Category: Austerity
Find out more about Four Day Week at our AGM
Dear Barnet UNISON member
Barnet UNISON is pleased to announce that a joint visit with Barnet UNISON and the Leader of Barnet Council to South Cambridgeshire is being arranged for March this year.
See Headline below
“In 2023, the first ever UK council trial got underway. South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first UK council to trial a four-day week with a three month trial for desk-based staff that began in January 2023. The move involved staff reducing their hours to 30 hours per week and with no loss of pay.”
South Cambridgeshire District Council (UK) https://www.4dayweek.co.uk/case-studies
At a time when our members are worried about redundancies and cuts this revolutionary approach to employment is something that Barnet UNISON feels needs to be explored for our members.
Barnet UNISON has invited Liz Brennan South Cambridgeshire UNISON Branch Secretary to come and speak to members about the Pilot and what it means for UNISON members.
Come along and listen to Liz tell this positive story.
All you need to do is register to join our Barnet UNISON AGM Tuesday 25 February 2025 4-5.30 pm by clicking on the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrd-GorTsrGtQzqR9L3h9L-z1mKymCRU_i
Background Information.
You can read extensive information about the results of Pilot on the South Cambridgeshire website here https://www.scambs.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/four-day-working-week
Here are more details about the Four Day week pilots across other employers can be found here https://www.4dayweek.co.uk/
Barnet UNISON.
***Barnet UNISON AGM Tuesday 25 February 2025 4-5.30 pm ***
It is your democratic right to attend and participate in your UNISON AGM.
It is important that members register to attend.
You have two choices:
You can join in person at the Colindale office, or you can join online.
Please click on the link below to register to join the meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrd-GorTsrGtQzqR9L3h9L-z1mKymCRU_i
End.
Barnet Council: “Outsource, outsource and more outsourcing.”
“A Labour Government would oversee the ‘biggest wave of insourcing for a generation,’ deputy leader Angela Rayner has said” (2022)
Fast forward to 2025 and here in Barnet Council the message is clear outsourcing, outsourcing and more outsourcing.
In the last 12 months our cleaners were told they would not be brought back inhouse our parking workers were told late last year that insourcing was not an option and tomorrow Wednesday 5 February Education workers were told that they would remain outside the Council, denying staff access to a public sector pension scheme.
The trade unions all lobbied the Labour Administration and were sent a very clear message that outsourcing is off the table.
We are in the worst cost of living crisis in 77 years and our lowest paid are living in daily fear as to what bills they can pay.
Our outsourced members are the worst impacted as privatisation brings the following:
Job Insecurity and Reduced Benefits:
Private companies often prioritise profit maximisation, which can lead to job cuts, reduced wages, and fewer benefits for workers.
This can create instability and financial hardship for low-paid workers who rely on the steady employment and benefits that public sector jobs often provide.
Erosion of Worker’s Rights:
Privatisation weakens workers’ ability to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
This can lead to a decline in worker’s rights and protections, making low-paid workers more vulnerable to exploitation.
Increased Inequality:
The focus on profit in privatised services can lead to a widening gap between executive pay and the wages of frontline workers.
This exacerbates existing income inequality and can make it even harder for low-paid workers to make ends meet.
We have workers delivering services for Barnet Council with no occupational sick pay, no access to a public sector pension scheme to name a few of the gross inequalities that are rife across the private sector.
UNISON represents outsourced workers in Housing, Social Care, Cleaning, Parking Enforcement, Security, Schools Catering and Education and all are being told there is no room for them in the Barnet Council workforce.
UNISON has a National Policy called Bringing Services Home and Barnet UNISON fully supports this aim and will continue to push for a clear plan and timetable for services to be brought back in-house.
End.
“Withdraw the compulsory redundancies”: £7,804,000
Before our members read this article. It is important to note that there is no detriment to the best of our knowledge to the Pension Scheme because of the unlawful actions identified in the report going to Full Council on Tuesday 28 January 2025. This is confirmed in paragraph 10.2 of the report.
“It should also be emphasised that as the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a defined benefit scheme there is no impact as a result of these transactions on members’ benefits.”
What has happened?
UNISON has only recently discovered that something unlawful has taken place involving payments to the Council’s Pension Scheme.
The matter was first publicly discussed Pension Fund Committee – Tuesday 14th January 2025 7.00 pm.
You can listen to the discussion by clicking on the link below. You need to scroll 1 hour and 6 minutes to hear the discussion about the unlawful payments.
The next piece of critical information came to our attention when the reports were published for the Full Council on Tuesday 28 January 2025.
One damning paragraph stands out:
“5.2.1 After taking advice, and based on the information available the Monitoring Officer and the Section151 Officer are of the view that the Additional Payments and the Repayments were unlawful.”
Source: Report to all Elected members of London Borough of Barnet Under Section 5(2)(a) of the local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Section 114 (2)(a) Local Government Finance Act 1988 By Jessica Farmer Monitoring Officer and Kevin Bartle Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer).
https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s87758/Appendix%20A%20joint%20report%20S5S114.pdf
The report uses the term unlawful ten times unlawfully once and unlawfulness once.
It is a shocking report.
UNISON recommends that members read the above report that is being discussed at Council meeting.
The two paragraphs set out what happened:
“4.2 The Council (acting as a scheme employer) made a one-off prepayment of £20,477,000 to the Fund in April 2020 (“the Prepayment”) instead of secondary contributions for the years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23. This was because the Council was advised that a Prepayment would save the Council money compared with making secondary contributions over three years. The Council received leading counsel’s advice, which was taken without reference to the Monitoring Officer, that making the Prepayment was lawful in principle.”
“4.4 After the Prepayment, the Council continued to make periodic payments of (in effect) secondary contributions for the three financial years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 (“Additional Payments”). These were made contrary to the Rates and adjustments Certificate. In effect, the Additional Payments would duplicate the Prepayment, and so officers also arranged that the Fund would repay most of the Additional Payment back to the Council in three annual repayments (“Repayments”). Because of a lack of documentation and staff turnover, the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer have not been able to understand clearly when or why the Additional Payments and Repayments were arranged. As far as the Monitoring Officer and current Section 151 Officer can tell, the most likely explanation is that, at the time, officers believed that the outcome of these fund flows would be advantageous for the Council in accounting terms, while not being disadvantageous to the Fund. In any event, the Additional Payments were made and two of the three planned Repayments have also been made: £6,508,000 in October 2020 and £7,574,000 in October 2021.”
For those of us who are not financial experts the two paragraphs explain that not only was an unlawful payment of £20,477,000 made into the Pension Fund but that a further three payments were made of the next three years which resulted in effect in a double payment into the Pension Fund. Towards the end of the final paragraph the Council explains that the Council clawed back two payments back but that once the unlawful payments had been discovered everything was put on hold.
Many of our members reading this report will know that they all are expected to follow Council procedures and understand what happens if you don’t follow. Many of our members will be wondering about who has the powers to authorise spend. The responsibilities for senior managers are set out in what is referred to as the Scheme of Delegation which you can read on the Council website here https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s24780/Appendix%20D%20-%20Scheme%20of%20Delegated%20Authority%20to%20Officers.pdf
There are a number of questions UNISON has about how this could happen, but our immediate concern is in regard to the numerous redundancy consultations taking place.
£7.8million is a lot of money that is owed to the Council.
At this moment in time the Council is coming to a close on a number of redundancy consultations which, if confirmed, are going to mean staff will be made redundant. Vacancies will be deleted in teams where there is already increasing pressure on the workforce to deliver more with less resources and to work in a job where their pay has failed to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis.
It is UNISON’s understanding, and we would be happy to publicly correct it if we have misunderstood the report above, that Barnet Council is attempting to find a way to retrieve £7,804,000 back from the Council’s Pension Fund.
£7,804,000 is a lot of money and it is UNISON’s view that if this money were back in the Council’s bank account, then it could be used to mitigate some of the redundancies/cuts to public services which are about to be signed off by Barnet Council.
In the meantime, we have several questions.
- Was there a scheme of delegation for the Pension Fund?
- If not, why not?
- Who made the decision to make the prepayment?
- Who decided to make the decision to subsequently carry on with payments that the prepayment was intended to cover?
- Who can authorise a payment of up to £20million
- What was the cost of the initial legal advice in 2020?
- Who has authority to seek counsel’s opinion
- Who did seek counsel’s opinion in this case?
- Was counsel’s opinion seen by the monitoring officer?
- If yes what was their opinion, if not why not?
- Was the scheme was initiated by the council acting as the fund or as the employer i.e. did the pension fund ask them to do it?
- What has been the total cost of legal advice and tax advice taken so far?
- Has anyone been subject to a disciplinary investigation?
Recommendations:
As a result of the breaking news UNISON is demanding the following:
- The redundancies are withdrawn in anticipation that the monies owed can mitigate the need to make the redundancies in this year.
UNISON response to Barnet Council’s Restructure Proposals 2024/25
Barnet UNISON has, since September 2024, proposed financial savings which we believe should be tried before any of these other posts are deleted. To date we have had no response and instead our members’ jobs and services are now at risk.
Please see our budget saving recommendations below:
To view our report please click on the link below
UNISON response to Barnet Councils Restructure Proposals 2024
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/UNISON-response-to-Barnet-Councils-Restructure-Proposals-2024.pdf
NEW: Depot Wednesday UNISON meetings
Social Care to wait until 2028. No thanks this is not good enough
Our care workers can’t wait for another review.
Politicians keep promising to deliver a fair system where care workers will be recognised for the professional role they provide in the delivery of critical care services.
The recent annoucement by Health Secretary Wes Streeting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c791gyx2n50o is simply not good enough.
He is kicking the ‘social care’ can down the road.
Our members need this change NOW.
End.
John Sullivan, Father, husband, Barnet resident and grassroots local hero ‘Rest in Peace’
Source: The above video is John Sullivan speaking at the UK Covid Inquiry in 2024.
Dear Barnet UNISON members
I want to inform you of the passing of John Sullivan.
John was a Barnet resident and a true friend of Barnet UNISON and the services our members provided for residents of the London Borough of Barnet.
I have known John, Ida (John’s wife) and Susan (John’s daughter) for almost 30 years. I first met him when Barnet UNISON was fighting the closure of Etchingham Park Day Centre. John was an ardent advocate for his community. He would fight tooth and nail for you if he believed it was the right thing to do.
Over the years John has supported Barnet UNISON members across a number of campaigns such as the Fremantle care worker dispute, the One Barnet outsourcing campaign, Your Choice Barnet campaign and sadly, most recently, the fight for justice for those who lost loved ones during the COVID pandemic.
He has stood on Barnet UNISON picket lines, taken part in demonstrations, spoken out in countless public meetings, often calling out politicians who were failing those who most need public services.
It was an honour and privilege to have known John and his family.
My last comment is to direct Barnet UNISON members to the link to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry where John gave evidence about what happened to his daughter who died early on in the pandemic.
The fact that he found the mental and physical strength to take part and give evidence is a testament to the unique person John was.
I am also providing a link to the whole inquiry.
You can watch John give evidence 4 hours and 20 minutes into the inquiry
https://www.youtube.com/live/UyJfu8wOxco?si=-ZjW8QmnXm1DDN8s
Below are some links to John’s contribution to fighting for public services:
How Barnet Eye guest blogger John Sullivan moved LBC’s James O’Brien to tears
https://barneteye.blogspot.com/2021/05/how-barnet-eye-guest-blogger-john.html
My Susan was allowed to die of Covid because she had Down’s syndrome, father says
Barnet UNISON Pays Tribute to The Little Chief, Susan Sullivan
JUDICIAL REVIEW CHALLENGE TO PRIVATISATION OF BARNET COUNCIL SERVICES LAUNCHED
Your Choice Barnet – John Sullivan’s statement read by Barbara Jacobson 27.11.2013
https://youtu.be/0IsKGHwp0kU?feature=shared
YOUR CHOICE BARNET CARE WORKERS CAMPAIGN
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015.01.15.%20YCB%20FLYER%20PUBLIC.pdf
CapitaVille song – sung by John Sullivan
https://youtu.be/-MZYbxk2Ssg?feature=shared
Legal Challenge to One Barnet
https://youtu.be/etOSBzuN1LM?feature=shared
Rest in Peace John.
Solidarity
John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.
Barnet UNISON NSL members time to end the cycle of low pay!
The Impact of Low Pay on Workers
Low pay is a significant issue affecting our outsourced members. When wages do not meet basic living standards, our low paid members face numerous challenges that can have long-lasting effects on their well-being and quality of life. The call by Barnet UNISON for a campaign to increase the minimum wage to £15 per hour is not just a matter of financial fairness but a necessity to ensure dignity and stability for our members who deliver public services on behalf of Barnet Council.
Financial Strain
Many of our outsourced members are earning less than £15 per hour struggle to cover essential expenses like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation. This financial strain often leads to debt accumulation as individuals are forced to rely on credit to make ends meet. Over time, this cycle of debt can become crippling, limiting opportunities for economic growth and social mobility.
Health and Well-being
Living under constant financial pressure can have detrimental effects on mental and physical health. Stress from trying to manage limited resources can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Additionally, our outsourced members on low pay may not be able to afford healthcare, leading to untreated medical conditions and poorer overall health.
Limited Opportunities
Low wages often mean that outsourced members are unable to invest in education or skills development, which limits their career advancement opportunities. This lack of investment in personal growth can result in workers being trapped in low-paying jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limiting their potential to achieve a better quality of life.
Why our Barnet UNISON Pay Campaign is Essential
1. Economic Fairness
A campaign to raise the minimum wage to £15 per hour is a step toward economic fairness. It ensures that outsourced members receive compensation that reflects the true cost of living and acknowledges their contributions to the economy. Fair pay helps bridge the gap between different socioeconomic groups, fostering a more equitable society.
2. Boosting the Economy
Increasing wages can lead to a stronger economy. When our outsourced members have more disposable income, they tend to spend more on goods and services, stimulating demand and encouraging business growth. Additionally, higher wages can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction, which benefits both employees and employers.
3. Improving Quality of Life
By raising the minimum wage, we can significantly improve the quality of life for many of our outsourced members and their families. A higher income allows individuals to afford better housing, healthcare, education, and other necessities, contributing to overall well-being and a more stable society.
4. Conclusion
The push for a minimum wage of £15 per hour is more than a financial issue; it’s a campaign for dignity, fairness, and opportunity. By addressing the challenges faced by our outsourced low-paid members, we can create a more just and prosperous society where everyone has the chance to thrive.
If you want to be part of this campaign, first join UNISON by clicking on the link below
https://join.unison.org.uk/
Once you are a member come along to the Barnet UNISON NSL meeting on Thursday 16 January 2025 at 6.30 pm.
End.