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Friday, September 18, 2009
Unison Calls for Scottish Government to Protect Public ServicesGovernment must support public services in crisis caused by market madness Public services union UNISON Scotland today challenged the Scottish Government to protect jobs and services following John Swinney's Budget statement in Parliament. Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary of UNISON, said: "The public will not support a budget which asks them to bear the brunt of cuts in the middle of this crisis caused by free market madness and bonus grabbing bankers. " And make no mistake about it - what John Swinney is offering is cuts to public services. "What we need in this recession with unemployment continuing to rise is support for the public sector to provide essential jobs and services – not cuts." UNISON questioned the sustainability of Mr Swinney's announcement of a third year of council tax freeze given the additional funding pressures the recession is placing on local government. Matt Smith said: "The Finance Secretary makes the usual pledge to protect frontline services. But there are no expendable jobs. The false distinction between "front line" and "back office" is a mask for cuts which will impact on vital public services. "We face real cuts in local government and a third year of a council tax freeze is regrettably not viable. "Health boards also face a spending squeeze because of growing pressures on limited resources. And we are now seeing the resurrection of Private Finance in the Scottish NHS through the hub initiative, based on English Local Improvement Finance Trust PPPs." "And the hard-pressed voluntary sector, which delivers vital services, will face even further constraints." Matt Smith called for funding settlements to local government, health boards and the voluntary sector to sustain jobs and services and support the economy in the face of the recession.
29 May 2009 branch executive reportsBranch Secretary's report May 2009.pdf UNISON Welfare seminar 1-3 May 2009.pdf Colin Paterson (SCO) report 29 May 2009.pdf
Branch officers 2009-10Branch Chairperson Stevie Murray Branch Secretary Linda W Erskine Branch Treasurer Gordon Pryde Service and Conditions Convenors Debbie Thompson Derek Wardlaw Karen Gainey Dougie Gordon Ralph Balfour Stevie Health and Safety Convenor Dougie Gordon Education and Training Convenor Dougie Gordon / Ralph Balfour Communications & Campaigns Convenor Roddy Cameron Welfare Convenor Janice Russell / Jim Anderson Sports and Social Convenor Brian Schulz Equal Opportunities Convenor Branch Young Members’ Convenor Gemma Hughes LGBT Convenor Alec Deary Retired Members Secretary Labour Link Convenor Disabled Members Convenor Black Members Convenor Voluntary Organisations Convenor Private Sector Convenor All posts can be elected on an agreed job share basis
Democracy in Action! Annual meetings commenceUnison Fife yesterday commenced with our aggregated general meetings. Members in attendance heard reports on the activities of Officers over the last twelve months. Amongst those highlighted were that Unison have been involved in 68 Service and Corporate reviews affecting almost every service across the Council. Ensuring that our members interests are reflected in any discussions on potential changes to structures or working practices. Unison and the other trade unions were commended for the input they had on this years budget setting process, Linda highlighted that this had been the first occasion that we had been included in the exercise to the extent that we have been. Many of our suggestions and comments have been taken on board and will be developed in the months ahead. Ensuring that membership services remained relatively undisturbed during the move of the Branch Offices was a significant credit to the hard work put in by Officers and staff alike. Unison Fife remain at the forefront of any negotiations taking place within the Council and other sections of the branch is a clear indication of the Trust and Respect that the Employers have for our input. The annual meetings are an opportunity for members to raise questions and receive reports on the actions that Unison have taken on their behalf over the last year. Although members can contact the branch throughout the year, the AGM's offer a unique chance to discuss Branch policy and priorities for the coming twelve months. As well as the chance to win simply for attending. Today's AGM's take place in St.Andrews Town hall at 12:30 and Cupar County Buildings this evening at 5:30. There is a small buffet put on for members in attendance, come along and hear what your Union is doing for you!#Ends "Think Green" and only print this email if absolutely necessary ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed and should not be disclosed to any other party. If you have received this email in error please notify your system manager and the sender of this message.
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Unison Fife on the Move!UNISON Fife are currently in the process of moving to their new accommodation in Glenrothes. Whilst this will cause some minor disruption to services we hope to maintain the quality services to our members as we have always done. Members can contact the branch on the following numbers: Internal : VOIP 447 008 External : (01592) 583 686 We hope that the new offices will enable us to continually improve the services and accessibility of our Union! For general enquiries please email unison.fife@fife.gov.uk '
Car Mileage Rates - What are UNISON doing?Members using their cars for business purposes have been complaining about the increase in fuel costs in comparison with the allowance paid by Fife Council. UNISON Fife have raised our concerns again at the recent JNCF, which is attended by Senior Officers and Councillors. UNISON highlighted that it is within the Councils authority to review the amount claimable by members and we have formally requested that this be considered. UNISON have also stated that the Council need to review the level of Pool Cars available for business use. In addition, UNISON Scotland have written to the Inland Revenue requesting an urgent review of the taxable limits in order to increase the level paid before tax applies.
The real Cost of Living increases! VOTE YES For action!his is the second letter that you will be receiving as a Unison Fife member. You should read this information carefully and consider the information contained in this in relation to the cost of living. To all UNISON Fife( Local Government) Members Dear Colleague Pay negotiations 2008 You should have by now received your ballot paper in relation to the ongoing dispute over pay. If you haven't received yours yet, there is still plenty of time for this to come through. However, you can contact UNISON'S helpline to confirm that the details that we hold are accurate and up to date. The helpline number for this is 0845 355 0845. If you have received your paper and as yet remain undecided whether you should support industrial action or not we have enclosed some statistics that should encourage you to Vote YES. These statistics make startling reading in comparison with the offer made by CoSLA. Simply existing with some financial security for you and your family has become harder and harder for us all. Bread prices have increased by 44% in the last year, gas and electricity up by 15%, milk, butter & other dairy products up 16% and of course petrol and diesel by over 21%. As we have already advised you the retail price index, which is the government's preferred measurement of cost of living increases is currently at 4.1%, yet our employers through CoSLA are only prepared to offer us 2.5% for each of the next three years It has never been so important to take part in this campaign, consider the information that is enclosed, Vote Yes for action! If you know of a colleague who hasn't voted ensure that they are aware of the information as well. If you know of a colleague who is not a member of UNISON, please encourage them to join UNISON and our campaign for Fair Pay. Say No! to Low pay! VOTE 'YES' FOR ACTION! Please see your local steward. If you haven't got a steward in your workplace then please elect someone to ensure that you receive regular and timeous information. Also the branch website www.unison-fife.org.uk or UNISON Scotland www.unison-scotland.co.uk will be updated on a regular basis.
UNISON Stewards BriefingThe role of the UNISON Workplace Steward is never more important than when the union are involved in issues directly affecting our members. Your role is to ensure that members have as much information as possible on the reasons why we need to VOTE YES for action. Please click these links to the National website for up to date information on the pay dispute http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2008/stewardsbriefing2june08new.pdf or Labels: Pay 2008
Members LetterMembers will be aware from previous communication that UNISON, along with the other local government unions rejected this year's pay offer of 2.5% for each of the next three years. You will also be aware that UNISON members in UNISON will now commence with a period of consultation on whether members are prepared to participate in industrial action in order to try and improve this offer. It is vital that as many members as possible participate in this ballot, more importantly is that our members vote YES for industrial action. UNISON do not take this step lightly, we have always tried to work to find a solution that is acceptable to our members, both in
Inflation is sitting at 4.1%, this may of course fall, however it won't fall below 2.5%, therefore, unless there is concerted and collective action you will be taking a pay cut in real terms. We have enclosed a leaflet which outlines some of the changes to the cost of living over the last few months and years. In addition UNISON
The average pay award across the sectors (Private and Public) is currently 3.3%, the offer we have had is nowhere near this. UNISON have a proud history of fighting for fair pay for our members, we need to successfully campaign again for a decent living wage.
Some of you will have had your salary frozen as a result of the Single Status agreement, you will want to know why you should lose money for a pay award that you wont benefit from! This is wholly understandable, however the higher the pay award the sooner you will be removed from this constraint and receive annual increases. Your local UNISON Steward will be able to advise you of any developments on this situation, however please return your voting paper when you receive it, crucially you must vote to defend your standard of living, vote YES for industrial action. Over 100,000 members will also show their support for action along with you in Fife and If you know of a colleague who is not a member of UNISON, please encourage them to join UNISON and our campaign for Fair Pay.
For further information, please see your local steward, the branch website www.unison-fife.org.uk or UNISON Labels: Pay 2008 Press ReleaseUNISON Fife branch are urging members working within Fife Council to vote for strike action in the ballot called as part of a dispute over pay. Members in Fife and Linda Erskine, Branch Secretary for UNISON Fife said; "UNISON and the other local government unions had claimed for 5% or £1000 for the next year. The 2.5% offer for each of the next three years doesn't meet inflation, makes no attempt to address low pay, with no opportunity to reopen negotiations regardless of future increases in the cost of living." "Our members responded during the consultation stating that they rejected this offer. The offer would see our lowest paid members receive a paltry 46p an hour after the three years. CoSLA have failed to recognise this issue, therefore it is unfortunate that we are being forced to call for sustained industrial action to shift them." UNISON Labels: Pay 2008
Tax relief for washing council uniforms - model letterThis letter has been used by members in Transportation Services to claim tax relief for washing uniforms. Members in other services who wear Council branded clothing should use this as a model if they think they have a claim.
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