Update: Agency staff will not be used to break our strike please read our updated Press Release here
More BREAKING NEWS! Barnet UNISON Repairs Dispute
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/10/14/more-breaking-news-barnet-unison-repairs-dispute/
UNISON has suggested several ways this dispute can be resolved during the ACAS talks. None of the proposals were accepted by The Barnet Group. The only offer The Barnet Group made was to offer to increase the injured colleague’s debt.
The Barnet Group prefers seeing incensed colleagues take unprecedented all out industrial action; try to break the strike through bullying, intimidation and hiring expensive agency staff; and not repairing people’s homes because they want to stick to a principle.
That principle is not paying a worker injured at work sick pay when he was 3 weeks away from signing a contract which would give him sick pay. Our demand all along was for the injured worker to have that pay reinstated in some shape or form. Nothing more nothing less.
His colleagues and UNISON prefer to show solidarity and in these hard times we prefer to stand by a colleague so that he receives sick pay. As one colleague said: “That could have happened to any one of us”.
We have approached the new Labour Council to do something. After all Barnet Council owns The Barnet Group 100%. We hope they will intervene and insist The Barnet Group does the right thing by this worker, his colleagues and Barnet Council tenants.
“These workers were applauded as heroes throughout the pandemic. They stuck together for Barnet residents. Now they need our help as they stand shoulder to shoulder with a colleague injured at work who then received no sick pay. Every day we are impressed that these workers are so determined to fight for what is right. It is an absolute travesty that The Barnet Group thinks the principle of not paying sick pay is worth defending. Today, at ACAS we heard of instances where The Barnet Group has taken a compassionate response to sick workers and has paid more than a worker was contracted to receive. Why would they not do so here? What message does this send to the wider workforce and residents?” (Helen Davies, Branch Chair Barnet UNISON).
An injury to one, in this case, is indeed an injury to all!
The Barnet Repairs strike begins Monday 17th October and is all out.
Daily picket lines 7.30-8.30am, Grahame Park Housing Office 17-19 The Concourse NW9 5XA
9-10am Leafleting outside 2, Bristol Avenue, NW9 4EW. Nearest tube Colindale tube station.
Rush messages of support to:
Donations to the Barnet UNISON Industrial Action Fund Account Email the branch for details contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
End.
Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk
Background:
1. Breaking News: Barnet UNISON obtain ground-breaking support from UNISONs National Industrial Action Committee (IAC).
2. Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action
3. Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers
4. Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee
5. Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.
6. 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/
Meet Patrick
This is Patrick doing what he always does speaking up for his members.
Patrick is a long-standing Barnet UNISON member and the Assistant Branch Secretary for our members working for the Barnet Group. Patrick works in social care as a mobile warden.
Anyone who has met Patrick will say that he cares passionately for all the members he represents and the services that they provide.
Last year Patrick represented our 70 pus care workers who were made redundant on 31 October following the decision by Barnet Council to close Apthorp care home. You can read more on this closure on our web site here https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2021/09/28/8234/
It would be fair to say that this mass dismissal of care workers had a profound impact on Patrick who sat in with each one of them. Some of whom Patrick would have known for over 25 years.
More recently Patrick has been representing members working for Barnet Council Housing Repairs team who will shortly be starting strike action on Monday 17 October 2022.
You can read the details of the dispute on our web site here https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/09/20/barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers-100-vote-for-all-out-strike-action/
On Friday 30 September 2022, the employer The Barnet Group issued a statement cutting his facility time by 40%.
Patrick is committed to his members and will not let this stop him from trying to represent his members.
There are many people, not just Barnet UNISON members, but Barnet residents and the wider trade union movement who all respect Patrick for the work he does for his members.
Solidarity Patrick
End.
1. Breaking News: Barnet UNISON obtain ground-breaking support from UNISONs National Industrial Action Committee (IAC
2. Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action
3. Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers
4. Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee
5. Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.
6. 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/
UNISON President Andrea Egan
Dear Supporter
If you are shocked at the treatment of our member who was injured at work and refused sick pay during the worst cost of living crisis in 75 years, then you can help our campaign
We have three requests
1. Sign this email statement.
Barnet Trades Council have set up an email which will be sent to the three key decision makers:
Barry Rawlings Leader of Barnet Council
John Hooton Chief Executive of Barnet Council
Tim Mulvenna Chief Executive The Barnet Group
Click on the link below and follow the instructions
https://forms.office.com/r/EdEZkAh7Cv
2. Visit our social media sites and leave messages of support
3. Send message of support to Barnet UNISON at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
For more information about the background to our dispute check our the following articles on our web site
Background:
1. Breaking News: Barnet UNISON obtain ground-breaking support from UNISONs National Industrial Action Committee (IAC).
2. Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action
3. Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers
4. Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee
5. Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.
6. 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/
Barnet UNISON is pleased to announce that strike notice for continuous strike action has been sent to the employer by UNISON today Friday 30 September 2022.
Our strike action commences on Monday 17 October 2022.
The IAC was informed that this is the first time UNISON has ever authorised continuous strike action for any UNISON dispute in the history of UNISON.
What this means is that when our members walk out on Monday 17 October 2022, they are staying out. This is not a rolling one, two, three days of strike action this is all out strike action.
This dispute involves UNISON members working for the Barnet Council Housing Repair service. The dispute has been ongoing for the last four months but despite the efforts of Barnet UNISON the employer seems intent on forcing a dispute.
“I am deeply humbled by the act of solidarity from all of the members of the National IAC. Our dispute is very simple it’s about solidarity for a work colleague who was injured at work. Members of IAC understood why we have asked for continuous action and I want to thank them on behalf of our members and reps for their support. Our campaign is already capturing widespread support from across the Labour movement. Everyone who reads about this dispute is equally shocked and appalled that an employer would seek to defend the indefensible. Our members are ready for this strike. The employer still has time to resolve this dispute the means to end it has been provided by Barnet UNISON it is all down to them now.”
John Burgess Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.
End.
Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk
Background:
Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action
Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers
Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee
Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.
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/
