Victory for BELS Staff! Annual Leave and Paternity Rights Win for UNISON Members

Barnet UNISON is proud to announce another win for our members — this time at Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS).

After persistent negotiation led by our BELS UNISON representative, and in collaboration with other trade unions, BELS employees will now receive 31 days of annual leave and two weeks’ paternity leave, bringing them in line with London Borough of Barnet employees.

BELS UNISON Rep said:
“I am pleased to confirm that BELS are implementing 31 days annual leave for all BELS staff. Whilst there are still areas that need to be addressed, like the inequality in the pension offering, I am happy to see that BELS have listened to UNISON members’ requests and have made a step in bringing us closer to parity with our colleagues working in Barnet Council.”

Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:
“This is what trade union persistence looks like — real improvements in conditions for our members. Every step towards parity between BELS and Council staff matters. We will keep fighting until every member working in a council-owned company gets the full rights, pay and pensions they deserve.”

BELS is a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC), 100% owned by Barnet Council, delivering vital education services on behalf of the borough. Barnet UNISON has long campaigned to bring BELS back in-house, so staff delivering public services enjoy the same pay, pension and conditions as directly employed council workers.

Our next target is access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) — the public service pension scheme available to council employees. Despite being wholly owned by the Council, BELS staff are currently denied access, a decision that UNISON believes is unfair and discriminatory.

An Equal Pay claim has already been registered for BELS staff, forming part of UNISON’s wider claim across Barnet Council and The Barnet Group (TBG).

This latest win shows what can be achieved when members are organised and determined.
Together, we are stronger. Join UNISON today and be part of the fight for fairness, equality and respect at work.

For more information email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

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