Monday 12 October 2015

Quick Loans said eight times more teachers have applied to it this year than in 2011, along with five times more council worker

PA

The number of public sector workers wanting payday loans from a leading lender has quadrupled in five years. Quick Loans said eight times more teachers have applied to it this year than in 2011.
Five times more council workers have applied.

Members of the armed forces, NHS and police are in the top 10 groups. While just 4,958 teachers applied in 2011, it was 51,536 in 2014 with 34,452 so far this year.
The number of council workers is up from 7,563 in 2011 to 33,856 from January to September this year. 
Armed forces personnel came in third, with 31,411 applying this year - up from 7,523 in 2011.
Construction workers, the self-employed, students, apprentices and retail workers are the other top applicants of 2015. In 2011, retail workers, the self-employed and sales people applied for the most loans.
And not only are more professionals applying for direct loans than ever - the average loan sought has risen from £1,152 to £1,487.
Graeme Wingate, managing director of Quick Loans, said the data raises questions about whether the economy really is improving.
He said the figures show many blue-collar workers are turning to direct lenders perhaps because they find it hard to get credit from banks. He said: “Local government workers are among those starting to struggle . “People who have never had difficulty are coming to a lower level of lending. “We are seeing quite a lot more of what we thought of as prime borrowers. Maybe Government cuts are starting to bite.”
 

Friday 25 September 2015

Volunteer with Oxfordshire Credit Union

Oxford Credit Union rely on volunteers to staff there office at the Old Music Hall and other outlets across Oxfordshire – in fact, there always looking for new outlets.  They also welcome any short- or long-term help with marketing, finance and other roles.  If in doubt please just offer your time, your skills or your enthusiasm!
Our volunteers
  • help to market OCU at street stands and one-off events
  • assist people who may need help completing forms
  • sign up new members
  • carry out various Board roles
You can read details of the following formal volunteer roles:
Training will be provided.
If you’d like to find out more about getting involved please email volunteers@oxfordshirecreditunion.co.uk

council staff will be offered voluntary redundancy

All staff working across Edinburgh City Council will be offered voluntary redundancy terms before a programme of cutting jobs gets underway…

The City of Edinburgh Council is set to lose a number of staff over the next four years, although the exact amount is still under debate. Now, it has emerged all 20,000 employees will be offered the opportunity to seek voluntary redundancy.
The council faces a budget shortfall of £141m, which could lead to thousands of jobs being scrapped. Senior trade unionists expressed fears that savings could only be made by compulsory redundancy.
To date the council has said it would be looking to cut 1,200 jobs in a cost-cutting “transformation programme”. However, it is thought the figure will be closer to 3,000, something leader Andrew Burns denied.
It is expected compulsory redundancies will now be considered as the council tries to address the shortfall in the budget. If this occur, Unison branch president John Stevenson said industrial action would take place.
He said: “There is now the possibility of compulsory redundancies.
“We have a standard policy of balloting our members on taking industrial action should that possibility arise.”
Other proposals to cut money from the budget include a four-year framework that will address an overall shortfall of £126m. An additional £15m will be built into the proposal as a buffer, taking the total to £141m.
Other plans regarding property and asset management will potentially save £80m over 10 years. The report recommended considering outsources some services in a bid to make further savings.
Speaking to The National, Councillor Alasdair Rankin, finance convener, said: “We are very clear about the scale of the financial challenge that the council is facing.
“The council is experiencing greater demand for services than ever before, with a growing population in Edinburgh and increasing numbers of older people and younger people, while our overall budget remains the same.
“We need to take action in order to achieve the necessary savings to meet this demand, and we are making every effort to do this in a way that will safeguard frontline services for the people of Edinburgh.
“We want to invest in the services that are important to the public but must also look to rationalise our spending.
“We recognise that some of these proposals may involve tough decisions, including a reduction in council jobs, particularly in middle management.


“But while this won’t to be easy, savings will allow us to prioritise the things that matter most to people.”

Wednesday 9 September 2015

How much might you (or someone you know) lose from the tax credit cuts?



How much might you (or someone you know) lose from the tax credit cuts? 

I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about the impact the Chancellor’s tax credit changes will have on working people like you. 
Next Tuesday MPs will be voting on these changes that could cost you – or someone you know – up to £3,000 a year.
The government is rushing through these changes in the hope that there is no time for people to protest. But I am confident that we can make a difference if we take action now. 
And I believe we can win. This government only has a majority of 12 and a number of Conservative MPs have indicated to UNISON that they will not be supporting the government. 
Act now to help us win
I have today written to every MP demanding that they vote against the cuts – so that they are in no doubt that UNISON will stand up for its members. You can reinforce that message by writing to your MP too.  
Next Tuesday MPs will be voting on these changes that could cost you up to £3,000 a year.
I am determined to fight these proposals because UNISON’s job is to defend you against unfair attacks like this. 
Yours sincerely

Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary


Monday 3 August 2015

Fighting the Trade Union Bill






The recently-published Trade Union Bill contains wide-ranging measures that, if they become law, will restrict your ability as a trade union member to organise within your workplace and take collective action, now we need to know what you think about it.



Please tell us your views on the right to strike and measures included in the Bill by answering the questions in our short survey below.  



Tuesday 21 July 2015

New mobile-friendly UNISON website released for testing

Activists invited to test new website design before it is officially launched later this Summer


A new-look UNISON website is now available for testing by activists.


The design of the site has been updated so that it works much better on mobiles and tablets with content re-flowing according to the size of your screen.

There are also some changes behind the scenes that should make the site faster and more flexible. And we’ve taken the opportunity to tidy up a few areas of content too.

To get a sneak peek at the site please visit: http://beta.unison.org.uk


Bug reporting

Though the UNISON team has been working hard to find bugs and get them fixed, we’re certain to have missed some. Activists and members can help us by reporting any bugs or problems we’ve missed before we launch the new site officially.
Anyone can report any bugs, content problems or suggest possible features using our online form.
Report a bug or submit a suggestion

Plans for the future

Following this redesign, we’re planning to deliver new features on a regular basis. We welcome any suggestions on features you’d like us to include in the future.

Monday 13 July 2015

Are your staff or colleagues observing Ramadan this month? See guidance from Acas

What is Ramadan?

In Islamic tradition Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, when the first verses of the Koran/Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Observing Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

When is Ramadan?

The dates of Ramadan change each year and commences on Thursday 18 June in 2015, although this can vary slightly depending upon regional customs and when the new moon is first sighted. It lasts for 29-30 days and ends with the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr. The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means that days start at sunset.

What do people do during Ramadan?

Many Muslims will fast each day from sunrise to sunset. This includes not eating food, drinking liquids or smoking. It is common to have one meal known as the suhoor just before sunrise and an evening meal known as Iftar after sunset.
Ramadan is a time of prayer and self-reflection, where Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an.
Ramadan is also a time for charity-giving, which can involve both making donations and participating in charitable events.

Key workplace considerations during Ramadan



  • Observing Ramadan may be noticeable (for example not eating at lunchtime) and so it is often sensible for employees to inform their managers of the fact they are fasting. 
  • Fasting may affect people in different ways (for example some people may understandably become a little irritable or slightly tired at times) and some understanding from managers and colleagues can be helpful. 
  • The effects of fasting may be felt most strongly in the afternoon so it can help to use the morning for meetings and intellectually challenging work, and perform routine tasks later. Also when Ramadan falls in the summer months it can be particularly challenging as the days are longer. 
  • Although breaks should be kept, a shorter lunch may make it easier for an employee to manage their workload if they wish to take time off to carry out additional prayer or worship. 
  • Colleagues may want to avoid offer food and drink to those who fast if sharing food with other colleagues, or eating during meetings. 
  • It would be helpful to avoid meeting / social events etc that ALL staff must attend during Ramadan as it may people would still be fasting. 
  • In certain years, a considerable portion of annual leave may be used by employees wishing to observe the Ramadan rules. Where the leave timings can be accommodated, it is also important to ensure an employee has adequate leave days available for these needs. 
  • Awareness and understanding of Ramadan and other religious festivals can be aided by posting information on staff notice boards or newsletters etc. 
  • Ramadan may offer an opportunity for closer team relations and teamwork - for example by avoiding cakes / biscuits during a team meeting.

2024 Annual General Meeting

  2024 Annual General Meeting   Thursday 28 March 2024 15:00 till 16:00 St Aldates Tavern, St Aldates or online via Teams   One of the most ...