Click Here to download the Summer 2010 Branch Newsletter

Due to the announcements over the weekend and the media frenzy we see every day lately, I thought it best to inform you, firstly by our website followed later this month with a news letter.

There have been several "behind the scenes" talks by the Branch Officers on the behalf of the membership and below is a brief summary of these.

As you probably know the Branch went into dispute with Hertfordshire County Council recently over the Redundancy Policy which was unilaterally changed in December 2009. We ended up at stage 4 of the disputes resolution process by bringing in the Regional Secretary's to assist with the negotiations. This 7 hour meeting went back and forth but in the end, we couldn't agree with the offer from Hertfordshire County Council. We postponed the meeting and will be discussing again with Officers of HCC on the 15th July 2010. If we feel there is movement then we will reschedule the postponed meeting with the Joint Secretary's.

As you are aware this government are coming out with all sorts of numbers when it comes to cuts in the public sector. The press say 25% or 40% with schools, councils, and the rest of the public services suffering. The real numbers will not be known until October when the comprehensive spending review is published. HCC have to make estimated savings of £144 Million.

There are 9 streams to the Transformation process, (this being the name the council have used for reviews to find this money) these themselves can hold 6/7 reviews. UNISON will require Stewards and Convenors to help with these reviews and the Branch Officers will be allocated 2 streams each, to lead on. These will also be put on the website when these decisions have been made.

Talks have been going on with HCC regarding savings to just about everything across the council. One of the most important things are negotiations concerning terms and conditions. We have spoken with HCC about some Green Book changes and will be collating the information to send out to you all to be either accepted or rejected by the membership. It is important that members have ownership and empowerment on this issue. There are also rumours, that we have been discussing changes to sick pay and fringe allowances, this is not true. HCC have approached UNISON with a view of a local agreement on part 2 of the green book and where these sit.

After having discussions with Heather Wakefield, UNISON National Secretary for Local Government, her advice to the Branch that there are to be no negotiations on Part 2 of the Green Book, discussed at local level. At this stage there cannot be a local agreement on this.

The UNISON position nationally is very much a joint union fight with all the unions against this government and the cuts they endorse.

I have no information at this time as to how this is going to be worked through, but all the General Secretary’s of all the Trade Unions will hold a joint meeting and as soon as we have some news about the way forward, then I will put it on this website.

1.        From 27 May 2010, staff that are prevented from commencing their sleep-in because they are still attending to a client from their previous shift and are on the rota to work a sleep in will be compensated with TOIL until they are able to go to bed.

2.        If staff are able to commence their sleep in duty, then the arrangements as laid out in the sleep-in agreement are in force as normal. One hour of disturbance is included in payment and thereafter compensation as depicted in section 5.2 of the agreement will apply.

3.         This arrangement would not be subject to a backdating process but would start  from 27th May 2010.

The agreement will be available from this site to download soon, so keep an eye out for it. The branch officers involved with these negotiations wanted to relay their thanks to the members who were also involved, as they feel the outcomes stated above and the agreement reached wouldn't have happened without everyone coming together like they did. The outcomes just go to show that we really are stronger in Unison.

UNISON has NOT agreed to the new Lease Car Scheme. We are still in discussion over this issue and will keep you updated on the outcome.

UNISON is seeking legal advice regarding individual ID photos being placed on Connect, as we believe this is against human rights laws.

UNISON is still in dispute regarding the Redundancy Policy.

Please keep an eye on this site for regular updates.

It's that time of year again for the Herts County Unison Branch Annual General Meeting on Monday the 29th March 2010.

It will be held in the Council Chamber of County Hall between the hours of 12 noon and 1.30 pm. The special guest who is coming to talk to us is the former MP and President of the Anti War Coalition - Tony Benn, yes the Tony Benn. It's because of this that this AGM promises to be a truly special occasion that will be well worth attending, so it would be great to see as many of you all there. Don't forget; it's your union and the AGM is your chance to have your say on how it's run, so come along!

Following discussions between the local authority and UNISON, it is now crystal clear that PAs undertaking assessments must cease to do so immediately. The role of the PA in undertaking assessments is a contributory one only. PAs must not undertake the assessment task, this is the role of a qualified social worker.

For further information please contact the Branch Office.