AGM 09
AGM calls
for pensions protection and proper resources for social work.
Members attending this year's AGM on 18th February
heard of another busy year for the branch as members were thanked
for their action in support of a decent pay settlement. The meeting
pledged to defend public sector pensions and to push for proper
resources for social work. It also donated £200 to Medical Aid for
Palestine's Gaza Appeal.
Branch acts to protect our pensions
from new attacks
The AGM rejected Tory and Lib Dem attacks on public sector pensions
and called for a continued campaign to combat adverse and misleading
press information. It recognised the real risk to our pensions if
a Tory Government gets in at the next election and called for all
members to be given information on the position of all the political
parties on public sector pensions, to allow them to make an informed
choice about who to vote for.
"Since
the onset of the financial crisis it has been open season on our
pensions. But let's be clear, an average local government pensioner
gets just £74 per week," said Ian McDonald, Branch Treasurer, and
mover of the motion. He told the AGM that these are deferred wages
which members contribute to over all their working lives.
"Because our pensions prevent many of us from being
dependent on state pensions, we actually save tax payers money,"
he added.
"Nor is this about "special treatment" for public
sector workers. Any solution should be about levelling up to ensure
that all workers get decent pensions," he added and called on political
parties to urge the private sector to face up to their responsibilities
by setting up decent pension schemes.
"We must reject accusations that our pensions are
unsustainable and unaffordable," said Ian, urging members to think
carefully about how they cast their vote at the next elections.
This motion will now be submitted by the branch to
Annual Delegate Conference.
Click here to see motion
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Call for better resources for
social work
The meeting threw its weight behind our social work colleagues as
the AGM called for UNISON to campaign for greater investment in
front-line services, to make sure that social work and social care
staff have the time and the resources to practice safely and effectively
to protect children.
Proposing
the motion, Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair, condemned the attacks on
social work by politicians and the media, which failed to recognise
all the children protected by social workers every day.
"These attacks take attention away from the real issues
for social work of chronic underfunding, poor staffing levels; too
high caseloads and excessive bureaucracy; a culture of over-regulation
and management cultures which fail to support front-line staff and
acknowledge their crucial task of working with intense and complex
situations," said Kate.
She commended UNISON's support for its social work
members and its efforts to highlight the pressures alongside all
the good work which is done through the commitment, skills and expertise
of social work and social care staff and called on the meeting not
only to pass the motion but also to defend social work whenever
they hear it criticised.
The branch will now submit this motion to the Annual
Delegate Conference and Local Government Conference.
Click here to see motion
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Support for pay review
The AGM has directed the branch committee to engage fully with
UNISON Scotland's review of the 2008 pay campaign and the preparation
of the 2010 pay claim.
"The
action we took in August and September last year was successful
in getting an improved offer," said Bob Revie, Branch Secretary,
moving the pay motion, and paying tribute to the hard work of branch
officers, union officials, activists and members. "However, there
are always lessons to be learned. We know that whilst a great many
of our members took action, others did not and we need to look at
how we get more members on board.
"We also need to look at how we worked with the other
unions, both our partners in the process, the GMB and Unite, and
those we need to support our action like the EIS."
Click here to see motion
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Single status, reviews and challenges
for the voluntary sector
In his Annual Report, Bob updated members on the progress of
Single Status Appeals. These are due to be concluded by 31st March,
but Bob told the meeting that this seems unlikely. "The big group
appeals still need to be heard," he said, adding that branch officers
have been kept very busy supporting members who have appealed.
Bob told the meeting that modernisation reviews have
continued to take up time and energy for both activists and members
and there have been many criticisms of both the process and the
outcomes. "We continue to support members going through this process,"
Bob said.
Our members in the voluntary sector have continued
to face challenges and UNISON has continued to campaign for fair
pay and fair funding for the voluntary sector. "We recognise that
there have been many problems for the sector, especially in relation
to the tendering process which has the effect of driving down standards,
pay and conditions," he said.
Pensions blow for relief staff
Susan Hardcastle, a member who is a relief in a social work establishment,
raised concerns about the new pension scheme which denies relief
staff the opportunity of membership.
Bob confirmed that this is the case but that this
did not form part of the negotiations with the trade unions before
it was included in the new regulations.
However, a solution may be at hand for those staff
who are called "relief" but who, in fact, work regular hours for
the council.
UNISON is aware of this situation and has been in
discussion with Aberdeenshire Council. The Council has made it clear
that they do not want any employee to be disadvantaged by this change
in legislation. We understand that the Council is looking to transfer
regular workers to either temporary or permanent contracts which
will allow them to remain in the Pension Scheme without any loss.
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Branch funds are healthy
The meeting approved the branch accounts and gave a vote of thanks
to Ian McDonald for his sterling work as treasurer. It unanimously
approved a £200 donation to the Gaza Appeal which has the support
of UNISON Scotland. Click
here for more details
The meeting also gave a vote of thanks to the staff
in the Resource Centre who support the work of the branch.
Click
here for lists of branch officers
Click here
for lists of stewards
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Wed 18th February 2009 at
7.15pm at the Kintore Arms, Inverurie
Buffet at 6.30pm
ALL WELCOME
Please come along and support
your union!
Agenda
1. Chairperson's remarks
2. Appointment of Tellers
3. (a) Minute
of AGM 2008
(b)
Matters arising
4. Annual Report
The Annual Report on the work of the branch will be available at
the meeting. Questions and discussion will follow.
5. Treasurer's Report and Presentation of Accounts
(a) The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2008
6. Election
of branch officers
Election
of branch committee/stewards
7. Motions
(1) Honoraria Payments
(2) UNISON response to the death
of 'Baby P'
(3) Defend Public Sector Pensions
(4) Local Government Pay
8. Any other competent business
(This should be advised to chairperson before the start of the meeting)
9. Close of meeting
It is recommended the meeting should conclude no later than 9.15
p.m.
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The AGM is the branch's supreme policy making forum. It will elect
the Branch Officers for 2009, set policy on important issues affecting
all members and can amend rules.
The preliminary notice has already been issued to allow members
time to consider and submit nominations and motions and to meet
deadlines for the agenda which will be sent out no later than Friday
30th Jan 2009.
Branch officer and steward posts
Nominations are invited for stewards and branch officer posts.
Any nominations should be on the appropriate forms and should be
returned to Bob Revie, Branch Secretary at UNISON Freepost (AB048),
7 Alford Place, Aberdeen AB10 1ZQ no later than Wed 21st Jan 2009.
Click
here for steward's nomination forms
Click
here for branch officer's nomination forms
Description
of branch officer roles
Motions and other business
Any member can submit a motion or let us know of any other business
for consideration at the AGM. Motions need to be signed by two members
and sent to Bob Revie, Branch Secretary at UNISON Freepost (AB048),
7 Alford Place, Aberdeen AB10 1ZQ no later than Wed 21st Jan 2009.
Click here to see last year's motions.
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