Category: Local

Why we are striking from a Library worker

Library Workers are taking strike action to defend their jobs and the Library Service.  Barnet Council plan to privatise our Libraries, or to hand them over to a “mutual”, or in some cases have them run by “Community groups”.   Some Libraries may be closed, and most will be reduced to 540 square feet in size.  Libraries will be unstaffed for two thirds of their opening hours, with under- 16 year olds being denied access without an adult during these times.  Even when Libraries are staffed, numbers will be reduced by as much as one third of their present levels.

Libraries will become little more than book collection points. The choice of items to borrow or view will be reduced as Libraries are shrunk. Study areas, meeting places, events and activities such as story times for toddlers will be cut due to lack of space and staff. Advice and help from experienced and qualified Library staff will be limited as they are replaced by volunteers and self-service machines.  Unstaffed Libraries may deter many people from visiting as there will be no one to deal with emergencies or anti-social behaviour

Library Workers and other Council staff are only taking strike action after the employers have failed to seriously negotiate with us on the future of Council services.  We ask for your support as we defend our and your Libraries.

Hugh Jordan

 

UNISON Convenor for Library Services

Barnet Council workers are taking strike action and our newspaper Barnet VOICE explain why here http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/Barnet%20Voice.pdf

Lots of people have asked how they can support the campaign.

Here are 8 ways you can help.

Please sign our petition https://t.co/rMyBAeVDOQ

Pop down to our picket lines, details here http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/2015.06.01%20Strike%20leaflet.pdf

Promote our campaign song “The easyCouncil Loco-motion” https://youtu.be/Wi0bdgofsmM

Promote this animation about how Austerity is impacting our community. https://youtu.be/YQ5t63fSu-s

Follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/barnet_unison

Follow us on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barnet-Unison-branch/476910392463004 and like our page and share our posts.

Please send messages of solidarity & support to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Please send donations to Barnet UNISON office at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

As a result of the latest news about the proposed new Council offices in Colindale, staff have been asking “Where will I be working by 2017 and who for?”

The latest staffing figures for the move to Building 2 & Barnet House are 1880 staff. This figure includes partner organisations such as NHS, *CSG and Re.

The current staff are working in 284,000 sq ft

Phase One

To move the above staff into 114,754 sq ft (Barnet House 70,000 sq ft & Building 2 44,754 sq ft) with exception of * CSG staff.

Phase Two

To move remaining staff to new building at Colindale 90,000 sq ft

(* CSG staff are being relocated to and area within Barnet and the likely move date will be during September. Revs and Bens team will remain at Barnet House)

The current plan is to reduce the office space in 2017 by approximately 68% which leaves the question “where do all the staff go? “

Using the figures above it would mean only 602 of the 1880 staff would move to Colindale.

This issue has an impact on our members working across Barnet Council, CSG & Re it is important that members attend the following meeting:

The Council have published the plans for Colindale here

https://www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/news/Council-publishes-proposals-to-move-to-Grahame-Park.html

Barnet UNISON branch meeting:

 

Monday 8 June 12 noon in the Central Room, Building 4, NLBP

Whilst the branch waits for news as to whether the Employer will return to the negotiating table, provisional plans for the 48 hour strike are underway.

To view proposed actions click here

Not a headline a members would have expected to see but as we forecast in our Barnet Voice newspaper here http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/Barnet%20Voice.pdf

The Budget everyone in local government feared is due on Wednesday 8 July.

Not only Barnet UNISON are fearful, so are local councils across the UK and as Barnet Council are still a member of the Local Government Association one can only assume this letter was written on their behalf

“Tory council leaders across England and Wales have presented a united front with Labour and Lib Dem-run local authorities as they warn the chancellor, George Osborne, that another round of funding cuts would devastate local services and harm the most vulnerable in society.” (http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/16/tory-councils-osborne-no-further-austerity)

Impact of Austerity on people with disabilities

An open letter from disabled people about further welfare cuts

“A third of disabled adults already live in poverty. Disabled people and those needing social care have already been hit up to 19 times harder by cuts than others.”  (http://dpac.uk.net/2015/05/an-open-letter-from-disabled-people-about-further-welfare-cuts/)

 

To view click here

To view click here

On Saturday 9 May almost 500 people joined the four libraries march across Barnet.

Children’s Author Alan Gibbons started the march off from South Friern Library with a rousing speech.

As the march weaved in and out of the streets marching to the beat of a big bass drum it was amazing to hear the fantastic reaction from the public.

At East Finchley Library we were entertained by an improvised children’s choir who sang their version of the “wheels on the bus go round and round” as a tribute to the mobile library service.

Then we were off to Church End Library where we were met by London Metropolitan Brass band and a Red Double Decker bus donated by the NUT and driven by their branch secretary.

After a brief break to visit the library we then marched off with the Brass band all the way to North Finchley Library.

Everyone was delighted to have taken part in such a positive event and gave a commitment to be ready for the next stage of the campaign.

The final leg of our Grand Tour of Barnet Libraries sets off this Saturday 9 May at 11 am outside South Friern Library

The Full Monty means marching from South Friern Library to East Finchley Library then onto Church End Library and finishing at North Finchley Library.

You can view the Full Monty Route here

The Last Leg is the march from Church End Library to North Finchley Library.

The march from Church End Library begins at 1 pm.

London Metropolitan Brass Band join the march at Church End Library along with an open top red double decker bus.

We have a number of authors speaking on the Tour.

Bring your friends and family banners and most importantly bring a book!

So your choice do you want to tackle the Full Monty starting at 11 am or the Last Leg starting at 1 pm?  

A number of tables have been booked at the Bohemia Pub in North Finchley for those in need of refreshments.