We can't wait 5 more years for the possibility of an end to cuts and privatisation - we need to act now

We can't wait 5 more years for the possibility of an end to cuts and privatisation - we need to act now

As protests break out across the country...
Oxfordshire Unite Against Austerity! Demonstrate 

Sat 30th May

Assemble 12 noon, Manzil Way green, Cowley Road, East Oxford to March into town.


Facebook event to share to share
Download leaflet and poster
National demonstration London 30th June

Book seats on Oxfordshire transport here

Transport is free to members of supporting unions otherwise £12 waged and £6 concessions.  Book early to help us plan coaches from across Oxfordshire.

postponed Branch Committee

Dear All,

Please note that we have postponed Branch Committee till the 1^st of June due to the funeral for Val Smith as a mark of respect and to allow people to attend if they so wish.

David and I will be going as representatives of the branch. It will take place in Blackbird leys in the Church of the Holy Family, they have asked for donations to the Bladder Cancer Centre.

Best wishes

Caroline and David

Partnership Payment - all your Questions Answered!

It's that time of year again! Do you have a burning question about the annual Partnership Payment? Well it may have been answered below.
When are we getting paid?
Payment will be made in the July payroll, due to credit on 28th July 2015
How do I find out how much money I’m going to receive?
All staff will be written too with the amount confirmed. Letters will be sent in July (before payslips are sent)
What is the appraisal score and absence criteria for payment?
The full criteria can be found by clicking here
I was on probation / maternity leave and as such don’t have an appraisal score for 14/15 – am I eligible to receive payment?
Yes – provided you have met the sickness criteria and there have been no problems with performance.
I’m leaving the council soon – will I get the payment?
You must be employed with the council on 28th July 2015 to be eligible for payment
I’m part-time – is my payment pro-rata?
Yes
I only started with the council part-way through 2014/15 – will my payment be pro-rata?
Yes, you will receive a part-payment calculated to cover how long you were working for the council in 2014/15
I’m a manager, and I think some of my staff won’t be eligible for the payment? What should I do?
In June, HR will contact Heads of Service / Managers to double-check who is and who isn’t receiving the payment. Once fully agreed, HR will provide details of employees who are not getting the payment so you can arrange to speak with them before they receive their letter.
What happens if I don’t get a partnership payment and disagree with that – can I appeal?
Yes – details will be given on the letter received in July.
If I get a Partnership Payment, am I still eligible for the increment in October?
Yes – provided you are paid at the bottom scale point of the grade.
If you have any questions that we may have missed, please email payrollclaims@oxford.gov.uk and we'll answer it or talk to your UNISON steward 

Join today

UNISON represents people employed in all areas of local government. We make sure the needs and rights of workers in this sector and related public services in our service group are recognised and defended. By working together within UNISON, local government workers can achieve more.

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Free Learning Event

UNISON and Ruskin College

Free Learning Event 

 10am until 4pm 18 March 2015

 @ Ruskin College,

Dunstan Rd, 

Old Headington, 

Oxford,

OX3 9BZ

The learning event is open to all UNISON members and non-members. It is free of charge but for catering purposes you will need to return an application form. If you are a UNISON member and would like travel costs to be covered, you will need to contact your local UNISON branch.
For more information about the above please contact Katia Widlak on 07508 080 397 or k.widlak@unison.co.uk

To celebrate and promote the benefits of adult learning, UNISON in partnership with Ruskin College is organising a taster day of courses and workshops for everyone.

The event will showcase Ruskin College’s courses ranging from informal short courses to degree level and UNISON’s learning activities and opportunities.

The event will include a market place where you will get information from various stalls about what UNISON and Ruskin College have to offer. The marketplace will be available throughout the day to answer your questions. Please come and join us!

staff slice cards

Dear Members

At yesterday’s AGM we raised the issue of staff slice cards and it is the Council’s indication that they want to increase the price of the Staff Slice Cards from £25 per year to £20 per month. UNISON considered this increase is completely unnecessary. We have asked Management for the breakdown of the savings they hope to make, to enable us to challenge the figures, but to no avail. We have expressed our view to Councillor Bob Price and Councillor Ed Turner.

The savings in the budget are of £25K for 2016/17 from the Human Resources and Facilities budget and it states that the Slice Card would then cost £20 per month!

We feel we got our strong argument across to Councillor Price and Councillor Turner and they took this on board. We also reiterated that it is against the spirit of the Council’s Wellbeing Strategy.

With that in mind, there is a Wellbeing Survey live at the moment

http://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/consult.ti/healthandwellbeing/consultationHome you can select Respond by filling in the online questionnaire

It is a very short questionnaire and closes on Friday. We urge all members and non- members to complete this survey and voice your opinion of the Staff Slice Card increase for 2016/17.

For information on Staff Leisure Card visit this intranet page: http://occweb/intranet/documents/staff-leisure-membership-application-form-201415

It could not be found in Employee Information > Pay and Reward >> Staff Leisure Card

Current Prices are:

1.    Individual Card (Swimming and Dry Sports) £25.00 per year.

2.    Individual Card (Dry Sports only) £20.00 per year.

3.    Family Card (Swimming and Dry Sports) £37.00 per year

4.    Duplicate Card £5.00

Stewards Required

Stewards Required!

Without stewards there would be no one there to act as the link between members and the union and to organise and support people in the workplace.

What rights do you get as a steward?

In workplaces where UNISON is recognized by the employer stewards have rights to time off for training and to carry out their work. This includes:

•  Meetings with members and management
• Preparation and research
• Keeping members informed

You will be entitled to training and mentoring.

All new stewards are encouraged to take advantage of the courses unison offers. There are a wide range of courses many of which are provided on a local level.

Support and advice are readily available.

Colleagues, workplace contacts and more experienced stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers will all help you. Most branches will make sure that reps have details of local union officers who can give prompt advice and guidance. Your regional organiser, regional education officer, women's officer and branch support teams are based in the regional office and can be approached for assistance through your branch secretary.

Contact chair@oxfordcityunison.com or speak to your local steward for more information

Stewards are the backbone

of UNISON.