News

You can download our entire newsletter or get a flavour of whats happening in our branch news headlines below.

(September 2008 Newsletter)

Solid strike support is best basis for pay negotiations

After the success of the two day strike over pay in July, UNISON’s national negotiators are in a much stronger position in talks with the employers.

Further strike action has been suspended to allow the resumption of negotiations.

If there is no improved offer above the 2.45 per cent then further industrial action will be called for.

The National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) has issued a statement from the Joint Secretaries which has committed both sides to enter into negotiations.

The aim, says the statement, is to secure an employment package which is “fit for the future with positive industrial relations, high quality and efficient local services and resolves the current dispute.”

Branch Secretary Linda Crowther said: “The support for the strike was solid in Bradford and nationally over 500,000 of our members took action.

“We know that taking action involves real sacrifices and we are grateful for the support that members have shown.

“We will keep you informed of any developments in the pay negotiations as they emerge. The Branch Officer team need to make you aware of their concerns over the lack of communications from Head Office since the Industrial action took place. Branch delegates will be making Regional officials aware of these concerns when they attend the Regional Local Government Service Group meeting on Tuesday 16th September 2008.

We are confident that with your continued support we can win a fair pay settlement which our members are entitled to.”

We hope that by gaining the Council’s agreement to stagger the strike pay deductions over the September and October pay dates we have managed to mitigate any possible financial hardship for our members.

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Biggest ever change to the way you work is planned by Bradford Council

Bradford Council is working on plans to reduce the number of staff workstations by 30 per cent. The employers want to introduce “mobile and flexible working” for thousands of workers. So what will such a radical change mean for the traditional workplace, and what will it mean for UNISON members?
Bradford Council is constantly under pressure to demonstrate to the Government that it is creating more efficient and less expensive ways of providing services to the public.

One of the organisation’s biggest overheads is running and maintaining civic buildings in which the majority of our members work.

That is why the Council has commissioned a great deal of research into the practicalities of mobile and flexible working.

The basis for the Council’s desire to cut the number of workstations is both financial – civic buildings are an asset which can be sold for profit – but also, they say, this will benefit our members and the public they serve.

A draft report from the Council says the plan will “improve workforce satisfaction through an improved work-life balance, greater empowerment and less stress”.

Other benefits, says the report, include increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities and a reduced carbon footprint because of reduced travelling and energy use.

Essentially the plan will lead to vastly increased numbers of people working from their homes, with hot-desking (using whatever workstation is available) becoming the norm.

The e-mail system would be even more essential than it is now as workers swap traditional workplace relationships for electronic –virtual – relationships.

Patrick Kerry,UNISON Convenor responsible for Customer Services, Chief Executive’s Office, Corporate Services and Regeneration said:”These proposals would transform the way our members work and change beyond recognition traditional workplace practices.
“What we will be consulting our members about is precisely how many of them will be asked to radically re-organise their home and working lives and what are the benefits and pitfalls of relying on technology to keep services running properly.

“These are questions we need to be absolutely clear about when such profound changes are proposed which will affect members for years to come.”

Patrick stressed that UNISON needs to see detailed proposals before taking an informed position on the plan.

He said: “We never want to be Luddite about new ideas and technology which provide genuine opportunities for changes in the way we work.
“But there are fundamental considerations to discuss. For example, some people may not have the domestic set-up to work from home – or may not want to blur the edges between work and home.

“Others may feel that a lack of direct personal contact with colleagues will impair their ability to work effectively and also deprive them of the morale boosting friendships which the traditional workplace encourages.

“And what would be the effect on the economies of town and city centres of large numbers of people seldom leaving the house during the working day?”
The Branch is in close contact with Bradford Council on these proposals and will keep members informed of any developments.

Members are now being asked to send the Branch Office their views on the issue so they can put them to the Council’s management and seek answers to your questions.

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Job Evaluation/Single Status Update

Many of you will be asking when will Job Evaluation be implemented, will I get a pay rise or will I actually lose money?

The target implementation date is April 2009.
 
Evaluations are ongoing in all schools and within some council departments all these must be complete before April 2009.
 
Moderation is an independent check that the job evaluation not only looks right but feels right and ultimately is right.

Talks are due to commence on the part 3 terms and conditions these are all aspects relating to your employment, holidays, working hours, working patterns, holidays, overtime, sickness pay etc. The Trade Unions are looking at the harmonisation of all manual workers, office workers and senior officers terms of conditions. 
 
We will keep you updated as progress is made.

When do I find out my score/grade?
Bradford Council have made a local agreement to harmonise terms and conditions of service and implement job evaluation by the 31st March 2009. Your job score will not be disclosed until the end of the project, when we have linked it to your grade.

Are changes to salary expected?
Once all of the job evaluations have been completed, the new pay and grading scheme will be established. This is about establishing a fair and equality proof pay structure. However, some salaries could go up, some could go down and some could stay the same.

Will there be pay protection?
The Council is currently in negotiations with the joint trade unions over this matter.

After I receive the questionnaire how long have I got to fill it in?
A minimum of 2 weeks. Employees are encouraged to seek support when completing the questionnaire from the job evaluation team, their line manager, colleagues and trade union representatives. The time to actually complete the pre-interview questionnaire would be expected to take on average no more than three hours.

Why isn’t every job holder being interviewed?
This process will allow the Council to complete job evaluation within the agreed timescales.
Prior to job evaluations taking place, the job evaluation team will work with Assistant Directors and trade union colleagues to agree which posts will receive a face-to-face job evaluation interview. Once face to face interview lists are agreed, post holders will receive a personal job evaluation pack and letter inviting them to complete a pre job evaluation questionnaire for the purpose of a face-to-face evaluation.

What if I wish to appeal?
There will be a right of appeal. The process for this will be communicated at the end of the process.

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Let’s celebrate saying “NO” to domestic violence

A party to celebrate UNISON’s campaign against domestic violence will be held at the Bradford Irish Club, Westgate, Bradford on 14TH November 2008 from 7.30pm.

Bradford Branch members are asked to come along for an evening of fun, food, music and dancing and have a great time supporting a vitally important campaign. The evening will include live music from Irish band ‘WILD GEESE’, raffle, quiz etc..
The price will be £3 for an individual and £5 for a couple – probably the best value in town!

For tickets or further information just ring the Branch Office on 01274 432291.

Members, especially men, are being asked to buy and wear a white ribbon to signify their opposition to domestic violence.
These will be on sale at the Branch Office and at the Irish Club on the night.

The money raised will be donated to a charity which helps to fund local hostels for victims of domestic violence.

Saba-Gabrielle Moussa, Chair of the Women’s Self Organised Group, said: “There is much more awareness about domestic violence than in the past. But it is still a major problem blighting many people’s lives.

“The problem is often that domestic violence is a hidden problem. The White Ribbon campaign will hopefully make everyone aware that domestic violence should not and will not be tolerated in a civilised society.

“And it should be another great night out where we can get together away from the stresses and strains of our working lives.”

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UNISON Labour Link delegation

A delegation of ten Yorkshire and Humberside Labour Link members travelled to Gateshead in July to attend the Labour Link Forum in Gateshead.

Speakers at the event included General Secretary Dave Prentis, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Bradford Branch Chair Saba-Gabrielle Moussa was there as one of the members who opt to pay into the Affiliated Political Fund which represents UNISON’s interests inside the Labour Party.
High on the agenda was the lack of transparency around the system for paying MPs expenses, with delegates criticising the “shabby” behaviour of some elected members with regard to their claims.

The Branch is able to send representatives to Constituency Labour Party meetings. If you are a card carrying labour party member who also contributes to UNISON’s affiliated political fund you are able to be nominated from the Branch to attend your CLP meetings.

Saba said any Labour Party members interested in getting involved with UNISON’s Labour Link or who require more information on the matter should contact either herself or Dean Harper. If you are interested in attending your CLP meeting please get in touch with Dean Harper at the Branch Office on 01274 432291.