National Pay Award details
To view the new rates of pay click on the link below.
2018-19 GLPC Circular Special Salary Arrangements for London 2018-2020
To view the new rates of pay click on the link below.
2018-19 GLPC Circular Special Salary Arrangements for London 2018-2020
On Monday 14 May 2018, Barnet UNISON continued our pledge made at our AGM to send our banner in solidarity to each Grenfell Silent march which take place on the 14th of each month.
I have been on hundreds of marches but I’ve not attended a silent march before.
It is hard to explain just how powerful it is unless you are there.
Once it begins no one speaks, no mobile phones, the traffic stops, even the birds in the trees seem subdued. I could hear the wind in the trees, it was so quiet I could hear the Barnet UNISON banner poles squeaking.
Half way through the march there is a touching scene where residents shake the hands of the firefighters who are lined up in respect alongside of the march.
I spoke to a number of people and they do welcome the unions providing solidarity.
This collection of campaigns are having to fight tooth and nail for justice.
Whilst they have won a victory to have people on the panel alongside the Judge there is so much to fight for.
Today we heard news that the Government won’t ban combustible cladding.
That is impossible to comprehend after what has happened at #Grenfell.
History tells a story. We know, from #Hillsborough and #Orgreave just how long working class communities have to wait for justice.
#Orgreave are still waiting.
It’s important that trade unions do what trade unions have been doing for over a hundred years. We offer solidarity in whatever form is acceptable.
Barnet UNISON will continue to support #Grenfell residents in order they don’t have to wait 20 years for justice.
The next #Grenfell Silent march is on Thursday 14 June, 6.30.
If you would like to join the Barnet UNISON banner on the march simply contact the branch on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
For those unable to make the 14 May, there is a protest organised by the Fire Brigades Union on Saturday 16, June, 12 noon assemble outside Downing Street, SW1A 1AA
For over a decade Barnet Town centres have been cleaned by Barnet Council Street Cleansing Team.
Over that time the workforce has been cut along with the Town Centre keepers.
Last November (2017), the Council voted to cut the street cleansing workforce by 19% and reduce the number of town keepers
In February 2018 overtime for weekend working stopped by senior management without any consultation with staff or the Trade Unions. The reason given was that the overtime budget was overspent. Workers were informed that the overtime would return to normal as of 1 April 2018.
A week later the decision was reviewed and only some hours returned.
As from 1 April 2018, the overtime has not returned as promised. Furthermore, more changes have been imposed on weekend working without discussion with the staff and Trade Unions.
Barnet UNISON fully supports our members and recognises that the established weekend overtime which has been in place for over a decade formed a vital part of our members pay.
The removal of the overtime without meaningful consultation with staff and trade unions is placing unacceptable hardship on an already over-worked and under-resourced workforce.
Barnet UNISON has had a meeting with senior management to discuss overtime for the Street Cleansing workforce. Unfortunately, they have rejected our proposal to restore the weekend overtime.
Barnet UNISON is carrying out an indicative strike ballot which closes Tuesday 29 May 2018.
Links
Barnet UNISON Street Cleansing overtime cut meetings (Feb 2017)
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2018/02/16/barnet-unison-street-cleansing-overtime-cut-meetings/
Barnet UNISON speaking against the cuts to Street Cleansing (Nov 2017)
On Tuesday 6 May 2008, two things happened that changed my life.
The first was my meeting with the Chief Executive Leo Boland and Nick Walkley (later to become Chief Executive) where they informed me about their next project they called ‘Future Shape’.
The second was the Cabinet meeting which met that night and rubber stamped the ‘Future Shape’ proposal.
Click here to view the Cabinet report
https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/Data/Cabinet/200805061900/Agenda/Document%203.pdf
It’s been a roller coaster emotionally, mentally and physically the last ten years.
I don’t know how I am still here, but I do know that I am lucky to have an incredible team of office staff and activists all of whom strive hard to do all that they can for our members.
To mark this anniversary since the birth of Future Shape the branch enlisted the services of Dexter Whitfield to write a report on the last ten years.
I am proud to announce that the report was published today Monday 30 April, 2018 at 8 a.m.
As an added bonus, Jeremy Corbyn took time off his busy schedule to come along to meet some of the Barnet campaigners who have been active this last ten years in a very hostile environment of relentless outsourcing and cutting public services.
It is a very detailed report, but there again it had to be because there has been so much going on in our Council.
You can read our Press Release here
Damning report into EasyCouncil, Outsourcing including forward by John McDonnell
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Barnet-UNISON-Capita-report-2018.pdf
Below are three short video messages from Dexter Whitfield on his report.
Dexter Whitfield on campaigning against outsourcing
Dexter Whitfield on outsourcing failures
Dexter Whitfield on true costs of Barnet easyCouncil
Finally I am proud to see so many UNISON reps across the UK issue the following message:
UNISON reps across the UK call on public bodies to end contracts with Capita
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/?p=6109&preview=true
Dear Barnet UNISON catering members,
This week Barnet UNISON registered a ‘failure to agree’ over the imposition by ISS of a number of their policies on our members working in the catering service.
It is important that you understand why Barnet UNISON is objecting to this proposal.
The current Barnet Council Disciplinary policy states:
“at all stages of the procedure the employee will have the right to be accompanied by a recognised trade union representative or a Barnet work colleague.”
However, in the ISS Disciplinary Policy it states that:
“Only at the formal disciplinary hearing stage of the procedure will the employee have the statutory right to be accompanied or represented by a:
What does this mean for you?
It means that if you are asked to attend an investigation meeting, ISS would refuse to allow your Barnet UNISON rep to attend this meeting with you.
In our view, this is an attack on your right to trade union representation at all stages of the disciplinary procedure.
This ISS decision is our ‘line in the sand’ which is why we have registered a ‘failure to agree.’
This decision by ISS is one of the reasons why Barnet UNISON strongly opposes outsourcing, because we can see that workers in the private sector have inferior Terms and Conditions to those of the Council.
ADVICE
If you are asked to attend a disciplinary investigation, please contact the Barnet UNISON office immediately on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
In the meantime we will keep you informed of any changes.
John Burgess,
Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.