Category: National
National Campaigns
To view flyer Term Time Pay: What does it mean for school staff?
In 2018 UNISON lodged an employment tribunal claim against Greenwich Council on behalf of all term time paid staff. UNISON managed to negotiate an agreement which generated 5 years’ back dated payments plus a contribution to those in Council Pensions Schemes.
Term Time Pay (TTP) staff are paid using a formula that includes your annual leave entitlement. What UNISON discovered was that TTP staff were being underpaid. To put it simply not enough annual leave was being allocated to the TTP formula.
As a result of the Greenwich case claims began to be raised across the country.
In September 2019, Barnet UNISON lodged 52 TTP claims against 52 Barnet Schools and 3 contractors working for Barnet Council.
Over the last four years we have manged to secure back pay for 80% of our members in schools and contractors and we are hoping to complete the final 20% by the end of this year.
Why has Barnet UNISON written to Barnet Schools?
On 22 March 2023 we wrote to all Barnet Schools which implement the NJC National Pay Awards because part of last year’s claim included a permanent extra day’s annual leave. What this means is that the TTP formula will need to change to reflect the extra day’s annual leave entitlement.
We have asked each school to provide UNISON with the details of the new TTP formula. We need to check the formula is compliant otherwise there could be underpayments claims for our members. We need to be able to advise our members that they are on the correct pay.
In response to your questions if you think it helps this is the answer.
Why it’s going to take such a long time to get the back pay?
Because your school may choose not to respond to UNISON, or they may choose to delay the payment or find a way not to pay. If we can’t negotiate locally, we hand over to our lawyers and it can drag on for years in the courts. Once it is with our lawyers the branch has no control over the process.
What do UNISON members need to provide?
You will need to provide evidence for example payslips to show what you are being paid. You will also have to complete a case form where we will require more details about you.
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UNISON schools and council workers pay claim 2023/24 video
Vote YES for a Pay Rise not a Pay Cut
UNISON NEC Elections start Monday 17 April until 19 May
Every two years UNISON holds NEC elections. NEC stands for National Executive Committee. This is the highest committee in UNISON and they’re responsible for setting out how UNISON is organising.
In this election members have a lot of votes for different groups of candidates. The turnout in these important elections is very poor which is why our branch is trying to encourage our members to take part in the democracy in our union.
To encourage our members to take part in the democracy of our trade union John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON explains how many votes you have in these NEC elections.
What is the NEC?
The NEC is made up of representatives elected from all of UNISON’s regions and service groups, as well as seats for four Black members, two young members and two disabled members. It has the power to act on behalf of the union and is responsible for implementing UNISON policy and delivering on the union’s objectives and priorities.
UNISON’s rule book says we have to elect our NEC every two years.
When is the ballot?
The ballot opens on 17 April 2023 and runs until 19 May 2023. The results will be announced on 8 June 2023.
Please watch the video below.
Win the Ballot: Fight on Pay video
Barnet UNISON submits Menopause Policy to Barnet Council
“Industrial action looms as employers offer is yet another pay cut for School staff and Council workers.” Term Time Pay version.
Last year the employer made a lump sum payment in London which equated to £2,229, which still worked out as another pay cut for all members. This is important to note as we are still in the worst Cost of Living Crisis in 75 years and there are no signs of any improvement on the horizon.
This year the Trade Unions submitted a claim for RPI plus 2% which works out at 12.7% across all grades.
The Employer has responded with the same amount as last year which is £2,229 to those workers up to spinal column 42 and 3.8% to those above (which impacts Grades K and L).
This is another Pay Cut for our members. Last year when we consulted Barnet UNISON members over the same offer 89% voted to reject and demand an industrial strike ballot. We had the highest turnout of UNISON votes across UNISON members in other London Councils.
We are now waiting to hear what UNISON National negotiators have to say about the offer.
In the meantime, we want as many of our members to view the employers offer and understand the difference between the Employer’s offer and UNISON’s demand.
The table below provides details of the employers offer including a comparison with the UNISON claim for 12.7%.
To help UNISON members understand the offer and how it compares with UNISON’s demand please find below an explanation of the table above.
Column A = Lists Barnet Council Grades. If you don’t know your grade contact your line manager.
Column B & C = These columns provide the detail of the bottom and top of the current grade.
Column D & E = These columns provide the detail as to how the current grade changes when the employers’ offer is applied.
Column F & G = These columns show in percentages what the employers’ offer means to each grade.
Column H & I = These columns represent the increase to the grade if the UNISON proposal was implemented. As you can see it is higher than the
employers’ offer.
Column J & K = These columns provide the actual financial loss for each grade when the employers’ offer is compared with the Trade Unions’ claim for 12.7%.
Column L & M = These columns provide the actual percentage pay cut for each grade when the employers’ offer is compared with the Trade Unions’ claim for 12.7%.
* This table uses LBB Council’s Term Time pay formula. Not all schools use this formula so you may have to check what formula your school uses to calculate your pay
Any questions please email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
End.
“Industrial action looms as employers offer is yet another pay cut for School staff and Council workers.”
Last year the employer made a lump sum payment in London which equated to £2,229, which still worked out as another pay cut for all members. This is important to note as we are still in the worst Cost of Living Crisis in 75 years and there are no signs of any improvement on the horizon.
This year the Trade Unions submitted a claim for RPI plus 2% which works out at 12.7% across all grades.
The Employer has responded with the same amount as last year which is £2,229 to those workers up to spinal column 42 and 3.8% to those above (which impacts Grades K and L).
This is another Pay Cut for our members. Last year when we consulted Barnet UNISON members over the same offer 89% voted to reject and demand an industrial strike ballot. We had the highest turnout of UNISON votes across UNISON members in other London Councils.
We are now waiting to hear what UNISON National negotiators have to say about the offer.
In the meantime, we want as many of our members to view the employers offer and understand the difference between the Employer’s offer and UNISON’s demand.
The table below provides details of the employers offer including a comparison with the UNISON claim for 12.7%
To help UNISON members understand the offer and how it compares with UNISON’s demand please find below an explanation of the table above.
Column A = Lists Barnet Council Grades. If you don’t know your grade contact your line manager.
Column B & C = These columns provide the detail of the bottom and top of the current grade.
Column D & E = These columns provide the detail as to how the current grade changes when the employers’ offer is applied.
Column F & G = These columns show in percentages what the employers’ offer means to each grade.
Column H & I = These columns represent the increase to the grade if the UNISON proposal was implemented. As you can see it is higher than the
employers’ offer.
Column J & K = These columns provide the actual financial loss for each grade when the employers’ offer is compared with the Trade Unions’ claim for 12.7%.
Column L & M = These columns provide the actual percentage pay cut for each grade when the employers’ offer is compared with the Trade Unions’ claim for 12.7%.
Any questions please email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
End.
Injuries at work – your rights explained
Injuries at work – your rights explained
Gerard Stilliard, head of personal injury claims at Thompsons Solicitors, outlines how you can access legal support if you have been injured at work.
The best employers recognise that proper health and safety is vital and take steps to ensure they keep their employees as safe as possible in the workplace.
At Thompsons, we see first-hand the devastating impact on workers and their families when health and safety is compromised – usually when management is under pressure to cut costs. That is why, as a proud partner of UNISON, we work with your union to actively promote the benefits of union membership and support you and your families with legal claims.
Your employer’s ‘duty of care’
Your employer owes you a duty of care, to protect your health, safety and welfare while at work. This include providing a safe work environment. They should:
- Follow health and safety legislation
- Conduct adequate risk assessments
- Provide you with health and safety training
- Supply sufficient PPE
- Ensure equipment is in safe working order and regularly maintained
- Reduce risk as much as reasonably possible.
If your employer has failed in their duty of care, and you have been injured at work as a result, you may be able to bring a compensation claim.
Making a compensation claim
The law requires employers to avoid risks entirely if this is possible and, if not, to minimise the risk of injury at work to the lowest level ‘reasonably practicable’.
Where employers fail in their obligation to protect you, UNISON and Thompsons will support your injury claim all the way to trial if necessary, but most cases settle well before they reach the doors of the court.
Giving you the best chance of success
To ensure your compensation claim for an accident at work is as strong as possible, you should try to:
- Report the accident and your injuries to your employer
- Record the accident in your workplace accident book
- Take photographs of the place where the accident happened
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Find out the names and contact details for any witnesses
- Keep a record of any visits to the doctors and treatments received, including receipts for any injury-related expenses.
The UNISON Legal Service gives you access to independent specialist legal advice from lawyers who are experts in their field. Using the union legal service is not only free, ensuring you receive 100% of any compensation awarded, it also increases the chances of your claim succeeding, because your lawyers can work with your local and national union representatives. You won’t get that level of compensation or support from any other law firm.
Here’s how our specialist teams can help
You can contact our experts for free advice and representation on:
- Work and non-work related personal injuryclaims, including serious injury claims
- Road traffic accident claims
- Industrial diseases, including asbestos-related diseases
- Employment law advice (accessed via your rep)
- Settlement agreements
- Work-related criminal law advice
- Free basic wills
- Special terms for medical negligence
- Special terms for conveyancing, probate and powers of attorney.
Members’ families are also covered for:
- Personal injury away from work, on holiday or on the roads
- Special terms for medical negligence and wills.
Accessing support from Thompsons Solicitors
Thompsons Solicitors has been standing with unions and fighting for workers’ rights for more than 100 years.
Since we started in 1921, we have always refused to act for employers or insurers, only ever acting for the injured and mistreated. Every year, we secure millions of pounds in compensation for union members injured or mistreated by their employer.
For more information, visit Thompsons Solicitors’ website or call us directly on 0800 0 224 224.