Branch Update – May 2014

We have noted a number of new membership applications are being received from folk who are in serious trouble with their employer – they could and should have joined when they started their employment.  Non-members usually say that the unions do nothing for them and are often the first to criticise us – until they need us.

UNISON members fought hard for the Terms and Conditions we have today but these are now under serious threat.  Please emphasise the good work UNISON is doing and encourage your colleagues to Join UNISON.

Since the 10 April Executive meeting the Branch Office has supported members with the following matters;

• 2014/15 Local Government Pay; The imposed 2 year pay award which UNISON rejected was discussed at the Regional Local Government meeting a Branch Secretaries meeting has been arranged on 22 May to consider how to take this forward.
• NORTH CASE Compensation Awards; UNISON’s lawyers have advised claimants that discussions with DGC are progressing well and they hope a settlement will be agreed around the end of June. Some members who could have made claims but for a variety of reasons didn’t, have contacted the branch office unfortunately no new claims regarding this case can be raised.
• Customer & Community Services; The 14 day Restructure Consultation period for A&E Leisure & Sport and 30 Redundancy Consultation period on management cuts has ended we are still waiting for a reply to our response; Staff consultation on the CSC/Library/Registration year 2 integration process has started Stewards are attending the workplace meetings; DGone closure discussions are ongoing.
• Education Service; Supporting Learners Review Meetings continue; Branch Officers attended the UNISON Scotland 600 hours pre-school legislation meeting, in Glasgow and a paper outlining the issues across Scotland will be sent to all Branches; Ongoing Learning Town discussions; Discussed departmental property team structures.
• Social Work; Senior management appointments have concluded so we expect to be continuing discussions about the management restructure; Concerns with imposed changes to Standby payments have been discussed with HR and we expect these to be resolved soon, any underpayments will be reimbursed; Discussions with NHS Branch on integration and further meetings arranged by DGC/NHS management are ongoing, the appointment of new Health Board Members is causing some delays.
• Chief Executive Service; Continuing discussions with HR on Matching Policy & Job Evaluation Appeals, members will need support with these complex policies; Childcare Voucherswill be issued by DGC and we now expect these will be available around June/July; Discussed DGC budget intentions to review Employment Transitional Policies and change to a 3 years budget process, the monthly Financial Challenges meeting with Chief Officers is going to be replaced with a regular meeting with the budget setting Politicians.
• Regulatory Enforcement; Branch Secretary attended a Regional meeting to consider the problems new guidance could cause members, a UNISON response has been sent to the Scottish Government and a copy will be placed on branch media.
• Meat Hygiene Service; A consultative ballot is being held regarding the pay offer of 0.75%, subject to meeting performance standards & a harmonisation of the 4 ex-MHS/FSA payscales into a London and a National rate we await the outcome.
• Branch Administration; Our new web-site is now online; The branch organised Stewards induction training has started, new NHS Stewards have joined the training; Continued discussions on new office arrangements; Kevin Duguid our Regional Learning Organiser has arranged to visit the branch to organise Learning & Development opportunities for members; HR training for Stewards on the new DGC Domestic Abuse & Fair Treatment at Work Policies was held and further training will be arranged; Branch Officers attended the annual training weekend in Glasgow; Various workplace drop-in sessions have been arranged throughout the Region; A number of serious Health & Safety issues were found and action initiated to resolve the concerns.
• We dealt with about 400 items of email correspondence and also around a dozen general telephone enquiries each day from members;   Includes Redundancy consultations; ongoing Employment Tribunal requests to Scottish Region; Fair Treatment at Work issues; Health & Safety concerns including ongoing Personal Injury claims & Discrimination cases.