Month: September 2016

Dear UNISON members

Do I need to sign or not sign my new contracts?

Barnet Council is issuing all its staff with new contracts following the Unified Pay agreement.

The letter asks staff to sign the new contract detailing the new Terms & Conditions.

Whilst the majority of workers will have no concerns about signing the new contract there are some who will want to seek advice before signing.

For example any worker who is querying their new grade or the content of the Terms & Conditions.

I have spoken to the Council and no worker will be told they have to sign the contract immediately.

Please make sure you keep a copy of your contract in a safe place.

If you are in doubt ring the UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk in order we can provide some advice.

If anyone feels they are being forced into signing the contract please make urgent contact with the UNISON office.

Schools staff

I have been advised that new contracts for all Barnet Council schools staff are going out later, but the advice as above will also apply. As soon as we know the date Barnet Council will be issuing new contracts we will be in touch again.

Help with understanding Unified Pay

We do understand that some of the communication from the Council has been confusing which is why Barnet UNISON wants to make sure all of our members have an opportunity to understand what the agreement will mean for them individually.

I am leading on Appeals together with other trained UNISON reps for our members and 1 to 1 meetings are already being arranged.

If you have not yet formally registered your appeal/concerns please inform the council at Unified Reward helpline on 0330 606 4444 (option 1) or email barnethrpayroll@capita-services.co.uk or Unified.reward@barnet.gov.uk and send a copy of your appeal/concerns to the UNISON office.

Collective issues.

For some staff, for example Coach Escorts and Nursery Nurses there are shared collective issues for all of the staff in that particular role; in which case we will be acting on behalf of all of our members in each of these particular roles. It would be helpful for our records and preparation that members in these roles provide UNISON with a copy of their letters.

Time for you.

It is important to let all of our members that we have time to meet and discuss options, whilst the Council has changed the deadlines for Appeals, there is a willingness from the Council for each member of staff to have the right to raise their appeal/concerns. The procedure being followed is UNISON meetings are being scheduled with before a meeting is organised with the Council.

 

 

John Burgess

Branch Secretary

Barnet UNISON

“We have just received the following statement from UNISON. Now lets build this demonstration, lets make so much noise Austerity will not be able to silence all of our voices about the brutal reality of austerity to our public services that all of us love. Solidarity see you all on the 5th November” John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON

UNISON is taking part in the UK demonstration for Libraries, Museums and Galleries in support of the thousands of our members working in them across the UK. Libraries, museums and workers providing the services have suffered damaging cuts since 2010 under the Coalition and Conservative governments’ ‘austerity’ regime. If this continues, they will be destroyed as a critical local service.

25% of library jobs have been lost in the last six years, nearly 350 libraries closed and over 170 handed over to “community groups” and volunteers and yet more cuts are being planned.

This is not just devastating to the 8000 library workers who have been deprived of their income and careers, but also a loss to the UK nations as a whole. Library cuts mean:

· Our communities are increasingly being denied the use of the skills, knowledge and experience of library workers.
· People across the country are losing free access to information, education and entertainment both printed and digital.
· Children’s literacy is being hampered as access to library books and librarians and other library professionals is reduced.
· Job seekers and young peoplelosing the opportunity to improve skills and search for jobs using the free information, training and use of ICT in Libraries
· Social isolation increased for many people who rely on libraries for human contact and interaction

Yet libraries and museums remain much used and loved public services. Nearly a third of all adults in the UK visited a library in the twelve months ending September 2015, rising to nearly 40% of women and around 50% of Black and ethnic minority people.**

UNISON supports the Demonstration on the 5th of November in support of ourlibrary and museum workers and a public service vital to our communitie

s. Please join us.

Heather Wakefield National Secretary Local Government, Police and Justice Section