(20/04/12) UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today calling on the Government to think- again and start taking action to tackle the misery of the millions of people who are unemployed or who face joining the long-term unemployed.

With unemployment still high at 2.65m, the union is accusing the government of being frozen into inaction by their no-hope policy of public service cuts.

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“The Government is digging itself and the country into a deeper hole with its swingeing cuts to public services and jobs. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have gone in the public sector and with them millions of people have lost vital services.

“The Government is failing to tackle the growing problem of long-term unemployment which is bringing misery to so many families. In addition, the record number of people forced into part-time working is masking the sheer scale of unemployment. And women are again bearing the brunt of job cuts with the number unemployed going up by 8,000 to 1.14m.

“Cuts are not the answer, we need investment in jobs and services to stimulate the economy and breathe new life into failing local economies.”

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UNISON members have voted NO in a postal ballot to council proposals extending the freeze on pay increments for a further 12 months.

The results of the ballot were close with 39 being the difference between the yes and no votes. The result of the ballot means that UNISON will not sign a collectve agreement with the council to lever in the contractual changes despite our two sister unions UNITE and GMB indicating their desire to do so. This leaves the council with various options, they could drop the proposals and look for alternative savings elsewhere, they could by-pass the unions and ask individuals direct to agree to the proposals, or they could dismiss staff and offer immediate re-engagement on the same contracts without the right to incremental progression in 2012/13.

A meeting is planned with the Leader of the Council and Senior Council Officers on Thursday 12th April following which we will update members on developments.

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(21/03/12) UNISON have received complaints from our members today regarding an email sent out from Strategic Commissioning managers stating that everyone will be working unless leave is booked, ensuring appropriate cover.

UNISON would as a result like to clarify the following position:

UNISON have NOT agreed to the Christmas closure proposal. We are disappointed that following our last Strategic meeting with RMBC, where it was agreed to clarify issues around buildings affected etc before continuing with discussions, that this has been taken as an agreement to the proposal. This is simply not a proper reflection of the discussion and is not the case.

UNISON have asked for this issue to be tabled on the agenda for the next strategic meeting so we can discuss this matter, following the requested information being gathered as appropriate.

Should members wish to discuss this matter further please contact the branch office 01709 376933.

UNISON
Rotherham Met Borough Branch

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The latest Newsletter from the branch has been sent out to all members. You can download it from our news page here.

The newsletter contains information about the proposed extension of incremental freeze. If you are affected by this proposal you will have received a letter and ballot paper (in with the newsletter) along with a pre-paid envelope. If you have not received your papers for any reason please contact the branch office on 01709 376933.

You can download the letter which explains the ballot process here.

The ballot closes 12 Noon, Friday 30th March. Please make every effort to participate and complete and return your ballot paper as soon as possible.

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It has been agreed by the Strategic Leadership Team that there will be a short extension of the window of opportunity during which employees can express an interest in taking voluntary severance under the terms of the Council’s discretionary voluntary severance scheme.

The opportunity for employees to seek an estimated benefits quotation and then return the form indicating whether or not they wish to pursue an application for early release has now been extended to Friday 30th March 2012.

Obviously not every application for voluntary severance can necessarily be approved as this would be dependant on service priorities, skills requirements and a valid business case being met.

The original team briefing opening the time limited opportunity which includes an example demonstrating how to calculate severance payments can be viewed by clicking here.

Managers are asked to ensure that this message is cascaded amongst all members of their workforce.

Employees wishing to express an interest in voluntary severance should contact the HR Service Centre, Email hrpgenenq@rotherham.gov.uk or call external 01709 334141, Internal from old 7434141, Internal from new 34141. If after receiving your estimated figures you respond to confirm that you wish to proceed with an application for early release the relevant HR Business Partner will liaise with the Director of your Service to consider your request.

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Due to popular demand all the Love2Shop Vouchers have now gone.

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(15/02/12) BULLETIN - LATEST PROPOSAL RE PAY AND JOBS

Following on from the Stewards Meeting on the 06th February 2012 and subsequent meeting with The Leader, Roger Stone, on the 07th February 2012 the branch would like to clarify the latest budget position. The branch requires all members to inform us of their views in relation to the latest PROPOSAL being put to the Trade unions as soon as possible. (Email: general@unison-rotherham.org.uk )

ANNUAL INCREMENTAL FREEZE 2012/2013

Continuation of the annual incremental freeze for a further year.

RMBC feel it is necessary in light of the continuing budget overspend this year and current gap in meeting the 20.4m gap next year to seek your agreement to a continuation of this freeze for a further year. RMBC stated whilst they felt that people would be disappointed not to receive an increment this was felt by RMBC to be a more acceptable offer in the respect that it was not money being deducted from peoples salaries. This further temporarily deferred incremental progression they state would help to bridge the funding gap by generating savings of around £700,000 - £800,000. (This would affect around 1500 employees who are not yet at the top of their current grade.)

Proposed implementation date - 1st April 2012.

PROS

Reduce further redundancies for the 2012/13 year. (This is the best position we can achieve through negotiation without balloting for Industrial action)

CONS

Further detrimental cuts to our pay and conditions of service

Further hardship for our members already struggling to manage due to job losses and current inflation costs in the current climate

If the proposals are not accepted RMBC have made it clear that in addition to the current HR1 notice of redundancies that we received informing us 200 posts will be made redundant will have to be amended to 250 posts to be made redundant, as they state the savings cannot be made elsewhere.

In other words by agreeing to the further incremental freeze RMBC state it will be saving around 40 – 50 jobs (based on average earnings)

Please report your views back to the branch office by no later than 17/02/12. Depending on the outcome of the consultation exercise we may have to take the decision to move to an official ballot process.

We would, therefore be grateful if you would complete and return the enclosed form and send it to the Branch Office at UNISON Lawrence House, Downs Road, Rotherham S60 2HD or via email at general@unison-rotherham.org.uk as soon as possible.

CHRISTMAS OPENING – TOWN CENTRE

It has been determined that the Town Centre Council Office at Riverside House will be open during Christmas 2012 and subsequent years. The 3 days previously fixed at Christmas to facilitate an office closure will be added to annual leave. It is anticipated that there would be a significantly reduced employee presence required in most service areas over this period. Employees wishing to book leave at Christmas will be able to do so through the normal approval process.

Are you satisfied with this?

In addition, for your information, the 1.15% pay reduction (3 days pay) taken last year (one year deal) is to be paid back as agreed from April 2012.

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(03.10.11) Most people join a union because they want protection at work - help with pay and conditions of service, legal or health and safety advice or representation in case things go wrong at work. That’s what we’re here for.

UNISON negotiates on pay and working conditions at every level - local, regional and national. However being a UNISON member also gives you a wide range of benefits and unbeatable deals. Join UNISON now.

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