Climate of fear created as police jobs axed
UNISON is predicting a climate of fear caused by huge cuts to police staff, on the day of the Home Affairs speeches at Tory party conference. An Ipsos MORI survey carried out for the union in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight shows that 71% of residents believe their communities will be less safe after the cuts.Three quarters of the public surveyed (75%) are concerned that cuts on this scale will hit services, including frontline policing. The findings also indicate that two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed in Hampshire and Isle of Wight feel that these cuts to police budgets put at risk the Conservative Party’s reputation for being tough on crime.Hampshire Constabulary is facing a 20% cut to its budget. Between 2010 and 2015 the national police service will lose 16,100 police staff, 1,800 PCSOs and 16,200 police officers. Ben Priestley, UNISON’s National Officer for Police Staff, said:“The public are not fooled by the Government’s false claims about protecting frontline policing. A climate of fear is being created by these cuts to police staff. “Forensics officers, PCSOs and 999 call takers are among the police staff carrying out vital roles for community safety. The public know that if these jobs are cut there will be more pressures on the frontline and crime will soar.“If officers are forced off the beat to take over back office work, we will lose vital police presence. This is also a false economy – the cost of doing the work doubles, as officers are paid around twice a much as police staff.“The Government claims that forces must just tighten their belts and become more efficient, but the results of the survey proves that the general public have seen through this. The public realise that less spending on police will mean more crime in their community. We have the public on our side when it comes to cutting crime - it is about time the Government started listening to us and them.”
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Australia: Public Sector workers launch campaign against government cuts and campaign for union rights
More than 40,000 NSW State public employees turned out in the State capital, Sydney alone, to demonstrate the start of the State Public Unions campaign against the Conservative (Liberal) Government cuts to the State public sector, and the new State laws designed to take away public employees’ rights to bargain, and to make the Independent State Labour Court just an arm of Government Policy.
Thousands of State employees also stopped work, and came out to demonstrate in major regional centres and small towns outside Sydney.
All PSI affiliates in NSW were there in their tens of thousands. The Public Service Association of NSW, the NSW Nurses, The Australian Services Union, the Communications Electronic Plumbing Union joined their fellow Public Sector unions like the Teachers Federation, the Police Association, the Fire Brigades Union, the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Health Services Union in a massive rally and protest march past of the NSW Parliament that took more than two hours to complete.
The unions in the public sector joined together with private sector unions like the Metal Workers, Manufacturing Workers, Security Officers Union, Childcare Workers Union, Finance Sector Union, and thousands of Federal government employees in our other PSI affiliates, like the CPSU, under the umbrella of the State Labour Council “Better Services -Better State” campaign. That is a local version or equivalent of the PSI “Quality Public Services” Campaign.
A day after the State Government added an extra 5000 job cuts, in its first Conservative State Budget, to its billions of dollars in spending cuts and a massive privatization of State Assets, state wide prison closures and privatizations, ports and transport privatisations, cuts to housing subsidies, the unions were outraged that in this public spending cut was added the plan to abolish public sector workers rights to collectively bargain.
The day before the demonstration, the NSW State Government threatened massive fines, singling- out state teachers who stopped work to protest the spending cuts and laws against workers rights. The State Government threatened to take the union to the very State Industrial Court, that it had just directed not to use its powers to fix fair wages for Public Servants, the same law against which the public service workers were protesting. This prompted many more thousands of teachers to walk out in defiance, and State Ferry workers to call a snap strike to let members join the demonstration. The city metropolitan train system was swamped by state workers flooding to get to the demonstration in the city centre of Sydney, outside the State Parliament.
Numbers across the State who demonstrated were probably close to 60,000, three times the unions’ original plans, and representing about a fifth of the whole State public workforce.
The unions were addressed at their rally by rank and file public employees who said - they had “just begun to fight”, and that the fight won’t end till their rights were restored, or, the Conservative (Liberal) Government was defeated. The rally was told, time and again, that Quality Public Services were what the public deserved and that was what the pubic unions were committed to fight for. They said - Demonstrations were just the start, but the fight will really take place in a “long game” on the ground, in Communities, and finally the Electorates.
Note: Another Conservative (Liberal) Government
More than 40,000 NSW State public employees turned out in the State capital, Sydney alone, to demonstrate the start of the State Public Unions campaign against the Conservative (Liberal) Government cuts to the State public sector, and the new State laws designed to take away public employees’ rights to bargain, and to make the Independent State Labour Court just an arm of Government Policy.
Thousands of State employees also stopped work, and came out to demonstrate in major regional centres and small towns outside Sydney.
All PSI affiliates in NSW were there in their tens of thousands. The Public Service Association of NSW, the NSW Nurses, The Australian Services Union, the Communications Electronic Plumbing Union joined their fellow Public Sector unions like the Teachers Federation, the Police Association, the Fire Brigades Union, the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Health Services Union in a massive rally and protest march past of the NSW Parliament that took more than two hours to complete.
The unions in the public sector joined together with private sector unions like the Metal Workers, Manufacturing Workers, Security Officers Union, Childcare Workers Union, Finance Sector Union, and thousands of Federal government employees in our other PSI affiliates, like the CPSU, under the umbrella of the State Labour Council “Better Services -Better State” campaign. That is a local version or equivalent of the PSI “Quality Public Services” Campaign.
A day after the State Government added an extra 5000 job cuts, in its first Conservative State Budget, to its billions of dollars in spending cuts and a massive privatization of State Assets, state wide prison closures and privatizations, ports and transport privatisations, cuts to housing subsidies, the unions were outraged that in this public spending cut was added the plan to abolish public sector workers rights to collectively bargain.
The day before the demonstration, the NSW State Government threatened massive fines, singling- out state teachers who stopped work to protest the spending cuts and laws against workers rights. The State Government threatened to take the union to the very State Industrial Court, that it had just directed not to use its powers to fix fair wages for Public Servants, the same law against which the public service workers were protesting. This prompted many more thousands of teachers to walk out in defiance, and State Ferry workers to call a snap strike to let members join the demonstration. The city metropolitan train system was swamped by state workers flooding to get to the demonstration in the city centre of Sydney, outside the State Parliament.
Numbers across the State who demonstrated were probably close to 60,000, three times the unions’ original plans, and representing about a fifth of the whole State public workforce.
The unions were addressed at their rally by rank and file public employees who said - they had “just begun to fight”, and that the fight won’t end till their rights were restored, or, the Conservative (Liberal) Government was defeated. The rally was told, time and again, that Quality Public Services were what the public deserved and that was what the pubic unions were committed to fight for. They said - Demonstrations were just the start, but the fight will really take place in a “long game” on the ground, in Communities, and finally the Electorates.
Note: Another Conservative (Liberal) Government
Pickles gets it wrong on trade union facility time
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that Eric Pickles had got it wrong on trade union facility time. Far from costing taxpayers money, trade union involvement has a very positive impact on the workplace. Research commissioned by the Department for Business in 2007 suggested that effective and engaged union representation saves the public purse between £170m and £400m a year by improving retention, training take-up, health and safety, and dispute resolution; and as much as £3.6bn a year through general productivity gains.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Attacking trade unions who work with employers to create an efficient, more motivated workplace is just plain daft. Workers have a right to be represented. “If trade union stewards are going to represent staff properly, they need time away from their usual jobs to do it. Public sector reps already contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours every week. What’s more, collective bargaining saves cash. If councils or the NHS had to negotiate individually with all their staff, they would be forced to spend a fortune on consultants or mediators.“Public services are facing savage cut backs and workers have a right to have their voices heard and rightly expect their union reps to be there to help them when they need them most. “Trade union facility time makes good business sense, and any attempts to cut it will end up costing the taxpayer money.” - A report for the Department of Trade and Industry in 2007, said that the UK’s 350,000 workplace reps brought in benefits worth £476 million to £1,133 million annually.- A TUC report in December 2009 said that trade union involvement boosted productivity by making people feel listened to, and more in control of their working lives. - Reps in the public sector contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours of their own time each week to carry out their union duties, the research showed. This is time that directly benefits public services and the people who work in them. - The DTI estimates this productivity boost is worth between £3.4 billion, and £10.2 billion to the economy.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that Eric Pickles had got it wrong on trade union facility time. Far from costing taxpayers money, trade union involvement has a very positive impact on the workplace. Research commissioned by the Department for Business in 2007 suggested that effective and engaged union representation saves the public purse between £170m and £400m a year by improving retention, training take-up, health and safety, and dispute resolution; and as much as £3.6bn a year through general productivity gains.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Attacking trade unions who work with employers to create an efficient, more motivated workplace is just plain daft. Workers have a right to be represented. “If trade union stewards are going to represent staff properly, they need time away from their usual jobs to do it. Public sector reps already contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours every week. What’s more, collective bargaining saves cash. If councils or the NHS had to negotiate individually with all their staff, they would be forced to spend a fortune on consultants or mediators.“Public services are facing savage cut backs and workers have a right to have their voices heard and rightly expect their union reps to be there to help them when they need them most. “Trade union facility time makes good business sense, and any attempts to cut it will end up costing the taxpayer money.” - A report for the Department of Trade and Industry in 2007, said that the UK’s 350,000 workplace reps brought in benefits worth £476 million to £1,133 million annually.- A TUC report in December 2009 said that trade union involvement boosted productivity by making people feel listened to, and more in control of their working lives. - Reps in the public sector contribute up to 100,000 unpaid hours of their own time each week to carry out their union duties, the research showed. This is time that directly benefits public services and the people who work in them. - The DTI estimates this productivity boost is worth between £3.4 billion, and £10.2 billion to the economy.
Tories are creating a 'smaller, less tolerant Britain'
The Tory-Lib Dem government is creating "a smaller Britain, a less tolerant country," UNISON told Labour delegates in Liverpool today. Speaking at the equalities debate, on the final day of the party's conference, Labour Link delegate Pat May said that the fight against inequality, racism and prejudice was a fight for public services."Without our Black members and migrant worker members, public services would grind to a halt," she said. Ms May spoke of the union's fight against the BNP and of the Hope Not Hate campaign. But she added that "the politics of demonising and scapegoating" migrant workers and other minorities for the problems caused by employers and the financial crisis "is not restricted to the far right. It has entered the mainstream."Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told delegates that equality had been debated on every day of the conference. She spoke in particular of the hardships felt by women under the current government, "being hit twice as hard as men by the government tax and benefit changes" as well as by the "double discrimination" of sexism and ageism. Ms Cooper told delegates that when deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman and others confronted David Cameron with the problems being faced by women, "his response was not 'sorry', but 'calm down'."He will learn that women across the country are not going to calm down, but will get angrier and angrier, louder and louder."Also referring to the prominence of the NHS on the conference agenda this week, she added: "We know that whatever our background, the NHS is the most important institutional embodiment of fairness and equality in our society."
The Tory-Lib Dem government is creating "a smaller Britain, a less tolerant country," UNISON told Labour delegates in Liverpool today. Speaking at the equalities debate, on the final day of the party's conference, Labour Link delegate Pat May said that the fight against inequality, racism and prejudice was a fight for public services."Without our Black members and migrant worker members, public services would grind to a halt," she said. Ms May spoke of the union's fight against the BNP and of the Hope Not Hate campaign. But she added that "the politics of demonising and scapegoating" migrant workers and other minorities for the problems caused by employers and the financial crisis "is not restricted to the far right. It has entered the mainstream."Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told delegates that equality had been debated on every day of the conference. She spoke in particular of the hardships felt by women under the current government, "being hit twice as hard as men by the government tax and benefit changes" as well as by the "double discrimination" of sexism and ageism. Ms Cooper told delegates that when deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman and others confronted David Cameron with the problems being faced by women, "his response was not 'sorry', but 'calm down'."He will learn that women across the country are not going to calm down, but will get angrier and angrier, louder and louder."Also referring to the prominence of the NHS on the conference agenda this week, she added: "We know that whatever our background, the NHS is the most important institutional embodiment of fairness and equality in our society."
Friday, August 26, 2011
Support rallies for Plymouth UNISON
Hundreds rallied for union rights in Plymouth this lunchtime as pressure mounted on the Tory council to reverse its derecognition of UNISON.The council derecognised the union – the largest among its workforce – last week after UNISON refused to sign a new collective agreement introducing worse pay and conditions for staff, which legal advice said was potentially discriminatory.The move was condemned by general secretary Dave Prentis as an "aggressive and disproportionate response to UNISON's honest efforts to protect our members. jobs, pay and conditions and protect vital services for local people" and he urged the council to get back round the table and negotiate.Over the past week, the UNISON branch has been overwhelmed by messages of support from the people of Plymouth and the labour movement across the country and the globe.Yesterday, the European Public Service Unions general secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan wrote to the council, urging it to re-recognise UNISON, and the branch received a message of support from New York municipal workers.Bill Henning, vice president of US union CWA in New York, wrote: "On behalf of the 10,000 members of our local union, comprising many who work for the City of New York, we express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in UNISON. "We stand ready to assist you in any way possible." An injury to one is an injury to all. Your victory will be our victory."And today, hundreds of UNISON members, Plymouth residents and fellow trade unionists turned out at the lunch-time rally outside the Civic Centre to press Plymouth council to recognise UNISON and start talking.South West regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: "The only sensible solution is for the council to restore recognition and let us get back to the negotiating table and find a solution we can all support."We are being condemned for standing up for our members and standing firm against pay cuts – but that is our role as a trade union, and the council needs to understand this."The union's lawyers have also written to the council, warning of a legal challence if it does not see sense.
Hundreds rallied for union rights in Plymouth this lunchtime as pressure mounted on the Tory council to reverse its derecognition of UNISON.The council derecognised the union – the largest among its workforce – last week after UNISON refused to sign a new collective agreement introducing worse pay and conditions for staff, which legal advice said was potentially discriminatory.The move was condemned by general secretary Dave Prentis as an "aggressive and disproportionate response to UNISON's honest efforts to protect our members. jobs, pay and conditions and protect vital services for local people" and he urged the council to get back round the table and negotiate.Over the past week, the UNISON branch has been overwhelmed by messages of support from the people of Plymouth and the labour movement across the country and the globe.Yesterday, the European Public Service Unions general secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan wrote to the council, urging it to re-recognise UNISON, and the branch received a message of support from New York municipal workers.Bill Henning, vice president of US union CWA in New York, wrote: "On behalf of the 10,000 members of our local union, comprising many who work for the City of New York, we express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in UNISON. "We stand ready to assist you in any way possible." An injury to one is an injury to all. Your victory will be our victory."And today, hundreds of UNISON members, Plymouth residents and fellow trade unionists turned out at the lunch-time rally outside the Civic Centre to press Plymouth council to recognise UNISON and start talking.South West regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: "The only sensible solution is for the council to restore recognition and let us get back to the negotiating table and find a solution we can all support."We are being condemned for standing up for our members and standing firm against pay cuts – but that is our role as a trade union, and the council needs to understand this."The union's lawyers have also written to the council, warning of a legal challence if it does not see sense.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Public sector pension plans pose danger to private firms
Undermining the huge investment power of local government pension funds (LGPFs), is a dangerous financial gamble, with serious consequences for the UK economy, warns UNISON, the UK’s largest union today (17 August). A study by the union reveals the enormous risk posed to companies on the London Stock Exchange, and to major UK banks, by Government plans to change the pension scheme. The scheme’s investments, worth a whopping £160 billion last year, make it equivalent to one of the largest institutional investors in the world. The funds own 1.5% of shares in the largest companies on the London Stock Exchange – investing nearly £11 billion in the top 11 companies. LGPFs also own 1.5% of UK banks shares. Dave Prentis, UNSION General Secretary, said: “Local government pension funds are a steady and significant stream of investment for many big UK firms. Worth £160 billion, it’s a huge financial boost to private companies, and to the UK economy as a whole. “But this could all change if Government plans to raise contribution rates, price people out of the scheme. A quarter of local government workers already opt out because they can’t afford to save for their retirement. “At least 20% more could opt out if contribution rates go up further. This will hit cash flow hard and could mean investments are cashed in early. The worst case scenario is that the schemes collapse entirely. This would be a disaster for the taxpayer, who would have to pick up a massive means tested benefits bill later on down the line.”Top facts on the local government pension scheme:The scheme went through a thorough review in 2008 to make it sustainable and affordable for the long term. And it worked – a fact confirmed by a recent report by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA). Local government workers already pay between 5.5 and 7.5% of their salary into their pension. The average pension in local government is £4,000, dropping to just £2,800 for women.The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. Tables with amount of LGPF holdings in major FTSE companies and banks, available from the press office.
Undermining the huge investment power of local government pension funds (LGPFs), is a dangerous financial gamble, with serious consequences for the UK economy, warns UNISON, the UK’s largest union today (17 August). A study by the union reveals the enormous risk posed to companies on the London Stock Exchange, and to major UK banks, by Government plans to change the pension scheme. The scheme’s investments, worth a whopping £160 billion last year, make it equivalent to one of the largest institutional investors in the world. The funds own 1.5% of shares in the largest companies on the London Stock Exchange – investing nearly £11 billion in the top 11 companies. LGPFs also own 1.5% of UK banks shares. Dave Prentis, UNSION General Secretary, said: “Local government pension funds are a steady and significant stream of investment for many big UK firms. Worth £160 billion, it’s a huge financial boost to private companies, and to the UK economy as a whole. “But this could all change if Government plans to raise contribution rates, price people out of the scheme. A quarter of local government workers already opt out because they can’t afford to save for their retirement. “At least 20% more could opt out if contribution rates go up further. This will hit cash flow hard and could mean investments are cashed in early. The worst case scenario is that the schemes collapse entirely. This would be a disaster for the taxpayer, who would have to pick up a massive means tested benefits bill later on down the line.”Top facts on the local government pension scheme:The scheme went through a thorough review in 2008 to make it sustainable and affordable for the long term. And it worked – a fact confirmed by a recent report by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA). Local government workers already pay between 5.5 and 7.5% of their salary into their pension. The average pension in local government is £4,000, dropping to just £2,800 for women.The local government scheme could fund all its liabilities for twenty years without a single penny more in contributions. Tables with amount of LGPF holdings in major FTSE companies and banks, available from the press office.
Unemployment figures - UNISON response
Commenting on the rise in unemployment figures by more than 38,000 in the three months to June - to 2.49 million - Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:"This is 38,000 more families forced onto the dole queues and struggling to survive in the face of rising costs. "Young people getting their A Level results tomorrow face a bleak future. There will be many who had dreamed of going to university, but are priced out by the hike in tuition fees. They will be joining those people struggling to find work. "The Government's savage cuts have cut off vital opportunities in the public sector and the private sector is struggling to withstand the economic downturn. "Requests to UNISON for support with bankruptcy have soared by 78% - because of members or their partners losing their jobs. This will only increase as more jobs disappear and vacancies go unfilled. "The Government's economic strategy is in tatters. They need to stop the cuts and restore hope by planning for growth."
Commenting on the rise in unemployment figures by more than 38,000 in the three months to June - to 2.49 million - Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:"This is 38,000 more families forced onto the dole queues and struggling to survive in the face of rising costs. "Young people getting their A Level results tomorrow face a bleak future. There will be many who had dreamed of going to university, but are priced out by the hike in tuition fees. They will be joining those people struggling to find work. "The Government's savage cuts have cut off vital opportunities in the public sector and the private sector is struggling to withstand the economic downturn. "Requests to UNISON for support with bankruptcy have soared by 78% - because of members or their partners losing their jobs. This will only increase as more jobs disappear and vacancies go unfilled. "The Government's economic strategy is in tatters. They need to stop the cuts and restore hope by planning for growth."
Bankruptcies rocket as inflation figures released
UNISON has today (16 August) revealed a 78% increase in members contacting them for support to declare themselves bankrupt*, as a result of the Government’s failing economic policies. Many of the members forced to file for bankruptcy are low paid women, who borrowed money to buy goods and services, but are unable to pay back because someone in the family has lost their job.
UNISON Welfare - the charity arm of the union - is predicting a further rise in bankruptcy requests, as Government cuts lead to more public sector workers losing their jobs. Many more members, who have mortgages, would file for bankruptcy, but are afraid of losing their homes, so seek other types of support. UNISON Welfare was also forced to close a new school uniforms grant scheme early, due to the high demand. The grant pot was extended several times, to £40,000, to help members across the UK buy clothes for their children to start the new school term.In the three-month period from April to June, UNISON Welfare paid out £216,741 for all types of grant. 70% of members needing help were women, with 68% falling into the 36-55 age group. A combined total of 85% of the members work in local government and health.The highest number of members asking for support were in the North West, Scotland, Northern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. The majority of school uniform grant requests were also from the north. Requests for help with emergency crisis payments rose by 34%, basic household items by 26%, and disability equipment and adaptations, by 25%. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“UNISON Welfare has provided vital support to low-paid members throughout the economic crisis, but the demand is growing by the day. The Government needs to change its economic policies, before more people are pushed into poverty. “Our members are already struggling to cope with the pay freeze and the situation will only get worse, with inflation expected to go up to 5% by the end of the year. Many are struggling just to buy a school shirt for their child. “A huge increase in requests to our charity for bankruptcy support shows the severity of the situation. “The Government should abandon all talk of cutting the 50% tax rate and concentrate instead on closing the gap between those at the top and the bottom.”The school uniform grant is payable at £50 per child up to a maximum one off payment of £150. The small grants programme was introduced in 2010 with the launch of the Help with Winter Fuel Costs Grant, to help low paid members struggling to pay bills.*The union covers up to £700 in fees to the court to file for full bankruptcy, or £90 for a debt relief order, for debts of £15,000, or lower, after the member has fully qualified for assistance.
UNISON has today (16 August) revealed a 78% increase in members contacting them for support to declare themselves bankrupt*, as a result of the Government’s failing economic policies. Many of the members forced to file for bankruptcy are low paid women, who borrowed money to buy goods and services, but are unable to pay back because someone in the family has lost their job.
UNISON Welfare - the charity arm of the union - is predicting a further rise in bankruptcy requests, as Government cuts lead to more public sector workers losing their jobs. Many more members, who have mortgages, would file for bankruptcy, but are afraid of losing their homes, so seek other types of support. UNISON Welfare was also forced to close a new school uniforms grant scheme early, due to the high demand. The grant pot was extended several times, to £40,000, to help members across the UK buy clothes for their children to start the new school term.In the three-month period from April to June, UNISON Welfare paid out £216,741 for all types of grant. 70% of members needing help were women, with 68% falling into the 36-55 age group. A combined total of 85% of the members work in local government and health.The highest number of members asking for support were in the North West, Scotland, Northern and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. The majority of school uniform grant requests were also from the north. Requests for help with emergency crisis payments rose by 34%, basic household items by 26%, and disability equipment and adaptations, by 25%. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“UNISON Welfare has provided vital support to low-paid members throughout the economic crisis, but the demand is growing by the day. The Government needs to change its economic policies, before more people are pushed into poverty. “Our members are already struggling to cope with the pay freeze and the situation will only get worse, with inflation expected to go up to 5% by the end of the year. Many are struggling just to buy a school shirt for their child. “A huge increase in requests to our charity for bankruptcy support shows the severity of the situation. “The Government should abandon all talk of cutting the 50% tax rate and concentrate instead on closing the gap between those at the top and the bottom.”The school uniform grant is payable at £50 per child up to a maximum one off payment of £150. The small grants programme was introduced in 2010 with the launch of the Help with Winter Fuel Costs Grant, to help low paid members struggling to pay bills.*The union covers up to £700 in fees to the court to file for full bankruptcy, or £90 for a debt relief order, for debts of £15,000, or lower, after the member has fully qualified for assistance.
Friday, August 12, 2011
UNISON Mobilises for action at anti-cuts Festival
Artists will paint a real picture of the damage caused by public sector cuts at UNISON's Mobilise Festival in Edinburgh, alongside musicians, comedians and special guests.The festival against the Government's cuts, which runs from 13 to 20 August, will include daily debates, followed by live music and open mike slots. Highlights include the launch of Dave Anderson's new topical satire show, performances from Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, a public speaking workshop with renowned author Denise Mina and cartooning with the Guardian's Martin Rowson. Comedy performances featuring Susan Morrison, Vladimir McTavish, Steve Day, Lee Camp, Bruce Morton, Phil Differ and Robin Ince, are also on the agenda.The UK's largest union is opening up the majority of events to the public, although there are a limited number of places available. UNISON's Scottish Secretary, Mike Kirby, said:"Edinburgh is a festival city, but it is also on the brink of the largest council privatisation plan ever to hit Scotland. We know that this will have a devastating impact on local people who rely on these vital services and on the staff who provide them." Mobilise is about bringing people together to prepare for action. We must fight against the Government's savage public sector cuts and the Festival is a creative way to reach out and get more people involved in our campaign. "Mobilise is about celebrating high quality public services and fighting to keep them a priority."
Tickets are available at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or 0131 226 0053 . For more festival information please contact Nancy Kelly on 07904 342230 or the UNISON Press Office - numbers above.
Artists will paint a real picture of the damage caused by public sector cuts at UNISON's Mobilise Festival in Edinburgh, alongside musicians, comedians and special guests.The festival against the Government's cuts, which runs from 13 to 20 August, will include daily debates, followed by live music and open mike slots. Highlights include the launch of Dave Anderson's new topical satire show, performances from Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, a public speaking workshop with renowned author Denise Mina and cartooning with the Guardian's Martin Rowson. Comedy performances featuring Susan Morrison, Vladimir McTavish, Steve Day, Lee Camp, Bruce Morton, Phil Differ and Robin Ince, are also on the agenda.The UK's largest union is opening up the majority of events to the public, although there are a limited number of places available. UNISON's Scottish Secretary, Mike Kirby, said:"Edinburgh is a festival city, but it is also on the brink of the largest council privatisation plan ever to hit Scotland. We know that this will have a devastating impact on local people who rely on these vital services and on the staff who provide them." Mobilise is about bringing people together to prepare for action. We must fight against the Government's savage public sector cuts and the Festival is a creative way to reach out and get more people involved in our campaign. "Mobilise is about celebrating high quality public services and fighting to keep them a priority."
Tickets are available at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or 0131 226 0053 . For more festival information please contact Nancy Kelly on 07904 342230 or the UNISON Press Office - numbers above.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Library lottery plan holds communities to ransom
UNISON is warning that community groups are being held to ransom by Government plans, to force them to take over their libraries, or lose them. The plans will create a postcode lottery, with some communities doing without libraries altogether if groups fail to rise to the challenge. If contracts with charities also fail, private companies are ready to come in and clean up. The union has slammed plans set out in a report by the Local Government Association on the future of the library system*, for failing to protect the quality of the service.Heather Wakefield, UNISON's Head of Local Government, said:"The blueprint for libraries is gambling with a service so many rely on. "Community groups should not be forced into taking over services, as many will not have the capacity, or numbers to keep them going. This will lead to private companies getting their teeth into libraries in the long run, which could lead to charging.
"More than 30,000 children are leaving primary school with a reading age of seven or below - libraries are key to improving literacy, especially in deprived areas. They are also a vital lifeline for many, with reading clubs, job seeker support and homework groups. These services cannot be provided without skilled staff. "The Government must act to stop local authorities rushing through changes to services with no consultation. An investment in libraries is an investment in the future generation."
UNISON is warning that community groups are being held to ransom by Government plans, to force them to take over their libraries, or lose them. The plans will create a postcode lottery, with some communities doing without libraries altogether if groups fail to rise to the challenge. If contracts with charities also fail, private companies are ready to come in and clean up. The union has slammed plans set out in a report by the Local Government Association on the future of the library system*, for failing to protect the quality of the service.Heather Wakefield, UNISON's Head of Local Government, said:"The blueprint for libraries is gambling with a service so many rely on. "Community groups should not be forced into taking over services, as many will not have the capacity, or numbers to keep them going. This will lead to private companies getting their teeth into libraries in the long run, which could lead to charging.
"More than 30,000 children are leaving primary school with a reading age of seven or below - libraries are key to improving literacy, especially in deprived areas. They are also a vital lifeline for many, with reading clubs, job seeker support and homework groups. These services cannot be provided without skilled staff. "The Government must act to stop local authorities rushing through changes to services with no consultation. An investment in libraries is an investment in the future generation."
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Huge gap in private sector pensions – UNISON response
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, called for pension fairness, as a study by the High Pay Commission revealed a huge inequality between the value of, and access to, pensions in the private sector. The study, out today (8 Aug), revealed that 97% of FTSE 350 company executive directors have a company-backed pension - compared to just one third of UK private sector workers. This means nearly 15 million private sector workers do not have access to a scheme to which their employer contributes. The average FTSE 100 lead executive with a final salary pension could expect to receive nearly £175,000 - completely dwarfing the £6,000 pension those private sector workers who are in a scheme can hope to receive. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This study shows just how unfair pensions provision is in this country. At the top of companies, nearly all directors have access to a pension to which their employer contributes. When they do retire, they’ll get a six figure pension. “Then at the bottom, two thirds of workers do not have a pension that their employer pays into. And the so-called ‘lucky’ ones that do will only get £6,000 a year when they retire. “Many of the most vocal critics of public sector pensions are the same company directors who are set to retire on a fortune. This is rank hypocrisy - employers need to understand the importance of decent pensions. “For all the private companies, who shirk their responsibilities to provide their workers with decent pension, it only increases the burden on the taxpayer.“The taxpayer ends up paying more in means tested benefits, and in increased take up of health and social care services.”
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, called for pension fairness, as a study by the High Pay Commission revealed a huge inequality between the value of, and access to, pensions in the private sector. The study, out today (8 Aug), revealed that 97% of FTSE 350 company executive directors have a company-backed pension - compared to just one third of UK private sector workers. This means nearly 15 million private sector workers do not have access to a scheme to which their employer contributes. The average FTSE 100 lead executive with a final salary pension could expect to receive nearly £175,000 - completely dwarfing the £6,000 pension those private sector workers who are in a scheme can hope to receive. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This study shows just how unfair pensions provision is in this country. At the top of companies, nearly all directors have access to a pension to which their employer contributes. When they do retire, they’ll get a six figure pension. “Then at the bottom, two thirds of workers do not have a pension that their employer pays into. And the so-called ‘lucky’ ones that do will only get £6,000 a year when they retire. “Many of the most vocal critics of public sector pensions are the same company directors who are set to retire on a fortune. This is rank hypocrisy - employers need to understand the importance of decent pensions. “For all the private companies, who shirk their responsibilities to provide their workers with decent pension, it only increases the burden on the taxpayer.“The taxpayer ends up paying more in means tested benefits, and in increased take up of health and social care services.”
Friday, August 05, 2011
The Tory council assault on unions
Unions are the biggest obstacle to the privatisation of services. No wonder Conservative councils want to stop paying conveners
Peter Lazenby
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 31 July 2011 09.00 BST
Local authorities spend billions on services such as refuse collection.
The government has opened a new front in its war on Britain's trade unions. It is attempting to wreck trade union organisation among hundreds of thousands of local authority workers by saddling unions with millions of pounds in costs.
The first evidence I saw of this came in Leeds, ironically in the week that Britain's labour movement marked the anniversary of the imprisonment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the six Dorset agricultural labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for swearing allegiance to a union.
Here's what is happening. Councils give union representatives – elected convenors or shop stewards – time to do their union work. It's called "time off for union duties". The work is the nuts and bolts of trades union activity, such as representing people at disciplinary and grievance hearings. Some of it fulfils people's statutory right to be represented.
Some convenors with thousands of members work full time on union duties, although they are employees of the councils, who pay their wages. For example in my city, Leeds, the secretary of the council branch of the public service union Unison, which has 8,000 members, is a social worker, but spends all his time on union duties.
It is in councils' interests to have such a system. It helps maintain smooth industrial relations. It avoids the disruption of pulling people off their jobs daily to represent colleagues. It provides a mechanism to solve potential disputes before they happen.
In Leeds, Conservative councillors are attempting to sabotage the arrangement by calling on the Labour-controlled council to stop paying the union convenors' wages, and make the unions find the money. There are 15 convenors. The Tories say stopping their pay would save Leeds council around £400,000, at a time when the council has to find £90m in cuts (cuts imposed by the Tories and their Lib-Dem supporters in government).
The proposal is accompanied by mealy-mouthed lip service to the "valuable role" played by trades unions, and reaffirming "reasonable support" for trades unions, including time off for union duties. But if implemented it would cripple the Leeds council unions' abilities to provide representation for their members.
At first I thought the plan might be a one-off from some ambitious, union-loathing Tory wanting to make a name for himself, and make life difficult for the unions. It isn't. It's happening across the country, with other Tory councillors making similar proposals or preparing the ground for them. The Tories are even targeting union organisation in police authorities. If successful, it would financially cripple public sector unions.
Local authorities spend billions of pounds a year in taxpayers' money to provide refuse collection, street cleaning, housing, old people's homes, state education and other services. Some Tories want the billions it costs to run these services handed to the profit-hungry private sector. Union organisation is the biggest single obstacle to this aim, so it has to be removed.
If the Tory strategy succeeds, remaining services in the public sector will be privatised and their provision will be motivated by profit, not people's needs. Dividends and bonuses will be the key factors in running our schools and old people's homes.
Margaret Thatcher recognised that organised labour was the biggest stumbling block confronting privatisation. Now David Cameron and his allies plan to finish the job of destroying union organisation.
In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for organising collectively. Transportation may be a thing of the past. The Tories' determination to remove obstacles to private sector profit is not
Unions are the biggest obstacle to the privatisation of services. No wonder Conservative councils want to stop paying conveners
Peter Lazenby
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 31 July 2011 09.00 BST
Local authorities spend billions on services such as refuse collection.
The government has opened a new front in its war on Britain's trade unions. It is attempting to wreck trade union organisation among hundreds of thousands of local authority workers by saddling unions with millions of pounds in costs.
The first evidence I saw of this came in Leeds, ironically in the week that Britain's labour movement marked the anniversary of the imprisonment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the six Dorset agricultural labourers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for swearing allegiance to a union.
Here's what is happening. Councils give union representatives – elected convenors or shop stewards – time to do their union work. It's called "time off for union duties". The work is the nuts and bolts of trades union activity, such as representing people at disciplinary and grievance hearings. Some of it fulfils people's statutory right to be represented.
Some convenors with thousands of members work full time on union duties, although they are employees of the councils, who pay their wages. For example in my city, Leeds, the secretary of the council branch of the public service union Unison, which has 8,000 members, is a social worker, but spends all his time on union duties.
It is in councils' interests to have such a system. It helps maintain smooth industrial relations. It avoids the disruption of pulling people off their jobs daily to represent colleagues. It provides a mechanism to solve potential disputes before they happen.
In Leeds, Conservative councillors are attempting to sabotage the arrangement by calling on the Labour-controlled council to stop paying the union convenors' wages, and make the unions find the money. There are 15 convenors. The Tories say stopping their pay would save Leeds council around £400,000, at a time when the council has to find £90m in cuts (cuts imposed by the Tories and their Lib-Dem supporters in government).
The proposal is accompanied by mealy-mouthed lip service to the "valuable role" played by trades unions, and reaffirming "reasonable support" for trades unions, including time off for union duties. But if implemented it would cripple the Leeds council unions' abilities to provide representation for their members.
At first I thought the plan might be a one-off from some ambitious, union-loathing Tory wanting to make a name for himself, and make life difficult for the unions. It isn't. It's happening across the country, with other Tory councillors making similar proposals or preparing the ground for them. The Tories are even targeting union organisation in police authorities. If successful, it would financially cripple public sector unions.
Local authorities spend billions of pounds a year in taxpayers' money to provide refuse collection, street cleaning, housing, old people's homes, state education and other services. Some Tories want the billions it costs to run these services handed to the profit-hungry private sector. Union organisation is the biggest single obstacle to this aim, so it has to be removed.
If the Tory strategy succeeds, remaining services in the public sector will be privatised and their provision will be motivated by profit, not people's needs. Dividends and bonuses will be the key factors in running our schools and old people's homes.
Margaret Thatcher recognised that organised labour was the biggest stumbling block confronting privatisation. Now David Cameron and his allies plan to finish the job of destroying union organisation.
In 1834 the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for organising collectively. Transportation may be a thing of the past. The Tories' determination to remove obstacles to private sector profit is not
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Public sector pension talks jeopardised by naïve playground tactics
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today rounded on Government ministers for putting public sector pension talks in “jeopardy” by their ”naïve tactics” and apparent lack of negotiating skills. And called on them to abandon the playground games and get serious.He said: “We entered into the scheme specific talks on public sector pensions in good faith and we genuinely believe we are making progress, albeit slowly. But these talks are being put in jeopardy by the crude and naïve tactics of Government ministers who don’t seem to understand the word negotiate.“ The government must take its responsibilities seriously, and stop treating these talks like some kind of playground game.“Let’s not forget that these talks are about real people, hard-working individuals who signed up to, and pay into, a pension scheme that is supposed to cushion them against poverty in old age. Extra contributions won’t go back into the pension schemes, but straight to the Treasury to pay off the country’s deficit – effectively a tax on public sector workers to pay for the bankers’ mess. That is totally unjust. “It is totally unhelpful to the progress of these talks to release their bargaining position as though it is set in stone. If it is set in stone, then there is no point in having a single further meeting.” The union insists that any changes should be based on evidence and not political ideology. Average pension in local government is £4,000, but for women its just £2,800 (£56 a week) and in health its just £7,500, and £3,000 for women. Members of those schemes pay in between 5.5% and 7.5% of their salaries to save for their retirement. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits at a cost to taxpayers.Both the local government and the health schemes are cash rich and were renegotiated a few years ago to make them sustainable and affordable – longevity costs would be paid by the employee not the employer.The union argues that making people pay more, work longer for a smaller pension is unnecessary, unjust and unworkable. People will leave the schemes, if they become too expensive, and they will collapse.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today rounded on Government ministers for putting public sector pension talks in “jeopardy” by their ”naïve tactics” and apparent lack of negotiating skills. And called on them to abandon the playground games and get serious.He said: “We entered into the scheme specific talks on public sector pensions in good faith and we genuinely believe we are making progress, albeit slowly. But these talks are being put in jeopardy by the crude and naïve tactics of Government ministers who don’t seem to understand the word negotiate.“ The government must take its responsibilities seriously, and stop treating these talks like some kind of playground game.“Let’s not forget that these talks are about real people, hard-working individuals who signed up to, and pay into, a pension scheme that is supposed to cushion them against poverty in old age. Extra contributions won’t go back into the pension schemes, but straight to the Treasury to pay off the country’s deficit – effectively a tax on public sector workers to pay for the bankers’ mess. That is totally unjust. “It is totally unhelpful to the progress of these talks to release their bargaining position as though it is set in stone. If it is set in stone, then there is no point in having a single further meeting.” The union insists that any changes should be based on evidence and not political ideology. Average pension in local government is £4,000, but for women its just £2,800 (£56 a week) and in health its just £7,500, and £3,000 for women. Members of those schemes pay in between 5.5% and 7.5% of their salaries to save for their retirement. If they did not save, they would end up on means-tested benefits at a cost to taxpayers.Both the local government and the health schemes are cash rich and were renegotiated a few years ago to make them sustainable and affordable – longevity costs would be paid by the employee not the employer.The union argues that making people pay more, work longer for a smaller pension is unnecessary, unjust and unworkable. People will leave the schemes, if they become too expensive, and they will collapse.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Southampton social care staff to strike
Over 450 UNISON and Unite members working in social care are set to strike on Wednesday 3 August as part of the continuing industrial action against pay cuts. The council had previously written to all staff informing them of their intention to sack them and rehire them on worse contracts.City-wide action so far has seen waste and recycling workers, street cleaners, library workers, Itchen toll bridge collectors, parking enforcement officers, contact supervisors (social care), vehicle mechanics, port health officers and building maintenance workers go on strike. Those on strike on Wednesday 3 August will be the whole of the safeguarding division and all of health and adult care apart from day services, home care, residential homes, meals on wheels and commissioning. Action on 3 August will begin with a rally at 11am in Guildhall Square. This will be followed at 12noon by a meeting for all social work staff. There will be picket lines at Marland House, Oakhill House, Herbert Collins House, Thomas Lewis House, Cannon Street offices and College Keep. On 4 August the City Council will be given seven days notice of areas in social work who will be on strike for a longer period. A further strike of all social work staff is planned for later in August.Strong support continues to be received by the branch from UNISON branches across the country. Regional manager Steve Brazier reported that the branch received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON branch as well as receiving an ongoing commitment from UNISON at a regional and national level to provide the financial resources needed to continue with the dispute. There will be a joint UNISON / Unite membership meeting on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30pm in Above Bar Church to decide the next steps in the campaign.
Over 450 UNISON and Unite members working in social care are set to strike on Wednesday 3 August as part of the continuing industrial action against pay cuts. The council had previously written to all staff informing them of their intention to sack them and rehire them on worse contracts.City-wide action so far has seen waste and recycling workers, street cleaners, library workers, Itchen toll bridge collectors, parking enforcement officers, contact supervisors (social care), vehicle mechanics, port health officers and building maintenance workers go on strike. Those on strike on Wednesday 3 August will be the whole of the safeguarding division and all of health and adult care apart from day services, home care, residential homes, meals on wheels and commissioning. Action on 3 August will begin with a rally at 11am in Guildhall Square. This will be followed at 12noon by a meeting for all social work staff. There will be picket lines at Marland House, Oakhill House, Herbert Collins House, Thomas Lewis House, Cannon Street offices and College Keep. On 4 August the City Council will be given seven days notice of areas in social work who will be on strike for a longer period. A further strike of all social work staff is planned for later in August.Strong support continues to be received by the branch from UNISON branches across the country. Regional manager Steve Brazier reported that the branch received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON branch as well as receiving an ongoing commitment from UNISON at a regional and national level to provide the financial resources needed to continue with the dispute. There will be a joint UNISON / Unite membership meeting on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30pm in Above Bar Church to decide the next steps in the campaign.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Lansley's surprise support for UNISON pensions campaign
UNISON’s campaign against the government’s pensions’ proposals got surprise backing this weekend from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, after a letter he wrote to the Treasury was leaked to a national newspaper. In the letter, Andrew Lansley warns that the proposals are ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unrealistic’, and would hit women particularly hard. He reiterated one of the union’s big concerns, that putting contributions up would force people to leave the schemes and rely on benefits when they retire – storing up a massive bill for the taxpayer. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Even Tory ministers are waking up to how unjust, unreasonable and unworkable their own party’s proposals for public sector pensions are. Ever since the government came up with these plans, UNISON has been warning that people will leave the schemes if they are forced to pay more in contributions. “Health workers and local government staff already pay between five and eight percent of their salary into their pension. Stuck on a pay freeze and with inflation high, it would be impossible for many to afford more. “Paying into the pension scheme is the best way for workers to save for their retirement – the alternative is relying on means-tested benefits - at huge cost to the public purse.“The attack on pensions has nothing to do with affordability – it is based on ideology. Independent studies have shown the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. In the health scheme, £2 billion more goes in than out every year. The Treasury would use any increase in revenue to plug the deficit – it will not go towards pensions.”
UNISON’s campaign against the government’s pensions’ proposals got surprise backing this weekend from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, after a letter he wrote to the Treasury was leaked to a national newspaper. In the letter, Andrew Lansley warns that the proposals are ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unrealistic’, and would hit women particularly hard. He reiterated one of the union’s big concerns, that putting contributions up would force people to leave the schemes and rely on benefits when they retire – storing up a massive bill for the taxpayer. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Even Tory ministers are waking up to how unjust, unreasonable and unworkable their own party’s proposals for public sector pensions are. Ever since the government came up with these plans, UNISON has been warning that people will leave the schemes if they are forced to pay more in contributions. “Health workers and local government staff already pay between five and eight percent of their salary into their pension. Stuck on a pay freeze and with inflation high, it would be impossible for many to afford more. “Paying into the pension scheme is the best way for workers to save for their retirement – the alternative is relying on means-tested benefits - at huge cost to the public purse.“The attack on pensions has nothing to do with affordability – it is based on ideology. Independent studies have shown the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. In the health scheme, £2 billion more goes in than out every year. The Treasury would use any increase in revenue to plug the deficit – it will not go towards pensions.”
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lack of private sector pensions will cost tax payer billions says UNISON
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has called on the government to deal with the real pensions crisis - the alarming lack of private sector pension provision that will place a colossal burden onto the taxpayer. A shocking two-thirds of private sector employees – 15 million workers - are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. This could mean they are forced to rely on benefit top ups paid for by the taxpayer when they retire. UNISON figures reveal that every worker locked out of saving for their retirement costs the taxpayer £15,000 – meaning a potential extra benefit bill running into hundreds of billions of pounds. The union is calling for decent pensions for all workers – in both public and private sectors. It also highlighted recent studies that have shown decisively that public sector schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “It is shocking that two thirds of private sector workers are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. These companies are shirking their responsibilities to their workers, pushing the burden onto the taxpayer. For every worker locked out of saving for their retirement, the taxpayer could get stung for billions more in benefit payments. “But instead of dealing with skinflint employers, the government shamelessly uses the lack of private sector pensions as a stick to beat public sector workers with. The latest round of attacks on public sector pensions is based on myths and ideology. Research by independent experts such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) prove the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long-term. “And the government’s plans to auto-enrole workers into the NEST scheme will not go far enough. Unless we bring all pensions up to a decent level, we are running the risk of condemning a generation of people into poverty in their retirement – and a huge burden on the taxpayer.” *The possible cost to the taxpayer is over £15,000 for each worker that reaches retirement with just the state pension to rely on. This is based on the following calculation:
• For a single person, the Guaranteed Credit element of the Pension Credit is £132.60 a week.
• According to the “Interim Life Tables” produced by National Statistics, a male aged 65 today could reasonably expect to live for another 17.5 years – i.e. to 82.5.
• The average weekly state pension in payment (i.e. Basic State Pension plus S2P etc) in 08/09 was £116 a week.
This means that if everything remained constant and a person reached SPA with no or very limited private pension savings and an “average” state pension , the cost to the taxpayer of paying Pension Credit at a rate of £16.60 a week for the next 17.5 years would be £15,106 (i.e. 16.60* 52) * 17.5.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has called on the government to deal with the real pensions crisis - the alarming lack of private sector pension provision that will place a colossal burden onto the taxpayer. A shocking two-thirds of private sector employees – 15 million workers - are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. This could mean they are forced to rely on benefit top ups paid for by the taxpayer when they retire. UNISON figures reveal that every worker locked out of saving for their retirement costs the taxpayer £15,000 – meaning a potential extra benefit bill running into hundreds of billions of pounds. The union is calling for decent pensions for all workers – in both public and private sectors. It also highlighted recent studies that have shown decisively that public sector schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long term. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “It is shocking that two thirds of private sector workers are not in a workplace pension to which their employer contributes. These companies are shirking their responsibilities to their workers, pushing the burden onto the taxpayer. For every worker locked out of saving for their retirement, the taxpayer could get stung for billions more in benefit payments. “But instead of dealing with skinflint employers, the government shamelessly uses the lack of private sector pensions as a stick to beat public sector workers with. The latest round of attacks on public sector pensions is based on myths and ideology. Research by independent experts such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) prove the schemes are affordable and sustainable for the long-term. “And the government’s plans to auto-enrole workers into the NEST scheme will not go far enough. Unless we bring all pensions up to a decent level, we are running the risk of condemning a generation of people into poverty in their retirement – and a huge burden on the taxpayer.” *The possible cost to the taxpayer is over £15,000 for each worker that reaches retirement with just the state pension to rely on. This is based on the following calculation:
• For a single person, the Guaranteed Credit element of the Pension Credit is £132.60 a week.
• According to the “Interim Life Tables” produced by National Statistics, a male aged 65 today could reasonably expect to live for another 17.5 years – i.e. to 82.5.
• The average weekly state pension in payment (i.e. Basic State Pension plus S2P etc) in 08/09 was £116 a week.
This means that if everything remained constant and a person reached SPA with no or very limited private pension savings and an “average” state pension , the cost to the taxpayer of paying Pension Credit at a rate of £16.60 a week for the next 17.5 years would be £15,106 (i.e. 16.60* 52) * 17.5.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Government statement on pensions - UNISON response
The Government’s statement, laid in the House of Commons yesterday, outlining its position on public sector pensions is merely that - it is not a statement of the trade union side position. Our position is outlined in a letter sent to Danny Alexander, on behalf of all unions by TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, and is copied below. All the unions and professional organisations are now in their relevant scheme specific talks to make sure that our pension rights are protected. Our aim is to get a final offer so that members can see whether or not their pension schemes will be maintained or reduced. We expect these talks to be serious and any proposed changes must be based on clear evidence and not simply an excuse to find money to pay off the country’s financial deficit.The TUC will be co-ordinating the timetable and the talks will take place over the coming months and are scheduled to conclude by the end of October. In the meantime, we are accelerating our planning of future industrial action strategy so that we can move quickly and effectively, should those talks fail.Brendan Barber’s letter to Danny Alexander Dear DannyThank you for your letter of today’s date setting out the Government's view on the state of play reached in our negotiations and proposing that our discussions should continue both in the central process and by opening up scheme by scheme discussions.As your letter reports in paragraph 3 a number of areas of agreement have been identified and we have agreed language on equality impacts, participation rates and opt outs, and scheme governance and administration. A number of practical issues arising from paragraph 11 on local government need further consideration and I will write to you separately on this.As you also know however significant differences remain on key issues and at this stage to avoid any risk of misunderstanding I need to make it clear that (contrary to the introduction to paragraph 12) we have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government’s objectives as described in your letter, or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI. Nevertheless, following a meeting of our PSLG, I am able to confirm that we are prepared to continue our discussions at central level and unions individually in each sector will be actively considering participating in scheme level talks in order to fully explore all the issues and to enable unions and their members to reach a judgement on whether agreement is possible or whether more unions will enter into dispute and plan industrial action. Yours sincerely
The Government’s statement, laid in the House of Commons yesterday, outlining its position on public sector pensions is merely that - it is not a statement of the trade union side position. Our position is outlined in a letter sent to Danny Alexander, on behalf of all unions by TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, and is copied below. All the unions and professional organisations are now in their relevant scheme specific talks to make sure that our pension rights are protected. Our aim is to get a final offer so that members can see whether or not their pension schemes will be maintained or reduced. We expect these talks to be serious and any proposed changes must be based on clear evidence and not simply an excuse to find money to pay off the country’s financial deficit.The TUC will be co-ordinating the timetable and the talks will take place over the coming months and are scheduled to conclude by the end of October. In the meantime, we are accelerating our planning of future industrial action strategy so that we can move quickly and effectively, should those talks fail.Brendan Barber’s letter to Danny Alexander Dear DannyThank you for your letter of today’s date setting out the Government's view on the state of play reached in our negotiations and proposing that our discussions should continue both in the central process and by opening up scheme by scheme discussions.As your letter reports in paragraph 3 a number of areas of agreement have been identified and we have agreed language on equality impacts, participation rates and opt outs, and scheme governance and administration. A number of practical issues arising from paragraph 11 on local government need further consideration and I will write to you separately on this.As you also know however significant differences remain on key issues and at this stage to avoid any risk of misunderstanding I need to make it clear that (contrary to the introduction to paragraph 12) we have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government’s objectives as described in your letter, or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI. Nevertheless, following a meeting of our PSLG, I am able to confirm that we are prepared to continue our discussions at central level and unions individually in each sector will be actively considering participating in scheme level talks in order to fully explore all the issues and to enable unions and their members to reach a judgement on whether agreement is possible or whether more unions will enter into dispute and plan industrial action. Yours sincerely
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Shropshire Council could avoid pay cut
UNISON figures show that Shropshire Council has an alternative to sacking 6,500 of its staff and re-hiring them with a pay cut. The Conservative council has sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff saying that they will be dismissed on September 30 and re-hired the next day - if they agree to a 5.4% pay cut and changes to sick pay. Shropshire Council claims it needs to save £76m by 2013/14 and is demanding that £7m is found by workers taking a pay cut of 2.7%, from October 2011, and 2.7%, from October 2012. This is at a time when council workers have had their pay frozen for the last 2 years. The UKs largest union which is currently balloting members on industrial action has revealed an alternative approach the council should use to protect services and workers. Dave Prentis, UNISONs General Secretary, said: The council is letting hardworking council staff and the people who rely on vital local services take a hit with these cuts, when there is a viable alternative. Plans to force staff to accept another huge cut, or lose their jobs, will see many families struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.Our plan would save the devastating impact of the pay cut - the council must not press on with plans to cut pay without considering our figures.UNISONs alternative budget for Shropshire: Shropshires council tax income grew by almost £1.3m this year (2011/12) - not because council tax went up but because there were more council taxpayers. However, Shropshire Council is assuming no growth in the taxbase between now and 2014/15.Shropshire is a new unitary authority and wants to equalise council tax levels downwards. UNISON has identified that it will cost £1.6m. A fairer approach would be for the council tax equalisation process to raise the same amount of money. The council thought it was going to get £1m from the New Homes Bonus. In fact it received nearly £1.8m, this and the extra money it will get from 2012 onwards, does not appear to be budgeted for.The council is assuming that it will freeze Council Tax until 2014/15. If Council Tax increased by just 1.5% per annum - less than 32p a week for 66% of council taxpayers - Shropshire would have an extra £5.5m in 2013/14.
UNISON figures show that Shropshire Council has an alternative to sacking 6,500 of its staff and re-hiring them with a pay cut. The Conservative council has sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff saying that they will be dismissed on September 30 and re-hired the next day - if they agree to a 5.4% pay cut and changes to sick pay. Shropshire Council claims it needs to save £76m by 2013/14 and is demanding that £7m is found by workers taking a pay cut of 2.7%, from October 2011, and 2.7%, from October 2012. This is at a time when council workers have had their pay frozen for the last 2 years. The UKs largest union which is currently balloting members on industrial action has revealed an alternative approach the council should use to protect services and workers. Dave Prentis, UNISONs General Secretary, said: The council is letting hardworking council staff and the people who rely on vital local services take a hit with these cuts, when there is a viable alternative. Plans to force staff to accept another huge cut, or lose their jobs, will see many families struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.Our plan would save the devastating impact of the pay cut - the council must not press on with plans to cut pay without considering our figures.UNISONs alternative budget for Shropshire: Shropshires council tax income grew by almost £1.3m this year (2011/12) - not because council tax went up but because there were more council taxpayers. However, Shropshire Council is assuming no growth in the taxbase between now and 2014/15.Shropshire is a new unitary authority and wants to equalise council tax levels downwards. UNISON has identified that it will cost £1.6m. A fairer approach would be for the council tax equalisation process to raise the same amount of money. The council thought it was going to get £1m from the New Homes Bonus. In fact it received nearly £1.8m, this and the extra money it will get from 2012 onwards, does not appear to be budgeted for.The council is assuming that it will freeze Council Tax until 2014/15. If Council Tax increased by just 1.5% per annum - less than 32p a week for 66% of council taxpayers - Shropshire would have an extra £5.5m in 2013/14.
Monday, July 11, 2011
11/07/2011
Southampton council cuts pay while piling £4.2m into reserves
Figures released by UNISON today (11 July) reveal that Southampton City Council is claiming it is being forced to impose a pay cut on its workforce due to a lack of resources. At the same time the council is telling the Government it expects to pile more than £4m into its reserves. The council told the Government in March that it expected its reserves to have risen by £4.2m from 1 April 2011, compared with the previous year. Today council workers are striking over plans to sack staff who refuse to accept inferior jobs and pay cuts.According to the statement of accounts, the council added £2.940m to reserves in 2008/9 and £4.533m in 2009/10. A leaked council report shows that the council plans to axe a quarter of the workforce, at an expense to taxpayers of £15m. Hundreds of Southampton workers have taken action over the last six weeks, including refuse collectors and social workers in response to the planned imposition of a pay cut. From today (11 July) port health officers will join the strike. They provide health protection within Southampton Port and Oil refinery, through inspection and certification of cruise liners, containers and oil tankers. Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“The council has painted a bleak picture to employees, at the same time as giving the Government figures showing they expect the reserves to rocket. “Pay cuts and job losses will pile misery on to thousands of council workers and their families, at a time of rising inflation. It is clear that these punitive measures are just not necessary.“We are calling for the council to put a stop to these savage cuts.”Every year local authorities are required to provide detailed information to the Department of Communities and Local Government about their budgets, which estimate the levels of their reserves.UNISON has examined the 2010 and 2011 RA returns supplied by Southampton Council, which show:· Estimated unallocated financial reserves increased by £2,326,000· Estimated earmarked other financial reserves increased by £1,870,000When Southampton City Council set its budget this year (2011/12) it was based on the assumption that the unallocated financial reserves were falling – the figures suggets a different picture. (Extract from the 2011/12 Southampton City Council Budget Report - ‘The original revenue estimates for 2010/11 assumed a general draw from balances of just under £3.5m. After reflecting the revised forecast position from Month 9, this draw reduces by £1.1m, to just under £2.4m’.)
Southampton council cuts pay while piling £4.2m into reserves
Figures released by UNISON today (11 July) reveal that Southampton City Council is claiming it is being forced to impose a pay cut on its workforce due to a lack of resources. At the same time the council is telling the Government it expects to pile more than £4m into its reserves. The council told the Government in March that it expected its reserves to have risen by £4.2m from 1 April 2011, compared with the previous year. Today council workers are striking over plans to sack staff who refuse to accept inferior jobs and pay cuts.According to the statement of accounts, the council added £2.940m to reserves in 2008/9 and £4.533m in 2009/10. A leaked council report shows that the council plans to axe a quarter of the workforce, at an expense to taxpayers of £15m. Hundreds of Southampton workers have taken action over the last six weeks, including refuse collectors and social workers in response to the planned imposition of a pay cut. From today (11 July) port health officers will join the strike. They provide health protection within Southampton Port and Oil refinery, through inspection and certification of cruise liners, containers and oil tankers. Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“The council has painted a bleak picture to employees, at the same time as giving the Government figures showing they expect the reserves to rocket. “Pay cuts and job losses will pile misery on to thousands of council workers and their families, at a time of rising inflation. It is clear that these punitive measures are just not necessary.“We are calling for the council to put a stop to these savage cuts.”Every year local authorities are required to provide detailed information to the Department of Communities and Local Government about their budgets, which estimate the levels of their reserves.UNISON has examined the 2010 and 2011 RA returns supplied by Southampton Council, which show:· Estimated unallocated financial reserves increased by £2,326,000· Estimated earmarked other financial reserves increased by £1,870,000When Southampton City Council set its budget this year (2011/12) it was based on the assumption that the unallocated financial reserves were falling – the figures suggets a different picture. (Extract from the 2011/12 Southampton City Council Budget Report - ‘The original revenue estimates for 2010/11 assumed a general draw from balances of just under £3.5m. After reflecting the revised forecast position from Month 9, this draw reduces by £1.1m, to just under £2.4m’.)
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Shropshire council sacks all staff
(06/07/2011) UNISON members in Shropshire are considering balloting for industrial action after the council sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff, sacking them and saying that it will re-hire them - if they agree to a pay cut.The council says that staff who do not agree to the moves will be dismissed without any compensation.The move came after talks between the union and the Conservative council failed to produce any agreement.UNISON spokesman Alan James told the BBC: "We are advising our members to write into the authority refusing the new contracts and do nothing with the proposals which have arrived through the letter box."We have some time on this and I think the authority has gone about this the wrong way."And he continued: "People are scared and intimidated by the tone of the letter and the way it's been delivered by the authority."
(06/07/2011) UNISON members in Shropshire are considering balloting for industrial action after the council sent letters to all 6,500 of its staff, sacking them and saying that it will re-hire them - if they agree to a pay cut.The council says that staff who do not agree to the moves will be dismissed without any compensation.The move came after talks between the union and the Conservative council failed to produce any agreement.UNISON spokesman Alan James told the BBC: "We are advising our members to write into the authority refusing the new contracts and do nothing with the proposals which have arrived through the letter box."We have some time on this and I think the authority has gone about this the wrong way."And he continued: "People are scared and intimidated by the tone of the letter and the way it's been delivered by the authority."
Monday, May 30, 2011
Clegg NHS speech - UNISON response
Commenting on a speech on NHS Reforms, made by Nick Clegg at University College London Hospital today, UNISON’s head of health, Christina McAnea, said:“Nick Clegg’s attempt to reassure people that any changes to the NHS will be in the best interests of patients, has not worked. A growing number of professionals are calling for the Health and Social Care Bill to be ditched and that, we believe, is the best option. “He is completely naïve to think that more competition won’t lead to a greater role for private companies. Companies who are chomping at the bit to start raking in cash from the health service. Once they get their teeth into the NHS they will destroy it.“During this so-called listening exercise the overwhelming majority of patients and staff have put forward their fears. The Government must listen to them, rather than the hand-picked few, who are set to benefit from reforms.“If the Bill goes back to Committee stage as a result of significant changes, Parliament will have a chance to scrutinise it in much more detail. In that case, reform plans already being pushed through should be stopped, as there is clearly no legislative mandate and none likely any time soon.“We will continue campaigning against the privatisation of our NHS and this destructive Bill.”
Commenting on a speech on NHS Reforms, made by Nick Clegg at University College London Hospital today, UNISON’s head of health, Christina McAnea, said:“Nick Clegg’s attempt to reassure people that any changes to the NHS will be in the best interests of patients, has not worked. A growing number of professionals are calling for the Health and Social Care Bill to be ditched and that, we believe, is the best option. “He is completely naïve to think that more competition won’t lead to a greater role for private companies. Companies who are chomping at the bit to start raking in cash from the health service. Once they get their teeth into the NHS they will destroy it.“During this so-called listening exercise the overwhelming majority of patients and staff have put forward their fears. The Government must listen to them, rather than the hand-picked few, who are set to benefit from reforms.“If the Bill goes back to Committee stage as a result of significant changes, Parliament will have a chance to scrutinise it in much more detail. In that case, reform plans already being pushed through should be stopped, as there is clearly no legislative mandate and none likely any time soon.“We will continue campaigning against the privatisation of our NHS and this destructive Bill.”
Sharon Shoesmith court appeal ruling- UNISON reaction
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“This ruling will give a much-needed boost to social workers up and down the country who protect daily thousands of vulnerable children and adults. It should serve as a lesson that whipping up a campaign of vilification and hatred will never save a single child’s life. “The torture and killing of Baby Peter Connolly at the hands of his mother and carers rightly horrified and angered us all. It is right when something goes so tragically wrong that we as a society question what went wrong, how it happened and how to prevent it happening again. “But, we as a society must accept that if we are to place such enormous burdens on social workers and other child protection professionals, we must support them and make sure they have adequate resources. “Social work teams continue to operate with high turnover, high vacancy rates and high caseloads. And the situation is unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future with local authorities facing huge funding cuts.”
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“This ruling will give a much-needed boost to social workers up and down the country who protect daily thousands of vulnerable children and adults. It should serve as a lesson that whipping up a campaign of vilification and hatred will never save a single child’s life. “The torture and killing of Baby Peter Connolly at the hands of his mother and carers rightly horrified and angered us all. It is right when something goes so tragically wrong that we as a society question what went wrong, how it happened and how to prevent it happening again. “But, we as a society must accept that if we are to place such enormous burdens on social workers and other child protection professionals, we must support them and make sure they have adequate resources. “Social work teams continue to operate with high turnover, high vacancy rates and high caseloads. And the situation is unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future with local authorities facing huge funding cuts.”
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Clegg challenge on Monitor - UNISON response
Commenting on Nick Clegg’s call to remove the role of economic regulator from the remit of Monitor, Christina McAnea, UNISON’s head of health, said:“Nick Clegg has echoed what UNISON has been saying all along - that collaboration, not competition, needs to be the driving force behind the NHS if we are to deliver the best care for patients. “UNISON believes this is a step in the right direction, but Mr Clegg’s demands on his Government colleagues need to go further if we are to prevent a further dismantling of the health service and private companies profiting from patients. “The Government needs to listen to the overwhelming majority of patients and staff who oppose their plans and not just listen to the hand-picked few who have taken part in their listening exercise.”
Commenting on Nick Clegg’s call to remove the role of economic regulator from the remit of Monitor, Christina McAnea, UNISON’s head of health, said:“Nick Clegg has echoed what UNISON has been saying all along - that collaboration, not competition, needs to be the driving force behind the NHS if we are to deliver the best care for patients. “UNISON believes this is a step in the right direction, but Mr Clegg’s demands on his Government colleagues need to go further if we are to prevent a further dismantling of the health service and private companies profiting from patients. “The Government needs to listen to the overwhelming majority of patients and staff who oppose their plans and not just listen to the hand-picked few who have taken part in their listening exercise.”
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Inflation figures- UNISON response
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is calling on the government to ditch its failed economic strategy and come up with a plan B. Today’s inflation figures mean misery for hardworking families, said the union, who are being hit from all sides by rising prices, low pay, and a pensions hike for public sector workers looming large. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This strategy is clearly failing. The government must come up with a plan B. It’s a constant drum beat of misery for hardworking families. They are being hit with frozen pay and rising prices. Public sector workers are also facing having to pay an extra 50% for their pensions. “Today’s fractional fall in retail price inflation will not relieve the pain of family budgets. We know many low paid workers, for example care and health care assistants, already struggle with heavy debt. Many are cutting back on spending on food and things for their children – they are already at rock bottom. “Clearly we are not all in this together. Whilst public sector workers pay with their livelihoods and living standards, the bankers are still getting mega pay rises and big bonuses.”
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is calling on the government to ditch its failed economic strategy and come up with a plan B. Today’s inflation figures mean misery for hardworking families, said the union, who are being hit from all sides by rising prices, low pay, and a pensions hike for public sector workers looming large. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “This strategy is clearly failing. The government must come up with a plan B. It’s a constant drum beat of misery for hardworking families. They are being hit with frozen pay and rising prices. Public sector workers are also facing having to pay an extra 50% for their pensions. “Today’s fractional fall in retail price inflation will not relieve the pain of family budgets. We know many low paid workers, for example care and health care assistants, already struggle with heavy debt. Many are cutting back on spending on food and things for their children – they are already at rock bottom. “Clearly we are not all in this together. Whilst public sector workers pay with their livelihoods and living standards, the bankers are still getting mega pay rises and big bonuses.”
Hypocritical Tories still relying on PFI
A new report by UNISON, the UK’s largest union, released today (16 May), reveals that, despite heavily criticising the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in opposition, the Tories are relying on it in power.However, the credit crunch means that the business case for PFI is weaker than ever; a bad deal for the taxpayer has just got a lot worse.In practice, the Tories are not only expanding PFI, but rejecting new, cheaper funding models. On the same day that a huge PFI hospital was signed off in Liverpool, the government rejected plans for a hospital on Teeside, funded under a new procurement model.UNISON, a heavy critic of PFI under Labour and the Tories, is calling on the government to finally ditch PFI, and make projects cheaper by funding them publicly.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“Despite criticising PFI in opposition, the Tories have pushed it forward in power, signing off new projects worth more than £6 billion.“This is a chronic waste of public money. In the post credit crunch finance markets, the cost of borrowing has shot up, making the case for PFI weaker than ever. Projects searching for finance are now at the mercy of the banking sector, which is exploiting its monopoly position, even though PFI projects have not got any riskier. “Our analysis proves that Government borrowing from capital markets would be far more cost-effective, saving hundreds of millions on one hospital alone. And as cuts hit communities, and hospitals and schools shed jobs and wards, the case for more efficient ways of funding major public building projects gathers pace. “Tory efforts to tackle the obscene profits made by PFI companies are a sham. In practice, the government is rejecting new finance models, exchanging very short-term gain, for longer-term pain.”The reports main points:- Despite criticising PFI in opposition and in government, the coalition has a huge PFI programme in operation with a capital value of £6.9 bn, covering more than 60 projects. The cost of this will increase as the projects reach the procurement stage.- The off balance-sheet status of PFI is still the main driver, especially in the face of massive public spending cuts.- However, the case for PFI is weaker than ever. The cost of PFI has risen astronomically following the financial crisis. PFI is at the mercy of the banking sector which has exploited its near monopoly position to raise the cost of finance, despite there being no change in the risk profile of projects.- The gap between the rate at which government and the private sector can borrow has widened dramatically, shown on page 11 of the report, tracing back this gap since Jan 2008. For example, the overall rate of return projected on the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen PFI scheme is about 8.5%, compared to a current long term gilt rate of about 4%. Using the current gilt rate to discount the projected returns to investors on this scheme shows the cost of private finance currently an additional £160 million in net present cost (NPC) terms.- The case for public funding has strengthened. The report puts forward other potential models, such as gain sharing from equity sales and from maintenance over-spend as more cost efficient options. Case studies in the report include:- The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University hospital on Merseyside is one of the largest PFI projects to be tendered. The total cost of the scheme is £1.24bn and would have been £733m under conventional procurement (p10).- On the same day as the Liverpool hospital was approved, the coalition government rejected a new procurement model on Teesside. The hospital in Hartlepool would have used 91% public finance and 9% equity - the latter to take on construction risk. A much smaller PFI scheme is now being planned.
A new report by UNISON, the UK’s largest union, released today (16 May), reveals that, despite heavily criticising the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in opposition, the Tories are relying on it in power.However, the credit crunch means that the business case for PFI is weaker than ever; a bad deal for the taxpayer has just got a lot worse.In practice, the Tories are not only expanding PFI, but rejecting new, cheaper funding models. On the same day that a huge PFI hospital was signed off in Liverpool, the government rejected plans for a hospital on Teeside, funded under a new procurement model.UNISON, a heavy critic of PFI under Labour and the Tories, is calling on the government to finally ditch PFI, and make projects cheaper by funding them publicly.Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:“Despite criticising PFI in opposition, the Tories have pushed it forward in power, signing off new projects worth more than £6 billion.“This is a chronic waste of public money. In the post credit crunch finance markets, the cost of borrowing has shot up, making the case for PFI weaker than ever. Projects searching for finance are now at the mercy of the banking sector, which is exploiting its monopoly position, even though PFI projects have not got any riskier. “Our analysis proves that Government borrowing from capital markets would be far more cost-effective, saving hundreds of millions on one hospital alone. And as cuts hit communities, and hospitals and schools shed jobs and wards, the case for more efficient ways of funding major public building projects gathers pace. “Tory efforts to tackle the obscene profits made by PFI companies are a sham. In practice, the government is rejecting new finance models, exchanging very short-term gain, for longer-term pain.”The reports main points:- Despite criticising PFI in opposition and in government, the coalition has a huge PFI programme in operation with a capital value of £6.9 bn, covering more than 60 projects. The cost of this will increase as the projects reach the procurement stage.- The off balance-sheet status of PFI is still the main driver, especially in the face of massive public spending cuts.- However, the case for PFI is weaker than ever. The cost of PFI has risen astronomically following the financial crisis. PFI is at the mercy of the banking sector which has exploited its near monopoly position to raise the cost of finance, despite there being no change in the risk profile of projects.- The gap between the rate at which government and the private sector can borrow has widened dramatically, shown on page 11 of the report, tracing back this gap since Jan 2008. For example, the overall rate of return projected on the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen PFI scheme is about 8.5%, compared to a current long term gilt rate of about 4%. Using the current gilt rate to discount the projected returns to investors on this scheme shows the cost of private finance currently an additional £160 million in net present cost (NPC) terms.- The case for public funding has strengthened. The report puts forward other potential models, such as gain sharing from equity sales and from maintenance over-spend as more cost efficient options. Case studies in the report include:- The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University hospital on Merseyside is one of the largest PFI projects to be tendered. The total cost of the scheme is £1.24bn and would have been £733m under conventional procurement (p10).- On the same day as the Liverpool hospital was approved, the coalition government rejected a new procurement model on Teesside. The hospital in Hartlepool would have used 91% public finance and 9% equity - the latter to take on construction risk. A much smaller PFI scheme is now being planned.
Cameron speech on NHS reforms - UNISON response
Commenting on David Cameron’s speech on the Health and Social Care Bill, at Ealing Hospital, in London, today (16 May), Christina McAnea, Head of Health at UNISON, which represents more than 450,000 health workers, said:“David Cameron is taking the ‘national’ out of the health service and turning it into a fragmented, money-spinning operation. “The Prime Minister is using extreme examples to paint an untrue picture. He admits the NHS is providing the best service it has ever done, with reports saying it is the most efficient and equitable health system. “Cameron’s call to crack down on waste in the NHS is a smokescreen for a move to a wholesale market, which opens the NHS up to privatisation. The real waste is the time spent on the fatally flawed reforms, which will force NHS patients to the back of a very long queue.“He talks about having more choice and protecting budgets, but health workers are seeing their jobs axed and wards, services and even entire hospitals lost without any arrangements to protect continuity of patient care.“Plans to move to any willing or qualified provider will cause instability and waste and lead to less patient choice in the long term. The market approach will result in a huge hike in transaction costs and form-filling. The time that doctors and nurses should be spending on caring for patients will be diverted away to this type of administration and managers will spend more of their time making sure their practices are not anti-competitive, rather than trying to save the NHS money. “During the so-called Listening Exercise, the Prime Minister preferred the ravings of people like KPMG’s Mark Britnell, who wants to see a move away from a comprehensive service, over listening to the outcry among patients, public, staff, health experts, charities and health economists.“There is a huge risk involved in ploughing ahead with these drastic NHS changes, when we know it isn’t necessary. The Government must concentrate on dropping this deadweight Bill.”
Commenting on David Cameron’s speech on the Health and Social Care Bill, at Ealing Hospital, in London, today (16 May), Christina McAnea, Head of Health at UNISON, which represents more than 450,000 health workers, said:“David Cameron is taking the ‘national’ out of the health service and turning it into a fragmented, money-spinning operation. “The Prime Minister is using extreme examples to paint an untrue picture. He admits the NHS is providing the best service it has ever done, with reports saying it is the most efficient and equitable health system. “Cameron’s call to crack down on waste in the NHS is a smokescreen for a move to a wholesale market, which opens the NHS up to privatisation. The real waste is the time spent on the fatally flawed reforms, which will force NHS patients to the back of a very long queue.“He talks about having more choice and protecting budgets, but health workers are seeing their jobs axed and wards, services and even entire hospitals lost without any arrangements to protect continuity of patient care.“Plans to move to any willing or qualified provider will cause instability and waste and lead to less patient choice in the long term. The market approach will result in a huge hike in transaction costs and form-filling. The time that doctors and nurses should be spending on caring for patients will be diverted away to this type of administration and managers will spend more of their time making sure their practices are not anti-competitive, rather than trying to save the NHS money. “During the so-called Listening Exercise, the Prime Minister preferred the ravings of people like KPMG’s Mark Britnell, who wants to see a move away from a comprehensive service, over listening to the outcry among patients, public, staff, health experts, charities and health economists.“There is a huge risk involved in ploughing ahead with these drastic NHS changes, when we know it isn’t necessary. The Government must concentrate on dropping this deadweight Bill.”
Saturday, May 14, 2011
just Credit Union Ltd
Any one living or working in Shropshire can join just Credit Union Ltd. Many of the larger employers will now do payroll deductions this makes it incredibly easy to save and borrow and you will not miss it. just Credit Union Ltd is registered with the FSA and loans and savings are in most cases covered by free life insurance.
To join call 01743 25 23 25
Any one living or working in Shropshire can join just Credit Union Ltd. Many of the larger employers will now do payroll deductions this makes it incredibly easy to save and borrow and you will not miss it. just Credit Union Ltd is registered with the FSA and loans and savings are in most cases covered by free life insurance.
To join call 01743 25 23 25
Thursday, May 12, 2011
UNISON survey reveals careers meltdown
A survey by UNISON, the UK’s largest public service union, reveals a desperate picture of the careers service for young people in England heading for meltdown. A staggering 97.3% of local authorities are set to make cuts to Connexions services this year*. Some areas of the country will see their careers service close down completely, with up to 8000 advisers set to lose their jobs nationwide. The survey also shows that some local authorities are flouting their statutory duties to provide careers guidance**, with 50% rated as poor in terms of compliance with statutory duties. This spells danger for the government’s ultimate aim of establishing an All Age Careers Service by 2012, which will be hindered by a lack of transition planning, and the huge drain of expertise out of the careers service, as well trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Youth unemployment has hit a record high, with more than one million young people out of work. But all across the country, the Connexions advisers with the expertise to give young people the help they need, are losing their jobs – this makes no sense.“Local authorities have a duty to provide careers services – but these cuts mean many are flouting their responsibilities to young people. The government says it wants to set up an all age careers service by 2012, but young people need help now. The all age service will ultimately suffer from this brain drain, as well-trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs in their droves.“We are calling on the government to stand by young people in their hour of greatest need, by showing their support for the Connexions service. Ministers urgently need to reveal the careers budget for schools and instruct local authorities to keep services running, pending transition to the new service.” The UNISON survey coincides with the Tory-led Education Bill, which lays plans for the all age careers service, currently making its way through parliament. Amendments to protect the careers service have been laid by MPs to be debated at Report Stage (May 11th) in the House of Commons.Key findings from UNISON Branch Survey*Is your local authority making cuts to careers services? In 2008/09 – 49.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2009/10 – 57.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2010/11 – 97.3% are making cuts to careers services **How effective is your local authority in keeping up with their statutory duty to give careers guidance? Effective – 24.4%Fair – 28.8%Poor – 50% Regional examples Connexions Cheshire & Warrington - the number of careers advisors, community advisors and youth workers in each area has been cut in half. East Sussex – the whole service is set to close in August 2011.Essex - No one-to-one advice now available. The service will play a consultancy role, with only four people to cover NEET advice for the whole of Essex. Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral – in all these areas, cuts will see the end of school careers guidance services.In Lewisham there will be no Connexions service for young people. The replacement service will only target those deemed most in need; i.e. those NEET for 20 weeks or more and only those young people in schools who are statemented.
A survey by UNISON, the UK’s largest public service union, reveals a desperate picture of the careers service for young people in England heading for meltdown. A staggering 97.3% of local authorities are set to make cuts to Connexions services this year*. Some areas of the country will see their careers service close down completely, with up to 8000 advisers set to lose their jobs nationwide. The survey also shows that some local authorities are flouting their statutory duties to provide careers guidance**, with 50% rated as poor in terms of compliance with statutory duties. This spells danger for the government’s ultimate aim of establishing an All Age Careers Service by 2012, which will be hindered by a lack of transition planning, and the huge drain of expertise out of the careers service, as well trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “Youth unemployment has hit a record high, with more than one million young people out of work. But all across the country, the Connexions advisers with the expertise to give young people the help they need, are losing their jobs – this makes no sense.“Local authorities have a duty to provide careers services – but these cuts mean many are flouting their responsibilities to young people. The government says it wants to set up an all age careers service by 2012, but young people need help now. The all age service will ultimately suffer from this brain drain, as well-trained Connexions advisers lose their jobs in their droves.“We are calling on the government to stand by young people in their hour of greatest need, by showing their support for the Connexions service. Ministers urgently need to reveal the careers budget for schools and instruct local authorities to keep services running, pending transition to the new service.” The UNISON survey coincides with the Tory-led Education Bill, which lays plans for the all age careers service, currently making its way through parliament. Amendments to protect the careers service have been laid by MPs to be debated at Report Stage (May 11th) in the House of Commons.Key findings from UNISON Branch Survey*Is your local authority making cuts to careers services? In 2008/09 – 49.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2009/10 – 57.3% made cuts to careers servicesIn 2010/11 – 97.3% are making cuts to careers services **How effective is your local authority in keeping up with their statutory duty to give careers guidance? Effective – 24.4%Fair – 28.8%Poor – 50% Regional examples Connexions Cheshire & Warrington - the number of careers advisors, community advisors and youth workers in each area has been cut in half. East Sussex – the whole service is set to close in August 2011.Essex - No one-to-one advice now available. The service will play a consultancy role, with only four people to cover NEET advice for the whole of Essex. Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral – in all these areas, cuts will see the end of school careers guidance services.In Lewisham there will be no Connexions service for young people. The replacement service will only target those deemed most in need; i.e. those NEET for 20 weeks or more and only those young people in schools who are statemented.
Survey reveals life in the NHS under the Tories
On the day that nurses and the public should be celebrating Nurses Day (12 May), a shocking survey of more that 2,000 nurses and midwives, paints a bleak picture of life in the NHS since the Tories came to power a year ago. The UNISON survey underlines the effect of uncertainty caused by the Health and Social Care Bill and the impact on the frontline of the Government’s demand for £20bn in efficiency savings.Three quarters of nursing staff said that the number of patients they have treated has gone up, at the same time as 60% reported a drop in staff numbers. This damaging scenario led to a shocking 64% reporting that safety and patient care is being undermined. Staff morale has been hit with only a quarter prepared to recommend nursing as a profession.The vast majority (78%) said that their employer was making cuts, with over a third reporting redundancies.Gail Adams, UNISON Head of Nursing, said:“The results of this damning survey are both sad and shocking. Nurses and midwives see first hand the damage that the Government’s cuts are inflicting on patient care, so it is perhaps not surprising that 65% say they have considered leaving the NHS. However, nurses are clearly angry at the impact on patients, with 57% saying they would be prepared to take industrial action if patient care is compromised.“The Health and Social Care Bill is a dangerous experiment and must be dropped. NHS staff have always been prepared to move and modernise, but this is the wrong bill, at the wrong time.“The demand for £20bn in efficiency savings is leading to more patients being cared for by less staff, with trusts forced into making front-line cuts. Some hospitals are now closing wards because of the squeeze on finances and that means patients are waiting longer. This Government is turning the clock back on patient care in the NHS.”Additional Survey results · More than a third (36%) of nurses and midwives had experienced redundancies in their organisation.· 67% said the cuts had adversely affected their health and 69% their family life.· A massive 88% said that their workload had increased in the last year.· 81% ranked caring for patients as being the best aspect of their work
On the day that nurses and the public should be celebrating Nurses Day (12 May), a shocking survey of more that 2,000 nurses and midwives, paints a bleak picture of life in the NHS since the Tories came to power a year ago. The UNISON survey underlines the effect of uncertainty caused by the Health and Social Care Bill and the impact on the frontline of the Government’s demand for £20bn in efficiency savings.Three quarters of nursing staff said that the number of patients they have treated has gone up, at the same time as 60% reported a drop in staff numbers. This damaging scenario led to a shocking 64% reporting that safety and patient care is being undermined. Staff morale has been hit with only a quarter prepared to recommend nursing as a profession.The vast majority (78%) said that their employer was making cuts, with over a third reporting redundancies.Gail Adams, UNISON Head of Nursing, said:“The results of this damning survey are both sad and shocking. Nurses and midwives see first hand the damage that the Government’s cuts are inflicting on patient care, so it is perhaps not surprising that 65% say they have considered leaving the NHS. However, nurses are clearly angry at the impact on patients, with 57% saying they would be prepared to take industrial action if patient care is compromised.“The Health and Social Care Bill is a dangerous experiment and must be dropped. NHS staff have always been prepared to move and modernise, but this is the wrong bill, at the wrong time.“The demand for £20bn in efficiency savings is leading to more patients being cared for by less staff, with trusts forced into making front-line cuts. Some hospitals are now closing wards because of the squeeze on finances and that means patients are waiting longer. This Government is turning the clock back on patient care in the NHS.”Additional Survey results · More than a third (36%) of nurses and midwives had experienced redundancies in their organisation.· 67% said the cuts had adversely affected their health and 69% their family life.· A massive 88% said that their workload had increased in the last year.· 81% ranked caring for patients as being the best aspect of their work
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Department of Health: NHS Modernisation – Listening Exercise
UNISON response, May 2011
Executive summary
UNISON remains fundamentally opposed to the government’s plans to bring about a massive top-down structural reorganisation of the NHS that favours markets and competition over integration and cooperation. The union’s key concerns are laid out below:
· Government plans represent a move to wholesale competition. This will undermine attempts to provide more integrated care both with the NHS and between health and social care. The application of competition law means the NHS is likely to become increasingly mired in wasteful litigation.
· The NHS will become increasingly subject to European competition law, meaning that instead of devolving responsibility to the local level, government plans will permit the EU a greater say in the way the NHS is organised.
· The full-blooded market system will allow services, wards or even entire hospitals to be lost with insufficient contingency arrangements to protect continuity of care for patients.
· The regulatory system is insufficiently robust to deal with the new provider landscape.
· Changes are needed to the Department of Health’s Operating Framework to rule price competition out completely, and the regulator Monitor must be forced to toe this line.
· The move to Any Willing / Qualified Provider will lead to instability and waste. It could even lead to less choice for patients in the longer term. UNISON supports a return to the previous model in which the NHS was the “preferred provider”.
· Plans to undermine NICE and bring about “medication tourism” will increase health inequalities and threaten value for money.
· The government’s plans are riddled with conflicts of interest and undermine the accountability of the health service to patients, public and Parliament. Most significantly, the Secretary of State should not be able to abrogate responsibility for the NHS. And handing responsibility for charges to commissioning consortia opens up the prospect of more widespread charging for services or top-up fees.
· Health and Wellbeing Boards need to have greater democratic involvement and need stronger powers. The plans for local HealthWatch also need strengthening.
· Government plans for education and training will lead to a loss of strategic planning and will undermine the ability of the system to respond effectively to changing demands.
· Separating out the commissioning of pre- and post- registration courses poses a significant risks to the effective way in which workforce planning currently operates.
· There is a need for substantial extra training for those visiting health and care providers.
· There is a need to retain national workforce structures for terms and conditions, for pay and bargaining, and for training and education.
· The abolition of the private patient income cap mean that some foundation trusts will prioritise those that pay for their care over NHS patients, who will find themselves waiting longer for operations and treatment.
· Reassurances about the need for foundation trusts to reinvest their private patient income in improving NHS services have been inadequate. Plans for foundation trusts to keep separate accounts listing their private patient income and their NHS income are so far only referred to in the Bill’s supporting documents, not in the actual legislation itself.
· For social workers, the right of appeal will in future be much narrower and less responsive to the complexities of social work cases. Pursuing an appeal will become more expensive and risky. The current Care Standards Tribunal system has proved itself to be accessible, efficient and cost effective in ensuring fair outcomes for social workers.
UNISON response, May 2011
Executive summary
UNISON remains fundamentally opposed to the government’s plans to bring about a massive top-down structural reorganisation of the NHS that favours markets and competition over integration and cooperation. The union’s key concerns are laid out below:
· Government plans represent a move to wholesale competition. This will undermine attempts to provide more integrated care both with the NHS and between health and social care. The application of competition law means the NHS is likely to become increasingly mired in wasteful litigation.
· The NHS will become increasingly subject to European competition law, meaning that instead of devolving responsibility to the local level, government plans will permit the EU a greater say in the way the NHS is organised.
· The full-blooded market system will allow services, wards or even entire hospitals to be lost with insufficient contingency arrangements to protect continuity of care for patients.
· The regulatory system is insufficiently robust to deal with the new provider landscape.
· Changes are needed to the Department of Health’s Operating Framework to rule price competition out completely, and the regulator Monitor must be forced to toe this line.
· The move to Any Willing / Qualified Provider will lead to instability and waste. It could even lead to less choice for patients in the longer term. UNISON supports a return to the previous model in which the NHS was the “preferred provider”.
· Plans to undermine NICE and bring about “medication tourism” will increase health inequalities and threaten value for money.
· The government’s plans are riddled with conflicts of interest and undermine the accountability of the health service to patients, public and Parliament. Most significantly, the Secretary of State should not be able to abrogate responsibility for the NHS. And handing responsibility for charges to commissioning consortia opens up the prospect of more widespread charging for services or top-up fees.
· Health and Wellbeing Boards need to have greater democratic involvement and need stronger powers. The plans for local HealthWatch also need strengthening.
· Government plans for education and training will lead to a loss of strategic planning and will undermine the ability of the system to respond effectively to changing demands.
· Separating out the commissioning of pre- and post- registration courses poses a significant risks to the effective way in which workforce planning currently operates.
· There is a need for substantial extra training for those visiting health and care providers.
· There is a need to retain national workforce structures for terms and conditions, for pay and bargaining, and for training and education.
· The abolition of the private patient income cap mean that some foundation trusts will prioritise those that pay for their care over NHS patients, who will find themselves waiting longer for operations and treatment.
· Reassurances about the need for foundation trusts to reinvest their private patient income in improving NHS services have been inadequate. Plans for foundation trusts to keep separate accounts listing their private patient income and their NHS income are so far only referred to in the Bill’s supporting documents, not in the actual legislation itself.
· For social workers, the right of appeal will in future be much narrower and less responsive to the complexities of social work cases. Pursuing an appeal will become more expensive and risky. The current Care Standards Tribunal system has proved itself to be accessible, efficient and cost effective in ensuring fair outcomes for social workers.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Interest rates held-UNISON reaction
Commenting on interest rates being held at 0.5%, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The Bank of England has made the right decision by keeping interest rates low but inflation is hitting people hard. “The vast majority of UNISON members have not had a pay rise for two years and rising inflation is what is hitting families hard. The price of everyday goods such as food and fuel are going up and just making ends meet is a real struggle.“However, interest rates aside, the Government must re-think its damaging cuts strategy and concentrate on stimulating growth to preserve and create much needed jobs.”
Commenting on interest rates being held at 0.5%, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The Bank of England has made the right decision by keeping interest rates low but inflation is hitting people hard. “The vast majority of UNISON members have not had a pay rise for two years and rising inflation is what is hitting families hard. The price of everyday goods such as food and fuel are going up and just making ends meet is a real struggle.“However, interest rates aside, the Government must re-think its damaging cuts strategy and concentrate on stimulating growth to preserve and create much needed jobs.”
Labour: The Party of the NHS
• The National Health Service is the Labour Party’s greatest achievement. We created it, we
saved it, we value it and we will always support it.
• In 1997 the NHS was suffering from years of neglect and underfunding. With sustained
investment and reform, Labour turned it into a high-quality service for patients, at the heart of
which is a core value: care provided on the basis of need, not of ability to pay.
• Under the Tories, the NHS was neglected:
• Between 1979 and 1997, inpatient waiting lists went up by over 400,000.
• In 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting for over six months for their operations. In
1995, the Tories introduced a waiting time target of 18 months – and they failed to
meet it.
• In 1997, just 63% of people with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within
two weeks of referral.
• In 1997, half the NHS estate was older than the NHS itself, with buildings dating from
before 1948.
• Labour brought enormous improvements to the NHS between 1997 and 2010, including:
• 89,000 more nurses and 44,000 more doctors in the NHS, helping to drive up
standards and drive down waits.
• Before 1997 it was not uncommon for patients to wait over 18 months for an
operation – by 2010 Labour guaranteed that nobody need wait more than 18 weeks
• Waiting lists fell by over 500,000 with waiting times at their lowest level since records
began.
• In 1997, 284 000 patients waited more than 6 months for an operation. By 2010 the
figure was almost zero.
• 3 million more operations carried out each year than in 1997.
• The premature mortality rate for cancer the lowest ever recorded, saving nearly 9,000
lives in 2006 compared to 1996.
• Premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases dropped by more than 40 per cent
since 1996, saving nearly 34,000 lives a year.
• The NHS delivered the largest hospital building programme in its history, with 118 new
hospital schemes opened and a further 18 under construction.
• Labour created new services to provide patients with greater convenience including
around 100 new walk-in centres and over 750 one-stop primary care centres.
• By 2010, over three quarters of GP practices offered extended opening hours for at
least one evening or weekend session a week.
• All prescriptions are now free for people being treated for cancer or the effects of
cancer, and teenage girls are offered a vaccination against cervical cancer.
• Labour delivered a guarantee of seeing a cancer specialist within two weeks if your GP
suspects you may have cancer, and guaranteed that whatever your condition, you
would not have to wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of hospital
treatment – and most waits were much shorter than this.
• The National Health Service is the Labour Party’s greatest achievement. We created it, we
saved it, we value it and we will always support it.
• In 1997 the NHS was suffering from years of neglect and underfunding. With sustained
investment and reform, Labour turned it into a high-quality service for patients, at the heart of
which is a core value: care provided on the basis of need, not of ability to pay.
• Under the Tories, the NHS was neglected:
• Between 1979 and 1997, inpatient waiting lists went up by over 400,000.
• In 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting for over six months for their operations. In
1995, the Tories introduced a waiting time target of 18 months – and they failed to
meet it.
• In 1997, just 63% of people with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within
two weeks of referral.
• In 1997, half the NHS estate was older than the NHS itself, with buildings dating from
before 1948.
• Labour brought enormous improvements to the NHS between 1997 and 2010, including:
• 89,000 more nurses and 44,000 more doctors in the NHS, helping to drive up
standards and drive down waits.
• Before 1997 it was not uncommon for patients to wait over 18 months for an
operation – by 2010 Labour guaranteed that nobody need wait more than 18 weeks
• Waiting lists fell by over 500,000 with waiting times at their lowest level since records
began.
• In 1997, 284 000 patients waited more than 6 months for an operation. By 2010 the
figure was almost zero.
• 3 million more operations carried out each year than in 1997.
• The premature mortality rate for cancer the lowest ever recorded, saving nearly 9,000
lives in 2006 compared to 1996.
• Premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases dropped by more than 40 per cent
since 1996, saving nearly 34,000 lives a year.
• The NHS delivered the largest hospital building programme in its history, with 118 new
hospital schemes opened and a further 18 under construction.
• Labour created new services to provide patients with greater convenience including
around 100 new walk-in centres and over 750 one-stop primary care centres.
• By 2010, over three quarters of GP practices offered extended opening hours for at
least one evening or weekend session a week.
• All prescriptions are now free for people being treated for cancer or the effects of
cancer, and teenage girls are offered a vaccination against cervical cancer.
• Labour delivered a guarantee of seeing a cancer specialist within two weeks if your GP
suspects you may have cancer, and guaranteed that whatever your condition, you
would not have to wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of hospital
treatment – and most waits were much shorter than this.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Threat of statutory duty removal
Rubbish could litter our streets, bodies could pile up, vulnerable children could be left without care, strip clubs could be set up on any corner, and mouldy chops could stack up on our shelves. These are just some of the damaging things that could happen if the Tory government presses ahead with plans to cut the duties on councils that protect us all, and give us better communities. UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today publishes a list of crazy cuts that could leave communities exposed. In its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) consultation on statutory duties, UNISON is calling on the government to protect our communities by putting a stop to its damaging plans. Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government, said: “The coalition has made some pretty crazy and dangerous decisions, but even thinking about getting rid of some of these duties is up there with the best of them. “If the Tories press ahead with their race to scrap the so-called ‘red tape’, they could see bodies pile up on the street, as nobody has responsibility for mortuaries. We could see gas safety fall and recycling schemes dry up. Unregulated taxis could prowl the streets and strip clubs set up on any corner. “Eric Pickles only needs to scratch the surface to find out that these duties protect our communities, making them safer and better places to live. Like a lot of other Tory plans, this consultation should go on the scrapheap.” Crazy cuts rundown Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1629) Local Authorities are responsible for keeping gas safe. How many people will be put at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if this is abolished? Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004 Section 7 Makes provision for the purpose of extinguishing fires and protecting life and property. Who else should do this? Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004 Section 8 Makes provision for the purpose of rescuing people in the event of road traffic accidents. Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) (England) (Order) 2007 (SI 2007/735) made under s. 9 FRSA 2004 Makes provision for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear emergency and urban search and rescue. Who will the public turn to if this duty is removed? Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Section 7 Local Authorities have a duty to provide a library service. Will libraries be cut to extinction if this is abolished? Gambling Act 2005 Section 159 Councils have to licence premises for gambling activities. How would corrupt operators be stopped if this was abolished? Licensing Act 2003 Section 18 Requires local authorities to have a system for regulating premises licenses, including issuing licenses. Would we see strip clubs set up on any corner? Zoo Licensing Act 1981 Councils should ensure zoos are safe for the public to visit and have a high standard of welfare for animals. What cruel and bad practices would come into place with unregulated zoos? Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 45 A Councils have to arrange for the collection of recyclable materials. Is our care for the planet going to be dumped? Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 89 Councils currently have to keep land and highways clear of litter. Would litter start to pile up on our streets? Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1499) Councils are responsible for ensuring food labelling is accurate and out of date food is not being sold. Do we want to eat old sausages or have ingredients missed off the label? Public Health Act 1936 Councils have to provide mortuaries. Would removing this duty see bodies pile up in the street? Children Act 1989 Section 33 Councils take vulnerable children into care and look after them. Who would take over this role if this duty was scrapped? Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1976 Section 54 Councils licence taxi drivers. If they stopped doing this, how dangerous would it be to get into a cab? Highways Act 1980 Section 41(1A) Puts local Authorities responsible for dealing with snow and ice – who else could take this up? New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 Section 81 Councils have to tell other bodies when they (or a utility company) are digging up the road. Without this, would we see roads in constant upheaval? Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended) Section 5 (1) Makes local authorities one of the authorities responsible for formulating and implementing strategies to tackle crime and disorder. Who else can create a joined-up approach? Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004) Section 9 Requires local authorities to participate in domestic homicide reviews with a view to improving policies and practice and preventing further violence and homicide. Tackling domestic violence requires a multi-agency approach – should this be optional? Juries Act 1974 Section 3 Requires electoral registration officers to provide the Lord Chancellor with copies of the electoral register from which potential jurors can be summoned. A vital cog in the wheel of justice. Crime and Disorder Act 1989 Section 39 (5) Establishes the multi-agency, multi-disciplinary ethos behind the Youth Offending Teams. Putting into practice decades of experience. Criminal Justice Act 2003 Section 325 Requires agencies to work together to manage the risks posed by offenders following their release from custody, for example to ensure that paedophiles aren’t inadvertently housed by the local authority near a school, or in an estate with many families. It is necessary to have one body – the locally accountable one – ensuring that this coordination happens – it can’t be optional. Freedom of Information Act 2000 Councils have to disclose information to the public on request. Do we want a culture of secrecy from the people we elect?
Rubbish could litter our streets, bodies could pile up, vulnerable children could be left without care, strip clubs could be set up on any corner, and mouldy chops could stack up on our shelves. These are just some of the damaging things that could happen if the Tory government presses ahead with plans to cut the duties on councils that protect us all, and give us better communities. UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today publishes a list of crazy cuts that could leave communities exposed. In its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) consultation on statutory duties, UNISON is calling on the government to protect our communities by putting a stop to its damaging plans. Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government, said: “The coalition has made some pretty crazy and dangerous decisions, but even thinking about getting rid of some of these duties is up there with the best of them. “If the Tories press ahead with their race to scrap the so-called ‘red tape’, they could see bodies pile up on the street, as nobody has responsibility for mortuaries. We could see gas safety fall and recycling schemes dry up. Unregulated taxis could prowl the streets and strip clubs set up on any corner. “Eric Pickles only needs to scratch the surface to find out that these duties protect our communities, making them safer and better places to live. Like a lot of other Tory plans, this consultation should go on the scrapheap.” Crazy cuts rundown Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1629) Local Authorities are responsible for keeping gas safe. How many people will be put at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if this is abolished? Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004 Section 7 Makes provision for the purpose of extinguishing fires and protecting life and property. Who else should do this? Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004 Section 8 Makes provision for the purpose of rescuing people in the event of road traffic accidents. Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) (England) (Order) 2007 (SI 2007/735) made under s. 9 FRSA 2004 Makes provision for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear emergency and urban search and rescue. Who will the public turn to if this duty is removed? Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Section 7 Local Authorities have a duty to provide a library service. Will libraries be cut to extinction if this is abolished? Gambling Act 2005 Section 159 Councils have to licence premises for gambling activities. How would corrupt operators be stopped if this was abolished? Licensing Act 2003 Section 18 Requires local authorities to have a system for regulating premises licenses, including issuing licenses. Would we see strip clubs set up on any corner? Zoo Licensing Act 1981 Councils should ensure zoos are safe for the public to visit and have a high standard of welfare for animals. What cruel and bad practices would come into place with unregulated zoos? Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 45 A Councils have to arrange for the collection of recyclable materials. Is our care for the planet going to be dumped? Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 89 Councils currently have to keep land and highways clear of litter. Would litter start to pile up on our streets? Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1499) Councils are responsible for ensuring food labelling is accurate and out of date food is not being sold. Do we want to eat old sausages or have ingredients missed off the label? Public Health Act 1936 Councils have to provide mortuaries. Would removing this duty see bodies pile up in the street? Children Act 1989 Section 33 Councils take vulnerable children into care and look after them. Who would take over this role if this duty was scrapped? Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1976 Section 54 Councils licence taxi drivers. If they stopped doing this, how dangerous would it be to get into a cab? Highways Act 1980 Section 41(1A) Puts local Authorities responsible for dealing with snow and ice – who else could take this up? New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 Section 81 Councils have to tell other bodies when they (or a utility company) are digging up the road. Without this, would we see roads in constant upheaval? Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended) Section 5 (1) Makes local authorities one of the authorities responsible for formulating and implementing strategies to tackle crime and disorder. Who else can create a joined-up approach? Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004) Section 9 Requires local authorities to participate in domestic homicide reviews with a view to improving policies and practice and preventing further violence and homicide. Tackling domestic violence requires a multi-agency approach – should this be optional? Juries Act 1974 Section 3 Requires electoral registration officers to provide the Lord Chancellor with copies of the electoral register from which potential jurors can be summoned. A vital cog in the wheel of justice. Crime and Disorder Act 1989 Section 39 (5) Establishes the multi-agency, multi-disciplinary ethos behind the Youth Offending Teams. Putting into practice decades of experience. Criminal Justice Act 2003 Section 325 Requires agencies to work together to manage the risks posed by offenders following their release from custody, for example to ensure that paedophiles aren’t inadvertently housed by the local authority near a school, or in an estate with many families. It is necessary to have one body – the locally accountable one – ensuring that this coordination happens – it can’t be optional. Freedom of Information Act 2000 Councils have to disclose information to the public on request. Do we want a culture of secrecy from the people we elect?
Monday, May 02, 2011
UNISON May Day warning to government
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:The Tory/LibDem government’s first anniversary in power has been marked by the shocking news that the NHS will have to make more billions of pounds of so-called “efficiency” savings. So much for the pre-general election claim that the NHS was safe in Tory/Lib Dem hands. The path from last May is scattered with broken promises and from the casualties of this coalition government’s public spending cuts. The economy is still in intensive care, but the government’s medicine is not working.We know that worse lies ahead. After the double bank holiday feel-good factor wears off, the reality of austerity Britain will kick back in. For public sector workers and the people who rely on them; for the sick, the vulnerable, the elderly, the jobless and those seeking to better themselves through education, the future is bleak.Unless this government changes direction, it is heading for industrial turmoil on a massive scale. The government must understand that UNISON will fight tooth and nail to protect and defend public services. And UNISON will ballot one million of its members to strike to protect their pensions. This will not be a token skirmish, but a prolonged and sustained war, because this government has declared war on a huge proportion of the population.Many have the opportunity in elections this week to let the government know exactly what they think of its handling of the economy. The government would be wise to take note of that verdict.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:The Tory/LibDem government’s first anniversary in power has been marked by the shocking news that the NHS will have to make more billions of pounds of so-called “efficiency” savings. So much for the pre-general election claim that the NHS was safe in Tory/Lib Dem hands. The path from last May is scattered with broken promises and from the casualties of this coalition government’s public spending cuts. The economy is still in intensive care, but the government’s medicine is not working.We know that worse lies ahead. After the double bank holiday feel-good factor wears off, the reality of austerity Britain will kick back in. For public sector workers and the people who rely on them; for the sick, the vulnerable, the elderly, the jobless and those seeking to better themselves through education, the future is bleak.Unless this government changes direction, it is heading for industrial turmoil on a massive scale. The government must understand that UNISON will fight tooth and nail to protect and defend public services. And UNISON will ballot one million of its members to strike to protect their pensions. This will not be a token skirmish, but a prolonged and sustained war, because this government has declared war on a huge proportion of the population.Many have the opportunity in elections this week to let the government know exactly what they think of its handling of the economy. The government would be wise to take note of that verdict.
UNISON warns, "Cuts cost lives" - on Workers Memorial Day
On Workers Memorial Day (28 April), UNISON is warning that the number of workplace deaths will rocket, as Government cuts and job losses pile pressure on workers and lead to bosses cutting corners. Staff who keep their jobs will be expected to do more work, with bullying, lone working, manual handling, stress and violence running rife. Health and safety enforcement agencies are also being hit by huge cut backs, which will lead to failures in dodging daily dangers. The UK’s largest union is asking its members to hold a minute’s silence, to remember workers who have died, or been injured, across the UK and internationally.UNISON’s General Secretary, Dave Prentis, who will be holding a minute’s silence at midday, said: “The Government’s cuts will cost lives. Too many workers are still suffering because of workplace injuries, yet the Government is adding to the risks by piling pressure on staff and enforcement agencies. “Last year the Labour Government officially recognised Workers Memorial Day, this year the Government is cutting away at health and safety. “Staff deserve to know that they will not be at risk when they start a hard day’s work. They should not have to fear for their lives while providing vital public services. “Around 70 per cent of workplace accidents are due to the poor health and safety management. The Government must stop this figure spiraling, as we know that there is an alternative.”
On Workers Memorial Day (28 April), UNISON is warning that the number of workplace deaths will rocket, as Government cuts and job losses pile pressure on workers and lead to bosses cutting corners. Staff who keep their jobs will be expected to do more work, with bullying, lone working, manual handling, stress and violence running rife. Health and safety enforcement agencies are also being hit by huge cut backs, which will lead to failures in dodging daily dangers. The UK’s largest union is asking its members to hold a minute’s silence, to remember workers who have died, or been injured, across the UK and internationally.UNISON’s General Secretary, Dave Prentis, who will be holding a minute’s silence at midday, said: “The Government’s cuts will cost lives. Too many workers are still suffering because of workplace injuries, yet the Government is adding to the risks by piling pressure on staff and enforcement agencies. “Last year the Labour Government officially recognised Workers Memorial Day, this year the Government is cutting away at health and safety. “Staff deserve to know that they will not be at risk when they start a hard day’s work. They should not have to fear for their lives while providing vital public services. “Around 70 per cent of workplace accidents are due to the poor health and safety management. The Government must stop this figure spiraling, as we know that there is an alternative.”
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Public Accounts Committee report - UNISON response
UNISON, the UK's largest union, today reiterated its call for the Health and Social Care Bill to be pronounced DOA - dead on arrival - after a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report said it posed a real threat to patient care.The report also raises concerns about the real cost of the reforms, the systems in place to protect patients and taxpayers, and the ability of GP practices and hospitals to gain consortia or Foundation Trust status.Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:"Another week, another report warns that the Health and Social Care Bill poses a real danger to patients. The NHS and its staff have always adapted to change, but this Bill takes a wrecking ball to the NHS as we know it."Along with many other major health organisations and patient groups, UNISON has long been warning that the Bill is the wrong prescription for the NHS. And the evidence just keeps on mounting. It's time for this bill to be shelved for good, not just temporarily be put on hold."UNISON's opposition to the titanic Health and Social Care Bill* Big cuts in health spending. These are being taken from patient care and leading to job losses - including clinical staff - across the NHS.* Opening up the NHS to private profit. Taxpayers' money destined for NHS patients will be diverted into shareholder profits.* NHS patients will be pushed to the back of the queue because the proposed Bill will take the cap off the amount hospitals can earn from private patients.* It means competition, not co-operation. The government wants to run the NHS through competition between different health providers and market forces.* It will create a huge postcode lottery. The care patients can expect will vary from place to place, increasing costs and health inequalities and hurting vulnerable people the most. No-one voted for this.* The NHS is working and public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all time high. If it ain't broke, why fix it?
UNISON, the UK's largest union, today reiterated its call for the Health and Social Care Bill to be pronounced DOA - dead on arrival - after a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report said it posed a real threat to patient care.The report also raises concerns about the real cost of the reforms, the systems in place to protect patients and taxpayers, and the ability of GP practices and hospitals to gain consortia or Foundation Trust status.Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:"Another week, another report warns that the Health and Social Care Bill poses a real danger to patients. The NHS and its staff have always adapted to change, but this Bill takes a wrecking ball to the NHS as we know it."Along with many other major health organisations and patient groups, UNISON has long been warning that the Bill is the wrong prescription for the NHS. And the evidence just keeps on mounting. It's time for this bill to be shelved for good, not just temporarily be put on hold."UNISON's opposition to the titanic Health and Social Care Bill* Big cuts in health spending. These are being taken from patient care and leading to job losses - including clinical staff - across the NHS.* Opening up the NHS to private profit. Taxpayers' money destined for NHS patients will be diverted into shareholder profits.* NHS patients will be pushed to the back of the queue because the proposed Bill will take the cap off the amount hospitals can earn from private patients.* It means competition, not co-operation. The government wants to run the NHS through competition between different health providers and market forces.* It will create a huge postcode lottery. The care patients can expect will vary from place to place, increasing costs and health inequalities and hurting vulnerable people the most. No-one voted for this.* The NHS is working and public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all time high. If it ain't broke, why fix it?
UNISON's hard hitting cuts campaign hits the high street
This week UNISON takes its anti-cuts campaign to England’s high streets, with giant billboards warning about the impact of the Government’s hard and fast public service cuts.This second phase of the union’s massive advertising campaign turns political, with a message urging people, “On 5 May, vote for the party that stands up for public services.”The giant billboards have a common theme, listing jobs that are being cut under three eye-catching headlines, “Welcome To The Big Society” “Stop Having Children” and “Don’t Get Sick”. Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“One year on, and the May elections give people the opportunity to have their say. Our billboards deliver a stark warning to voters about the danger of Government cuts on vital jobs in the public sector. “The loss of 400,000 jobs in the public sector will have a devastating impact on the country’s long-term financial recovery. With fewer public service workers such as nurses, paramedics home helps, youth workers, occupational therapists, and dinner ladies, people will suffer, as the vital services they rely on disappear.“UNISON is asking the public to vote for the party that stands up for public services.”
This week UNISON takes its anti-cuts campaign to England’s high streets, with giant billboards warning about the impact of the Government’s hard and fast public service cuts.This second phase of the union’s massive advertising campaign turns political, with a message urging people, “On 5 May, vote for the party that stands up for public services.”The giant billboards have a common theme, listing jobs that are being cut under three eye-catching headlines, “Welcome To The Big Society” “Stop Having Children” and “Don’t Get Sick”. Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“One year on, and the May elections give people the opportunity to have their say. Our billboards deliver a stark warning to voters about the danger of Government cuts on vital jobs in the public sector. “The loss of 400,000 jobs in the public sector will have a devastating impact on the country’s long-term financial recovery. With fewer public service workers such as nurses, paramedics home helps, youth workers, occupational therapists, and dinner ladies, people will suffer, as the vital services they rely on disappear.“UNISON is asking the public to vote for the party that stands up for public services.”
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Union welcomes Birmingham social care decision
(21/04/11) UNISON has welcomed the High Court ruling inghathat Birmingham City Council acted unlawfully in slashing asocial care provision across the city."This is a landmark ruling and a tremendous victory for thousands of vulnerable people across Birmingham who rely upon social care provision," commented UNISON West Midlands head of government Tony Rabaiotti."We have been saying for months that the Tory-Lib Dem council is wrong to axe social care services, that they have not listened to the concerns of service users and providers and we are delighted that the High Court has today vindicated our argument."The court ruled that the council had acted unlawfully in axing support for adults whose needs were defined as "substantial" and restricting care packages to people whose needs were assessed as "critical".This would have seen 10,000 Birmingham citizens have their social care packages reduced, while 4,100 lost out altogether, to save the council £17.5m.But Mr Justice Walker in the High Court ruled that the council had not taken equality issues into account when making the decision and ignored provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act.It is the second time this month that a court has found the council to be acting unlawfully when making cuts.Mr Rabiotti added: "Social care workers across Birmingham have been telling UNISON over the last few months that they are genuinely frightened by the proposal to so severely axe social care provision."They have been telling us that vulnerable people will simply be left to fend for themselves."He called on the council to "pause, think again and work with us to maintain quality social care provision for the people of Birmingham."
(21/04/11) UNISON has welcomed the High Court ruling inghathat Birmingham City Council acted unlawfully in slashing asocial care provision across the city."This is a landmark ruling and a tremendous victory for thousands of vulnerable people across Birmingham who rely upon social care provision," commented UNISON West Midlands head of government Tony Rabaiotti."We have been saying for months that the Tory-Lib Dem council is wrong to axe social care services, that they have not listened to the concerns of service users and providers and we are delighted that the High Court has today vindicated our argument."The court ruled that the council had acted unlawfully in axing support for adults whose needs were defined as "substantial" and restricting care packages to people whose needs were assessed as "critical".This would have seen 10,000 Birmingham citizens have their social care packages reduced, while 4,100 lost out altogether, to save the council £17.5m.But Mr Justice Walker in the High Court ruled that the council had not taken equality issues into account when making the decision and ignored provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act.It is the second time this month that a court has found the council to be acting unlawfully when making cuts.Mr Rabiotti added: "Social care workers across Birmingham have been telling UNISON over the last few months that they are genuinely frightened by the proposal to so severely axe social care provision."They have been telling us that vulnerable people will simply be left to fend for themselves."He called on the council to "pause, think again and work with us to maintain quality social care provision for the people of Birmingham."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
17/03/2011
Top council staff pay - UNISON response
Commenting on figures by pressure group Taxpayers' Alliance, which show the number of council staff receiving more than £100,000 a year, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary of UNISON, said:"The real scandal in local government is that nearly one million full-time staff (70%), earn less than £21,000 a year. "And despite being so low paid they received no pay increase last year and face another two years pay freeze, causing real hardship to them and their families. "On top of that they are even being denied the £250 promised to the low paid in the Chancellor's budget."It's clear that the gap between those at the top and the bottom is getting wider. "The Government needs to think again about its cuts policy, or create a divided nation."
Top council staff pay - UNISON response
Commenting on figures by pressure group Taxpayers' Alliance, which show the number of council staff receiving more than £100,000 a year, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary of UNISON, said:"The real scandal in local government is that nearly one million full-time staff (70%), earn less than £21,000 a year. "And despite being so low paid they received no pay increase last year and face another two years pay freeze, causing real hardship to them and their families. "On top of that they are even being denied the £250 promised to the low paid in the Chancellor's budget."It's clear that the gap between those at the top and the bottom is getting wider. "The Government needs to think again about its cuts policy, or create a divided nation."
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Shropshire Unison General Branch
Election of Officers 2011
There is a challenge to many of the posts this time
NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR CHANGE
NOW IS THE TIME FOR CONTINUITY
NOW IS THE TIME FOR EXPERIENCE
therefore when you receive your ballot paper,
PLEASE VOTE FOR :-
Branch Secretary: Patricia Wilson
Asst.Branch Secretary: Jimmy Greenwood
Chair: Lou Gladden
Treasurer: Chrissy Felton
Asst.Treasurer: Isla Smith
Womens Officer: Cherill Knott
Young Members Officer: Sheridan Buckley
Environmental Officer: Dennis Rowley
Education Officer: Jimmy Greenwood
Welfare Officer: Patricia Wilson
DO NOT WASTE YOUR VOTE X
Election of Officers 2011
There is a challenge to many of the posts this time
NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR CHANGE
NOW IS THE TIME FOR CONTINUITY
NOW IS THE TIME FOR EXPERIENCE
therefore when you receive your ballot paper,
PLEASE VOTE FOR :-
Branch Secretary: Patricia Wilson
Asst.Branch Secretary: Jimmy Greenwood
Chair: Lou Gladden
Treasurer: Chrissy Felton
Asst.Treasurer: Isla Smith
Womens Officer: Cherill Knott
Young Members Officer: Sheridan Buckley
Environmental Officer: Dennis Rowley
Education Officer: Jimmy Greenwood
Welfare Officer: Patricia Wilson
DO NOT WASTE YOUR VOTE X
Keep up pressure on health bill
Commenting on Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley’s u-turn on introducing price competition into the NHS, Karen Jennings, Head of Health for UNISON said: “In a remarkable u-turn Andrew Lansley has publically stated that price competition is not now a part of the Government’s plans for the NHS – a victory for common sense. “UNISON wants this promise delivered, by making sure that NHS guidance reflects the policy change. The Government should have the operating framework amended to make it clear that there should be no price competition. “If price competition is indeed no longer Government policy, it needs to ensure that loopholes aren’t exploited that would bring in the tendering of clinical services. “However, the public should not breathe a sigh of relief too early. Despite this u- turn the Health and Social Care Bill will undermine the NHS. The whole direction that Andrew Lansley is taking will give a boost to private health companies at the expense of local NHS hospitals.”
Commenting on Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley’s u-turn on introducing price competition into the NHS, Karen Jennings, Head of Health for UNISON said: “In a remarkable u-turn Andrew Lansley has publically stated that price competition is not now a part of the Government’s plans for the NHS – a victory for common sense. “UNISON wants this promise delivered, by making sure that NHS guidance reflects the policy change. The Government should have the operating framework amended to make it clear that there should be no price competition. “If price competition is indeed no longer Government policy, it needs to ensure that loopholes aren’t exploited that would bring in the tendering of clinical services. “However, the public should not breathe a sigh of relief too early. Despite this u- turn the Health and Social Care Bill will undermine the NHS. The whole direction that Andrew Lansley is taking will give a boost to private health companies at the expense of local NHS hospitals.”
Workers need fair deal on pensions
now more than ever
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, calling for the Fair Deal pensions’ arrangements, that give low paid staff security in retirement. to be retained Commenting on the launch by the Treasury of the consultation on the Fair Deal pensions policy for staff transferred out of the public sector, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“It is vital that we retain Fair Deal to protect some of the lowest paid workers in the land from facing poverty in retirement.“The Government’s clear political agenda is to privatise more and more public services. They should not use this consultation to sweeten the deal for private companies, bidding to take over public services.“Diluting Fair Deal would leave TUPE transferred staff at the pensions mercy of private contractors. The financial implications would also end any chance of a successful in-house bid.“In the longer term, cutting the pensions of workers transferred to private companies will not save the state a penny. Taxpayers will be left to pick up the multi-billion pound benefits bill later on down ” the line.“The consultation must not be a paper exercise. Cutting Fair Deal should not be a done deal.
now more than ever
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, calling for the Fair Deal pensions’ arrangements, that give low paid staff security in retirement. to be retained Commenting on the launch by the Treasury of the consultation on the Fair Deal pensions policy for staff transferred out of the public sector, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“It is vital that we retain Fair Deal to protect some of the lowest paid workers in the land from facing poverty in retirement.“The Government’s clear political agenda is to privatise more and more public services. They should not use this consultation to sweeten the deal for private companies, bidding to take over public services.“Diluting Fair Deal would leave TUPE transferred staff at the pensions mercy of private contractors. The financial implications would also end any chance of a successful in-house bid.“In the longer term, cutting the pensions of workers transferred to private companies will not save the state a penny. Taxpayers will be left to pick up the multi-billion pound benefits bill later on down ” the line.“The consultation must not be a paper exercise. Cutting Fair Deal should not be a done deal.
Safety for social workers - surely
that's not too much to ask?
“I’ve been spat at, punched, shouted at, and had my car broken into. One of my colleagues has been followed home and had to call the police. This is just some of the shocking treatment that I regularly face as a social worker. It’s a tough enough job as it is, and I often feel like my employers feel like these kind of incidents are just part of the job.” “It’s time to put a stop to the violence and focus on making social work a safer job. To do that we need to make people at the top, sit up and take notice” - that is the message coming from UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today (4 February). The union has written to key stakeholders in social work highlighting the violence facing social workers, demanding a safe working environment and calling for high risk practices like lone working to be tackled. The letter is the latest in the union and Community Care’s ten week campaign to highlight what social workers need. Helga Pile, UNISON national officer for social work, said: “Any job dealing with the public has a higher rate of attacks or abuse – but social workers can be exposed to particularly dangerous and volatile situations on a daily basis. It is a tragedy that social workers have been killed by clients. Staff should not have to live in fear of danger when they go to work. “The effects of threats, abuse and violent incidents take their toll and can be devastating, not only for the social worker, but for their co-workers and families. It’s also bad news for employers, as it leads to staff taking time off or even leaving their jobs – the loss of an experienced social worker is a real problem for councils as there is a chronic shortage. “You cannot deal with violence effectively, without knowing the extent of the problem. We need a national system for monitoring violent incidents in social care, so that trends can be identified and risk hotspots tackled. And employers must do their bit by working to evaluate risks and drive them down to a minimum. Some are not even doing the basics like providing mobile phones, deploying staff in pairs on high risk visits, and responding to threats against staff. It’s not good enough to sit back and say it’s all part of the job. And we need strong deterrents, such as more prosecutions and greater penalties for those found guilty of attacking social workers.”A UNISON social worker from England said: “I get daily verbal threats over the phone, I’m threatened with violence, face to face, every 2 weeks. I‘ve had threats made, not just against myself, but to my family and children, I have had my car vandalised on several occasions. I have been locked in a house, and had items thrown at me that have hit me. I’ve even been threatened with needles. All from parents and children who I am working to help.”
that's not too much to ask?
“I’ve been spat at, punched, shouted at, and had my car broken into. One of my colleagues has been followed home and had to call the police. This is just some of the shocking treatment that I regularly face as a social worker. It’s a tough enough job as it is, and I often feel like my employers feel like these kind of incidents are just part of the job.” “It’s time to put a stop to the violence and focus on making social work a safer job. To do that we need to make people at the top, sit up and take notice” - that is the message coming from UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today (4 February). The union has written to key stakeholders in social work highlighting the violence facing social workers, demanding a safe working environment and calling for high risk practices like lone working to be tackled. The letter is the latest in the union and Community Care’s ten week campaign to highlight what social workers need. Helga Pile, UNISON national officer for social work, said: “Any job dealing with the public has a higher rate of attacks or abuse – but social workers can be exposed to particularly dangerous and volatile situations on a daily basis. It is a tragedy that social workers have been killed by clients. Staff should not have to live in fear of danger when they go to work. “The effects of threats, abuse and violent incidents take their toll and can be devastating, not only for the social worker, but for their co-workers and families. It’s also bad news for employers, as it leads to staff taking time off or even leaving their jobs – the loss of an experienced social worker is a real problem for councils as there is a chronic shortage. “You cannot deal with violence effectively, without knowing the extent of the problem. We need a national system for monitoring violent incidents in social care, so that trends can be identified and risk hotspots tackled. And employers must do their bit by working to evaluate risks and drive them down to a minimum. Some are not even doing the basics like providing mobile phones, deploying staff in pairs on high risk visits, and responding to threats against staff. It’s not good enough to sit back and say it’s all part of the job. And we need strong deterrents, such as more prosecutions and greater penalties for those found guilty of attacking social workers.”A UNISON social worker from England said: “I get daily verbal threats over the phone, I’m threatened with violence, face to face, every 2 weeks. I‘ve had threats made, not just against myself, but to my family and children, I have had my car vandalised on several occasions. I have been locked in a house, and had items thrown at me that have hit me. I’ve even been threatened with needles. All from parents and children who I am working to help.”
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Government puts safety of blood products in jeopardy
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is warning the government that proposals to privatise key parts of the NHS Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT) puts the safety of blood products at risk. In a strongly worded letter to Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns, the union is calling for assurances that this vital service will be protected from privatisation and profit making. Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said: “Putting the profit motive into blood collection is abhorrent. It is not possible to hive off parts of it to the private sector and pretend that this is a profit free service dedicated solely to saving lives. “It changes the core value of the NHS Blood and Transport Service based on volunteers and charities, giving voluntarily. The fact that NHSBT can call on donors when supplies are low or in local or national emergencies, or on charities to help in the collection of stem cells and organs should not be underestimated – it saves lives.“The NHSBT relies on a long-standing national consensus that people give blood and organs to save lives. If there is any sense that peoples’ giving will result in other peoples’ profit then the whole system is severely compromised and could break down.”The union is calling on the Government to give assurances that the privatisation will be shelved, ahead of a meeting of NHSBT staff from across the country on 9 March. The union is warning that failure to provide these assurances will lead to widespread opposition from staff and the public.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is warning the government that proposals to privatise key parts of the NHS Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT) puts the safety of blood products at risk. In a strongly worded letter to Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns, the union is calling for assurances that this vital service will be protected from privatisation and profit making. Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said: “Putting the profit motive into blood collection is abhorrent. It is not possible to hive off parts of it to the private sector and pretend that this is a profit free service dedicated solely to saving lives. “It changes the core value of the NHS Blood and Transport Service based on volunteers and charities, giving voluntarily. The fact that NHSBT can call on donors when supplies are low or in local or national emergencies, or on charities to help in the collection of stem cells and organs should not be underestimated – it saves lives.“The NHSBT relies on a long-standing national consensus that people give blood and organs to save lives. If there is any sense that peoples’ giving will result in other peoples’ profit then the whole system is severely compromised and could break down.”The union is calling on the Government to give assurances that the privatisation will be shelved, ahead of a meeting of NHSBT staff from across the country on 9 March. The union is warning that failure to provide these assurances will lead to widespread opposition from staff and the public.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Shapps must keep promise on funds for homeless, elderly and victims of domestic violence
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today challenged Housing and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps, to honour his pledge made in the House of Commons, not to cut the Supporting People grant by more than 1%. The grant helps support more than 1 million people, funding women’s refuges that provide a haven for victims of domestic abuse, helping rough sleepers, and people with mental health problems. It also funds sheltered wardens and community alarms. Last week in the House of Commons, Liverpool (Walton) MP Steve Rotheram, asked “If I can prove that it (the cut to the Liverpool Supporting People grant) is 30%, will the Minister give us back the other 29% so that we only suffer a 1% cut?” Grant Shapps replied “I take him up on his challenge.”The union is today publishing evidence that Liverpool’s Supporting People grant has been cut by 30%, together with a list of more than 60 other councils also facing cuts of more than 1%. Camden council has lost more than 60%. The union is challenging Grant Shapps to give all these councils back the difference so they can keep these services to vulnerable people running. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “All over the country, Supporting People grants fund women’s refuges; providing a haven for victims of domestic abuse. They help keep people who have fallen on hard times from sleeping rough, and give people with mental health problems a roof over their heads. More than 800,000 elderly people rely on services funded through Supporting People. Drastic cuts will mean shelters shut, and beds lost, pushing vulnerable people onto the streets or leaving them without the help they need. “In the House of Commons, Grant Shapps said that this grant had been protected, so the average cut was just 1%. But our evidence taken from his own Department’s website, proves many councils have been hit much harder. Grant Shapps promised to give Liverpool back the difference if he saw evidence that it’s grant had been cut by more than 1%. Here is that proof in black and white. “We challenge Grant Shapps to stand by his word, to give Liverpool back the money that has been taken from them, and to do the same for the 61 other councils hit hard. Either Grant Shapps didn’t know what was going on in his department, or he didn’t care about some of the most needy and vulnerable people in our society. This is his opportunity to put things right.” UNISON evidence shows that:One council (Camden) faces a cut of more than 60%Seven councils (West Berkshire, York, Rochdale, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire face cuts of between 40% and 50%, Eight councils (Newcastle upon Tyne, St Helens, Isle of Wight, Bristol, Manchester, Halton, Leeds and Liverpool) face a cut of between 30% and 40%, Seven councils face a cut of between 20% and 30%Twenty Two councils face a cut of between 10% and 20%10 councils face cuts of more than £5m (Camden £18.470m; Manchester £12.613m; Liverpool £11.167m; Leeds £10.614m; Nottingham £9.942m; Bristol £9.275m; Gloucestershire £8.601m; Oxfordshire £6.627m; Rochdale £6.587m; Newcastle upon Tyne £6.527m)
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today challenged Housing and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps, to honour his pledge made in the House of Commons, not to cut the Supporting People grant by more than 1%. The grant helps support more than 1 million people, funding women’s refuges that provide a haven for victims of domestic abuse, helping rough sleepers, and people with mental health problems. It also funds sheltered wardens and community alarms. Last week in the House of Commons, Liverpool (Walton) MP Steve Rotheram, asked “If I can prove that it (the cut to the Liverpool Supporting People grant) is 30%, will the Minister give us back the other 29% so that we only suffer a 1% cut?” Grant Shapps replied “I take him up on his challenge.”The union is today publishing evidence that Liverpool’s Supporting People grant has been cut by 30%, together with a list of more than 60 other councils also facing cuts of more than 1%. Camden council has lost more than 60%. The union is challenging Grant Shapps to give all these councils back the difference so they can keep these services to vulnerable people running. Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “All over the country, Supporting People grants fund women’s refuges; providing a haven for victims of domestic abuse. They help keep people who have fallen on hard times from sleeping rough, and give people with mental health problems a roof over their heads. More than 800,000 elderly people rely on services funded through Supporting People. Drastic cuts will mean shelters shut, and beds lost, pushing vulnerable people onto the streets or leaving them without the help they need. “In the House of Commons, Grant Shapps said that this grant had been protected, so the average cut was just 1%. But our evidence taken from his own Department’s website, proves many councils have been hit much harder. Grant Shapps promised to give Liverpool back the difference if he saw evidence that it’s grant had been cut by more than 1%. Here is that proof in black and white. “We challenge Grant Shapps to stand by his word, to give Liverpool back the money that has been taken from them, and to do the same for the 61 other councils hit hard. Either Grant Shapps didn’t know what was going on in his department, or he didn’t care about some of the most needy and vulnerable people in our society. This is his opportunity to put things right.” UNISON evidence shows that:One council (Camden) faces a cut of more than 60%Seven councils (West Berkshire, York, Rochdale, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire face cuts of between 40% and 50%, Eight councils (Newcastle upon Tyne, St Helens, Isle of Wight, Bristol, Manchester, Halton, Leeds and Liverpool) face a cut of between 30% and 40%, Seven councils face a cut of between 20% and 30%Twenty Two councils face a cut of between 10% and 20%10 councils face cuts of more than £5m (Camden £18.470m; Manchester £12.613m; Liverpool £11.167m; Leeds £10.614m; Nottingham £9.942m; Bristol £9.275m; Gloucestershire £8.601m; Oxfordshire £6.627m; Rochdale £6.587m; Newcastle upon Tyne £6.527m)
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