Tuesday 17 February 2015

Branch Secretary’s Report from this years AGM


Branch Secretary’s Report 
                                                                                                                      


Stewards and Officers and Members:- Here we are again, another year has passed, this job really doesn’t get any easier, but it would be even harder without the support from all of you here today, so I need to say a huge thank you to all of you.

Nothing really changes in the world of trade unions in the workplace. The past year has been yet another difficult year for all of your elected stewards and Officers, who have been dealing with a multitude of issues.

As a branch committee we have had to deal with many things from representing members who have fallen foul of disciplinary, attendance policies etc. Re-structures appear to have tailed off slightly but only to be replaced with the Admin review. We have had to make some difficult decisions, which to be fair is why you have elected us.

Policies:- Every year we are trying to improve on existing policies when they come up for review, for example we have just recently agreed a much need improved family leave policy, which takes into account the new legislation relating to maternity/Paternity leave, but what we are particularly proud of is that we now have is recognition for fertility treatment, and have achieved some paid time off for both the female receiving the treatment and also partners wishing to take time off work to support a partner undergoing fertility treatment for up to two days paid leave in any leave year.  Now we know that this isn’t overly generous, but it’s a great start, and I think this is a first in local Government, so maybe we are helping to change perceptions.
The attendance Policy that was reviewed last year was imposed upon us, and implemented without Trade Union Agreement. We were unable to negotiate a better deal for those of us who suffer with a Disability related illnesses, this particular issue was a big deal for us, and that is one of the reasons why we couldn’t agree to it.
Now we are getting into dangerous territory as an organisation. We have been given a new policy to review, the Employee Data Monitoring Policy, this will give the employer the right to use CCTV monitoring and any other electronic monitoring equipment to spy on employees and to use the data collected when carrying out  Disciplinary’ s, or attendance issues, it is imperative that we kick this into touch, personally I believe this is illegal and they shouldn’t be able to do this unless there is strong evidence to suggest that a crime is being committed. On this basis I have requested advice from our Regional representatives.
It is vital that we have your support on this one; we will take it to a ballot if necessary.  This is an invasion of your privacy; we must not allow this policy to go through! It’s a step to far” I have already had two cases in the last 12 months within the same service area, where CCTV footage and entry fob data has been the main driving force behind two long serving members of staff, with no previous records of a disciplinary nature. This is nothing short of Spying on you, together we can tell the Council what we think! But we must be one voice!!
Re-structures/Admin Review 
Re-structures was the main focus for the branch in previous years, and haven’t we had some bad ones!! Whilst they haven’t completely gone away, they are being disguised under the banner of the Admin Re-view, even after repeated warnings to the employer about how this will not work in this authority, (as we are too small and to diverse) it is clear that our opinions have not been considered, I would challenge anyone who has already been through this process to tell me if they completely understand how this works, Because it has certainly baffled me and my colleagues on your Branch Committee.

We as a branch are very concerned about the Admin Review for some good reasons, primarily, we are concerned that some individuals will be unnecessarily made redundant based on their poor review outcomes. Secondly if they are so concerned about productivity, it is our belief this is going to have a huge detrimental effect on just that, it really does not make any sense what’s so ever.  


Partnership Payment
As many of you will remember we had quite an issue with the way that the Partnership Payment was calculated, as it appeared that HR had moved the goal posts without seeking agreement, or at least finalising it! this in turn, meant that some of you were a £100 light in your salaries.  That being said we came out the other side with a much better deal going forward for all eligible recipients.

Recruitment.
Recruitment will always be one of our main focuses; to be affective; we must at all costs, keep our membership numbers up! And that isn’t just our responsibility as a branch committee, but yours as well, we are all part of this union, and I urge you strongly, to encourage your colleagues who are not members, or new starters to Join, tell them what we do, tell them don’t leave it till it’s too late,  because if they do leave it, they’re in trouble, and we cannot represent them until they have been a member for six weeks. I think we have proven to you all, how valuable it is to have a trade union presence within the workplace.  Without them your T&Cs would be appalling!

Nice Things
We recently funded the purchase of Table Tennis equipment, which has been well used and a few competitions have taken place, it has to be one of the best things we have invested in for a while. If you fancy a game get in-touch with David Brown in Regeneration-Major Projects team.

The Membership Christmas Parties were a great success again especially the Raffles, this year we will be doing something similar, unless any of you has any better ideas please let us know, if it’s affordable, we’ll do it.

Once again thank you all for your continued support.


Caroline Glendinning

Branch Secretary
17/02/2015

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Annual General Meeting


Oxford City Branch

Annual General Meeting

3:00 – 4:00 pm Tuesday 17th February 2015
The Long Room, Town Hall

Agenda



1
Apologies
2    
Minutes of the AGM 2014
3    
Annual Branch Report (Secretary, Caroline Glendinning)
4    
Ratification of Elections of Stewards (Chair, David Hawkins)
5    
Ratification of Elections of Branch Officers (David Hawkins)
6    
Nominations for delegates to Annual Conference 2015
7    
Affilliations (Caroline Glendinning)
8    
Leader of the Council Bob Price and Deputy Leader Ed Turner
9    
Treasurer's Report and Presentation of Branch Accounts (Gwen)
1 
Honoraria 2013–14
1 
Motions
1 

1 
Any Other Business  The Chair or Secretary must be informed of the matter before the meeting is opened

Followed at 4: 15 pm by Cheese and Wine in The Long Room, The Town Hall.




Pledge support for public services

Pledge support for public services and keep up to date with UNISON's general election work.





Wednesday 28 January 2015

NHS Strike SUSPENDED

The successful strike action last year, coupled with the determination of NHS workers to continue industrial action in 2015 has resulted in a last minute improved pay offer from the NHS employers.

This now means that the planned strike action for 29th January and 25th February has been suspended, and NHS members will now be balloted on whether they wish to accept the offer.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to fighting for fair pay.



NHS Strike Thursday 29th January

UNISON members working in the NHS in England are set to walkout for 12 hours between 9am and 9pm on Thursday 29 January. Ambulance and paramedic staff will walk out from Noon- Midnight.

Whether you are an activist in Health, Local Government, Police or any other service group, your support on Thursday is incredibly important.

If you’d like to show your support in person, you can find your local picket line via our interactive map.

We have also made available a list of ready-made tweets in support of the NHS for those on Twitter. Alternatively you can email your MP, write to your local paper and sign our petition. There is a full organiser toolkit also available to download that includes a media brief and information about the strike.

We hope you will show your support for our NHS workers on Thursday.


Yours in solidarity,


Wednesday 21 January 2015

Do you have a question





Annual General Meeting
17th February 2015 from 3:00 pm  
in the Long Room Oxford Town Hall

At this year's AGM Cllr Bob Price and Cllr Ed Turner will be attending.

Do you have a question you would like to ask Bob Price (Leader of the Council)? Or, Ed Turner (Deputy Leader of the Council)

If you do, please submit your questions by 2nd February 2015. You can send it via post to the Branch Chair c/o UNISON Office in the Town Hall or email chair@oxfordcityunison.com

If you are unable to make the AGM for any reason but would still like a question asked you can submit this as above or if you have someone that can read out the question for youplease state this. If not, we can read this out for you.

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.



If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail chair@oxfordcityunison.com


Wednesday 7 January 2015

Annual General Meeting 2015


 Annual General Meeting

17th February 2015

3:00 pm till 4:00 pm

Long Room

Oxford Town Hall

Followed by Cheese & Wine

At the AGM, branch members do the following:

  • Ratify the election of Branch Officers
  • Ratify the election of stewards
  • Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences
  • Vote on motions
  • Ask questions about the Annual Report and branch accounts.


Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail chair@oxfordcityunison.com


Your voice will make a difference


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