Purple Days – Barnet UNISON
We want more money for our members
Dear Barnet UNISON members
UNISON Annual Conference is taking place week commencing 20 June 2017.
In may be a surprise to our members who pay their subscriptions that UNISON branches only receive 23% of the money provided by their members.
https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2017/05/24336.pdf
Please note on page 2 of the UNISON REPORT ON THE 2016 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
It states in Section 6. Funding for Branches and the Regional Pool
“The funding formula agreed at the 2001 Conference came into operation on 1 January 2002. Under the formula at least 23% of subscription income has to be available for direct funding of branches with a further 0.5% available for the direct funding of the regional pool. If the direct funding of branches is not utilised, any balance is credited to the regional pool. Funding available in 2016 was £38.5 million being 23% of subscription income of £163.8 million. In the year £37.7m was credited to branches with the balance of £0.8 million being added to the regional pool.”
So not all of the 23% funding goes to the branches that do almost all of the work for their members.
At UNISON conference the year before on page 2 of the UNISON REPORT ON THE 2015 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
“The funding formula agreed at the 2001 Conference came into operation on 1 January 2002. Under the formula at least 23% of subscription income has to be available for direct funding of branches with a further 0.5% available for the direct funding of the regional pool. If the direct funding of branches is not utilised, any balance is credited to the regional pool. Funding available in 2015 was £38.9 million being 23.5% of subscription income of £165.8 million. In the year £38.1m was credited to branches with the balance of £0.8 million being added to the regional pool.”
I can report that our branch does need more funding in order that we can build on and improve the services we need to provide to our members.
It is clear that 23% for branches and 77% to UNISON HQ and Regional Offices does not represent the best deal for our members.
The challenges that are driving the need for us to do more to support our members are the brutal austerity policies that are destroying our public services.
We have had six years of austerity, one million public sector workers have been sacked in that time, this equates to 465 public sector workers being sacked every day for the past six years. This figure does not include the millions on zero hours contracts and casualised terms & conditions.
The status quo or tinkering with the funding around the margins is simply not sustainable.
It is our member’s money after all, funding needs to go to the “coalface” where branches are struggling to defend and support our members.
One proposal would be that in light of the austerity attacks all branches should as a minimum receive a third (33%) of their member’s subscription as a starting position whilst a review of the 77% takes place.
We are asking members to provide feedback.
Please email the branch at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
UNISON funding split 2016
UNISON Response – Flex Reward Strategy
GOOD NEWS: Nursery Nurse Grading Appeal success
Barnet UNISON is proud to announce that the Nursery Nurse Group Appeal whoch htook place on Thursday 18 May , 2017 under Unified Pay was a success.
The following message has been sent out to schools today 22 May 2017.
“Dear All,
Thank you for attending the Stage 2 Appeal held on 18th May 2017 for the roles of:
JE0444 – School – Early Years Educator (Nursery Nurse)
JE0581-Early Years Educator – Level 3
We can confirm that both appeals were successful and that the new grade for both posts will be Grade G.
We shall send revised contracts to all affected employees within 10 working days.
Kind Regards,
Unified Reward Team”
I want to first thank the work of Elaine and Beverley our long standing Nursery Nurse reps who were fantastic at the appeal hearing.
I also want to thank all of the Nursery Nurse members for helping provide the much need evidence to help win the Appeal.
The lesson is clear, we need active reps and members in all of our schools.
Now work begins on other Group Appeals.
Solidarity
John Burgess
Branch Secretary
Barnet UNISON
GOOD NEWS: Update on proposed sacking of “Barnet Two”
Defend the “Barnet Two” update
Today I can confirm that the proposal to sack our only two welfare rights advisors has been suspended.
I will be going in to talks with our members next week.
I want to thank all the council workers who have sent messages of support including solidarity messages from the community and of course BAFTA winner Ken Loach and Ian Hodson President National President Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union BFAWU.
The lesson must be if you don’t challenge decisions then you will never know if you could have made a difference.
I am proud of the “Barnet Two” who despite the incredible stress and pressure they are under have managed to stay positive and focussed. I can see why both of them are excellent Welfare Advisors and why they are a credit to the Council.
Updates will follow.
John Burgess
UNISON rep.
Background links here.
“I am bloody angry”– The Cruellest Cut to Welfare Rights advisors
URGENT UPDATE “SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE” Update Welfare Rights
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2017/05/04/simply-unbelievable-update-welfare-rights/
Keep Racism out of the Election
We cannot be complacent and think that racism will play no part in the General Election. Many of our members are anxious about their future and whether they have a future in this country. Please sign this petition here:
https://www.change.org/p/keep-racism-out-of-the-general-election
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2017/05/04/simply-unbelievable-update-welfare-rights/