Fremantle attack LabourStart - ALL those concerned about Free speech read on!

Dear Colleagues

As you will know. LabourStart have been promoting our campaign at the request of UNISON HQ.

The response has been incredible and has demonstrated the power of the internet to support trade union members across the world.

To those of you unfamiliar with this organistion they provide information of campaigns across the world. Often they are exposing organisations/ governments who may have murdered, tortured , imprisoned Trade Union activists for going about their business, something which we all take for granted in this country. As with the Fremantle campaign, they will have a standard email detailing the issue and request readers to send the email off to the Head of the Organisation or Government.

Now here is the shocking bit.

LabourStart have never been threatened........................not until now!

Fremantle ( yes Fremantle a 'Not for Profit' organisation) threatened them last week with legal action. They have a different spin as to how their cuts have affected our members and were unhappy to see the real story exposed. When the legal threats did not work, Fremantle went to LabourStarts ISP and complained.

The ISP gave LabourStart notice to take off the campaign by Friday 7 Sept at 12 or be closed down. LabourStart were unable to get an assurance from the ISP that they would close them down so yesterday reluctantly on Friday 7 Sept at 12 noon they took down the campaign..........................

However the campaign has not gone away.........within minutes it was alive and and now very angry...............

I am proud to introduce you to.......

http://www.wewillnotbesilenced.org:80/

This link is being circulated worldwide as I am typing. I am sure those reading this BLOG will be adding it to their favourites and forwarding it on.

So, our campaign to restore the Single Status (Equal Pay) terms and conditions stolen from our low paid women care workers continues........................

We have another issue which ALL Trade Unions can not ignore and that is attempts of employers to silence dissent, something that is at the heart of a democracy.

Our Branch is already receiving messages of support and condemnation of the sacking of Andrew and the atttacks on LabourStart...details of these messages will be published over the next few days.

BELOW IS A MESSAGE FROM ERIC LEE FROM LabourStart

"The campaign we launched a little more than a week ago in support of low-paid workers in care homes in north London has generated more support than any other campaign we have ever done.

Already, well over 8,100 messages have been sent to the employer. This is even bigger than our 2005 campaign in support of the Gate Gourmet workers, which was a much more widely publicized dispute in the mainstream media.

As we mentioned in this week's mailing to our subscribers, the employer reacted swiftly and brutally -- first threatening us with a libel action in the English courts and then sacking a union rep.

And then on Thursday, in an unprecedented move, the employer (Fremantle Trust) contacted our internet service provider and demanded that they shut down the campaign or else face a lawsuit themselves.

We were contacted by the legal department of the internet service provider and told that we had until noon on Friday to close down the campaign or else the entire LabourStart site would be shut down.

We worked very hard over those 24 hours to attempt to get our provider to back down, and had the full support of Unison (Britain's giant public sector union, whose members are at the center of the dispute) but were not successful in doing this before the noon deadline on Friday.

As a result, at 11:59 yesterday we were compelled to shut down the campaigns.

But -- we instantly revived the campaign in nine languages on a different server, in a different country, with a new name that reflects our feeling at this time.

The new site is called "We will not be silenced!" and is located, appropriately enough, at http://www.wewillnotbesilenced.org

If you have not yet sent off your message of protest to Fremantle, please do so from the new page.

Please also inform all your lists and every trade unionist you know to use the new site to send a loud and clear message to this employer.

If Fremantle Trust were unhappy to receive 8,000 emails, how are they going to feel about getting thousands more in the next few days? Because that is exactly what is going to happen.

We will not be intimidated, we will not be bullied, and we will not be silenced. The campaign continues.
Enjoy your weekend.

Eric "

Financial aid for LabourStart wanted

Maria's story

Maria (a fictional name) is a care assistant. She used to work for Barnet Council before being transferred to Fremantle Trust. Her terms conditions (T&C) were protected when she transferred over.
Maria’s hourly rate £8.31 (Fremantle’s equivalent is rate is for the same job is £6.66)

On the 1 April 2007 Fremantle Trust took away Maria’s T&Cs.



Q. How much is she losing as a result of changes to weekend working and bank holidays?

Before Fremantle imposed their new T&Cs Maria would earn £6,314 (before tax) for having to work 26 weekends and 8 bank holidays.

Now working under Fremantle imposed rates working the same hours/shift etc she will earn £4,568 a 28% reduction in income for what are already low paid workers.

Q. Why are staff working increased hours.

Staff are having to work increased hours (some times double shifts) to make up the loss of income as a result of the cuts to pay rates.

As a result of staff losing annual leave (up to 11 days for those working full time), staff are working increased hours for no extra income.

Q. What are the details on Sick Pay.

Our members’ sick pay entitlement was 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay. The system imposed on our members is the first three days are unpaid waiting days with stat pay for 4 days. The entitlement is now only 13 weeks in total.

Q. What has happened in Pensions

Pension contributions are related to earnings. In Maria’s case any reduction in her earnings will mean a reduction in her Final Pension entitlement.

Q. What about the Three year pay freeze
Inflation has been over 4% for the first quarter of this year – it’s 4.5% now.
Average earnings are rising by 4%. A three year pay freeze pushes Maria closer to poverty wages.

Overtime payments.
Previously there would be an enhanced rate as per the Green Book National Agreement. Time and half & double time. Under Fremantle all overtime is just paid at plain time.

Another cut in pay for Maria!

Clearly by adding the costs of working longer fo rless or the same, losing income and ultimatley a lower pension, takes the cost of these proposals to over 30% .

NEWS UPDATE 6 SEPT 2007

Fremantle have just issued a rebuttal to our claims and sent them to all their staff. I am sure staff who have experienced these cuts across all their conditions no what has really happened!

Finally as we now have a global audience.

In the UK we have a national agreement known as Single Status. In brief this was to address he historic and discriminatory aspects of pay for women in the UK.

EQUAL PAY is at the heart of this agreement. Our Fremantle Care Workers benefited from this agreement around the time of the transfer to Fremantle.

Fremantle have by their actions dismantled this agreement.

We have a serious problem here . Our Union along with other Unions have fought for Equal Pay. It can not be right for a new Employer to 'dismantle' all this hard work and condemn women to poverty wages.

The Government obviously recognised the importance about Equal Pay.

The Government should act now!

This is why this dispute is crucial to our union, locally, regionally, nationally and now internationally. Globalisation threatens Trade Unions and workers across the world.

Our challenge as Trade Unionists is to respond as our history tells us.

To do what our member expect.

Defend terms and conditions.

Thank you for your continuing support

UNISON Labour Link elections - WHY VOTE

On this matter I can only comment in a personal capacity, as an APF payer and member albeit (inactive) member of the Labour Party. For full details of the election go to UNISON via this link http://www.unison.org.uk/elections/pages_view.asp?did=5620

In London we have a choice between Andrew Berry ( Islington Local Government)http://jonrogers1963.blogspot.com/2007/09/unison-labour-link-elections-why-i-back.html

and Rachel Voller

http://grayee.blogspot.com/2007/08/vote-rachel-voller-unison-labour-link.html

I honestly don't know Rachel Voller (UCH) , I've not heard Rachel speak at Regional Council. However my concern about her election address is right near the end where she referred to extremist parties!

Quite frankly this is outdated perception of who we as UNISON members should really be worried about. I know my Fremantle Care workers did not find themselves under attack from extremist parties. No, they were outsourced by a Labour Council! As hard as that is to stomach , being a Labour voter, that is a fact!

However I do see the change in Prime Minsiter as a opportuntiy for more debate within the Labour Party (despite the news that he appears to want to stifle the influence of Labour party members and the trade unions!) which is why those entitled to vote should make sure they use that vote whovever they choose.

Those who know me, know that I respect hard working activists. I am not interested in hot air & table thumping. If you are genuine and member led then I will listen to what you have to say. What I know about Andrew is that he works hard for his members he speaks out when there is need and he is committed to working within the Labour party. No organisation can survive if it surrounds itself by 'nodding dogs'. I still remember the 'Emperor's new clothes' fairy tale. Indeed I use it within my work as Branch Secretary with our employers. They need to listen to the Unions, we are their best source of scrutiny. A healthy organisation need debate and discussion over issues.

So I don't subscribe to the view that we have something to fear from extremist parties. That is a policy that should be consigned to the past.

We need to embrace all activists who are genuine, member-led and fighting to support our members day in day out. We have incredible quality across all service groups in London region, we should make better use of that quality and experience.

Our Union along with all Trae Unions have a real challenge in the 21st century to organise to face the potential mass erosion of our members terms and conditions http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3072.pdf

Our Union has campaigned hard for members we must stand together not snipe.

Whoever wins this election I challenge both of you to demonstrate what support London Labour Link can offer the Fremantle Care Workers campaign?

Andrew has my vote, but what about you?

It's bl***dy criminal...........................

It's disgusting, insulting
I was shocked to read in the recent Guardian annual survey on pay. Our members are going to be asked whether they want to accept another pay cut..........

Boardroom pay at the UK's top companies soared 37% last year as full-time directors were rewarded with inflation-busting increases in basic salaries, big cash bonuses and substantial payouts from share schemes.

The surge in pay, which takes the average total pay for a chief executive to £2,875,000, is more than 11 times the increase in average earnings and nearly 20 times the rate of inflation as measured by the consumer price index. The ratio between bosses' rewards and employees' pay has risen to 98:1, up from 93:1 a year ago - meaning that the work of a chief executive is valued almost 100 times more highly than that of their employees.

The figures are revealed in the Guardian's annual survey of executive pay at the 100 biggest companies on the stock market, conducted in association with the pay consultancy Reward Technology Forum. The pay rise for the 2006/07 financial year is the biggest in recent years. The previous year directors' pay climbed 28%, following rises of 16% and 13%.

For the first time last year the rewards handed over to the directors of FTSE 100 companies topped £1bn. The news comes after the Guardian revealed that bonuses for City workers rose 30% last year. And the huge rewards are being paid at a time when increasing numbers of homeowners are facing the threat of repossession and household debt is at record levels.

The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said top directors were "losing touch with reality" and described the disparity in rewards as "morally offensive".

Topping the league of FTSE 100 directors' pay is Bob Diamond, who heads the investment banking arm of Barclays Bank and earned £23m last year. Mr Diamond, who is not chief executive of the bank, earns a basic salary of only £250,000, but his package was magnified nearly 100-fold as a result of a performance bonus of £10m and about £12m in share awards.

Three other top earners earned eight-figure salaries. They include Bart Becht, chief executive of Reckitt Benckiser, the company behind household brands such as Cillit Bang and Mr Sheen, and Giles Thorley, the boss of the Punch Taverns pubs group. Their pay last year was £22m and £11m respectively. Mr Thorley also emerges as the boss whose salary is most out of line with his employees; his remuneration package is equal to 1,147 of his employees, mostly pub workers.

Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP, received £11m. He was forced to step down earlier this year after it was revealed he had lied in court.

Part-time chairmen of top companies - who generally work no more than two days a week - now earn an average of £311,000, up 15% on a year ago.

The Equal Opportunities Commission described that statistic as "shocking".

The 37% increase in average pay was fuelled by annual cash bonuses and gains from long-term, share-based incentives which enabled executives to cash in on rising share prices. Basic boardroom salaries were up just 5%. Including cash bonuses and other benefits the average increase was 13% - but it was stock market gains that provided the bumper returns.

Mr Barber said: "It is impossible to believe that top directors have become so much more productive than the rest of their staff over the last year. This growing gap is not just morally offensive but hits workforce morale, feeds through into house price inflation and threatens social cohesion. Britain's boardrooms are slowly losing touch with reality."

Miles Templeman, director general at the Institute of Directors, said "exceptional performance should be rewarded" and pointed out that pension funds would also benefit from a rising stock market.

For full article go to:
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2157974,00.html#article_continue

Fremantle Care Workers - Stand up for your rights

E- Petitions

These are one of the latest ways to campaign and apply pressure. Please take time to sign the following Petitions:

Pay
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PayClaim/

Council Housing:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/fourth-option/

Fremantle Care Workers
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Fremantle/

Fremantle International
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=285

34 DAYS LEFT TO GO !

Friday 28 September 2007 is the last day to submit an application for a loan to help when the pay date moves in October.

Make sure you submit your application. The Payroll helpline number is 0208 359 7936

If you would like to meet with Payroll staff to discuss any issues relating to the change in the pay date, please come along to one of the following sessions:

28 August - Hendon Town Hall Committee Room 1 1pm to 3pm

29 August - N.L.B.P. Danube Room 1pm to 4pm

30 August - Mill Hill Depot TBA

31 August - Barnet House. Room 4, 1st Floor 1pm to 3pm

3 September - Mill Hill Depot TBA

4 September - Mill Hill Depot TBA

Please let the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088/2083 if you are experiencing any problems.

Fremantle goes international!

Good news. Fremantle care workers dispute is now reaching a truly international audience. This is the first time UNISON has put a campaign on

Translations of the dispute are being written as this message goes out.

Make sure you sign and circulate

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=285

Pay- Deadlock broken by new offer?

Firstly I would like to update you as to what has been happening with regards to this years National Pay Award (some of you may refer to it as cost of living increase). For the previous three years we were tied into a three year deal so your increase was already calculated and paid from the 1 April.

This year there has been no increase for all staff . We have a new Prime Minister but it doesn’t appear to have changed Governments attitude to public sector workers.

Gordon Brown is determined to keep pay down to a 2% increase! It is important to understand that the cost of living is running at 4.8%. This means if things stay the same you are being offered a pay cut not a pay award! The latest news is that the Employers are offering more…wait for it…………..another 0.5%
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3618

Food, fuel, council tax, rent and mortgages are all increasing, much greater than 2 or 2.5% for example recently, interest rates for mortgages went up by 0.25 %. For someone with a £100,000 mortgage this would equate to £16 a month increase. Will the 2 or 2.5% Pay Award offer be enough for you?

It was not good enough when it was debated at National Conference see
http://cms.unison.co.uk/MotionText.asp?DocumentID=997912
This motion was carried so it is likely that we could soon be balloting for industrial action

We have to report back to National ahead of their meeting on 4 September 2007. Barnet UNISON will put out a Poll online on our BLOG top left hand corner of this BLOG

Please take time to VOTE.

Have you signed No 10 Downing St Petition submitted by our branch to Gordon Brown?

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PayClaim/

National Pay - Branch Secretary - second job........................

"It's fair cop" said John Burgess when asked about the photographic evidence presented at today's TV interview.

"My only defence is that our Pay Awards over the last few years have been well below inflation and with spiralling costs, mortgages, fuel & food, bills, council tax...... I just could not say No to George.....after all neither could Tony!......over to you Gordon?"

Fremantle - Isabella's story

National Pay -Get involved!

Sign the

E-Petition....

let

Gordon

know

your watching him!

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PayClaim/

Apathy- Societies biggest challenge?

Apathy

As Trade Unionists we have all been there, trying to engage and inform members about the dangers facing them. How often have we said if only we had...... a little bit earlier......

Well it is not just a challenge for Trade Unions it is a challenge for our society. How do we engage people. What is the best way to communicate?

We all complain about politicians not listening but how many of us actually contact them?

In terms of Barnet UNISON we will continue to look at how we communicate and seek members views as to how they want to be contacted.

For those who feel that there is no point campaigning or challenging decisions I thought I would include a few examples of when UNISON members have said enough is enough................you never know it could happen to all of us one day.............................

Edinburgh http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3610

Manchester Health Workers http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3611

Glasgow Care Workers http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/news_view.asp?did=3592

Surrey Socail Workers http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/news_view.asp?did=3289

National Pay 'Now is the winter of our discontent..........

‘Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York’ (in the original Shakespeare is referring Richard 111 as the 'sun of York........)

But we could really be heading for a Winter of Discontent for Gordon Brown..remember Winter 1979?????

If there is no change in terms of the offer by the D – DAY 4 Sept it looks like we could have 4 million public sector workers taking strike this winter!

Make sure you take part in the Poll on the top left hand corner of our BLOG at http://barnetunison.blogspot.com/2007/08/blog-post.html

Future of ALMOs - Council Housing?

ALMO's were created to enable Council's to access money to meet the Decent Homes target 2010.

UNISON along with all the other major public sector trade unions & the council tenant led organisation (Defend Council Housing) argued that this was merely one step away from privatisation.

We predicted the early promises of money for Decent Homes would not be so forthcoming.

We predicted Housing services would be moved out of their communities, as the ALMO’s sought to reduce costs.

In their attempts to persuade tenants to support the ALMO. The ALMO's promised, new kitchens, new bathrooms and new windows, however tenants quickly found that these promises were broken. The new offer became new windows, OR new bathroom OR new kitchen.

Well, for those who say there is no point campaigning…take a look at Defend Council Housing, every member of staff working in Housing should have this website as one of their favourites.

http://www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk/dch/resources/DCHInterimResponseGreenPaper.pdf

Against the odds with limited resources they have been taking this fight to government for over 10 years. They have taken on Councils & their Consultants (all bought & paid for with council tenants money mind you!) and won ballots (against ALMOS & Stock transfer) up and down the country.

It isn’t rocket science to see that the Housing crisis we are in is a result of the policies of both Conservative & sadly Labour governments! Private sector are just not interested in Council Housing, Housing Associations were not set up for this scale of Housing provision.

Sadly, this Private Good, Public Bad mentality is not confined to Housing we see it in Social Services, NHS, Schools. This policy has FAILED!

However……we have a new Prime Minster, we have a Housing crisis and for the first time since the 70’s we could start to see Councils building homes………..

Please take some time, it takes less than 60 seconds to sign the E Government Petition
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/fourth-option/


So what about the future of ALMO’s?

They were set up for a limited period. There are a number of possibilities

1. Return to the Council
2. Merge with another ALMO
3. Taken over by a Housing Association
4. Taken over by Lord Voldermort???

Members working in ALMO’s need to consider their future.
· Have their T& C’s improved since moving to the ALMO?
· Are you working more for less?
· Have services already been outsourced?

Feedback from our activists working in Housing Associations do not paint a positive picture of employment practices.

In terms of Barnet Homes & Barnet Council we will be seeking discussions as to it's future. We will be consulting with our members and looking to commission a report into the options for ALMO’s.

Whatever your views it is important to take part in our consultations over the next 12 months.

Finally check to see if your MP has signed the Early Day motion in support of the Fourth option http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=31705&SESSION=885

Council Services SELL OFF

In October 2007 the Local Government White paper becomes law.

Read more at http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3072.pdf
All staff working in Local Government need to know that this gives the GREEN light

to privatise all service areas of the Council.
In the past when services have been under threat of privatisation staff have been told that they will be ok , their terms will be protected, services will not change

…….tell that to the Fremantle Care Workers!
http://barnetunison.blogspot.com/2007/08/privatisation-fremantle-style.html

Personal accounts of the costs of privatisation......

17 August 2007 - 3 day of Strike Action

Whether you work in Local government, NHS, Higher Education, Further Education, watch and listen to the accounts of the Fremantle Care Workers. When managers try and reassure you about TUPE, show them this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFekACwSoIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnba3Plfrlk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmnO6U15rU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQxR-kSGS1M


In this case 5 years after selling off the Council owned residential care homes and day care services to Catalyst Housing. Catalyst Housing have billed Barnet Council for £8.672 million.

Who was responsible for putting together this package together?

It is about time senior managers on £100K salaries take responsibility when things go badly wrong. We do not expect Barnet to pay up, but if they do, it will almost certainly mean cuts across Council Services…which inevitably will mean services and jobs!

This Government Lemming like policy must end……every worker in Public Services needs to seek a meeting with their local MP.

If you are not in a Trade Union then join UNISON.

Privatisation - Fremantle style

2 Strike day 23 July 2007

Inspirational…maybe it is my northern upbringing but you can’t beat a good brass band………

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_N5m6F0AMQ&v3

National Pay.............

Something has got to give...................

http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3615

Quite frankly our members could do with some receiving and less of the giving!

D - DAY 4 September 2007.

Bottom line for all local governement workers is how much more are we prepared to put up with the lack of respect and recognition for the hard work you all do.

Brown could not be any clearer with what HE wants.......

WE need to be clear what WE want.

When Procurement goes BAD........Fremantle Care Workers take a coach trip to Catalyst Housing

For most of this campaign we have focused on Fremantle Trust. However they have a partner Catalyst Housing Group (formerly known as Ealing & Family Housing). Catalyst secured the contract with Barnet Council to reprovide residential and day care services. They sub contract the care contract to Fremantle.

It has now come to light that Catalyst are demanding Barnet Council pay £8.672 million! Yes you read correctly..........................

Today we went to Catalyst Housing to deliver a letter to their Chair Dame Mavis McDonald

http://www.engagingcommunities2005.org/mmcdonald.html

Dame Mavis was not there but Catalyst Housing sent down Phil Shemmings (Head of Communications and Public Relations to receive our letter on her behalf.

We will let you know when she replies.

More later.....................................

OLDER PEOPLE MATTER

I am writing to explain that the Fremantle Residential Care Homes strikes are far more than issues about pay and terms and conditions.

Care Standards.
This campaign is growing as more people recognise that this is much more than just an issue about pay but about Care Standards and how we monitor them. Fremantle Care Workers formerly employed by London Borough of Barnet are all highly trained. It is their professionalism and high standards that has driven them to make a stand over what they see as a deterioration in standards of care within their workplaces.

They are not the only ones to notice it, CSCI inspectors have also recently commented on staffing levels. Barnet UNISON is concerned by the deployment of apprentices in some settings working for £4.45 an hour. We understand that these staff are not supernumary (as Fremantle claim) and have challenged Fremantle to confirm these staff are not being left alone with highly dependent residents.

What we are seeing in this campaign is the growing realisation amongst staff, relatives, carers that it is no longer acceptable to settle for second or third best when talking about services for older people. How many times have we heard politicians talk about the increasing burdening cost of social care? Yet in the same breadth we are told we are the 5th largest economy in the world!

Every one of us will sooner or later come into contact with someone receiving care either in a hospital, residential or nursing home or day services. Don’t we all want to be sure when we leave our family members or friends in their care; that the highest standards are provided? When one watches a TV documentary exposing abuse of older people by visiting care staff, who doesn’t shake their heads with incredulity that someone could do that to another vulnerable human being?

But it can easily happen and it is easily explained.

For example, an agency worker turns up at a care home for her first day. She has to help 3 residents to wash and change and have breakfast. All the residents are highly dependent. She doesn’t have time to read the notes, doesn’t have time because of the pressure on staff (due to minimum staffing levels) to help residents get ready for breakfast. Perhaps she was distracted or simply not trained but one of the residents is left on a toilet for 30 minutes before a regular member of staff responds to the alarm in the toilet. Whilst providing one of the residents with some tea the agency worker puts the cup down and fails to let the resident (partially sighted) know. The resident puts her fingers in the hot tea.

Is this brief scenario real? Yes it is. It is but a glimpse as to how abuse and that’s what this is, can start. One of the many problems we have with Fremantle is that they have not been able to deal with the blunt truth that Barnet is in London not Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. They already had a recruitment and retention problem before they took away the former Barnet Council employed staff terms and conditions it is now even harder to recruit permanent staff.

Public money
Last week at a Cabinet Resources committee (19 July 2007) we learnt that Catalyst Housing (Housing Association partner of Fremantle has made a Deficit claim for £8.672 million. This is the same organisation (then called Ealing & Family Housing Association) that was given 12 prime real estate locations as part of the deal to modernise our 12 residential and day care settings. That’s right they were given land belonging to Barnet residents as part of a deal and now they are coming back with a claim for more money. It doesn’t end there. Part of the deal was for them to rebuild 5 settings, they have only built 3.

It doesn’t make sense does it? Catalyst get their maths wrong, then Catalyst ask Barnet residents to foot the bill.

Barnet UNISON in 1999 said the ‘sell off ’it didn’t make sense and we were right. What this debacle demonstrates is that selling off Barnet residents assets does not always make good business sense. It is clear from the Cabinet Resources report of last week that the contract with Catalyst ‘is not financially viable’. In that case we should bring the contract back in-house and the real estate assets returned to Barnet residents.

Local community
90% of those working in these Fremantle care homes and day care settings are also Barnet residents paying Council Tax, rents, mortgages, fuel bills, sending their kids to Barnet Schools. Driving down terms & conditions does have an impact on the local community. It also drives down pay in the private & voluntary sector care service provision.

Do we as a community and society in general think so little about those who care? Think about it for a moment. Does anyone really believe that someone on the minimum wage will want to stay in that job for long? Who hasn’t heard ‘my carers keep changing, I just get to know them and they are off’ It isn’t rocket science you pay people crap pay they either leave or more worryingly they take on another additional job. It is common knowledge that those working on low pay have to have more than one job. When caring for others the last thing you need is a overtired care worker, it is another reason how abuse can happen in the workplace.

Individualised care budgets
Another brilliant idea from Government, or is it?
The spin is that it will provide greater choice and flexibility and choice for those requiring services. If it was that simple. Perhaps I am just too cynical but when something like this comes along claiming that not only will it provide more choice, more flexibility BUT it will cost less I quickly look to the skies looking for flying pigs.

This new scheme is being piloted in 13 Councils around the country. However Barnet Council is not waiting for the outcome of the evaluation and is implementing this Scheme for Barnet residents. Barnet UNISON has requested urgent talks and is looking to facilitate a Public meeting this autumn to discuss the implications for services users, carers and staff.

If it is not clear already the Fremantle Care Workers campaign is about Care standards, public money, and local communities.

John Burgess
Branch Secretary

Watch the Fremantle Care Workers

What a day what an inspiration

Check out what happened today at

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L_N5m6F0AMQ

Fremantle Care Workers - Inspirational!

Fremantle Care Workers began their second 24 hour stoppage today.........................

Don't forget to sign the Petition at

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Fremantle/

YOUR LOAN

Carmel Reynolds UNISON Fremantle Convenor speaks out

Dear Colleagues,
How do you feel now after our first day of strike action?

We are still here, alive and well and now very much looking forward to the next day of action. Yes, there will be more opportunities to show Fremantle and Catalyst Housing that when they take away what we worked for they seriously upset us. They do not like us when we are upset because we loudly draw attention to the facts which Fremantle would like to keep hidden. Next time there will be even more of us out there on the picket lines because all our UNISON members now realize how strong and committed we are.


Did you read the Notice from the Chief Executive?


That’s a lot of positive spin from up there in Aylesbury! In reality you and I know extra staff had to be moved in to cover our shifts. More agency staff than usual were required, and even some Managers worked as duty officers. I have heard that some managers even resorted to using the old guilt trip to try and persuade staff not to strike.


Carole is wrong when she writes “that you have been rather misled” None of us are been led anywhere. We are all still here and adult enough to show Fremantle that what they did is wrong, and we are mature enough to show them how to put it right!


Fremantle are the ones who refused to negotiate further and went ahead with their vicious cuts. We are not vicious or vindictive but we are now very angry and we will not give up or go away. To our UNISON colleagues who did not join us on the picket lines or at the rally, we know you felt a bit frightened and maybe even intimidated. Now you can see how we support each other. It feels very good and empowering when you know you have done something positive to get back what is rightfully yours.

See you on the picket lines on Monday 23 July 2007


Carmel Reynolds
Fremantle UNISON
Convenor

Barnet UNISON National Pay reminder

Fremantle Care Workers Strike 23 July 2007

Equal Pay Lobby 10 July 2007

Equal pay in Local Government - EDM 1775

That this House acknowledges that equal pay between women and men is a legal right under UK and EU law; is concerned that despite the best efforts of trade unions, women in local government continue to be unlawfully underpaid; notes that the lack of financial help offered to local authorities to assist with the funding of single status has led to a crisis in local government over equal pay; welcomes the single status funding lobby organised by UNISON, GMB and TGWU on 10th July; and calls on the Government to provide sufficient funding through a good financial settlement for local government in September 2007s Comprehensive Spending Review to enable councils to carry out pay and grading reviews and provide equal pay in local government.

Please check if YOUR MP has signed it

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33612&SESSION=885

I can confirm that 2 ( Andrew Dismore & Rudi Vis ) out 3 Barnet MPs have signed it.

Please check out this short video post of the day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ULP5mn3JHs

Fremantle Care Workers campaign

Today

Fremantle Care Workers

Tomorrow it could happen to

YOU!

Don't forget to sign the E-Petition at

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Fremantle/

National Pay - YOU DECIDE !

Fremantle Care worker night staff on the Picket line this evening

Fremantle Care Workers short video

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jevr8BLXZ1g

Fremantle Care Workers 24 hr Strike starts 5 July

Barnet College UNISON team

NEW H&S REPS

Barnet College would like to introduce its new Health & Safety reps. They are Eileen Hagger-Street, Margaret Roberts and Gary Stuart. Here they tell us a little bit about themselves.

EILEEN HAGGER-STREET
Job title: Senior Learning Resources Adviser
Contact details: Eileen.hagger-street@barnet.ac.uk
Ext. 4195 / direct: 020 8266 4195

Hello to all my colleagues. My name is Eileen Hagger-Street and I work in the Learning Centre at the Grahame Park site. I will try to fulfil the role of Health and Safety rep. to the best of my ability.

Please keep me informed of anything that causes you concern.


MARGARET ROBERTS
Job title: Senior Learning Resources Adviser
Contact details: margaret.roberts@barnet.ac.uk
Ext. 2743 / direct: 020 8275 5043

I've worked at Barnet College for a number of years in a variety of departments and currently I am based at the Wood Street Learning Centre. As an H&S Rep I hope to ensure the College is a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

GARY STUART
Job title: Senior Technician: Science / Lecturer in Science & ICT

Contact details: gary.stuart@barnet.ac.uk
Ext. 2745 / direct: 020 8275 5045

I've worked at Barnet College for just over 11 years in a variety of different roles. As an H&S Rep I hope to support the college in providing a healthy and safe working environment by providing UNISON members with information & advice and in forum with college management.


Redundancy Consultation meetings

Your UNISON Stewards Team (ie. Nadia Saccardi, Janet Mullinex, Shobhna Shah and Paul Keightley) have attended two redundancy consultation meetings with College Management - on 16th and 31st May – under the terms of Section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

We will continue to monitor carefully the list of declared redundancies and ensure that the due and proper processes of the Voluntary Redundancy procedure are followed by the College.

Minutes of these meetings can be found on the MLE at:

https://mle/mlecontent/34/104/5141/Minutes_of_a_Consultation_Meeting_on_Proposed_Redundancies_-_16_05_07_(FINAL).doc

We shall, of course, keep members informed of any further developments.


NLBP Decant

Members may now be aware that most curriculum areas currently based at WS (apart from A and D) will be decanted to Building 5 at NLBP in December as part of the Wood Street redevelopment project.

Paul Keightley is attending the Project Design Team meetings as UNISON rep. and has attended one meeting of the College Decant Planning Team.

We will ensure that any Health and Safety issues that are connected with the decant are addressed by the College, and will continue to monitor the situation.

Proposed move of Reprographics

The College is proposing moving the WS Reprographics Service to a central location at GP, with effect from September.

This would mean no reprographics presence at WS for the autumn term.

Your UNISON Health and Safety reps. are closely monitoring the H and S aspects of this proposal, and if members have concerns about the likely service impact of losing Reprographics at WS in September, they are encouraged to contact the UNISON Stewards Team.

Pensions proposals

This week you should receive a ballot paper in relation to the proposed changes to YOUR Pension.

It is important that you read the material carefully before deciding whether to support or reject the offer.

For further details on the pension can be found at http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3468

RESULTS of Challenge Y campaign

As promised every two months we will have a Prize draw of the names of those members who have recruited new members to the branch.

This month’s draw winners are

Maggi Myland
Mike Omezi
Marlene Hunter

For Challenge Y UNISON application forms contact branch office on 0208 359 2088


The next Prize draw 28 August 2007.

Environmental Services

For the last 4 years this Directorate has taken significant cuts in order for the Council to address it’s financial deficit.

Cuts not just in services but JOBs. Interestingly the services provided by the staff down the depot are high profile and subject to Barnet residents comments to their councillors if they fail to deliver.

It is important that our members working in Environmental services are fully supported by our branch.


It is important to separate the fact from the fiction. We can check out rumours. It is not in the interests of our members to be subjected to rumours especially when they are often carrying very difficult and challenging work in the community.
If any member is worried about stories they are hearing about the Depot being sold off, the service being cut, please contact the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 or contact carmen.bruno@barnetunison.org.uk

Adult Social Services

Individualised Care Budgets – Part 1
We are currently approaching the completion of the restructure of back office support services for adult social services. If there are still any members with any outstanding questions please contact Maggi Myland on 0208 359 2088 or email maggi.myland@barnetunison.org.uk


Individualised care budgets – Part 2
For those of you not working in adult social services you may choose to skip this article I would advise you don’t!

What does or does not happen in adult social services impacts on the whole of the Council. Adult Social Care costs are rising both locally and nationally, yet there is no sign from Government that they are going to increase funding.

The cost of Social Care is an issue for the community not just Barnet Council.

I bring this to your attention because Barnet is leading the way in how and what we provide to vulnerable members of our community. This new way or VISION as it is being called looks to change assessment and provision in a fundamental way.

More choice, more flexibility, BUT not more money. In fact it will have to be delivered with less money. IF you have caught on yet…..read on…….for the next 3 years this new way of working is going to have to deliver significant savings. Savings are not new to Social Services we have always had to make savings. In the past savings and I am talking £millions would be saved by has been privatised so that option is no longer available.

So, if prposed savings are not made in thios finacial year it will have to come from somewhere.

We have seen this happen elsewhere in the Council where predicted budget savings were not achieved and JOBS were CUT.

In an increasing uncertain world, inflation rising, most of us are struggling to keep up with payments for the minimum requirements e.g. rent. Mortgage, energy & food bills, council tax. Which is why UNISON is watching and scrutinising what the Council is spending money on.

Agency spend
Do we need to spend £5 million on agency staff per year?
Can we not make better use of our own existing staff?

Consultants:
We have been chasing the Consultancy spend figures for 5 years and we are still no nearer to know ing how much it is costing the Council. We understand the business case for bringing in a consultant to come in and carry out a short term specific piece of work, but we know there are consultants working year after year. We have nothing personally against consultants but when there is no business case or their use is not being monitored then we must raise it directly with our employers.

YOU can help.

Do you have consultant in your team? When did they start? How long have they been there?
PLEASE pass any details to john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk

Individualised budgets - What next

1. We are seeking urgent meetings with Director of Adult Social Services.

2. We are requesting monthly meetings with the lead Council officer leading on the VISION.
3. We will also be looking to organise a meeting for UNISON members working in adult social services to discuss individualised care budgets and will be looking to invite a speaker from UNISON HQ.

Life Long Learning

Skills for Life training for Council staff continues to grow and develop at an amazing pace. Those managers who have grasped the potential opportunities for their staff and the positive impact it will have on their service delivery are queuing up to meet with our job share Life Long Learning Coordinators Carmen Bruno and Susan Timthong

For details how to access a course or to arrange a visit to you team meeting contact Carmen on carmen.bruno@barnetunison.org.uk or susan.timthong@barnetunison.org.uk

Children’s Services

This is the largest Directorate in the Council. We are still in the early stages of the news service finding it’s feet but it is important that members contact the branch if they feel they are in need to advice and support.

Communications Team restructure.
We are currently involved in the consultation on the proposed changes to his team.


Fairway Children & Families centre
Proposals have recently been submitted to UNISON. For all those members working in this service please note Maggi Myland is the lead UNISON rep and can be contacted on 0208 359 2088

Connexions –
“OH..OKI KO KI…KO KI in out ..in out ..you shake it all about!”

Yes Connexions & Prospects staff who used to work for othe council are coming back in a new look service following a decision made at Cabinet meeting a few weeks ago.

UNISON members working for the above will be transferred under TUPE. UNISON will be fully involved in the process and will make sure all those members affected will be provided with information and advice as the consultation begins. We have had one meeting with the Director of Children’s Service and are awaiting a further meeting to discuss the timescale.

Schools

National Pay Framework for School Staff!

Following meetings with the former Secretary for Education Alan Johnson steps to create a National Pay structure for Support across moved closer. There is still a lot discussion and consultation with members for more details on th eUNISON website on
www.unison.org.uk/acrobatA3270.doc






Nursery Nurses
Another year goes by and we appear to be no nearer to reaching a proposal for our Nursery Nurses. The request from UNISON started as far back as 2004. We were hopeful that there would be something for you all last Christmas BUT it has simply not happened.

You may hear that there is a problem where Nursery Nurses are working in Children’s family centres .But this is no excuse for not coming up with a proposal.

Nursery Nurses deserve to have career progression and need to have the work they are currently doing recognised both in terms of professional development and pay!

The Council have proposed setting up a working group....sorry but more delay.

We are advising the Council that they need to come up with a DRAFT proposal before the end of term or we will have no alternative but to start a consultative ballot of our members.

As with everything these days unless you SPEAK UP you are left waiting in the queue which is never ending.

Look out for the UNISON School newsletter which will be sent out before the end of this term.

School Staff
Our work Schools is one of the biggest in the branch. The sheer number of issues in Schools is at time quite frightening but at the same time it merely reinforces WHY ALL SCHOOL staff need to belong to UNISON.
If you have an issue in your school don’t face it alone contact our job share Schools Officers Susan Dunning & Tracey Lowe on 0208 359 2088 or email
s.dunning@barnetunison.org.uk or tracey.lowe@barnetunison.org.uk

Resources Directorate – What’s going on out there?

HR Restructure

This has to be one of the longest restructures in my time as a UNISON activist.

It is important to any organisation to have a well organised HR department.

Barnet UNISON recognises that it is important that staff, managers, are given good, clear accurate advice which is why we are fully involved and scrutinising in the consultation process. The new HR structure ( and there have been many over the last 10 years!) is looking to go live in October this year. In the interim HR staff are combining roles.

The Trade Unions have sent a second report outlining our concerns and are awaiting feedback.

A UNISON meeting for members working in HR will be convened on receipt of feedback from senior managers to our recent report.


Barnet’s Policies and Procedures
Believe it or not but the some of the policies on the Councils intranet are out of date and need amending. Some of these amendments are minor but some can have a significant impact on staff.

Over the next 6 months the Council is going to look at policies such as annual leave, maternity leave etc.

UNISON will ensure we are fully consulted and will keep members up dated on proposals.
So watch this space………………………………!


Accommodation moves – Get on board the accommodation Carousel!
At times working in Barnet it must seem like climbing aboard a Carousel at a Fairground. The minute the ride is finished the music starts and you are moving accommodation again.

There are moves ahead for staff at Fenella, Barnet House, Building 5 NLBP and as soon as we hear we will keep members posted.


Customer Services
This service which in the past may not have had the profile it should is rapidly changing as technology changes which will bring new challenges for staff.

In the past to often staff were ‘discarded, past their sell by date’ as new technology brought new and different ways of working. Preparing for these changes by providing up to date relevant training course equips staff for the future, saves the Council money and builds the relationship between the staff and the Council ( that’s how the theory goes!)

UNISON recognises these challenges and wants to ensure staff are provided with the necessary skills. We have set meetings with staff to discuss exciting training accredited courses on IT/ communication skills.

In terms of Customer Services if there are any questions issues about your restructure then please contact the UNISON office on 028 359 2088

Registry
Big changes are ahead of staff working in Registry. For a start they are changing employer. They are being transferred into the Council. It is important that members are fully advised as to what this means to their terms and conditions.

UNISON has been contacted and is now seeking a meeting to discuss the proposals.
If you work in Registry and want to speak to a UNISON rep please contac the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088.

Summer Holidays..............................?

If you are going away this summer Barnet UNISON would like to wish you a great holiday.

Apart from the holiday season this time that the Directors group and Council start to discuss the budget settlements for the following year and the possible implications for the Council. So it is not unusual to start to hear rumours of huge cuts to services and mass redundancies.

What is important is to establish what is fact and what is rumour.

Barnet UNISON will make sure we are involved early on in the consultation process.

If you need to check something you have heard

contact the branch

on 0208 359 2088

Barnet Council's 3 R’s - Restructure, Redeployment, Redundancy

It is sad but true fact that all staff will face the 3 R’s at least once in any 18 month period!

It is therefore important that staff know how to prepare and survive.

Please note Barnet UNISON don’t always know where and when staff are facing restructures. So make sure you contact the Barnet UNISON office.

Step 1
Firstly, make sure you are a member of UNISON. Don’t wait until you are facing possible redundancy before realising you need help.

Step 2
If you hear that your team or service is going to be restructured, don’t panic. Ask your manager if the rumours are true, if you don’t want to do this then contact your local UNISON rep. If you don’t have a local rep then contact the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 and we will check out the rumour on your behalf.

Step 2
Managing Change is the Council policy dealing with restructures/redeployment, redundancy. There is a copy on the Council’s intranet. It is worth making sure you have access to a copy.

If there is a restructure in your team, a number of things should take place. You should be consulted. If you are not being involved and you have raised it with your manager, please contact UNISON office as soon as possible.

Step 3
Consultation: Draft proposals clearly showing the existing and proposed new structure should being presented. Any changes to your job description should be made in consultation with you. At this stage make sure you let the UNISON office know that consultation has begun.

Step 4
In most restructures posts are generally deleted, jobs changed and more often than not staff have to be interviewed for the new jobs. Make sure you contact your UNISON rep or the branch on 0208 359 2088.

The Council provide interview skills training, to help staff prepare for interviews, make sure you take up this training.

Coping
Restructures can be very stressful to staff facing an uncertain future. The Council acknowledges this and now provides staff with access to free and confidential counselling through an independent organisation ‘People at Work.’ UNISON strongly recommends this service to members.

Remember you don’t have to face these changes alone.