Starting tomorrow (July 27) UNISON
Dear UNISON member,
As I am sure you are aware, public sector cuts are beginning to bite across all areas of the authority and impact on staff and service users.
UNISON believes that there are alternatives to the drastic cuts that we are being told are unavoidable. At open meetings for staff over the past two weeks, members have indicated that they would like to be involved in protesting against changes that many feel will impact severely on our community.
Starting tomorrow (July 27) UNISON will, along with our sister unions, be protesting outside the Civic Centre every Wednesday from 12pm - 2pm. We will display posters, hand out flyers, and talk to people about how these cuts will affect the services people rely on.
What you can do:
- Come down to the protest tomorrow during your lunch break to give your support, or ask questions,
- Contact me in the branch office with other ideas about how we can fight the cuts and protect our communities,
- Visit unison.org.uk/million to find out more about what UNISON is doing nationwide and add your name to the Million Voices For Public Services campaign,
- Become more involved with your branch. We need a new generation of workplace reps to protect the rights of all public servants,
- Write to your MP or Councillor and explain what the cuts will mean for you and the people you work with,
- Use the 'have your say button' at rbcunison.org.uk to let us know what's happening in your area.
I know that we have been told that cuts are inevitable, but they will be if we don't all stand up for ourselves and the community we work for. These are difficult times for everyone working in the public sector, but unity is strength. I am proud of the services our members provide every day for the most vulnerable in society and so tomorrow, and every Wednesday for the foreseeable future, members of this branch will stand up to say so.
I urge as many of you as possible to join us.
Kind regards,
Debbie McKenzie
Branch Secretary
Reading Borough UNISON
UNISON STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST CUTS - 21 June 2010
UNISON members working for Reading Borough Council are concerned about the danger to local communities of huge public spending cuts leading to job losses, set to be announced in the budget on Tuesday (22 June).
Debbie McKenzie, UNISON Reading borough Branch Secretary, said:
"66 pence out of every pound earned by local government workers is spent locally. Our members are really worried about their future and whether these cuts will cost them their jobs. Local shops, hairdressers and restaurants rely on the spending power of public sector workers to keep their doors open. Many local businesses, too, rely on contracts from the public sector for their livelihoods. Without this vital cash injection, our local economy will be devastated.
"The sort of cuts our local area is facing will hit services hard, threatening hospitals, schools, libraries, care homes, leisure centres, and nurseries. There are clear alternatives, and we are supporting our union's alternative SOS budget for a fairer road to recovery."
UNISON South East - Regional Council - 20 May 2010
Dave Prentis , General Secretary, launched UNISON's campaign in the South East to support members in the face of a further £6B of cuts to be imposed by the new coalition government.
Dave spoke of the importance of all public service workers and dismissed the idea that there are jobs in the public service which don't matter. On efficiency savings he reminded the meeting that in Local Government the efficiency cuts had been made for a number of years and the £6bn cuts being imposed would have a huge affect on services.
Branch Involved with National 3 Companies Project
Since the start of the year our branch has been involved with UNISON’s national organising campaign The 3 Companies Project. The project has been organising in areas where UNISON membership has traditionally been weak, and where workers are subjected to extremely poor terms and conditions of service. The three companies in question are Aramark, Compass, and Sodexo, all of whom have been targeted because in recent years they have bought up a large proportion of available public service contracts in the UK. Reading was one of the pilot areas for this project along with High Wycombe, Sheffield, Barnstable, Southampton, Richmond, and Westminster, and UNISON will be developing the project further over the summer. More than a recruitment campaign, The 3 Companies Project looks to put systems in place to build a Union organisation capable of winning improvements for workers now and in the future.
All three companies are large multi-national corporations and UNISION has joined together with sister Unions around the world in an attempt to combat issues raised by workers that don’t stop at national borders. Global problems require global solutions and this unified approach has led to an unprecedented sharing of knowledge, experience, and campaigning tools, between the Trade Unions involved. Our branch has hosted the project at a local level and helped facilitate organising those workers in school kitchens employed by Chartwells: the catering wing of Compass.
During February branch representatives worked alongside UNISON regional and national officers as they undertook an organising blitz in Reading schools. We were shocked by the number of issues raised by staff in the workplaces but inspired by the people we met and the passion they have for their jobs. Since then, an organising committee of Chartwells members has started to form, and a campaign to fight for improvements for workers on the ground has already won some important victories. Footage of the blitz in Reading, and of other areas of the work undertaken by The 3 Companies Project has been posted on YouTube. To find out more point your browser at www.youtube.com/user/companies3
Union Workplace Learning Agreement Signed
As part of Adults learners Week (19-15 May 2009) RBC Chief executive, Michael Coughlin, was in the Mayor's Parlour at 1.30 pm on Tuesday 12th May 2009 to sign an agreement with local trades unions.
The 'Union Learning Agreement' will permit council staff 'reasonable and planned' paid time off work to pursue training. The agreement also means trades union learning representatives (URLs) are given a statutory right to identify workplace training needs and campaign for more learning.
Brendan Carr, Secretary for the Joint Trades Unions in Reading Borough said
"I believe people can improve their chances in life because of the international trades union movement. This agreement with RBC is an important gesture in a town relatively well positioned to deal with global economic pressure through staff training opportunities".
Michael Coughlin said "Our union representatives deserve some praise for raising funds to sponsor this year's 'Adult's Learners Week'. I know that RBC shares the view that training and learning is vitally important in raising standards. That's why I signed this document and the Skills Pledge: They underpin the Council's existing commitments to staff training'.
Together with other leading local organisations and businesses, Michael Coughlin signed the South East of England Development Agency's "Skill's Pledge" in November 2008.
The "Skills Pledge" is a promise that employers will work to realize the potential of all their employees by developing their basic skills and working towards relevant qualifications. By making the "Skills Pledge" employers commit to train their workforce to at least Level 2 - the equivalent of five GCSEs, grades A-C.
A report by The Commission for Employment and Skills has urged Government and businesses to do more to improve worker's skills if the UK is to reach the same level of prosperity after the recession.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2009
RBC Chief Executive, Michael Coughlin, will be guest speaker at this year’s AGM, which takes place from 12 pm in the Council Chamber on Monday 2 March 2009. Besides the normal business of electing this year’s branch officers and stewards we will be launching the Branches updated website.
Branch to Launch Lealta/UNISON Discount Cards
The branch will be making UNISON discount cards available free to all members at the AGM on March 2nd. As well as providing savings at nationwide businesses and retail outlets, these cards can be tailored to the locality to give members discounts on services close to their home. Send details of any shops or businesses which you would like the card providers to approach for discounts. The branch will pass these details on or you can go on-line to make suggestions. http://www.lealta.co.uk/
JTUC Response to RBC Budget Proposal
Following well-attended Joint Trades Union meetings in January a paper was presented to Personnel Committee requesting that a proposal to reduce staff terms and conditions be re-considered.
The chief executive notified all staff of the amendments to the original budget proposals that were subsequently agreed at Personnel Committee. JTUC representatives consider the amended budget proposal a starting point for “meaningful negotiations” around the provision of essential car user allowances and for progressing with the implementation of the Single Status Agreement.
It is important that we hear UNISON member’s views on the amended proposals and the branch will endeavor to keep you briefed on how further negotiations go. All members are thanked for taking time to actively participate in the initial consultation.
Branch Submits Regional Pool Bid for Life Long Learning
In pursuing the Branch’s aim to promote positive reasons for joining UNISON and to provide more opportunity for members to access learning opportunities; Assistant Branch Secretary, Debbie McKenzie, has submitted a bid to access funds for branch Life-Long-Learning initiatives via the Regional Funding Pool. This application will be considered at the next Regional Education Committee meeting in March. Debbie has already achieved funding in the form of a £500 grant from the UNISON’s National Education funding stream. This will be used to sponsor events taking place during Adult Learners’ week in April 2009.
Branch RMS Membership Database - Going Live
The branch will be going live with RMS, UNISON’s national membership database, in the very near future. Kieran Pearson, the branch Administrative Assistant, is currently undergoing training at head office on how to make best use of the system for the benefit of members. Once the branch goes live, communicating should be far easier, and any requests members have about their current status, contact details, membership number, etc, will be dealt with quickly and efficiently by the branch, rather than having to pass the enquiry onto the regional office. Kieran has been enjoying his training, and hopes to put it to good use, providing faster answers, and a more efficient service for all members of Reading Borough UNISON.