Yesterday Barnet UNISON attended a march to save the Barnet Chase Farm Hospital. This campaign has been ongoing for ten years but the announcement (privatisation or bankruptcy) last week about the future of hospital services in Enfield demands a response from residents, community groups, local politicians, trade unions.

The march ended at the hospital where a number of people entered and have now begun an occupation.

Survival fear for hospital trust if merger talks fail

BARNET and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust could be privatised or face bankruptcy if its merger with the Royal Free Hospital falls through, councillors have been warned.

http://www.northlondon-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=3254&headline=Survival%20fear%20for%20hospital%20trust%20if%20merger%20talks%20fail

Commons set for debate on plans for A&E closures

“parliamentary committee’s decision to hold a debate at the House of Commons next week on accident & emergency department closures.”

http://www.northlondon-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=3262&headline=Commons%20set%20for%20debate%20on%20plans%20for%20A&E%20closures

Demonstrators to march through Enfield in protest at proposed Chase Farm A&E and maternity closure

http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=3701&headline=Demonstrators%20to%20march%20through%20Enfield%20in%20protest%20at%20proposed%20Chase%20Farm%20A&E%20and%20maternity%20closure

Across London residents and community campaigns are springing up.

Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign

Check out SaveLewsihamA&E their website here

http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/

 

Save Whittington Hospital Campaign are busy preparing to fight to save their local hospital please note meeting

http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/health_2_4371/campaigners_launch_battle_to_save_whittington_1_1852060

They are having a public meeting on

Tuesday 12th February 2013

7.30 – 9.00 pm

Archway Methodist Hall, Archway Close, N19 3TD

Sign their petition here http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-sell-off-and-cuts-at-the-whittington-hospital/sign.html

 

 

 

UNISON has for the last three years been chasing the Council about transparency about agency figures in order that staff at risk of redundancy are able to have an opportunity to find employment and avoid compulsory redundancy.

Every Friday those council staff art risk of redundancy receive a Redeployment Bulletin. At any one time there may be advertised up to 40 jobs. However, on average at least 50% of these jobs are often in schools.

The Council has a statutory duty when there is a risk of redundancy or a TUPE transfer to provide trade unions agency worker details.

This information is also provided at local industrial relations meetings otherwise known as Area Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committees (JNCC’s)

The last Agency worker list provided to the Trade Unions reported a total of 552.  This figure has been broken down into the following service areas:

·         Adult and Social Care – (85)

·         Chief Executive Services (84)

·         Children’s Services (89)

·         Commercial Assurance (32)

·         Corporate Governance (2)

·         Deputy Chief Executives Services (49)

·         Environment Planning & Regeneration (211)

UNISON has been informed this does not mean that there are 552 vacant posts which are all being filled by Agency workers. However UNISON has been trying to establish how many of these posts are covering actual permanent posts (including fixed term) which could be filled by a member of staff who is at risk of redundancy.

Any UNISON members at risk of redundancy who are concerned that they are not accessing internal job vacancies please contact the branch on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

1. G4S still no show

Week Four and still no sign of G4S in our weekly meetings. UNISON was told G4S are taking over the cash collection which is currently provided by the Finance Service. The delay and uncertainty for members is unacceptable. UNISON was informed there would be an update by the end of the week. Deadline has been and gone

2. Staff Handbook/Policies

We were told this would be made available to all NSCSO staff by Wednesday at the latest. Deadline has been and gone..***update it has now arrived. 30 consultation has begun.

3. Capita response to UNISON letter – waiting for a response

4. Barnet Council response to UNISON letter – response due in 10 days

5. “Will I be entitled to my redundancy payment if….”

This is the most frequent question I am, asked and quite frankly it is disappointing that the employment matrix which was shared with UNISON several weeks ago has still not been produced for staff.  It is critical for all staff working across NSCSO to be able to see what their employment options are after the transfer to Capita.

6. Capita Service Presentations

Capita provided presentation for IS/ICT services which they want to roll out for all 8 services transferring to Capita. This was in response to UNISON’s request for more detailed information about the staffing implications of the transfer. Contacgt the branch if this is not shared in your service.

7. “Less consultation – not a good idea”

On Monday the Council announced that they wanted these meetings to be fortnightly. UNISON objected and added that they wanted more meetings to discuss the growing number of concerns being raised by UNISON and our members. This is a TUPE transfer like no other. There are significant numbers of staff at risk of redundancy after transfer. UNISON is seeking to reduce the numbers of staff being made redundant. Reducing the meetings is not going to help this process.

UNISON reps will be turning up at the agreed time and expect to meet with Capita, LBB, Barnet Homes, G4S.

8. Embargoed Tripartite minutes

Members are quite rightly asking for mire details about the Tripartite meetings. I had asked that the minutes of these meetings be provided to staff on the intranet. Astonishingly the Council & Capita opposed this proposal. Last week, UNISON made a proposal that at each meeting the minutes would be agreed and if there were any items that needed to be embargoed they would be removed and the rest of the minutes circulated to staff. Unfortunately this reasonable request was not accepted. UNISON fully supports the transparency agenda and will report back on these meetings. We registered our disappointment about the use of embargoing of Tripartite minutes.

9. Capita Talent Connect

UNSION was informed that the above website which was providing employment opportunities would be ready this week. Deadline has been and gone