: it was said that, currently, 40% of care staff receive no training. Prostate Cancer – 83% of men are unaware if they are at risk and do not seek advice about symptoms. It seems that “embarrassment kills”! Political Fund - we need to vote “yes” in the ballot (of all members) this November if the union is to continue to challenge Government policies. Pension Funds – by April 2015 all schemes must have a fund board where half of the seats are for scheme members. Retired Members may now have more influence over where our money is invested. Training is available and the Branch is aware of the new arrangements. Peter attended the LGBT meeting and our Branch’s sponsorship of the Rainbow Film Festival was noted as a practical way of supporting members. Reg and Mo attended a lively and informative debate on the NHS.
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The West Mids. Regional Delegate Meeting was a bit lacklustre, but there was an interesting discussion on the rise in pension next April, of 1.2%, and the less certain picture after May 2015. Was it all worth the time and expense? Yes. Most retired members sections have formed a club, as we have, and Conference serves to keep a link between the, very much needed, social aspect of the clubs with wider trade union issues. It’s a question of getting the balance right.
Mo, Sue & Reg (+ Dulcie from Telford Branch), end of Conference: afternoon of 15.10.14
Recruit a Friend and earn money……… Not that that is the only reason to recruit UNISON members. There is truth in the notion that there is strength in numbers. Our voice will be bigger and more effective if we are the majority. So why not encourage your colleagues to make the same decision you made and join UNISON and join the fight to maintain our jobs and the terms and conditions we have so far achieved. But it doesn’t stop there when you are a member of UNISON, UNISON Benefits/Services strives to provide its members with advice, support and help when you need it most, for you and your family, included in this is work advice, legal advice, financial assistance, debt advice and compensation for accidents and injuries at work. UNISON also offers a range of exclusive member discounts that can save you money and offset the cost of membership. Go to page 10 for the form and make a difference TODAY.
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Equalities Officer
The Kick it Out Cup 2014 On Sunday 16th November Shropshire Council, Shropshire FA and local voluntary organisation Fairness Respect Equality Shropshire (FRESh) partnership, organised the 10th annual Kick It Out Cup tournament at the Shrewsbury Sports Village. The Kick It Out Cup has grown in popularity and reputation over the past 10 years with teams being entered from Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police, Shropshire FA and Shrewsbury 6th Form College amongst others.
After several hard fought league group games the final was contested between the Shrewsbury Juniors and Shrewsbury Sports Village. Last year’s winners, Shrewsbury Juniors, were the eventual winners with a 2 – 0 victory.
(Photo - Shropshire Council Teams 'The Perfect Pass')
Unison Equalities Officer and Kick it Out Cup organiser, Steve Cunningham, said “The tournament was a great success and every game was played in a good a spirit. It’s really important that the antidiscrimination message is supported across the county and this tournament shows a united approach to tackling discrimination by a diverse range of organisations”
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Kick it Out Competition winner Shropshire FA, in partnership with Shropshire Council, offered school children who took part in the Shropshire’s annual Kick it Out activities, the chance to win 2 tickets to the England v Slovenia match on November 15th. The lucky winner was Tom Walker, aged 12, from Sundorne Secondary School. Unison Equalities Officer and Kick it Out organiser, Steve Cunningham, said “This is the 10th year that Kick it Out (formally Kick Racism Out of Football) activities have been organised in Shropshire. We are delighted that young people are learning about the impact that racism and discrimination has on individuals and the wider community, by using football as the vehicle for communication. It’s brilliant to be able to offer such excellent prizes with the help of our partner, Shropshire FA, and big congratulations to the competition winner, Tom Walker.”
(Photo: L to R Steve Cunningham (Senior Community Enablement Officer), Francesca Triance (Head of Life Skills, Sundorne School), Tom Walker (student), Eve Bailey (Football Development Officer, Shropshire FA))
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NATIONAL NEWS
UNISON FoI request shows scale of underpaying of homecarers A staggering 93% of councils in England and Wales don’t make it a contractual condition for homecare providers to pay care workers for travel time, according to a Freedom of Information request by UNISON. While just 7% of councils in England require providers to pay travel time, the picture is even worse in Wales, with none of its councils instructing providers to pay for travel time. Of the 98% of councils that responded, 79% admitted that they have never asked to see pay records or other written evidence about the pay of care workers employed by care providers they commission, to check that they are complying with national minimum wage legislation. By not paying travel time, homecare providers risk falling foul of minimum sage laws. It is estimated up to 220,000 care workers across the UK earn less than the minimum wage. General secretary Dave Prentis said: “The government’s feeble guidance to councils will do little to curb the endemic practice of illegally paying care workers less than the national minimum wage. “It is a scandal that more than 200,000 care workers receive less than £6.50 an hour. Many members are reporting actual hourly rates as low as £3.50. “The only way to stamp out these illegal practices is for the government to tighten its guidelines to ensure there is a contractual condition between councils and homecare providers that workers must be paid at least the minimum wage.
Racing between appointments, in travel time that is not paid for, does nothing to improve the service
“And councils must be required to properly monitor compliance.” Just as alarming were the reasons given by some councils for not checking for compliance, which included relying on the Care Quality Commission and Department for Work and Pensions to carry out checks. Neither of these bodies is responsible for checking that homecare providers are paying employees the minimum wage. Other councils responded by saying that the only measures they had taken was writing to their providers seeking assurance they are paying homecare workers for travel time, which they accepted at face value. A number of official reports have made clear the extent of this problem. A recent investigation by HMRC in the social care sector found that 50% of the providers were guilty of not paying staff the national minimum wage. HMRC also recently fined one homecare provider £600,000 for not paying its staff the minimum wage as a consequence of not paying for their travel time. The union believes that, given the size of the problem, statutory guidance needs to make it a binding legal requirement for councils to act 8
to prevent these illegal practices. UNISON would like to see the following steps included in the government’s guidance: * assessment of the reasons for non-compliance that originate in their commissioning and procurement processes, such as underfunded contracts and inadequate provision for travel time and sleep-ins; * transparency around the rates councils pay their providers, including the publication by each council of a breakdown showing how the fees paid cover the elements for pay, travel time, sleep-in, other conditions, overheads and assumed profit margins; * spot inspections of provider payroll records and an insistence that clear and understandable pay slips and time sheets are provided to staff; * measures to ensure providers allow trade union representatives to consult staff to ensure that the law is being complied with; * regular anonymous surveys of staff working for commissioned providers.
Continued on page 11/…..
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New Assistant Branch Secretary The Branch would like to welcome to Sara Brown who joined us at the beginning of September as Assistant Branch Secretary. Here she is at her desk in the Unison offices at the Shirehall! Sara previously worked in Waste Management Services as Service Development Manager and has taken a secondment into the Unison role. She has completed her Stage 1 Union Reps Course and has just finished Stage 2 Employment Law where her final project was about sickness policies in the workplace. Since coming over (to the dark side!) she has been involved in reviewing policy documents, sits on the Policy Forum Group, has set up recruitment events through organising a Members’ Pamper Event and Christmas Hamper draw, has been promoting the services of Shropshire Unison General Branch and advising Members on workplace issues. In the New Year she will be leading on re-launching
the branch’s social media platform so that the branch can communicate more widely and effectively with Members as well as taking on the role of Unison representation for job evaluation. She will also have greater involvement in representing Members during formal workplace procedures and will be involved in organising new campaigns planned for 2015. We envisage a very busy year ahead!
Sara’s contact details are: Email: Sara.brown@shropshire.gov.uk Office Tel: 01743 252958 Mobile Tel: 07584 898286
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RECRUIT A FRIEND Shropshire UNISON would like to reward all members who recruit a friend by giving them a ÂŁ10 gift voucher for every friend they recruit. In order to receive your reward, please complete the form below:I can confirm that I have recommended the following member to join can you please send them an application form/they have joined on-line (please delete as appropriate), I understand that on receipt of the first months union membership payment Shropshire UNISON General Branch will send me a ÂŁ10 gift voucher:
Firstname:
Surname: Address: Town: County: Postcode:
Your details: Firstname:
________________________________________________
Surname:
________________________________________________
Membership No:
________________________________________________
Contact No:
________________________________________________
Email Address:
____________________________________________
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NATIONAL NEWS (Continued) UNISON has written to all councils in the UK, asking them to sign up to the union’s Ethical Care Charter. The charter sets minimum standards to protect the dignity and quality of life for people who need homecare. It commits councils to buying homecare only from providers who give workers enough time, training and a living wage, so they can provide better quality care for thousands of service users who rely on it. So far, eight councils have signed up, with a further eight expected to do so shortly.
Retired members show continued commitment to trade unionism Over 450 UNISON retired members gathered in Southport for their annual conference in October – a testament to their continuing commitment to trade unionism. Conference was being held with a general election only 204 days away. An election, the result of which will have a fundamental effect on the future provision of public services in this country. It was therefore appropriate that the theme of the conference was ‘defending public services’. At a panel debate held the day before conference, delegates discussed how they could campaign with groups in the community to achieve that. Conference recognised that these were difficult times not only for pensioners but for working members. Recent figures produced by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation show that, for the first time, more working families are now in poverty than non-working ones. A message of support was sent from conference to UNISON members in health taking industrial action over pay for the first time in over 30 years. Chair of the National retired members’ committee, David Kippes, explained that they there were “not asking for the world – just fairness – the chance to have enough money in their pocket to get by without being forced to go cap in hand”. In addressing the issue of discrimination in pension schemes, Bob Deacon of Wolverhampton General branch stressed that the gender pensions gap needs to be addressed as well as the gender pay gap. He also urged retired members to sign the TUC
e-petition that calls for fair treatment for widowers, civil partners and same-sex spouses. Discussing the threat to universal benefits from UKIP, James Porter of Norfolk made it clear that Nigel Farage and his hotchpotch of a party “were not welcome here!” UNISON Assistant General Secretary, Cliff Williams drew attention to UNISON’s continuing need for a campaigning voice through its political fund and urged retired members to vote in the upcoming political fund ballot He stated: “Yes, you have a vote. Please use it. UNISON needs its political fund to continue campaigning for you and defending public services.” He went on to explain that a ‘yes’ vote was a vote for choice. Members would not be obliged to contribute to the fund if they voted yes, but they would be allowing others to do so. A ‘no’ vote would deny all members that right. The conference agreed to submit motions to next year’s UNISON national delegate conference dealing with the basic state pension and free social care. In closing conference, UNISON president Lucia McKeever urged delegates to support UNISON’s working members in the challenges they face in the coming months, explaining: “It’s essential that we support our branches in bringing in new working members. “As retired members, you have a wealth of experience, so please contact your branch and ask what you can do to help.”
The views contained in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of UNISON Nationally.
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Winter Fuel Grant
WORRIED ABOUT PAYING YOUR WINTER FUEL BILL? With rising fuel costs and another cold winter, many members are about how they are going to pay this year’s winter fuel bill.
Help is on hand “There for You” has set up a limited fund to help UNISON members on low income by way of a one off payment of up to £40 To apply and download the application form visit unison.org/thereforyou or simply contact your UNISON Branch Office. Everyone that applies will receive a booklet giving information about other help that may be available and how to reduce your fuel costs in the future
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Croyde Bay Holiday Resort Owned and Operated by UNISON—01271
890890 Email Croyde@unison.co.uk
Brand NEW Hotel Accommodation
Indoor Pool Sauna Steam Room Jacuzzi
Summer Chalets
Self Catering Cottages
Three Bars and Two Restaurants
One Minute Walk to the Beach
MEMBER DISCOUNT 15% 13
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Croyde Bay Holiday Resort (Continued)
CROYDE BAY HOLIDAY VOUCHERS:
£50
CROYDE BAY WILL BE PROVIDING THE BRANCH WITH HOLIDAY VOUCHERS AND THESE WILL BE RAFFLED AT THE AGM SO IF YOU WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A VOUCHER COME ALONG TO THE AGM (SEE FRONT PAGE).
The Fight Goes On…………... The Branch is looking for more UNISON activists to become involved in the running of the Branch. If you have ever considered becoming a Union
representative or an Officer of the Branch why not contact the Branch Secretary, Alan James (01743 252958) to discuss what is involved.
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Hamper Winner!
We would like to thank everyone for their efforts to recruit new members to the Branch and we would like to advise you that the draw has now closed and the Branch Secretary, Alan James has drawn out the winner, Mrs Ruth Heap. Ruth is a Teaching Assistant at Martin Wilson Primary School. Ruth was both excited and over the moon at winning the Hamper and below is a picture of Ruth receiving her Hamper from Alan James. The Branch will continue to reward those members who recruit a friend, as you will see from page 10 of this newsletter.
Mrs Ruth Heap receiving her M&S Hamper from Alan James, Branch Secretary
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