branch newsletter summer 2012

7/31/2019 Branch Newsletter Summer 2012

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reduce some and abolish others of our national

terms and conditions which form part 3 of the

Single Status Agreement.

A move that w ould see many of our me m-

bers receiving increases throu gh job

evaluation only to see them taken back

through cuts in part 3 term s and conditions,

w hile other m em bers could lose in a double

w ham my under both job evaluation and

reduced part 3 term s and conditions!

Earlier in the year UNISON commissioned inter-

nationally renowned equal pay expert, Sue Hast-

ings, to consider the methods and outcomes of

the evaluation scheme. Wton City Council has

now also agreed to use Sue Hastings (with UNI-

SONs regional agreement) and at the time of

writing Ms Hastings is still waiting for all the final

paperwork that she has requested including

equality impact assessments and Wton CityCouncils preferred pay model which was due to

go to Cabinet on 25 July 2012, however this re-

port, like the report of 26 June 2012 on the sin-

gle status pay model were exempt reports and

not shared with UNISON.

During the consultation meetings Wton City

Council have stated their desire for a negotiated

settlement, a position also shared by UNISON,

however if a negotiated settlement is not achiev-

able Wton City Council has stated their intention

to dismiss and reinstate us all giving us 6 monthsnotice from 1 October 2012.

(Continued next page)

Summer

2012

WolverhamptonBranch

UNISON Branch Officers accompa-

nied by our Regional Head of EqualPay, Anita Edwards have attended a

series of weekly meetings during

April/May/June 2012 in order to con-

sider the outcome of the job evalua-

tion process which was started in

January 2010.

You will recall that UNISON objected in

2010 to the introduction of Ways HR Con-sulting by Wton City Council, because the

evaluation methods used by Ways HR had

caused difficulties in other local authorities

nationally, some of which led to industrial

action by employees badly let down by t he

impact that the final outcomes had on

their pay (branch newsletter Spring 2010)

Of particular concern is how the Ways HR evalua-

tion method distorts the NJC Single Status Job

evaluation scheme (branch newsletter Summ er2010)

During the recent talks Wton City Council has

made clear to the unions its intention to reduce our

terms and conditions at the same time as introduc-

ing a new pay model.

UNISON has consistently told Wton City Council

since the April meetings that the current proposals

would not be acceptable to UNISON nationally or

the majority of our members locally.

UNISONs Regional Office has informed senior offi-cers and members of the Labour controlled Cabinet

of our serious concerns in relation to the evaluation

scheme methology being used and the intention to

FIND

Ade Turner

Branch Secretary


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The UNISON steward is the

most important link

between the union and its

members.

They play a number of roles

They are organisers who talk to,

recruit and organise members

around workplace issues.

Hold meetings, undertake surveys

and help run ballots.

They give members information

about union issues and campaigns

They are advisers and sounding

boards, talking to members aboutworkplace problems and addressing

those concerns with management.

Stewards are legally entitled to time off to

perform their duties and for training whichUNISON provides

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

BEING A STEWARD

CONTACT THE UNION OFFICE554096

So W hat are the Big I ssues?

Is the pay model legal and does it achieve

equality?

The high number of red circle (losing) posts.

Wton City Councils insistence on the intro-

duction of any 5 from 7 day working in all

our employment contracts.

The abolition of weekend enhancements (at

the same time as introducing the 5/7 con-

tracts).

The abolition of essential car user allowance

(now planned for April 2014).

The reduction of the overtime rate to time

and a quarter, (regardless of when the over-

time is worked)

UNISON will continue to negotiate with Wton City

Council with the aim of reaching agreement (albeit

only one meeting has taken place since the begin-

ning of June) and Wton City Councils position on

the big issues has not significantly moved since

April.

UNISON is seeking the views of our members via

workplace meetings and our Stewards network.

We also urge members to attend our Branch

Meeting on 18 September 2012 , 7.00 pm ,

Council Chamber, Civic Centre and it is still the

intention of UNISON to ballot our members on the

final package at the appropriate time.

Adrian Turner Branch Secretary

If, in the meantime, you require further advice

contact us in the branch office on 01902 554096.

FIND


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Wolverhampton Council are currently engaging in aConsultation on Community hubs.

The Community hubs proposal would see a numberof centres created which would offer a wide rangeof services from under one roof.

At the heart of each hub would be a Library, a Com-

munity centre and a Youth facility.There would be three large hubs and a number ofsmaller hubs located around the City, although theconsultation proposals (as vague as they are) indi-cate only possible locations.

Up and down the Country Local Authorities arerushing to the concept of Community hubs , whilstUNISON has no problem with the concept of hubs,We suspect that the reason Local Authorities are allmarching to the same tune when it comes to hubsis because (in the words of Cllr Mattu)

They will make our services more cost-effectiveand reduce running costs.

Again UNISON does not oppose cost effective

services, but we believe that what this means in practicewill be a reduction in the services the relocated librarieswill provide, to the point that they would no longer berecognisable as libraries!

This is not just a concern of UNISON. Throughout Wol-verhampton thousands are signing community petitionsin defence of their local libraries.

Wolverhampton branch has given its pledge to

support the Communities fight to defend their

libraries.

To keep up with the campaign and to read

UNISONs submission to the consultation

FIGHTING FOR

WOLVERHAMPTONS LIBRARIES

WWW.WOLVERHAMPTONUNISON.BLOGSPOT.COM

Most people join a union because they want protection atwork - help with pay and conditions of service, legal or health

and safety advice or representation in case things go wrongat work. That's what we're here for. UNISON negotiates onpay and working conditions at every level - local, regional andnational.

UNISON also offers you:

Excellent legal services at work and in the home.

Education and training advice and courses leading to vo-cational and professional qualifications.

A colour magazine sent to your home four times a year; a

fortnightly newspaper for our stewards and activists and afull range of publicity.

Pensions advice and welfare services as well as certainbenefits guaranteed by our rulebook.

Join Online at;www.unison.org.uk

Or phone 01902

554096Or call into the UNISON office at

the Civic Centre

FIND


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UNISON members and their familiesDoThe poorest and most vulnerable in our society do.Young people and older people alike do.

How about you?If you believe that government cuts are not the way todeliver the future that this country needs, then you needto let your feet do the talking.

Come and march for a future that works.Join us on 20 October at the TUC mass demonstrationin London to show this government that their austerityagenda is standing in the way of delivering the jobs andgrowth that this country needs.

UNISON believes that investing in good public servicesthat save, protect and enrich lives will boost our econ-omy and strengthen our communities.

Help us get the messageacross

We have started booking coaches .

Cost 5 (refundable to members)

Pledge to join us on 20 October.

Send your email address to our email

below so we can send you updatesabout the march.

Tell your colleagues, family andfriends about the march and ask themto let their feet do the talking too.

Wolverhampton sent 6 coaches to the

March last year lets send more thistime!

Union [email protected]

Wolverhampton UNISON

FIND

Assemble 11am

Granville Street, B1 1JW

March to Lionel Street

Speakers include:

Billy Hayes CWU,

Mark Serwotka PCS,

Christine Blower NUT,Paul Kenny GMB

branch newsletter summer 2012

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