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."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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)
Cameron sell off- UNISON response
Commenting on plans announced by David Cameron to open public services up to private companies, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: Not content with breaking apart our NHS and our schools, the Tories are now turning their wrecking ball onto the entire public sector. The Tories want to turn the clock back to a time when private companies ran schools, hospitals and other council services. The state was forced to step in when the market failed to give people equal access to decent services. Taking vital services out of the public sector will see a postcode lottery develop. Huge transaction costs and a tsunami of bureaucracy will waste billions. As private companies seek to eke out profits they will strip our services to their bare bones. This is not about modernisation - it is about privatisation, creating an open market for the Tories friends in big business to make billions out of our public services.
Commenting on plans announced by David Cameron to open public services up to private companies, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: Not content with breaking apart our NHS and our schools, the Tories are now turning their wrecking ball onto the entire public sector. The Tories want to turn the clock back to a time when private companies ran schools, hospitals and other council services. The state was forced to step in when the market failed to give people equal access to decent services. Taking vital services out of the public sector will see a postcode lottery develop. Huge transaction costs and a tsunami of bureaucracy will waste billions. As private companies seek to eke out profits they will strip our services to their bare bones. This is not about modernisation - it is about privatisation, creating an open market for the Tories friends in big business to make billions out of our public services.
Friday, February 04, 2011
CND adds support to TUC march against the cuts
(03/02/11) CND has added its voice to the thousands supporting the TUC march and rally on 26 March against the government cuts."Government cuts are an £81bn assault on the welfare state. Jobs, houses and pensions are all under attack as the government slashes public services," CND chair Kate Hudson said. "Cameron and Clegg are cutting welfare but leaving big-ticket defence projects virtually untouched. "We didn't make this crisis and we don't want our money spent on weapons that can kill millions of people. "Our money must be spent on jobs, pensions, education and health – we must improve the lives of the British people without threatening the lives of others."The march will bring together trade unions, community groups, political organisations and anyone concerned about the pace and scale of government cuts.Ms Hudson said: "CND wholeheartedly supports the TUC demonstration on 26 March and urges all its members and supporters to participate."March for public services on 26 March
(03/02/11) CND has added its voice to the thousands supporting the TUC march and rally on 26 March against the government cuts."Government cuts are an £81bn assault on the welfare state. Jobs, houses and pensions are all under attack as the government slashes public services," CND chair Kate Hudson said. "Cameron and Clegg are cutting welfare but leaving big-ticket defence projects virtually untouched. "We didn't make this crisis and we don't want our money spent on weapons that can kill millions of people. "Our money must be spent on jobs, pensions, education and health – we must improve the lives of the British people without threatening the lives of others."The march will bring together trade unions, community groups, political organisations and anyone concerned about the pace and scale of government cuts.Ms Hudson said: "CND wholeheartedly supports the TUC demonstration on 26 March and urges all its members and supporters to participate."March for public services on 26 March
Thursday, February 03, 2011
http://www.shropshirefightsback.org.uk
SHROPSHIRE AGAINST THE CUTS
Join the March - 19th February 2011 From Shirehall to the Square in Shrewsbury Assemble at 11:00 am Shirehall Car Park
SHROPSHIRE AGAINST THE CUTS
Join the March - 19th February 2011 From Shirehall to the Square in Shrewsbury Assemble at 11:00 am Shirehall Car Park
Monday, January 24, 2011
Con-demned jobs: Cuts that wreck recovery
UNISON today (24 January) warned that savage public sector job cuts are threatening whole communities and wrecking recovery.The UK’s largest union is publishing a snapshot of “Con-demned jobs” covering just the last 6 weeks, to show that growing numbers of workers are being consigned to already lengthy dole queues, along with the services they provide. Staff at the Heart of England NHS Trust are being hit with the loss of 1,600 jobs and the latest cuts added from local councils include 1,200 in Hampshire, 1,000 in Norfolk and 400 in East Sussex County Councils, where social service departments are being targeted.The careers service has also fallen victim to the cuts, with 8,000 jobs going by 31 March this year. The union is predicting that half the workforce could now be axed - with cuts ranging from 25% to 90% in some areas - leaving young people without the help and advice they need.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“This dossier of Con-demned jobs makes very grim reading. Behind every statistic there are families desperate to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table and the dignity of a decent job.“With unemployment up to 2.5m, the coalition cuts are blighting lives and wrecking the country’s chances of recovery. Sacking workers and closing down essential services will not put the economy back on its feet.“The union is calling for an alternative political vision, to boost economic recovery and keep Britain working. Money can and should be raised from the bankers who continue to rake in their bonuses. Having brought the country to its knees by their financial dealing, they are happy to ignore a Government on its knees and powerless to stop the bonus culture.“The latest figures show record levels of unemployment for 16 to 24 year olds, with 1 in 5 (951,000) unable to find work. Getting the right help can make or break the future of young people desperately trying to find their feet, as well as workers made redundant struggling to retrain. “Cutting 8.000 jobs from the careers service will add to their difficulty. The hikes in tuition fees, education cuts and record unemployment means that many young people don’t know which way to turn and now they will have one less place to turn to.”The union says that the figures nail the lie that the NHS is being ring-fenced by the Government. The £20bn that is being demanded in efficiency savings is already being translated into job losses. Good patient care depends on having the right numbers with the right level of skills on the wards. This is one of the key lessons to come out of the Inquiry into the death toll at Mid Staffordshire Hospital Foundation Trust.
UNISON today (24 January) warned that savage public sector job cuts are threatening whole communities and wrecking recovery.The UK’s largest union is publishing a snapshot of “Con-demned jobs” covering just the last 6 weeks, to show that growing numbers of workers are being consigned to already lengthy dole queues, along with the services they provide. Staff at the Heart of England NHS Trust are being hit with the loss of 1,600 jobs and the latest cuts added from local councils include 1,200 in Hampshire, 1,000 in Norfolk and 400 in East Sussex County Councils, where social service departments are being targeted.The careers service has also fallen victim to the cuts, with 8,000 jobs going by 31 March this year. The union is predicting that half the workforce could now be axed - with cuts ranging from 25% to 90% in some areas - leaving young people without the help and advice they need.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“This dossier of Con-demned jobs makes very grim reading. Behind every statistic there are families desperate to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table and the dignity of a decent job.“With unemployment up to 2.5m, the coalition cuts are blighting lives and wrecking the country’s chances of recovery. Sacking workers and closing down essential services will not put the economy back on its feet.“The union is calling for an alternative political vision, to boost economic recovery and keep Britain working. Money can and should be raised from the bankers who continue to rake in their bonuses. Having brought the country to its knees by their financial dealing, they are happy to ignore a Government on its knees and powerless to stop the bonus culture.“The latest figures show record levels of unemployment for 16 to 24 year olds, with 1 in 5 (951,000) unable to find work. Getting the right help can make or break the future of young people desperately trying to find their feet, as well as workers made redundant struggling to retrain. “Cutting 8.000 jobs from the careers service will add to their difficulty. The hikes in tuition fees, education cuts and record unemployment means that many young people don’t know which way to turn and now they will have one less place to turn to.”The union says that the figures nail the lie that the NHS is being ring-fenced by the Government. The £20bn that is being demanded in efficiency savings is already being translated into job losses. Good patient care depends on having the right numbers with the right level of skills on the wards. This is one of the key lessons to come out of the Inquiry into the death toll at Mid Staffordshire Hospital Foundation Trust.
Friday, January 21, 2011
UNISON calls for an end to excessive hours in social work
In the second week of a ten-week long campaign, UNISON, the UK’s largest union, and Community Care magazine, have written to key stakeholders in social work, calling on them to make sure social workers can get time off in lieu (TOIL) or be paid for working additional hours. A recent survey* showed that 64% of social workers worked extra hours, and in another survey** social workers reported that they did an average of 1.9 hours per week in overtime without pay or TOIL. 39% said they had to work additional hours at short notice either most days or every week. Many social workers can’t claim it back or have TOIL because they’re too busy, or their managers won’t let them. This does nothing to help morale, and contributes to already high rates of social worker burn out, making it near on impossible for social workers to practice safely and effectively. Helga Pile, UNISON national officer for social work, said: “Heavy caseloads and high vacancy rates mean many social workers have little choice but to work late. And the stats back it up – 64% work extra hours. It’s not as if they can say ‘sorry, I’ve got to go’, when it hits five o’clock if a vulnerable child is depending on them. “But social workers can’t keep picking up the slack. This constant overloading is not sustainable. Lots of people in the profession are facing burnout. They are hit with the impossible dilemma of trying to balance their heavy workload, with the needs of their own families. Many simply give up on the idea of having a life of their own.“If they have to work extra hours, social workers should be paid or given time off in lieu. This will force employers to stop exploiting their goodwill, and start managing workloads properly. “This week we have written to key stakeholders in social work calling on them to make it a priority. It’s only right that social workers get the opportunity to rest and recuperate, so they can carry on doing one of the toughest jobs going.”UNISON is campaigning for minimum conditions to give social workers what they need to practice safely and effectively. Together with Community Care, the union has developed the Social Work Contract, which outlines ten key points, one of which is giving social workers TOIL (time off in lieu) or pay for working additional hours. Each week, the union is writing to Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Children and Families, Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services, Sharon Hodgson MP, Labour Shadow Minister for Children and Families, and Emily Thornberry MP, Labour Shadow Care Services Minster, highlighting one part of the social work contract. The union has also launched an online petition on the contract, and is calling on members of the public, parents and social workers to add their voice to the call for action. Hundreds of social workers have already signed. Add your support here: http://www.unison.co.uk/asppresspack/%3CA%20HREF=">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/714/061/796/ <http://www.unison.co.uk/asppresspack/%3CA%20HREF=">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/714/061/796/>
Thursday, January 20, 2011
UNISON slams growing toll of council job cuts
Commenting on today’s shocking news that 1,200 workers at Hampshire, 1,000 in Norfolk and up to 400 at East Sussex County Councils, face joining the 2.5 million unemployed, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The Government’s cuts are taking a terrible toll on council workers and services. It is a disgrace that 2,600 more council workers are being added to growing dole queues as unemployment hits 2.5m. “The job losses are a bitter blow to families who face inflation hikes, soaring prices and the prospect of their mortgages going through the roof, when interest rates rise. This Government is robbing communities of hope for the future and vital services that people depend on.“In Hampshire, children and adult services look likely to be hardest hit by these huge cuts - how will vulnerable people who rely on these vital services cope with such a strained service? We know that workers there only found out about the job losses through word of mouth. Bosses should have the decency to tell workers the truth.“There are alternatives. The government should come clean on the real impact of their savage cuts agenda.”
Commenting on today’s shocking news that 1,200 workers at Hampshire, 1,000 in Norfolk and up to 400 at East Sussex County Councils, face joining the 2.5 million unemployed, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The Government’s cuts are taking a terrible toll on council workers and services. It is a disgrace that 2,600 more council workers are being added to growing dole queues as unemployment hits 2.5m. “The job losses are a bitter blow to families who face inflation hikes, soaring prices and the prospect of their mortgages going through the roof, when interest rates rise. This Government is robbing communities of hope for the future and vital services that people depend on.“In Hampshire, children and adult services look likely to be hardest hit by these huge cuts - how will vulnerable people who rely on these vital services cope with such a strained service? We know that workers there only found out about the job losses through word of mouth. Bosses should have the decency to tell workers the truth.“There are alternatives. The government should come clean on the real impact of their savage cuts agenda.”
Policy Committee in its deliberations on interest
rates since November 2009.
The sentiments now
are that interest rates will have to rise from their historic
low of 0.5% to put the squeeze on inflation.
% increase on a year earlier
RPI except mortgage interest payments
Five of the 14 groups that make up the RPI posted
an increase of the overall rise of 4.8% or more.
The clothing and footwear group’s 10.3% rise included
double digit percentage rises on women’s,
men’s, and children’s clothing of 13.8%, 11.1% and
11.7% respectively. Meanwhile, the motoring expenditure
group’s 9.1% rise included a 29.1% rise
Inflation rise piles on
the misery
Inflation has risen and will almost certainly rise
further as the VAT rise to 20% and fuel duty rises
will impact on next month’s figures for January. As
it was, higher fuel prices and dearer food had the
greatest impact on the rise for December.
Under the Retail Prices Index (RPI), the rate of
inflation was 4.8% in December against 4.7% the
previous month.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the
alarming rise in inflation will “make a tough year
for workers even harder to bear” and that “fuelling
inflation with a VAT hike will hit workers in
their wage packets”. The VAT rise is “bad for
working families and damaging for the economy
too,” Barber said.
Under the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation
was up to 3.7% from 3.3% the previous month. The
rate is at its highest for eight months. This measure
does not include housing costs and is the measure
used by the coalition to update state benefits and
public sector pensions.
The CPI figure has been above the 2.0% target set
by the Treasury for the Bank of England's Monetary
in tax and insurance and a 12.6% rise in petrol and
oil prices. And the 4.3% rise in fares, included a
7.3% rise in rail fares.
Food prices rose by an average of 5.9%, but there
were substantial rises in butter (24.0%), tea (11.3%)
and lamb (11.8%).
The fuel and light group only showed an overall
rise of 2.8%, but “oil and other fuel” prices racked
up a 44.0% rise.
4.8% or more % Less than 4.8% %
Clothing & footwear 10.3 Fares etc 4.3
Motoring expenditure 9.1 Personal goods & services 3.9
Tobacco 8.4 Alcoholic drink 3.7
Food 5.9 Catering 3.4
Leisure services 4.8 Household goods 3.3
Household services 3.2
Housing 2.8
Fuel & light 2.8
Leisure goods 0.6
www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cpi0111.pdf
www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cpibrief0111.pdf
www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/a-to-i-dec-2010.pdf
www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-19007-f0.cfm
rates since November 2009.
The sentiments now
are that interest rates will have to rise from their historic
low of 0.5% to put the squeeze on inflation.
% increase on a year earlier
RPI except mortgage interest payments
Five of the 14 groups that make up the RPI posted
an increase of the overall rise of 4.8% or more.
The clothing and footwear group’s 10.3% rise included
double digit percentage rises on women’s,
men’s, and children’s clothing of 13.8%, 11.1% and
11.7% respectively. Meanwhile, the motoring expenditure
group’s 9.1% rise included a 29.1% rise
Inflation rise piles on
the misery
Inflation has risen and will almost certainly rise
further as the VAT rise to 20% and fuel duty rises
will impact on next month’s figures for January. As
it was, higher fuel prices and dearer food had the
greatest impact on the rise for December.
Under the Retail Prices Index (RPI), the rate of
inflation was 4.8% in December against 4.7% the
previous month.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the
alarming rise in inflation will “make a tough year
for workers even harder to bear” and that “fuelling
inflation with a VAT hike will hit workers in
their wage packets”. The VAT rise is “bad for
working families and damaging for the economy
too,” Barber said.
Under the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation
was up to 3.7% from 3.3% the previous month. The
rate is at its highest for eight months. This measure
does not include housing costs and is the measure
used by the coalition to update state benefits and
public sector pensions.
The CPI figure has been above the 2.0% target set
by the Treasury for the Bank of England's Monetary
in tax and insurance and a 12.6% rise in petrol and
oil prices. And the 4.3% rise in fares, included a
7.3% rise in rail fares.
Food prices rose by an average of 5.9%, but there
were substantial rises in butter (24.0%), tea (11.3%)
and lamb (11.8%).
The fuel and light group only showed an overall
rise of 2.8%, but “oil and other fuel” prices racked
up a 44.0% rise.
4.8% or more % Less than 4.8% %
Clothing & footwear 10.3 Fares etc 4.3
Motoring expenditure 9.1 Personal goods & services 3.9
Tobacco 8.4 Alcoholic drink 3.7
Food 5.9 Catering 3.4
Leisure services 4.8 Household goods 3.3
Household services 3.2
Housing 2.8
Fuel & light 2.8
Leisure goods 0.6
www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cpi0111.pdf
www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cpibrief0111.pdf
www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/a-to-i-dec-2010.pdf
www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-19007-f0.cfm
Friday, January 14, 2011
Government cuts score direct hit on Manchester with 2,000 jobs lost
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today laid the blame for the “tragic loss” of 2,000 jobs at Manchester Council, at the door of the Government. The union is shocked by the targeting of such a deprived area, and said that the impact of job losses on services and the local economy will be devastating.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The shockwaves of 2,000 job losses will spread across the City of Manchester and beyond. It is a tragic loss to workers who will have to break the news to their families that they are losing their jobs. It is also a bitter blow to communities who will lose services they rely on and will hit local businesses and trade".“The Government’s cuts have been targeted at some of the most deprived areas in the country and Manchester is clearly in the firing line. The council had been working with UNISON to try to lessen the impact of budget cuts, but the Local Government finance settlement in December, was the final straw. It was the toughest in living memory and has forced the council into font-loading the cuts".“We will continue to work with the council but the people of Manchester face the grim reality of longer dole queues".
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today laid the blame for the “tragic loss” of 2,000 jobs at Manchester Council, at the door of the Government. The union is shocked by the targeting of such a deprived area, and said that the impact of job losses on services and the local economy will be devastating.Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:“The shockwaves of 2,000 job losses will spread across the City of Manchester and beyond. It is a tragic loss to workers who will have to break the news to their families that they are losing their jobs. It is also a bitter blow to communities who will lose services they rely on and will hit local businesses and trade".“The Government’s cuts have been targeted at some of the most deprived areas in the country and Manchester is clearly in the firing line. The council had been working with UNISON to try to lessen the impact of budget cuts, but the Local Government finance settlement in December, was the final straw. It was the toughest in living memory and has forced the council into font-loading the cuts".“We will continue to work with the council but the people of Manchester face the grim reality of longer dole queues".
Monday, January 10, 2011
Rail fare rises funding
fat cat pensions
Rail passengers paying fare rises of up to 13%
are funding gold-plated pensions for private rail
bosses, the white collar rail union TSSA has said.
The pensions bonanza — which sees First Group’s
Sir Moir Lockhead retire on £325,000 a year this
March — comes as passengers face three years of
increases of RPI inflation plus 3% from 2012 on top
of the present increases.
“The rewards at the private rail companies expose
the myth that these huge fare increases are directly
linked to future rail investment,” said TSSA general
secretary Gerry Doherty.
“Rail privatisation is a gravy train. The private
companies take all the profits and the passengers
take all the pain.”
As well as Lockhead, Southeastern boss Keith Ludeman
retires this summer on a pension of £200,000
a year. Meanwhile at Arriva, David Martin, who
banked nearly £5 million when the firm was taken
over by Deutsche Bahn, will pick up £366,000 a year
when he retires.
“These huge rewards are being paid on the back
of passengers who are paying the highest fares in
Europe,” added Doherty.
Ray O’Toole “retired” from National Express’
board last May, but continues as an employee of
the group. He opted out of the group’s final salary
scheme in April 2006 by which time he was entitled
to a pension of £38,200 a year on retirement
in 2015. However since then the group has been
paying a pension supplement to him equivalent
to 44% of basic salary and over £800,000 has been
paid to him to sort out a rather handsome pension
in retirement.
Stagecoach is involved in a number of franchises,
including South West Trains. Chief executive Brian
Souter, according to the group’s 2010 annual report,
has accrued a pension worth at least £348,000 a year
for when he retires in four years time.
fat cat pensions
Rail passengers paying fare rises of up to 13%
are funding gold-plated pensions for private rail
bosses, the white collar rail union TSSA has said.
The pensions bonanza — which sees First Group’s
Sir Moir Lockhead retire on £325,000 a year this
March — comes as passengers face three years of
increases of RPI inflation plus 3% from 2012 on top
of the present increases.
“The rewards at the private rail companies expose
the myth that these huge fare increases are directly
linked to future rail investment,” said TSSA general
secretary Gerry Doherty.
“Rail privatisation is a gravy train. The private
companies take all the profits and the passengers
take all the pain.”
As well as Lockhead, Southeastern boss Keith Ludeman
retires this summer on a pension of £200,000
a year. Meanwhile at Arriva, David Martin, who
banked nearly £5 million when the firm was taken
over by Deutsche Bahn, will pick up £366,000 a year
when he retires.
“These huge rewards are being paid on the back
of passengers who are paying the highest fares in
Europe,” added Doherty.
Ray O’Toole “retired” from National Express’
board last May, but continues as an employee of
the group. He opted out of the group’s final salary
scheme in April 2006 by which time he was entitled
to a pension of £38,200 a year on retirement
in 2015. However since then the group has been
paying a pension supplement to him equivalent
to 44% of basic salary and over £800,000 has been
paid to him to sort out a rather handsome pension
in retirement.
Stagecoach is involved in a number of franchises,
including South West Trains. Chief executive Brian
Souter, according to the group’s 2010 annual report,
has accrued a pension worth at least £348,000 a year
for when he retires in four years time.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Travel expenses and minimum wage
A change to the minimum wage regulations came
into force on the 1 January after a legal challenge
from a company failed.
The change to the regulations prevents employers
from treating travel expenses as part of the wage
paid to workers.
Recruitment group Cordant, which employs around
30,000 people in the UK and Ireland, unsuccessfully
challenged the amendment to the National
Minimum Wage Regulations 1999, which came into
force on New Year’s Day.
The regulations now provide that any payments
to workers for travelling expenses under section
338 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions)
Volume 73 Issue 1 Fact Service 3
Act 2003 cannot count as part of the national
minimum wage.
Giving judgment in R (on the application of Cordant
Group) v Secretary of State for Business [2010]
EWHC 3442 (Admin), Mr Justice Kenneth Parker
described the challenge as “an attack on the economic
merits of regulatory reform affecting the
labour market in the guise of a common law and
legal equality case”.
He said he could “discern no arguable basis”
why the amendment, which brought “substantial
benefit” to low-paid workers and was in the public
interest, should not be implemented as planned.
Unions have welcomed the changes. Mary Maguire,
head of press and broadcasting for the public sector
trade union UNISON, said it would prevent bad
employers from exploiting workers.
She said: “It’s good news that the courts have come
down on the side of low paid workers. Employers
should not be allowed to get around their legal
obligations in this way.
“UNISON fought for years to get a statutory national
minimum wage established that would help stop
exploitation by bad employers by providing a pay
floor. Despite the fact that it is still too low, it is
incredible that employers are still trying to get
round it.”
A change to the minimum wage regulations came
into force on the 1 January after a legal challenge
from a company failed.
The change to the regulations prevents employers
from treating travel expenses as part of the wage
paid to workers.
Recruitment group Cordant, which employs around
30,000 people in the UK and Ireland, unsuccessfully
challenged the amendment to the National
Minimum Wage Regulations 1999, which came into
force on New Year’s Day.
The regulations now provide that any payments
to workers for travelling expenses under section
338 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions)
Volume 73 Issue 1 Fact Service 3
Act 2003 cannot count as part of the national
minimum wage.
Giving judgment in R (on the application of Cordant
Group) v Secretary of State for Business [2010]
EWHC 3442 (Admin), Mr Justice Kenneth Parker
described the challenge as “an attack on the economic
merits of regulatory reform affecting the
labour market in the guise of a common law and
legal equality case”.
He said he could “discern no arguable basis”
why the amendment, which brought “substantial
benefit” to low-paid workers and was in the public
interest, should not be implemented as planned.
Unions have welcomed the changes. Mary Maguire,
head of press and broadcasting for the public sector
trade union UNISON, said it would prevent bad
employers from exploiting workers.
She said: “It’s good news that the courts have come
down on the side of low paid workers. Employers
should not be allowed to get around their legal
obligations in this way.
“UNISON fought for years to get a statutory national
minimum wage established that would help stop
exploitation by bad employers by providing a pay
floor. Despite the fact that it is still too low, it is
incredible that employers are still trying to get
round it.”
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
UNISON secures £27,398,985 compensation for personal injuries in 2010
Assaults, car crashes, back injuries and slips at work are among the cases UNISON has won £27,398,985 worth of compensation for in 2010.The UK's largest public sector union has handled 3,893 cases to help members receive justice for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries.UNISON's General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:"A lot of these injuries could and should have been prevented. These jobs are not dangerous - nursery workers, dental technicians and dinner ladies - but, because employers have been negligent, some UNISON members have lost their health, families, confidence and careers."Employers have a duty of care and where they fail, workers and their families deserve compensation for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries."Last year UNISON secured £28million for workplace injuries but, one year on, and it's clear some employers have still not learnt their lesson and introduced safer working practices. "Public sector workers already face pay freezes, job and service cuts, with worse to come. They deserve to be able to do a hard day's work in a safe environment."
Breakdown of compensation by region:
Eastern - 204 cases - £1,482,492.60 compensation
East Midlands - 345 cases - £2,600,048.30 compensation
Greater London - 239 cases - £2,752,227.50 compensation
Northern - 463 cases - £2,746,031.80 compensation
Northern Ireland - 143 cases - £559,509.72 compensation
North West - 519 cases - £3,155,907.60 compensation
Scotland - 224 cases - 1,602,762.20 compensation
South East - 196 cases - £1,952,433.30 compensation
South West - 186 cases - £2,443,894.50 compensation
Wales - 382 cases - £2,754,931.80 compensation
West Midlands - 428 cases - £2,025,836.40 compensation
Yorkshire and Humberside - 564 - £3,322,913.90 compensatio
Examples of compensation cases for UNISON members:
Assaults, car crashes, back injuries and slips at work are among the cases UNISON has won £27,398,985 worth of compensation for in 2010.The UK's largest public sector union has handled 3,893 cases to help members receive justice for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries.UNISON's General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:"A lot of these injuries could and should have been prevented. These jobs are not dangerous - nursery workers, dental technicians and dinner ladies - but, because employers have been negligent, some UNISON members have lost their health, families, confidence and careers."Employers have a duty of care and where they fail, workers and their families deserve compensation for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries."Last year UNISON secured £28million for workplace injuries but, one year on, and it's clear some employers have still not learnt their lesson and introduced safer working practices. "Public sector workers already face pay freezes, job and service cuts, with worse to come. They deserve to be able to do a hard day's work in a safe environment."
Breakdown of compensation by region:
Eastern - 204 cases - £1,482,492.60 compensation
East Midlands - 345 cases - £2,600,048.30 compensation
Greater London - 239 cases - £2,752,227.50 compensation
Northern - 463 cases - £2,746,031.80 compensation
Northern Ireland - 143 cases - £559,509.72 compensation
North West - 519 cases - £3,155,907.60 compensation
Scotland - 224 cases - 1,602,762.20 compensation
South East - 196 cases - £1,952,433.30 compensation
South West - 186 cases - £2,443,894.50 compensation
Wales - 382 cases - £2,754,931.80 compensation
West Midlands - 428 cases - £2,025,836.40 compensation
Yorkshire and Humberside - 564 - £3,322,913.90 compensatio
Examples of compensation cases for UNISON members:
Friday, December 31, 2010
30/12/2010
Economic vandalism:
Not voted for by the people not in the interests of this country
Working people in the UK can help stop the Conservative-led coalition from taking a wrecking ball to the fabric of daily life.That is the New Year's message to some 3.5 million workers across both the public and private sectors from their unions, the GMB, Unison and Unite, who say that the government's dangerous prescription of economic deflation and historically high cuts will not revive the economy but will instead bring it to its knees. The landmark joint message sees the three unions - the biggest in the UK - pledge that in 2011 they will inspire and support resistance to the cuts across the UK. They also vow to make the Spring elections the first referendum on the government's austerity programme.Such is the level of concern about the real intent behind the cuts - recasting the state so that the private sector can sweep in, allied to the fear that harsh cuts will cause endemic inequality across society and plunge a new generation into unemployment - that the unions have vowed to work tirelessly together throughout 2011 to pursue a sound economic alternative. The unions are furious that the government is using the cover of coalition and a whipped-up fear over the deficit to terrify people into acceptance of what is little more than the rolling back of social provision. Pointing to the mounting dissent among economic experts over the government's approach, they say there is no programme for growth but only polices which will lead to a devastating contraction in the UK economy at a time when the global economy is still exhibiting deeply worrying signs of recession.The unions say it is high time that the truth was told about the government's reckless policies. January will see the three embark on a programme of promoting an economic alternative to their members urging them to get active in both opposing cuts and making their voices heard at the May election, the first chance for large parts of country to vote on the government's cuts programme.Central to the unions' message will be the push for an economic policy based on:* Growth - and a clear programme for job creation* Investment to get the unemployed back to work* Maintaining universal, quality public services - and safeguarding them from costly private providers * A fair taxation policy, including closing tax avoidance loopholes and a transaction tax which will generate billions for the economy* Abandonment of welfare upheaval which will plunge families and communities into poverty * Regulation of the economy to restore trust and confidencePaul Kenny General Secretary of GMB said: "The deficit is not Labour's deficit, it's the bankers' deficit. The Labour Government had to borrow to save the UK economy from collapse due to the irresponsible actions of the bankers, a policy supported by the Conservatives in opposition."The banks' actions in pouring billions of pounds into risky and complex investments came unstuck and left tax payers and elected governments with a mess to clear up. This cost the UK £850 billion, a recession where we lost 6% of national output, two and half million unemployed, pay freezes, inflation rising and where taxation revenues fell suddenly."Unions had warned of the dangers of under-regulated financial sector and the banks now need regulating so it doesn't happen again. This is also the view of Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England."Dave Prentis General Secretary of UNISON said: "It's clear that the Government is ideologically driven to massacre public services and bring the misery of unemployment and poverty to millions. This is a recipe for social turmoil on a scale not seen since the 80's. A whole generation of young people betrayed, facing a bleak future."Local Government is particularly hard hit by the cuts. 70,000 jobs have gone in the last months of 2010 and hundreds of thousands more will follow in 2011. This spells disaster for local communities and for people who need those services. The Big Society spin won't pick up the pieces of broken Britain's lost jobs and dashed hopes. "We need a Government that will keep Britain working by investing in our economy, our services and our future."Len McCluskey, General Secretary-designate of Unite said: "It is possible to pull the UK economy out of recession without the misery of mass unemployment. This government is ripping a huge hole in the economy by contracting spending and throwing one and a half million people on the dole. But where is the Plan B? Where will the new jobs come from? Certainly not from a private sector which is reeling from the global downturn."We know all too well how this government can swing the axe; what we need to see more of is can they actually step up to the job of creating employment. Strategic investments can reap rewards far beyond the original outlay - for instance, a £6bn investment in affordable social housing would build 100,000 new homes and create 750,000 new jobs in construction and the manufacturing supply chain. This makes more economic sense than paying people to sit on the dole."Economic activism means not sitting on your hands. It is the duty of our government to actively support job creation. Roll your sleeves up, support investment, unlock the capital funds held in the banks and start creating the jobs needed to replace the million or so you have destroyed."The three unions will be taking the message about the truth about the deficit and the Conservative-led government's approach to its members in the coming weeks, focusing on:A fair economy:· Fair taxes must be part of any solution. Systematically, companies and rich individuals have been avoiding more and more tax which means government squeezes greater amounts from working people.· End to indirect taxes like VAT which hit the low paid proportionally harder.· Regulation of the banking system to bring transparency; Government to use its controlling stake in UK banks to stop job cuts, excess pay and bonuses· A transaction tax on City dealings, including trade in stocks, shares, currencies and derivatives · A just welfare state which does not force people further into poverty and social exclusion Saving the NHS:· The massive top-down £80 billion re-organisation of the NHS in England to break it into small local commissioning units tasked with employing private companies to find other private health providers to submit the cheapest bid for public health services. · The down-grading of NICE will also see drug price rise and access to them severely curtailed. · GP consortia will see the return of the postcode lottery. · The scrapping of waiting lists will cause undoubted misery for countless people in need of treatment. · These policies are all designed to ensure the private sector and overseas private health companies exert control over access to health services - however the service is still being funded by the UK taxpayer.Good education for all:· Free Schools and Academies in England will force schools to compete in a local market. In some areas, e.g. Wandsworth, they are prepared to spend tens of millions of pounds to promote this vision even when there are surplus places in some schools and existing schools in need of repair. · The English student tuition fee hike to a maximum of £9,000 a year is not being introduced to deal with the current deficit, as it will bite after 2014 by which point the Chancellor claims the deficit will have been aid down, but to create a financial market place for colleges, courses and students.· The end result will be students from wealthy families going to elite universities and, if not deterred by the debts, other students seeking out cheaper courses at cheaper colleges in cheaper locations. Social mobility will be thrown into reverse.Economic activism· Investment to put UK manufacturing at the forefront of economic development,· Support to expand low carbon sustainable industries. · Reversal of the decision to block a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters.· The urgent establishment of a Strategic Investment Fund, alongside the promised Green Investment Bank. · Energy pricing policies which recognise the needs of industry.· Public procurement processes to ensure maximum benefit for UK manufacturing.
Economic vandalism:
Not voted for by the people not in the interests of this country
Working people in the UK can help stop the Conservative-led coalition from taking a wrecking ball to the fabric of daily life.That is the New Year's message to some 3.5 million workers across both the public and private sectors from their unions, the GMB, Unison and Unite, who say that the government's dangerous prescription of economic deflation and historically high cuts will not revive the economy but will instead bring it to its knees. The landmark joint message sees the three unions - the biggest in the UK - pledge that in 2011 they will inspire and support resistance to the cuts across the UK. They also vow to make the Spring elections the first referendum on the government's austerity programme.Such is the level of concern about the real intent behind the cuts - recasting the state so that the private sector can sweep in, allied to the fear that harsh cuts will cause endemic inequality across society and plunge a new generation into unemployment - that the unions have vowed to work tirelessly together throughout 2011 to pursue a sound economic alternative. The unions are furious that the government is using the cover of coalition and a whipped-up fear over the deficit to terrify people into acceptance of what is little more than the rolling back of social provision. Pointing to the mounting dissent among economic experts over the government's approach, they say there is no programme for growth but only polices which will lead to a devastating contraction in the UK economy at a time when the global economy is still exhibiting deeply worrying signs of recession.The unions say it is high time that the truth was told about the government's reckless policies. January will see the three embark on a programme of promoting an economic alternative to their members urging them to get active in both opposing cuts and making their voices heard at the May election, the first chance for large parts of country to vote on the government's cuts programme.Central to the unions' message will be the push for an economic policy based on:* Growth - and a clear programme for job creation* Investment to get the unemployed back to work* Maintaining universal, quality public services - and safeguarding them from costly private providers * A fair taxation policy, including closing tax avoidance loopholes and a transaction tax which will generate billions for the economy* Abandonment of welfare upheaval which will plunge families and communities into poverty * Regulation of the economy to restore trust and confidencePaul Kenny General Secretary of GMB said: "The deficit is not Labour's deficit, it's the bankers' deficit. The Labour Government had to borrow to save the UK economy from collapse due to the irresponsible actions of the bankers, a policy supported by the Conservatives in opposition."The banks' actions in pouring billions of pounds into risky and complex investments came unstuck and left tax payers and elected governments with a mess to clear up. This cost the UK £850 billion, a recession where we lost 6% of national output, two and half million unemployed, pay freezes, inflation rising and where taxation revenues fell suddenly."Unions had warned of the dangers of under-regulated financial sector and the banks now need regulating so it doesn't happen again. This is also the view of Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England."Dave Prentis General Secretary of UNISON said: "It's clear that the Government is ideologically driven to massacre public services and bring the misery of unemployment and poverty to millions. This is a recipe for social turmoil on a scale not seen since the 80's. A whole generation of young people betrayed, facing a bleak future."Local Government is particularly hard hit by the cuts. 70,000 jobs have gone in the last months of 2010 and hundreds of thousands more will follow in 2011. This spells disaster for local communities and for people who need those services. The Big Society spin won't pick up the pieces of broken Britain's lost jobs and dashed hopes. "We need a Government that will keep Britain working by investing in our economy, our services and our future."Len McCluskey, General Secretary-designate of Unite said: "It is possible to pull the UK economy out of recession without the misery of mass unemployment. This government is ripping a huge hole in the economy by contracting spending and throwing one and a half million people on the dole. But where is the Plan B? Where will the new jobs come from? Certainly not from a private sector which is reeling from the global downturn."We know all too well how this government can swing the axe; what we need to see more of is can they actually step up to the job of creating employment. Strategic investments can reap rewards far beyond the original outlay - for instance, a £6bn investment in affordable social housing would build 100,000 new homes and create 750,000 new jobs in construction and the manufacturing supply chain. This makes more economic sense than paying people to sit on the dole."Economic activism means not sitting on your hands. It is the duty of our government to actively support job creation. Roll your sleeves up, support investment, unlock the capital funds held in the banks and start creating the jobs needed to replace the million or so you have destroyed."The three unions will be taking the message about the truth about the deficit and the Conservative-led government's approach to its members in the coming weeks, focusing on:A fair economy:· Fair taxes must be part of any solution. Systematically, companies and rich individuals have been avoiding more and more tax which means government squeezes greater amounts from working people.· End to indirect taxes like VAT which hit the low paid proportionally harder.· Regulation of the banking system to bring transparency; Government to use its controlling stake in UK banks to stop job cuts, excess pay and bonuses· A transaction tax on City dealings, including trade in stocks, shares, currencies and derivatives · A just welfare state which does not force people further into poverty and social exclusion Saving the NHS:· The massive top-down £80 billion re-organisation of the NHS in England to break it into small local commissioning units tasked with employing private companies to find other private health providers to submit the cheapest bid for public health services. · The down-grading of NICE will also see drug price rise and access to them severely curtailed. · GP consortia will see the return of the postcode lottery. · The scrapping of waiting lists will cause undoubted misery for countless people in need of treatment. · These policies are all designed to ensure the private sector and overseas private health companies exert control over access to health services - however the service is still being funded by the UK taxpayer.Good education for all:· Free Schools and Academies in England will force schools to compete in a local market. In some areas, e.g. Wandsworth, they are prepared to spend tens of millions of pounds to promote this vision even when there are surplus places in some schools and existing schools in need of repair. · The English student tuition fee hike to a maximum of £9,000 a year is not being introduced to deal with the current deficit, as it will bite after 2014 by which point the Chancellor claims the deficit will have been aid down, but to create a financial market place for colleges, courses and students.· The end result will be students from wealthy families going to elite universities and, if not deterred by the debts, other students seeking out cheaper courses at cheaper colleges in cheaper locations. Social mobility will be thrown into reverse.Economic activism· Investment to put UK manufacturing at the forefront of economic development,· Support to expand low carbon sustainable industries. · Reversal of the decision to block a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters.· The urgent establishment of a Strategic Investment Fund, alongside the promised Green Investment Bank. · Energy pricing policies which recognise the needs of industry.· Public procurement processes to ensure maximum benefit for UK manufacturing.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Flintshire Council overpayment - UNISON response
Commenting on the overpayment of staff by Flintshire County Council, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“The council say they have no money and are having to cut jobs and services, but this whole pay debacle shows they have no handle on their finances. “This is not the fault of hardworking staff and they must not pay the price for the council’s mistake. “Some staff have been overpaid over a number of years by up to £8,000, which is a huge amount for one person earning a low wage to repay, while other low paid staff have been underpaid. “We have put forward our recommendations to the Audit Committee and are supporting our members by dealing with this on a case-by-case basis.”
Commenting on the overpayment of staff by Flintshire County Council, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:“The council say they have no money and are having to cut jobs and services, but this whole pay debacle shows they have no handle on their finances. “This is not the fault of hardworking staff and they must not pay the price for the council’s mistake. “Some staff have been overpaid over a number of years by up to £8,000, which is a huge amount for one person earning a low wage to repay, while other low paid staff have been underpaid. “We have put forward our recommendations to the Audit Committee and are supporting our members by dealing with this on a case-by-case basis.”
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