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 |
NWPC Photolibrary
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.
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 |
Justice Select Committee Inquiry – UNISON member survey
The Parliamentary Justice Committee is launching an inquiry on the future of the Probation Service.
The Committee is seeking written submissions and will take oral evidence from stakeholders on the new model for the delivery of probation services.
The Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Sir Bob Neill, said:
“We’ll want to know if this new model will work and whether it will be capable of clearing the backlog of probation work caused by the pandemic. We’ll be asking whether private sector providers were consulted about these proposals, whether there were counter-proposals, and how the new model will supply the necessary services.
But above all we will want to see improvements in the rehabilitation of offenders, improvements in probation service staff morale and robust protections for the public.
In short, we want to make sure these latest reforms do not repeat the errors of the past so that the Justice Committee will, in future years, be scrutinizing a Probation Service fit for the Twenty First Century.”
UNISON aims to submit evidence on behalf of our probation members.
Please click HERE to be directed to an online survey which we invite all probation members to complete by no later than Friday 21 August.
Or, copy and paste the following link into your browser:
https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90259266/UNISON-JSC-Inquiry-UnifiedProbationModelSurvey
By completing the survey you give permission to UNISON to use your response in our written/oral submissions to the Justice Committee. Please note that UNISON’s response will be published on the Parliamentary website. Your submission is anonymous, but when making your response please do not refer to the names of places, cases or colleagues which could identify you, or others.
Many thanks,
UNISON calls for real devolution on Northern transport
Public service union UNISON has today written to Transport for the North (TfN) board members to raise concerns about the Government’s commitment to devolution to the North.UNISON North West Regional Secretary Kevan Nelson also raised concerns for the 150 staff employed by TfN and the inexcusable way they have been drip-fed information and scapegoated for the government’s repeated failure to deliver on its own rail infrastructure promises.
UNISON is calling for elected leaders who sit on the TfN board to make a firm commitment to the future of TfN and its staff, challenge the government’s misinformation and re-assert the case for renewed investment in and devolution to the north.
In the letter, UNISON North West Regional Secretary Kevan Nelson writes: “The Department for Transport already controls every aspect of funding, oversight and delivery of transport infrastructure. It is through this model that we have seen long delays to schemes like the Transpennine rail upgrade, an investment that has universal support in the North and that would unlock and enable growth and jobs across our cities, towns and villages.
“What the North needs isn’t another committee run and directed by the government, from Whitehall, re-announcing schemes that it has already spent a decade failing to deliver. It needs real investment and real devolved powers, to create and sustain jobs in the North.
“Our members within TfN are dedicated public servants, with a deep professional and personal commitment to improve public transport across the North. To be treated in such a manner where they are drip fed information via the national media and made to be scapegoats for systemic failings entirely beyond their control is inexcusable.”
Public want NHS staff to get early and significant pay rise
A majority of the public (69%) think all NHS staff should get an early pay rise before the end of this year, according to a UNISON/Savanta ComRes poll published today (Wednesday).
The findings also highlight how two thirds (66%) of the public believe a wage increase for employees – including healthcare assistants, nurses, hospital porters, midwives, paramedics and cleaners – should be significant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The results send a clear message to the government that there’s substantial public support for a new pay deal to be agreed now for health service workers, many of whom have risked their own safety to protect everyone else, says UNISON.
At the start of the month, UNISON and 13 other health unions – representing more than 1.3 million NHS employees across the UK – urged the Chancellor and Prime Minister to provide the funding for an early pay rise for all staff.
Health workers are currently in the final year of a three-year deal. They’re due a pay rise next April, but unions want the government to show its appreciation for NHS staff by bringing it forward to this year.
However, the government failed to commit to an early pay rise last week when wage increases for 900,000 workers elsewhere in the public sector were announced.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak also warned of restraint in future public sector pay awards in a letter to government departments.
The poll of more than 2,000 people found that almost three quarters (73%) backed an early pay rise for NHS staff between now and the end of March.
Most (69%) think it should be awarded before the end of the year, and nearly two in five (39%) believe the government should increase the pay of NHS staff immediately.
The study found that just one in ten (10%) think health workers should wait until next April for a rise. A minority (6%) believe any wage increase should be postponed until the government judges the time appropriate.
An overwhelming majority of the public (85%) believe pay should increase, including fewer than one in five (19%) who thought NHS staff should only get a small rise. This compared with nearly two in five (39%) who backed a medium increase, and more than a quarter (27%) a large one.
Commenting on the findings, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Last week was the perfect opportunity for the government to show it’s in tune with public opinion and commit to an early pay rise for NHS staff.
“It’s clear the public backs an early increase and to ignore them would be at the government’s own peril. Any attempt to deny staff a significant wage increase could rebound badly.
“A wage increase needs sorting right away so the NHS is fit to face the winter ahead and all that may bring. It would help boost the economy too, as health workers spend the extra money in their pockets locally.
“Health unions have made a clear and reasonable case – it’s down to the government to act and prove how much it values the NHS and its staff. Enough of hands together – people want to see hands in pockets, and now.”
Support for an early 2020 pay rise was highest among younger adults aged 18-34 (74%), ahead of those aged 35-54 (69%) or aged over 55 (65%).
Women are bigger backers of a significant wage rise for NHS staff, with three in ten (30%) backing a large increase as opposed to just a quarter of men (24%).
Notes to editors:
– The poll was carried out by Savanta ComRes who surveyed 2,085 UK adults between 17 and 19 July 2020. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all UK adults. Savanta ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables at www.comresglobal.com
– A number of NHS workers are available to speak to the media including:
Karen Kearney, a bereavement officer at Liverpool Heart & Chest NHS Foundation Trust which took overspill Covid-19 cases from other hospitals. She said: “Visitors weren’t allowed so patients had to come into hospital alone. Often the last time people saw their loved ones was when they came in poorly. It was very difficult and emotional work.
“The government briefings were all about ‘we love the NHS’ and people were cheering for us. But now there’s a sense we’ve been forgotten about. An early pay rise is needed now.”
Darren Tudor-Green, a health care assistant at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital volunteered to look after Covid-19 patients. He said: “We’ve been willing to put our lives on hold and on the line to ensure people get the best possible care when they need it most. “The team in which I work is full of people who, even before the pandemic, put their jobs above everything else. They deserve to be recognised for that. I hope the government can see that we really are the key workers keeping the country running.”
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
National Executive Committee Report 23rd July 2020
Virtual meeting
2 minutes only allowed for each speaker who can speak only once. Mic’s will be turned off if non-compliance.
DP retirement announced, sad day for many. Will arrange an event in the future. He leaves a strong legacy making it the biggest TU in the country. Lead on equalities encouraging women activists, challenging racism etc. He leaves us in a good position moving forward.
General Secretary Election Procedures
Those wishing to stand asked to leave the meeting while this is discussed.
An amended document was presented to include legal requirements and COVID19 requirements.
Nomination meetings have to be virtual for COVID19 reasons.
Donation maximum amounts amended from up to £25.00 to up to £150.00. Records must be kept of all donations.
Forms must be completed on line, paper will not be accepted.
All hustings must be virtual unless government advice enables meetings to take place. Local lockdowns may require different rules to be applied.
Procedures and timetable agreed.
General Secretaries Report
DP Penultimate report. A was presented on the work of the union during the COVID19 lockdown.
Welfare department staffed from all sections, 2000 applications for the £250.00 grants. £250K has been paid out so far, we have even paid out for funerals of those who have lost people due to lack of funds. No other union is doing this. The NEC has already contributed £250k to the fund and we will be asking branches for more.
The union is now starting to reopen with regions, the national office and unison direct. Thanks to the unison direct team for all they did during the lockdown.
We have seen huge increase in membership, 114k in the last month. Now moving forward with TV advertising. Planning to put things in place to make us a better union. There is a plan for growth and we are looking at more social media integration. Retention is key for for the whole union. We have started raining members, 50k new members have been contacted in the last month, many calls over half an hour long.
We are in a heath crisis and our union needs to ensure we are present and visible. We are seeing the economic effects of lockdown which is now hitting local government. Many local authorities are looking at job losses, we need to protect our members. We are hearing about cuts to terms and
conditions and changes to contracts. We send a message of solidarity to Tower Hamlets who are fighting dismissal and re-engagement threats to members.
People who have been pushed into the private sector need to be brought back in house.
Spoke with all health branches in Wales, they all reported that they were exhausted, but still willing to fight for our members. We have called for a public enquiry and we are asking for evidence from our members. It must be held in public to enable our members to give account.
As we go through a general secretary election, we still have much to do for our members and we need not to be kicking each other.
We need to take account of the effect on BLM and how black people have been effected by COVID19.
National Care Service is the top of our list, Care has been treated as second class, we will be campaigning and branches and regions will be involved.
Black Lives Matter and COVID19
DP made reference to the previously published statement. We are giving evidence to the Doreen Laurence enquiry, we have written to the PM regarding their poor response. We are calling on the HSE to do something and we are discussing issues with our head of legal to see what can be done to support black workers who have been affected.
Christina McAnea to give an overview of the her paper and the work of the Bargaining Unit and the disproportionate impact the COVID has had on Black communities.
We have raised it with Public Health England and produced our own advice, we will be building on a legal campaign.
Roger McKenzie spoke about tokenism on BLM issues from politicians and councils who take a knee then do something that is detrimental to black people.
This campaign is so important to us it is essential to our union. We must ensure that branches approach employers to ensure that the guidance is followed.
SGE Elections
Elections will now be run and a new timetable has been agreed.
Date of next meeting to be arranged.
Chris Hanrahan
Maureen LeMarinel
NEC
Lighthouse Financial Advice – Telephone Surgeries
Please find attached an update on the Telephone Surgeries we are running for UNISON members
- Financial Telephone Surgery ; The telephone surgery gives the members the opportunity to have a 30 minute complimentary consultation with a financial adviser over the phone at a convenient time to suit them.
LFA send the invite for circulation and the member contacts us to book their appointment.
We are running them over three days to be as flexible as possible for members, allowing for home working, schooling etc.
The format will be:
Day 1; 10.00am – 12.00pm
Day 2; 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Day 3; 6.00pm – 8.00pm
If you would like a Telephone Surgery arranging or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Stay Safe.
Kind Regards
John
John Duffy
Regional Affinity Manager
Eastern, Midlands, North West, North Wales, East/South/West Yorks.
Lighthouse Financial Advice
T: 01778 425433
M: 07535991722
john.Duffy@lighthousegroup.plc.uk
Lighthouse Financial Advice Limited is an appointed representative of Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Group plc.
This e-mail is private and confidential. Access by or disclosure to anyone other than the intended recipient for any reason other than the business purpose for which the message is intended is unauthorised. This e-mail and any views or opinions contained in it are subject to any terms and conditions agreed between Lighthouse Group plc and the recipient. All reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail. Lighthouse Group plc cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail. If you receive this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy any copies.
Lighthouse Group plc, Company Registered No: 04042743. Registered in England. Registered Address: 26 Throgmorton Street, London, EC2N 2AN.
John Duffy
Affinity Relations Manager
Lighthouse Financial Advice
Fairway House, Hunns Mere Way
Woodingdean Business Park
Brighton
BN2 6AH
Phone:+44 1778 425433
Mobile:07535 991722
Fax:
www.lighthousegroup.plc.uk
HMPPS Qualification Alignment
Please find attached the HMPPS consultation materials regarding alignment of qualifications to the HMPPS framework.
The qualification alignment process has been designed to manage staff who are in roles that require a probation officer qualification who do not currently have this in accordance with statutory guidance. The aim of qualification alignment process is to ensure that all staff meet the same standards of qualification while taking into account experience and practice skills.
This primarily effects CRC Staff and it would be helpful if members could submit any comments to the Branch unison20085@hotmail.co.uk
by Wednesday the 12th of August .
UNISON Equality Survey 2020: £100 Free Prize Draw for completion for All Police and Justice Members
Equality is one of UNISON’s core values and since 2016 we have run an annual survey asking members about their experiences of equality and discrimination at work.
With so many UNISON members on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic, this year we want to hear from you about your experiences during the crisis. The results will be used to direct our work with government, employers and others in keeping workers safe and fighting for better conditions at work.
Your answers matter to us, so if you complete the survey and give us your email address, you will be entered into a prize draw to win up to £100 worth of shopping vouchers. This is optional and the results are confidential and anonymous. The survey will close on Sunday 9th August 2020.
Link to the survey:
https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90245497/Equality-Survey-2020-COVID-19
UNISON extends solidarity to women in pensions appeal hearing
Extract from main Unison website
UNISON is sending a message of solidarity and support to women born in the 1950s in their judicial review appeal hearing against pension injustice this week.
The two-day hearing in the Court of Appeal is scheduled for today and tomorrow. UNISON – the UK’s largest trade union, which represents over one million women – sends the message of support and solidarity to affected women, many of whom are members.
UNISON was the first union to support the cause of pension justice for women born in the 1950s and denied their state pension at the age of 60.
It is estimated that 3.8m have had to wait up to six years longer to receive the state pension.
UNISON members (pictured above) have played a leading role in this campaign for justice. The Backto60 campaign lost the first hurdle of the case in the High Court in October 2019, but was granted the right to appeal on all grounds to the Court of Appeal.
The union’s national secretary for equalities, Gloria Mills, said: “1950s-born women deserve full restitution of their state pension.
“Many women have lost their jobs and income and are living in destitution and poverty. The state pension is their only security. We wish them every success with their appeal.”
The case will be live streamed on the Court of Appeal website today and tomorrow here
Social Care After the Crisis Survey
Please pass this on to anyone who may be affected
UNISON North West is launching the next phase of our Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign – and we need the support of branches to promote and publicise this to your members.
Thanks to the support of branches, activists, workers and organisers, our Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign has won massive victories for frontline care workers during the coronavirus crisis. 16 commissioning councils in the North West have signed up formally to the campaign or are delivering in line with the campaign demands to guarantee normal pay for care workers that are absent due to COVID-19.
Care workers have gone above and beyond during this crisis and have put themselves at risk to care for our loved ones. The support offered to them by the government has been absolutely pathetic – additional support has only been provided when we have stood together to demand it.
Our next challenge is to make the temporary agreements reached during the current crisis into lasting and permanent improvements for workers – and we need care workers to help determine and decide our next steps and demands.
Whether that means better pay, occupational sick pay, paid training, better career prospects or more time to spend with service-users, we’re asking care workers to complete our Applause to Action Survey to tell us about the changes and improvements they want to see at work.
Care Workers vs COVID-19 Applause to Action Survey – Social Care After the Crisis: https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90247821/Applause-to-Action-Social-Care-After-the-Crisis
Day of Global Solidarity Action – Monday 20 July 2020
On Monday 20 July tens of thousands of workers in the US will take part in the #StrikeForBlackLives.
Some will walk out on strike and join mass protests while others will mark the day with action for 8 minutes and…seconds, the length of time that George Floyd struggled for breath at the hands of racist police.
The strike is opposing systematic institutional racism against black workers that effects everything from the wages they earn to the jobs they are able to get.The SEIU, Teamsters, United Farmworkers Union and the Fight for $15 campaign are heading up the action.
This strike by black and white workers against racism is historic.
UNISON North West Black Members Committee are asking all UNISON members to organise solidarity with US workers on the day.
Take a ‘selfie’ picture with your workmates or in your community or #TakeTheKnee for 8 minute and 46 seconds, and share your actions on Twitter with @NorthWestUnison and ~#StrikeForBlackLives , or send them to me at ameen.hadi@salfordcityunison.org.uk
A rally is being held at 6PM at Pier Head Liverpool at which Glen Wiliams, Regional Convenor, will be speaking on behalf of UNISON. NB Masks and social distancing is required.
UNISON North West Black Members Forum
“In UNISON, ‘Black’ – with a capital B – is used to indicate people with a shared history. ‘Black’ is used in a broad political and inclusive sense to describe people in the UK who have suffered from colonialism and enslavement in the past and continue to experience racism and diminished opportunities in today’s society”.
Wednesday July 29th 06:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88489781646?pwd=d3BSZU0zbE9OeUc1Q1Z3NlNHNy8ydz09
Meeting ID: 884 8978 1646
Password: NWBMF
All Black Members Welcome
Stay Safe
Ameen Hadi
UNISON North West Black Members Committee Chair
MAKE SURE YOU CAN VOTE ON YOUR FUTURE PAY AND CONDITIONS IN THE NPS
Full bulletin attached – if you want to check your details you can also email the branch on unison20085@hotmail.co.uk
Interserve CRC Consultative Pay Ballot National Update
We intend to issue a joint UNISON and Napo bulletin to branches tomorrow recommending Interserve CRC Members vote to accept the pay offer for 2020 and 2021.
Those members who we have an email address on the RMS for will receive an email direct from UNISON with a link to vote on a designated webpage .
Any member who does not receive an email invitation will be able to go to the designated UNISON webpage to vote. I’ll send you details of the webpage with the bulletin. Anything you can do publicise this website among Interserve Unison members will help to maximise participation.
The ballot is scheduled to close on 31 July.
If you wish to check your details please email to unison20085@hotmail.co.uk
COVID-19 Response Fund
Please find a link attached to the main Unison website for financial support to members affected by the Covid outbreak. Please feel free to share with other Unison members elsewhere