Another Success Story from an Oxford City Council's UNISON Steward

Steward success is not always about successfully defending members in times of crises. They are proactive in seeking the best circumstances for members; representing your voice within meetings where decisions are made about Workforce Management and Performance Management. Unions are the only negotiating party who work on behalf of members.

A success story within Customer Contact is where our Steward (Lorraine Francis) has got into those decision making meetings and tirelessly works on behalf of the members in Customer Contact.

How did she get there? UNISON conducted a survey of members within the Contact Centre. We asked questions about their feelings towards their work and what their confidence is on the current circumstances.

Lorraine, represented the data to management and as a result of this effort she has regular FORTNIGHTLY meetings with management to discuss issues within the Contact Centre. Customer Contact Managers have also agreed, as part of being open and transparent, to send her on the 3 day Work force Management training; which, means she is able to have a more informed perspective on decisions to enable her to be in a powerful position when negotiations take place.

Respect also goes to the Customer Contact Managers who have listened to UNISON's concerns and acted on them in a positive way. Lorraine considers that she has more input now on anything that may become an issue and affect staff morale and she has an input on they way things are being implemented.

If you work in the Contact Centre and if you are are not a Member please feel free to email or approach Lorraine Francis if you would like further information about UNISON's work at Oxford City Council. If you work in the Contact Centre and you ARE a Member please feel free to contact Lorraine if you are experiencing any issuesat work.

If you work in other departments and would like to know more information about who your contact is please email oxfordunison@gmail.com or contact the local branch office at 01865 252522.

And finally, if you are interested in becoming a steward for your area, where you are:

• Entitled to time off for training
• Entitled to Facility time
• Assist members in your area
• Negotiate on decisions that affects you and your members in your department (see article above)
• Have the right to vote at branch committee on Council policy decisions and the direction of YOUR union.

Please email the branch secretary Caroline Glendinning at cglendinning@oxford.gov.uk  or call the office on 01865 252522.

Christmas News

Not really news yet; but a decision will be made very soon about what Oxford City UNISON branch is doing for the festive season. Keep checking; it will be very exciting!

Another Success Story from an Oxford City Council's UNISON Steward

UNISON stewards are there to help all members with issues at work and one particular example is when a member is under disciplinary. Oxford City's UNISON branch understand the stress and anguish when this situation occurs to our members and we are very experienced in dealing with a disciplinary. We have officers and stewards trained by the Regional Training programmes and we seek to represent and resolve the issue in the best interest of OUR members.

One of our members was subjected to a disciplinary and one our esteemed stewards recognised that the investigation was not subject to procedure and that our member should have been praised for the work he did during an extremely emotional and stressful time rather than disciplined.

Our Steward got him off all charges and highlighted concerns about management not following procedure at one of our leisure centres. Our Branch Secretary is meeting with the HR department of Fusion (who run our Leisure Centres) and will express the concerns the UNISON Branch have with management not following procedure. We will report on the outcome of this meeting.

This is a great example of Oxford City's UNISON being there for members in times of crisis and representing you on your behalf for a positive solution.

If you have any questions about the disciplinary process at Oxford City Council or have any other concerns that we can help with please do not hesitate to contact your Steward or email oxfordunison@gmail.com or contact the local branch office at 01865 252522.


BRANCH COMMITTEE NEWS

Following recent Membership Feedback relating to a previous article (dated 15/10/2013 Attendance Management Policy up for Review); Oxford City's UNISON Branch Committee recognised that members find it difficult to find the time to read an entire 50 page policy. Further to this, the Branch Committee recognises that it is difficult to give feedback when you do not know what changes are being proposed.

The Branch has therefore AGREED to a new process for new and adjusted Policies and Procedures (Terms and Conditions).

The Branch Committee PROPOSES that management:

1. Send the Branch Secretary a completed form indicating the policy/procedure name and the date of the proposal and date to be implemented. Then each proposed policy or change to existing policy listed to ensure we understand what is proposed.
2. The Branch Secretary informs the Branch Committee of the form and sends the form to the membership for their feedback on the proposals.
3. The Branch Committee considers the proposals and the feedback from member to determine the next course of action and what counter proposals can be offered or what can be accepted.
4. Negotiation Team meets with Management to get the best deal for members.
5. That 'Best' deal gets voted by Branch Committee
6. Branch Committee communicates to membership of the result
7. Negotiation Team meets with Management to ensure the wording in the document reflects the proposals that have been AGREED.
8. Branch Committee communicates the new Policy and Procedure to the members with the details of what they have won on their behalf.

This new proposal ensures that YOU the MEMBERS have a direct opportunity to provide feedback on changes that are proposed AND you have the opportunity to express your own suggestions for improvements.

If you want to have the ability to vote on these decisions the Branch Committee would welcome any volunteers to join. Please email oxfordunison@gmail.com or call the local branch office at 01865 252522.


AND FINALLY

Oxford City's UNISON Branch Committee is supporting Oxford City Council's 'Best Companies "b heard" survey. The Branch Committee feel that feedback on this level is making a larger impact now than previous survey's and would hope that all of OUR Members voices are represented; you can do it in work time and the City Council will donate £1.00 to Maggies Oxford AND Crisis Skylight for ever survey returned!

For more information call Oxford City Council's HR team on 252848.

Success Story from an Oxford City Council’s UNISON steward

 

Following fraught negotiations with a manager one of our stewards supported and achieved a reduced hours contract for a member under the flexible working policy. The request was previously refused, however, following advice, guidance and leadership from one of your stewards this was eventually reconsidered in the members favour.

I have recently gone through negotiations of the flexible working policy for childcare reasons and was surprised to find out that under the policy I only have a RIGHT to request for flexible working NOT to receive it. My right to request is only due to the fact that I am:

·         An employee;

·         Have worked continuously for 26 weeks at the date of request made;

·         Have caring responsibilities for the child or adult in respect of whom the request is being made; and

·         Not have made a formal request to work flexibly during the last 12 months (each 12 months period runs from the date when the most recent application was made).

There is a checklist for caring for adults which was something I was not originally aware of and if you are caring for a relative adult or child who you have carers responsibilities for and you would like to know more information about this please do not hesitate to contact us on oxfordunison@gmail.com or contact the local branch officer on 01865 252522.

There are 8 statutory business reasons for rejection:

a)    The burden of additional costs

b)    Detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand

c)    Inability to reorganise work among existing staff

d)    Inability to recruit additional staff

e)    Detrimental impact on performance

f)     Insufficiency of work during the periods that you propose to work

g)    Planned changes.

In my case, it is worth noting that the Council turned my original request down; however they did offer me a reasonable alternative following a discussion with my Union representative at the time – I was very thankful for being member so UNISON could negotiate a settlement for me.

If it was not for the Unions Stewards keeping those lines of communications open, liaising, putting across sensible reasonable arguments for or against; then such settlements may never be gained for members.

This is one of many success stories that go unreported by our Stewards and Officers and it is time we stop dwelling on the few losses and demonstrate that we are there for you when you need us and we can influence decisions that affect you the members.

Attendance Management Policy up for Review

Currently we have the Attendance Management Policy under review and UNISON Oxford Branch would really like your feedback on the policy – how has it affected you? What would you like included? What would you like to be removed?

To read the current policy: http://occweb/files/seealsodocs/95803/Attendance%20Management%20policy%20V2.pdf

If you have any feedback please sent these to oxfordunison@gmail.com or talk/email your suggestions to your Union Steward. Don't know who your nearest Steward is? Please email and we will get them to contact you.

Obviously, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to carry out your recommendations but we will certainly take them on board and consider them.

If you are interested in becoming a union representative (steward) for your area and have a direct input on Council policies and procedures (including voting at branch on passing the policies and procedures) then please contact oxfordunison@gmail.com you will have access to direct support including UNISON training sessions at no cost to yourself.

Become an active part in YOUR Local Union Branch. And be part of the decisions that affect your Working Conditions.

Get ready to answer the call for the NHS

UNISON members will be answering the call for the NHS at the TUC march and rally on 29 September in Manchester. If you're going, or if you can't make it but want to know how to get involved, here's what you need to know:
Coaches
If you are organising or looking for transport to Manchester on 29 September check the False Economy website http://falseeconomy.org.uk/nhs299
The march
The march is expected to move off at 12.15 and will go from Liverpool Road to Whitworth Park.
Access to the route along the way will restricted due to road closures and barriers in place for the Tory party conference. Stewards will be placed at key points around the route including when the route passes under tramlines. Those with large banners and balloons will be advised about lowering these.
Rally
The rally will start at 2.15pm or when the march reaches Whitworth Park, whichever is the later. It is expected to last for approximately two hours with speakers and music.
Accessible viewing area/sign language
A disabled people viewing area will be provided near to the stage to enable clear sight lines to the stage. There will also be sign language provided on the day. This area will be signposted and stewards will direct individuals to this area if required.
After the rally
At the end of the rally coach pick up points and directions to train stations will be advertised on the large screen. These pick up points will be those that coach passengers were advised off on their drop off. Stewards and police will be on hand to assist with dispersal from the park and signposting individuals to coach parking.
Social media
We want to get plenty of profile on social media for the day, so follow @UNISONournhs @unisontweets and use #nhs299 and #nhs999

UNISON’s LGBT conference preliminary agenda is now published

ou will need to sign in to read this document. The deadline for amendments to motions is 12 noon on Friday 27 September 2013, and should be submitted using UNISON’s Online Conference System. Further information is available at the LGBTconference webpage

Unison calls for ban on zero hours contracts

Taken from Dave Prentis ,General Secretary at UNISON, website

Post date: Monday, 5th August 2013

Dave Prentis of Unison on research from the CIPD that there could be one million workers on zero hours contracts.

The vast majority of workers are only on these contracts because they have no choice. They may give flexibility to a few, but the balance of power favors the employers and makes it hard for workers to complain.

Not knowing from week to week what money you have coming in to buy food and pay your bills is extremely nerve-wracking. Having your working hours varied at short notice is also stressful and it makes planning, childcare arrangements and budgeting hard.

The growing number of zero hours contracts also calls into question government unemployment figures.

It is clear that many people working on these contracts are not included as unemployed even if they have no work at all - at the very least we have hundreds of thousands who are under-employed. In turn, this plays havoc with the benefit and tax credit system.

Unison would like to see the use of these contracts banned - at the very least the government needs an official investigation to confirm the true scale of the problem.