Barnet UNISON Bin workers Zoom Meeting.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82837847503?pwd=ZGtjT3BOT240Ym1LMmV6TEZCYTA4UT09
Meeting ID: 828 3784 7503
Password: 127799
If you are a care worker you will shortly be receiving this email from us (if we have your email address). If you are the friend or know someone who is a care worker or support worker – let them know about this and encourage them to join UNISON!
Dear Colleague,
The Government has given funding to local authorities to ensure that you will be paid as if you were working normally if you go off sick with suspected COVID19 or have to isolate because you came into close contact with someone who has COVID19. London Borough of Barnet has been allocated £3,564,514
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ec2717de90e071e30d09844/allocation-table-for-the-infection-control-fund-for-adult-social-.pdf. This is for infection control purposes.
Government guidance is clear that this funding should be used to pay the “normal wages” of social care workers that are absent due to COVID-19 as a measure to help reduce transmissions, so they do not feel pressured into going into work out of financial necessity. Its intention is also to top up the wages of those doing shifts at several care homes by encouraging them to reduce the number of workplaces they visit.
Since the news of this funding was made we have been writing to the local authority trying to gain an assurance this money will make its way into your pockets should you need it. Some companies, such as YCB (Your Choice Barnet) have already been paying colleagues their full salary whilst they’ve been isolating but far too many have not made this commitment. This is unfair and dangerous.
Today we received confirmation that the local authority has passed this money on to the care providers in Barnet. There should now be no excuse for you not getting the pay you need to stay away from work when you need to. We are in the process of writing to all care providers – starting with those where we have members – asking them these questions:
Wages and Sick Pay arrangements
PPE
I want to thank all of you for the contributions you have made, not just in terms of going to work during this difficult time, but for speaking to us about the issues you are facing. To be honest we should not have to be working so hard to get these changes – it should be understood as obvious. Yet without your feedback absolutely nothing would have changed. Trade Union organisation has helped us organise this feedback and delivered it to the right places. Many of your colleagues are not members of a trade union – imagine how much more we could achieve if we had more members. Even better if we had reps who could be that vital link between you and your colleagues in workplace and the branch. It would help you overcome that sense of isolation and help you network with more people. Please recruit your colleagues, keep the feedback going and think about becoming a rep.
We will keep you updated with the responses of the employers as they come back to us.
Thanks
Helen Davies
Branch Chair
Barnet UNISON
As part of the growing #BlackLivesMatter movement Barnet UNISON is encouraging all of our members to send in pictures of themselves “Taking The Knee” to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk in order we can share on our Barnet UNISON social media sites. #TakeTheKneeWednesday #BlackLivesMatter
Joint Trade Union Zoom meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85973549465?pwd=SDBKVkM0RXU0Wmd2Sjk1VGFpVE5BQT09
Meeting ID: 859 7354 9465
Password: 271623
Please read this checklist any questions email:
2020.05.18. Joint Trade Union Coronavirus Workplace checklist
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81754931410?pwd=UGRYVmlJVC9TbVF5eTFDVFhXVGJBZz09
Meeting ID: 817 5493 1410
Password: 750011
https://www.barnet.gov.uk/internal/mental-health-and-wellbeing
2020.04.01. Covid_19 Advice to Staff visiting homes 30.03_JD
The threat of COVID 19 both real and perceived is growing stronger every day especially amongst front line workers who are being asked to carry on a deliver services as normal.
But these are not normal times. We are in a global pandemic which is sweeping across the globe, some countries faster than others.
The response from workers in public services is incredible people are offering support to other services which are under serious pressure.
Once such service that needs to continue otherwise there will be another type of public health risk is the Waste and Recycling Service.
There can sometimes be 3 or 4 workers sitting inside a vehicle a clear contravention of the government advice on social distancing.
Earlier this week Barnet UNISON wrote to Barnet Council requesting urgent measures to be put in place to safeguard our member’s health and safety.
Our demands are as follows:
1. Cleaning regime.
The inside of the vehicles are subjected to thorough cleansing regime each day.
That Hand gel is provided for each team every day. Please note there are no toilets available for these staff to use therefore no access to water and soap.
Cleansing wipes to be provided to each team every day.
Gloves and masks to be provided to each team every day.
Provision of toilet facilities for the workforce
Procedure to change how they currently work to reflect government advice about social distancing.
2. Bonus/recognition payment
Workers have asked that the Council pay a bonus to the reflect the recognition of the work they are currently providing under difficult circumstances.
3. Mental Health
To increase awareness of counselling support for staff working on the frontline during this national crisis.
4. Food and supplies
It is well documented that access to supermarkets is proving problematic and for the key workers it will more difficult for them to access supermarkets as they are working. Barnet UNISON has asked Barnet Council look to secure means by which food and supplies can be provided on an order basis for key workers.
Cleansing
Hand sanitiser gel has been issued to the crews and drivers have a supply of hand wipes for them and the crew to use. Drivers can request more from the Supervisors once their supply has gone. Drivers are also being issued with cleansing wipes so that they are able to wipe down surfaces, handles and steering wheels in the cab. We have also progressed arrangements to implement a cleansing regime for vehicle cabs. Nitril gloves are currently also available on request for those who may wish to use them.
We have sourced resource that will be undertaking a deep cleanse of the RCV cabs on Saturday this week. Following this, we will have a team of four people working from Monday to clean the vehicle cabs. RCV’s will be cleaned on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Street Cleansing vehicles will be cleaned on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Payment.
No bonus payment will be paid to key workers.
Mental Health
Mental Health First Aiders to be made available for staff to contact and discuss their issues.
Food and Supplies
No.
End.
