Future Shape of Barnet Council – One week on!

Online Forum with the Chief Executive
It is good to see staff responding to the first of what I hope will be many more online forums on the Future Shape of Barnet Council. UNISON agrees with the comments about ‘plain English’ too often the public are put off becoming involved in consultation by the type of language used in committee meetings and public documents. Whilst we await a ‘plain English’ version UNISON believe it is important staff understand what is at stake over the next 202 days until the Cabinet Committee 3 December 2008.

It is already clear from reading the comments raised on the online forum that the impact of privatisation is an issue not just for staff but for service delivery & value for money. In the past the Trade Unions were labelled as ‘dinosaurs’ because they objected to marketisation of public services. Well, we have had 30 years of continuous attacks on Public Services, it is clear that privatisation has not delivered the savings or improved quality the introduction of the private and voluntary sector heralded. As for staff it has been a disaster, terms and conditions quickly eroded, and little prospect for improvement.

Hard working loyal staff
In Barnet the last five years have been hard on staff as they have had to cope with year on years cuts, less staff , but increased workloads and at the same time see their pay fall behind the cost of living! It is incredible that despite all of this they have delivered a Four Star Service!

So I can understand the mixed feelings of frustration, anger, disbelief from staff that all their hard work could be rewarded by being privatised! I notice Lambeth Council who recently achieved 3 stars have just announced staff with gain an extra days annual leave this year.
Perhaps Barnet staff will get 2 days……………………..?

So what does this consultation mean for staff and services?

It is clear that all Council services are potentially at risk of being transferred out. I think it is understandable that staff are worried about the future in another organisation out of Council control. After all as some of those on the forums have pointed out, we don’t want another Fremantle debacle!

Why are they doing this?
Let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth…………..

The Communities and Local Government Minister Hazel Blears said
“Local Authorities will see their role change to strategic planners and commissioners of services, while involving ‘partners’ and ‘stakeholders’ in “developing and delivering a shared vision for their area”

"local authorities will generally be better able to meet their best value duty by adopting a commissioning role ... making use of all available resources - without regard for whether services are provided in-house, externally or through various forms of partnership."

The message could not be clearer Government policies are pushing local authorities to stop providing services and take on a ‘commissioning’ role and at the same time limiting funding necessary to deliver services. In response to funding issues for an ever-growing London Borough our Council developed the ‘Barnet Bond’ (no relative of 007 James Bond !) as a means to fund the increasing pressure on our Borough’s infrastructure as the population continues to grow.

The Challenge
This government's plans for delivering local services introduce a whole range of new bodies and terms to the public-service landscape. The key features of the new landscape are:

Local Strategic Partnership - this brings together public bodies in the local area that provide public services, alongside the community and voluntary sector and local businesses, and is convened by the local authority;

Sustainable Community Strategy - the strategic long-term plan for an area drawn up by the local strategic partnership and formally agreed by a full local council meeting;

Comprehensive Area Assessment - a new performance management system, with 198 'indicators' covering not just local authorities, but all areas where they are working in partnership, which includes most other public services, and replacing comprehensive performance assessment;

Local Area Agreement - sets out 35 locally agreed performance targets that councils and partner organisations aim to meet; it is negotiated locally through the local strategic partnership and ratified by a full local council meeting before being agreed by central government.

Some of our members will be familiar with the above headings but most will not. But we all need to understand them and the impact they will have on services and whether the Council remains an employer for the majority of their staff.

What should we do next?
It seems as we have must address this period of consultation on two levels. Firstly we must engage in the consultation process and scrutinise proposals within the Council. Secondly we all need to address this issue with our local MP’s. Our branch will draft a letter for our members to use or amend and send to their own MP.

Barnet UNISON recognises that our members are facing major challenges and the need for us to build alliances in our community. National UNISON is at the forefront of defending public services not just for members but for the local community. This is why our branch AGM agreed to affiliate with London Citizens and help revive the Barnet Trades Union Council, membership includes most of the largest Trades Unions in the UK, UNISON, GMB, NUT, UCU, PCS, RMT, CWU, NUJ with more Unions looking to join.

Barnet Council is already visiting other Councils who have entered into partnerships; Barnet UNISON will make contact with UNISON branches in those Councils.

Communication
We will endeavour to keep a regular communication on progress through emails/website/newsletters/branch meetings. We are trying to maximise the means by which we communicate with our members. Converting newsletters into electronic format and sending links to our BLOG.

I am pleased to announce that we have a UNISON page on the Council’s intranet.
Please save this link as a favourite. Our eNEWS will direct you to updates and consultation documents.

Remember if you have any comments email them to
contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Adult Learner Week in Barnet - Give it a go!

UNISON & GMB reps attending Cabinet meeting 6 May 2008

Local UNISON & GMB reps outside Barnet House before the Cabinet meeting.

Pat Ward Fremantle UNISON rep came along to listen to discussions about the possible future employment of Barnet Council staff. Pat has a lot to say on that subject!!!!

What future for Barnet Council staff ?

Consultation clock begins……..

The Cabinet report entitled ‘Future organisation for Barnet Council’. The report be found online at the following link….

http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=6822

The report was presented by the Chief Executive with support from the Leader of the Council.

The Committee were told the Council had poor prospects of any increases in funding from Government, and there was a real likelihood funding could decrease. ‘Salami slicing’ approach to these funding problems was unsustainable for the medium to long term.

The consultation will look to see if the Councils current structures are ‘fit for purpose’ i.e. the pace of change is increasing, the council needs to be able to respond quickly and effectively to these changes.

It was acknowledged in the meeting that ‘traditional privatisation model’ was not the answer either.

Barnet will have to learn from others, looking at examples within the UK and abroad.

Barnet will be particularly looking at Partnerships with both public/private/ third sectors. Such partnerships would be long term (generational) but with a flexibility to be able to react to changes.

Members of the Cabinet raised a number of questions and queries

1. One Councillor was keen to look at radical and different options at delivering services

2. Another councillor expressed a need for much tighter ‘governance arrangements’ and the ability to performance manage any future partnerships

3. How would this future impact on our relationship with the PCT?

4. Will this new organisation be able to adapt to emerging issues and trends?

5. We are one of the first Councils in the UK to address this issue

Chief Executive will review the options and report back to Cabinet on 3 December 2008

UNISON members
The consultation clock begins. The branch will be shortly carrying out a ballot of members views and endeavouring to keep our members informed. Tomorrow I attend a meeting with the Chief Executive……..

HOT OF THE PRESS – Barnet Council Staff

Big Changes ahead….Your future……..Break up or Shake up?

We first raised this issue in one of our newsletters early this year. On Tuesday 6 May the following report is going before the Council’s Cabinet Committee

http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=6822

Do not be mistaken this is a very real issue for everyone working for the Council. The report outlines the breadth of the research & consultation which needs to take place before a recommendation is brought back to future Cabinet Committee.

If we have learnt anything it is that everyone needs to become involved in the consultation process which will roll out across the Council in the next few months. UNISON will provide updates on our involvement in the consultation process, but YOU need to alert UNISON to any discussions within your workplace. All of you have a the skills, expertise & knowledge which we value, after all it is YOUR hard work which delivered Four Star status for the Council earlier this year!

We have had very positive assurances from the Council that they want to genuinely consult with UNISON. We have already had one meeting with the Executive Director Nick Walkley and we are due to meet with the Chief Executive the day after the Cabinet Committee.

However, it is important not to be complacent. Sadly we have had some bad experiences when previous Council decisions have resulted in UNISON members being ‘transferred’ out of the Council control. There have been a number of recent examples of privatisation; the one which Barnet UNISON members will be most familiar is Fremantle. But that isn’t the only example we have seen. This is why we want to make sure UNISON is involved in the consultation process and is in a position to scrutinise the recommendations which will be made to a future Cabinet committee.

As Branch Secretary I will make this my number one priority and will endeavour to make regular reports to all our members working for the Council. It is highly likely we will need to set up branch meetings to give members opportunities to put questions or raise issues. In the meanwhile if you have any concerns about the process or have any questions about what it all means you can email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Finally I would like to extend an invitation to join me at the Cabinet Committee meeting on Tuesday 6 May 2008, at 7 pm in Barnet House, Whetstone.

Individualised Budgets in Barnet

Dear Colleagues,

Everyone working in Adult Social Services (ASS) will have heard of Individualised Budgets, and the Choice Agenda.

But how many of you are clear about what it will mean for you, our service users and their carers?

Barnet UNISON early last year recognised that massive change was coming, which is why we established early contact with the Director of Adult Social Services and her senior management team.

Just before Christmas 2007, UNISON sponsored a successful Public meeting with a number of speakers. It was clear from discussions at that meeting that delivering the Choice agenda is going to be challenging for staff, service users, carers, service providers, and the Council.

ASS appointed Project Manager (Ed Gowan) was charged with the task of delivering the Choice Agenda. A number of managers from the Care groups have taken on roles of ‘Service Champions’ to look at issues and processes. Regular communication on progress has been cascaded across Adult Social Services.

UNISON has responded by identifying UNISON champions for each Care group; Helen Davies (Older Adults), Peter Wright (Sensory impairment/Physical disabilities) Maggie Guy ( Back office), Liz Thomasson (Learning Difficulties), Tom Mahoney (Mental Health), and Maggi Myland (Social Services Convenor).

Two meetings with Service Champions and UNISON have taken place with more to follow. UNISON recognised that the level of engagement with our members needs to increase. Helen Davies will be the Lead UNISON rep. for Choice Agenda. We are in the process of negotiating some release time for Helen, in the interim you can contact Helen at helen.davies@barnetunison.org.uk or Helen.C.Davies@Barnet.gov.uk

Clearly there will be significant changes if the Choice Agenda is to be successful. UNISON will be looking to set up UNISON meetings across Adult Social Services. It is important that all staff take an active part in this consultation. You have the expertise and the local knowledge, without you the change process will not work.

All change can bring uncertainty, fear, stress and confusion; however it can also bring more creative and better ways of working and delivering services. This is why we need to be talking to all our members across ASS.

Everyone working in ASS wants to deliver better services for service users and carers. UNISON supports increasing choice and independence for service users. We want to take an active role to ensure the structure is able to deliver.

One thing for certain these changes are going to affect the way you work, the services available to service users, your grade, you future career development.

We are circulating this short letter to all of our members. Over the next four weeks we will be looking to set up meetings with UNISON members across Barnet.

But don’t wait…. .......... if you have any ideas, suggestions or questions…… ......................contact Helen at helen.davies@barnetunison.org.uk or Helen.C.Davies@Barnet.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

John Burgess
Branch Secretary

YOUR PAY MATTERS

Retail Price Index versus Consumer Price Index

Retail Price Index
The National Statistics website http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=21
“The Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the most familiar general purpose domestic measure of inflation in the United Kingdom. It is available continuously from June 1947. The Government uses it for uprating of pensions, benefits and index-linked gilts. It is commonly used in private contracts for uprating of maintenance payments and housing rents. It is also used for wage bargaining”

Consumer Price Index
"The Consumer Prices (CPI) and the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) are the same index. The index has been designed as a macro-economic measure of consumer price inflation. It forms the basis for the Government's inflation target which the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is required to achieve."

Clear as mud?
Put it simply the RPI is the more accurate measure of the cost of living pressures on households. The Government like to use CPI because it makes their Pay Policy look like it is in line with prices……………

Just how thick do they think we are?

Well it seems we are prepared to believe anything……apparently Public Sector workers are responsible for rises in inflation! (WHAT RUBBISH !) This is why the Government believes all Public Sector workers should be happy with 2% Pay Awards, year after year after year after year!

Funny that…………..no problem finding

£100 Billion to bail out Northern Rock……
£50 Billion to bail out major banks in the city …
£XXX Billion on the war in Iraq & Afghanstan

Or, hitting the low income households with the 10 pence Tax rate

Well, Public Sector workers can have a say…….our branch is carrying out a consultative ballot. If you haven’t had your ballot paper yet, contact the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088/2083 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Use your vote

Barnet College - Redundancy talks.................

Once again our local reps are having to attend redundancy talks again with Barnet College. FE funding is clearly under attack as a result of Train to Gain.

Joint Trade Union meetings have been taking place and further consutlation meetings are due to take place over the next 6 weeks. More detailed reports will be going out to members under threat. We understand that up to 24 posts are at risk.

Fremantle Convenor says Farewell

We want to take this opportunity to give praise to Carmel Reynolds ex Fremantle Convenor.

I have known Carmel for over 11 years. In 2005 when we were looking for a replacement for the previous Fremantle Convenor Barbara Kirkbride, Carmel volunteered to give it a go. Carmel had no Trade Union experience, little did she know what challenges she would face. Everyone in our branch, everyone in our region and everyone in our Union nationally agree that Carmel has been an inspiration to us all.

Last Friday we said our goodbyes to Carmel but for the final word, we are going to print an email Carmel sent to the Fremantle Chief Executive Carole Sawyers earlier this week which sums up Carmel and what our campaign is all about

“Dear Carol,

I'm sure you thought you had heard the last of me but I need to say a few things re the staff I left behind. Now that I have the time to reflect on the past 23 years I have to say that I have worked with some amazing people. People who have committed themselves to caring for older people, a not so glamorous task in itself but hugely rewarding. Now that young people have so much choice career wise it amazes me that some will want to come into care work and stay in it.

I and my colleagues stayed for all the right reasons, it offered security, decent standard of living, good training, good prospects, and the T&C we had reflected the respect our employers had for us as carers. When we lost these T&C we lost not only money, holidays etc, but also the feeling that we were worth investing in. Losing self esteem in our employment was soul shattering. I am probably not explaining myself very well but my colleagues and I always felt that none of this ever mattered to Fremantle, we felt we were been used and abused. I know these are strong words but our loss was devastating.

Carol some of your staff who suffered so much financial loss had bailiffs knocking on their door over the xmas period, spent so much of that holiday working instead of spending time with their families. These same staff always gave so much extra of themselves without question to the residents, things like coming in on rest day to take them to hospital, or changing day off to attend review, even popping into the hospital in their own time to visit a resident etc. I could go on. The point I am trying to make is that Caring is based on so much good will, staff will put in the time and effort but will the Employer.

Carol you do have some wonderful staff who will stay and help build Fremantle’s reputation if you treat them well, respect them and don’t force them into working so many hours that they cannot be good carers. Make them feel valued, not second rate employees.

I wish you and Fremantle Trust success, and I wish all my ex colleagues a good and loyal Employer.
Carmel Reynolds.

Fremantle Care Workers - update April 2008

We have deliberately not been updating our branch on this issue pending talks with Fremantle and Catalyst Housing.

On Monday 14 April we met with representatives from both organisations. Whilst there are clear differences as to what both parties would like to resolve this long running campaign (it is now 380 days since the Terms and Conditions were taken away) it was useful having all parties sitting round the table.

We have subsequently written to Fremantle asking for clarification on a number of points before we begin our consultation of our members.

More news later..................

Barnet Homes 'On yer bike!'

Our Assistant Branch Secretary Anne Denison has been doing a tremendous job over the last 12 months, now she is facing the challenge of running a campaign to defend members terms and conditions.

The ALMO are looking to take away essential car users allowance. These staff are required to have a car and need it to provide services to some of the most vulnerable residents in our community. We are carrying out a consultative ballot, Anne has organised a number of meetings to meet with members. In the interim Anne has written to the Employer asking them to drop the proposal. Details of her negotiations and the ballot will be posted at a later date.

What this clearly indicates is the dangers of services moving away from Council control.

Promises that staff will be protected by tupe means nothing. It is important that to protect your terms and conditions you need high union density. It is important that when the ‘conversation begins on the future shape of the council that ALL staff make sure they take part. UNISON will be providing advice as the consultation unfolds.

London Citizens Mayoral candidates meeting

Awesome, incredible, inspirational………..I am still buzzing after the meeting over over 2,500 people packed into Westminster Central Hall. Barnet UNISON members agreed that the branch affiliate to this organisation.

The potential for organising across communities is fantastic already they have taken on the City Financial Institutions, Tate Modern, Olympics Committee, Ken Livingstone, White City devleopers..............

The cultural diversity was incredible, old and young all feeling part of something that is making a difference to people's lives. At a time when it seems that 'apathy' is threatening our democracy, it was fantastic to see so many people who felt they could and will make a difference.

But now the challenge is out these for UNISON members and their friends and families.

Do you belong to a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, community group, School, University?

If you do then speak to the leaders of your group/community, come along to the next North London Citizens meeting in June ( deatils to be posted later)

Barnet UNISON are now members of a steering group looking at setting up a north London Citizens. For more details of the meeting go to http://www.londoncitizens.org.uk/

Now is the time to get involved and make a difference to our communities

Trades Union Council - Launch on 22 April 2008

This is a good opportunity for members to come along and listen to other Trade unions talk about joint action in support for pay claims. NUT/PCS & UCU

College Union UCU
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3215
Teaching Union NUT
http://www.teachers.org.uk/resources/pdf/GSStrikeMembers5457.pdf
Public Sector Union (PCS)
http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=918919

All three Trade Unions will be taking Industrial Action on 24 April 2008.

Hear what can be acheived when Trade Unions work together

Make sure you come along

Keep the BNP out of Barnet and London

The BNP are putting a candidate up in Hale Ward for a local Council election. This is the first time for a long time. The boroughs demographics are changing along with other London boroughs. This is something which we want to celebate and enjoy. London is a fantastic city. We do not need to see the 'Politics of Hate in Barnet or London.'

It is important that we organise to keep the BNP out of Barnet and also out of the GLA elections.
http://www.unison.org.uk/stoptheBNP/

There is going to be a leafleting campaign on 26 April 2008, more details will be posted later. Come along to the Barnet Trades Council on Tuesday 22 April 2008, 7 pm Hendon Town Hall to hear a Speaker from Hope not Hate campaign.

Service Group Elections (SGE)

It is important that ALL member stake part in the democratic process of elections. In this case the SGE elections. Your ballot papers should start dropping through your doors now. Mosr members do not know who the candidates are, which explains why the ‘turnout is often low. Our branch believes it is important that elected UNISON representatives should be accountable. Taking seats on these UNISON national bodies is not an excuse for getting away from work. They are important issues at stake such as Pay, Privatisation to name a few. This is why our branch has decided to make sure if we need any support for these representatives we keep a record of whether they have responded to any branch requests for support.

Our branch executive agreed to nominate

Dave Eggmore and Sonya Howard.

Make sure you use you vote

Barnet UNISON Consultative Pay Ballot

We have had an offer of 2.45%.

Our National Negotiators have asked all branches to carry out a consultative ballot and report back by 7 May 2008.

We are sending ballot papers to all members home addresses. If you have not received your ballot paper by Tuesday 23 April please contact the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088/2083 or email

contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Please note this is a Consultative ballot not an industrial action ballot. Our negotiators need to know what you think of the offer and what you are prepared to do if you want an improvement.

Does this worry you????

UNISON’s National Pay Campaign ‘Pay Matters’ is highlighting the increasing gap between the ‘REAL’ cost of living for public sector workers. UNISON reps. at the AGM said that it was crucial that UNISON delivered on Pay. It is clear that soon we are going to be balloted on an offer which is unlikely to be above 2.5%.
The question is how will UNISON members vote?

Keep up to date at UNISON’s website at:
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=4113

NATIONAL UNISON ELECTIONS - USE YOUR VOTE

All Barnet UNISON members will be balloted in April and early May to elect London's representatives on the Service Group Executive (SGE) for Local Government. The SGE is the national body which oversees all UNISON issues affecting members employed in local government, including national negotiations on the pay claim and service conditions agreements. The Service Group covers members employed by Local Authorities and Further Education Colleges, Voluntary Organisations and private contractors which provide local services.

Elections of leading national bodies like the SGE are the keystone in UNISON's lay members democracy and it is vital that as many members participate as possible. Ballot papers will be sent to members home addresses from 7 April onwards and the closing date for their return will be Friday 16 May. If you have changed home address recently and have not notified your trade union you should do this now to ensure you keep your right to vote. Please contact the Branch Office on 0208 359 2088 or by email to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

During the running of the ballot there will be a national helpline for members who do not receive ballot papers. The Branch will be publicising this number in early April. The ballot papers will include full information on the candidates and how to vote.
Barnet Branch is nominating the following candidates:

General Seat David Eggmore/Camden Branch

Women’s Seat Sonya Howard/ Kensington & Chelsea Branch

Look out for your ballot paper in the post from 7 April onwards.
HAVE YOUR SAY - VOTE BY 16 MAY

One Year on AVMEG AGM

Since our launch in May 2007, AVMEG has achieved significant growth, from workshops, surgeries, training & development, policy involvement and growing in membership of staff across the council.

It is that time of year to celebrate with us at our forth-coming AGM.
We will have top-notch speakers, comedian and cultural culinary dishes to whet your appetite right on your doorstep. Our invitation stretches right across the council and we will have the presence of the Mayor and Leader.

At our AGM we will be looking for new Committee Panel Members to join us, as last year some of our panel members have left the council to pastures new.

The date for your diaries will be Thursday 24 April 2008 at 11:00am to 2:00pm in the Conference Room 1, Building 2, North London Business Park.

Our culinary dishes for the day will comprise of West Indian, African and Asian food, which will be on sale at just £3.00

For more information and ticket sales, please contact Mike on ext 2199, Archa on ext 7201 and Manjula on ext 7945 – or you can contact us by email [avmeg@barnet.gov.uk ]

Barnet UNISON AGM 6 March 2008

A brief summary of our AGM and some of our speakers

Spot the Difference?
Cup 1

&

Cup 2

Check out the answer at the end of this post!

1. Schools

UNISON’s National Secretary Education and Children's Workforce Christina McAnea reported on the national negotiations for school staff. The aim is to have a national framework of pay and conditions which will apply across all types of schools, i.e. Community, Foundation and VA, only Academies would be outside this. UNISON has said this will need to have statutory underpinning so that it is enforceable in schools and the government are preparing draft legislation on this. Once a new framework has been produced and there are details of the proposals UNISON will ballot members in schools. If it is agreed school staff would transfer from the NJC conditions to the new schools conditions. She confirmed that they wanted the new framework to be able to deliver fair pay for school staff that rewards them for the jobs they actually do and that they would be able to reach an agreement on dealing with term time pay.

2. London Citizens are coming to North London.......

At our AGM last week we watched a DVD made by London Citizens which explained how they were engaging candidates for London Mayor this year; culminating in a meeting with the candidates on 9 April. After hearing from guest speaker Catherine Howard, our AGM unanimously agreed to affiliate with London Citizens. You can find out more about London Citizens at http://www.londoncitizens.org.uk/

If you would like to attend:
CITIZENS MAYORAL ACCOUNTABILITY ASSEMBLY FOR KEY CANDIDATES
Wednesday 9th April
19.00 to 21.15
THE GREAT HALL,
WESTMINSTER METHODIST CENTRAL HALL,
Storey’s Gate
Westminster SW1H 9NH
please ring the UNISON office on 0208 359 2083/2088 to book you place

3. Barnet Trades Union Council is launched!

At the AGM on 22nd April at Hendon Town Hall 7 pm the new Barnet Trades Union Council will be launched. The theme for the AGM is “defending public services in Barnet.”

'We see this as an opportunity for trade unionists living and working in Barnet to be able to take part in what is happening to their local public services; be it London Underground/Buses/Hospitals/Social Services/Schools/Colleges/Universities/Post Offices/Job & Benefit Centres. We hope that working together we can help contribute and highlight local concerns in our community.’

Invitations have gone out to leaders of the local political parties and Trade Unions/MPs along with a number of guest speakers. At the end of the meeting there will be elections for posts in Barnet Trades Union Council.
For more information contact the Barnet UNISON office on 0208 359 2088/2083

4. A Big Thank you

Irene Hennessey former UNISON Social Secretary receiving congratulations from Christina on her work for UNISON members & the branch. Irene has agreed to take an active role in our Retired members branch.

5. Barnet UNISON—Activist of the Year Award

Carmel Reynolds (Fremantle Convenor) and her team of UNISON reps received the Activist of the Year Award for their unrelenting dedication and hard work in running the Fremantle Care Workers dispute. The Dispute is ongoing, talks are planned later next month with Fremantle

The Fremantle dispute threw down a challenge to UNISON and its members - support those who earn the least and are affected the most when it came to the cuts in wages. All the stewards rose to that challenge and have given so much of their own time and effort in trying to get back what was stolen. Their efforts have increased as the weeks have gone by and their resolve remains as strong as ever. For that reason I salute them and the branch rightly honours them with the annual award.” Eddy Coulson Regional Officer

6. Austin Harney PCS rep speaking at the AGM

“The government imposed a 2% pay cut with many civil servants on salaries less than £20,000 p.a. With increased workloads and less staff, thousands of jobs are being cut every year. Staff morale and service delivery to the public is seriously compromised.
Only solidarity with all Trade Unions can make the difference."

7. Keith Nason - Branch Secretary National Union of Teachers (NUT)

Explained to AGM why his Union is balloting their members and that they maybe taking the first day of action on 24 April 2008. He went on to explain that it was important that all the National Unions speak together about delivering joint action if we are to tackle the 2% wage cuts being imposed by Gordon Brown.

8. March 2008 Local Government Chronicle headline -

“Two thirds ready to make job cuts!”

I can believe that this journal is not on many of our members reading list…but this article signals the start of what could be one of the most fundamental changes in Local government in a long time.
“A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows 68% plan to reduce their staff head count as one of the main ways of shaving 3% off their budgets in each of the next three years”

A particularly shocking story in the Chronicle concerns the London Borough of Hounslow

‘….goal of taking £50-62 m out of Councils budget - which will effectively be reduced by 18%. In the process the council planning to shed up to 4,000 of its staff”

What does it all mean and what is driving it?
Well firstly it means that the way the Council looks and delivers services could change dramatically. The obvious choice is privatisation, but this model whilst promising a short term and a quick fix, history has shown us it often doesn’t deliver. Not only in terms of quality but value for money. It also leave Councils vulnerable in that they lose expertise and as such are at the mercy of the market. In other words the Council are stuffed and in a poor position in terms of negotiating future contracts.

This challenge is something which cannot be ignored. Barnet UNISON will endeavour to keep members aware of any developments….
WATCH THIS SPACE!

John Burgess - Branch Secretary

9. Spot the Difference Answer
Coffee cup 1 is sold at the Council run Atrium, all the money goes back into the Council.

Coffee cup 2 is sold by a private company all profits go to……

Support your In House Services - Visit the Atrium