Food Banks you must watch this
Details of Local Authority Chief Executives National PAY CLAIM 2014
Here are some extracts from the claim.
“For the past five years, chief executives and chief officers have been the objects of a deliberate political strategy to suppress senior pay”
“It is now five years since local government chief executives were awarded a cost of living pay increase. Since January 2009, the cost of living (CPI) has increased by 16.56%, yet senior local government staff have received nothing.”
To view the Pay claim click here
“A Tale of Bob in Barnet”
YOUR CHOICE BARNET
Pensions information update
Pensions Surgery
I can report that the 1:1 surgeries and the lunchtime presentation went down well with our members and reinforced quite rightly how important Pensions really are to all of us.
Glyn Jenkins (UNISON Pensions expert) dealt with a number of technical questions. There were some concerns raised by staff who were experiencing problems receiving advice from the new Pensions Team which is now based in Darlington.
UNISON will be seeking support from the Council for more Pension briefings and 1:1 surgeries to be provided by the Pensions Team. If you would like a 1:1 please email contactus@barnetunison/org.uk
You can view the Pensions presentation if you click on the link here
WATCH THIS SPACE
Your Choice Barnet (YCB) Care Workers speak up for themselves
The following are quotes from Your Choice Barnet Care workers who have had their pay cut by a minimum of 9.5%.
Our members completed an indicative ballot on the pay cut imposed by
Your Choice Barnet in which they have voted by 97% to reject the cut.
We have formally submitted a strike ballot to UNISON
On Tuesday 8 April YCB care workers will be demonstrating outside Hendon Town Hall from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.
Quotes
“I feel angry that YCB are allowed to do what they have done in reducing my pay by 9.5% it makes me feel worthless”
“I am worried about the safety of service users”
“So many agency staff working at our service the workload on permanent staff is increasing all the time”
“Barnet Council first pushed us out to Your Choice Barnet, now cutting our pay by 9.5%”
“What’s next for us Care Workers, and who’s to say these cuts will not be made to our service users?”
“1% cut to Council tax but look what that does to services.”
“My job gets increasingly more stressful and I am rewarded with a 9.5% pay cut. The future of services for people with profound disabilities in Barnet is being threatened.”
“This isn’t about now, it isn’t about our wages, it isn’t about our services, its about the vulnerable people we care for”
“This is a fight against forces politically motivated and set on a course to dismantle all that we have worked for”
“It’s a fight that we have to fight and one that we must fight to win”
“We need jobs for our family’s bills and to live; we came in to help clients and now we need help”
“I, in my role, and workplace feel a lot more under pressure, stressed, have much more responsibility, a higher workload”
“I feel angry, annoyed and not appreciated and utterly dismayed at this appalling situation and where the service users will reap the effects of this.”
“Saturdays are literally a ‘recovery day’ for me now, & many other staff”
“Being forced to take a 9.5% pay cut has made me feel not valued.”
“I have worked for Barnet for 14 years and have been committed to the service users and the service.”
“Being out of pocket £2,000 a year means not even being able to afford a holiday break for me and my family and having to scrimp even more.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Please sign this petition http://ow.ly/voFj6
Your Choice Barnet care workers UPDATE
Your Choice Barnet care workers UPDATE
Across the number of UK stories of care workers refusing to take cuts to pay and terms & conditions is on the increase as are reports of Care Providers failing to deliver quality services.
It isn’t rocket science, ongoing ‘Austerity Cuts’ to social care is already having an impact for those in need of care services. The ‘Austerity Cuts’ to social care are being passed down to Care providers, service users, staff via the Commissioning model. In Barnet UNISON Your Choice Care Workers have decided they have had enough. They completed an indicative ballot on the pay cut imposed by Your Choice Barnet in which they have voted by 97% to reject the cut. We are now processing a formal request for a strike ballot and understand GMB members are going to do the same.
You can help by
1. Signing this petition http://ow.ly/voFj6
2. Join Your Choice Barnet Care Workers on Tuesday 8 April outside Hendon Town Hall between 6 – 7.30 pm
29 April – Social Work watch
UNISON is teaming up with Community Care to launch the first ever ‘Social Work Watch’. On 29th April we want as many social work staff as possible to take part by filling in a survey to tell us about their day. We will ask them to give details of their caseload on that day, how many hours they worked, what they did, how it made a difference, and the pressures and challenges they faced.
We will use the findings to highlight for the public and policy makers the challenges and pressures social work staff face every day. We will also use it to celebrate the value and importance of the work they do, in spite of the cuts, staff shortages and media hostility.
To View Flyer click here
29 April – Social Work watch
UNISON is teaming up with Community Care to launch the first ever ‘Social Work Watch’. On 29th April we want as many social work staff as possible to take part by filling in a survey to tell us about their day. We will ask them to give details of their caseload on that day, how many hours they worked, what they did, how it made a difference, and the pressures and challenges they faced.
We will use the findings to highlight for the public and policy makers the challenges and pressures social work staff face every day. We will also use it to celebrate the value and importance of the work they do, in spite of the cuts, staff shortages and media hostility.
To View Flyer click here