Further to the statement issued on 2nd June I will undertake to clarify matters.
The Branch Treasurer has confirmed that all strike pay has been deposited within the branch account. This has only recently been undertaken by UNISON at a National Level.
We require to obtain sufficient cheque books to pay individuals their entitlement. The turn around for cheque books to be received is approximately seven days. This matter is in hand.
As previously stated the issuing of the cheques will involve considerable time and resources. We are now looking at employing temporary staff to undertake this task.
It is envisaged that members will receive their individual cheque by the end of June. This is in the Branch Treasurer's view a realistic timescale given all the work involved. We recognise that some members will not be happy about this.
As previously explained we have communicated, as a Branch, the dissatisfaction of our members in the process, which has been lengthy, to both Regional and National Level. We as Branch Officers are equally dissatisfied, as we are spending considerable time and resources trying to deal with the matter.
In giving this statement we recognise that members quite rightly require the strike pay to be paid as soon as possible, but would also wish that you, as members, recognise that we have done and are doing the best that we can, given the resources that are available to us.
ONCE AGAIN I WOULD REITERATE THAT OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
Donald Brown
Chairperson
6 June 2008
This report (PDF file, link above), is an update from the Branch Chair on recent developments regarding Job Evaluation.
We are currently advising members to check their payslips carefully, as we are hearing reports of erroneous deductions.
Following talks today (Thursday 7th February) with the Council, where progress was made on many of this issues in the dispute, and following the Rally in Dunoon, where this was put to Members, it was agreed to suspend the industrial action from midnight tonight (residential workers may return to work at their 10pm shift start time, where applicable). For clarity, the suspension includes the ongoing phase 1 "work to rule".
The proposed changes are as follows:
UNISON RALLY, ARGYLL AND BUTE MEMBERS
QUEEN'S HALL
DUNOON
7th FEBRUARY 2008
12 noon.
The Rally was well attended with around 350 members of UNISON, and some colleagues from UNITE, from all corners of Argyll and Bute.
Colleagues
There is now confusion around the letter of instruction issued to members, I can only apologise for this. The following now clarifies matters :
Paragraph three is all Community Services Administration Members in Social Work, Education, Primary Schools, Community Education Offices, Social Work Headquarters, Social Work Area Offices , Library Headquarters, etc. basically all buildings where there is an administration presence with the exception of Secondary Schools. Action to take place on 29th & 30th January (two days).
Paragraph four refers to all members within Secondary Schools and includes the Administration Members. Action to take place as described in the letter and in the main covering two days with the exception of catering members one and half days.
Social workers refers to anyone who works in this category including social work assistants and has been used as a generic term. Does not include Members who work within residential establishments with the exception of administration members, learning disabilities. Social Work trainees are exempt as long as they are scheduled to be attending a recognised course on the days of action.
Roads & Amenity Services Members, this includes administration members who have joint remits such as at Manse Brae who work over 50% of there contract to this section. Where they work for Fleet management, Building Services, Facility Services, etc either in entirety or over 50% to these sections then they are not included e.g. Argyll House.
Donald Brown
Branch Chair
UNISON advised Argyll and Bute Council's Chief Executive on 21st January 2008 that further action will now be undertaken in respect of the dispute regarding the implementation surrounding Single Status.
This action now relates to:
1.The indefinite withdrawal of all standby services from 28thJanuary across the Council. Included within this are members who provide winter maintenance, social work services, ferry services etc.
2.Selective Strike action involving particular groups of members within certain departments. This action in the main will involve two days and will include, social workers, secondary school employees, roads and amenity service employees cemetery / crematorium employees and pier / ferry employees. This action will commence on 29th January.
The action is taking in conjunction with our colleagues in UNITE who are part of this dispute.
UNISON members are angry with the position being adopted by the Council, which has seen the Council failing to honour its commitments and agreements with its employees.
The Council in its press statement of 16th January has failed to understand the current situation that it finds itself in.
UNISON is pursuing a progression of Industrial Action, which will see escalation should the Council continue with its position. We fail to understand that the Council has fulfilled its commitment to deal with its obligations in terms of equal pay and the fairest settlement within funding resources available. The Council has had since 1999 to budget for this agreement, which it signed up to, and we would contend that it would have been more appropriate to plan and accommodate the agreement rather than pursue fanciful projects. The council is deluding itself that only the local branch of UNISON is not accepting this settlement but, as previously stated, we have the full support of our National Organisation and colleagues within other trade Unions.
The Council has stated that it will do everything possible to ensure that public services are not affected, and, if this is to be believed, then the solution, from its point of view, is within its hands: honour agreements, honour its commitments to its employees and get back into negotiations. The trade unions have honoured agreements and commitments and we are willing to enter into negotiations, rather than pursue a course of industrial action, which will see public services affected.
The above link is to our leaflet regarding the Industrial Action.
After a successful ballot result, UNISON Argyll and Bute Branch are commencing a programme of industrial action this week, along with UNITE (formerly T&GWU), against Argyll and Bute Council's divisive Single Status proposals.
The first phase of the UNISON action, commencing on Thursday 17 January, consists of a "work to rule". The delivery of Council services is highly dependent on the goodwill of its employees. Therefore, UNISON is calling on its members to stop:
In the event that the Council are not prepared to enter into constructive negotiations with the Unions over Single Status, this will be followed by further phases of industrial action, up to and including an all-out strike.
We received the results of the Industrial Action ballot today. Around 60% voted for strike action, and over 70% supported action short of a strike. Full details are included in the briefing available at the link above (PDF format).
Hopefully, the Council will consider this result carefully, and come back to us prepared to enter into meaningful negotiations, now that our members have resolved to stand up to their tactics of imposition and intimidation.
Further briefings will be issued as the way forward, whatever path it takes, emerges.
The Council has now sent out termination notices and offers of re-engagement to colleagues who refused to sign their new contracts (we believe the number affected may be as high as 1800). UNISON has now sent a letter to the Chief Executive, the contents of which are now contained in this briefing. In addition a copy of a recent press statement is also attached.
UNISON has now instigated the process of balloting members on Industrial Action and the following timetable has been agreed.
Notice of Intention to be issued 23rd November 2007.
Ballot to commence on 30th November 2007.
Members Meetings 3rd December 2007. (programme attached)
Close of Ballot 21st December 2007.
Result of Ballot on or around 21st December 2007.
The full briefing is available (PDF format) at the heading link above.
The PDF file at the link above is a list of questions that members are currently concerned about. They are a standard wording that may be put to your appropriate help lines either verbally, by e.mail or in writing. Another route could be through your line manager.
UNISON could put its interpretation to the questions, but, given that the offer is coming from the Council, we feel that it is appropriate, and for the avoidance of doubt, that the answers should come from that source.
UNISON Argyll and Bute have written to Argyll and Bute Council's Chief Executive rejecting the offer made regarding Single Status. The letter is available in PDF format at the link above.
On Wednesday 19th September 2007, at a meeting of the full Council, the management side's proposals on Single Status were approved unanimously by all Councillors present.
UNISON are currently considering the implications of this decision, and will publish a statement in due course. Meanwhile the Council documents on which the decision was based are available at the link above.
The latest briefing (in Adobe Acrobat pdf format) on Single Status developments.
This update (in Adobe Acrobat pdf format) from the Branch Chair includes information on recent negotiations, and on the new dates for our programme of Appeals Surgeries.
A further newsletter on Single Status and Equal Pay.
A special edition on Single Status.
A telephone contact line will be in service from 09.00hrs on 19 February - number 07770 308062. An answering machine service is available and if your call is not answered then you should leave your name and contact telephone number. Please do not leave any additional information as you will be contacted within 24 hours of your call.
An enquiry email address has been established and this is singlestatus@unisonabc.org.uk.
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