Rotherham Met branch has received the following communication (download here) from NEC candidates for circulation to members. All documents have been passed to stewards to be forwarded to members for their information. It is vital that members use their vote in this by-election

Voting Process
Only full members in the Local Government service group are eligible to vote in this election. Members not on the UNISON central membership system on 9 October 2011 are not eligible to vote and will not receive a ballot paper.

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(12/01/12) UNISON members in the local government pensions scheme this week voted to continue negotiating with the employers over potential changes to their pensions.

More than 150 nationally elected activists in UNISON’s five sector groups representing the local government pensions scheme, gave their backing to the framework proposals for talks that the union’s negotiators have secured since November 30.

Negotiations will now enter an intense phase, running until April 2012 – at which point members will be fully consulted on the final offer. Should talks fail, the union’s ballot remains live, leaving the option of more industrial action on the table.

Heather Wakefield, UNISON head of local government, said:

“This week, our elected activists representing members that save into the local government scheme, gave their unequivocal backing to the framework proposals for more negotiations that we have secured since November 30.

“We have agreed some important principles for the talks, including no change to contribution rates until 2014, and a commitment to protecting the pensions rights of workers that have been outsourced or are under threat of privatisation.

“Talks with the local government employers will now run until April 2012. Members will continue to be consulted at every stage – including when we have a final offer. But if talks should break down – our ballot means we can still take industrial action.”

*The five sector groups include - Local Government, Community, Police and Justice, Water, Environment and Transport (WET), and Higher Education.

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Here in Rotherham we have had six eager members in the Branch office training on UNISONs Organising Stewards course.

Kathy Bland, Vaughan Woolley, Dave Dugden, Simon Brockbank, Frank Markham and Jeannette Mallinder all work in different directorates in RMBC. They were all keen to get the proper training that would help them to be able to represent fellow members in the workplace and act as a voice for members to deal with any concerns at ‘shop floor’ level.

Each person had a different reason for wanting to get more involved. One had received support from UNISON and experienced such good service that they felt they wanted to give something back to the union. Others were concerned about changes in their workplace and wanted to be able to stand up to those changes knowing that the union behind them. But, what they all had in common was that they wanted to make a difference for other people.

Each Steward has committed to holding regular meetings with their members to keep them up to date with information from Branch office about issues that could affect them.

“Members feel that they do not know what UNISON is doing for them. I know from personal experience that the Convenors are constantly representing members. But the Branch isn’t great at letting the wider membership know what they’re doing. Hopefully regular workplace meetings will make members feel better informed.” Said Dave. Frank supported this, “I want the members to know who their Steward is so they can get the support they need, when they need it.”

Realising that they are part of a bigger family of trade union colleagues has given your new Stewards greater confidence in fulfilling their roles. They know that they are not alone and have the full support of their Convenor, the Branch and Regional Office. And UNISON Rotherham Branch are looking forward to all six new Stewards (and re-accredited Steward, Gary Millns) putting their ideas, enthusiasm and personal skills to great use and adding to the quality of the Branch.  

Jeannette said “It was really nice to meet colleagues from other working areas in the authority and get to know them better. I feel that after this five-day course we have become friends.” Kathy agreed, “Hopefully we can encourage other members to get more involved and consider becoming a Steward for UNISON too.”

Mick Stowe and Ruth Askwith (Convenors) who dropped in on the training session welcomed the new Stewards. “Thank you very much for agreeing to take on this role and we hope that you find the role rewarding. We will do our utmost to ensure that you are supported while you find your feet as a newly Trained and Active Steward.”

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UNISON is calling for the Government to refocus on local government services and finances, in light of a damning report* on council cuts by the Audit Commission and Local Government Association* (LGA).

The report shows that councils across England have already made 145,000 job cuts and the number is set to spiral. This will have a devastating impact on the lives of local government workers and communities relying on the vital services they provide.

UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said:

“The Government must refocus on providing funding to make sure vital local services are maintained, rather than stripped bare. Councils have already made far more job cuts than they said would be necessary. This report shows that the worst is yet to come.

“UNISON members have been hit hard, as they struggle to pay bills in the face rising costs. Council workers are covering large numbers of deleted and frozen posts - on a two-year pay freeze, without the £250 compensation promised by Osborne for the lowest paid. Workers are doing more, for less, as resources drop, but demand rises. On top of this, they face cuts to pay and conditions, alongside plans to make them pay more into their pensions, work longer and receive less in retirement.

“Teaching assistants, youth workers and social care workers are among the groups facing the largest cuts - despite record youth unemployment and an ageing population. Low paid women are the biggest losers, as they make up 75% of council workers and 90% of the occupations worst hit.

“It is disgraceful to hear the Tory-led LGA boasting of having made 50% more savings than required by central government, even before the financial crash. The latest redundancies come on top of these huge, unnecessary cuts. These job cuts are not inevitable, there is an alternative and councils have a duty to their local communities to provide hope and employment to help people get through this financial crisis.

“The report paints of a picture of a bleak future, where skilled staff lose their jobs, or are left buckling under the pressure with vital services being stripped back. These council cuts are hard, fast and unnecessary and will devastate communities when what the country needs are policies that will help to kick start the economy.”

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As a ward councillor I write to you to express my solidarity and support for your members in taking Industrial action on the 30th November in defence of your pensions.

I too will be striking on the day of action and will be addressing a rally in Barnsley to express my support and convey why your action is justified.

Good luck with your fight I am sure if we all stick together we can defeat this undemocratically elected coalition.

Yours in Solidarity

Councillor Brian Steele
Hoober Ward

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Why it's time to stand up and fight (Rotherham Advertiser)
Read the full story here...

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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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