UNISON WELFARE SUPPORT

There for You (UNISON Welfare)

Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants.
COVID-19 support

Are you suffering financially as a result of coronavirus? Apply for a grant to help you during this difficult time. In addition to There for You funds, we have received generous grants from CHSA and UNISON which enable us to support members who are struggling. See the financial assistance section below for more information and to apply.

Financial assistance

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whatever the circumstances, There for You can offer you support.

Read more

Check your benefits

Make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to with the UNISON Benefits Calculator, and see what help is available from benefits if you’re affected by coronavirus.

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Wellbeing breaks

Wellbeing breaks can provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances. We can help you towards the costs of a break, depending on your financial situation.

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General advice

There for You provides a confidential service for members over the phone or in person if you are experiencing personal difficulties.

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Help with debt

Peace of mind is closer than you might think. Turn to UNISON Debtline, a debt advice service for UNISON members offering free and confidential advice to help you clear your debts and manage your money for the future.

Read more

Support There for You

There for You relies on the help and support of volunteers like you to give vital assistance to people in need in the form of debt advice, listening and support, financial assistance, breaks and holidays, and personal advice.

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Credit unions

There for You Credit Union Service offers UNISON members access to low interest loans and a range of savings products through our UK network of partner credit unions.

Read more

Any member needing support can also contact the branch on 07902 792741 or email to:
unison20085@hotmail.co.uk

General Secretary Election

The ballot to elect UNISON’s general secretary

Please find attached (above) information in regards to the nominated candidates, ballot papers will be sent out next week.

PROBATION NEWS

If you wish to read the full submission you can download from here

NW UNISON Webinars

NW UNISON Webinars

To celebrate Black History Month we have an online event in conjunction with the Peoples History Museum.

Find out about William Cuffay, leader of the London Chartists.

Wednesday 21^st October 4:00 – 5:00pm

Contact Kim Scott to register k.scott@unison.co.uk

Supporting and Developing New Stewards, Reps and Activists

An interactive discussion for branch officers and experienced activists on training and mentoring.

Friday 16^th October 11:00am -12:00pm

Contact Kim Scott to register k.scott@unison.co.uk

If you need any further information about the Webinars please contact Bob Kelly b.kelly@unison.co.uk

Bob Kelly

Regional Education Organiser

NW UNISON

0795 750 6031

Joint Trade Union Pay Bulletin – NPS

JTU 23/20 9 October 2020

PAY TALKS CONTINUE, BUT NPS TO PAY CONTRACTUAL INCREMENTS THIS MONTH

Napo, UNISON and GMB/SCOOP are still in negotiations over this year’s pay award for NPS staff. We know that members are frustrated and angry about the delay to them receiving their increments, which were due back in April. The unions took this up with the Probation Minister at the time in order to try to move progress, so it is of grave concern that members have had to wait this long for something which is a contractual entitlement.

We can now report that, having submitted our pay claim on 12 March, the unions received an opening pay offer from NPS on 23 September. Since that time, we have been in talks with the employer to seek to improve this initial offer.

While these talks are ongoing, it has been agreed that, in the interim, NPS should implement the pay progression element of the award immediately. This is because eligible staff, who are not already at the top of their pay band, are contractually entitled to progress to the next highest pay point in their pay band with effect from 1 April 2020. This was confirmed to staff earlier in the year by NPS.

Members who are eligible for a pay increment in April of this year can therefore expect to receive payment for this in their October pay packet, including all monies due backdated to 1 April this year. The unions have been reassured by NPS that this will include backpay in relation to unsocial hours payments and overtime earned since this date.

Members will remember that the unions put in the following pay claim for 2020 back in March this year:

· A two-year award to cover the 2020 and 2021 pay years

· An increase in the value of all pay points above the Retail Prices Index (RPI) of inflation on 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2021

· An increase in the value of all NPS allowances above the Retail Prices Index (RPI) of inflation on 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2021

· Automatic Pay Progression (in both years of the claim) in line with 2 year pay modernisation award

· Deletion of Pay Band 1

· Removal of Pay Band Overlaps

The unions remain committed to delivering against our pay claim, so while increments will be paid this month, the remainder of this year’s pay award will be the subject of further negotiations. The final offer to come out of these talks will be put to members by the three unions in a ballot as soon as it is available.

Ian Lawrence Ben Priestley George Georgiou

General Secretary National Officer National Officer

Napo UNISON GMB/SCOOP

URGENT Update – 95K cap on public sector exit payments

CRC Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement Accepted

Women Working and Living Through Covid

Dear All

North West Region Womens Committee Webinar – Friday 16th October 2020 from 11am-1pm.

Please click on the link below to register for the North West Region Women’s Committee seminar, being held virtually as a webinar this year because of the current Covid restrictions.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-west-regional-womens-committee-annual-seminar-tickets-121392585491

North West Regional Women’s Committee Annual Seminar UNISON NW Women: Working and Living Through Covid Joining instructions will be emailed to you once you have registered for the seminar.www.eventbrite.co.uk

You’ll see a range of speakers, including former Women’s Committee member Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside), have kindly volunteered their time to talk about Women Working and Living Through Covid. Committee vice-co-chair Teresa Connally will also give tips on how to write conference motions in response to requests for this at last year’s regional women’s conference. 

The Committee Secretariat hopes as many Women in UNISON as possible will take part.

CRC Ballot Newsletter and FAQs

National Agreement QA – Support Material for Tus only
Pension	Under what ‘exceptional circumstances’ may an employee not be eligible for LGPS & CSPS?	Employees will only be excluded from the LGPS & CSPS in exceptional circumstances.  Such exceptional circumstances could include where a high earning employee was offered the choice, by the CRC in respect of a portion of their salary, to receive such sum as either salary or pension, and chose salary.  In such a situation to allow the employee to join the LGPS in respect of their elected higher salary would be viewed as an unjust enrichment.  In such circumstances HMPPS (NPS) will ensure that the pension provisions which applied prior to transfer will be offered to the employee post transfer and will not be less than the statutory auto enrolment minimum. Further guidance can be obtained via 2013 LGPS Regulations 3 (1)(b) and Civil Service Pension Alpha Scheme Regulation 14(3)
Redundancy	Will redundancy be offered to all grades?	There may be a targeted scheme for a limited number of employees to exit on voluntary redundancy terms. Current data suggests this scheme will be primarily targeted towards senior leadership and corporate services roles. The probation service will be subject to significant demand in future years and our primary focus is on retaining and adding to the probation workforce.
Transfer Mechanism	Why is a staff transfer scheme being used to transfer staff from current providers to NPS but TUPE being used to transfer staff to Dynamic Framework providers?	The Programme position is that the mechanism for staff transfers in relation to probation services transferring into HMPPS (NPS) would be via Staff Transfer Scheme (STS) as the transfer of such services could be considered “an administrative reorganisation of public administrative authorities” or “the transfer of administrative functions between public administrative authorities” and accordingly would fall within the ‘Henke’ exception.   However, as plans for the Dynamic Framework (DF) competition have evolved, we felt it necessary to review whether TUPE could apply to the transfer of these services taking into account, amongst other things, the nature of the local rehabilitation activities to be procured from providers appointed to this framework. Unlike the lift and shift of probation services carried out to date, we believe the providers appointed to carry out rehabilitation activities to be procured under the DF are likely to be assessed as carrying on ‘economic activities’ (either for profit or not for profit) on a commercial basis. As such, and taking into account the latest case law, we are of the view that TUPE is expected to apply to the transfer of services under the DF subject to the usual requirements for a relevant transfer as set out in the regulations.   Accordingly, whilst a STS will continue to be relied upon for transfers to HMPPS (NPS), TUPE will apply to transfers to DF providers.
Impact on Wales Transferees in 2019	If the National Agreement is agreed what will happen to the T&Cs of the group of staff who transferred to Wales from Seetec in Dec 2019	At the point of transfer in Dec 2019 the group of staff transferring to HMPPS (NPS) Wales from Seetec retained their current T&C’s. If the National Agreement is agreed then the T&Cs for this group will be applied retrospectively to the date of transfer in Dec 2019.
Pensions	What happens to employees current occupational pensions upon transfer to HMPPS (NPS)?	This depends on members existing arrangements and how long they have participated in those arrangements. We are unable to give any guidance except to say they will need to contact their current provider.
Pay	How will staff assimilate to the NPS Pay structure	If a CRC staff member transfers across and is on an annual salary at the same rate as a recognised NPS pay point in their NPS pay band then they will transfer onto the same figure within the NPS pay band and there will be no impact on their salary from the transfer.   Please see the examples below, in particular example 3         Example 1: BAND 2   Current CRC Basic Salary – £18,654   Pay on assimilation to the NPS structure – £18,833   The salary of £18,654 is not a recognised pay point on the NPS pay structure. The employee will assimilate onto the nearest higher pay point on the Band 2 scale and receive an increase of £179.   Example 2: BAND 3: Current CRC Basic Salary – £29,000   Pay on assimilation to the NPS structure – £28,200 (Pay Band maximum)   The employee will assimilate to the maximum of the Band 2 pay scale which is currently £28,200. They will not suffer a drop in their take home pay. We will apply pay protection to the difference of £1,200 per annum and this will be paid as an erodible mark time allowance for three years from the date of transfer.   Example 3: BAND 4   Current CRC Basic Salary – £30,208   Pay on assimilation to the NPS structure – £30,208   As the pay point of £30,208 already exists in the NPS pay structure, the employee will remain on their existing basic salary. There will be no impact on their annual salary from the transfer to the NPS. This is also the salary used for the next NPS pay award, subject to the national NPS pay award position.
Pay	What happens when Pay Protection for former CRC staff payments ends?	Pay Protection Pay Protection is achieved by the payment of a separate and erodible mark time allowance. This is a separate allowance and limited to three years duration. Your NPS basic annual salary will remain in payment and will not be impacted by the end of your pay protection.   A mark time allowance will be shown separately on your payslip and this is the figure that will cease after three years. Your NPS basic annual salary will remain unchanged by the pay protection. Your NPS basic annual salary will be treated for pay award purposes in the same manner as every other NPS employee and may increase with the annual pay awards dependent on the national NPS pay position.   At the end of the three years there will be no impact on the NPS annual salary or any NPS allowances. However if the Mark Time allowance is still in payment then this will cease after three years if it has not eroded before then.
National Agreement	Who does the National Agreement apply to?	The Agreement is with the Probation Trade Unions and extends to CRCs and their staff that transfer, either to HMPPS (NPS), or to Dynamic Framework Providers only.  It does not extend to staff in other employers (CRC parent organisations, subcontractor or supply chain) because we could not negotiate an agreement with the Probation TU’s where they do not have a negotiating remit.  These staff would transfer to the NPS with their contractual terms protected in June 2021.  The Agreement would be the basis for alignment discussions for these groups.
Continuity of Service	What service will be protected if I transfer to a DF provider?	Continuous service with a CRC, including continuous service with a former Probation Trust and predecessor/s will count as a period of continuous service post transfer and the change of employer does not break continuity of employment.   Please refer to paragraphs 6 and 7 of the separate Voluntary Redundancy (VR) / Voluntary Severance (VS) document for details of what service will count for VR / VS purposes.

Consultation on CRC to NPS/DFP Staff Transfer & Protections Powerpoint Summary

UNISON CRC NEWS

North West Regional Black Members Committee (NWRBMC) AGM

To: ALL UNISON NW BRANCHES
ALL UNISON NW BLACK MEMBERS CONTACTS/COMMITTEE

The North West Regional Black Members Committee (NWRBMC) AGM will be held on Thursday 8th October 2020 at 4.30pm

The meeting will take place by Zoom joining
details will be sent out at a later date. The agenda and notes of the previous meeting are to follow.
Please find attached the following -: NWRBMC Nomination Form 2020/21
Nominations are now open for the UNISON North West Regional Black Members
Committee positions and will close at 5PM on Friday 11th September 2020. Results
will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting on the 08th October 2020, 4.30pm to
6pm
Further detail about the timetable and process for all positions are outlined in the
attached document.
Any vacant positions after the close of the nominations can be elected to and ratified
from the floor at the AGM, where a position is contested on the day those members
concerned will be given the opportunity to address the AGM
If you are interested in a position on the committee please complete the attached form
with the relevant details and email it by return to a.blundell@unison.co.uk It is your
responsibility to ensure your nomination is received by 5PM on Friday 11th
September 2020.
Any queries or further information please contact a.blundell@unison.co.uk
Please circulate as widely as possible.
Kind Regards

NORTH WEST RETIRED MEMBERS NEWSLETTER

CRC NEWSLETTER

Greater Manchester Against Evictions

Decolonising the curriculum

Stand up to Racism Greater Manchester

Register in advance for this meeting. It’s easy and it works. HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEud-2pqDojHdwkBP003Rpb6IABgbdkG_EY

Monday 10 August 6pm

Manchester Protest for NHS pay justice

https://www.facebook.com/events/314333879929387/ Face coverings should be worn where possible and social distancing will be observed

Piccadilly Gardens Manchester

Saturday 8 August11am – 12.30pm

School Uniform Grant

Please note there has been overwhelming demand for these grants and the There for You team is working hard to process applications. If you have already applied, please bear with us while we work through them.

In response to the growing difficulties many members on low incomes face, a programme has been put in place that will assist our most vulnerable members with the cost of purchasing school uniforms.

How much are the grants?

They are one-off grants of £50 per school age child, up to a total of £150.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, you must meet the following:

• You are a member and have paid 4 weeks subscriptions before 3 August (the launch date of this programme);
• You are financially responsible for the child/children and receiving Child Benefit for them;
• You have total combined (yourself and your partner if applicable) savings/rolling bank balance(s) of less than £1,000, and;
  • Either you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
  • Or you have an annual net salary of less than £18,000 (combined salary with partner must be less than £18,000 p.a. if applicable).

What documents must I include with my application?

We cannot consider your request without the following paperwork relevant to your application:

Salary/salaries below £18,000 net – please include:

• Most recent bank statement(s) for yourself and your partner (if applicable) for a complete month showing salary credits and Child Benefit payments.

OR

If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, please include

• Most recent bank statement(s) for yourself and your partner (if applicable) for a complete month showing Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payments and Child Benefit payments.

How do I apply?

Complete the online form below and upload any supporting paperwork required (we recommend you gather the supporting paperwork before starting your application as this will only take a few minutes to complete). That way you can upload the documentation at the end of the process.

For any queries, please email sugqueries@unison.co.uk

Do I need my membership number?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications without a membership number. If you don’t have this information, please request it here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Is there anything else that may affect my application?

Applications are limited to one per household and you must not have received financial assistance from us during the previous 6 months (excluding a COVID-19 response grant).

Other important information

As this is a limited fund, we cannot guarantee you will receive a payment even if you meet the eligibility criteria. It is therefore important that you apply online as early as possible.

Please note that receipt of application will be taken as the date on which the online application together with all required supporting documents is received.

Apply now

If you do not meet the criteria for a school uniform grant but are experiencing unexpected financial hardship due to a change in circumstances, we might be able to help you in other ways. For further information:

• Please see our There For You web pages
• Contact your local UNISON Branch Welfare Officer. If you do not know who this is please contact UNISON Direct on 0800 0857 857.
• There for You Support Team on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk

2020 UNISON Service Group Elections

UNISON Service Group Elections

The 2020 Service Group Executive election timetable was paused in order to adapt to the COVID-19 lockdown. We can now confirm that proceedings are due to be resumed and the NEC has agreed a new timetable. Voting will take place between 14 September and 9 October. The results will be published on 27 October. The election procedures and forms are available to download from the UNISON website. This means that the term of office for the current lay leadership of each Service Group will continue to be extended. They will remain in post until the election of the new executives has been completed. New service group executive members will take office on 1 November.

Election procedures and forms

Election timetable

For any queries please email elections@unison.co.uk