Category: National

National Campaigns

Breaking News: Barnet UNISON obtain ground-breaking support from UNISONs National Industrial Action Committee (IAC).

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Health and Safety, Local, National, News, Repairs, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

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

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/09/20/barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers-100-vote-for-all-out-strike-action/

Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/25/breaking-news-official-strike-ballot-begins-for-barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers/

 

Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/05/barnet-responsive-repairs-workers-referred-to-unisons-industrial-action-committee/

 

Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/21/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/

89% of Barnet UNISON members vote to Reject National Pay offer

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, National, News, Solidarity, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON members were recently balloted on the National Pay offer as part of UNISON’s national consultation on pay for Council and School support staff.

Barnet UNISON reps had taken the decision to recommend that our members should reject the offer.

The response from our members has been dramatic and reflects the grassroots organisational strength of Barnet UNISON.

The results confirm that our members did listen to their rep’s view on the National Pay offer and voted overwhelmingly to reject the offer.

Barnet UNISON delivered a 55% turnout of members voting across our members working for Barnet Council and Barnet Schools.

We are pleased to report the following turnouts across some sections of our membership:

  1. 92% of Waste & Recycling members voted
  2. 71% Street cleaning members voted
  3. 80% Highways members voted
  4. 70% Grounds Maintenance members voted
  5. 64% Passenger Transport members voted
  6. 78% Workshop members voted
  7. 68% Library members voted
  8. 67% of Adult Social care members voted
  9. 50% Commissioning members voted
  10. 50% of school staff members voted
  11. 67% BELS members voted
  12. 66% in Early Help Family Services voted

The message from Barnet UNISON members that they recognise the need for a National Pay Award which delivers a Pay Rise not a Pay Cut.

Barnet UNISON produced the largest number of REJECT votes of any UNISON branch in London.

Our results have been sent on to UNISON where all the votes across UNISON will be counted.

Please note Unite and GMB National Pay ballots are still live until into the middle of October.

 

Barnet UNISON will report back to our members once all three trade unions have decided what action needs to be taken.

In the meantime, Barnet UNISON is already in Pay & Grading negotiations which will have an impact on all our members working for the London Borough of Barnet. We will be providing updates on negotiations in due course.

Any questions or queries please leave a message on our voicemail on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

End.

10 Reasons why Barnet UNISON is recommending to VOTE Reject in the National Pay consultation.

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Libraries, Local, National, News, Schools, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

1. The Truth about the Tories Magic Money Tree: Reject the Pay cut

https://youtu.be/21DA5qPTDIA

2. Barnet UNISON Depot workers say Enough Is Enough

https://youtu.be/Juoa0gUaOr8

3. Big Thanks to Martin Lewis for speaking truth to power about the escalating #EnergyBillsCrisis

https://youtu.be/6ajcoVyAOa8

4. Big thanks TUC highlighting some of impacts of the Cost Of Living Crisis

https://youtu.be/spHD_aZqhs4

5. Big thanks to TUC for highlighting why Energy companies must be brought back under public ownership

https://youtu.be/65CitfFEok4

6. Barnet UNISON Depot workers rejecting National Pay offer

https://youtu.be/dyG1DDcp_uo

7.  “Why we must fight for a Pay rise and not a Pay cut.”

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/11/why-we-must-fight-for-a-pay-rise-and-not-a-pay-cut/

8. What Grade am I on?

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/26/what-grade-am-i-on/

9. Your Pay: The Tories Austerity Robbery

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/26/your-pay-the-tories-austerity-robbery/

10. Barnet UNISON National Pay Offer Grade table

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/04/barnet-unison-national-pay-offer-grade-table/

End.

What Grade am I on ?

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Consultation, Local, National, Schools, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

The table below shows the impact of the National Pay offer on each of the Barnet Council Grades

To help our members work out what the National Pay offer means to their grade we have put together a list of Job titles and Grades. Please see below.

If you need any support or assistance on this matter please contact the Barnet UNISON office at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk or ring 0208 359 2088

 

End.

Why we must fight for a Pay rise and not a Pay cut.

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, National, News, Schools, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON reps at our Branch Executive meeting agreed that Barnet UNISON would make a recommendation to our members to reject the Employers offer.

Below are some of the reasons why we have taken this position.

  • Local Government Pay has fallen by 27.5% since 2010 because of 12 years of Tory Austerity Pay Cuts.
  • The latest offer is another Pay cut not a Pay rise.
  • The Tories Austerity Policy is to make us all poorer.

Politicians claim there is no magic money tree

  • Shell made record profits of nearly £10bn between April and June
  • BT Group announced profits £400 million in the first quarter of this year.
  • BT made “1.3 billion and gave £750 million to shareholders.
  • British Gas owner Centrica profits increased fivefold by 411% to £1.3 billion as our energy bills continue to soar.
  • BT CEO Philip Jansen earned a total of £3,460,000 up 32% from the £2,628,000 he received in 2021.
  • Railways made £5 billion in profit last year.

What Tory Austerity Policies are doing to us.

  • UK households face annual energy bills of £3,850, this has tripled since the start of 2022.
  • Household energy bills £500 a month.
  • 5.8 million people in England, Scotland and Wales, both in and out of work – 40% of universal credit claimants are workers.
  • 5 million people in the UK lived in food poverty between 2019 – 2020.
  • Workers are turning to food banks because they don’t have enough money.
  • Foodbanks are running out of food because they can’t cope with the demand.
  • School support staff are missing meals in order they can feed their own children at home.

What can we do?

Barnet UNISON members are going to carry out a National Pay survey. It is important that every single member completes the survey and posts it back. First, we need over 50% of members to vote in the survey. Second, we want most of those voting to Vote Reject.  “UK inflation could reach 15% by start of 2023, experts say” Every month inflation rises makes this offer worse for more of our members.

Barnet UNISON will issue the National Pay survey on Thursday 1 September until 5pm, Friday 16 September.

Members will receive an email with a link to the survey. Those with no access to email will receive a hard copy survey.

End.

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