Sad day as Suffolk NHS services are sold off
UNISON has reacted angrily and expressed disappointment that Suffolk’s much respected community services will now be run by a private company, Serco. This follows the announcement earlier today that the private company has been selected as the preferred bidder and will take over from existing NHS services, which provide specialist and community nursing, children's services, speech and language therapy and other much valued community services. Tracey Lambert, UNISON Eastern region’s Head of Health, said:“It’s an extremely sad day for the people in Suffolk and NHS staff who’ll see their community service sold off in this way. “The Trust has always been recognised for delivering good quality integrated services, there is no reason for it to be hived off. Crucially Serco may have experience of managing hotel services for hospitals, but they do not have a proven track record in the provision of medical care. We would be hard pressed to know what Serco could possibly add to existing patient care and services. “There is no evidence to show that they will improve patient care or provide better health services. In fact the SHA is gambling with people's health by awarding contract to company with no experience in running the full range of primary health services.“This is an ideological move, purely to save money. Yes, they will have a duty to provide patients with care when and where they need it, but let’s not forget this is a private profit driven organisation; its sole purpose is to make money for shareholders. It’s inevitable that there will be cuts in order to ensure those shareholders’ pockets are being lined. “With the Government passing the much maligned Health and Social Care Bill earlier this week, this is likely to be a bitter taste of things to come. This is taking the ‘National’ out of the NHS and putting tax payers’ money into individual pockets. This contract is worth an estimated £140m. The question UNISON wants answered is just how much of that will be ploughed back into patient care and improving services and how much will go directly to Serco shareholders.” Suffolk Community Healthcare Trust employs 1,000 staff who will have to be TUPD’d over from NHS Suffolk to Serco.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Union plans pay strategy
With privatisations and reorganisations, pay freezes and attacks on pensions, "we have a constant fight on our hands, a fight that's a bit like trench warfare, that goes on and on and on," UNISON NEC member Jane Carolan declared as she opened the union's pay and bargaining seminar this afternoon.Welcoming activists and negotiators from across the union to two days of discussions at the UNISON Centre in London, Ms Carolan continued: "But occasionally we need to get out of the trenches and think strategically. And that is what this seminar is about."The meeting came the day after Chancellor George Osborne's "desperate budget for the desperately wealthy" and Ms Carolan noted: "The key problem in the economy is lack of demand - and one factor in that is the public-sector pay freeze."Our members know the true cost of pay cuts: they don't give up a luxury, they struggle to afford a necessity."As general secretary Dave Prentis noted, in local government, UNISON members are facing the third year of a pay freeze, and the second year in the NHS, at a time when inflation averaged 5%, food prices have been going up by 7% a year and energy prices by 15%."And the people on the lowest grades suffer most," he stated: "They spend more of their income on these necessities."And while pay is frozen, employers are attacking terms and conditions, while ministers talk about introducing regional or local pay - cutting the amount of money our members actually get."Our first priority has to be to stop the decreases in our members' pay," he declared."We have to be the ones to say: 'Enough is enough. We will stand in the way of this'."There is no hope, no vision, unless we provide it to our members," Mr Prentis told the gathering of activists and negotiators.UNISON needs to articulate members' concerns on pay, and turn them into action, said Ms Carolan, but also needs to decide whether desperate times need a new strategy.With that question in their minds, members taking part in the seminar broke into detailed discussions on outsourcing and procurement; attacks on terms and conditions; negotiating with private and voluntary sector employers; and maintaining bargaining strength.The discussions will continue tomorrow, when a final session will also look at the strategic conclusions that can be drawn from the union's shared experience.
With privatisations and reorganisations, pay freezes and attacks on pensions, "we have a constant fight on our hands, a fight that's a bit like trench warfare, that goes on and on and on," UNISON NEC member Jane Carolan declared as she opened the union's pay and bargaining seminar this afternoon.Welcoming activists and negotiators from across the union to two days of discussions at the UNISON Centre in London, Ms Carolan continued: "But occasionally we need to get out of the trenches and think strategically. And that is what this seminar is about."The meeting came the day after Chancellor George Osborne's "desperate budget for the desperately wealthy" and Ms Carolan noted: "The key problem in the economy is lack of demand - and one factor in that is the public-sector pay freeze."Our members know the true cost of pay cuts: they don't give up a luxury, they struggle to afford a necessity."As general secretary Dave Prentis noted, in local government, UNISON members are facing the third year of a pay freeze, and the second year in the NHS, at a time when inflation averaged 5%, food prices have been going up by 7% a year and energy prices by 15%."And the people on the lowest grades suffer most," he stated: "They spend more of their income on these necessities."And while pay is frozen, employers are attacking terms and conditions, while ministers talk about introducing regional or local pay - cutting the amount of money our members actually get."Our first priority has to be to stop the decreases in our members' pay," he declared."We have to be the ones to say: 'Enough is enough. We will stand in the way of this'."There is no hope, no vision, unless we provide it to our members," Mr Prentis told the gathering of activists and negotiators.UNISON needs to articulate members' concerns on pay, and turn them into action, said Ms Carolan, but also needs to decide whether desperate times need a new strategy.With that question in their minds, members taking part in the seminar broke into detailed discussions on outsourcing and procurement; attacks on terms and conditions; negotiating with private and voluntary sector employers; and maintaining bargaining strength.The discussions will continue tomorrow, when a final session will also look at the strategic conclusions that can be drawn from the union's shared experience.
'Enough is enough' on Local Government pay
“A third year without a pay increase is driving the union’s 750,000 members in Local Government further into dispute with the employers” said Heather Wakefield UNISON Head of Local Government today. The budget yesterday provided no relief to even the lowest paid, as councils are refusing to pay the £250 promised to them by the Chancellor in his 2010 budget statement.With the cost of everyday essentials such as food, fuel and energy going up council workers and their families are struggling just to make ends meet. Heather Wakefield has written to council leaders and chief executives1 calling on them to urgently think again about the impact of the freeze on workers saying “enough is enough”"Local Government Employers2 have once again failed to pay the £250 to those council workers earning below £21,000, as promised by the Chancellor in his 2010 budget. During these tough economic times this has only made personal finances far worse for council employees across the country and the 2011 budget has done nothing to change that. “This third consecutive annual pay freeze means that council workers will have suffered a 15% pay cut in three years and now earn a shocking 10% less in real terms than in 1996. “We are still in dispute with the Local Government Employers over this year's claim for basic pay and will be considering our next steps in the very near future, alongside the other two unions. “Council workers are now the worst paid and rewarded in the public sector. The median earnings for full-time employees are below those in the private sector too3. Councils must recognise that properly treated employees are key to high quality services and reward them with decent pay and conditions for their dedication and loyalty. We are extremely concerned about the introduction of regional pay as opposed to national bargaining, which could have disastrous consequences for members." UNISON has produced a report, Living on the Edge: Pay in Local Government4, which shows that many union members are struggling to survive on low pay and that many are to absolute poverty. Heather Wakefield added: “To add insult to injury, the Government is also intending to lift the hours qualification threshold for Working Tax Credit from 16 to 24 for employees in couple households from 6 April. This will mean that UNISON members will be deprived of financial assistance which makes the difference between survival and absolute poverty. “The Government has rightly awarded public sector workers in the civil service, the NHS and teachers earning a full-time equivalent of £21,000 or less a pay increase of £250 for the second year running. “We say ‘enough is enough’. Not only does low and diminishing pay create a gross injustice towards our hard-working members and their families, it also damages the local economy and vital community services, now and in the future.” UNISON has called upon councils to do three things: · To pay the £250 promised by the Chancellor to NJC employees in your council from 1 April as a consolidated payment· To identify part-time employees who may be affected by the change in conditions for Working Tax Credit and seek to enhance their hours to 24· To resist making (further) cuts to pay, hours and conditions at local level
“A third year without a pay increase is driving the union’s 750,000 members in Local Government further into dispute with the employers” said Heather Wakefield UNISON Head of Local Government today. The budget yesterday provided no relief to even the lowest paid, as councils are refusing to pay the £250 promised to them by the Chancellor in his 2010 budget statement.With the cost of everyday essentials such as food, fuel and energy going up council workers and their families are struggling just to make ends meet. Heather Wakefield has written to council leaders and chief executives1 calling on them to urgently think again about the impact of the freeze on workers saying “enough is enough”"Local Government Employers2 have once again failed to pay the £250 to those council workers earning below £21,000, as promised by the Chancellor in his 2010 budget. During these tough economic times this has only made personal finances far worse for council employees across the country and the 2011 budget has done nothing to change that. “This third consecutive annual pay freeze means that council workers will have suffered a 15% pay cut in three years and now earn a shocking 10% less in real terms than in 1996. “We are still in dispute with the Local Government Employers over this year's claim for basic pay and will be considering our next steps in the very near future, alongside the other two unions. “Council workers are now the worst paid and rewarded in the public sector. The median earnings for full-time employees are below those in the private sector too3. Councils must recognise that properly treated employees are key to high quality services and reward them with decent pay and conditions for their dedication and loyalty. We are extremely concerned about the introduction of regional pay as opposed to national bargaining, which could have disastrous consequences for members." UNISON has produced a report, Living on the Edge: Pay in Local Government4, which shows that many union members are struggling to survive on low pay and that many are to absolute poverty. Heather Wakefield added: “To add insult to injury, the Government is also intending to lift the hours qualification threshold for Working Tax Credit from 16 to 24 for employees in couple households from 6 April. This will mean that UNISON members will be deprived of financial assistance which makes the difference between survival and absolute poverty. “The Government has rightly awarded public sector workers in the civil service, the NHS and teachers earning a full-time equivalent of £21,000 or less a pay increase of £250 for the second year running. “We say ‘enough is enough’. Not only does low and diminishing pay create a gross injustice towards our hard-working members and their families, it also damages the local economy and vital community services, now and in the future.” UNISON has called upon councils to do three things: · To pay the £250 promised by the Chancellor to NJC employees in your council from 1 April as a consolidated payment· To identify part-time employees who may be affected by the change in conditions for Working Tax Credit and seek to enhance their hours to 24· To resist making (further) cuts to pay, hours and conditions at local level
UNISON budget response
“This budget is not a road to recovery but a Road to Nowhere – No jobs, No growth, No idea.” This is the damning verdict of UNISON chief Dave Prentis on George Osborne’s budget today (21 March).The union accused the Chancellor of sucking demand out of the economy and reverting to the same old Tory tactics, of promising tax cuts just before the next election.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said: “The Chancellor’s budget has given a helping hand-out to his rich friends in the City and delivered a slap in the face to the unemployed and low paid families. “Osborne should be delivering policies to get the 2.67m unemployed people back into work and economically active. Instead, the Government’s cuts agenda is making the situation worse by adding to those numbers month by month. Since the coalition came to power, we have seen 625 public sector workers joining the dole queues every single day, bringing misery to hundreds of thousands of families.“Far from encouraging economic growth, the Chancellors’ policies are sucking demand out of the economy. Public sector workers are being hit with a pay freeze again this year and now the Government are proposing local pay which mean £1.7bn would be lost from the economy. Taking money out of the pockets of hard working people will starve local shops, cafes and businesses out of much needed revenue sending the economy further downwards.“The Chancellor’s budget gives with one hand and takes with the other. The increase in the personal allowance will help those who are working – but offers no relief for the unemployed. And we know that the Government has already announced cuts to tax credits which hits hundreds of thousands of working families with children.“Osborne’s budget flies the Tories true blue colours, but is a missed opportunity to restore desperately needed jobs and growth to the economy.”
“This budget is not a road to recovery but a Road to Nowhere – No jobs, No growth, No idea.” This is the damning verdict of UNISON chief Dave Prentis on George Osborne’s budget today (21 March).The union accused the Chancellor of sucking demand out of the economy and reverting to the same old Tory tactics, of promising tax cuts just before the next election.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said: “The Chancellor’s budget has given a helping hand-out to his rich friends in the City and delivered a slap in the face to the unemployed and low paid families. “Osborne should be delivering policies to get the 2.67m unemployed people back into work and economically active. Instead, the Government’s cuts agenda is making the situation worse by adding to those numbers month by month. Since the coalition came to power, we have seen 625 public sector workers joining the dole queues every single day, bringing misery to hundreds of thousands of families.“Far from encouraging economic growth, the Chancellors’ policies are sucking demand out of the economy. Public sector workers are being hit with a pay freeze again this year and now the Government are proposing local pay which mean £1.7bn would be lost from the economy. Taking money out of the pockets of hard working people will starve local shops, cafes and businesses out of much needed revenue sending the economy further downwards.“The Chancellor’s budget gives with one hand and takes with the other. The increase in the personal allowance will help those who are working – but offers no relief for the unemployed. And we know that the Government has already announced cuts to tax credits which hits hundreds of thousands of working families with children.“Osborne’s budget flies the Tories true blue colours, but is a missed opportunity to restore desperately needed jobs and growth to the economy.”
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
No relief for lowest paid in new minimum wage rates
UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis, said today that the new minimum wage rates were “Bitterly disappointing and will condemn millions of families to life on the breadline.”Dave Prentis, went on to say:“While the Chancellor looks set to cut income tax for the very richest, those at the bottom of the pay pile do not have enough to live on. An extra 11p an hour is simply not enough. Millions of workers need a living wage* of £8 an hour to cope with rising prices and keep them out of poverty.“And what message are we sending to our young people when the rates for those under 21 are frozen? They deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and should not be left vulnerable to exploitation.“Of course it is taxpayers who lose out too, as they will have to pick up the in-work benefits bill because of Scrooge employers.”From 1 October 2012, the adult minimum wage rate is set to increase from £6.08 to £6.19 an hour, the Youth Development Rate stays the same at £4.98 an hour as does the rate for 16-17 Year Old Rate at £3.68 an hour. The Apprentice Rate increases from £2.60 to £2.65 an hour.* *The Living Wage is an hourly rate, set independently, every year. It is calculated according to cost of living and gives the minimum pay rate required for a worker to provide their family with the essentials of life. In London the current rate is £8.30 per hour. Outside of London the current rate is £7.20.
UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis, said today that the new minimum wage rates were “Bitterly disappointing and will condemn millions of families to life on the breadline.”Dave Prentis, went on to say:“While the Chancellor looks set to cut income tax for the very richest, those at the bottom of the pay pile do not have enough to live on. An extra 11p an hour is simply not enough. Millions of workers need a living wage* of £8 an hour to cope with rising prices and keep them out of poverty.“And what message are we sending to our young people when the rates for those under 21 are frozen? They deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and should not be left vulnerable to exploitation.“Of course it is taxpayers who lose out too, as they will have to pick up the in-work benefits bill because of Scrooge employers.”From 1 October 2012, the adult minimum wage rate is set to increase from £6.08 to £6.19 an hour, the Youth Development Rate stays the same at £4.98 an hour as does the rate for 16-17 Year Old Rate at £3.68 an hour. The Apprentice Rate increases from £2.60 to £2.65 an hour.* *The Living Wage is an hourly rate, set independently, every year. It is calculated according to cost of living and gives the minimum pay rate required for a worker to provide their family with the essentials of life. In London the current rate is £8.30 per hour. Outside of London the current rate is £7.20.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Time to kick-start the economy
“It’s time for the Chancellor to kick-start the economy and stop kicking the public sector” said UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis today (19 March). The union is warning that the Government’s mono-policy of cuts and more cuts* is a road to nowhere and what’s needed is fresh thinking to set the country on a course towards building confidence and growth.The Government needs to start creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy needs. We need a halt to policies that are damaging vital public services. Cutting homecare, closing libraries, shutting day centres for the elderly leave all the people who rely on them high and dry and the people that provide them needlessly without a job.The government’s pay policy should be reversed and tax and benefit changes that reduce the incomes of those on low to middle incomes shelved.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“Cameron should have strong words with the Chancellor following his visit to the US. President Obama has shown that you can build the economy by investing in jobs and infrastructure. And Vince Cable hit the nail on the head by describing the Chancellors efforts on economic growth as “piecemeal’.“Instead of pursuing his mono-policy of cuts and even thinking of tax breaks for the rich, Osborne should look at how investment creates a virtuous circle. Creating more jobs takes people off benefits, renews consumer confidence and spending which in turn boosts small businesses and powers economic growth.“Fairer taxation would be a good start with the money raised being re-invested in creating jobs and homes. Significant sums could be raised without affecting the incomes of the majority, if the government made sure the financial sector and the super-rich paid their fair share.”The union is arguing that the Chancellor does have a number of popular options available to him to help kick-start the economy. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.In addition, if the Government dropped their hugely unpopular Health and Social Care Bill they could save £1bn, which could be invested in patient care, not creating a profitable private sector market.
“It’s time for the Chancellor to kick-start the economy and stop kicking the public sector” said UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis today (19 March). The union is warning that the Government’s mono-policy of cuts and more cuts* is a road to nowhere and what’s needed is fresh thinking to set the country on a course towards building confidence and growth.The Government needs to start creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy needs. We need a halt to policies that are damaging vital public services. Cutting homecare, closing libraries, shutting day centres for the elderly leave all the people who rely on them high and dry and the people that provide them needlessly without a job.The government’s pay policy should be reversed and tax and benefit changes that reduce the incomes of those on low to middle incomes shelved.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“Cameron should have strong words with the Chancellor following his visit to the US. President Obama has shown that you can build the economy by investing in jobs and infrastructure. And Vince Cable hit the nail on the head by describing the Chancellors efforts on economic growth as “piecemeal’.“Instead of pursuing his mono-policy of cuts and even thinking of tax breaks for the rich, Osborne should look at how investment creates a virtuous circle. Creating more jobs takes people off benefits, renews consumer confidence and spending which in turn boosts small businesses and powers economic growth.“Fairer taxation would be a good start with the money raised being re-invested in creating jobs and homes. Significant sums could be raised without affecting the incomes of the majority, if the government made sure the financial sector and the super-rich paid their fair share.”The union is arguing that the Chancellor does have a number of popular options available to him to help kick-start the economy. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.In addition, if the Government dropped their hugely unpopular Health and Social Care Bill they could save £1bn, which could be invested in patient care, not creating a profitable private sector market.
Local Pay will depress economy further
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today warning that Chancellor George Osborne needs a reality check as he will be taking the country in totally the wrong direction if he pursues plans for local pay scales in his Budget on Wednesday.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“If the Chancellor wants to stimulate economic recovery in his Budget, local pay bargaining is not the way to do it. It will take the country in totally the wrong direction. Local pay pushes depressed areas further into depression by cutting off spending in local businesses. “It took four years to negotiate Agenda for Change in the NHS which successfully established equal pay and pay linked to training. If the Chancellor plans to break it all up, we will have the sorry sight of hospitals competing against each other to recruit and retain staff.“In the NHS nurses, paramedics, therapists and midwives are among the workers suffering for a second year without any increase in pay, to compensate for rising costs. The dismantling of Agenda for Change would be the Government’s final nail in the coffin of our NHS. “Local Government workers already face a third year without a pay rise and cutting pay further, will take many more families onto the breadline and onto benefits, with taxpayers picking up the bill.“The Chancellor would risk plunging the whole of the public sector back into a recruitment crisis if pay is depressed any further. There is a whole raft of jobs where pay in the private sector is considerably higher. “It is clear that Osborne has either run out of ideas, or simply does not understand the dynamics of the labour market. The idea of local pay has been dumped as old fashioned by most big companies, with the exception of a few supermarket chains. “The Budget should be used to stimulate the whole of the economy, not depress parts of the country further.”
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today warning that Chancellor George Osborne needs a reality check as he will be taking the country in totally the wrong direction if he pursues plans for local pay scales in his Budget on Wednesday.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“If the Chancellor wants to stimulate economic recovery in his Budget, local pay bargaining is not the way to do it. It will take the country in totally the wrong direction. Local pay pushes depressed areas further into depression by cutting off spending in local businesses. “It took four years to negotiate Agenda for Change in the NHS which successfully established equal pay and pay linked to training. If the Chancellor plans to break it all up, we will have the sorry sight of hospitals competing against each other to recruit and retain staff.“In the NHS nurses, paramedics, therapists and midwives are among the workers suffering for a second year without any increase in pay, to compensate for rising costs. The dismantling of Agenda for Change would be the Government’s final nail in the coffin of our NHS. “Local Government workers already face a third year without a pay rise and cutting pay further, will take many more families onto the breadline and onto benefits, with taxpayers picking up the bill.“The Chancellor would risk plunging the whole of the public sector back into a recruitment crisis if pay is depressed any further. There is a whole raft of jobs where pay in the private sector is considerably higher. “It is clear that Osborne has either run out of ideas, or simply does not understand the dynamics of the labour market. The idea of local pay has been dumped as old fashioned by most big companies, with the exception of a few supermarket chains. “The Budget should be used to stimulate the whole of the economy, not depress parts of the country further.”
Privatisation has driven down homecare standards
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that a toxic combination of funding cuts and privatisation have driven down standards in homecare, leaving elderly people without the help and support they need. Commenting on a report by consumer magazine ‘Which’, describing standards of homecare services as “disgraceful”, the union is warning that without government action, things will only get worse.84% of homecare services are now run by private companies. Government cuts have led to councils cutting the cost of contracts, pay has fallen and training is many cases is near to non-existent.Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government said: ”Homecare services should provide elderly people with the help and support they need to carry on living with dignity in their own homes. This is the preferred option for many people and cheaper than residential care. “The Coalition Government has inflicted drastic cuts on local authorities with the result that elderly people are suffering. Cash strapped councils are selling off 15 minute care slots to the lowest bidder. Is it any wonder that care workers tell us they don’t have the time they need to care for elderly people properly?“Care workers have seen their pay cut and are all too often living on the minimum wage and yet they still get no pay for traveling between appointments. The bar to accessing local authority care is getting higher, but many homecare workers do not get training. The elderly people they visit will be very frail, needing medication and some suffer from debilitating conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Proper training is essential to give the level of care needed. “It is time for the Government to face up to their responsibilities and ensure that councils get the funding they need to deliver high quality care to our elderly.”
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that a toxic combination of funding cuts and privatisation have driven down standards in homecare, leaving elderly people without the help and support they need. Commenting on a report by consumer magazine ‘Which’, describing standards of homecare services as “disgraceful”, the union is warning that without government action, things will only get worse.84% of homecare services are now run by private companies. Government cuts have led to councils cutting the cost of contracts, pay has fallen and training is many cases is near to non-existent.Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government said: ”Homecare services should provide elderly people with the help and support they need to carry on living with dignity in their own homes. This is the preferred option for many people and cheaper than residential care. “The Coalition Government has inflicted drastic cuts on local authorities with the result that elderly people are suffering. Cash strapped councils are selling off 15 minute care slots to the lowest bidder. Is it any wonder that care workers tell us they don’t have the time they need to care for elderly people properly?“Care workers have seen their pay cut and are all too often living on the minimum wage and yet they still get no pay for traveling between appointments. The bar to accessing local authority care is getting higher, but many homecare workers do not get training. The elderly people they visit will be very frail, needing medication and some suffer from debilitating conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Proper training is essential to give the level of care needed. “It is time for the Government to face up to their responsibilities and ensure that councils get the funding they need to deliver high quality care to our elderly.”
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