SINGLE STATUS UPDATE 1

UNISON at the Employee Joint Consultative Committee held on Friday 2 February, along with the other trade unions was advised that letters will be issued on 17 February containing information affecting employees, on a personal level, in respect of Job Evaluation, Pay & Grading, and information relating to a new Service Conditions Package. It is the Council's intention to conduct a consultative exercise which will end on 29 May with the final package being decided by elected members in June. Members should also be aware that the date for appeals to be lodged for appeals for Job evaluation is 6 April.

UNISON to date has been involved in discussions with representatives of the Council in relation to Single Status etc. We are now moving to a consultative exercise with members starting on 17 February. Until this date UNISON along with the other trade unions has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Council to enable all employees to receive information at the same time. We are aware that some members believe that they have managed to obtain copies of leaked documents, the source of which we are unaware of, and whilst some individuals may feel that they are helping matters our view is clearly to wait until you have received your individual package.

UNISON is aware that members will have questions and will be looking for advice and assistance. Accordingly we have put the following communications system in place:

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 e. mail address enquiry site has been established and this is singlestatus@unisonabc.org.uk.

A stewards' briefing has been organised prior to the Annual General Meeting on 17 February and a further meeting for 28 February.

It is intended to hold a series of meetings of members and further details together with updates will be issued in the near future.

UNISON believes that members require to be fully consulted on the initial proposals to allow for positive representation and we give our commitment and assurance that this will be undertaken to the best of our ability taking all factors into consideration.

Donald Brown. Branch Chairperson.