UNISON Wakefield District newsletter - May 2018

@wakeyunison contact@unison-wakefield.org.uk www.wakefield-unison.org.uk

Wakefield District

UNISON News Spring/Summer 2018

News from the Wakefield District Branch of UNISON

Pay update for members on National Joint Council (NJC) pay In Wakefield, members voted to reject the offer. This ballot result was fed into the national result. We are a democratic organisation and we are led by the majority decision.

Most employees employed

by Wakefield Council are on NJC pay, as are our members at West Yorkshire Joint Services and in most schools and academies.

For years, public service workers have seen their pay held back by government in the name of austerity.

In early 2017, UNISON made a pay claim to the Local Government Association (LGA) with a clear objective to smash the 1% public sector pay cap and achieve a decent pay rise for our members. After months of negotiations, the LGA made a final pay offer and we have balloted all NJC members to ask if they accept the offer or if they would like to take strike action to achieve improvements.

Nationally, UNISON members accepted the LGA’s two-year pay offer, covering the period April 2018 – March 2020.

UNISON branch activists and UNISON staff have taken steps to ensure that every NJC employer fully implements the offer and members on NJC pay should see the pay rise in their May salary backdated to April 2018. If you do not receive this pay rise (especially if you work in an academy), please contact the Branch so we can investigate.

The 2019 element of the pay offer includes a review of the NJC pay spine. The review of the NJC pay spine is important particularly in Wakefield Council who adopted the Local Living Wage a number of years ago.

The Local Living Wage is good news for the lowest paid but it has eroded the pay differential and we have some members who are supervisors and are only paid a couple of pence more than those they supervise.

The new NJC pay spine has a 2% pay gap between SCP 6-28. UNISON branch activists and UNISON staff have approached many NJC employers to start discussions about how we can work together to assimilate all employees onto the new NJC pay spine.

We would like to assure members that a principle of the process is that no member will lose money.

It is merely an assimilation exercise.

We will keep members informed throughout the process and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local UNISON steward or the branch office.

Rianne Johnson Regional Officer

@wakeyunison www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Assistant Branch Secretary Report

I would like to thank our Stewards who worked very hard over the past year to represent and support our members.

As always, it has been a busy period for the Branch.

We have had the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and

Branch Officer elections, whilst also consulting our members on the NJC pay offer. Janet Hinchliff, Branch Secretary, and the team have been working together to support our members across employers. Although our largest employer is still Wakefield Council, we must organise and support our members from all the employers, particularly as more and more members join us from these areas.

Firstly, I would like to thank our Stewards who worked very hard over the past year to represent and support our members. I would like to pay particular thanks to Ian Morse and Geoff Ellis who were both longstanding Stewards and have recently retired. We have also recruited some new Stewards to the Branch and I look forward to them joining us and to help us continue to improve and develop the Branch.

Our members continue to face ongoing pressure at work and cuts to services.

We are picking up many cases around workplace

stress, understaffing and sickness. Our Stewards and Convenors continue to represent these members to try to get the best possible outcomes. Looking forward to the rest of the year, we want to improve on how we communicate with members and hear more about the issues you want us to take forward.

Despite the difficult times we face, I am heartened to see that that trade union movement is still being promoted and celebrated.

The Branch supports the ‘With Banners Held High’ event on 20th May. This event celebrates the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike and is so important to our community and many of our members, who are either former miners or from mining families and communities. We are also organising a coach to the Durham Miners Gala in July, which promises to be a great day out. If you want to join us, booking details are on the last page of this newsletter.

Greta Holmes Assistant Branch Secretary

Thanks to Donna Howden Each year the Branch elects the Council Convenor Team. The Branch would like to thank Donna Howden for her service to the branch, hard work and commitment to our members whilst she was a Wakefield Council Convenor.

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Wakefield District

Jackie Lambert: New Convenor workplace.

My main area of concern is workplace bullying and I am keen to take a leading role in reducing bullying in the workplace. I also feel that Flexible Working and Homeworking needs to be a priority in the workplace.

Flexible working would be beneficial to parents and Carers and would promote well-being to our Members.

I am also keen to be successful in all areas of negotiations with the end result being that members benefit from the best possible outcome. We all strive to have a happy and healthy work balance and I feel that this is achievable if we all work together and we all share the same goals and values.

I look forward to meeting new people and I enjoy a challenge!

Hello my name is Jackie Lambert and I recently joined the UNISON Branch Office as a newly elected Convenor.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. As you may be aware I am also the Chairperson in Branch.

I feel that the time is right to be joining Wakefield UNISON Branch. Due to my working background in Trade Union Activities I feel that I have the right amount of skills and knowledge to attend meetings and to represent all UNISON Jackie Lambert Members in the Council and Convenor

Keeping in touch Perhaps you have changed jobs, work place or moved house recently. Please let the branch office know to help us keep your details up to date.

That way we can ensure information such as ballot papers, updates and UNISON magazines get to you. So, if you have a new email or workplace a quick call to the Branch Office is all that is needed 01924 305360 or email contact@unison-wakefield.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can manage and update your personal details by registering with My UNISON on the UNISON website.

Virginia Moulton, Membership Officer

Council Matters Sickness Policy Consultation Members needs to be aware that UNISON and Wakefield Council are in consultation over a proposed new sickness policy.

UNISON are still in negotiation over his matter and will update members when any information is available. UNISON are hopeful about winning concessions to improve conditions at work.

However, the branch has serious concerns about the proposed new sickness policy in its current form and the effect it will have on members and their health.

The branch wishes to make clear that they will not agree to any policy that will lead to members losing their jobs due to health concerns.

As stated above as soon as any information surfaces this will be shared with members.

If members have any specific concerns please contact branch to discuss further.

Sam page 3

@wakeyunison www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Community and Private Sector News from Other Employers It has been a time of immense growth for the outside bodies section of UNISON. The more services that migrate from the public to private sector, the more members we see join the area that we cover.

Such decisions and actions can leave our members at a disadvantage and it is our job as a Branch to ensure that where possible these are protected, allowing our members to still receive the same benefits as they did before.

We are aware that that members want to retain their hard fought for terms and conditions, but to retain these is easier said than done. As employers feel the pinch of the Government’s decision to reduce budgets, it is our members that face the hits. Removing staff from structures creates an environment that relies on goodwill, as our members stay late, come in early and take work home so that they can keep up with the day to day job.

It’s not all doom and gloom and we have seen an increased number of new members, Stewards and workplace contacts. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new

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representatives and thank those of you who have been committed over the years and are still continuing to have confidence in the roles that you do. However, we would welcome new Stewards and activists to the Branch if any of our members would be interested in getting more involved.

We need to also recognise the good things that we make happen, so I would like to confirm that we have received a commitment from Wakefield College and the National Coal Mining Museum that they will continue to pay ‘The real Living Wage’.

Where we can, I would like to ask that we support the organisations that we represent. This means we are supporting our members and contributing to securing their job. The National Coal Mining Museum will be celebrating their 30th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the Museum will be hosting a day to remember our past, celebrate our present and look forward to our future.

There will be lots of activities going on around site. There will be music from the Yorkshire Traction

Honley Band as well as our own Musicians in Residence supported by the Caphouse Singers who will be performing a piece especially for the day.

The Northern World War Two Association will be onsite displaying a mixture of genuine and replica equipment, weapons and uniforms, with firing displays and battle re-enactments at Hope Pit. There will also be craft activities, inviting people to help create the Museum of the Future.

The Museum would also like to use this as an opportunity to collect memories of peoples’ time at the Museum from visitors and staff. The Coal Shed Poets will be moving around site asking for stories of the Museum to turn into an anniversary poem. They will also be joined by Edgeland Arts who will be collecting visitors’ memories of living and working in Wakefield on their interactive map. So, if you do have memories you would like to share or just want to get out and see what’s happening, they would be more than happy to see you.

Further detail of upcoming events can be found on the Museum’s website.

Sharon Simpson and Piers Newland

Wakefield District

Community and Private Sector Wakefield Partnership I would like to give a quick update in line with my role as the Engie Partnership Convenor. Employees were transferred over by TUPE from Kingswood to the Partnership on 31st October 2016.

Now after 18 months under the new employers, Engie/ Arcadis and ISS, we can see how effectively our

members have adapted to their employers and different working styles.

I have received feedback from our members in these employers and have been picking up casework on behalf of our members.

There has been lots of transfer situations related to school meals and cleaning services but Engie are managing to keep hold of

the majority of contracts and also bringing in new work too. Although the catering side does not seem to be having as much success they are constantly on the look out to attract new contracts and even regain some old ones.

Carol Dewrow Wakefield Engie Partnership Convenor

Community and Private Sector National Coal Mining Museum for England of maintaining the museum with reduced funding through the long years of ‘austerity’.

The vast majority of our funding comes from the government via the Science Museum. I am pleased to say the vast majority of funds are spent on people For those that don’t know employed on proper terms we are part of Wakefield and conditions.

District Branch and have It is worth noting that had union representation in these recent years here for 30 years. no staff have been lost We have in excess of 50 to redundancy. The members and two Stewards Management and Trustees were confirmed at the recent have renewed their AGM. This year, closing early commitment to the Living April 2018, we saw very Wage and implemented the healthy visitor numbers. With increase to £8.75 on 1st this comes the challenge April 2018.

In recent weeks two employees have celebrated 30 years’ service at the Museum and the Museum itself celebrates 30 years of underground visits in June 2018.

A recent HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) Bid has been successful and in excess of £600,000 is set to be spent over the next four years to significantly improve the surface facilities.

For all potential visitors – admission is free and the museum is only closed for four days in the whole year during the festive period.

Steve Oxley NCME Steward

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@wakeyunison www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Your Branch Communication Officer My three priorities as Communications Officer are: 1) to get the newsletter out to members on a quarterly basis in order to keep members informed and up to date with news from the Branch;

I’ve been a steward in West Yorkshire CRC (Formally Probation) for three years but worked in Probation for 15 years.

2) update the branch website to make it accessible as possible; 3) access social media to communicate better with members.

In the next few months I hope to meet with branch officers and regional staff to put the basics in place.

In the meantime, if anyone has any communications issues please contact the branch mail box which is contact@union-wakefield.org. uk and mark for my attention.

Martin Woods Branch Communications Officer

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Wakefield District

Broken Silence: #MeToo Movement Last year, Time magazine gave their Person of the Year award to all of the women who had Broken Silence on the sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo movement (http://time.com/timeperson-of-the-year-2017silence-breakers/).

Although men are not immune to sexual harassment, it is overwhelmingly women who suffer from this discrimination and abuse.

Sexual harassment can occur anywhere, but it is in the workplace where UNISON can offer support to help you challenge and change abusive practices. It is where UNISON can help you to stand up for what is right.

Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating your dignity in the workplace or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. It can

be a touch, a suggestive comment, an unwelcome question, a way of looking at you, teasing you, treating you less favourably because of your sex/gender, or treating someone more favourably than you.

Things are better than they were, but the #MeToo movement shows that there is much more to do, that no one, no matter how privileged or powerful, is immune. If you are being harassed at work, contact us and we can help you begin to take back control. Ask your employer what they are doing to make everyone safe and respected?

UNISON provides some information here: www.unison.org.uk/get-help/ knowledge/discrimination/ bullying-and-harassment/ UNISON promotes equality in the workplace.

UNISON currently have Self Organised Groups for women and have a Women’s Conference Annually.

UNISON encourage the rights of women and encourage women to use their voices in the workplace and in UNISON. Piers Newland Case Worker and Jackie Lambert Branch Chairperson

Community and Private Sector

West Yorkshire CRC The CRC (Community Rehabilitation Company) is attached to Branch for administration and support so I will be brief as I send out lots of information via Police and Justice newsletters and emails. The CRC currently has two UNISON stewards servicing our members.

Over the coming months we are looking to review this position with Interserve as our agreements were all with the Probation Trust. Current Stewards are me, based at York Road Office in Leeds and Richard Nelson, based in Halifax.

At the back end of 2017 we recruited some new stewards and a health and safety officer, we are currently reviewing our structures within the CRCs and NPS (National Probation Service) to look at how we can service members better.

If any member wants to get more involved in UNISON please contact me at York Road office or email branch on contact@union-wakefield. org.uk Martin Woods Convenor West Yorkshire CRC

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@wakeyunison www.wakefield-unison.org.uk Wakefield District

01924 305360

Durham Miners Gala The 134th Durham Miners Gala will take place on Saturday 14th July 2018.

It dates back to 1871 when the first gala was organised in Wharton Park, Durham.

The countdown is on to this year’s gala which will see colourful banners unfurled and colliery bands at the ready for the annual celebration of our mining industry.

This year the branch will be running coaches to the event. We will leave early, 8am, to make the most of the march, returning from Durham at 5pm.

The gala is the largest annual gathering of trade unionists in the UK.

The cost of the coach will be £6 per person.

Book early to secure your place by completing the application form below.

APPLICATION FORM

DURHAM MINERS GALA Saturday 14th July 2018 Coach leaves from the back of Wakefield Bus Station at 8am.

Name Membership No. Address

Telephone No. I would like to book

places at £6 per person.

(Maximum of 6 tickets per member) I enclose a cheque for £

made payable to Wakefield UNISON.

Please return completed application form along with a self stamped addressed envelope to: Wakefield UNISON, 18 Gills Yard, Wakefield WF1 3BZ by 22nd June 2018. page 8