Unison Herts

This year, there are a number of Branch Officer post’s being contested and the elections for these posts will be held at our Annual General Meeting.

Below is a list of all the nominees. To read their testimonials, please click on AGM Branch Elections.   Please take the time to read them carefully and attend our Annual General Meeting on 23^rd February,in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Hertford at 12noon to vote for your preferred candidates and be part of the democratic process. 

 Branch Post                                    Candidates

 Branch Female Post                        Gill Thwaites, Deborah Ward

 Branch Officer Posts x2                    David Devereux/Julie Gilham (job-share)

                                                       Brian Ruggles, Deborah Ward, Lorraine Warwick

I thank you for your time and look forward to seeing you, as a member of Hertfordshire County Branch of UNISON on 23^rd February.

Keith Price, Branch Secretary

I want to send my congratulations to all of who went out on strike yesterday, whatever union you belong to.  We believe that we have sent strong message across the Country to this Government that enough is enough with regards to them making changes to our pensions.

 Hertfordshire Police estimated that there were approximently 2000 supporters on the march yesterday but the Council have released a statement that said there were just 600.   I have already offered to buy Hertfordshire County Council a new abacus because their current one is obviously only used when counting money!!

Members and activists of UNISON and all our sister unions were very professional yesterday at the march and rally that left from Hartham Common and went through the Hertford Town up to County Hall.

Listing all the unions and organisations would of course be impossible, but you all know who you are, so thank you all so much, be ready for another fight in the New Year!

Keith Price

Branch Secretary

The Branch have received confirmation that SERCO employees will not face disciplinary action if they choose to not cross UNISON picket lines or support the strike by not attending work. Any SERCO employee not attending work tommorow on the 30th November will be deemed to be on strike and suffer a loss of one days pay.

Pension Strike – Wednesday 30th November

The Hertfordshire County Branch of UNISON will be co-ordinating the largest political march ever witnessed in Hertford, on Wednesday 30^th November.

In response to the savage attacks on Public Sector Pensions, which is in effect a tax on workers being targeted by Central Government, in a cynical move to reduce the national deficit, UNISON will be marching with the NUT, ATL, UCU, NASUWT, UNITE, PCS, GMB, RCN, The Labour Party and various community organisations.

The march will commence at 11:30 am, departing from Hartham Common in Hertford and take a route through the town centre and on to County Hall in Pegs Lane. It is anticipated that at least 5000 public sector workers will be in attendance creating the largest demonstration in living memory, in the County Town of Hertford.

 A short rally will take place at County Hall where the crowd will be addressed by speakers from the representative Trade Unions.

 Do you know the real pension facts?

 1. If closed today the LGPS could still pay all its liabilities for 20 years

2. The Treasury gets £2bn more in NHS pension contributions than it pays out in benefits pa

3. The average Local Government pension is £4,000 pa - hardly gold plated!

4. The average NHS pension is £7,000 per annum - again hardly gold plated!

5. Half of NHS women pensioners receive less than £3,500 per annum

6. The bosses of Britain's largest companies have an average pension 34 times bigger than the average public sector pension

 Keep up to date with our "Protect our pensions" campaign - www.unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp.

VOTE YES TO PROTECT YOUR PENSION!

Try the calculator on the Pensions Justice website at www.pensionsjustice.org.uk/pensions-changes-calculator

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST PROPOSED ATTACK ON

PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS

 HERTFORDSHIRE BRANCHES OF UNISON invite YOU, your colleagues, your friends and family, to join our day of action in support of all public services workers on:

WEDNESDAY 30^th November 2011

11:30am – 2pm

 Come and meet us at Hartham Common, Hartham Lane, Hertford, at 11.30am

 Join our march to County Hall – the march leaves Hartham Common at 12:30pm.

 The march arrives outside County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford at around 1:30pm

 Rally and speakers to address the demo outside:

County Hall 1:30pm – 2pm

…EVERYONE DESERVES

A DECENT PENSION!

Why are we going on strike?

Due to Central Government making changes to our pension which means we will have to pay more into the scheme, work longer for a poorer pension. With petrol, food and utility bills all rising, people are finding it hard to make ends meet especially those on a fixed income.

Do I have to strike?

UNISON expects that all members will take part in the strike; we have to convince the Government that it is the strength of the turnout that will make this strike successful

 What is exempt?

There are no exemptions for this strike action.

 Where should I go? And what do I have to do?

We expect members to turn up to one of the following locations:

 Mundells, Welwyn Garden City at 6.30am –11am

Apsley Campus, Hemel Hempstead at 7am –10.30am

Stevenage Campus at 7am -10.30am

County Hall, Hertford at 6am -11am

You may be asked to join the picket line, if you are not on the ‘picket’ line, a Steward will advise you where to stand.

 All strike lines will close between 10.30-11am and a march has been organised involving other trade unions that will start at 11.30am from Hartham Common in Hertford and travel through the town and up to County Hall for a Rally. We will supply whistles and flags to wave so that we will definitely be heard and seen on our way.

 What is a ‘picket’ line?

A picket line can only have a maximum of 6 pickets; therefore other people around the picket lines are there for a rally.  If you are not on the picket line do not pretend to be!  This does have legal implications.  The Lead Steward on the picket line will ask people to stop so that they can advise them why they are on strike and encourage them to do the same.

 Could I be dismissed?

Yes, but only if you have been on strike for 8 weeks or more.  However, our employer is unlikely to dismiss everybody and if this did happen, you would have the full support of UNISON behind you.

 Do I need to let my Manager know?

No.  It is up to the individual who has the right to strike.  Your manager can ask if you are supporting the strike but you do not have to say. It is against the law to intimidate or discriminate staff on the basis of their union membership.

 Will I be paid?

No.  The strike day will be deducted from your salary in December 2011.  If you are on annual leave, you are not considered to be on strike but you may, if you wish, donates a day’s pay towards UNISON’s Hardship Fund.

 Does strike action break my continuous service?

No, provided you return to work after the strike unless you are on sick leave or annual leave.  If you are in your last year of service, you are advised not to strike, as this will affect your final pension salary.

 I cannot afford to strike?

Nobody can afford to lose money but this strike is about our future and being treated fairly. If we don’t strike we stand to pay more, receive a poorer pension and work longer, for less!