UNISON Scotland Statement On Local Government Pay Ballot

Local government members in Scottish public services union UNISON have decided not to move forward to three days of industrial action over a proposed pay raise of 1% for the current year, which they rejected overwhelmingly earlier in the summer. The pay ballot closed on 13 August and resulted in a very narrow rejection of moving towards a programme of industrial action in support of an improved offer. 49.78% voted in favour of industrial action and 50.22% voted against. The union's local government committee met today to consider the result of the industrial action ballot.. A UNISON spokesperson said: "Whilst the result of this ballot means that members have voted to reject industrial action over the current one year deal, there was a substantial vote for a strike. Our members in local government voted by 3:2 to reject the miserly 1% pay offer which is effectively a further pay cut. "The industrial action ballot which closed yesterday provides no mandate for a strike and members have reluctantly accepted the 1% rise for the current year. "Our local government members fear for the security of their jobs and the pressure on the vital services we provide to our communities. "We have faced the loss of upwards of 35,000 jobs local government over vthe last three years." "That's the climate in which our people have to operate under the current Tory austerity policies. "In the last week we have heard that the bulk of cuts to public services are still coming down the line. This is something we already knew. UNISON will now move forward to real push on pay in the coming year. Our members do vital work and provide important services for our communities. They are worth more than a series of effective pay cuts." http://unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html

Vote Yes to Fair Pay: Ballot Open!

The Local Government Pay Ballot opened yesterday, 3rd July, and runs for 6 weeks, closing on Tuesday, 13th August.

Use your Vote for #FairPay!

http://unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html

Equal Pay: Landmark decision paves the way for our members

More than 100 women members of UNISON in West Lothian are celebrating a historic equal pay victory.

They are among nearly 2000 members in Scotland who can expect to share in an estimated nearly £12 million in compensation after a UK Supreme Court judgment yesterday (26 June).

The success of 251 women from Dumfries and Galloway against their council in the landmark decision paves the way for our members to win their equal pay compensation from West Lothian Council.

The seven-year North v Dumfries & Galloway case has finally demolished the long-running defence by Scottish councils of paying men discriminatory bonuses that are denied to women....

Having conceded that council bonuses were discriminatory, more than 20 Scottish councils joined Dumfries in arguing that women should only get equal pay compensation if they worked at the same location as their male comparators.

UNISON had appealed after the Court of Session said the 251 classroom assistants, support for learning assistants and nursery nurses in Dumfries were not able to compare themselves with groundsmen, refuse collectors and drivers and leisure attendants who received bonuses, but were based at depots, not in the women’s schools.

The judgment overturns that decision, saying that UK equal pay law which allows a woman to compare herself with a man “in the same employment” does apply, even though the women worked at different ‘establishments’.

UNISON wins historic equal pay case worth millions of pounds for members

#EqualPay

Nearly two thousand women members of UNISON are celebrating a historic equal pay victory today.

They have finally demolished the long-running defence by Scottish councils of paying men discriminatory bonuses that are denied to women.

 The UNISON Scotland members can expect to share in an estimated nearly £12 million in compensation after the UK Supreme Court today handed down judgment in their favour in the seven-year case of North & Others v Dumfries and Galloway Council.

 Having conceded that council bonuses were discriminatory, more than 20 Scottish councils joined Dumfries in arguing that women should only get equal pay compensation if they worked at the same location as their male comparators.

 UNISON had appealed after the Court of Session said the 251 classroom assistants, support for learning assistants and nursery nurses in Dumfries were not able to compare themselves with groundsmen, refuse collectors and drivers and leisure attendants who received bonuses, but were based at depots, not in the women’s schools.

Today’s judgment overturns that decision, saying that UK equal pay law which allows a woman to compare herself with a man “in the same employment” does apply, even though the women worked at different ‘establishments’.

Crucially, the decision also opens the way for thousands of workers in arms length companies to compare pay rates between different employers if the council has the overriding ability to control how these subsidiaries operate.

Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary, said: “I am delighted that the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of our women members.  It is a shame, though, that they have had to go through this process and endure a seven-year wait, just to get equal pay.

“Dumfries and Galloway Council should take immediate steps to correct their pay and I urge other councils to follow suit.  We have nearly 2,000 cases on hold, waiting for this judgment.

“Employers should be in no doubt that this union will continue to pursue cases until all women are treated equally.  There are far too many who are still discriminated against and far too many employers who are using every single legal argument and loophole to dodge their obligations under  equal pay law.”

Dumfries support for learning assistant Elaine North, one of the 251 appellants, said: “This has been a very long fight but we knew all along that we should be able to compare our work with the men, who sometimes did work in schools, but were not based there like us.

“We have won what is rightfully ours and 251 women employed by Dumfries & Galloway Council will be celebrating tonight. UNISON has been fantastic and we now hope the women employed by other councils who have been waiting for this decision can proceed with their cases.”

UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said:  “This is a landmark case in equal pay across the UK. UNISON’s determination to fight for our members has successfully defended the intentions of the Equal Pay Act. Losing this would have been a serious setback for the Act itself.

“It is a disgrace that it is taking so long for women to get equal pay with men and that councils have fought to defend discriminatory practice in this way.

“More than 40 years after the Equal Pay Act, and after 30 years of equal value claims and 20 years after Scottish local authorities and trade unions reached agreement on implementing equal pay, there is finally no hiding place.

“The unions, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government have been telling council leaders to get this sorted out.

“We are proud that it was UNISON alone who got the final answer from the Supreme Court. It is time for councils to stump up and give our members what is due to them.”

http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/unison-wins-historic-equal-pay-case.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

#YesToFairPay!

Fair Pay Day of Action for local government workers

Unions today (Tuesday) launched a Fair Pay Day supporting Scottish local government workers as they prepare to vote on strike action.

Trade unionists on the STUC Austerity Uncovered tour asked why council workers are being offered a ‘measly’ 1% pay rise when ‘fat cats’* on the Sunday Times Rich List saw their wealth soar by £116 billion in the last three years.

UNISON branches across Scotland are holding workplace events and lobbying councillors today as they campaign for a Yes vote in the strike ballot, which opens next week.

And in Dundee the Austerity Uncovered anti-cuts ‘battle bus’ continues its tour of local communities hit hard by the UK Coalition Government attacks on jobs, pay and benefits that are hitting the most vulnerable so hard.

Dougie Black, Regional Organiser, said: “Local government workers are struggling to make ends meet after the value of their pay has gone down nearly 13% in three years, while their daily bills go up and up.

“What communities need is workers spending money locally. We know that council workers do that, so giving them a Living Wage, with annual increases, and a fair pay rise, will boost local economies.”

Dave Moxham, STUC Deputy General Secretary, will speak at the Fair Pay day event in Dundee at lunchtime. He said: “Just a few days into the Austerity Uncovered tour, STUC has confirmed through what people tell us that, along with unemployment, low pay is a major cause of suffering.

“Local government workers have tightened their belts following serial real terms pay cuts and many can go no further with debts mounting. Council tax freezes, which most benefit those in big houses, are squeezing council budgets and causing cuts in services and workers’ pay.”

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2013/mayjun/2506.htm

Support The #YestoFairPay Campaign!

Scottish council workers deserve a fair pay rise & yearly #LivingWage rises!

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/LEAFLETA5_20130603.pdf

Union Announces Scotland Wide Strike Ballot Of Council Staff

Local government workers across Scotland are being balloted on strike action, after rejecting a 1% pay offer.

UNISON, the public services union, will ballot 75,000 members working for Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

Stephanie Herd, Chair of UNISON’s Local Government Committee, said: “Members are angry about a miserly 1% offer, following two years of a pay freeze.

“The year before that they only received 0.65%. Over this period the value of their pay has gone down by nearly 13%, while the cost of food and heating has soared.

“Council staff work hard delivering quality public services. They are overstretched after more than 34,500 local government jobs have gone. They are underpaid, and they see the wealthiest people in this country getting ever richer.

“Our members deserve fair pay and we believe they will vote yes for strike action to put pressure on the employers to improve the offer.”

UNISON is calling for a fair pay rise and for COSLA to commit to an annual increase in the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.50 per hour. The current offer from employers includes the Living Wage, which the unions have campaigned for, but no annual uplift.

Dougie Black, UNISON lead negotiator in local government, said: “We tried to get the employers back round the table for talks after members voted to reject the offer, but the employers refused.

“It is clear that our members do not believe 1% is fair. They also lost out because they did not receive the £250 increase for the lowest paid NHS and civil service staff in the last two years, which was supposed to soften the blow of a pay freeze.”

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2013/mayjun/0406.htm

Free learning for new members

UNISON is offering all new members who join in May or June 2013 free one day “taster” learning workshops to help you cope with the challenges life throws at you either at work or in your daily life.

We can help you get to grips with new technology – from using the internet on your smart phone to making the most of your office email.

We’ll tell you more about your union, UNISON, how you access our help and support and how the union can support you in the workplace.

And it’s all FREE.

>>> http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/21518.pdf

Celebrate May Day This Weekend!

Other events are taking place across Scotland this weekend - see http://www.stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-external-events/mayday-2012 for full details!

Lunchtime Stalls - Civic Centre

UNISON will be holding a lunchtime stall

• Tuesday, 30th April
• Civic Centre - The Street
• 12 noon to 2pm 

Like with previous stalls, this will be an opportunity to collect the latest information from UNISON and speak with Stewards about any issues/questions you may have.

There will be further lunchtime stalls on:

•  May 28^th
• September 24^th 
•  October 29^th
• November 26^th

If there are any issues in particular you would like to see covered at future stalls, please contact the Branch Office.

UNISON Plus - Britannia mortages

More information on this UNISON Plus offer can be found on Britannia's website.

Essential Cover If You Work In Public Services!

With cuts, redundancies, restructuring and outsourcing, now is the time to join UNISON.

• Call free on 0800 171 2194
• Join online - www.joinunison.org
• Speak to a Steward

We're the UK's largest public service union, with over 1.3 million members. In West Lothian, we represent over 2,500 members, both Council employees and workers involved in further education, trusts and voluntary organisations in and around the County.

Join today and you'll receive our support – with membership costing less than you might think.

Before you get to work, get essential cover.

Annual salary	Monthly cost
Up to £2,000	£1.30
£2,001 - £5,000	£3.50
£5,001 - £8,000	£5.30
£8,001 - £11,000	£6.60
£11,001 - £14,000	£7.85
£14,001 - £17,000	£9.70
£17,001 - £20,000	£11.50
£20,001 - £25,000	£14.00
£25,001 - £30,000	£17.25
£30,001 - £35,000	£20.30
Over £35,000	£22.50

Reasons to join UNISON

EVERY member receives our full range of benefits and services, including

Legal help
for you at work and your family at home

Financial assistance
and debt advice in times of need

Helpline
open until midnight on weekdays and 4pm on Saturday

Accident and injury compensation
for you and your family

Exclusive member discounts
including money off cars and holidays

Updated - Your Stewards

The list of stewards for 2013/14 has been updated (there are still some names/contact details to add to the list).  

http://unisonwestlothian.blogspot.co.uk/p/your-stewards.html

If you don't currently have a steward and you need assistance, call the Branch Office on 01506 282 270 or email unison@westlothian.gov.uk

If you'd like to become a steward or a workplace contact, get in contact with the Branch Office.

Branch Officers 2013

The following people were elected to office at the 2013 AGM:

· Branch Secretary—Catrina Warren (Finance and Estates)

· Branch Chair—Jason Halliday (Operational Services)

· Branch Vice Chair—Karen Cameron (Housing, Construction & Building Services)

· Service Conditions Officers:

- Martin Murray (Social Policy)

- Tara McLaren (Housing, Construction & Building Services)

- Jock Kerr (Area Services)

- Jane Ridgway  (Social Policy)

· Branch Treasurer—Karen Cameron (Housing, Construction & Building    Services)

· Welfare Officer—Ian Sutcliffe (Finance and Estates)

· Health & Safety Officer—Andy Anderson (Operational Services)

· Education & Life Long Learning— Andy Anderson (Operational Services)

· Communications Officer— Brendan Moohan (Area Services)

· Young Members Officer– Calum Scott (Social Policy)

Activists - Get Educated!

The 2013 UNISON Scotland Activists Education Programme is now out - see
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/education/courses.html for the full list of courses being run.


Well trained activists are the backbone of our union - if you'd like to go on one of the Course contact the Branch Office in the first instance.

UNISON Travel Club – Discounted holidays exclusively for you!

UNISON Travel Club provides a superior travel service and a more individual approach to all your travel needs. Not only will you get the best deals, but you will have your holiday designed around you, with the personal touch of your own UNISON Travel Club Advisor. There are some truly exceptional offers available on all types of holidays, in the UK and worldwide - Choose from low cost holidays or fully inclusive itineraries. 

Special offers are available on departures from any UK regional airport, including your local Scottish airports – Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Prestwick.  All holidays are fully protected by ABTA and ATOL for your peace of mind.

The average saving is just over £100 for UNISON members but you could save up to 50% on the cost of your holiday by taking advantage of exclusive offers, which are only available to UNISON members.

Don’t pay over the odds for your next holiday - Take advantage of this fantastic benefit as part of your UNISON membership and save yourself time and money!

Ensure you hear about the best deals departing from Scottish airports first, by registering to receive the weekly email alerts -
Sign up for free today at www.unisontravelclub.co.uk

Contact UNISON Travel Club with your holiday enquiry on 0800 021 7737

November's Best Offers:

Stronger Together In UNISON

Keep your eyes peeled for these UNISON adverts!

If you, or someone you know would like to join, or you'd like further information, then call the Branch Office - 01506 282 270 or email us unison@westlothian.gov.uk

A Future That Works!

We're getting ready for tomorrow's march in Glasgow!

Details of transport arrangements have been circulated, but if you're making your own way to Glasgow you can find more information here - http://www.stuc.org.uk/20-oct

Can't make it?

If you can't make it to the march, you can still make your voice heard. There are some really simple and effective ways on the UNISON website - http://www.unison.org.uk/20102012/marchonline.asp

UNISON members update your details online

You can now update your details online by simply clicking on the link below and following the instructions.
http://www.unison.org.uk/membership/update.asp

Tribute to Veteran Activist after 60 years service

West Lothian UNISON branch awarded in recognition of lengthy service to the trade union movement and to this branch in particular Owen Murdoch lifetime honorary membership of the branch.

Owen is pictured here with Branch Chair, Jason Halliday.