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.

National demonstration to defend the NHS

Sept 29 - Manchester - backed by UNISON, UNITE, GMB and the TUC.

Free transport for UNISON Health branch members and their families. £5 all others (if you are in a union they will be contacted to see if there is free tranport or subsidy to cover the £5)

What you can do to help make this event a success for the NHS:

• Book your seat on the transport to the national demonstration - click here to book your seat.  Bring your friends and family along - it is their NHS too.
• Ask your union branch to pay for memebrs to go to the march.

• Send us your orders for materials to display in your workplace and local shops, libraries and community centres (please specify amount of leaflets and posters and where to send them too).
• Mail back if you can spare an hour to campaign for your NHS - click here to volunteer
• Promote the face book event - click here to visit the facebook event (you will need to be signed up to facebook)

UNISON wins right to challenge tribunal fees

UNISON won the right to have the government's introduction of fees for taking cases to Employment Tribunals subjected to a judicial review, in a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning.

The fees, which can be as high as £1,200 for "complex" cases came into force today. UNISON's arguments against them are scheduled to be heard in October.

Full story can be found at http://www.unison.org.uk/news/unison-wins-judicial-review-hearing-into-tribunal-fees