Category: News
Non UNISON news
National Pay, Unified Reward, We Are Barnet “levelling up” negotiations 2 November update
Tuesday 2 November 6- 7 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81712515827?pwd=dituZHZRSWE5VW9ETDdkb0QwWTVFdz09
Meeting ID: 817 1251 5827
Passcode: 641084
This is an important meeting for all our members working for Barnet Council and The Barnet Group.
We will be discussing the following:
- Update on the negotiations on Pay & Terms & Conditions and Pension with The Barnet Group.
- What do Barnet UNISON Council workers want to put onto the negotiating table with Barnet Council?
- An update on the National Strike ballot on Pay
If you have any questions please email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk or ring 0208 359 2088
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Abortion Rights UK March London 2 October
A few weeks ago, one of the most restrictive anti-choice laws in the US came into effect in Texas, SB8. It bans all abortions beyond 6 weeks gestation, a point at which most people don’t even know they are pregnant. Anyone involved in the process, from a doctor to a taxi driver or friend can be fined up to $10,000 if a member of the public sues them. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, meaning that the Roe Vs Wade ruling that legalised a woman’s right to choose in the US is now massively undermined.
A woman’s right to control her body has always been a trade union issue – in fact the biggest protest ever to defend this was organised by the TUC. On 2 October, there will be protests in every state of the US, and Abortion Rights UK has called solidarity marches here. In London, it is assembling at 12 noon in Trafalgar Square and marching to the US Embassy. We would like to encourage branches to circulate this information to their members and, for those who feel able, to join the march with your branch UNISON banner.
https://abortionrights.org.uk/event/defend-abortion-march-solidarity-with-texas/
Going, going gone, sold to…….what is going on at Apthorp?
Staff and vulnerable residents were told they would have to leave Apthorp by the 31 October 2021.
First, we were told it was closing because the building was unsafe, and the Council could not afford it.
Then we found out that they were carrying on with the refurbishment and that it might be re-opening.
Then we discovered that the Council does not own the property. It belongs to Catalyst Housing. We asked why the Council were spending money on a property they do not own.
No response.
There are 93 care workers at risk of the sack and if Apthorp is closed, however if it is re-opening, we want to be able to work with the employer to prevent loyal care workers from being sacked.
Barnet asked the following questions:
- What is reason for the building workers on this property?
- Are you re-opening Apthorp as a:
- Residential & day care setting
- Nursing, Residential, day care setting
- Extra care and day care setting
- A mixture of all the above
- Selling it off to the private sector
- Selling it off to a property developer for housing?
- Why is Barnet Council spending money on a property they don’t own?
No responses to the above.
Breaking News
Last week we found out that a Gerald Eve estate agent was on site at Apthorp Lodge carrying out an evaluation of the building on behalf of Catalyst Housing.
We have asked what is going on.
- Why are Catalyst seeking a valuation?
- Why are Barnet Council paying for refurbishment of a property which they don’t own?
- Why have Barnet Council not sought costs from Catalyst Housing for allowing it to fall into disrepair and putting the safety of residents at risk.
It appears there is millions for contractors but nothing for care workers who risked their lives during the Covid pandemic.
You can view our care workers latest video message here https://youtu.be/mUcnJbFuFX8
You can send messages of solidarity here: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
Another depot worker rejecting the derisory 1.75% pay offer
Is Apthorp care setting closing or not?
Incredibly last week our reps were informed that Barnet Council were continuing with the repairs at Apthorp with the intention that it will re-open.
This was shocking news in that the staff were not informed it was re-opening and the Council delegated report which triggered the announcement of the sacking of the 93 Covid heroes did not mention that Apthorp would re-open
The only recorded decision was as follows:
“1. To commence work with the residents of Apthorp and their families to identify appropriate alternative placements and effect a safe transfer to the new home.”
View report here https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=8668
“Why did Barnet Council consult residents, relatives, Trade Unions and staff on the options before simply imposing a decision that is damaging both to resident and staff?”
Now we know it is re-opening we are seeking a meaningful consultation on an alternative way to deal with the issues facing the residents and staff.
Look out for further updates.
End.
A Tale of Two Priorities
Capita have received a staggering £555 million from Barnet Council whilst 93 #CovidHeroes care workers have been given their redundancy notice due to a decision made by Barnet Council
Big thanks to @ReasonableNB for keeping tally of the #Capita payments
“Just what we pay Capita – How they billed £555 million to one council”
http://reasonablenewbarnet.blogspot.com/2021/09/just-what-we-pay-capita-how-they-billed.html
This is truly shocking our #WeAreBarnet #keyworkers just don’t understand why money can be found for Capita but not for the residents of #Apthorp
Join our We Are Barnet Save Apthorp lobby in person and online
Please come along in solidarity for our 93 Covid Heroes who after working through Covid were told two weeks ago their jobs were going.
The lobby starts 6 pm outside Hendon Town Hall and finishes at 7 pm.
This will be an opportunity to hear from the care workers directly as to what has happened.
Barnet UNISON has a proud history of standing up for members when they are in need therefore we are calling on all Barnet UNISON members and trade union members to attend our Solidarity public lobby.
We had asked to speak at the Adults & Safeguarding Committee which starts at 7 pm inside Hendon Town Hall , but our request was denied.
We have been offered a meeting and we are waiting for the date and time.
We also want to extend our request for solidarity to the wider Trade Union movement and we are pleased to announce that our lobby will be hosted by Socialist Telly.
You can find Socialist Telly on You Tube here https://www.youtube.com/c/SocialistTelly
Here are details to join the Save Apthorp care home lobby online
Join Barnet UNISON Zoom Meeting Tuesday 14 September at 5.45 pm – 7 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88230246920?pwd=L1ZNa1FWellMYVpRWW1zc0ZpbzI0dz09
Meeting ID: 882 3024 6920
Passcode: 894775
Solidarity
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What is going on, just who owns Apthorp care home?
News has come to light which suggests that Barnet Council does not own Apthorp care home.
See Land Registry which shows that the owner is CATALYST HOUSING LIMITED (Industrial and Provident Society No. IP16561R) of Ealing Gateway, 26-30 Uxbridge Road, London W5 2AU.
Apthorp Lodge Land Registry Title
Let’s go back to Barnet Council delegated Powers report which made the decision to close the home which has created untold stress and anxiety for residents and their relatives along with the 93 Covid heroes who work there.
“In March 2021 and May 2021 routine fire safety assessments, followed by additional building conditions surveys identified that significant and intrusive works would be required to bring the building up to standard. Indicative costs were estimated to be in the region of £2.7m.”
The report fails to mention that the costs which are high should be paid by the owner of the property instead it is the reason to justify the decision to create havoc at Apthorp.
Furthermore, the communication over this decision is all over the place.
In the communication to staff and trade unions the time to get out states 31 October 2021 yet in this report it states:
“This report recommends that, to ensure residents’ needs are being met appropriately, the adult social care team should work with YCB to support residents to move to alternative care homes by end November 2021.”
There are so many questions that are unanswered about this grievous decision see our next post
In the meantime, we are still waiting to hear back from the Chair of Adults & Safeguarding Committee in answer to our request to address the meeting on behalf of our 93 Covid heroes. The silence is deafening.
Details of our lobby on Tuesday 14 September at 6 pm are here below
2021.08.31 Apthorp lobby leaflet
What happened to the 11 Barnet Council Care Homes and day centres in 1999?
Barnet Council back in 1998 made a decision that it would outsource all of its Elderly Services residential and day care services.
They not only wanted to get rid of the workforce they handed over the property to the lucky contractor.
Imagine that 11 prime real estate locations and they only required to build four new settings (they only built three new homes, more on that in a later post).
Barnet UNISON commissioned a report to counter this proposal.
Here is what we recommended to Barnet Council back in 1999
Recommendations
We recommend that:
- Barnet maintains ownership of its residential homes and continues to
directly employ staff engaged in these homes. Any reorganisation and
redirection of resources in favour of specialist or domiciliary care should be in
the context of in-house provision and joint work with health organisations,
rather than transfers to the independent sector.
- The residential and domiciliary services, including home care, day care and
respite care, be subject to a comprehensive Best Value service review which
includes a detailed examination of quality and cost.
- The council works with the trade unions and staff to develop the in-house
service. As part of this a review of the operation and management of the
service should be conducted with the full involvement of the trade unions, users and the wider community in accordance with the Best Value requirements .
- Alternative funding options and the impact of phased improvement work on
the capital programme require further detailed investigation before any
decisions are made.
You can read the FULL report here Barnet Res Care 1999 report
Needless to say, our report was ignored, and the staff and Council properties handed over to contractors.
Next post will be on what happened next?
Did we get high quality care homes fit for the future?
What happened to the work force?
End.