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.

Want to support the Fremantle Care Workers?

Let's start calling our MPs to account............we live in a democracy let's start using it

Check the list of MPs who have signed the early day motion in support of the Fremantle Care Workers

If your local MP is not on the list then contact them and ask them why

MPs who have signed

McDonnell, John
Meale, Alan
Dismore, Andrew
Jones, Lynne
Cryer, Ann
Caton, Martin
Corbyn, Jeremy
Durkan, Mark
Spink, Bob
Hopkins, Kelvin
Campbell, Ronnie
Efford, Clive
Vis, Rudi
Anderson, David
Hendrick, Mark
Marris, Rob
Jenkins, Brian
Gibson, Ian
Clark, Katy
Sheridan, Jim
Hancock, Mike
Salter, Martin
Heyes, David
Keen, Alan
Meacher, Michael
Burgon, Colin
Cunningham, Jim
Etherington, Bill
Wood, Mike
Wright, Anthony D
Moon, Madeleine
Waltho, Lynda
Davies, Dai
Singh, Marsha
Love, Andrew
Cohen, Harry
Dean, Janet
Drew, David
Strang, Gavin
Grogan, John
Walley, Joan
Price, Adam
Williams, Betty
Marshall, David
Stewart, Ian
Turner, Desmond
Simpson, Alan
Wareing, Robert N
Austin, John

Thanks on behalf of the Fremantle Care Workers

How you can help Fremantle Care Workers

Please take 60 seconds of your time to complete this online Petition

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

Thank you on behalf of the Fremantle Care Workers

Dear Fremantle & CATALYST Housing .....................

Dear Carole

A BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW

Thank you for your recent email. I am responding to that and to your letter to UNISON members who will be intending to strike on the 5th July. I will be making this email available to them and on the Barnet BLOG site.

Your email to Carmel and me states that the environments are the homes of service users- and must be respected as such. We take the gravest exception to that and consider it offensive as it infers that neither Carmel nor I intend showing respect to your residents and their homes. Similarly you intimate that by talking to our members there will be a break in service to residents. I am not certain what evidence you are basing this assumption on but it appears to me to be an attempt to impugn your staff and UNISON when you have no right to. You then tell us to meet your staff at alternate venues and outside of working hours. I propose meeting your staff outside of your buildings and in their own time! You have asked Carmel to ensure that there is no disruption to service users and that she should convey that to you in writing. Again I consider this offensive as it implies that that would be our intention but for your timely email. Nothing could be further from the truth and you will not be given the courtesy of such a written response beyond this.

To add a degree of insult you ask that we put in writing to you full details of consultation with managers and locations of meetings to ensure residents’ homes are not impacted in any way. Since you do not expect to agree such requests do not expect to receive such requests until your attitude has changed. You ask that we remove any details until alternative venues have been established. I’m afraid the answer to that is no.

Turning to the letter to staff you state that UNISON called off the strike and advised our members to accept the changes to terms and conditions under protest. That is simply not true. You also state that most members of staff were relieved to hear this. That is simply not true. You state that most people understood that making jobs and care services viable meant accepting changes. That is simply not true. You were delighted that staff did accept the changes. Alright, that is true. However you are deluding your self if you think it was for the reason stated. I can advise that it was to maintain employment albeit on reduced terms that staff accepted. Remember, you threatened to sack staff who didn’t accept? Again, I fear, you are deluding yourself if you think that members who voted to strike did so solely to express anger and disgruntlement or that such a vote is not really a vote for strike or that this is just an impulse. Your biggest delusion is that this is somehow a reminder to Fremantle that the cuts to terms and conditions were something of a bitter pill to swallow.

There remains a dispute and virtually all staff accept that. I have made two overtures to try and resolve the dispute. In both cases I have been advised that there is nothing further that either Catalyst, as the architects of the dispute or Fremantle, as the executors of the cuts are prepared to do to improve the terms and conditions of staff to anywhere near that which they once were.

You have told staff who are contemplating going on strike that they will not be paid for the time they are on strike; the unions will make up the wages lost rather than see staff forfeit any more money. You have told staff they will lose a proportion of their accrued holiday pay. I calculate this to be a potential loss of 3 minutes as compared to the 11days you took from staff. You have said that staff who report sick just before or on a day of strike will only be paid and authorized where it is supported by a doctor’s certificate. My understanding of the cut terms and conditions is such that you have already taken the sick pay from them they won’t get anything anyway. Are you now suggesting an improvement? I don’t think staff should be required to produce a certificate unless you will pay for it. Can you confirm that you will?

I trust that by advising staff that it’s okay if they don’t want to strike they can tell their manager will be the extent to which you will try and convince members of both unions not to strike. I hope that there will not be repeat of the type of aggression used in the past to staff regarding this dispute. Perhaps you would care to confirm that in writing to me.

Yours sincerely Eddy Coulson UNISON REGIONAL ORGANISER

Postal workers fight back...................

I am greatful that unlike my ancestors in the 19th century http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/
I have not had to make the sort of sacrifices they made to enjoy things we now take for granted e.g. annual leave, national pay scales, health and safety, sick leave ........

On the few occasions I have had to take strike action there are one group of workers who by an act of solidarity have raised the morale on picket lines.........those are our Postal workers who refuse to cross our picket lines!

Tomorrow they are taking strike action for more details go to
http://www.cwu.org/news.asp?step=3&NID=1733

Unless there is a change in policy in relation to Pay............local government, health workers could be joining them on picket lines in the autumn along with teacher unions and civil servants.

So if you pass a Postal workers picket don't walk by........stop and offer support

Incredible as it sounds but it is true. Fremantle Chief Executive has already started with the strong arm tactics claiming these meetings would have a impact on the delivery of care in the settings?

How about cutting terms and conditions of care workers in residential and day care settings? I think everyone would believe this sort of act is more likely to compromise delivery of care!

Once again Fremantle you misjudge the mood of your work force by your decison to prevent these meetings taking place. You demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of their professionalism. Your staff don't just see this as an issue over terms and conditions. From the outset they have raised the very serious issue that bringing down terms and conditions will impact on care standards. To suggest that staff would abandon the care of the residents and service users to attend a Trade Union is insulting.

You inherited experienced, well trained caring staff team who chose to work with this client group not for money but because they wanted to put something back into their community. They were never going to be well paid, but your decision to take the bread from their mouths and the mouths of their families is fundamentally unacceptable.

BOTH Trade Unions both locally, regionally and nationally are not going to walk away from this campaign.

There is growing support for our campaign from across all the major public sector Trade Unions.

You still have a choice (our members have had no choice) ......start talking to our lead negotiators

This campaign is only just begining...................

Barnet UNISON Fremantle Care workers Strike bulletin

National Pay.....4 millions public sector workers

Barnet UNISON meets BUCKS UNISON - Fremantle

After Dave Prentis introduced the Fremantle care workers to National delegate conference, BUCKS UNISON came to speak with us.

BUCKS is where Fremantle originated. A management buy out more than 15 years ago

30 plus homes for older people/learning difficulties were taken over by Fremantle.

Unfortunatley for our members in Barnet Fremantle wanted to expand and saw an opportunity in Barnet.

Any way we had a good chat with BUCKs UNISON and compared notes!.........we will be working a lot closer with the branch over the next 12 months................

Fremantle Strike ballot result

95 % of our members have voted to take strike action in response to the horrendous cuts in pay.....with a 4 year pay freeze on top!

Fremantle care workers were guests at last weeks National delegate conference

General Secretary Dave Prentis pledged the full support of UNISON's resources to their campaign.

Fremantle care workers received a standing ovation from the conference platform and all the delegates.

Fremantle's attacks on our members has been given national exposure.

Delegate after delegate queued up to give personal messages of support to our members and pledging financial support to them if they have to take strike action.

We are producing our own Support Fremantle care workers DVD.

In the interim you can see the broad cross section of support for the campaign at the following links

Carmels story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvTwwg_sVA

Fremantle care workers story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ1VM55JKI4

National UNISON delegates 1
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=F6dycwJzlo0

National UNISON delegates 2
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ARj9_ksIPsc

Keep checking this BLOG as details of the first day of strike action will be out soon

Barnet UNISON speaking at the TUC’s first birthday unionlearn celebration

It was a great honour for our branch to be asked to speak at the TUC’s unionlearn celebration at TUC headquarters in Congress House.

Brendan Barber the TUC General Secretary & Alan Johnson (one of the 6 MPs standing for the Leadership of the Labour party) were the high profile speakers.

However the thing I value most at these events is meeting other activists, listening to their stories, I always learn something which we can use in our branch.

For Carmen it has become familiar experience speaking at UNISON conference, Award ceremonies etc but for Susan it was her first experience. Although she said she was nervous beforehand, she gave a very good account of the work we have done and want to continue to do for staff working in Barnet. Skills for Life is now the cornerstone of our branch’s business and we are reaping benefits of increasing membership and most importantly seeing tangible differences to people’s lives.

Its great stuff if you haven’t tried it yet then don’t delay contact Carmen or Susan on 0208 359 2088

Finally, I want to thank you to two people who have supported our branch from the begining of this journey. Les Perkins and Richard Soer, they have been supportive and enthusiatic about Learning and the opportunities it brings to staff and UNISON. Sorry about the picture Richard I am sure you weren't taking 40 winks!

Fremantle care workers campaign continues

Fremantle care workers ballot for industrial action began on Friday 8 June 2007. They had previously been balloted in March 2007 but the strike was postponed due to Fremantle issuing a legal action literally days before the start of the action. It really is time this Labour government repealed the anti-trade union legislation!

Anyway back to Fremantle. Because of the postponement care workers have had their pay cut in some cases up to 25%. It is bad enough having to deal with increases in food, fuel bills, rent, petrol, council tax, rent, mortgages without having to absorb such cuts in pay.

The other evening a friend of mine was talking to me about residential and nursing care. He was having to find somewhere for both his parents. He has not had any dealings with social care before and was horrified by the standards of care on offer. 98% of social care is now provided by the private and voluntary sector. Taking it out of public control and democratic accountability was supposed to deliver improvements and costs!

Poppycock!.....to put it mildly. If you asked social workers whether they would place a relative in a residential/nursing home over 90% of them would say no. Care standards were supposed to be more vigorous. This was the ‘sop’ to those of us who opposed sell off of social care. But the inspections are ‘toothless’ and have very little power.

In terms of training for staff. The market has led to an exploitation of migrant workers in social care. Everyone knows private agencies have banks of staff who will be working under assumed names for other agencies. Looking at the poverty wages they pay it is not surprising that these staff work incredible long hours. BUT is it good for service users and carers?

NO!

So, back to Fremantle. We are running this campaign because it is time to make a stand. It is imperative that we reverse the decision made on 1 April 2007. Fremantle care workers have been pushed into poverty all because of poor financial management. That’s right. We never invited Fremantle to Barnet they came of their own free will. Probably the prospect of getting their hands on 11 properties in prime locations in leafy Barnet helped matters.

So they got the maths wrong…..so why steal the money out of the mouths of their loyal well trained care staff? Claiming they need more money is nothing new to Fremantle they were at it in Milton Keynes in 2003. So as in Milton Keynes why not hand the contract back Fremantle?

Our branch fully intends to support this campaign, we have the support of both London UNISON region and the General Secretary Dave Prentis. We will be calling on our UNISON colleagues in ALL the service groups. Furthermore we will take our case back to Parliament. Our Fremantle Stewards committee will be send out letters to all Labour leadership candidates on Tuesday 12 June 2007.

Our ballot closes 2. Friday 22nd June with the first day of action possibly starting Thursday 5th July

Finally little things make a difference. If you are able to access email please send messages of support to the Fremantle care workers to
Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON

School staff pay!

NATIONAL PAY AND GRADING FOR SCHOOLS STAFF GETS MINISTERIAL LIFT OFF at last……………. !
http://www.unison.org.uk/education/pages_view.asp?did=5260

In 2004 as branch secretary I made a decision approved by the branch executive to go out to Barnet schools. We made two successful regional pool
bids to help support our recruitment campaign in schools. We have 120 Schools in Barnet and it took nearly 2 years before I was able to visit almost all of them.

I hadn’t been in a school in almost 20 years before I started this campaign. Whilst I did see some evidence of good practice in schools, it was patently clear our members are not being paid for the work they are doing. Their roles are rapidly evolving, hence the demand for better training and financial remuneration. But we still have to fight for every single penny!

Whilst my memories of negotiating with my Head when I was at school are still vivid in my mind, it was quite clear who has the power in the schools. The last 3 years negotiating and representing in schools has opened my eyes as to how much work is needed in schools.

It really does help our teaching union colleagues to have nationally agreed terms and conditions. Our members don’t understand why they don’t have them and it is exasperating that in the current climate of Trust/Academies we are having to fight on a school by school basis to improve the terms and conditions for our members.

So, I welcome the news that there appears to be a shift in government policy. Discussions about a National Pay & Grading structures appears to moving a step closer. However there is still a lot of hard work to do BUT it is start…..

If you working a Barnet School and want a visit from our Lead Schools UNISON officers, please ring the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 or email s.dunning@barnetunison.org.uk or tracey.lowe@barnetunison.org.uk

Adult Social Services - Big changes ahead

Major changes for staff, service users and carers are on their way in Barnet.

The Councils proposed changes are a direct response to the Government While paper ‘Our health, Our care, Our say’ for details on UNISONs response to individualised care budgets and service user’s choice go to http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A4039.1.doc

I would strongly recommend that any UNISON members working in social services read this report. Promoting greater choice is something we must always support but this is not unconditional. The above report quite rightly raises significant issues which need to be addressed if this new direction is going to serve the interests of service users.

In terms of members terms and conditions this paper presents further challenges (as if we don’t have enough already?). We need to know what the challenges are in order to respond swiftly and effectively. It is essential that we have workplace stewards across all of social services in order we can communicate effectively as & when the consultation over the new service begins. If you do not have a steward in your workplace, please contact the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 and our social services convenor will arrange to visit your team.

The branch secretary & social services convenor will be leading the negotiations on behalf of social services staff. We will be seeking permission for members to attend workplace meetings to discuss the proposals. If you have any questions please direct them to maggi.myland@barnetunison.org.uk

Please note the recent success of Social Workers in Surrey http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/news_view.asp?did=3289

It just shows what you can do when everyone stands together

Barnet UNISON supporting launch of All Visible Minority Ethnic Group (AVMEG)

Thursday 31 May so the Launch Of Barnet Council's NEW All Visible Minority Ethnic Group (AVMEG) in Partnership with Barnet UNISON.

The event was held at the Emerald Suite, North London Business Park on Thursday 31 May 2007.

The Group is open to all minority ethnic council staff, including staff that are not members of the union.

The Executive Director of Resources, Nick Walkley, spoke positively about the Councils willingness to engage with the group and gave his committment to make sure the group is fully supported and resourced (or else Mary will be chasing him! Editors joke).

Mary Pierre Harvey provided an inspiring and informative speech on her work in Richmond and her work with UNISON. Mary has offered to meet Nick in 6 months time to see what progess has been made!

David Netia followed with an engaging, challenging speech on the power of indivivuals but more importantly the power of groups working/coordinating together.

It was a packed out meeting, clearly demonstrating an eagerness to see what the group can achieve. Questions from the floor clearly reflected the need fo rwork to be done. It is to be hoped that the group will avoid the pitfalls of other such groups and become more than a talking shop. Members of staff clearly want to see tangible change within Barnet Council.

AVMEG will encourage and support the development and career progression of staff within the council. Helping to ensure that the views and perspectives of all minority ethnics groups are reflected in policies, procedures and service delivery. It will build closer links with other minority ethnic staff networks in Barnet and organise social events.

The Launch marks 18 months of discussions with the Executive Director & Barnet UNISON to establish this group. Partnership working is an overused phrase in local government but in this case there has been a sharing in resources. Our branch is committed to seeing an end of discrimination in the workplace and if this group contributes to this goal then our resources and efforts will be more than well spent.

Discussions are taking place next week with regards future resourcing of the group and I hope to hear Mike Omezi report back on the outcome.

For more information please contact Mike Omezi on 020 8359 2199 or email: mike.omezi@barnetunison.org.uk

Housing, Housing, Housing

Ground breaking news……Gordon Brown is finally seeing what we have been saying for years see article http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/article/?id=1449102
This article marks a significant shift in the Labour Party despite the fact that the 4th option has been repeatedly passed at Labour Party Conference over the last few years. We have heard that all the contenders for the deputy leader of Labour Party elections support the 4th option. BUT it important we move from support to action.

In London more than anywhere else the need for Council housing can not be greater. The Housing Association experiment has simply not worked. Decent Housing is the cornerstone of any democratic country’s policy. Decent Housing fosters healthy communities, this isn’t rocket science. Running down Council housing by denying money to refurbish or simply add to the stock has been a disaster for our inner city communities. Blackmailing Councils by denying them funds unless they sell them off has to be the most destructive polices in the last 50 years!

BUT we still have a chance to turn our inner cities into to healthy communities and we must take it now before it is too late. Councils must be allowed to build Council Housing. Property prices continue to spiral out of reach for many in our communities. Low income families, young people, key workers must have access to Decent Housing.

Finally let’s finally dump the term ‘affordable housing’. Affordable to who? This piece of Government spin has had it’s day, let’s support our communities and see a new era of decent Council housing stock. It is after all what our communities deserve.

What can you do?
Sign the e-petition at Downing Street http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/fourth-option/and encourage others to sign too to: "provide the 'Fourth Option' of direct investment in council housing… bring all homes up to at least the government's Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and also build a new generation of decent, affordable and secure council homes for rent".

National Pay - where are we?

Pay Award
Thanks to everyone who sent in their views on the Pay talks. I understand that there is a meeting with the negotiators week commencing 11 June 2007. http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3301

Clearly this is a crucial time for Local Government workers as 2% is a pay cut.

Is it just me? or is everything is going up? from your weekly shop, fuel bills, council tax, rent, mortgage payments!

Year on year pay cuts places local government workers under incredible pressure. This in a country which professes to be the 4th or 5th largest economy?

What is being done to build a campaign across all the public sector trade unions?

Well, it appears quite a lot.

Our colleagues working in Health voted in favour of taking strike action at their UNISON Health conference 4/5 weeks ago. See link http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3300

Even the Royal College of Nursing hardly known for their militancy are gearing up for industrial action if Brown insists on implementing the Pay cut!
http://www2.rcn.org.uk/campaigns/pay_2007

Communication Workers Union the Postal Workers union
have voted unanimously for strike action
http://www.cwu.org/news.asp?step=3&NID=1724

Public & Commercial Services union (PCS) are campaigning hard and have already started strike action over pay & are calling for action across all the public sector trade unions
http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=911983

NUT Campaign – The teachers union are building up the pressure on their campaign on pay http://www.teachers.org.uk/SalaryCampaign/salarycamp.php

TUC
In March when Gordon Brown published his comprehensive spending review, Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary had this to say http://www.tuc.org.uk/publicsector/tuc-13015-f0.cfm

What does this all mean?
Clearly all the Public Sector unions are keen to take up the fight to protect those members from this pay cut orchestrated by Gordon Brown. However there is still time for negotiations and it is likely any talks of officially balloting members is unlikely to be earlier than September 2007.

With the news that UNISON are supporting Brown’s leadership one can hope that this is a signal that UNISON have some inside information that he can deliver for UNISON members.

It is with this in mind that I think all public sector employees seek answers from th eLabour party. What better opportunity than to challenge those standing for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party. UNISON members may want to particularly direct responses to Alan Johnson as he is being supported by UNISON so send questions to
www.labour.org.uk/leadership/candidates by and clicking on one of the candidates pages

I believe it is important to keep sending messages from our members to our negotiators so Your comments on Pay which we publish and pass on to UNISON to publish.

Lastly keep up to date on National Pay talks by going to the UNISON web site
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3301

National Pay talks..........

National Pay talks.............Hollywood ending?

Well...............talk about short notice...............we sent out this to as many members as possible and hope to be able to respond to the call from our negotiators for feedback.....

If you haven't responded then send an email to john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk before Friday afternoon.

Fremantle Care Workers campaign rolls on!

" A whole lotta learning !"

Barnet UNISON promoting Adult Learning in partnership with ALMO

Barnet Homes (ALMO) after long negotiations have recognised the benefits of working in partnership with Barnet UNISON. This promotional event is the first of many such events for their staff.

Barnet UNISON promoting Adult Learner week commencing 21 May 2007

Lot's of hard work has been put in particularly by our UNISON Life Long Learning Coordinators Carmen Bruno and Susan Timthong to help promote, support skills for life courses for staff.

This event is geared for staff working down the depot.

Join Barnet UNISON's challenge Y campaign !

Pay talks

We are waiting to hear back on negotiations. Interest rates went up again last week which places more pressure on those of us coping with our pay falling further and further behind inflation.

Council Tax, Mortgage/rent payments, cost of living all rising yet we are being a 3% pay cut!

Check in on the UNISON link to keep up to date http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/paycampaign.asp

If there is a Leadership contest for Leader of the Labour Party it is important that UNISON press both candidates on their position on pay and the future of Public Services.

Barnet College redundancies

Wednesday 16 May sees the Regional Officer Eddy Coulson leading the Barnet College UNISON team.

The redundancies are a direct result of the ESOL funding shortfall see link
http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=11810


What is the Government thinking?

We have seen fantastic work being carried out by FE colleges across London to address ESOL needs. Lord Leitch published a report at the end of 2006 on the very real serious economic risks if employers do not address skills for life needs. Yet at the same time the Governement announced plans to withdraw ESOL funding?????

Whilst it is good to see Ken Livingstone championing the issue, but it is only a stop gap measure.

Those UNISON/UCU members facing redundancies as a direct result of this issue would very much like to know where the future Leader of the Labour Party stands on this issue.
So the announcement on the UNISON website is welcome news for UNISON members that our union is going to press contenders for their responses on issues facing our members on a daily basis see http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=969

National Day of Celebration

Something to SHOUT ABOUT!

It is good to see our General Secretary is speaking at this event.

http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=3217

As a branch that is just starting to develop closer links with community groups and working with migrant workers this is a opportunity for UNISON branches to reach out to their local communities.

Hope to see lot's of UNISON members next Monday

National Pay Award

Save this link on your PC to keep up to date with the Pay Award negotiations

http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/pages_view.asp?did=5138

Why Join UNISON ?

Moving the Pay Date talks continue.........................

Friday 13th April D DAY for Barnet staff

Dear Colleagues

Our office has literally been bombarded with calls from members who have received letters giving notice of the Council’s intention to change the terms and conditions of your contract.

It is our view that the Council have not given sufficient notice to staff as they are required by Statute. We will most likely be advising and supporting all members to take out employment tribunal claims against the Council.

I must express my personal dismay that the Council has chosen to send out the letter on the very day before the meeting with the Joint Secretaries of the London Provincial Council to try and resolve the dispute. This is happening tomorrow and they do this today. What arrogance? What utter disrespect for the disputes resolution process?

This meeting has been mentioned by the Chief Executive in the First Team and the date was agreed with senior officers of the Council.

It was the Joint Trade Unions view that it was in the interests of our members to try and find a negotiated settlement to the proposal. A strike ballot could have commenced weeks ago but we hoped that a meeting with the Provincial Secretaries could lead to a proposal that we could put to our members. There seems little or no prospect of this happening now. It needs a miracle because for any agreement to be reached BOTH sides need to commit to make concessions.

It seems clear now that the Council NEVER had any intention to make any concessions which quite frankly shows contempt for the staff and their trade union representatives.

It is clear from the responses to the grievances that this proposal is going to show considerable hardship to large numbers of staff and particularly the low paid. The offers of loans are not adequate and neither are the repayment options. The offers of help and support changing direct debits are no where near the level that will be required and we suspect any requests for assistance will be dealt with by too few staff who will never have done this sort of thing before. They’ll also be affected so PLEASE bear that in mind when talking to them.

As for the savings, we say £120,000 may be a lot of money but the Council has £19.5 million owed to it and we would rather they spent time chasing these debts than using OUR money to invest.

Perhaps they thought staff were an easy target and that you would all roll over and accept it. We think they’d better think again. Already we have heard some companies may charge for changing the direct debits and the whole process may take far longer than the unlawful notice they have given. Something we would have put to them in our consultation meeting with the Provincial Council.

Most of us are all too familiar with Bank charges and how difficult it is to get the money back.

Through consultation with our members we have had a number of proposals that we were prepared to talk to them about BUT that opportunity has been seemingly taken AWAY.

Like they are doing with YOUR money!

What’s the big deal?
There have been a few and I say only a handful of comments that this is all a waste of time for the Trade Unions to be involved in.

Maybe for some members of staff this is not an inconvenience but this maybe a surprise to some staff but Barnet staff are not on big salaries unless you are a senior manager (I believe that Barnet is in the top bracket for this group of staff)

Most staff are just about coping with having to live and work in London with increases in Council Tax, road tax, utility bills, interest rates, rent increases.
So it does matter and it matters that the Council has now wasted more money on this proposal when it would have been better spent chasing debts.
As Branch Secretary I have the opportunity to see what is happening across the whole council and there are areas where the Council should be focusing on saving money, not looking to make a ‘fast buck’ off the backs of their staff.

I will be asking for the UNISON London region to begin the strike ballot which I would ask all of you to support.

If you haven’t filled in a grievance form, it is not too late.

Ring the branch and send them by fax to 0208 368 5985

What now?

I am in discussions with the GMB and the two unions Regional Officers. We will be going to the meeting tomorrow with the Joint Secretaries of the Provincial Council and we will let all our members know by Monday 16 April what the latest position is.


John Burgess
Branch Secretary

Regional Officer Eddy Coulson has commented too. He thinks the savings are miniscule compared to what the Council needs and is owed. It is creating undue tensions in so many households and will inevitably create problems for staff who have neither the time, ability nor inclination to deal with them. This is not the fault of staff it is how some are and how they cope with life. It is aggravation we and they could all do without. He is also sceptical about the amount that this is all supposed to save for the Council. According to his calculations the sums involved are less than £100,000 and the saving is a single saving not a recurring annual saving. This much aggravation and this much grief for so little it beggars belief.