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Issue 20
The Newsletter for all UNISON Stewards and Activists in the North West Region Autumn
Winter
The Newsletter for all UNISON Stewards and Activists in the North West Region
2010
2007
30 years on...
1981-2011
People’s march for
public services
26th March 2011
Hyde Park, London
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2 intouch winter 2010
contents
Page 4
Cuts news from Greater Manchester
Page 5
Credit unions - how do they work?
Page 6
Angry and noisy in Rochdale
Page 7
‘Slumponomics’ - a personal view
Page 8
A first-time lobbyist’s view...
FE Matters
Page 9 Lobby of Lib Dems Conference in
Lancashire Police Branch fight
Page 10 Liverpool: 19 September 2010
World AIDS Day
Page 11
UNISON Welfare
Page 12
F irst of all I would like to say this
is my first lobbying event in
Liverpool let alone my first under
many more. The little area we were
“corralled” into (so our safety was
monitored) was not the biggest but
Organising: Community Service Group the UNISON banner. The lobbying it held 4,000 union members and
Page 13 took place at Salt House Dock at members of the public.
Personal injury case study around 12pm. Before the lobbying The speeches went well. Dave
Page 14 began Dave Prentis appeared and Prentis likened the two coalition
Health & Safety under attack spoke to all of the UNISON people leaders to politics answer to
Page 15 there including myself and we had Jedward which got a good laugh.
Medical Secretary Review a little chat. He mentioned he was He also suggested that no one could
Page 16 happy with the fact young members now trust a Lib Dem as they have
Regional Communications Survey wanted to get involved in this as it gone back on their promises several
affects everyone up and down the times since the election. He said
scale. Dave Prentis also asked how they have sold out their party and
Diary Date! MARCH
I was finding the event and he also
gave me some advice about how to
the members of the public for five
seats round the cabinet table.
26
Countdown to National lobby successfully. So in short with the weather as
Demonstration against The police presence was huge British as it was (rainy) I believe we
the Coalition’s Cuts (at the arena where we were not sent a message to the Lib Dems:
Hyde Park, London allowed) as the police couldn’t if you think we will be stopped by
Saturday 26 March 2011 “guarantee our safety”(!) but they not letting us protest near you we
The TUC has called a national demonstration could guarantee the safety of will protest anyway, If you think we
against the cuts for Saturday 26 March the bed fellows of the Tories and will be stopped by the rain you are
2011. This event is to demonstrate the depth also the safety of the Hope Street sorely mistaken. If you think we will
of opposition to the Coalition’s programme festival that was going on. They also back down you are sorely wrong.
of cuts and attacks on public services and
we therefore need to ensure maximum
had the resources to monitor our As someone new to the “fight” I am
turnout for this event from the North West every move but not the resources looking forward to my next lobbying
region. Further details of the event will be to let us protest near the stadium event to send them a clear message
circulated to branches in due course, but - which is a poor excuse at best. they can take back to the political
we would be grateful if you could put the (In my opinion the Lib Dems were sell-outs. “We will never back down!”
date in your diaries and promote the event scared of the protestors).
in newsletters, at AGMs, branch meetings, to
your family and your friends etc.
I was amazed by the number Martin Nelson
of other unions that turned up: National Young Members’ Forum
UNISON, UNITE, GMB, PCS, NUT and North West Rep, Sefton Health Branch
3
Welfare Diane Daniels,
June Pool and
Anne McAleer
Centenary Dinner
T he North West Welfare
Committee worked hard
over the last few months
pay their bills and maintain
viable pensions. One
hundred and sixty people
to organise a fundraising helped us to celebrate
Centenary Dinner at the De UNISON Welfare and its
Vere Whites Hotel at the history with a special
Reebok Stadium in Bolton. raffle, an auction of shirts,
Bolton is of course the town pennants, guest speakers
where Jabez Darricotte and a disco. her to another event in the We extend many thanks
started a welfare fund Guests included the future. to those who supported
for widows and children Head of Welfare Julie A bottle of champagne the committee, those who
one hundred years ago. In Grant, Angela Ishmael was donated by the TUC, donated, the branches,
this time of the Coalition who provides a service to the winner, newly engaged, helpers, affiliates, sponsors
Government’s cuts and employers on Diversity and celebrated with panache. and all the members and
attacks on our welfare Dignity at work and Dave The dinner went very well, friends who rocked the night
system, UNISON Welfare is O’Brien a case worker who the food and service was away and who made the
keeping the focus on those has researched the history excellent with a disco to night such a success. Special
UNISON members who are of UNISON Welfare. Both round the evening off in thanks to Diane Daniels and
affected and will need help Angela and Dave were great UNISON style. The June Poole who worked very
and assistance. our speakers on the night amount raised on the night hard to ensure the night was
The aim of the night - Angela a last minute was £910, this total will such a special one.
was to raise substantial rescuer when Jane Clack increase substantially from
funds at this time when from Payplan took ill. We ticket sales when we have Anne McAleer
many our members are wish her a speedy recovery paid out the expenses Chair, North West Regional
fighting to keep their jobs, and hope we can invite incurred. Welfare Committee
A message from presented by the Tories and
their craven changelings
come under threat. Every
day there are individual
Frank Hont, who used to be known as
the LibDems.
members worrying about
their future and the
Regional Secretary Our National Executive
Council ( NEC ) have
prospects for their children
and grandchildren.
N ext year we face the
biggest challenge yet
to public sector jobs and
implemented the coalition
proposals will destroy the
Health service we have
agreed a simplified set of
objectives for UNISON in
2011.Look them up on our
Our job - both elected
officials and employed
staff of the union – is to
the services our members nurtured and developed website. They are short and empathise with those
provide – the essential since 1948. sharp and make sense for workers and oppose
services which ensure that So, for 2011 we have the difficult times we are the attacks with all our
communities function day one priority. We have to living in. strength.
by day. All public services ensure that all our energy, Every day we have Have a great Christmas
are under threat but we all our ingenuity, all our members whose jobs are at and lets come back in 2011
will have to be at our experience is aimed at risk. Every day terms and ready to work together and
best to defend the NHS. If meeting the challenge conditions of employment build the union.
4 intouch winter 2010
Cutting all over…
Here’s a snap shot of the latest news
from around Greater Manchester.
BOLTON (Labour control) with Rochdale (Call centre) Looking at shared legal Trafford/Wigan/Stockport HR
Were looking at shared legal and outsourcing of fleet services with Manchester & Payroll set up.
services with Bury but this management. and shared vehicle
seems to be increasingly maintenance/depots with WIGAN (Labour control) £55m
unlikely. £60million cuts and ROCHDALE (8 Lib Dem Trafford and Manchester. over three years. Compulsory
1500 jobs on the line. Councillors have resigned Looking to replace computer redundancy not ruled out.
leaving Labour as the largest system which all three Redeployment policy imposed.
BURY Council is imposing party) The previous Lib Dem- currently use – may replace Looking at asset management
a three day lock-out at Tory coalition proposed up with a single system that joint venture with Stockport
Christmas where staff will to £220m of cuts in schools could be developed into and Trafford.
be forced to use three days and 1,600 out of 5,000 a single joint service
of their annual leave. The non-school staff at risk. The call centre in the future. TAMESIDE (Labour
council is also proposing council is thinking of also Reorganisation of children’s controlled). £100m cuts
no incremental progression imposing 2.5% pay CUT on all services. Cull of 3rd tier over 4 years with as much
next year. 550 redundancies staff (5% for Exec Leadership managers. 500 job cuts. as £36m next year. No
announced last week. Team but as they are already Compulsory redundancy not compulsory redundancies
Consideration of merging on 40% tax bracket this ruled out. planned but out-sourcing
out of hours services, winter largely means cheating of facility management
gritting, street lighting and the taxman rather than the STOCKPORT (Lib Dem and other services being
pest control with Bolton leadership team). The council control) The council is now
considered.
perhaps. Pest control with also seems keen on ripping saying that there will be
Rossendale? up the Green Book national redundancies. Outsourced
LIBRARIES PROJECT
conditions completely. AGMA home support workers and
Timetable already slipped.
MANCHESTER (Labour is believed to be waiting to property management. 150-
23 upper tier councils in
control) Rapid developments. see whether they can get 400 jobs to go by April 2011.
North West – counties and
No compulsory redundancies away with it at Rochdale £53m over 4 years cuts.
Mets are investigating a
announced yet but the council before inflicting this sort of Council is said to be looking
regional library service – or
will face one of the biggest thing elsewhere. Rochdale at joint working with Trafford
2 or 3 sub regional services.
reductions in government has particular problems being across Highways & Transport.
Maybe it will end up merely
grant in the country. already in a difficult position
as clusters of authorities.
even before the recent cuts TRAFFORD (Tory control)
Pulling library services
OLDHAM (Labour) 800 job were announced. £60million cuts over 4 years.
together aims at reducing
cuts. Council said to be 800 jobs to go. Care homes
management tiers and
looking at shared services SALFORD (Labour control) closing. Looking at joint
senior library officers.
Meanwhile at 100 posts are going. After
removing vacant posts from
December. The branch has
lobbied Burnley M.P., junior
- the week before it was
all cut! Birtwistle also told
Burnley the equation there will be
79 redundancies by the end
treasury minister Gordon
Birtwistle (Lib Dem) who
teenagers who lobbied him
on tuition fees that the Lib
Borough of March, to be selected assured the lobbyists that Dems weren’t in charge – it
from 108 currently “at Burnley would still get a was all the Tories fault. So
Council... risk”. The selection process decent chunk of Housing much for transparency and
will be completed in early Market Renewal money truth!
5
Schools’ Support Staff
Negotiating Body - Abolished Union welcomes
withdrawal of
T he ConDem government has
abolished the SSSNB. The
SSSNB was set to be the national
terms and it will lead to a lowering
of professional status in the
workplace.
jobs threat
negotiating body for school support We must however continue our UNISON has welcomed an
staff– something UNISON has been work in schools, strengthen our announcement from Accenture to
fighting for for decades. structures and continue to develop withdraw the threat of redundancies
The Secretary of State a strong local network of school from employees working on their
for Education said that the support staff in each branch. Scottish Power contract.
SSSNB “did not fit well with As In Touch went to press initial After several months of detailed
Government’s priorities for greater soundings of members in the negotiations and discussions between
deregulation”. Support Staff are region suggested that generally trade unions, Accenture, Scottish
already undervalued and want the school staff may consider a Power and parent company Iberdrola,
recognition for the important role work to rule or only working to Accenture announced that they have
they undertake. But the decision contracted hours as a protest. secured significant new project work
will help head teachers push more However UNISON’s lawyers now and extended the scope of their
unpaid hours on staff, and continue appear to be saying that we cannot support contract with Scottish Power.
to create “temporary” jobs and split ballot for any sort of industrial This outcome means that
contracts. And when the financial action because legally no trade hundreds of employees who were
belts are tightened it will be our dispute exists. facing redundancy and the insecurity
members who will take the brunt We await further clarification of unemployment as Christmas
of it. This decision will put school from headquarters on this approached can now look forward to
support staff back further in pay important issue. a more stable flow of work and job
security for the foreseeable future.
Regional Organiser, Paul Summers
What is a credit union said this was excellent news and is a
testament to the hard work of all those
and how does it work? involved in trying to prevent job losses
at a time of great economic uncertainty.
For more information please contact
UNISON Media Team on 0161 831 1623
C redit unions are local, ethical
and not-for-profit ‘community
A credit union may suit you if:
• you are having difficulty opening
banks’ which are owned and
controlled by their members. They
a high street bank account, or
you don’t want one;
Personal injury update
are different to high street banks • you want the flexibility to save Settlements approach
what you can;
and other financial institutions
because they have no external • you prefer a local cooperative. £2 million
shareholders and because of this,
How do you join a credit union? More great success with members’
money is kept within the local area.
To join a credit union, you must share personal injury claims. For the period
a ‘common bond’ with its members. from March to September this year,
What services do they offer?
For example, you must live or work in 306 members benefited to the tune of
The main purpose of a credit
the same area or work for the same £1,943,606 with individual settlements
union is to offer savings, loans and
employer. Once you have become ranging from £337 to £100,000. Our
financial advice to its members.
a member, you get a say in how consistent message to all our branches
Dependent on the size of the credit
the credit union is run. For further and activists is to make full use of this
union, some will offer other services
information, or to find your nearest
such as current accounts, child trust fantastic membership benefit as part of
credit union, visit www.abcul.org/
funds, and ISAs. your recruitment strategy.
page/members.cfm.
6 intouch winter 2010
ADVERTISEMENT
Angry and noisy in Rochdale
Are you ready
for winter? M embers of Rochdale Local
Government Branch were
joined by community groups and
The winter season is upon us, so we service users in an angry and noisy
can expect dark nights and cold, wet demonstration outside the Town
weather. This makes driving conditions Hall on 25th November. Rochdale
hazardous, so you need to take more care MP Simon Danczuk (pictured with
when driving. Britannia Rescue, UNISON’s Branch Secretary Helen Harrison),
approved breakdown service, suggests the also lent vocal support to the
following tips to prepare yourself and your demonstration. The peaceful
car for any winter journeys: protest went on for several hours, on some of the most vulnerable
What to check… despite freezing conditions, whilst people in the local community.
inside the building members of Rochdale branch is conducting a
• The lights are in working order the Council Cabinet met to decide vigorous campaign to defend both
• The screen wash bottle is full. on Phase One of a savage cuts vital public services and the pay
• Oil and water levels. Ensure you use the programme which, if implemented, and conditions of the workers who
correct concentration of antifreeze. will have a devastating effect provide them.
• The tyre tread. The minimum legal tread
depth for cars is 1.6mm. Remember to
check the spare too!
Defend Council Welfare Rights Services
Be prepared…
• Carry gloves, a blanket, and a torch.
• Keep a set of jump leads in your car in
T he coalition government’s
draconian cuts to public
services mean that many local
vulnerable claimants through
the intimidating appeals process
when the bureaucratic systems of
case the battery goes flat. authority welfare rights teams are government get it wrong.
• Make sure that you have adequate currently facing serious cuts. If we are not vigilant in
breakdown cover, as not all breakdowns
But a period of dramatic opposing cuts to these services this
are avoidable. If you do break down,
financial down turn with increasing role could become a thing of the
you’ll want to be confident that you can
unemployment (including almost past before we realize it, sacrificed
get back on the road as soon as possible.
500,000 job losses in the public in the name of efficiency.
Contact Britannia Rescue sector) is exactly the time when The government intends to
Britannia Rescue offers UNISON members and government should be looking to roll out a number of sweeping
their family cheaper breakdown cover. Call us fund services that provide advice reforms to the benefit system
now on 0800 756 8696 or apply online at and support to the most vulnerable solely intended to reduce costs
britanniarescue.com/unison. members of our society. by narrowing the criteria for
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Calls may be recorded. Without proper advice about entitlement to benefits. As such
benefits and their qualifying we are already seeing a dramatic
Contact LV=Frizzell
conditions, there is a serious increase in the amount of genuine
LV=Frizzell also offers UNISON members
risk that increasing numbers of benefit claims being refused or
cheaper car insurance. Call 0800 756 8160.
legitimate claimants will fail to claim withdrawn only to be overturned on
Or go online at UnisonCarInsurance.com
8am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat, 9am-5pm Sun. their correct benefits. This is not review or appeal.
Calls may be recorded. For Textphone call 18001 to mention the invaluable support The short term savings to public
provided to people in guiding them expenditure will not be worth
UNISON acts as an Appointed Representative to the Liverpool
Victoria group of companies for General Insurance. Britannia through the often baffling process the long term suffering to the
Rescue is a registered trademark and is a trading style of the
Liverpool Victoria group of companies.
of reviews and appeals when their individual or the cost to our society,
claims are initially refused. both financial and social.
The support of the independent
advocate is a crucial but often Elliot Costello - UNISON Steward
unrecognised role in helping Bolton Welfare Rights Service
7
Salford City UNISON’s Ray Boyle gives his personal view on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2010.
Welcome to Con-Dem “Slumponomics”!
The Comprehensive Spending go through, will shut off the four years, £6.8 billion to of a multi-year pay freeze, on
Review of 2010, (CSR 2010), remaining source of liquidity £2 billion, in the capital top of the rising cost of living.
may turn out to be a key for the economy. Just as a budget available to Social Basically it amounts to a pay
turning point in the history of living organism would die Housing. cut which may lead to many
local government. Purely in without a blood supply, so our opting out of local government
terms of the projected cuts local economy is likely to go The prospect here both for schemes which in turn may
in public expenditure the the way of all flesh! providers of social housing lead to the collapse of such
Con-Dems are attempting and low income families schemes. Perhaps this is the
to impose a level of Welcome to “Slumponomics” here are truly horrendous. To true intention of the Con-
retrenchment not seen since Con-Dem Style! start there must be a serious Dems? After all it would get
the early 1920s. Incidentally question posed to the future them off the hook of tackling
the cuts of the 1920s like Over the next four years the viability of social housing skinflint private employers
those that we face now, contribution coming from providers and assorted who in increasing numbers are
were made at the behest of central government to local Housing Associations. These closing their pension schemes.
international bankers. government is scheduled to cuts are likely to lead to
In the coming weeks and drop from £29.7 billion to a lengthening of housing • By 2013 Councils will be
months whilst being occupied £24.2 billion – a cut of 26% waiting lists with all the obliged to implement their
with the minutiae of the cuts over four years. attendant human misery and own regime of Council Tax
there is a danger that we fail anguish. benefits “tailored to local
to distinguish the wood from The main point to grasp here needs”.
the trees – I believe that the is that local government faces • Encouragement, in terms
long term effects CSR 2010 a double bind – reduced of subsidies, for councils To my mind at least, this is
may ultimately bring the budgets because of the who implement multi-year the real kicker of CSR 2010,
future of local government recession at a time when Council Tax freezes. similar to the measures
into doubt! demands for local services announced over child benefit
A common conceit is are likely to rise. The scale of This is a truly perverse or the cuts in housing
to view an economy like a the cuts is likely to overwhelm measure. Hard pressed benefit. It is a full frontal
living, breathing organism local politicians. Decisions local councils will be offered attack on the principal of
– liquidity; the availability of made in haste are likely to blatant bribes to further universal benefits. Citizens
money performs a function lead to long term regret. tighten the squeeze on in similar economic
akin to a blood supply. The relationship between local communities. Like circumstances may see their
Basically there are two main local electorates and their Gordon Brown’s disastrous relief for council tax varies
sources of liquidity to an councils, already poor, will Thatcherite budget of 2008, purely by where they live -
economy; the wholesale become more fractious. Such such moves will lead to for example between Salford
market (known to you and a breakdown may lead to “a political ruin for councils. Any and Manchester.
me as “the banks”) and crisis of legitimacy” – what local authority implementing That Nazi toe-rag, Albert
public expenditure. right have local councils to such a freeze will be rightly Speer, once said that the
Since the onset of the curtail/remove services that reviled as “Cameronian central economic dilemma
credit crunch in 2007, banks citizens require and value? collaborators and dupes”! was between “guns and
have become “financial Are councils custodians or butter”. Under the Con-Dems
vampires” i.e. they have proprietors of local services? • From April 2012 employee councils will face a stark
been sucking liquidity out The danger here is that contributions to the Local choice between services
of the economy. This is at a at a future date central Government Scheme will and council tax relief. It
time when banks received government may consider increase by 3%. will pit the absolute poor
government assistance it a fairly low risk strategy against the poor, against the
amounting to 100s of billions to abolish local government Let’s be clear here what the barely managing and in my
of pounds in both direct in its entirety. To the right 3% here refers to, it is 3% opinion, probably constitutes
cash injections and in the this might be a price worth of an employee’s salary. the greatest long term
provision of guarantees for paying in its crusade to let Someone on £25,000 will threat to the future of local
investments deemed to be of market forces reign supreme! suffer a contribution hike of government.
dubious quality. £750 per annum, this on top of
CSR 2010, if allowed to • A 74% reduction over the 1.5% hike of 2007, on top Don’t moan, organise!
8 intouch winter 2010
Sixth Form Colleges pay offer 2010/11
UNISON members working pay award. context of other recent £6.41 from September 2010.
in sixth form colleges have It was also agreed to public sector settlements, The rate of payment of the
voted to accept the 2010/11 issue a joint statement funding difficulties within Sixth Form Colleges Support
pay offer of 0.75% on all reminding colleges that many colleges and the Staff Standards Payment will
salary points, backdated to colleges should seek to continued uncertainty about remain at £320. If you have
1 September 2010, along ensure that the rise is paid future funding. any questions relating to the
with an increase in London before Christmas. The rise means that the settlement please contact
weighting and fringe area UNISON negotiators new minimum hourly rate for Ben Thomas
allowances in line with the placed the offer within the staff in sixth form colleges is b.thomas@unison.co.uk
Further Education Matters
Further Education training to develop their also be expected in Further FE news bulletins: http://
workplace skills. Education including pay www.unison.org.uk/
Funding Axed • Adult learners over 25 restraint (it’s hard to see news/mailinglist.asp
The government has who do not posses a how more restrained • Finally don’t forget to
announced savage cuts Level 2 qualification over pay the sector could join the UNISON Defend
to Further Education (equivalent to 5 GCSE’s be – the 2010/11 pay Further Education
funding in England. The at grade A – C) will no offer is just 0.2% or £50 Facebook page http://
cuts, announced in the longer be able to study whichever is the greater). www.facebook.com/home.
Comprehensive Spending for these qualifications php#!/group. php?gid
Review, include: free of charge. These cuts will have a =142274199135739
• Further Education devastating impact on
• The FE adult education students age 24 and our colleges and our FE colleges pay
and skills budget will be over, taking A Level communities and they are
cut by 25%, or £1.1billion, equivalent qualifications only the tip of the iceberg. An 2010/11
by 2014. for the first time, will be increase in fees for adult FE UNISON members in FE
• The Educational asked to pay fees - a students is also expected. Colleges have voted very
Maintenance Allowance, new student loan system narrowly to accept the
which provides up to will be introduced. What you can do about it Association of College’s pay
£30 a week support • Adult learners overall • Write to your MP and recommendation offer for
for 16 – 19 year old face the prospect urge them to oppose 2010/11. Members voted by
students from low- of higher fees and education cuts. You can 53% to 47% to accept the
income backgrounds, is increased debt levels. find your MP’s contact AoC final offer of 0.2% or
being axed. • English for Speakers details at http://action. £50 whichever is the greater.
• The Train to Gain of other Languages unison.org.uk/page/
workplace training (ESOL) funding is to be speakout/cuts ATL, ACM and GMB also
programme is to be restricted to “settled • Write to your local accepted the offer. UCU
abolished. Under the communities”. The newspaper about the and UNITE members have
previous government government has not impact these cuts will rejected. A further meeting
this programme saw yet spelt out what this have on your local with the AoC is being
at least a million means in practice communities sought to try and find a way
employees receive • Further “efficiencies” will • Sign up for the UNISON forward.
9
Lancashire Police Branch: The fight continues
In the last edition of InTouch I wrote about the
uncertain future that some of the Police Community
Support Officers of Lancashire were facing.
I am sad to say that dark cloud has not lifted;
in fact it’s turned into a Thunder Storm. The
situation has worsened, now the whole force’s
400+ PCSOs are facing possible redundancy when
the Chief Constable served UNISON with a 90 day
consultation notice because of the prospect that
ring fenced central government funding may be Left to right:
pulled. However, branch officers and members of FULL TIME TEAM James Tattersall – Ass. Sec,
Counting the petition Karen Poole – Chair,
UNISON’s Lancashire Police Branch have put up signatures Maureen LeMarinel – Sec
their brollies and are refusing to get wet.
A wave of campaigning
has spread across the
branch in such a way that
of showing her how much
the county of Lancashire
care. Roadshows have also
to Peers in our region
resulting in questions
being asked in the
to have to fight for the public
services we rely on; not just
for employment but for the
has never been experienced been held in 9 major towns House of Lords. vital benefits they offer to
before. Lancashire Police of Lancashire with branch • On the back of these society. So, just because you
Branch has a very proud officers and members letters we have also seen may not be affected yet, you
history of excellent industrial braving the weather raising an increase in media could well be tomorrow. If
relations but this has not public awareness of the interest with several local you are reading this, and are
held the team back in the impending troubles the newspapers running not involved in the campaign
face of fights to come, not Coalition Government are stories on job losses and against the cuts, then ask
only to protect the jobs of its about to bestow on us. the effect it will have on yourself what can you do to
members but the valuable Our Branch Secretary, policing in Lancashire. help? Don’t leave it too late
services they provide to Maureen LeMarinel, has to make your voice heard, we
the communities in which also started a letter writing December 9th saw Theresa must fight now and we must
they live. Karen Poole, campaign with an array May address the House of fight hard.
Branch Chair, has been of positive responses Commons, updating them
co-ordinating the campaign resulting in: about the Home Office budget Clive Haslam, Branch
for our branch, and told • Questions being put cuts. Maureen LeMarinel said Communications Officer,
me: “…the public are very to Nick Clegg in Prime “We must not lose sight of UNISON Lancashire Police
concerned about the loss of Ministers Questions, and the fact that over 170 PCSO’s Branch
the vital services that are an Emergency Motion employed by Lancashire
provided by PCSOs - support being put to the North West Constabulary are also part STOP PRESS
to retain numbers has been Labour Party Conference funded by partnership
overwhelming...” that was passed with arrangements with local UNISON is celebrating the
Campaigning started immense support, councils, schools PCT’s and announcement to retain
back in October with the • an Early Day Motion other agencies and therefore the ring-fenced funding
branch being involved in being put to Parliament there is still a funding risk. for PCSPs for two years.
the TUC co-ordinated Day and raising awareness Our campaign will continue Maureen Le Marinel said
of Action on the Preston amongst all North West with a different emphasis on “we are extremely happy
Flag Market. Since then MPs asking them to putting pressure on these following the announcement
a petition has started and support our campaign organisations to continue in parliament to retain the
to-date has accumulated and make representations with their funding.” funding stream it means that
over 7500 signatures to the Home Secretary There is no doubt, in my the majority of our PCSO
that the branch intend regarding the impending mind anyway, that at some colleagues look to be safe
to present to the Home cuts. point over the term of this from redundancy – at least
Secretary with the intention • She has also written government we are all going for now!
10 intouch winter 2010
United Utilities Pay Rise
UNISON members employed by United
Utilities have won a terrific 2.75 % pay
rise following pay talks conducted by the
Joint Trade Union Committee.
This is a major move forward at a time
when pay bargaining is very tight and
represents the largest increase across the North West delegates to this year’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
national water companies this year. It is the Transgender members’ conference in November urge activists
culmination of a year of tough negotiation to ‘Act Aware’ on HIV issues
and hard work by local representatives and
regional officials of the trade unions. UNISON,
Unite, GMB and Prospect were all involved in ‘ACT AWARE’ on World Aids Day
discussions and as the largest trade union,
UNISON is particularly pleased that our
By James Bull, North West Regional LGBT Co-Chair
members recognised both the achievement
and the message sent to all workers on the
benefit of union membership.
A t the end of last year a total of
7,729 HIV infections had been
reported to the Health Protection
employers they were HIV positive felt
they had lost their job as a result.
HIV is a trade union issue, and
85% of UNISON members accepted
Agency in the North West, and by one which affects every service
the deal in a ballot. UNISON spokesperson
the end of 2011 there will be more group of our union.
Joe Degnan said, “This provides a platform
than 100,000 people living with HIV From December 2005, workers
to demonstrate to members that UNISON
throughout the UK. living with HIV have been covered
works hard for them even in difficult
December 1st marked World by the anti-discrimination provisions
economic times and that with membership
AIDS Day and it was an important of the Disability Discrimination
support much can be achieved.”
time to come together and Act and the Equality Act from the
Bolton Boost For remember those we have lost to HIV/ point of diagnosis. World AIDS
AIDS, to support those affected by Day provides an ideal opportunity
School Meals Service the virus and raise awareness within for branches to raise the issue of
Bolton UNISON is supporting efforts by our communities of the importance HIV and AIDS with employers and
Bolton Council to encourage local parents of safer sex, HIV testing, as well as ensure that appropriate anti-
to make use of a £1 a day meals service challenging stigma and prejudice. discrimination policies and practices
for children attending local primary schools The public sector cuts set out in the are agreed and implemented.
– despite the Con-Dem Government comprehensive spending review To assist with this process and
withdrawing funding. All primary school mark the beginning of a vulnerable to mark World Aids Day 2010, the
children in Bolton now have the opportunity period for HIV services and voluntary North West LGBT Self Organised
to enjoy healthy school meals that cost just support organisations, especially Group, along with other SOGs, is
£1 a day or £5 a week. This means that since the end of local authority sending a copy of the UNISON HIV
families with two young children can now ring-fenced grants. Many fear some Branch Toolkit to every branch in our
save £8 a week - over £300 a year. Bolton’s services may face closure. region throughout December. This
successful school meals service not only As well as funding for support guide contains practical advice and
benefits local families at a time when many and prevention services being under guidance on fighting discrimination,
local families are struggling, it also provides threat, HIV-positive staff continue to defending the rights of HIV positive
much needed employment and supports face discrimination and harassment members and negotiating policies
the local economy. Bolton School Meals at work. In 2009, a National Aids with your employer.
Service provides on average 3.8 million Trust survey found that over a The North West LGBT Self
meals a year to people of all ages including third of HIV positive workers in the Organised Group exists to campaign
elderly and disabled adults across the town. UK have suffered discrimination for the rights of LGBT members
The service employs over 250 people with in the workplace because of their at work and in wider society. For
a further 300 employed as School Meals status, or fear unequal treatment more details or to find out how
Support Assistants. It also uses local food if it were disclosed. Four out of you can get involved, email Sarah
suppliers, giving much needed support to ten respondents who experienced Whitaker, Regional Equalities Officer
various local businesses. discrimination after telling (s.whitaker@unison.co.uk).
11
UNISON Welfare: How does the charity help members?
UNISON Welfare is a officer from Pay Plan is change in circumstance Pay Plan your first phone
registered charity for the linked to the member, results in difficulty in keeping call. They can be contacted
benefit of UNISON members and is available for advice up repayments. on freephone 0800 389 3302
and their dependants. It is throughout the repayment The important thing or on the internet at www.
unique in that it is the only programme. to remember is that this debtclinic.co.uk/unison
trade union charity of its This is a completely service is completely free. If any branch would like
size. How does the charity free service with no hidden We advise against anyone a member of the regional
help our members? charges. In these harsh taking out a consolidation welfare committee to visit
Through our network of times of cutbacks, reductions loan to pay off several their branch to talk about
branch welfare officers and in pay or even loss of jobs debts because this could all the benefits of UNISON
regional welfare committees we urge anyone who needs cost dearly in the long Welfare please contact Angela
we offer a listening and help to contact Pay Plan who term. The adverts seen in Lysons at Arena Point on
support service, personal can help reduce multiple the newspapers and on 0161 661 6205.
advice, debt advice, financial debts to a single affordable television all sound very
assistance and even short payment, liaise with creditors enticing and can be seen as June Poole
breaks and holidays. We etc. This can be for any a way out of your problems Vice-Chair of UNISON
support members with amount of debt where a but be aware. Always make Welfare Board of Trustees
confidential advice and
financial assistance in
the form of grants, or put
members in touch with other
organisations that can help. We know that
Our team of case at times life can
workers at national office are
very experienced in giving be difficult and you
up to date advice on benefits
and sorting out finances. need a little help.
Grants can be given to
assist with household bills,
to ease debts or even help
UNISON Welfare is the charity
with the cost of a much
exclusively for UNISON members
needed break. (Because we
are governed by the Charity and their dependants.
Commission, any assistance
has to be means-tested).
Grants have also been given
to pay for equipment or
disability-related adaptations
and even funeral expenses.
These grants can give Whether its practical information,
valuable breathing space for financial support or debt advice, we are
our members whilst we work here to help in whatever way we can.
to find long term solutions to
their problems. • Confidential support • Wellbeing breaks
The first port of call for • Signposting and • Financial support
information • Debt advice
assistance should be through
the Branch Welfare Officer or
Branch Secretary.
UNISON welfare works Call: UNISON Welfare on 020 7551 1620
very closely with Pay Plan, Between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday
which provides free and
confidential advice to help UNISON Debtline on 0800 389 3302
for immediate advice if you have debt worries
clear debts. An assigned Between 8am – 9pm Mon-Fri & 9am – 3pm on Saturday
Or visit our Website:
www.unison.org.uk/welfare
12 intouch winter 2010
Organising in the Community Service Group
Y ou should now know that we
have a new service group
for members who work in the
attending. A further meeting
is provisionally arranged
for the 13th of January and
Service Group Conference in
Telford on the 3 November. The
conference was very successful
Steve Davies of Cardiff
University and Neil Cleeveley
of the National Association
community, voluntary, charity branches with over 100 with 18 motions submitted for Voluntary and Community
and housing sectors. Most of members are encouraged to from branches and the Action. The Government
these members had previously ensure they are represented. Service Group Executive. The Minister had been invited
been linked to the local The Community Service motions were wide-ranging but had declined the
government and health service Group is the third largest in covering personalisation, invitation because of other
groups and indeed remain UNISON and at this time when violence in the workplace, commitments, which may be
within their original branches. the Con Dem Government is funding in the community and a sign of this government’s
The regions are now attacking our members in voluntary sector, volunteering commitment to listening
in the middle of setting up local government and health, and housing as well as to the public! The panel
structures for the new service it is all the more important motions on the service group discussion was dominated
group. To this end a meeting that we are organised in the structure. There was also an by the depth of the cuts
was called of all branches community sector. emergency motion on the in public sector spending,
with over 100 community savage cuts announced in the repercussions for the
members so they could be First Community Service the Comprehensive Spending community and voluntary
involved in the process of Group Conference Review. sector and what our response
creating the new structure. Over 100 members There was also a panel should be to the cuts. There
The meeting took place in including six delegates and discussion involving Roberta were also fringe meetings
October with 3 branches visitors from the North West Blackman-Woods MP, on the hidden workforce and
and 1 self organised group attended the first Community Shadow Civil Society Minister, personalisation.
This autumn, leaves haven’t been the only thing hitting the streets
T housands of workers,
students and the
generally angry have been
Democrats heard the voices
on the dock front in Liverpool
is open to question but they
to form some of the Tory MPs
chose to find other business
to keep them away from
TUC rally on 26 March 2011
is a date everyone who
cares about public services
out in force with one thing were not in doubt a month meeting their constituents should have in their diaries
in common – opposition to later when trade unionists but many other MPs were to ensure it is the biggest
the Conservative and Liberal again gathered, this time on lobbied. In all UNISON and clearest rejection of
Democrat backed cuts in the MPs’ own door step in activists lobbied 44 of the government spending plans.
public spending. Westminster. Representatives region’s MPs. Particularly
UNISON members from UNISON’s North West in the firing line were the 6 What should branches be
working with other unions branches turned out in Liberal Democrat MPs. doing?
in a TUC-led campaign were force to meet the region’s But what next? The • Set up a campaigning
out in force in a very rainy MPs, present our alternative spending review has been committee.
Liverpool on 19 September to budget and remind MPs announced and the cuts • Organise and recruit
greet the Liberal Democrats of the damage cuts will following it don’t appear to around the issue of cuts.
and put a dampener on the do to communities and have diminished in scale or • Monitor the impact of
air of self congratulation that services. The lobby of MPs impact. The answer is the cuts on services and jobs
delegates demonstrated. in Westminster took place campaign continues and has – the regional office is
UNISON General Secretary, on the day before George to grow to be successful. collecting this information
Dave Prentis, told the crowd Osbourne presented the A benchmark was set so that UNISON has a
of trade unionists who had Comprehensive Spending on 10th November when clear picture of the effects
gathered by the Mersey that Review and the scale of the over 50,000 students of cuts.
unions would lead the fight cut-astrosphe became a little and members from the • Build support with
to defend services and jobs. clearer. universities union UCU, took community anti-cuts
Whether the Liberal Disappointingly, but true to the streets of London. A campaigns.
13
Wheelchair user
compensated after Under 27?
shower seat collapse
A man who was badly injured when a poorly I f the
answer is
yes then you
installed disabled shower seat collapsed under are classed
as a young
him has been awarded £3,900 in compensation. member.
UNISON wants young members to
play a full part in the union. At the
J ames Allison, 70, of Arnside in Thompsons Solicitors says: “The same time we know for many young
Cumbria, was on vacation at disabled shower facilities had people it can be difficult getting time
the Holgates Caravan Park in April recently been refurbished and the off work for union activity, being
2009. He had been for a swim and shower seat had clearly not been taken seriously, or speaking out with
was taking a shower when the installed using the correct wall confidence in a room full of older
people who can give the impression
disabled shower seat he relied on fixings to ensure that the seat
they know it all.
as a wheelchair user completely remained firmly in place when the
came away from the wall and seat was in use.”
That’s why we have created a young
dropped him hard onto the floor. members organisation which is
“Holgates Caravan Parks had a designed to:
Mr Allison suffered injury to his duty to ensure the safety of their
thumb, lower back, left elbow guests whilst using their facilities encourage participation by young
and left ankle. The injuries to by ensuring the shower seat was members;
his left thumb and wrist caused fitted correctly.” provide a voice for young
significant symptoms which members;
aggravated his arthritis. It’s never much fun getting injured give young members the chance
through no fault of your own, to develop their skills and
“After the accident I had a splint but it’s a lot easier to get fair knowledge;
on my right hand from my fingers compensation if you’re a union support young members in
to about four inches above the member. It’s great to see life becoming active in the wider
wrist joint. The bruising was members like James making use union.
about eight inches by three on of UNISON’s free legal services.
my spine, and I was completely Although retired and suffering You can get involved at branch level
immobilised for about three from the effects of multiple by becoming your branch’s young
weeks. I couldn’t even fasten my sclerosis, Mr Allison continues members’ officer.
own shirt buttons, and for quite a to play an active role in his
At regional level there are regular
few months I couldn’t drive. One community, including volunteering
young members meetings, where
of my great joys in life is cooking, as a disability and welfare rights
you get the chance to meet young
but I couldn’t cope with that adviser in his spare time. members from elsewhere in the
because I couldn’t hold anything North West and discuss your
in my left hand, the pain was just Thompsons legal advice line is experiences and ideas. You also get
excruciating.” 08000 224 224. to plan young member activities and
get support from other members in
As a life member of UNISON, Mr the region. If you want to find out
Allison was able to receive free more get in touch with James Rupa,
legal assistance from Thompsons the regional young members contact,
Solicitors, which pursued a on j.rupa@unison.co.uk or call him
personal injury claim against the on 0161 661 6779.
caravan park. Jill Griffiths from
14 intouch winter 2010
Health & Safety under attack
The last few weeks have been particularly
troubling for those of us involved in health
and safety. A prolonged attack has culminated
in two recent events. First, the publication
of the “Common Sense: Common Safety”
report by Lord Young of Graffham, and
second the announcement stemming from
the Comprehensive Spending Review of 35%
cuts to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
over the next 4 years.
Y oung’s report was
pretty much as
expected however we
the quality of health and
safety in Britain, and in the
areas where UNISON is
He also suggests that there
should be a shift from risk
management to risk benefit.
them up. Buy and wear the
T-shirt, talk to colleagues
and most importantly
must not be fooled active, have the potential to recruit them! Become
by the rhetoric into substantially weaken it. Young and the other Con active in the union, take
believing that it is actually Dem politicians have, yet on the role of a safety
common sense or that He proposes that we again, proved that they rep and insist on proper
it is a positive move for should see offices, schools know nothing about the risk assessments. Consult
anyone. Rather it is a and shops as “low risk”. real costs of their policies with both colleagues and
poorly disguised attack, As such they would not on working people. The management – show them
based on Tory ideology, require detailed risk recommendations are a that as far as UNISON is
at working people and assessments but rather recipe for a disastrous concerned, health and
working conditions bowing we should adopt a more increase in workplace safety is important. Let
to pressure from employer mechanistic approach – accidents. colleagues know what
organisations. tick box forms! These are we are doing to further
starting to appear on the This is compounded by the the cause of health and
Prior to Young’s demise for HSE Website and fall well spending cuts. The HSE safety. Show them that
opening his mouth once short of what we would has already been hit hard the trade union is relevant
too often, he should have like to see. He wants to over the last few years and and important and is
actually gone a few months exempt employers who has reached an all time determined to fight all the
ago when he outrageously have staff working from low on inspections and way to ensure that their
said “People occasionally home and self-employed enforcement activities. health, safety and welfare
get killed. It’s unfortunate, people from undertaking This will further reduce is not marginalised,
but it’s part of life.” He only risk assessments. this activity and leave us trivialised or constrained
allowed three weeks for all the poorer for it. by a tick box mechanistic
research into the issue and In schools, parents will approach that will fall
took about ten weeks to be asked to sign a one- We as trade unionists are short of providing the
prepare his report. off catch-all form for all in a good position to fight proper protection that our
external school activities back. Firstly we should all members deserve.
The result of his such as educational visits. join the UNISON-supported
deliberations were a number And classrooms would Hazards Campaign “We Greater Manchester
of recommendations that see the introduction of a didn’t vote to die at work” Hazards Centre website:
do nothing to improve simplified risk assessment. – get posters and put www.gmhazards.org.uk
15
Medical Secretary Review
B ack in July the Southport
& Ormskirk NHS Trust
announced it intended to
consequences, such as:
• Reducing the time
staff side of the JNC and the
JMSNC (Medical Committee)
rejected the proposals, while
senior managers and the
staff side, with staff side
being informed that all
implement a new structure clinicians spent with the clinician committee in proposals to date had been
for the provision of medical patients, as they would now medicine required that their unilaterally withdrawn and
secretarial services from 1st have to deal with tasks that “anger and disapproval” of it was agreed a full review
November. The Trust proposed the medical secretary used the proposals be minuted. would be undertaken by
to save £147,000 within the to carry out At a meeting on 21st the Trust over the next 3
medical secretarial service • Increasing the workload October, the Trust presented months, with both medical
by implementing a ratio of of the Band 4’s such that an amended set of proposals secretaries and clinicians
1 Band 4 Medical Secretary important admin work which marginally reduced involved. We now await the
for every two consultants around patient records the downgrading ratio from outcome of this review.
(and their respective teams) would be delayed, 50% to approximately 35%,
and downgrading roughly possibly with damaging and it was clearly indicated
50% of Band 4 Medical consequences. that no further negotiations
Secretaries to Band 3 Medical • Reducing the availability of would be taking place. The
Administrators, the duties of patient access to clinicians amended proposals were
which would be restricted to by being first-line contact. rejected by the staff side,
typing of clinical letters and • Losing continuity and and the Trust was informed
filing of documents. patient knowledge as work that a lobby of the board
Clinicians and medical is divided between typing would be forthcoming.
secretaries unanimously and administration. A mass meeting of
expressed concern on the medical secretaries and
proposals. It was felt by all The campaign against clinicians took place on 3
involved that they could the changes developed. November to discuss the
lead to a loss of clinical A petition of all medical required future action in
effectiveness and efficiency secretaries and 40 clinicians opposition to the proposals.
and increase the risk to were submitted to the Trust, But before this meeting
patient safety. The new along with 15 letters from took place the Trust called
structure would see negative clinical specialisms. Both the an urgent meeting between
5 out of 7 Nobel Prize-winning economists agree with us!
T he TV and the press are
uniting with the politicians
to try and convince us that
long ago for a lot of us to
remember - she wanted to
privatise the NHS. Over the
workers’ pay claim.
Without that demo, and
the other resistance, we would
is something we don’t
appear to be doing….can we
change that?
the cuts are necessary, that next few years she told a already have a completely The NHS isn’t the only
the cuts are inevitable and series of health ministers private health service. We service facing the cuts –
that there is nothing we can to come up with a plan to must make the 26th March and it won’t even be hit the
do to stop them. do so, sacking each as they demo as big or bigger than hardest in the first round
We have an uphill failed. Finally Kenneth Clarke that. It is more than a decade – but this example can help
struggle to put the counter told her that she couldn’t: since people have realised change people’s minds about
arguments – even if five out it wouldn’t be stood for. A that they need to involve getting involved, rather than
of seven Nobel Prize-winning major reason for that was the themselves in doing things sitting back in resignation.
economists agree with us! MASSIVE 1982 quarter of a (being active) in order to affect And it is not just the 26th
But one thing is worth million-strong demonstration the policies of our government. March – there are lots of
remembering: when on the banks of the Thames, This will take a lot of talking other things to support that
Margaret Thatcher became not even in defence of the NHS to get that message across – are going on before then as a
Prime Minister in 1979 – too – but in defence of the health and talking to our members warm-up.
16 intouch winter 2010
A branch secretary writes…
P at McDonagh,
Branch Secretary of
the Manchester Local
on Wednesday about the
Government’s attack on
education.
financial services and
a reckless and arrogant
banking sector.
Around 3000 students
marched through
Government Branch, As they rightly pointed This Government Manchester City Centre
recently had the following out, it wasn’t spending on appears happy to allow
printed in the Manchester education or public services bankers to continue from a Cabinet where 23
Evening News. It makes that caused the financial claiming their massive, out of its 29 members are
some great points – crisis that is wreaking havoc undeserved bonuses millionaires. Add to this the
points that we all should throughout our economy. whilst it axes Educational shameless Lib Dem u turn
be making by writing to Yet the Government’s Maintenance Allowance for on their pre-election pledge
our own local paper. Have plans effectively punish the young people from low and to students, and yet who
you written yet? users of public services, middle income families. now cynically support these
I would like to add like students, rather The Coalition socially destructive policies
our union’s support to the than attacking the real Government’s bleat that for a few ministerial perks.
young people and students cause of financial crisis - ‘we’re all in this together’ No wonder young people
who protested loudly but deregulation, an unbalanced is already starting to sound are so angry at this injustice.
peacefully in Manchester economy over-reliant on pretty hollow, coming They are not alone.
Regional Communications Survey – Tell us what gets
to you and you could win £100 of shopping vouchers
S uffering from
information overload?
It would be surprising
of leaflets, newsletters,
magazines and e-mails is
useful or even read?
information they need to be
effective but a suffocating
amount of information
communications. This can
be accessed through the
regional website and as an
if, as a UNISON activist, The regional publicity doesn’t make sense – we added incentive everyone
you weren’t constantly and campaigning have to be effective and who completes the survey
bombarded by information committee is trying to efficient in getting the right before 31st January 2011
from your branch, the get the answer to some amount of information out”. will be in with a chance
regional office and the of these questions. Chair The committee has now of winning £100 worth
national office. But how of the committee, Ashley set up an on-line survey of shopping vouchers
much of the information Bramwell explained “it’s to try and measure the courtesy of LV=Frizzell.
you receive in the form vital that activists have the effectiveness of current www.unisonnw.org.uk
Reading this but not a member?
It’s easy to join the North West’s Thanks this issue to: Colin Baker, Bolton Branch, Stephen Booth,
Ray Boyle, Ashley Bramwell, James Bull, Elliot Costello, Paul Foley,
brightest and best public service Nick Green, Steve Gwilt, Clive Haslam, Frank Hont, Frances Kelly, Pat
trade union. Phone 0845 355 0845 McDonagh, Neal Linsky, Angela Lysons, Anne McAleer, Martin Nelson,
June Poole, Dave Read, James Rupa, Paul Summers, Ben Thomas,
for details and an application form.
Peter Thorne, Victoria Walton and anyone else who submitted photos
and articles or who gave encouragement. If you have anything to say,
then write to us c/o the Communications & Media Team at the
Regional Centre, UNISON North West, Arena Point, 1 Hunts Bank,
www.unisonnw.org.uk Manchester, M3 1UN or e-mail to nwmedia@unison.co.uk
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