the office closes friday 23rd dec and reopens thursday 29th
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
After 30 November, what next?
(12/12/11) 30 November was an historic day – millions of public service workers uniting to say: "Enough is enough" in reply to the attack on their pensions.
But where do we go from here?
The strike had a purpose: to get ministers to negotiate meaningfully.
And we've already had an effect. Since 30 November, central negotiations, led by Dave Prentis, have resumed and negotiations are taking place around the specific schemes.
Meanwhile, the TUC public sector liaison group meets on 15 December to assess the strike and plan the way forward, while UNISON's own service group executives will meet in January. The union also plans to hold its third pensions summit in January.
And we need to keep the momentum going among members after 30 November: keep campaigning and highlighting the pensions issue, get recruiting, and prepare for further action if necessary.
But what is happening in the three main pension schemes that affect UNISON members?
In local government, the strike has led to new developments in negotiations over the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Meetings are taking place before Christmas with the Local Government Association (LGA) and Local Government Employers (LGE) to attempt to agree principles and a timetable for negotiations early in 2012 that would defer any change within the LGPS until 2014.
At the time of going to press, if the Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) agree the principles and timetable, it would allow negotiations to cover both short and long-term changes to the LGPS and, in the process, seek to minimise contribution increases.
There is consensus between the employers and unions that the £900m 'tax' demanded by Eric Pickles would lead to opt-outs from the scheme and possibly undermine some individual funds within it.
In the months leading up to 30 November, UNISON, GMB and Unite – on behalf of the 11 LGPS unions – had met the leaders of the political groupings within the Local Government Association and representatives of the Local Government Employers to explore the possibility for a joint response to the coalition’s demand for £900m short-term ‘savings’ from the LGPS.
UNISON and the other unions have consistently argued that the scheme has made £2bn savings since 2008, that pay freezes and job losses have also led to savings and that the 23% of the value of the LGPS generated by investments should be set against any 'savings'.
While there was agreement that the savings could not be met from a scheme within which 70% of members earn less than £21,000 a year without leading to opt-outs and undermining the scheme itself, it was not possible to agree a way forward.
The LGA and LGE therefore put forward proposals of their own, which are now part of the formal consultation on short-term savings being run by the DCLG, with a deadline of 6 January.
Since then, there have also been meetings of the DCLG policy review group, within which there has been consensus between employers, actuaries, fund managers and the unions that the short-term savings required by Mr Pickles could not be delivered without potentially harming the scheme, meaning alternative ways of realising the ‘savings’ need to be looked for.
Both DCLG and LGA proposals contain changes to the accrual rate to achieve part of the savings.
The 'reference scheme' for longer-term changes to all public sector pensions from 2015 put forward by Danny Alexander calls for an accrual rate of 1/60 – the same as the current LGPS – linked to a career-average scheme.
It also provides for protection of benefits and retirement ages for those within 10 years of retirement and some tapered protection for those just outside of the 10-year limit.
UNISON and the other LGPS unions want to make sure that any changes to the LGPS are of equivalent value to members as other public-sector schemes and that the specific features of its membership, pay levels and funding are reflected in any changes; including keeping the Fair Deal on Pensions.
We therefore sought – and have agreement from Mr Alexander and the DCLG – to negotiate on the short and long-term issues together, to find solutions that are appropriate to the LGPS membership and the structure of the scheme itself.
In health, on 6 December the government announced that it was formally consulting on increases to the pension contributions in year one, which raise the cap at which staff start to pay increased contributions from £15,000 to £26,557.
Anyone who is earning less than this will have no increase in their pension contributions for 2012. This covers around 48% of all NHS workers and a much higher percentage of UNISON members.
While this is good news, and protects the lowest paid, it is only for one year and is only one element of the negotiations.
Discussions are currently focused on the accrual rate, the length of protection, how pensions will be uprated and retirement age. The unions want to minimise the impact of any changes on existing scheme members while keeping the scheme fair for younger staff and new joiners, and keep the Fair Deal.
At the start of these negotiations, accrual rates of 1/100 were being talked about – now we have a much more realistic figure of at least 1/60.
The government has the same protections for those near retirement as in the LGPS, and the unions are examining whether this can be extended.
The government seems intent on moving from final salary to career average (CARE) schemes across the public sector.
UNISON has never been opposed to CARE schemes in principle as these often benefit women and lower-paid members.
However, the type and value of the CARE scheme is important: various models are being considered for the NHS pay bands.
We still believe the timetable set by the government is unrealistic and unfair. We are making some progress in arguing that it is important to get this right rather than rush – but the government remains committed to and end-of-year deadline.
In the Civil Service pension scheme, 30 November reinforced the hand of negotiators working on behalf of members.
There have been regular meetings between unions and the Cabinet Office about the future of the scheme.
At the time of writing, there have been no proposals put forward, but discussions have centred around something similar to the existing career-average 'Nuvos' scheme for new starters.
But where do we go from here?
The strike had a purpose: to get ministers to negotiate meaningfully.
And we've already had an effect. Since 30 November, central negotiations, led by Dave Prentis, have resumed and negotiations are taking place around the specific schemes.
Meanwhile, the TUC public sector liaison group meets on 15 December to assess the strike and plan the way forward, while UNISON's own service group executives will meet in January. The union also plans to hold its third pensions summit in January.
And we need to keep the momentum going among members after 30 November: keep campaigning and highlighting the pensions issue, get recruiting, and prepare for further action if necessary.
But what is happening in the three main pension schemes that affect UNISON members?
In local government, the strike has led to new developments in negotiations over the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Meetings are taking place before Christmas with the Local Government Association (LGA) and Local Government Employers (LGE) to attempt to agree principles and a timetable for negotiations early in 2012 that would defer any change within the LGPS until 2014.
At the time of going to press, if the Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) agree the principles and timetable, it would allow negotiations to cover both short and long-term changes to the LGPS and, in the process, seek to minimise contribution increases.
There is consensus between the employers and unions that the £900m 'tax' demanded by Eric Pickles would lead to opt-outs from the scheme and possibly undermine some individual funds within it.
In the months leading up to 30 November, UNISON, GMB and Unite – on behalf of the 11 LGPS unions – had met the leaders of the political groupings within the Local Government Association and representatives of the Local Government Employers to explore the possibility for a joint response to the coalition’s demand for £900m short-term ‘savings’ from the LGPS.
UNISON and the other unions have consistently argued that the scheme has made £2bn savings since 2008, that pay freezes and job losses have also led to savings and that the 23% of the value of the LGPS generated by investments should be set against any 'savings'.
While there was agreement that the savings could not be met from a scheme within which 70% of members earn less than £21,000 a year without leading to opt-outs and undermining the scheme itself, it was not possible to agree a way forward.
The LGA and LGE therefore put forward proposals of their own, which are now part of the formal consultation on short-term savings being run by the DCLG, with a deadline of 6 January.
Since then, there have also been meetings of the DCLG policy review group, within which there has been consensus between employers, actuaries, fund managers and the unions that the short-term savings required by Mr Pickles could not be delivered without potentially harming the scheme, meaning alternative ways of realising the ‘savings’ need to be looked for.
Both DCLG and LGA proposals contain changes to the accrual rate to achieve part of the savings.
The 'reference scheme' for longer-term changes to all public sector pensions from 2015 put forward by Danny Alexander calls for an accrual rate of 1/60 – the same as the current LGPS – linked to a career-average scheme.
It also provides for protection of benefits and retirement ages for those within 10 years of retirement and some tapered protection for those just outside of the 10-year limit.
UNISON and the other LGPS unions want to make sure that any changes to the LGPS are of equivalent value to members as other public-sector schemes and that the specific features of its membership, pay levels and funding are reflected in any changes; including keeping the Fair Deal on Pensions.
We therefore sought – and have agreement from Mr Alexander and the DCLG – to negotiate on the short and long-term issues together, to find solutions that are appropriate to the LGPS membership and the structure of the scheme itself.
In health, on 6 December the government announced that it was formally consulting on increases to the pension contributions in year one, which raise the cap at which staff start to pay increased contributions from £15,000 to £26,557.
Anyone who is earning less than this will have no increase in their pension contributions for 2012. This covers around 48% of all NHS workers and a much higher percentage of UNISON members.
While this is good news, and protects the lowest paid, it is only for one year and is only one element of the negotiations.
Discussions are currently focused on the accrual rate, the length of protection, how pensions will be uprated and retirement age. The unions want to minimise the impact of any changes on existing scheme members while keeping the scheme fair for younger staff and new joiners, and keep the Fair Deal.
At the start of these negotiations, accrual rates of 1/100 were being talked about – now we have a much more realistic figure of at least 1/60.
The government has the same protections for those near retirement as in the LGPS, and the unions are examining whether this can be extended.
The government seems intent on moving from final salary to career average (CARE) schemes across the public sector.
UNISON has never been opposed to CARE schemes in principle as these often benefit women and lower-paid members.
However, the type and value of the CARE scheme is important: various models are being considered for the NHS pay bands.
We still believe the timetable set by the government is unrealistic and unfair. We are making some progress in arguing that it is important to get this right rather than rush – but the government remains committed to and end-of-year deadline.
In the Civil Service pension scheme, 30 November reinforced the hand of negotiators working on behalf of members.
There have been regular meetings between unions and the Cabinet Office about the future of the scheme.
At the time of writing, there have been no proposals put forward, but discussions have centred around something similar to the existing career-average 'Nuvos' scheme for new starters.
Friday, 9 December 2011
'Hope for the best but plan for the worst'
"We will hope for the best, but plan for the worst," UNISON's ruling NEC declared today as it assessed the effect of the 30 November pensions strike.The day of action was "an absolutely fantastic day, the proudest day of my union life," general secretary Dave Prentis told the meeting in London.
And it had a clear effect: already serious negotiations have resumed and will continue into the new year, after ministers withdrew their deadline demanding agreement by the end of this year.
Talks started this week in the main pension schemes - NHS, local government, civil service and teachers' - and are continuing through December and into the new year, and the negotiators are co-ordinating among themselves, while more central negotiations take place with the Treasury and Cabinet Office.
The TUC public service unions will meet on 15 December to assess the day of action and look at the next steps.
But at the same time, the NEC agreed, UNISON needs to build on the momentum of 30 November, keep the union prepared for any further action if necessary, and keep members - especially those who joined in the run-up to the dispute - involved in the campaign.
All the relevant service group executives will meet in early January to be updated on negotiations and plan for any future industrial action.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
BUILDING FOR NOVEMBER 30th
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to all those questions members ask, can they sack me? is it a breech of contract?...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to all those questions members ask, can they sack me? is it a breech of contract?...
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
UNISON has now published Local Government pensions calculators on the national union website.
There are two calculators, one which shows how much more we will be asked to pay up front if the Government get there way – and another which shows how much our pension will be reduced by and how we will have to work longer to get that pension.
UNISON hits back at pensions' strike ballot attacks
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, has hit back at government ministers and business leaders who are trying to attack the legitimacy of yesterday's strike ballot result, on the basis of turnout.
In the UNISON ballot, 245,358 people – just under a quarter of a million members - voted for strike action, with 70,253 voting against - that is 76% of those voting, choosing industrial action.
Dave Prentis said:
"UNISON is a democratic organisation whose members have the right to vote in strike ballots. There was a 76% vote in favour of action and that democratic decision made by our membership is valid and legitimate and must be respected.
"Democracy in the UK is not perfect, and we all need to look at why turnouts have fallen. But for government ministers and business leaders to question the legitimacy of our result is a bit rich.
"The UK's democratic system gives people the right to vote, there is a consensus that whoever wins the popular vote governs the country. There is no requirement for an absolute majority of all potential votes, or of all votes cast. Indeed, earlier this year the alternative vote was overwhelmingly rejected by the British public.
"If you follow our critics' own logic, they would all have a rather shaky claim to power."
For example:
- In 2010 the Conservatives received only 23% of all votes that could have been cast.
- General Elections do not take into account the estimated 3.5million people who aren't even on the register, with those included Conservative support at the last election falls to 21%.
- In London, Boris Johnson won control of City Hall with only 24% of potential votes.
UNISON members voted overwhelming in favour of strike action, with 76% of members who voted choosing industrial action. In contrast:
. Boris won City Hall with 42% of votes cast . In 2010 the Conservatives received 36% of all votes cast
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, has hit back at government ministers and business leaders who are trying to attack the legitimacy of yesterday's strike ballot result, on the basis of turnout.
In the UNISON ballot, 245,358 people – just under a quarter of a million members - voted for strike action, with 70,253 voting against - that is 76% of those voting, choosing industrial action.
Dave Prentis said:
"UNISON is a democratic organisation whose members have the right to vote in strike ballots. There was a 76% vote in favour of action and that democratic decision made by our membership is valid and legitimate and must be respected.
"Democracy in the UK is not perfect, and we all need to look at why turnouts have fallen. But for government ministers and business leaders to question the legitimacy of our result is a bit rich.
"The UK's democratic system gives people the right to vote, there is a consensus that whoever wins the popular vote governs the country. There is no requirement for an absolute majority of all potential votes, or of all votes cast. Indeed, earlier this year the alternative vote was overwhelmingly rejected by the British public.
"If you follow our critics' own logic, they would all have a rather shaky claim to power."
For example:
- In 2010 the Conservatives received only 23% of all votes that could have been cast.
- General Elections do not take into account the estimated 3.5million people who aren't even on the register, with those included Conservative support at the last election falls to 21%.
- In London, Boris Johnson won control of City Hall with only 24% of potential votes.
UNISON members voted overwhelming in favour of strike action, with 76% of members who voted choosing industrial action. In contrast:
. Boris won City Hall with 42% of votes cast . In 2010 the Conservatives received 36% of all votes cast
Monday, 24 October 2011
CON DEM AUSTERITY MEASURES ATTACK PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
UNISON research has shown the full extent of the impact of cuts on public sector workers
as reported in the Guardian here
UNISON research has shown the full extent of the impact of cuts on public sector workers
as reported in the Guardian here
Friday, 14 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Monday, 26 September 2011
GEARING UP FOR PENSIONS BALLOT
Coventry UNISON have produced a musical video giving the facts on our pensions and deriding the claim that they are 'goldplated' se it at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5-vEU5qHM
Coventry UNISON have produced a musical video giving the facts on our pensions and deriding the claim that they are 'goldplated' se it at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5-vEU5qHM
Monday, 19 September 2011
DEFEND OUR PENSIONS !
UNISON CALLS INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT
see full text of General secretarys announcement here
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Thursday, 1 September 2011
REGIONAL PENSIONS NEWSLETTER
To read where we are with pensions negotiations and UNISONs campaign click here
Thursday, 25 August 2011
2012-13 NJC Pay Claim: Consultation
22/08/2011
The UNISON NJC Committee met on Friday, 8 July to discuss the contents of the NJC pay claim for 2010/11. The Committee considered a wide range of economic indicators, pay comparisons with other public sector workers, high inflation levels and the impact of the pay freeze on women. The proposed 2012/13 pay claim links two years of 'non offers' with redundancies, inflation, attacks on pay and conditions, the car allowance 'freeze' and the attack on equalities and the LGPS in a wider, high profile 'workforce' campaign.
In order to simply catch up with inflation we would have to make a claim for an 11% increase. Since the Committee considered this unrealistic, it is proposed that we submit a claim for this year for:
A substantial increase on all pay points which recognises the hardship being suffered by local government workers - in particular the lowest-paid.
The Committee also agreed to call for an end to attacks on terms and conditions.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Friday, 15 July 2011
MARCH FOR THE ALTERNATIVE
BIRMINGHAM 18TH SEPTEMBER
you are probably aware that the Lib-Dems are holding their
conference in Birmingham this year.
The TUC is organising a march and rally and UNISON is working closely with them. The march will be passing close to the conference.
We need to have as many people as possible to show the LibDems that there is an alternative and that they are not welcome in this City.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Co-operative Bank Launches Current Account Offer for 1.4 Million Unison Members
The Co-operative Bank and Britannia have extended its new current account offer to Unison members until 31 August 2011.
More info – coopbankcurrentaccountoffer
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, warned today that direct comparisons of average rates of private and public sector pay were meaningless, and should not be used as a stick to beat public sector workers with, or to divide workers in the public and private sectors.
Average comparisons are meaningless because a higher proportion of public sector jobs are skilled - in 2010, 38% of public sector workers had a degree or equivalent, compared with 23% in the private sector.
Outsourcing of the lowest paid public service jobs into the private sector, as well as the fact that there are also millions more workers in the private sector, employed across a much wider spread of wages – skews the figures even more.
More tellingly, ONS research today revealed that a comparison of employees with a degree or equivalent in both sectors – a fairer and more direct assessment – shows that those in the public sector earned 5.7% less than those with the same level of qualification working in the private sector.
Average comparisons are meaningless because a higher proportion of public sector jobs are skilled - in 2010, 38% of public sector workers had a degree or equivalent, compared with 23% in the private sector.
Outsourcing of the lowest paid public service jobs into the private sector, as well as the fact that there are also millions more workers in the private sector, employed across a much wider spread of wages – skews the figures even more.
More tellingly, ONS research today revealed that a comparison of employees with a degree or equivalent in both sectors – a fairer and more direct assessment – shows that those in the public sector earned 5.7% less than those with the same level of qualification working in the private sector.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Support public service workers strikes to protect pensions
On June 30th civil servants and teachers will be taking industrial action to defend their pensions against Government plans to make us work longer, pay more and get less.
UNISON gives its full support to our colleagues action (and we fully expect to be joining them later in the year!). we would urge all UNISON members to visit a picket line and offer support (it is always appreciated).
We can not instruct UNISON members in schools not to cross Teachers picket lines, but we can advise them to only undertake their own duties and not to do any tasks normally carried out by teachers.
If any UNISON member feels pressurised by their Head or managers, to do so, contact our office immediately .
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
speaking up for LGBT equality
Prejudice and discrimination mean many LGBT people keep their sexual orientation or gender history private. Some employers and public service providers think they have no LGBT staff or clients.
They are wrong-LGBT people are everywhere.
UNISON has ben working for decades for LGBT rights.
UNISON is campaigning to defend public services in the face of the tory-led governments determination to dismantle the state. Yes the UK economy needs action. But there is a better alternative to their attack on public services that is fairer and encorages growth and jobs.
Like all vulnerable groups, when times get hard LGBT people need public services even more.
Hep us to fight against these cuts by joining our campaign and add your voice to our million voices campaign to defend public services at http://unison.org.uk/million/
If you are interested in getting involved in UNISON LGBT group either at a branch or regional level contact dave on 4096
Friday, 27 May 2011
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES ATTACK ON PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS
pay more! work longer! get less!
Tony Rabaiotti Regional head of local Government outlines the attacks we face.
"this will not be a token skirmish, but a prolonged war, because this government has declared war on a huge proportion of the population"
Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
THIS WEEK marks the first anniversary of the
Con-Dem coalition; one year of broken promises, shattered lives, and our economy still on life support.
And worse lies ahead, with hundreds of thousands of public sector jobs to go. Is this government intent on breaking Britain?
Unless the Tory-led coalition changes course, it is walking headlong into massive industrial action.
UNISON will fight the Tories every step of the way to protect public services, and our members’ pensions. We have more than one million members in public sector schemes, all of whom save for a pension and deserve dignity in their retirement.
This week, in the local elections across the country, voters have their first opportunity to deliver a verdict on the coalition. In Whitehall, they would be wise to take note.
And worse lies ahead, with hundreds of thousands of public sector jobs to go. Is this government intent on breaking Britain?
Unless the Tory-led coalition changes course, it is walking headlong into massive industrial action.
UNISON will fight the Tories every step of the way to protect public services, and our members’ pensions. We have more than one million members in public sector schemes, all of whom save for a pension and deserve dignity in their retirement.
This week, in the local elections across the country, voters have their first opportunity to deliver a verdict on the coalition. In Whitehall, they would be wise to take note.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
VOTE IN UNISON's NEC ELECTIONIt is time to choose who speaks for you .UNISON is a democratic organisation. That means you elect people to speak on your behalf at every level of the union. and the highest body in the union is the national executive council (NEC).
As a member you'll receiving a ballot paper and will be asked to elect one or more candidates to represent you.
THE ELECTION WILL BEGIN ON APRIL 11 2011 AND ALL BALLOT PAPERS MUST BE RETURNED BY 13 MAY.
If you have not received a ballot form by april 19, please telephone the election helpline on 0845 355 0845
Monday, 28 March 2011
HALF MILLION SEND CLEAR MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT
WOLVERHAMPTON BRANCH WERE WELL REPRESENTED ON THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATION FOR MANY YEARS.
THE HALF MILLION DEMONSTRATORS (INCLUDING 3 COACHLOADS FROM OUR BRANCH!) SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
NO CUTS TO PUBLIC SERVICES!
WHILST THE NUMBERS SHOWED THE STRENGTH OF FEELING AND WAS A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY, THIS IN ONLY THE BEGINNING AND SOMETHING THE WORKING CLASS AND OUR TRADE UNIONS WILL BUILD ON!
more to follow
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
WHAT DOES LORD HUTTON have in store for our pensions on Thursday?
To read what the Protect our Pensions campaign thinks
goto news
Friday, 4 March 2011
CAMPAIGN TO DEFEND OUR PENSIONS BEGIN!UNISON believes we should initiate a high profile campaign to dedend our pension rights.
The camapign will include;
Unity across all public sector unions
Getting the message across to all members
making resources available to co-ordinate and run the campaign
preparation for a national ballot
for details read statement by the local Government SGE
Thursday, 3 March 2011
THE TRUTH IS OUT!
Finally the truth is out and straight from the horses mouth.
The Governor of the bank of England Mervyn King .. the man meant to be in charge of the UK economy!
"The price of this financial crisis is being borne by people who absolutely did not cause it,
now is the period when the cost is beig paid, Im surprised that the degree of public anger has not been greater than it has"
Finally the truth is out and straight from the horses mouth.
The Governor of the bank of England Mervyn King .. the man meant to be in charge of the UK economy!
"The price of this financial crisis is being borne by people who absolutely did not cause it,
now is the period when the cost is beig paid, Im surprised that the degree of public anger has not been greater than it has"
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
GET OFF YOUR A**E
AND GET ON THE BUS!
This Government continues its plans to dismantle public services
and the Health Service.
This government continues its attacks on working families and the poor.
This government continues to seek to erode trade union rights.
Before we know it we will live in a country where the rich get what they want and those in need will have to rely on charity or overstretched , under-resourced welfare services.
Where 'Cultural services' libraries, leisure centres are non-existant or run by volunteers
JOIN THE FIGHTBACK , JOIN THE MARCH ON THE 26th MARCH
This promises to be the biggest Trade Union demonsration for years, 4 coaches are already booked from wolverhampton alone!
But this march is not just for trade unionists, it is for all who will suffer under this Government
students, The retired, the disabled JOIN US!
WOLVERHAMPTON UNISON COACH LEAVES FAULKLAND ST COACH STATION AT 7AM
TO BOOK A SEAT PHONE 01902554096
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Friday, 21 January 2011
Thursday, 20 January 2011
INTRODUCTION OF CHARGING FOR STAFF PARKING
UNISON is totally opposed to this proposal ( and believes the report contains several contridictions) and Ade Turner Branch Sec has written to Councillors to express our concerns;
" Clearly our members are telling us that they either can't pay or won't pay a charge for car park passes which is tantamount to the workforce subsidising the City Council in order for them to use their own vehicles to carry out duties
on behalf of the council.
I would remind you that council workers are already suffering the hardship of a 3 year pay freeze and are facing a potential 3% increase in pensions contributions from next year at the same time as record high petrol prices.
The goodwill of council workers is already being tested to the limit with the amounts of unpaid overtime worked by many (if not all) car park pass users.
If journeys are done by public transport or by foot productivity will fall drastically, impacting on service delivery and costing the council more than will be saved from the introduction of charging .
Please vote against this proposal"
Should this proposal be agreed, we clearly will need a strategy to oppose it and this wll need to be based on the views of our members.
For sometime we have been requested a list of staff affected . This has finally arrived and we are now in the process of checking which are members , whom we will then contact. In the meantime if you want to discuss the issue phone or email us.
UNISON is totally opposed to this proposal ( and believes the report contains several contridictions) and Ade Turner Branch Sec has written to Councillors to express our concerns;
" Clearly our members are telling us that they either can't pay or won't pay a charge for car park passes which is tantamount to the workforce subsidising the City Council in order for them to use their own vehicles to carry out duties
on behalf of the council.
I would remind you that council workers are already suffering the hardship of a 3 year pay freeze and are facing a potential 3% increase in pensions contributions from next year at the same time as record high petrol prices.
The goodwill of council workers is already being tested to the limit with the amounts of unpaid overtime worked by many (if not all) car park pass users.
If journeys are done by public transport or by foot productivity will fall drastically, impacting on service delivery and costing the council more than will be saved from the introduction of charging .
Please vote against this proposal"
Should this proposal be agreed, we clearly will need a strategy to oppose it and this wll need to be based on the views of our members.
For sometime we have been requested a list of staff affected . This has finally arrived and we are now in the process of checking which are members , whom we will then contact. In the meantime if you want to discuss the issue phone or email us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)