Question Of The Month - March

***Question of the Month - March*** Last month 5 lucky winners were drawn out the hat, each winning a £25.00 gift voucher. This month, there’s another chance to win… We are presenting a big project for the modernisation of your Branch at the AGM on the 19th March with a major part of this is to do with technology. The ultimate goal is a paperless office and branch, a clear and simple web application available for all members 24/7 providing access to local & national UNISON information, e-learning for members, a variety of communication streams, electronic forms and a stewards area with past case history. *** So the question this month is: What would encourage you to use this? *** To enter: - Email: unison@westlothian.gov.uk, Subject: Question of the Month - Mail: - (Internal) - UNISON Office - (External) – UNISON Office, 1st Floor, Almondbank Centre, Livingston, EH54 5EH - Call: 01506 282 270 Remember to include you answer, your name and your contact details (email etc.) >>> Closing date – Tuesday 25th March, 12 noon! <<< 5 winners will be drawn at random from the valid entries, each winning a £25 gift voucher – good luck! Only members of UNISON West Lothian (7369) can enter this draw. Only one entry per member. All valid entries received will be entered into the draw. The draw will take place at the Branch Executive Committee meeting on 27th March; winners will be notified shortly after. No cash alternative will be offered.

Branch Supports LGBT Community

West Lothian Council agreed to fly the symbolic rainbow flag during LGBT history month (February 2014). 

Following a motion at the Branch Executive Committee, the branch requested that the flag be flown to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBT community in West Lothian and beyond. 

Our Equalities Officer, Tara McLaren said “UNISON West Lothian welcome this decision which coincides with the Scottish Government’s passing of the Equal Marriage Bill. In recent years the flag has not only become a symbol for the LGBT community but an emblem for peace and solidarity with all communities. This is a step forward for equalities and chimes well with our values.”

From L - R: Tara McLaren & Brendan Moohan, UNISON West Lothian, Cllr John McGinty, Leader, West Lothian Council, Graham Hope, Chief Executive, West Lothian Council.  

Lunchtime Aggregate Meetings

Following on from last year’s successful lunchtime meetings we will be holding a series of formally convened lunchtime AGM meetings in a number of workplaces in the week prior to the AGM. http://www.westlothianunison.org/files/Aggregate_Meetings_2014.pdf Voting will take place at these aggregate meetings. Votes will be counted and taken forward to the AGM. Please note: if you attend one of the lunchtime AGM meetings and vote, you may attend the evening AGM at Howden Park on the 19th, but you will not be able to vote again. These are very important meetings. Please make every effort to participate. Only a quorate AGM gives the branch the mandate we need to continue our work to modernise and improve the service given to you, our members.

Get Educated In 2014!

Make getting educated in 2014 your New Year’s Resolution! UNISON Scotland’s Activist Education Programme for next year has just been released. The programme contains something for everyone, allowing you to enhance your skills and knowledge and keep you Trained and Active in UNISON. Well trained activists are the backbone of our union and UNISON aims to provide relevant, quality education to equip them for the challenges we face. If you’d like to apply, or find out more information you can contact the Branch’s Learning Officer Andy Anderson - 07880 385 487, andrew.anderson@westlothian.gov.uk You can also contact the Branch Officer – 01506 282 270, unison@westlothian.gov.uk http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/education/201314programme2_unison.pdf

UNISON brands COSLA’s delay claims ‘utter nonsense’

UNISON has dismissed COSLA’s delay claims as ‘utter nonsense’ and says the organisation’s decision to rip up its one year pay offer is a kick in the teeth for hardworking council staff. Scotland’s largest public service union reacted angrily to COSLA’s plans to impose terms on workers for a two year period - completely outwith the bargaining framework - instead of honouring their agreement of one per cent for 2013/14. Dougie Black, UNISON’s regional organiser, said: “COSLA’s claims that UNISON is dragging its heels is utter nonsense. “Our members were balloted and had accepted COSLA’s one year pay offer. It’s completely unacceptable for COSLA to renege on the deal and it’s a real kick in the teeth for Scotland’s council staff who work hard to deliver Scotland’s council services. “Imposing a deal is no way to conduct bargaining and our members deserve more than these underhand tactics. COSLA needs to get back around the negotiating table and conduct their business in a fair, open and transparent manner and show our members the respect they deserve.” More information on the local government pay agreement can be found on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html

Vauxhall - Latest UNISON Plus Benefit

 

 

*** UNISON Plus Member Benefit ***

The Vauxhall Partners team are really excited to provide details of our latest offer from 2nd October to 16th December 2013.

YOUR ASSOCIATE PARTNERS DISCOUNT PLUS:...
...
- 0% APR Representative with flexible finance*

- Additional savings on Astra and Corsa Limited Edition Models

- Plus 1 year free insurance on selected Corsa models for 21-75 year olds‡

*Available on selected models, at participating Retailers. Refer to www.vauxhall.co.uk/offers. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Finance supplied by Vauxhall Finance, PO Box 6666, Cardiff CF15 7YT. Offer available on orders or registrations before 16 December 2013. Offers apply to Vauxhall Partners only.

‡First year insurance offer available on Corsa models excluding Expression, S, VXR, Design and Sting. The offer will cover the full premium (motor policy only) for drivers aged between 21-75. Drivers must have held a valid full UK licence for a minimum of 1 year. Only available through Vauxhall Insurance. Policies are underwritten by Ageas Insurance Ltd. Other insurance specific Terms and Conditions apply.

For Partners terms and conditions go to partnersprogramme.co.uk/legal-notice-and-privacy-policy.

Correct at time of going to print 26/09/2013.

"We Will Be Free" Play Tickets - Prize Draw For Branch Members!

On Monday 21st October a performance of "We Will Be Free!", a new drama set in 1834 about the Tolpuddle Martyrs will take place at Loganlea Miners Welfare Club.

The play follows the extraordinary true story of George and Betsy Loveless. He was a Methodist preacher and the leader of the six Dorsetshire farm labourers who were tried, convicted and condemned to harsh transportation by an oppressive Government for having the temerity to swear a secret oath and form a union to fight against a succession of wage cuts inflicted by the local landowner.

The Branch has 5 pairs of tickets to give away to our members.

If you’d like to enter your name into this free prize draw, please contact the Branch Office by midday on Monday 14th October, either by email (unison@westlothian.gov.uk) or phone 01506 282 270.

The 5 lucky winners will be contacted shortly after. Please bring this to the attention of fellow members. • All members who express an interest in attending will have their name put into a draw.

• Draw will take place on afternoon of 14th October.

• 5 names will be drawn.

• Winners will be contacted shortly after.

• No cash alternative

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.