 Pay
Update September 2008
Second magnificent day of action brings
services to a halt
The branch would like to thank all our members who took a further
day of strike action in support of a decent pay offer, especially
for our low paid members.
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Aberdeen to host
strike rally
A rally in Aberdeen has been organised for the union’s local
government branches in the North East. It will be held in the Castlegate
from 11.00am to 12 noon. Speakers will include UNISON’s Scottish
Organiser John Keggie, and Alison Law, a low-paid UNISON member
and Home Carer from Aberdeenshire. Speakers from fellow striking
trade unions GMB and Unite have also been invited. An
individual letter has been sent out to all members about this
event and the branch is encouraging all our members to attend. >>>>more
John Keggie, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser said “If the employers
thought that promising to reconsider their pay offer and then refusing
to deliver was a clever tactic, then this next action will show
them the error of their ways. Whether this was a piece of sleight-of-hand
or the inability of the employers’ reps to agree a new offer, it
has backfired badly. All the reports indicate that this has made
members much angrier. And this is likely to be demonstrated on the
24th.
“In the event that it becomes needed we now have authorisation
for further action after the 24 September. We hope that the employers
will make sure we don’t need to take that action, by looking at
a settlement which takes account of the subsequent surge of inflation
– as they promised after the last strike. But given their track
record then, we need to ensure we have further action planned if
this doesn’t happen.”
 Kate
Ramsden, Branch Chair said, "We very much regret that it has
come to this. Our members don't want to strike. They want to be
doing what they took their jobs to do and that is delivering services
- many vital - to the people of Aberdeenshire. However, they feel
enough is enough and that for far too long now, they have accepted
below inflation pay increases.
"All we want is a decent settlement and to be treated with
respect. We hoped that the employers would see from our action last
month that we are very serious and determined about this, but once
more they don't seem to be listening."
A national march and rally, involving all three trade unions, will
also be held in Edinburgh. Click
here for details.
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How to picket your workplace
The following workplaces will be picketed. If you would like to
join pickets on these workplaces please contact the named activists
below.
- Inverurie Academy: Jill Florence 01467 621655
- Medrum Academy: Rhona Robertson 01651 871307
- Gordon House: Gordon Thompson 01467 628097 mob: 07909 885693
- North St: Alison Law 01467 623459
- Woodhill House: Morag Lawrence 01467 664735
- Carlton House: Inez Teece mob: 07780781953
Any other activists who wish to picket their workplace should contact
the following Branch Officers for placards, leaflets and other materials.
- South: Inez Teece 07780781953
- North: Ian McDonald 07815926319
- Central: Kate Ramsden 07767027722
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Why we need to take more action
 After
the magnificent day of action
on 20th August, both here in Aberdeenshire and across the whole
of Scotland, UNISON members were delighted when the employers organisation,
CoSLA, asked for more talks. >>>>more
The three trade unions went into these talks in good faith. On
the first, held on Thursday 28th August, the CoSLA officials agreed
to a one year pay offer rather than tying us into a three year pay
deal. They also indicated that they would be prepared to consider
an improved offer.
However when they returned to the negotiating table on Monday 1st
Sept, after talking to council leaders, it was with the same 2.5%
offer. "Despite inflation at nearly 5% they offered not one
penny more on their pay offer for this year," said Kate Ramsden,
Branch Chair. "Our members will be very angry at this. It is
an insult to us all but especially for our low paid members who
will get the princely rise of 17p per hour. For part-time workers
that's around £3.00 per week." >>>>more
At a meeting of UNISON Scotland's Local Government Conference which
took place in Glasgow on Friday 5th Sept, representatives from across
Scotland overwhelmingly agreed to a programme of further industrial
action over pay.
 Bob
Revie, Vice-chair of the Local Government Committe and one of the
UNISON negotiators said, "Todays conference sends a very clear message
to the employers. Your failure to improve your offer despite previous
commitments given in public to do so will not be tolerated by our
members. Taking further industrial action is regrettable, but now
unavoidable. We have no alternative given the employers’ behaviour
over this.” >>>>more
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q. Do members have to tell their line manager that they
will be taking strike action on 24th Sept?
A. No. Members are not obliged to tell their manager that
they are taking strike action. UNISON has informed the employer
that all UNISON members will be on strike on 24th Sept and the employer
knows who the UNISON members are.
Q. How can members access the hardship fund?
A. Members can get an application form by contacting the
UNISON resource centre. However, the hardship must be as a direct
result of the loss of wages through the day of action. If members
are suffering any other form of hardship they should contact the
Branch Welfare Officer through the Resource Centre.
Q. How can members who are on holiday or exempted from strike
action donate their day's wages?
A. They can make a cheque payable to Aberdeenshire UNISON
and send it to the Resource Centre, 7 Alford Place, Aberdeen AB10
1YD
Contact the UNISON Resource Centre (01224 620624) if you have any
more queries. But remember it will be closed for the Aberdeen holiday
weekend on Friday 19th and Monday 22nd September.
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