Branch Annual Report 2007/08
It is always difficult to capture the work of the Branch in a few
headings but to try and cover all that we do would produce a long
list. Here I will try to stick to the main issues.
Single Status Implementation
Aberdeenshire Council The last year has been dominated by this.
Across Scottish Local Government only a handful of Councils have
been able to reach agreement with their Unions on a package for
implementation.
Our negotiators approached this from the basis that a National
Agreement existed and that there was an obligation on both sides
to seek to negotiate an agreement for local implementation.The package
obtained was put to you as the best we could negotiate and you,
along with colleagues from GMB and Unite (T&G) indicated acceptance.
Implementation was effected from 1st July 2007 with changes in
basic pay backdated to 1st January 2007. Implementation raised a
number of problems for Services and Personnel and Payroll with 14,000
new contracts issued. With perseverance most of these have now been
resolved.
Over 2000 employees have submitted appeals against their Single
Status mapping (grade), over 700 of these being UNISON members.
The appeals stage is now under way following training of panel members,
including Trade Union nominees.
UNISON has also provided training to Stewards and contacts to assist
members preparing for their appeal. Informal stage appeals have
been considered for those who are deemed "singleton", in other words,
people who carry out a job unlike any other in the Council. Over
the next few weeks the first Formal Stage appeals will go before
the Appeals Panel.The Council has indicated that they intend to
complete the appeals by October 2008.
Click here for more information
on single status and equal pay
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Equal Pay Claims
On Single Status and Equal Pay the Branch has kept members informed
through a series of plain language bulletins of progress and of
their individual rights. We have also held forums and surgeries
where we have met hundreds of members face to face to offer advice
and assistance. The feedback on this has been very positive.
Our work on Equal Pay has been led by Inez Teece, Assistant Branch
Secretary and our Resource Centre Staff. This has been a major task
with demanding deadlines. Inez has taken all our Equal Pay Grievances
against the Council under the grievance procedure in the face of
the Council view there was no Equal Pay liability for former APT&C
Employees.
We strongly challenge that view and our cases are now in the Employment
Tribunal System and with Thompsons, our solicitors. It can take
many years for Equal Pay cases to be resolved by Tribunal and members
involved will be kept fully informed of the process.
Click here for more information
on single status and equal pay
Modernisation Reviews
The Council is undergoing a series of Modernisation Reviews across
all Council Services. These have the potential to change the shape
and delivery method of the present structure. By extension this
could alter the grading of posts, up or down.
Council policy is that if your post goes down they will seek to
resign your job by adding duties to justify your present grade.
This process will require careful monitoring and feedback from members
is essential.
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Community and Voluntary Sector
Our members in this vital area, now often referred to as the Third
Sector, have and are continuing to face a difficult time. Funding
is extremely tight with, in many cases Employers unable to match
the public Sector pay comparison on an annual increase or in some
cases make an increase at all.
UNISON along with the SCVO and other organisations will continue
to campaign for full funding from Government. We also need to strengthen
our organisation in the sector to allow members to support and represent
their colleagues within the sector.
Click here for more information
Communications
In addition to the plain language bulletins referred to above, the
Branch has continued to issue a regular newsletter which is direct
mailed to all members. Our web-site continues to grow and develop
due to Kate Ramsden's work on this. Other sections of UNISON are
now looking at our site as a model for their use.
Communications is however a two way process and we welcome feedback
on our publications and web-site.
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Participation in UNISON
The Branch continues to play an active role in UNISON's Scottish
and National work and delegates have represented the Branch at most
of the Annual Conferences. It is essential that branches fully engage
within the Union and plays our part, influencing its policies and
direction for the benefit of the wider membership.
Click here for Conference reports
Appreciation
As ever we need to thank all those who hold elected positions, whether
stewards or officers. They form the vital link between members and
the Union. All are volunteers who give freely of their time and
talents for the benefit of all members. As ever we need more help
in this area.
Special thanks should be noted to Bill Edwards and Inez Teece our
Assistant Branch Secretaries who between them deal with most of
the one to one issues raised by members at grievances and disciplinary
hearings. Also the staff at the UNISON Resource Centre deserves
our thanks. We note this every year but they do a power of work
behind the scenes.
This is no more than a rough sketch giving some flavour of the
work of UNISON Aberdeenshire - so much is done by others in all
kinds of ways to help members and this should not be overlooked.
Really it is all about you, help us to help you in UNISON.
BOB REVIE
Branch Secretary
20th February 2008
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