Wolverhampton General branch

2012-01-12T15:14:00.001Z

PENSIONS LATEST
UNISON agrees to further negotiations on pensions read here

2012-01-04T12:45:00.000Z

Why we say ‘no deal’ on pensions

UNISON nationally has agreed terms with the Government for further negotiations on pensions.

Branches have been asked for their views on these 'proposals'

However because of the timescales we have not been able to consult as widely as we would wish , but below we print the view of Branch officers which will be forwarded to the regional office

Why we say ‘no deal’ on pensions

“These agreements deliver the government’s key objectives in full, and do so with no new money since our November offer. These reforms will save the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds over the next few decades and significantly improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of this country.” Danny Alexander

As UNISON representatives and ordinary members we do not believe that the “Heads Of Agreement” on public sector pensions form the basis for settling our dispute with the government over our future pensions.

We are it must be said very unhappy , that UNISON appears to be now suggesting , that our actions “were always a damage limitation exercise”

this was not our view (or we believe the view of our members who took action) , but we did recognise , that defeat the proposals would require more than one days action (a view shared by our General Secretary).

It has been suggested (by some in the National leadership) that ‘the key grievance of increased contributions has been warded off’ by the agreement.

We believe that the issue of increased contributions , was one of several grievances and that under these ‘proposals’ we would still be working longer and getting less, and even then the issue of increased contributions has only , we understand been deferred for two years.

The agreements we believe will ultimately deliver the government’s agenda of making public sector workers work longer, pay more and get less in our pensions.

The agreement is based on the Treasury’s “final offer” issued on 2 November, which allows for negotiation on elements in each pension scheme but within a fixed “cost ceiling”. As Francis Maude has made clear “The cost ceiling has not changed. We have not put an extra penny on the table”.

On 30 November we took part in the largest strike action in at least a generation, in an unprecedented display of unity across public sector unions. Dave Prentis rightly proclaimed it “an incredible success and one of the proudest moments of my career”.

We believe it is a fundamental mistake only a few weeks later to allow the government to now play divide and rule. This can only make it easier for them to push through the cuts in our pensions as part of their wider austerity programme of real pay cuts and massive job losses, making working people pay the price for a crisis created by bankers’ greed. There is too much at stake to allow the Con Dems to pick off unions one at a time or to seek to isolate others as they are clearly attempting to do with the PCS.

2011-12-22T12:51:00.000Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MEMBERS!
the office closes friday 23rd dec and reopens thursday 29th

2011-12-20T09:59:00.000Z

UPDATE ON PENSIONS read here

2011-12-15T10:29:00.000Z

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.

2011-12-09T08:24:00.000Z

'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.

2011-12-01T09:12:00.001Z

CONGRATULATIONS!
TO ALL UNISON MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED OUR UNIONS DEMOCRATIC DECISION TO STRIKE IN DEFENCE OF OUR PENSION
AND SHAME ON ALL THOSE WHO DIDNT!

2011-11-16T08:29:00.001Z

BUILDING FOR NOVEMBER 30th
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to all those questions members ask, can they sack me? is it a breech of contract?...

2011-11-08T15:37:00.000Z

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.

2011-11-08T14:17:00.000Z

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

2011-10-26T11:29:00.000+01:00

CROYDE BAY HOLIDAY VILLAGE
autumn breaks from £99
and 3 day New Year special £199
read more

2011-10-24T09:05:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-14T08:22:00.000+01:00

2011-10-10T09:35:00.000+01:00

OUR NEWSPAPER ADVERT FROM THIS WEEKEND

2011-10-06T21:05:00.000+01:00

PENSIONS MEETINGS CIVIC CENTRE
THURSDAY 13th OCTOBER
COuncil Chamber
12.30pm AND 5pm
ALL UNISON MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND!

2011-09-26T15:19:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-19T15:04:00.001+01:00

NO MORE TALK!
DEFEND OUR PENSIONS !
UNISON CALLS INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT
see full text of General secretarys announcement here

2011-09-06T09:30:00.002+01:00

2011-09-01T14:30:00.000+01:00

REGIONAL PENSIONS NEWSLETTER

To read where we are with pensions negotiations and UNISONs campaign click here

2011-08-25T08:21:00.000+01:00

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.

2011-08-12T09:55:00.001+01:00

LATEST UNISON TRAVEL NEWSLETTER

UPTO DATE BARGAINS click here

2011-08-12T09:34:00.002+01:00

NEW UIA NEWSLETTER

Late Summer Savings! A massive 25% off Home Insurance for UNISON Members (see link by clicking on UIA logo on right)

2011-08-04T15:03:00.002+01:00

Southampton dispute – escalation in social care

Over 450 social workers and other social care staff took strike action in Southampton yesterday, as UNISON and Unite members stepped up their resistance to pay cuts imposed by the Tory led Council. A video of yesterday’s rally can be viewed here:

http://www.twitvid.com/LHRFJ

2011-07-15T14:57:00.002+01:00

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.

2011-07-11T11:24:00.000+01:00

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

2011-07-06T11:27:00.000+01:00

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.

2011-06-17T14:48:00.002+01:00

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 .

2011-06-08T14:48:00.005+01:00

BRANCH MEETING

OUR PENSIONS UNDER ATTACK!

TUESDAY 28 JUNE 2011

7PM COUNCIL CHAMBER

come along to the meeting and hear our guest speakers

Paul Holmes UNISON National Executive Council

Stuart Grant Wolverhampton NUT

2011-06-01T10:51:00.002+01:00

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

or unionoffice@wolverhamptonunison.org.uk

2011-05-27T10:33:00.004+01:00

LATEST EDITION OF BRANCH NEWSLETTER

to download press

2011-05-11T09:22:00.004+01:00

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

2011-05-04T13:03:00.003+01:00

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.

2011-04-27T14:51:00.000+01:00

2011-04-12T11:51:00.004+01:00

VOTE IN UNISON's NEC ELECTION

It 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

HALF MILLION SEND CLEAR MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT

2011-03-28T15:32:00.002+01:00

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

2011-03-23T09:18:00.001Z

LATEST ON PENSIONS

hear Regional Head of Local government UNISON

on impact of pensions changes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWYrSg3ajio

2011-03-09T13:52:00.002Z

WHAT DOES LORD HUTTON have in store for our pensions on Thursday?

To read what the Protect our Pensions campaign thinks

goto news

2011-03-04T11:24:00.002Z

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

2011-03-03T08:57:00.002Z

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"

2011-03-01T09:38:00.002Z

NO TO CUTS LOBBY COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY 2nd MARCH

4.45pm

2011-02-21T15:09:00.002Z

BRANCH SECRETARY REPORT 2010/2010

To read Adrian Turner's report press

2011-02-01T08:45:00.002Z

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

2011-01-25T08:46:00.002Z

MESSAGE FROM OUR ASSISTANT
GENERAL SECRETARY ROGER McKENZIE

2011-01-21T13:10:00.002Z

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2011

BRITANNIA HOTEL LICHFIELD STREET
7.45PM
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME

2011-01-20T08:56:00.003Z

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.

2010-12-30T10:30:00.000Z

2010-12-16T15:16:00.003Z

LABOUR ASSUME CONTROL OF WOLVERHAMPTON
At last nights Council meeting , following a vote of no confidence moved
by the labour group. Labour took control of the Authority.
Whilst UNISON welcomes this as a progressive step, the extent to
which it will ameliorate planned cuts remains to be seen
UNISON is opposed to ALL cuts in public services and in our members
terms and conditions.
Other Labour councils intend to make swingeing cuts here and here.
UNISON will continue to fight and campaign against cuts and nationally
UNISON has prepared a warchest for the battle ahead.
For an update on the campaign read

2010-12-07T14:31:00.004Z

KEEP THE POST PUBLIC
MARCH AND RALLY

Saturday 29th January 2011
Birmingham
to download poster goto
http;//www.scribd.com/doc/44833831

2010-11-16T15:34:00.001Z

Mps Letter 1

2010-11-16T14:39:00.003Z

TELL YOUR MP NO TO CUTS!

UNISON, through its Million Voices campaign, and the TUC have been campaigning hard to make the case for valuable public services, protecting the most vulnerable, tax raising alternatives to cuts (such as the Robin Hood Tax) and the risk of a double dip recession.

Many members are concerned too about Coalition plans to not only cut services but also to bring the free market in to English public services, such as for example the proposals in the Health white paper for breaking up Primary Care Trusts in to small GP commissioning units and the expansion of Academy and Free Schools.

UNISON members are triple stakeholders as public service workers, taxpayers and users of public services. We need you to write to your MP , express your opposition to the destruction of public services and ask for their support!

a model letter can be downloaded at

http://www.scribd.com/doc/42776097/Mps-letter-1

2010-11-16T13:19:00.002Z

Beginning of the end for two-tier protection?
Lack of protection for pensions, pay and conditions when outsourcing takes place is a critical issue for thousands and thousands of Unison members and public servants everywhere. Heather Wakefield head of UNISON Local Government expresses fears that the Government will seek to reduce protection even further
Heather's Public Finance blog

2010-11-02T08:46:00.000Z

LOBBY OF CABINET MEETING - NOW BUILD FOR LOBBY OF FULL COUNCIL

ON WEDNESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

for full report on Council cuts plans goto www.wolvestuc.org.uk

2010-10-27T14:29:00.000+01:00

UNISON MEMBERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST CUTS

At recent lobby of Parliament

(includes contribution from our own Branch secretary

Ade Turner)

2010-10-26T08:19:00.000+01:00

OPPOSE THE CUTS!

LOBBY OF THE CABINET MEETING
MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER 5PM

LOBBY OF FULL CABINET MEETING
THURSDAY 4th NOVEMBER 5.30pm

ALTERNATIVES TO CUTS!

2010-10-20T12:40:00.000+01:00

Essential reading for anyone opposed to cuts in public services including an article by Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary.

http://tinyurl.com/challengingcutspamphlet

2010-10-14T08:00:00.000+01:00

UNISON WARNING - GOVERNMENT CUTS WILL PUT PRIVATE SECTOR AT RISK

Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary warns economic recovery at risk.
http://www.unison.co.uk/asppesspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2014

For further info on PWC report on impact on private sector jobs read
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2010/10/reality-of-con-dem-rule-for-working.html

2010-10-07T11:55:00.000+01:00

FIGHT TO DEFEND PUBLIC SERVICES BEGINS!

Only a united trade union movement can resist the ConDem Governments plans to decimate Public Services.

Under the pretext of the financial crisis their plans are ideologically driven to achieve the long held aim of dismantling public welfare.

The attacks will leave milions of ordinary people losing vital services, the elderly , the vulnerable

and working class people will all be at risk , in order that the privately educated rich tories can protect their mates the bankers and in big business.

There are alternatives to the savaging of the public sector

goto www.unison.co.uk for an alternative strategy

In the meantime the fight against the cuts needs to be driven locally .

Our branch along with the local Trades Union Council has formed an anti-cuts alliance.

we have been on the streets of Bilston, Wednesfield and Wolverhampton leafletting and petitioning against cuts and have received overwhelming support from the public.

With our branch banner we also marched on the 10,000 strong demonstration in Birmingham

on Sunday 3rd October outside the Tory party Conference.

NEXT ACTION- TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT

THE BRANCH HAVE ORGANISED A COACH TO THE LOBBY

IF YOU HAVE THE DAY OFF OR CAN GET THE DAY OFF, WHY NOT COME DOWN WITH US AND LET YOUR MP KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT PROTECTING PUBLIC SERVICES ?

for details phone 4096

2010-08-19T14:16:00.000+01:00

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE CUTS
ARE THEY NECESSARY ?
goto http://www.redpepper.org.uk/IMG/pdf_cuts-web.pdf

2010-08-18T10:17:00.000+01:00

Tories speak the truth Shock -horror ?

The Tories Communities Secretary Eric pickles has described the role of Chief executive as a"non-job"
and who are we to argue?

2010-08-10T08:19:00.000+01:00

UNIONS REGISTER A FORMAL DISPUTE

Following the Employers failure to make a pay offer for 2010/11 despite continuing high inflation and an RPI in june 5% and their failure to apply the £250 increase to those earning below £21,000, The joint unions have registered a formal dispute.

lodging a formal dispute means that the three matters under dispute will be referred to ACAS for arbitration . The dispute is not linked to industrial action.

2010-07-14T15:50:00.000+01:00

ONE RULE FOR THEM........
CALL FOR COUNCILLOR EXPENSES HIKE “A DISGRACE”
Plans to boost local councillors’ allowances by 2.3% were condemned as “a disgrace” today by West Midlands UNISON, the largest public service union in the region.
The Local Government Association (LGA), who is recommending the increase, is also calling for councillors to get paid a daily rate of £152.77 to attend LGA meetings.
Roger McKenzie, UNISON’s regional secretary, said:“This expenses hike is a disgrace. What a slap in the face for hard working council staff across our region, who have not been offered a single penny pay increase this year.
Rising inflation, coupled with a pay freeze, is effectively a pay cut for workers already struggling to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. In contrast to civil servants and other public sector workers, local government employers are refusing to give staff paid under £21,000, including nursery workers, home carers, housing workers, leisure and parks staff, school meals and cleaners, the £250 pay rise promised in the emergency budget. Where is the justice in that? Councillors should be holding the town halls in our region to account and making sure taxpayers get good value for money. Those taxpayers would be right to ask why councillors are enjoying hikes in expenses, while workers and our increasingly hard pressed communities are left out in the cold? Across the West Midlands council workers face massive job losses and communities are losing vital services they rely on.For the LGA to publish two sets of guidelines on the same day - one suggesting that councillors get a rise and another condemning workers to a pay freeze - is shocking.”

2010-07-08T13:17:00.000+01:00

GOVERNMENT ATTACKS ON OUR PENSIONS BEGINS!
THe Condem government have begun eroding our pensions.
George Osborne's statistical sleight of hand in shifting from the RPI (Retail Prices Index) to the CPI (Consumer Prices Index) as the basis for future uprating of pensions in payment will have an immediate impact.
The TUC has calculated that an eighty year old pensioner on the average public sector pension of £5,500 who has been retired for twenty years would now have a pension of £4,845 a year - 12 per cent or £655 less - if CPI uprating had been in force since their retirement.
A public service pensioner who has been retired for ten years would now have a pension 8.4 per cent lower.

At UNISON Conference in Bournemouth Dave Prentis pledged support for national strike action against an attack on our pensions. we imagine he was expecting such an attack emerging several months into the life of the Coalition Government , rather than several weeks.
But now it's here. These are real cuts in our pensions - the most blatant attack imaginable and no different to a cut in pay.
We may not be ready for a national strike ballot next week or next month, but we need to be declaring disputes, making preparations and mobilising members.

2010-07-02T09:26:00.000+01:00

"We've only just begun" – that's the message of our Million Voices campaign as UNISON faces a post-election landscape dominated by a government that's determined to cut quickly and cut deeply when it comes to public services.We face the challenge of protecting our services and our members from an ideological attack that is determined to make them the scapegoats when dealing with an economic crisis caused by the bankers and financial markets. The union's key campaign will have more relevance and resonance than ever.

At UNISON national conference held in June General Secretary said "We need to get our members onto the streets: anything to get the public behind our cause, to let them know they are dealing with people, not statistics,"

EMERGENCY COMPOSITE MOTION 2: DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS, OUR PUBLIC SERVICES AND OUR TRADE UNION RIGHTS AGAINST THE AUSTERITY AGENDA

http://www.unison.co.uk/conference2010/news_view.asp?did=6211

DAVID CAMERONS LETTER

2010-07-01T13:26:00.000+01:00

YOu maybe aware that as part of their 'asking the electorate' stunt, the Condem government have written to all public workers asking us where we think public sector cuts should take place.

UNISON advice is that members should not respond.
The only response to this letter is that any public sector discussions which need to take place must be through meaningful dialogue and consultation with UNISON and other public sector trade unions.

2010-05-04T08:59:00.000+01:00

HEADTEACHERS UNION -BOYCOTT OF SATS
UNISON ADVICE TO MEMBERS
goto http://www.unison.co.uk/education/pages_view.asp?did=11143

2010-03-16T11:55:00.000Z

BRANCH SECRETARY ANNUAL REPORT
The controlling Conservative group on Wolverhampton City Council supported by the Liberal Democrats are determined to introduce a 0% increase in Council Tax in April 2010 in order to help buy the local elections in May!
This has resulted in the whole of 2009 being spent under the cosh of the £40 million Savings Programme and the delayering (DelMa) process, our employer forcing through cuts in services and redundancies during the worst economic recession in living memory.

A recession caused by the greed of global banking but being paid for with the jobs and terms and conditions of local public sector workers.
Well over 200 redundancy payments have been made by the City Council in the last 12 months but UNISON estimates over 500 posts have been deleted during the same period taking £millions of pounds out of the local economy, while the council reserves now stand at £60 million!
The Branch was originally issued with a Section 188 notice in September 2008 for 300 redundancies around the Axon deal (now defunct at a cost to the local tax payers of £7.5 million), then in January a second Section 188 notice calling for 95 volunteers, then later in the same year a third for 173 compulsories, a fourth for Sweetman Street bungalows staff, a fifth for day centre staff, sixth for staff of The West Midlands Travelling Children's Consortium, these have been followed by various schools in the City and Wolverhampton Homes and finally a further voluntary redundancy scheme on the City Council..
During this time our UNISON branch lobbied numerous scrutiny and full council meetings, and had some success in stopping some of the redundancies in Leisure Centres and Cemeteries, but the decisions taken in 2009 have saw the demise of some establishments, notably Underhill House, and the Visitor Centre. UNISON supported campaigns, postcards and petitions including, Stop the Ekta Day Centre closure with the Asian community which won a reprieve and Meals on Wheels where the threat of a frozen meal service was withdrawn but a phased increase of £2 per meal will go ahead this is despite a 7,500 name UNISON petition being raised in Wednesfield, Bilston and Wolverhampton centres. The opposition to the savings programme must continue the threat of externalisation of Blakenhall Resource Centre and the setting up of a wholly owned company is privatisation by the back door which will affect thousands of our members and is in direct conflict of UNISON's nationally agreed policies.
Adrian Turner
adrianturner@wolverhamptonunison.org.uk

2009-12-22T15:46:00.000Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL UNISON MEMBERS

The branch office will be open until 4pm on weds 23rd dec

and will reopen on 29th dec

2009-12-10T16:21:00.000Z

BRANCH MEETING

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2009

at 7pm

in the COUNCIL CHAMBER

updates on THE SAVINGS PROGRAMME, REDUNDANCIES,JOB EVALUATION

2009-12-10T16:16:00.000Z

PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN- WOLVERHAMPTON GROUP

REMEMBER GAZA

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

QUEEN SQUARE WOLVERHAMPTON TUESDAY 29TH DECEMBER

FROM 4.30PM

2009-09-23T08:42:00.000+01:00

DEFEND PUBLIC SERVICES!
Our Council controlled by the Tories and the Tories in disguise (liberals) continue
to cut away at local public services.
Driven by a philosophy which abhors publically funded services , bit by bit it seeks to dismantle
them to the detriment of all those in Wolverhampton who rely on services.
There comes a point when not only Council workers but all residents of Wolverhampton need to stand together and say ;
THIS FAR AND NO MORE!
We need a community based campaign to oppose the cuts and we need it now!

2009-09-04T15:13:00.000+01:00

BRANCH DECISION ON PAY
today was the closing date for the branch ballot on pay the final result was;

FOR THE OFFER 71%
REJECT THE OFFER 29%

THERE IS A NATIONAL MEETING ON THE 9TH OCTOBER WHERE ALL THE BRANCH RESULTS WILL BE COLLATED AND AFINAL DECISION MADE

2009-08-19T08:23:00.000+01:00

PAY BALLOT
DONT FORGET TO VOTE BY 4TH SEPTEMBER!
if you have not received a ballot form contact the branch office
on 554093

2009-08-05T11:25:00.000+01:00

PAY 2009/10 FINAL OFFER AND BRANCH
CONSULTATION BEGINS
At its meeting on 27 july 2009, the UNISON NJC committee agreed to hold a formal consultation with members on what the employers call their final offer

details of the offer can be read at http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/pages_view.asp?did=9128

This branch has taken the decision to write to every member at their home address seeking thier view. These letters will be arriving shortly.

2009-07-07T08:18:00.001+01:00

NJC PAY 2009 UPDATE

Branches will of course be wondering whether any further progress has been made following the six-hour talks with officers from the Local Government Employers on 21 May 2009, when we agreed some positive proposals to be put to the Leaders of the four main political groupings on the Local Government Association.

Unfortunately, the LGA said that it could not consider the proposals until after the county council elections and the election of a new Chair. We are currently being told that discussions within the LGA have not reached any conclusion, with some elected members arguing against a further increase. We are putting as much pressure as possible on the LGE and relevant LGA members and hope that we will have something to report to you soon.

In the meantime, branches are urged to put pressure on your local councillors and ask them to demand a speedy response from the LGA.

2009-06-12T08:28:00.000+01:00

INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY
Where does it come from?

The ISA was established in January 2008
after being created by the Safeguarding
Vulnerable groups Act 2006.
Why was it created?

It was set up following the
recommendations of the Bichard Enquiry into the Soham murders.

What is its role?
It will consider Vetting and barring scheme referrals with the aim of helping to avoid harm or risk of harm to children and vulnerable adults.
How will it work?

It will set up a registered list which will only accept applicants who are judged not to pose a risk to vulnerable people.
It will also set up two separate barred lists, one showing those who are barred from working with children and one for those barred from working with vulnerable adults.
Who will have to register?

Most UNISON members will have to
Register.
Anyone who is employed in work or in volunteer work with children or
vulnerable adults for periods of at least once a month will have to
register with ISA.
The list includes transport staff, care workers ,cleaners, caretakers etc

What does registering involve?
Once the scheme has started you cannot start I employment, paid or voluntary, if you are not ISA registered.
The ISA will assess every pe rson
affected as to their suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults. They will do this by working closely with the Criminal records Bureau (CRB).

When do I need to register?
From July 2010 if you move into a new paid or voluntary role. If you are already in work you will need to join the scheme by 2015 and people will be asked to join gradually from November 2010.

Will it cost anything?
Yes the cost of registration will range from £58 to £100.
UNISON is campaigning for the cost of registration to be met by the
Employer

2009-03-18T11:56:00.000Z

VOlUNTARY REDUNDANCY TIMESCALE EXTENDED

The Council have taken a decision to allow for the extension of the timescale for voluntary redundancy scheme approvals.

Voluntary redundancies may now be approved and signed off up to 30 April to take effect at an agreed date up to 31 October 2009.

An extension to the HR1 statutory notice 31 October 2009 has been requested to the Redundancy Payments Office. All other details on the HR1 remain the same.

The aim of the extension is to further mitigate compulsory redundancies.

2009-03-11T11:15:00.000Z

BUYING BACK PENSION DURING STRIKE PERIOD
As the the pay dispute 2008 is now officially over , members who took industrial action should be aware that their ension contribution which was not paid for the strike days can be brought back and if they wish to should approach their employer to make these payments

2009-03-03T08:22:00.000Z

JOIN THE G20 MARCH

Join us on 28 March and help send a message to the world's leaders. Let's tell the G20 it's time for a new start. It's time to sort out the mess and put people first.
Want to go? contact 4093

2009-02-16T08:07:00.000Z

ACAS pay 2008 update

The oral hearing with the arbitration panel took place at ACAS on 10 February. The Trade Union Side presented our submission, followed by the employers. We argued that local government has treated NJC workers as 'poor relations' for a long time - failing to invest in pay, training and good conditions, while making over-the-odds efficiency savings and putting ever-larger off sums of money into reserves. We also pointed out that the local government settlement for the next three years will far exceed inflation if economic predictions are correct. The employers argued that pay offers had been constrained by Government pay policy and the cost of the LGPS and Single Status.

Each side asked the other questions and the panel asked questions too. They were particularly interested in unallocated reserves - which have increased significantly in the last few years, and whether they can be used for pay purposes. We agreed to provide them with further information on unallocated reserves as a proportion of revenue for
2007/8 and 2008/9. We have obtained this information and are now waiting for the employers to agree it so that it can be sent to the ACAS panel.

We don't have a date for the ACAS panel's response to our submission and will let you know as soon as we get it.

2009-01-29T11:39:00.000Z

SAVE OUR SERVICES!
NO TO CUTS IN DAYCARE
HOMECARE
LIBRARIES
ADULT EDUCATION
ETC..
LOBBY THE COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2009
5PM 4TH FLOOR CIVIC CENTRE

2009-01-19T12:57:00.000Z

UNISON response to attack on redundancy scheme
Below is a copy of the letter sent by UNISON to the Leader of the Council (copied to all Councillors )

Dear Councillor Patten

Re: Cabinet – 19 January 2009 – Revisions to Council Provision for Redundancy

I now write to express UNISON’s serious concern in relation to the impact that the City Council’s financial position is having on the security of employment for our members and the proposed changes to the redundancy scheme.
Clearly UNISON believes that delivery of services are paramount to the authority and cuts to services that lead to redundancies should be avoided and scrutinised vigorously.
However, if redundancies do become necessary following the financial scrutiny, then ways and means of avoiding compulsion should be sought.

UNISON has now bee issued with a “Section 188 notice” for 95 voluntary posts.

While accepting that volunteers are preferable as an alternative to compulsion, UNISON objects to the volunteer being vetted by the authority on affordability and a 50% cap.

Volunteers should be allowed to leave regardless of cost on the current scheme without a cap.

Likewise UNISON is opposed to the current scheme being further revised from 1 April 2009.

You will recall that the current redundancy scheme was introduced in April 2008, offering twice the number of weeks payable as compensation for the loss of additional years being offered under the pension scheme.

Altering the scheme again at this stage while two section 188 notices are still pending (September 2008 and January 2009) is wholly inappropriate and a further “kick in the teeth” to a loyal workforce that is already facing the brunt of these cuts through no fault of their own.

Furthermore consultation on these changes with UNISON has been minimal, the draft report was waiting for me on the 5 January 2009 on my return from annual leave, we then met with your senior officers on 12/01/09 to express our serious concerns, a second hastily arranged meeting was then held on 16/01/09 at which our concerns were expressed again.

UNISON will take legal advice on whether these changes amount to a unilateral change to contracts (we do not agree with them) and if the consultation so far has been meaningful. In the meantime I would ask that no decision is taken on this report and that any redundancy, voluntary or compulsory is avoided where possible or paid under the current scheme.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

Adrian Turner
Branch Secretary

2008-12-09T15:29:00.000Z

BRANCH MEETING
Tuesday 16th December 2008

Council Chamber, Civic Centre - 7pm

Agenda:
Tranformation
Job cuts
Single Status

2008-11-04T12:06:00.000Z

PAY LATEST

The NJC Trade Union Side met on Monday, 3 November 2008 and unanimously agreed the following proposed Terms of Reference for the arbitration process over NJC pay fro 2008-9.

“The Arbitrator is asked to consider the arguments put forward by both sides and make an award to resolve the 2008/9 pay dispute.

All parties accept the arbitrator’s decision is final. In particular, this means:

a) No further industrial action will take place during the arbitration process or following the Arbitrator’s decision, and
b) Any award will be implemented in full without delay”

The Employers’ Side are also considering this form of words and we hope to hear confirmation from them by the end of this week.

The arbitration process will be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators. The names are yet to be provided to both sides by ACAS and agreed. The process will involve both Sides making detailed written submissions to the Arbitration Panel. The exact timings are being established, but it is envisaged this will be done by the last week of November. This will be followed by an oral hearing, probably in early December.

Review of the Green Book

The branch consultation was very clear that branches want the terms and conditions issues separated from the 2009-10 pay claim. This view was supported by the other two NJC trade unions. There have been no further discussions with the Employers on the review since we last updated you in Newsletter 20 in September.

2008-10-23T23:24:00.000+01:00

PAY DISPUTE - EMPLOYER AGREES TO PAY "ON ACCOUNT"

The employers and the NJC have agreed to UNISON's request that the 2008-9 pay offer will be paid "on account" pending the outcome of binding arbitration of the dispute via ACAS. This means an interim award of 2.45% will be paid before christmas - backdated to April 1st. Click here for more details.

2008-10-02T14:28:00.000+01:00

NJC COMMITTEE AGREED THE WAY FORWARD ON PAY

UNISON’s NJC Committee met on 18 September to review progress in the
negotiations which have followed the two days of action in July over the pay award for 2008/09 and the joint statement with the LGA which followed them.
A number of important decisions were made at the meeting. They are explained in detail
below. The decisions were:
· Not to ask members to take any further industrial action in relation to this year’s pay
offer
· To refer this year’s pay offer to ACAS for binding arbitration.
· To approach this year’s pay offer, any review of the Green Book and pay for 2009/10 separately
· To submit a pay claim to the employers as soon as possible 2009/10
· To agree the Trade Union Side’s aims for any future review of the Green Book.
· To undertake an in-depth review within the NJC Committee of the negotiations and
events surrounding this year’s industrial action and to draw up plans to increase our
bargaining strength at local and national level.
· To hold meetings of the full Joint Trade Union Side of the NJC on 1 October and
3 November

Three Joint Secretaries’ meetings have been held since the July action. UNISON and UNITE have consistently pushed the employers to resolve the outstanding pay dispute and this was the first point included in the framework for the negotiations, which was agreed after the second meeting.
Unfortunately the employers claim that there is no pressure on them to increased their final offer of 2.45% and 3.3% for those on scale points 4,5and 6—either from individual local authorities, the
Local Government Association or the Government. The joint Trade Union Side of the NJC
Executive therefore met to take stock of this situation on 10 September and to consider the unions’ aims for any review of the Green Book which might take place in the future. The 2007/8 pay
settlement included such a review.
The Trade Union Side recognised that members need and deserve a pay increase as soon as possible. With no apparent prospect of an improved offer, there was therefore a unanimous decision by all three unions—including the GMB—to recommend to their respective national committees that the matter be referred to the Arbitration and Conciliation Service (ACAS) for binding arbitration. The national agreement—the Green Book— provides for either side of the NJC to do this and we believe that the employers will not stand in our way

NJC Committee's recommendations
The NJC Committee—UNISON’s lay committee—with representatives from each Region,
considered a lengthy report from the negotiators on 18 September and also looked in detail at the results of the consultation on members’ views over further industrial action, which it
requested at its last meeting. With few exceptions, branches responding said that members were not willing to take further action—either ‘all out’ or selective. The Committee therefore decided not to call for further action and to accept the recommendation of the Trade Union Side and seek binding arbitration.

2008-10-02T14:18:00.000+01:00

TRANSFORMATION- IS YOUR JOB AT RISK?

The City Council has now issued UNISON with a HR1 form (formally a Section 188 Notice) under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
This notification gives official notice that the local authority intends to make up to 300 posts redundant by 31 December 2009.
The local authority has also informed UNISON that it will be January 2009 before they know exactly which posts will go, however, we are aware that the posts will be from the 1700 employees currently working in customer services, finance, human
resources, information technology and procurement.
The first proposed compulsory redundancies will not take place before 1 April 2009.
The job losses are a direct consequence of the partnership for customer efficiency
services (PaCES) and the introduction of new systems by the City Council’s partner Axon.
The City Council believes the partnership will save £60 million over the next ten years, however, it has now become apparent that more money than first realised has to be put into the partnership by the council at an earlier stage, putting further strain on the council’s finances and leading to the partnership being re-negotiated even before it’s signed!
In the meantime the council has announced further savings will have to be found to bridge a £35 million shortfall by 2011.
UNISON is now having weekly meetings with Chief Officers and consulting on ways of avoiding compulsory redundancies, including external recruitment restrictions, not filling vacancies, redeployment into the new structures and seeking volunteers from across the council. (Although the Council is refusing to adopt this option).
300 job losses should not be acceptable to the council tax payers of Wolverhampton, UNISON will do everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies, managed
correctly the 300 compulsory redundancies are avoidable.

2008-09-15T09:37:00.000+01:00

PAY UPDATE

Whilst national negotiations continue , there is little to report.
Negotiations have resulted in two joint statements ;
http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/pages_view.asp?.did=7558

All branches were asked to consult members on what further action
they would be prepared to take . This branch decided to hold a postal ballot of all members ,
the results of which will be posted tomorrow

WHAT NEXT?
In the interim a march and lobby of Labour Party Conference organised by local government unions will take place on SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER in Manchester.
The branch has organised a coach to take members tot he lobby
Furhter details can be obtained from the union office at
unionoffice@wolverhamptonunison.org.uk or phone 07932 797139

2008-08-22T08:28:00.000+01:00

BRANCH BALLOT

In view of the importance of the decision as regards further

Industrial action it has been decided to carry out a postal ballot of all members .

You should receive yours soon.

2008-08-19T08:01:00.000+01:00

PAY OFFER LATEST

All UNISON branches have been asked to carry out a consultation with members as regards to what action (if any) are they prepared to take in the event of current talks failing.
contact your steward or the branch office to give your view

2008-08-05T08:24:00.000+01:00

Union to enter talks with local government employers

On 23rd July UNISON’s local government National Joint Committee (NJC) voted unanimously to back further talks with Local Government Employers, aimed at settling the current dispute over pay.
Discussions between UNISON, Unite and the Local Government Employers led to an understanding that talks can go ahead, with a timetable to be agreed at a later date. Joint talks are scheduled to start on 13 August.
In the light of this decision the NJC agreed not to name a date for further strike action. Progress will be monitored over the coming weeks and the decision reviewed in September.

2008-07-08T14:21:00.000+01:00

STRIKE RALLY
Wednesday 16th July 2008
12.30pm
Piazza Civic Centre

2008-06-25T08:29:00.000+01:00

MEMBERS VOTE TO STRIKE!

UNISON members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of sustained strike action over a 2.45% pay offer.

The National Joint Council committee have agreed with 55% of our members that we will fight for a decent pay rise. They also confirmed the 16th and 17th of July will be the action dates.

This decision needs to be ratified by the Industrial action committee on Friday (which it is expected to do).
Once it is formally agreed this branch will begin building for the days of action.
UNISON is a democratic organisation and it is hoped that all members will abide by the ballot result and support the strike!

2008-05-20T08:25:00.000+01:00

UNISON is calling upon all our members in local government to vote “YES” in the official ballot for strike action in opposition to the employers’ “final offer” of 2.45% – an offer which falls well below the rate of inflation and amounts to a pay cut in real terms.

The strike ballot starts on 30 May.Following a national consultation exercise, UNISON members have decided to reject the pay offer from the local government employers,The offer is to increase all but the lowest pay points by 2.45%.

The Retail Price Index is currently over 4% - and prices of many basic commodities are going up far faster. The average family is spending 20% more on food compared with a year ago!

If we accepted another pay rise below the rate of inflation we would be accepting another year in which we could afford to buy less at the end of the year than we could at the beginning.

The decision to reject the pay offer is a decision to reject a pay cut.In the past – in 1989 and 2002 – national strike action by local government workers has forced the employers to increase “final” pay offers. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.We are not alone.

The Government are trying to force all public servants to accept pay rises below the rate of inflation.This has already lead to disputes with teachers, college lecturers and civil servants.Money can be found when the Government want to find it to bail out Northern Rock or to correct unpopular decisions on tax. Money could be found for fair pay for public servants.We can coordinate our campaign for fair pay with other groups of workers to maximise pressure on the Government and employers.If members vote for action, UNISON will call a two day strike in July – if the employers do not back down further strike action will be called.

Vote YES for fair pay – vote YES to strike action!

2008-05-13T13:52:00.000+01:00

PAY OFFER CONSULTATIVE BALLOT RESULTS

The results in wolverhampton branch were;

in favour of accepting 350 those rejecting the offer 771

Within the West Midlands region the vote was split 50-50

The result nationally was a 54% majority rejecting the offer

On this basis the national Service group executive have called for a formal national ballot on a date to be arranged

2008-05-06T15:22:00.000+01:00

17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia:

On 17 May 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders.
The fight for the recognition of equal rights for lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender people did not end there though.
Today around 80 countries in the world still criminalize homosexuality and condemn consensual same sex acts with imprisonment, of these 9 (Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) still have the death penalty. Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity is still not recognized formally by the member states of the United Nations (even though human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Committee have repeatedly condemned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity).
for more www.idaho.org.uk
www.idahomophobia.org
Ribbons are available in the UNISON office at the civic

2008-04-28T08:47:00.000+01:00

Balloting has begun on this years pay offer
THe consultative ballot that all branches are carrying out has begun . Depending on the outcome of the consultative ballot the National leadership will decide if a formal national ballot will be conducted.
As this is a not a 'formal ballot' you can vote in a variety of ways ;
*if you have a steward in your workplace approach them (if they dont approach you first)
*all workplaces will be sent a form for members in that workplace to vote, however this will need somebody to take responsibility to complete the form.
* There is a ballot box in the UNISON office
* Email your vote to daveauger@wolverhamptonunisonoffice.org.uk

2008-04-17T13:20:00.000+01:00

Local Government NJC Pay Offer 2008/09

The national employers are offering the following: -

A 2.45% pay rise on all pay points from scale point 7 giving a rate of £6.55 at scale point 7

An additional flat rate increase of £100 on scale points 4, 5 and 6 giving an increase of 3.3% and pay rates of £6.20, £6.28 and £6.37 respectively

As part of the agreement they also want us to “seek to” conclude the review of the Green Book by 31 December 2008 and;

To “seek to” reach agreement on pay awards for 2009 and 2010 by 31 December 2008.

The UNISON National Joint Council Committee’s recommendation is to reject the employers offer. However, members should be aware that, in our view, it would require substantial, all-out strike action starting with two days consecutive strike action and escalating to further consecutive action of more than two days if there were to be any chance of re-opening negotiations and securing an improved offer

Vote in the UNISON Office.

The closing date for the ballot is 6 May 2008.

2008-04-02T10:17:00.000+01:00

Workers of the West Midlands Unite!

Come and join the 14th annual 1st May celebrations in Wolverhampton. @ Pegasus, Craddock St, Whitmore Reans WV6 0QQ
Once you've been out to vote AGAINST the fascist bnp on council election day, THURSDAY 1st May, come along for free international entertainment and trade union speakers & stalls;
all free, except the bar!
fun for all the family

LINE UP:
7pm doors open and chance to visit stalls, bar, bouncy castle, mehndi Music from One Love International Sound System
7.15pm Azaad Dhol Group
7.30pm welcomefrom compere Andy Goodall, May Day Committee Alquin Magpantay - Filipino/ English Ballads (UNISONHealth worker)
speaker: Graham Stevenson (UNITE) Why Trade Unionists should read the MorningStar
7.50pm Lady Leofric’s Cross Cotswold Morris Dancers & Castle CleggStep Clog Dancers
8.10pm speaker: Dyal Bhagri, National President Indian WorkersAssociation
8-20pm interval & food - free Asian + Caribbean buffet music from One Love International
Salsa Mundo dancers
8.45pm speakers: Ali Rahimi Iranian Trade unionist
Ken Purchase MP on schools
9pm Banner Theatre – 1st May Band renowned Midlands based group singing of Internationale followed by One Love Sound System
11pm ends
organised by Wolverhampton May Day Committee
www.wolvestuc.org.uk

2008-02-29T08:34:00.000Z

NATIONAL OFFICE SAY "NO"

Yesterday branch officers met with national officers regarding the single status proposals. They have concluded that;

"the package as it stands is not recommendable" and that it had failed "to pass equality tests".

as such UNISON will not ballot on the proposals. UNISON made the employers aware of this yesterday and we will be meeting with them on monday.

2008-02-26T12:54:00.000Z

The 'statement from the leader' issued today implies that UNISON is responsible for delays in the process.
Firstly lets remind ourselves that the single status agreement was signed in 1997
TEN YEARS AGO! and none of the delay can be placed at the door of the trade unions.
we make no apologies for wanting to make sure any deal is equal pay proof before it is put to members, that is why the proposals are in the hands of our national office, as the authority well knows , the leaders advice for union members " lobby their trade unions to clear the way for a ballot is therefore somewhat disingenuous.
we are however meeting national officials on Thursday to discuss the proposals and hope to have an announcement on friday.
The leaders statement that 'honouring increments....will inevitably lead to a reduction in services" appears to ignore the fact that these increments are not new and would have always ( in the absence of the employers deadline) been honoured