Barnet Library Strikers True Stories: “Rose’s story”

#SupportBarnetStrikers

#SupportBarnetStrikers

It worries’ me that libraries are going to be handed over to voluntary organisations to run. Please don’t misunderstand me, I think these do really useful work but they should concentrate on what they were set up for.  Running a library is not a simple matter of just lending books. A lot of organisation is needed to manage stock.  Much of what libraries do now is IT based and we also run a lot of events and activities for adults and children.  There are also times when library staff have to deal with very difficult situations and often we get verbal abuse and worse from customers. I just don’t think the charities and other groups thinking of taking over the libraries realise just how difficult it is.  They probably mean well but It’s seems they think that anyone can just walk in off the street and be a librarian, library manager or a library customer service officer. That’s just not true.

Barnet Library Strikers True Stories: “Molly’s story”

#SupportBarnetStrikers

#SupportBarnetStrikers

I have been working in Barnet Libraries since I was a teenager and I am now in my mid-thirties. I have children at primary school. It can be hard looking after my kids and working but I do not want to get the sack. It is not just because we have a mortgage to pay and bringing up kids is expensive, but I really love my job. I have learned a lot working in Barnet libraries and love helping people. Some of the elderly people I help sometime talk to no one else all day. What is going to happen to them when the libraries change?

 

* Identities have been changed to protect the striker

Join Barnet UNISON Library workers strike Sat 12 November – Hendon Library

No to closures No to sackings No to staffless Libraries

No to closures
No to sackings
No to staffless Libraries

Barnet UNISON Library workers are taking strike action this Saturday 12 November outside Hendon Library from 9 – 12 noon

Please try to come down to the picket line to offer support and solidarity. You can send messages of solidarity to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Some Facts:

  • 50.3 Full Time Equivalent Posts to go (approx. 70 staff). Workers to be informed that they will lose their jobs in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
  • Building work to reduce library space by 15% to 90% resulting in less stock, study and activities space.
  • Introduction of technology that is being used to replace staffed opening hours. Library staff will be on site only 30% of planned opening hours.
  • Four Libraries to closed and re-opened by volunteers.

For details how to find Hendon Library click on this link  https://www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/libraries/find-yo

ur-local-library/hendon.html

Volunteers running Libraries is Outsourcing – Join us 5th November

"Dont take our members jobs"

“Dont take our members jobs”

Why we are asking all Barnet UNISON members to join us on 5th November

This is critical moment in the future of Libraries. Volunteers are being used now to help push through brutal austerity policies and take the livelihoods of thousands of low paid Library workers.

Imagine if you will, going into work today. There you are carrying out your job, earning your living, paying your bills feeding your family. Next you receive a tap on the shoulder, you look up and a stranger/volunteer says:

 

Volunteer: “Excuse me, erm, this is all a bit awkward for me, I really am unhappy about this but if I don’t do this there will be nothing left.”

Worker: “What?”

Volunteer: “I’m your replacement, don’t worry they’ve told me although you are being sacked you will get redundancy pay”

 

I think you would be pretty upset and angry.

That is what is happening in Barnet.

Barnet Council are not closing the Libraries they are simply sacking the staff and using volunteers to replace them.

This isn’t a closure it’s “outsourcing” with mass redundancies (46% of the workforce are being sacked).

I have a message for any voluntary organisation thinking of running “Partnership Libraries” either here in Barnet or anywhere else.

“Don’t do it. Don’t be part of brutal assault on our Libraries. Don’t take the livelihoods of our members and their families.”

Join us on 5th November on the National Libraries, Museums, Galleries demonstration.

 

 

 

 

Barnet UNISON Library workers strike on 5th November

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Dear Colleagues

Strike Action

Barnet UNISON has called for industrial action in Barnet Libraries on the following dates:

  • Saturday 5th of November 2016 
  • Saturday 12th of November 2016 
  • Monday 28th of November to Friday 3rd of December 2016

This is in pursuance of our dispute with the Council over the outsourcing of the Library Service. The Council plans to hand 4 of our Libraries to “Community groups, not-for-profit and voluntary organisations” in April 2017. The Council plans to outsource the remaining Libraries at a future date.

The Council will continue to explore the opportunity to develop an alternative model for the management of Library Services as part of a later phase of the Library Service review once the future model for the service is agreed by the Council.

(Appendix A: Future of Barnet Libraries 4.2.11 Alternative Delivery Models) » Read more

Unified Pay Update 18 October 2016

Unison strike NLBP 02 web ready

Unified Pay Update 18 October 2016

To: All Barnet UNISON members employed directly by Barnet Council (including schools) only.

Contact details: Members can contact the branch on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Collective issues

For example where there are number of workers with the same job description all raising the same issue for example Nursery Nurses, TA’s on 52 week contracts, Coach Escorts. Meal Time Supervisors. » Read more

Health and Safety – Barnet UNISON sheds a light

Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Colleagues at Barnet House will be amused to read the conclusion of the Health and Safety Report into the confused evacuation process at Barnet House on 27th September – that it’s all the fault of staff not obeying the fire wardens. Never mind that a number of staff members experienced being given conflicting messages (not necessarily from fire wardens). Of course if a fire warden instructs colleagues to leave the building then this is what we must do, but do we detect a culture of managerial abdication in the face of Health and Safety concerns? » Read more

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