Manchester May Day Planning

Manchester Trades Council is looking to break new ground with this year’s May Day Festival.  We’re moving out of the Mechanics and into Cathedral Gardens, linking up with Salford Trades Council on its march and providing a mix of music and trade unionism, along with our usual stalls, a beer tent and a live performance from Banner Theatre. The event will take place on Saturday 2nd May.

We’d love everyone in the movement to be involved and we’re looking for ideas, volunteers, as well as the usual donations we need to keep the event going.

Please come and join us on Wednesday 26th February at 7pm at the Mechanics Institute to help us finalise our plan to make this year’s May Day Festival a bit different but better than ever.

We look forward to seeing you on the 26th if you can make it.

CRC Freedom of Information Requests: Unpaid Work

Please find attached the text of an FOI request relating to information about unpaid work beneficiaries which UNISON is planning to send to the MOJ in support of our on-going submission to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that the privatisation of UPW is in breach of the ILO’s Forced Labour Convention.

The MOJ prohibits CRCs from answering FOI requests, so all requests have to be routed to the MOJ which will then contact each CRC for the information requested.

The focus for the questions relates to the prohibition under the ILO convention for UPW to be provided to any private sector beneficiaries.

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Information Directorate

Post point 10.34

102 Petty France

London SW1H 9AJ

21 January 2020

Dear Sir/Madam

Freedom of Information Request: Community Rehabilitation Company Contracts

I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act.

Please provide answers to the following questions for the ………………………………Community Rehabilitation Company :

1. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any Housing Associations? If yes, please confirm the names of each Housing Association provided with unpaid work labour.

2. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any General Medical Practitioner Partnerships? If yes, please confirm the names of each General Medical Practitioner Partnership provided with unpaid work labour.

3. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any Private Sector Care Homes? If yes, please confirm the names of each Private Sector Care Home provided with unpaid work labour.

4. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any Private Sector Children’s Nurseries? If yes, please confirm the names of each Private Sector Children’s Nursery provided with unpaid work labour.

5. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any Private Sector Sheltered Accomodation? If yes, please confirm the names of each Private Sector Sheltered Accomodation facility provided with unpaid work labour.

6. Has the CRC provided unpaid work labour to any Privately Operated Cemeteries? If yes, please confirm the names of each Privately Operated Cemetery provided with unpaid work labour.

I understand that under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, you are required to provide me with this information within 20 working days of receipt of this letter.

Yours sincerely

Ben Priestley

National Officer

Consultation on Senior Management Structure for new NPS Regions

If you have any feedback please email to unison 20085@hotmail.co.uk by Monday the 10th of February.

FREE – Ken Loach film showing

Hi all,

Just a brief reminder that we are holding a free film screening of “Sorry We Missed You”, Ken Loach new film – Wednesday 5^th Feb, 6 for 6.30pm start, Room 103, Arena Point, 1 Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1UN.
This screening aims to tie in with UNISON NW’s work with Greater Manchester Citizens. UNISON NW is leading on developing GM Citizens’ Fair Work agenda. It will be an opportunity to bring us together socially and launch some more detailed work in the build up to GMC’s Mayoral Assembly event on 30 April.

Please share this information with your branch membership where possible.

This screening is open to all members of Greater Manchester UNISON branches.

FILM – ‘SORRY WE MISSED YOU’ WITH KEN LOACH

NWPC UNISON AGM DATES

NORTH WEST PROBATION & CAFCASS UNISON AGM NOTICE

Dear Unison Member,

It has been another busy year for us all and it doesn’t seem 2 minutes since the last AGM. You are invited to the AGM, come and meet us and let us know your views, concerns and seek answers to your questions

We are also continuing with the raffle prizes, each AGM will have a main prize with two 2nd prizes and 10 3rd prizes. We will also provide some freebies for everyone. Refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing at one of these events.

Steve Buckley Zoe Todd

Branch Chair Branch Secretary

Preston – Gujerat Centre, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JN 18th March 2020

Manchester – Arena Point , 1 Hunts Bank, M3 1UN 19th March 2020

Meetings commence at 5.30pm. Note you can attend only one of these meetings. For all branch updates look on our website http://nwpc.org.uk/

Please could you complete the attached slip so we know whether you are attending or not, then we can order enough food for us all!

——————————————————————————————————————–

I will/will not be attending the AGM at Preston/Manchester (delete as necessary)

Name

Employer

Office

——————————————————————————————————————–Email to unison20085@hotmail.co.uk or post to Unison, 87 Moss Lane West, Manchester M15 5PE

NPS UPDATE

Hospital workers in Blackpool and St Helens emerge victorious in strikes over equal pay

UNISON and private company Compass, which employs cleaners, caterers, porters, security and reception staff at Blackpool and St Helens Hospitals, have reached an agreement to end the long-running dispute over wages and sick pay. 

Before the settlement Compass employees were on the national minimum wage (£8.21 per hour), while colleagues employed directly by the NHS were earning at least £9.03. This meant Compass staff were losing out to the tune of around £1,500 a year.

Staff were understandably angry that they weren’t receiving the same pay and benefits as NHS colleagues often doing similar jobs. Following the vote for industrial action in July, the Compass staff went out on strike for a total of 14 days.

The UNISON brokered deals – voted for by 89% of the domestics at Blackpool and 75% of staff in St Helens – means they’ll now receive a significant pay rise, more money for working weekends and bank holidays and an improved sick pay scheme.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Christmas will be even more special for these staff who’ve been battling for months to be treated fairly. There can be no justification for creating a divisive two-tier health service.

“The big winners from the settlement will be staff and patients, who’ll be pleased to learn that Compass has put people before profits.”

UNISON North West regional organiser Pat Woolham said: “This substantial pay rise will make a huge difference to the families of these dedicated hospital workers. The positive end to this campaign shows what can be achieved when unions and employers work together.  

“It’s been a tough dispute but we look forward to working with Compass in the future for the benefit of patients and staff in Blackpool and St Helens.”

2020 UNISON Diaries and Calendars

We will be sending these out shortly with AGM notices. We would like to wish you well for the festive season and the new year.

We will continue to work locally, regionally and nationally to protect your terms and conditons and support members throughout 2020. Please ensure you check this website regularly for consultations and news updates.

Regards

Zoe Todd Branch Secretary

Steve Buckley Branch Chair

NPS Pay Consultation

Please vote on this link

https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90196342/National-Probation-Service-2020-Pay-Claim-Survey

Support UCU members at the University of Manchester striking for 8 days

UCU members at the University of Manchester are part of the national 60-university strike from Monday-Friday this week and Monday-Wednesday next week. Please give them your support.
Details of the UCU national strike fund are here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/fightingfundThe local hardship fund is: Bank: Unity Trust
Account: UCU University of Manchester
Sort code: 60-83-01
Account Number 50510715
Reference: Hardship Fund
Most buildings will have pickets from 7:30-8am until 10:30am. The biggest buildings are AMBS, Arthur Lewis, Uni Pace, Sackville, Sam Alex, Simon and Michael Smith. Additional plans include:

• You can follow the local UCU branch for updates on strike plans on Twitter @UM_UCU and send them messages of support, solidarity photos etc. You can also contact them via ucu@manchester.ac.uk.

Flooding Assistance – Please pass on to anyone affected

Islamophobia Awareness Month 2019- Please attend

NPS UPDATE

STAFF TRANSFER UPDATE

PROBATION PROGRAMME: STAFF TRANSFERS – REGISTER TO VOTE NOW!

Dear Colleagues,

Please find the CRC Transfer Bulletin #1 attached.  This bulletin asks that all members currently working for one of the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies make sure that their contact details on RMS are up to date in preparation for the ballot on their future terms and conditions.

Please distribute to all members working for a CRC and encourage them to sign in to their MyUNISON account (or register for an account if they have not already done so) to make sure that all their contact details are correct, and that they have provided a valid email address so that they can take part in an electronic ballot.

No paper ballot forms will be issued – the ballot will only be conducted online.  Please encourage all members to submit an email address or check that the one we currently have on record is valid.

If you need any assistance please contact the branch, preferably via email as below;

Vance Butterworth

Admin Officer (Part Time – T/W/T)
UNISON NW Probation & CAFCASS Branch
C/o Moss Side Probation Office
87 Moss Lane West
Moss Side
Manchester
M15 5PE

Tel: 07902 792741

www.nwpc.org.uk
unison20085@hotmail.co.uk
Not in a Union – join UNISON at unison.org.uk or contact us as above

Probation Staff Transfer Negotiations Stall

FREE ACCIDENTAL DEATH COVER

Dear Member,

Make the most of your UNISON membership and don’t miss out on your FREE £5,000 of Accidental Death Cover!
The cover is for UK residents aged 18-69. It lasts for one year and then you can renew it again for free*.
It’s quick and easy to apply and is yet another reason why it pays to be a UNISON member.

Register today at www.UNISONProtect.com/JE

We’ll do the rest. After your application you’ll receive a call from us to take further details, set up your cover and explain other benefits available.

Kind regards,

John Eccles
UNISONProtect

For full policy details, please click here.
*Terms and Conditions apply. UNISON is an Introducer Appointed Representative of UNISONProtect, which is a trading name of Union Income Benefit Holdings Ltd (UIB) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to distribute non-investment insurance products, register number 307575. This can be checked on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. Free Accidental Death Cover is underwritten by Advent Insurance PCC Ltd – UIB Cell.

Staff Transfers

Retired Members Newsletter