Search Results for: one barnet

Standing up to the “easycouncil”

Libraries, Local, National, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Standing up to the “easycouncil”

“The spirit shown by our library workers today is a tremendous example to us all – and we will stand by them as they fight for their jobs.”
Dave Prentis,
UNISON General Secretary

The assault on our public services in recent years has fallen hardest on local government – with libraries particularly under fire.

And there are few areas that have suffered greater attacks from their local authority than Barnet.

“You have got our full support and if you need any help just let us know”                                                                                                             Mr Prentis speaking to the #BarnetStrikers

So I was proud to be on the picket line alongside library workers today, taking the fight to the so-called Tory “easycouncil” and showing local people how severe and damaging the cuts to their local services really are.

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I spoke with activists Fiona Turnbull and Hugh Jordan (Barnet UNISON’s libraries convenor) about the sheer scale of job losses and service cuts being inflicted on an already bare bones service. At Chipping Barnet (where we met this morning) the library will lose 33 staff hours (down from 56.5 hours at present). Other libraries will lose more than half of their size and be reduced to volunteer only provision.

Services lost or weakened. Jobs cuts. And those in the community who need them most left to suffer.

“Our members in Barnet have been at the sharp end, with the council outsourcing anything it can. The spirit shown by our library workers today is a tremendous example to us all – and we will stand by them as they fight for their jobs.”

Dave Prentis,

UNISON General Secretary

unison – standing-up-to-the-easycouncil

#BarnetStrikers

#SaveBarnetLibraries

Defend the 10 libraries campaign – Message of Solidarity

Community, Libraries, Local, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

‘Defend the 10 libraries campaign in Lambeth sends solidarity to all the library workers taking strike action this week to stop the destruction of the library service in Barnet.

With cuts, closures and privatisation of our library services up and down the country we know how important it is to stand up and fightback. Your action will not only help in the battle to stop Barnet’s plans but will also give heart to everyone who wants to see an end to the ongoing devastation of vital library services.

We wish you all the best! Your fight is our fight!’

Michaela Loebner  Defend the 10, Lambeth

save-libraries-march-mar-2016-01

 

Message of support from Hendon Labour Party

Uncategorised
The strike action being taken by Barnet’s library staff is a direct result of Tory led Barnet Council’s decision to cut the library service. Almost 50% of the jobs will be lost in this unprincipled and ideologically driven action that goes to the heart of the community.
 
The Library service is one of the most well loved public services in the country with thousands of Barnet residents using the service each and every week. Whether its young children with their parents exploring the wonders of books for the first time, GCSE and A level students using the library space for studying, seniors taking the opportunity to read newspapers and magazines or any one of us borrowing books to read at our leisure, the library service is central to a civilised society.
 
The Barnet council cuts seek to take much of this away and all of us will be the worse for it. Over the last year thousands of Barnet residents have campaigned to keep the service. Despite the campaign the cuts will mean:
§  Library posts will be cut by 46%, a loss of 52 full time equivalent posts
§  Staffed hours will be reduced by 70% (despite overwhelming opposition to this from respondents to the Council’s Library consultations)
§  Unaccompanied under 15 year-olds will not be able to use libraries for most of their opening hours
§  Library space to be reduced, thus cutting study space and book stock
§  Four libraries will be run in the future by “community groups”, volunteers replacing, not supplementing, professional library staff.
The continuing community support for the library workers and the strike action they have been forced to take will send a clear message to the Council that enough is enough. The Library service should be protected.
 
 
Sian John – Chair, Hendon Constituency Labour Party
Mike Barker – Acting Secretary, Hendon Constituency Labour Party

Message of Solidarity from Sian Berry

Libraries, Local, Solidarity, Trades Dispute

‘We send our solidarity from Camden to striking library workers in Barnet. We’re proud to see public servants standing up for the principle of public services run by the public for the common good. All councils face a funding squeeze but Barnet Council appears to believe the solution is handing over as many of its functions as possible to the private sector, which only brings lower standards for the community, diminished services and worse conditions for staff too, and sees public money being used to line private pockets. All our best wishes are with your action this week.’

Sian

Member of the London Assembly
for the Green Party

 

Solidarity message from Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell

Local, UNISON Campaign

Solidarity message from Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell“I want to send a message of solidarity and support to Barnet UNISON members, and the many community campaigns who have been fighting Barnet Council as it carries out its relentless ideological war against public services,the disabled and their own staff. I cant be with you with you on your protest on Tuesday 24 May, keep fighting your all are an inspiration” John McDonnell MP Shadow Chancellor

Capita Payroll Pension letter sent out in error

Local

 

Dear member

If you have recently received a letter from Capita Pay Roll about having to make up Pension contributions due to having taken strike action please note the following:

HR has confirmed to UNISON this was sent out in error.

HR will be sending out a letter confirming this is the case.

You do not have to respond to the letter or the deadline.

If you have any concerns please contact the branch at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk or telephone 0208 359 2088

 

Libraries proposal could impact on health outcomes and crime

Local

“Binge reading & Under-age reading!”

Word is out amongst our members working in Libraries that the current fantasy library proposals could rapidly lead to potentially serious medical conditions for Barnet Library users which could add further pressure on our local NHS services and an increase in crime.

“Binge reading” – health risks

Staffless Libraries will mean limited access to Barnet Libraries for children under 16 and people with disabilities. Our library workers believe this will inevitably lead to an outbreak of “binge reading”.

“It’s just an awful condition which leaves the customer badly in need of a regular fix of more and more books. They get really desperate and just any book will do. It’s sad to see, they don’t care, it could be fiction, non-fiction, or even magazines. I knew one customer who only read hardbacks, but once he began binge reading he was taking anything he could get his hands on. I just don’t think our Council realises the risks it’s taking with their Library proposals” (Anonymous Barnet Library worker)

Under-age reading & crime 

Barnet Library staff have reported their concern that as a result of restricted access for children under 16 to their local Library, there could be an increase of underage reading. One worker who wanted to remain anonymous said:

“It’s sad really, that the council has promoted a policy which could lead to underage reading. It leaves children at risk of exploitation. The idea that book pushers could populate the streets of Barnet is frightening. We know book pushers will not supply quality books, quite often it is cheap, poor quality books. But the books they push are addictive. I worry for young people, they should have access to high quality books available in a safe environment.”

John Burgess UNISON Branch secretary said:

“We have repeatedly warned the Council of the serious health and anti-social behaviour risks that could quickly sweep across our local communities. I believe there are well researched reports detailing the impact of binge reading on health outcomes which inevitably bring unwelcome pressure on an already overloaded NHS. The Council also refuses to accept the risk of increased crime as a result of under-age reading. The prospect of book pushers on the streets of Barnet fills me with dread. That is why I would encourage library lovers wherever you are to view this excellent Save Barnet Libraries Animation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3XfibjbJuA and Sign our Save Barnet Libraries Petition here

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-to-volunteer-and-unstaffed-libraries-in-barnet?bucket&source=facebook-share-button&time=1448832079

 

 

My hero in 2015? The man with the plan to beat the cuts.

Local

My hero in 2015? The man with the plan to beat the cuts.

Please see link above to this article in the Guardian on Tuesday 22 December 2015, about our branch secretary, John Burgess. It is almost unheard of for a branch secretary to get this kind of coverage in a national newspaper and is a testimony to the work John has done over the years and to the work of many of our branch members and activists. There are more John Burgess’s and there is an urgent need to bring people together to fight for a better union on the national stage so that our chances of success in the battles to come are greatly improved.

Helen Davies, Branch Chair Barnet UNISON

 

 

 

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