Legal Services transfer to Harrow Council in shambles

I attended a second tripartite meeting earlier this week and it was shambolic the worst meeting I have ever attended. I had invited the UNISON Harrow branch secretary to attend the meeting as he would be picking up any issues raised in this consultation when staff transfer to Harrow. I had been given no indication that there was an objection until at the eleventh hour I received an email from HR stating the Harrow Branch Secretary would not be allowed in to the meeting. I accompanied the Harrow Branch Secretary upstairs to the meeting where we were informed that he would not be allowed in. He then sought a meeting with senior managers from Harrow Councils this took 35 minutes of our 60 minute meeting.

I then had to escort him off the premises. I went into the meeting and registered my dismay at how he and UNISON has been treated. I went on to explain that I had previous experience of attending TUPE discussions when non council employees were being TUPED into the council (four years ago staff working for Connexions and Prospects were TUPED back into Barnet Council). I handled the TUPE discussions (with agreement from HR) even though they had previous belonged to Enfield UNISON branch.

After explaining this point (I had included this in my email reply to the ban) I asked that common sense apply and Harrow be allowed to attend future meetings , this was refused.

Staff Personal Information:

At this meeting I was informed that no personal information had been shared with Harrow Council including details about job role etc. I registered my dissatisfaction that with less than 5 weeks to transfer this information has not been shared with staff.

I asked for a delay to the transfer, this was rejected and I said I would be consulting my members on this matter.

Update on the Ban

I have been informed that the Harrow Branch Secretary will be allowed to attend but only as an Observer. I have written to say this is unacceptable and that he must be allowed to contribute to the discussions taking place.