Category: Austerity

Your Pay: The Tories Austerity Robbery

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Local, National, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

This information is for all Barnet Council staff who are on Unified Reward Terms and Conditions.

To find out how much money that you have lost because of the Tories Austerity Robbery you need to know which Grade you are on.

If you don’t know what grade you are on, please contact your line manager. If you are experiencing problems finding out this information, please leave a message on the UNISON voicemail on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Grade A: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5%. What that means for a Grade A worker is that instead of earning £22,575 a year you should be on £28,783 which means the Tories have robbed you of £6,208

Grade B: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a Grade B worker is that instead of earning £23,400 a year you should be on £29,835 which means the Tories have robbed you of £6,435

Grade C: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a Grade C worker is that instead of earning £24,243 a year you should be on £30,910 which means the Tories have robbed you of £6,667

Grade D: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a is that for a Grade D worker instead of earning £25,128 a year you should be on £32,038 which means the Tories have robbed you of £6,910

Grade E: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a Grade E worker is that instead of earning £26,508 a year you should be on £33,798 which means the Tories have robbed you of £7,290

Grade F: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a Grade F worker is that instead of earning £29,502 a year you should be on £37,615 which means the Tories have robbed you of £8,113

Grade G: The Tories have held back your pay by 27.5% what that means for a Grade G worker is that instead of earning £32,988 a year you should be on £42,060 which means the Tories have robbed you of £9,072

If you have any questions or queries, please leave a voicemail on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

End.

Barnet Outreach workers 88% turnout and a100% vote for strike action.

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Housing, Local, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign

“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now, all we are asking for is fairness and respect, equal treatment like our colleagues, it is not too much to ask.” (Barnet Outreach worker)

“Happy employees = successful organisation.  Let’s do the things right” (Barnet Outreach worker)

We noted a discrepancy in pay between new starters and staff who were TUPE transferred across in 2019.

New starters are paid significantly higher (around 10% higher) than the TUPE’d staff.

We noted that the message this gives longstanding staff is that they are worth less than the new starters and also noted that if all of them resigned from their role then they would have to be hired at the new rate of pay.

TBG is undertaking an exercise to re-evaluate the roles of the TUPE’d staff but this work may only be completed by the end of July. At the time of the Emergency JNCC we did not receive a commitment to backdate any such re-evaluation to 1st July (the date the new starters began).

Trades Dispute: Failure to agree to aligning the wages of workers in Outreach Barnet with a backdate to 1st July.

‘We are already swamped in Housing Options with our caseloads, but without the great work of Outreach Barnet, we simply wouldn’t be able to cope, they make a real difference to vulnerable peoples lives.’ (Housing Options worker)

‘Barnet Outreach workers provide a service that is essential to our most vulnerable tenants to help them sustain their tenancies.’ (Sheltered Housing worker)

Barnet UNISON carried out its own consultative strike ballot.

Indicative Ballot result

Returned Ballot – 88%

Vote for strike action – 100%

Barnet UNISON has reiterated that we are still open for talks. We have agreed to a meeting on Wednesday 27 July 2022 where we hope commonsense will prevail to avoid strike action. However, because of the outcome of our consultative ballot we will be submitting our Industrial Action request to UNISON London region next week.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

Background:

Out of Touch Barnet for Outreach Barnet Workers!

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/out-of-touch-barnet-for-outreach-barnet-workers/

What does #Caxit mean for Barnet UNISON members working for Capita?

Austerity, Local, UNISON Campaign

On Tuesday 19 July 2022, Barnet Council decided to let Capita Re (a Joint venture with Barnet Council)  expire at the end of the 10 year contract.

View Barnet Council report here https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s73533/Review%20of%20Capita%20Contracts.pdf

This means staff working for the following services will be coming back in-house to Barnet Council

  • Regulatory Services: (Environmental Health, Trading and Licensing Services, Pest Control)
  • Regeneration
  • Highways
  • Cemetery and Crematorium
  • Land Charges
  • Building Control
  • Planning and Development.

The second Capita contract is known as CSG, and it provides back-office services.

The following services are to return in-house

  • Estates (including Print)
  • Welfare Team
  • Procurement

The following services are being extended:

IT, Customer Services and Revs & Bens extended 2 years 7 months to March 20226

HR Payroll and Finance 1 year extension to 31 August 2024.

Key TUPE transfer dates for staff.

31 August 2023 for Estates (including Print) into Barnet Council.

30 September 2023 for all services in Re (see above) into Barnet Council.

31 August 2024 for HR/Core HR and Accounts Payable/Integra *

31 March 2026 for IT, Customer Services and Revs and Bens *

*Please note no decision has been made as to whether staff working in these services will come back in-house. Barnet UNISON has written to the Chief Executive to ask why they are not coming back in-house and when a decision will be made as to who will deliver these services after the contract expires.

End.

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Barnet cleaners not being paid correctly: Now resolved

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, UNISON Campaign

Several weeks ago, Barnet UNISON became aware our outsourced cleaners who work for Norse Cleaning were not being paid the correct London Living Wage. The new rate is £11.05 an hour.

After speaking with the contractor and Barnet Council we cannot confirm that our cleaners are now being paid correctly and the backdating has been paid.

Word spread of our actions, and cleaners are joining Barnet UNISON.

Our next task is to support our members by building an insourcing campaign back into Barnet Council for these key workers.

 

End.

Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Health and Safety, Housing, Local, News, Repairs, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign

“We worked through Covid, we were clapped and applauded by everyone for the essential Public Service we give to the Public, our reward? To be treated like this!” (Repairs worker).

“Barnet Councils Local Authority Trading Company, The Barnet Group, won’t even give sick pay to a worker who was injured at work, we shouldn’t have to strike for something so basic, but we will, if they don’t see sense.” (Repairs worker).

Barnet Councils Local Authority Trading Company, The Barnet Group, won’t even give sick pay to a worker who was injured at work, we shouldn’t have to strike for something so basic, but we will, if they don’t see sense.

Barnet UNISON noted the intention of paying sick pay to all workers in repairs by giving them the opportunity to transition to a new contract 1st August. Barnet UNISON this intention had been signaled in talks with the trade unions since last Autumn. A colleague is currently off sick following an accident at work and despite there being light duties he could have done; he was sent home with no sick pay as per his contract.

Barnet UNISON the offer of a loan as a remedy but highlight the difficulty in low paid workers being able to pay back any loans. As we are so close to these colleagues being on the new contract, we were looking for a resolution which would put money into this worker’s account to relieve his difficulty. As a new starter this worker would have had access to sick pay. The treatment he has had does not recognise his dedication to his job, residents, and other colleagues. He worked throughout the pandemic.

Barnet UNISON discussed bringing his contract offer forward.

Barnet UNISON discussed the possibility of making a payment in any other way.

We failed to agree a way forward with Barnet Homes senior management.

Our Trades Dispute: Failure to agree adequate support of an employee during their sickness.

Barnet UNISON carried out their own consultative strike ballot.

Indicative Ballot result

Returned Ballot – 100%

Vote for strike action – 100%

Barnet UNISON has reiterated that we are still open for talks. We have agreed to a meeting on Wednesday 27 July 2022 where we hope commonsense will prevail to avoid strike action. However, because of the outcome of our consultative ballot we will be submitting our Industrial Action request to UNISON London region next week.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

Background: Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/barnet-councils-company-refuse-to-show-compassion-for-injured-worker/

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“The first Red Extreme heat warning issued”: Another tale of two Barnets

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Climate Change, H&S, Health and Safety, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

“For the first time temperatures of 40°C have been forecast in the UK and the Met Office has issued the first ever Red warning for exceptional heat.”

“A Level 4 UK Health Security Agency Heat Health Alert has been issued for Monday and Tuesday. This is level of alert is used when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups.”

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2022/red-extreme-heat-warning

The shocking brutal inequality of being an outsourced worker has reared its ugly head once again here in Barnet.

Whilst Barnet Council agreed that its own workforce should be protected from the extreme weather event next Monday and Tuesday, they have steadfastly refused to ensure the same for the outsourced Parking service which is delivered by NSL.

Barnet Council attempt to defend their decision by stating that this is an essential service yet, parking enforcement was stood down during the initial Covid Pandemic. The only mitigation measures to save our members from being exposed from these unprecedented and life-threatening temperatures is for them to off the streets from 11 am on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Barnet UNISON is calling on Barnet Council to show compassion for these essential workers and allow them the same mitigation measures you have agreed are necessary for Barnet Council staff working outdoors.

End.

Barnet Council agree extreme weather measures with Barnet UNISON

Austerity, Climate Change, Health and Safety, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON is pleased to announce that Barnet Council have positively responded to the potential serious risks to the health of their manual workforce who work outdoors.

The Met Office has announced an extreme heat weather warning which could see temperatures reaching 40C. Whilst other mitigation measures are in place for the workforce such as early starts; access to water; these extreme temperatures warranted an urgent review with the employer.

Barnet UNISON began a dialogue this Wednesday with Street Scene operational management and senior officers at Barnet Council in order to look at what other measures could be put in place e.g. such as stopping all but emergency work from a specified time in the day with no reduction to pay.

Today it has been confirmed that all work will stop before 12 noon on both days with no loss in pay.

Background:

Amber warning of extreme heat

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/warnings/weather

Areas affected: East Midlands | East of England | London & South East England | North East England | North West England | South West England | Wales | West Midlands | Yorkshire & Humber

Starts: 00:00 BST on Sun 17 JulyEnds: 23:59 BST on Tue 19 July

A hot spell is likely to develop from Sunday, likely peaking early next week, leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.

– Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice

– Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required

– Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents

– Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays

Barnet UNISON begins two indicative strike ballots.

Anti - Racism, ASSIST, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Care & Support, Health and Safety, Housing, Local, News, Pensions, Repairs, Report, Solidarity, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Barnet UNISON attended a JNCC meeting with The Barnet Group on Wednesday 7 July 2022.

We submitted a full list of agenda items and made clear that if a resolution was not agreed at the meeting, we would have to register a trade dispute. A number of interventions took place before the meeting in order to try and avoid these disputes, but they were unsuccessful.

As of Thursday 14 July 2022, Barnet UNISON has begun two indicative strike ballots of two sets of workers:

·       Council Housing repairs workers

·       Outreach Barnet workers

If the ballots are in favour of strike action Barnet UNISON will approach UNISON London Region to begin the official strike ballot.

In the meantime, the door remains open for the employer to reach a resolution with Barnet UNISON that our members would accept.

Please see the list of the trade disputes

1. Repairs

We noted the intention of paying sick pay to all workers in repairs by giving them the opportunity to transition to a new contract 1st August. We noted this intention had been signalled in talks with the trade unions since last Autumn. A colleague is currently off sick following an accident at work and in spite of there being light duties he could have done, he was sent home with no sick pay as per his contract. We noted the offer of a loan as a remedy but highlight the difficulty in low paid workers being able to pay back any loans. As we are so close to these colleagues being on the new contract we were looking for a resolution which would put money into this worker’s account to relieve his difficulty. As a new starter this worker would have had access to sick pay. The treatment he has had does not recognise his dedication to his job, residents and other colleagues. He worked throughout the pandemic.

We discussed bringing his contract offer forward. We discussed the possibility of making a payment in any other way. We failed to agree a way forward.

Dispute: failure to agree adequate support an employee during their sickness.

2. Outreach Barnet

We noted discrepancy in pay between new starters and staff who were TUPE transferred across in 2019. New starters are paid significantly higher (around 10% higher) than the TUPE’d staff. We noted that the message this gives longstanding staff is that they are worth less than the new starters and also noted that if all of them resigned from their role then they would have to be hired at the new rate of pay. TBG is undertaking an exercise to re-evaluate the roles of the TUPE’d staff but this work may only be completed by the end of July. At the time of the Emergency JNCC we did not receive a commitment to backdate any such re-evaluation to 1st July (the date the new starters begin).

Dispute: failure to agree to aligning the wages of workers in Outreach Barnet with a backdate to 1st July.

3. COVID payments

We noted LBB has not changed its arrangements around COVID. With the exception of care home staff all other staff in TBG have been told effectively COVID  is a sickness like any other and will be treated as such in relation to sick pay and absence management monitoring. We note TBG is not saying there is currently a significant problem with COVID absence. We note the rise in COVID infections generally and the prevalence of Long COVID which is now recognised as a disability. We were not able to secure a commitment to simply follow LBB policy in this regard.

Dispute: failure to agree to revert back to the sick pay and other associated arrangements with respect of the management of COVID in existence prior to July 1st.

4. Payment for Home Testing

We note the home testing and registering for COVID regime to which residential care workers are subject. We are looking for this to be recognised as work time (much the same way as workers who have to take out a vehicle for work purposes and do their vehicle checks and are paid as work time). We have suggested this would total the equivalent of 2.5hrs per week, per worker. This has not been agreed.

Dispute: failure to agree to recognise and remunerate COVID testing for workers in care homes.

End.

Out of Touch Barnet for Outreach Barnet Workers!

Anti - Racism, ASSIST, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Care & Support, COVID 19, Health and Safety, Housing, Local, News, Solidarity, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Equal pay for Equal work?  Does that sound reasonable?

Barnet Council’s Local Authority Trading Company, The Barnet Group, doesn’t think so……

New starters with Barnet Outreach carrying out the same role as TUPE transferred workers are now being appointed on considerably higher wages than the TUPE transferred staff. The Barnet Group initially ignored this equality issue and only because these workers joined UNISON have their concerns been taken seriously, but not seriously enough.

These loyal frontline keyworkers who were lauded for their support of the most vulnerable during the COVID Pandemic are being treated as second class Public Servants by The Barnet Group and Barnet Council.

In 2019 Homeless Action in Barnet and Genesis Housing workers who were providing outreach services to vulnerable clients on behalf of Barnet Council were told by their respective employers that they were being TUPE transferred into The Barnet Group, a Local Authority Trading Company fully owned by Barnet Council.

Since then, the Outreach Services have gone from strength to strength and expanded the services they offer. They have won praise and accolades from clients, The Barnet Group and the Council for the amazing work they do with the most vulnerable in our Barnet Community.

With the cost of living crisis and inflation soaring these workers are struggling to be able to afford to come to work. They need a resolution now.

Barnet UNISON’s demand for these TUPE transferred workers is simple:

  • Pay ex-Homeless Action Barnet and Genesis Housing workers who are now employed by The Barnet Group the same salary as new starters doing the same job as them in The Barnet Group.

So far, this reasonable demand has fallen on deaf ears in both The Barnet Group and in Barnet Council – which has meant that these workers have been left with no option other than to register this as ‘a failure to agree’ with The Barnet Group.

Equal pay for Equal work.

Simple really, isn’t it?

Unless you work for The Barnet Group….

“Talk is cheap, if Barnet Homes truly respect and value equality, they do the talk, they should walk the walk. All we are asking for is respect and fairness. It is not too much to ask.” (Barnet Outreach worker)

“How can it be that loyalty is punished in this way? If all of these workers resigned now from their job, a new starter would be on the better pay rates. Is this seriously the right message to put to workers? Are these the “values” Barnet Council chooses to defend? The solution is very easy. Commit to paying these workers what you know you would have to pay any new starter from 1st July.” (Patrick Hunter, Barnet UNISON Barnet Homes Convenor)

 

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Helen Davies Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker

Anti - Racism, ASSIST, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Care & Support, Health and Safety, Housing, News, Solidarity, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign

Injured at work, take paid time off to repair the damage?  Does that sound reasonable?

Barnet Council’s Local Authority Trading Company, The Barnet Group, doesn’t think so……

Council Housing repairs service once directly employed by Barnet Council TUPE transferred into Barnet Homes at its inception then TUPE transferred into Lovells, then TUPE transferred into Connaught, then TUPE transferred into Mears and then TUPE transferred back into Barnet Homes which is part of The Barnet Group, Barnet Council’s Local Authority Trading Company – sound confusing?

Imagine being part of the workforce and the effect of continual ‘new employers’ who attack your Terms and Conditions relentlessly to the point where you no longer have sick pay should you become ill or injure yourself working for the people of Barnet.

Mejdi’s story

Mejdi is one of those TUPE transferred workers from Mears. Like his colleagues he worked throughout the pandemic. He was injured while working for The Barnet Group and was unable to take sufficient time off to rest and recuperate because he couldn’t afford not to be paid. Unable to mask the injury and continue working he was sent home with no pay. If he had started working for The Barnet Group following the transfer from Mears he would be on the new contract which would mean he would get sick pay. He is effectively being punished for being loyal.

The solution offered by Barnet Council’s Local Authority Trading Company, The Barnet Group? Give Mejdi a loan. How will he pay that back?

This is not a story from Dickens – this is what Barnet Council’s Local Authority Trading Company, the Barnet Group, thinks is a reasonable and fair way to treat their workforce who maintain our Council estates in the 21st Century. We believe this demonstrates a lack of respect for Mejdi and his colleagues.

Mejdi’s colleagues know that could be their fate. Mejdi and his colleagues are Barnet UNISON members. They are now considering strike action as they have no other option.

Barnet UNISON’s demand for these workers is:

  • Pay Mejdi and his colleagues who were TUPE transferred into The Barnet Group sick pay.

Simple really, isn’t it?

Unless you work for The Barnet Group….

“Disgusting how he’s being treated when he’s worked through COVID.”

(A Barnet Repairs worker)

“The Barnet Group is being pedantic to the point of cruelty. This is not a big sum of money and most Chief Executives could pay this guy out of his back pocket! Small change to some means being able to survive without the terror of debt and the inability to repay debt. It’s embarrassing to have to take this to the public arena to get a resolution.”

(Helen Davies, Branch Chair Barnet UNISON)

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Helen Davies Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Background:

 

 

 

 

 

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