Branch Update – March 2014

Since the 13th February Executive meeting the Branch Office has supported members with the following matters;

• Over 1500 items of email correspondence and also around 10/12 general telephone enquiries each day. Includes ongoing dismissal appeals, 3x Employment Tribunal requests to Scottish Region; Numerous Fair Treatment at Work issues and Health & Safety concerns including Personal Injury claims.

• NORTH Case Compensation Awards; Many members who did not take action at the time are contacting us asking to be included in the claim.

• Education Service; Supporting Learners Review – Meetings continue with Education Department management on the implementation/information gathering part of this review; 600 hours pre-school legislation discussions continue with various staff/management meetings; Ongoing Learning Town discussions.

• EEI; 2013/14 cuts – matching pool discussions regarding bumped redundancies and resulting restructures are ongoing; Meetings to discuss 2014/15 cuts have yet to be arranged.

• Social Work; Further meetings regarding Residential care structures/rotas; Concerns with imposed changes to Standby payments, these have not been agreed by the TU’s and are subject to further discussion; Meeting held with UNISON service group Chairs & NHS Branch on integration & note further meetings arranged by DGC/NHS management to follow the Scottish Government Legislation outcomes.

• Chief Executive Service; Attended Joint Trade Union/HR meeting and JCG; Started consideration of a pay and rewards scheme; Continued consultation/discussion on Matching Policy & Job Evaluation Appeals; Agreed with the report going to Committee on Childcare Vouchers; Raised concern about the management of Disciplinary Policy; Discussed the DGC budget intention to review Employment Policies.

• Attended UNISON Scottish Communities Service Group; There is new case law that will impact on Sleepover and Holiday pay. UNISON will progress potential underpayments which can go back 6 years with the members & employers involved (this includes DGC, private and community employers) – Please contact us!

• AGM’s; The Branch Secretary, Chair, Service Conditions and Health & Safety Officers attended each of the AGM meetings, those members present agreed with all of the proposals & motions. The raffle prizes for those attending go to; Sue Chalmers – won the £100, Maureen Laird – won 2 charity ball tickets and Ann Hastings – won 2 charity ball tickets. Well done and thanks to all those who attended.

We respect members who choose not to participate in Branch activities, but please look again at the matters mentioned above and note that we need you to be pro-active in supporting UNISON. Our members fought hard for the Terms and Conditions we have today, these are now under serious threat. Non-members whinging that the Unions do nothing for them are always the first to criticise us.

Please emphasise the good work UNISON is doing and encourage your colleagues to Join UNISON and support you now.

Remember, to raise the public awareness about UNISON and our objective to support Local Jobs and Local Services, the Branch car sticker campaign starts with the opportunity to win a family holiday – if you take part. The lucky winner will be chosen on 15 March and further rewards supported by UNISON Partners can be won throughout the year. Look for the winning number plate on our web-site.

GOOD LUCK.