Category: UNISON Campaign
news around UNISON campaigns
Book your Pensions Seminars now – Barnet UNISON
Barnet UNISON is proud to be able to offer a Pensions Seminar for UNISON members.
The seminar would include the following:
- Understanding changes to Local Government Pension Scheme
- Understanding Career Average Benefit – with an example
- Tips for Good Housekeeping
- Understanding and Checking Annual Benefit Statement
- Opportunity for further consultation through 1 to 1 meeting
- The above areas will answer members’ questions around the effect of Unified Reward on LG Pensions.
- The seminar and Q & A will normally last up to 90 minutes.
If you would like to take up this offer for your workplace/school please contact the Barnet UNISON office, on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
Let us help: Barnet UNISON plea to School Support Staff
You are worth it.
You are entitled to be treated like any other member of staff in your school.
Everyone in a school contributes to a healthy education environment in which children can thrive.
I am making my plea out of frustration.
I have spent the last six months working through outstanding grading appeals and pay issues for Barnet Council workers, but not school staff.
In the last three months I have started on my list of School Support Staff who are in need of support and advice concerning their pay.
The difference in working environments is appalling and unfair. The rest of the Council workforce have been subject to cuts and mass outsourcing, but in relation to their pay and grading the application has been without pressure.
BUT, in schools it is oh so different.
Why must some Schools always refer to budget cuts and letting staff go?
Why do some Schools complain about not being involved when they were?
Why are School Support Staff left to feel that they are wrong to challenge the grade, in most cases they are losing money, and they don’t earn much money anyway.
I have never seen equivalent fear like it in a workplace, grown women and men with huge life experience are sometimes too scared to let the union fight their corner for fear of reprisals.
Barnet UNISON will not be going anywhere and will continue to offer our fullest support for all of our support staff.
If you work in a school and need our help please contact the branch on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
*** IMPORTANT Performance Reviews – Moderation period
The Performance Review is rapidly becoming the Number 1 issue for our members working for Barnet Council.
When the Council first started talking about the Unified Reward scheme they used this slide.
As you see the colour scheme has been replaced with new ratings. However, members are reporting that whereas they had previously been rated as Green they are now being rated as Satisfactory.
It appears that managers are rating Green as Satisfactory which is not what UNISON and the staff attending the briefings were expecting.
Moderation.
Between April and June moderation panels will be taking place to look at the ratings. This means your rating could still change. Lastly, you do not need to sign or agree your Performance Review.
Barnet UNISON is asking members to contact the Barnet UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk if they are unhappy with their Performance Review.
Pay Surgeries 4 Barnet UNISON members
“Outsourcingitus vaccine discovered” by Barnet UNISON
“I am so proud of our branch who have effectively been working round the clock for the last 9 years and to finally have discovered the antidote to this vicious and harmful virus will bring hope to others. I know from bitter personal experience that “outsourcingitus” is very contagious and damaging to the health and wellbeing of members and to the services this virus feeds off. As many know we had a serious outbreak between 2012- 2014 where a large number of staff were affected as were residents. We intensified our efforts and at one point the branch nearly disappeared completely, incredibly we are still here despite all the odds; which I believe is all down to the dedicated and hardworking Unison reps. Finally I must point out that we are still in the early stages of creating a vaccine, but if anyone out there would like to take part in our trials please do not hesitate to contact the branch. Solidarity.” John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.
Don’t outsource ‘top 2 rated council services’ say Barnet UNISON
“No 2 Outsourcing”
“Resident Satisfaction – Refuse and recycling remain the top 2 rated council services based on the latest Residents’ Perception Survey data from spring 2016. Recycling is at 73% saying the service is “good/excellent” – this is 6.8% above the London average. Refuse is at 77% saying “good/excellent”, 8.2% above the London average.”
Those are not the words of Barnet UNISON but data on Barnet Council web site.
The ‘top 2 rated council services’ they say.
On Wednesday 15 March 2017, at 6.30 pm Barnet Council Environment Committee will decide whether to either back their own loyal hard working staff or outsource them to another employer.
Barnet UNISON has been clear from the start that Street Scene services should and must stay in-house.
If the residents rate these services, and the senior officers who produce the data confirming this is true, then how could it be possible to outsource these services?
We won’t know until the report to be considered by Barnet Councillors will be published here five working days before the meeting.
http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=695&MId=8593&Ver=4
I will be attending this meeting which is open to the public.
Solidarity statement 4 John Burgess
Standing up against Bullies of People with Mental Health Issues
We know John made it public knowledge that he suffered a serious mental health breakdown last year. Whatever anyone may think about such a revelation surely it should not attract a vindictive attempt to undermine his mental health.
Unfortunately John has recently received an email seemingly calculated to undermine his mental health. We will not stand by in silence whilst someone in our movement is bullied in this way.
By signing this statement we are expressing our solidarity with John Burgess and our disgust at this opportunistic and calculated attack on someone recovering from a serious health condition.
Please go to this link to read a fuller story about this attack: https://johnburgess001.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/hate-crime-why-i-reported-it-to-police.html
Name, Position, Organisation or branch
- John McDonnell MP Shadow Chancellor
- Mark SERWOTKA PCS General Secretary
- Ian Hodson President BFAWU
- Petros Elia General Secretary United Voices of the World
- John Hendy QC
- Helen Davies Branch Chair Barnet UNISON and NEC.
- Hugh Jordan Libraries Convenor Barnet UNISON.
- Patrick Hunter Convenor Barnet Unison.
- Maggi Myland Barnet UNISON Retired member
- Chris Jobson Barnet UNISON Rep.
- Sid Ronayne Barnet UNISON Rep.
- Claire Locke Chair London Metropolitan University UNISON
- Claire Dixon Branch Secretary, UNISON Whittington Hospital branch
- John Harris Ex Chair UNISON Whittington Hospital branch
- Alex Lines Chair UNISON Whittington Hospital branch
- Jackie Taylor UNISON Whittington Hospital branch
- Sonya Howard Branch Secretary, UNISON Kensington & Chelsea, NEC
- Phoebe Watkins Branch Co-Chair Camden UNISON
- Hugo Pierre Schools Convenor Camden UNISON , NEC
- Amerit Rait Shop Steward UNISON Whittington Hospital branch
- Brian Debus Chair Hackney UNISON
- Alex Tarry Branch Secretary London Metropolitan University UNISON
- Tony Phillips Branch Secretary UNISON London Fire Authority
- Diana Swingler UNISON rep Homerton UNISON
- Tanya Murat Convenor Greenwich UNISON
- Sandy Nichol SOAS UNISON Branch Secretary
- Philip Lewis, Camden UNISON Vice Chair & Branch Health & Safety officer & Convenor supporting people directorate, UNISON Regional Health & Safety Comm. Vice Chair Unison NHSC
- Paula Peters DPAC activist, member of Mental Health Resistance Network and Equalities Officer SE London Unite Community
- Esther Rey Hounslow UNISON joint branch secretary
- Floyd Codlin, PCS Arms, PCS Culture GEC
- Tim O’Dell, Libraries shop steward, Lambeth
- Linda Burnip, DPAC co-founder and UNISON member
- Karen Raynor, Customer Support Assistant, Unison Steward for Bradford Libraries.
- Dave Honeybone, Doncaster District and Bassetlaw health steward.
- George Binette, Camden UNISON Branch Secretary & Chair, Camden TC
- Dean Ryan: Shop Steward Islington Unison.
- Sasha Simic, Shop Steward USDAW C133 Central Books branch.
- Ruth Cashman, Branch Secretary Lambeth UNISON.
- Brad Charteris, Psychotherapist.
- Gareth Lane BFAWU community organiser.
- Ben Sellers, Secretary, County Durham Trades Union Council.
- Dave Auger Wolverhampton deputy branch sec
- Sara Wright, Middlesex University Branch, Branch Chair.
- Roger Hutt, Doncaster and Bassetlaw steward
- Alan Wylie, Unison member & campaigner
- Bob Ellard, DPAC
- Arthur Nicoll, Communications Officer – Dundee City Unison, Scottish LG Cttee
- John Sullivan parent of an adult daughter with learning difficulties , John has spent years fighting for along with her peers and her support staff.
- Andy Squires Doncaster and Bassetlaw Health Branch.
- Jenny Compton-Bishop Middlesex University Retired Member
- Caroline Powls Member Brent Unison
- Janette Evans secretary Barnet Branch Unite community , member Mental Health Resistance Network.
- Sid Ronayne Barnet UNISON steward.
- Adrian Kennett Hull Unison
- Jon Rogers, UNISON NEC.
- Candy Udwin PCS National Gallery.
- John McLoughlin Branch Secretary/SGE Tower Hamlets UNISON
- Dan Sartin Branch Secretary West Sussex UNISON
- Ron Cohen CWU member
- David Ball Steward Barnet UNISON
- Theresa Musgrove Broken Barnet Blog
- Derek Dishman blogger “Mr Mustard”
- A.M. Poppy Barnet Activist
- Dave Knight Retired Waltham Forest UNISON
- Sarah Littlewood Deputy Branch Secretary Hull LG Branch
- Janet Bryan NEC Branch Treasurer Convenor Bolton UNISON
- Paul Couchman Deputy Branch Secretary Surrey County UNISON
- Sherril Johnston NSL steward Barnet UNISON
- Rebecca Call Women’s Officer Wirral UNISON
- Ian Davies Community Member Scunthorpe
- Ian Thomas Health SGE UNISON Wales
- Tony Staunton UNITE member
- Raymie Kiernan NUJ member
- Mike Calvert Deputy Branch Secretary Islington UNISON
- Martin Clark FE college steward Glasgow City UNISON
- Mark Evans Branch Secretary Camarthenshire County UNISON
- Florence Hill Retired Branch Chair Bolton UNISON
- Jane Doolan Branch Secretary Islington UNISON
- Steve Day Branch secretary BFAWU
- Kevin Ward Labour Link officer Middlesex University UNISON
- Ben Jackson Branch secretary pc Manchester Community and Mental Health UNISON
- Barry Blinko retired member Westminster University
- Karen Reissmann member/ NEC pc Bolton Salford Trafford UNISON
- Liz James steward Barnet UNISON
- Stephen Wood Hillingdon UNISON
- Osman Ahmed Sade ULR rep UNISON
- Suzy Franklin honorary President Plymouth Trade Council 2017 – former UNISON Health branch secretary (Plymouth Derriford Hospital Health branch) NEC southwest and staunch John Burgess supporter
- Keith Wilcox Hillingdon UNISON
- Raymundo Obedencio Barnet Green Party
- Philippa Whitecross
- Matt Ratcliffe Branch Secretary Hillingdon UNISON
- Sharon Benjamin Assistant Branch Secretary Hillingdon UNISON
- Jo Cardwell Vice Chair Islington UNISON
- Gary Padgett Lincolnshire County UNISON
- Lorna Solomon Branch Chair Homerton UNISON
- Megan Charlton Secretary Durham Teaching assistants UNISON
- Liz Wheatley Assistant Branch Secretary Camden UNISON
- Roger Lewis Assistant Branch Secretary pc Lambeth UNISON
- Shirley Franklin Chair Defend Whittington Hospital coalition
- Theresa Rollinson Health SGE pc Doncaster and Bassetlaw UNISON
- Keith Martin Former chief accountant NALGO
- Jenny Leow Homerton UNISON
- Jordan Rivera Branch Secretary Homerton UNISON
- Jim Board Branch Secretary Doncaster UNISON
- Yunus Bakhsh formerly branch secretary Newcastle City Health UNISON; Northern region NEC and Health SGE 25 years a psychiatric nurse
- Sharon Campion Joint branch secretary/ SGE Sandwell UNISON
- John Woods Branch Chair Portsmouth City UNISON
- Tirza Waisel Adult social worker Chair Barnet Communities UNITE
- George Shaw Barnet Communities UNITE
- Phil Fletcher Barnet Communities UNITE; Friends of the Earth; Barnet Green Party
- Kathy Smith Bromley Unite rep
- Paul Gilroy Branch Secretary Newcastle City UNISON LG & UNISON NEC
- Max Watson, Unite the Union, SE London Community Branch (previously UNISON NEC, 2010-2015)
- Tracey Leith, Shetland Branch, Chair
- Jennie Haswell, Branch Health and Safety Officer, Wakefield District Branch of Unison
- Trish Fay member of County Durham Teaching Assistants Action Committee
- Louis Smyth Barnet Schools Officer – solidarity John
- Clara Paillard PCS President
- Professor Dexter Whitfield Director, European Services Strategy Unit
- Graham Eddy ex unison branch sec Northumberland lg and asst branch sec tower hamlets unison.
- Gemma Short, Workers’ Liberty. My solidarity.
- Ruth Nyman Barnet UNISON Retired member.
- Jonathan Dunning, UNISON NEC and Norfolk Branch Secretary.
- Sandra Greenyer, Children’s Centre Manager
- Alphonsa M.K. Alby, Barnet social worker
- Hilary Price Barnet UNISON member.
- Tracey Lowe, Barnet UNISON Retired member.
- Tracy Cumberbatch, Underhill School and Children’s Centre.
- Izzi Azgadj
- Jan McLachlan.
- Steve North Branch Secretary, Salford City UNISON.
- Mary Beer-Cleasby, small business owner, BECTU member &Save Barnet Libraries.
- Andrew Travers, Joint Branch Secretary, Unison Medway Health.
- Vicky Perrin school steward Calderdale Branch, YH NEC member (pc)
- Craig Martin, schools convener, UNISON Dorset County.
- Eddie Rowley london met uni unison steward.
- David Summers London Met Unison Asst Branch Secretary.
- John McDermott UNISON steward. Bradford.
- Vino Sangarapillai Camden Unison.
- Polly Smith- chair Suffolk County UNISON ,nec (pc)
- Rena Neophytou, Barnet UNISON member.
- Nick Jackman, Barnet UNISON member
- Janet Mead, Barnet UNISON member.
- David Halls, Unison Birmingham Branch – retired member.
- Mark Dee Smith, Luton TUC.
- Sue Plain Southwark UNISON Branch Secretary.
- April Ashley UNISON Black members rep and Assistant Branch Secretary Southwark (pc).
- Bernie Gallagher, Bolton LG and NEC.
- Maddie Cooper UNISON.
- Fiona Monkman, Islington UNISON.
- David Mackintosh Unison rep for Assist Barnet homes
- Kieran Lynch Barnet UNISON Retired member
- David Lindsay, Lanchester, County Durham.
- Adam Driscoll Barnet UNISON member.
Barnet UNISON votes to seek lawful national dispute over the School Budget cuts
Support our School Staff members
This Branch Executive Committee notes:
1. This statement which came out 13 December 2016:
“State schools in England will have to find £3bn in savings by 2019-20, says the public spending watchdog. Schools face 8% budget cuts and about 60% of secondary schools already have deficits, warns a funding analysis from the National Audit Office (NAO).”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38301843
2. Our branch has received an unusually large number of requests from schools seeking consultation over redundancies.
3. The cuts budget is a national agenda which being fought at a local level.
4. School support staff are often a significant proportion (30-50%) of the membership of UNISON local government branches.
5. The formation of a new Education trade union which will bring teachers and school support staff into one union.
6. The disputes by Derby City and Durham UNISON teaching assistants against the imposition of pay cuts through term-time only contracts.
7. The impressive public support those teaching assistants have received for their strike action.
This BEC believes:
1. School support staff are particularly vulnerable to redundancies but there is then a knock-on effect for the rest of the school when jobs are cut.
2. The scale of the problem, the speed of the consultations and the general lack of confidence amongst school support staff means it is incredibly difficult to organise effective, or any resistance to cuts in posts at individual schools as a result of the overall cut in the schools budget.
3. The cuts budget is a national agenda which should be fought at a national level.
4. The issue of term-time only pay should be made into a national dispute.
5. Fighting cuts and defending public services is popular with the public.
This BEC resolves:
1. To continue supporting and encouraging all and any colleagues fighting job losses and pay cuts on a local level.
2. To call on UNISON to seek a way of registering a lawful national dispute over the School Budget cuts and begin the mobilisation of all of our members working in schools for a strike ballot.
3. To call on UNISON to seek urgent talks with sister unions to attempt to coordinate joint national strike action over the School Budget Cuts.
4. To send this motion to National Local Government conference 2017.
Love UNIONS; Join Barnet UNISON “there’s a lot going on!”
As part of 8‑14 Feb 2017 Heartunions week of action
Barnet UNISON is publishing our calendar of action we have organised for our members and the community we serve.
A big thanks to all of our UNISON reps, officers and our admin for all the work they have done and continue to do for our members.
20 February “1 Day Without Us”
“We want to demonstrate our solidarity for our migrant colleagues”
“By wearing a purple or green ribbon. You can also just wear something green or purple.”
“By taking solidarity selfies of you and your workmates on 20th February”
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017.02.02-One-day-without-us-flyer.pdf #20Feb #1DayWithoutUs #BarnetUNISON
25 February “Sing Your Heart out 4 NHS”
“Join Barnet UNISON members and our fantastic Barnet residents in a musical message of solidarity for the NHS.”
We can now see what six years of austerity policies has had on the NHS which only recently was described by the Red Cross as a “humanitarian crisis”.
“Listen to Yannis Gourtsoyannis one of the Junior Doctors strikers talk first-hand about the NHS crisis”
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017.01.09-Rock-Against-Austerity-flyer-1.pdf #NHS #BarnetUNISON
28 February “I Daniel Blake” – Phoenix Cinema – East Finchley
“We are absolutely delighted that our long-time supporter Ken Loach has agreed to join a Q & A with DPAC’s Paula Peters, who will be interviewed by Aditya Chakraborrty senior economics commentator for the Guardian.”
#IDanielBlake #BarnetUNISON
4 March – National “Save Our NHS” demo – Barnet UNISON
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2017/01/25/barnet-unison-supports-nhs-workers-join-us-4marchnhs/ #NHS #BarnetUNISON
7 March Barnet UNISON AGM – Fighting Apartheid to Fighting Austerity
“I am deeply honoured to have as our grassroots speaker Paul Joseph. Paul born in South Africa, became a political activist in the anti-apartheid movement working closely with Nelson Mandela with whom he was good friends. We are all facing deeply troubling times both in the workplace and our homes and our communities. I strongly recommend our members to make time to attend our AGM and listen to Paul tell his story. Hopefully he will be able to give us some advice as to what we all can do and remain positive in these troubling times.” John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.
#PaulJoseph #Mandela #BarnetUNISON
18 March – United Nations “Stand Up to Racism” demo Barnet UNISON
Join the Barnet UNISON banner on what is becoming a seminal demonstration in wake of recent events across the globe.
http://www.standuptoracism.org.uk/national-demo-refugees-migrants-welcome-stand-racism-islamophobia-anti-semitism/ #StandUptoRacism #BarnetUNISON
Saturday 25 March “Join the Durham Teaching Assistants in Durham”
#ValueUs #FightingBack #BarnetUNISON