Thursday, 23 February 2012
RBS bonuses - UNISON response
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said today that that the millions spent on bonuses at the 82% taxpayer-owned bank RBS, would be better spent on keeping vital local services running.
The union said that the bonus pot could fund more than 32,000 nurses, midwives and paramedics, 27,000 trained social workers, or more than 68,000 care workers to help support elderly and vulnerable people to stay in their homes.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“While hardworking families struggle with pay and job cuts, and communities lose vital local services, RBS bankers are being lavished with bonuses worth £785 million. Pay in the bank’s investment arm has gone up by a third in the last year, on top of salaries the majority of us couldn’t even dream of. The bank is still making a loss – it is a reward for failure, and another clear sign that we’re not all in this together.
“This bonus pot could pay for more than 32,000 nurses, midwives and paramedics. It could fund more than 68,000 care workers, or 27,000 social workers - what do you think is worth more to our country?
“The government needs to ditch its warm words on fairness and take real action. It is only right that the sector that got us into this mess takes responsibility for getting us out of it. Cutting these bonuses and imposing a tiny transaction tax on the banks would be a major step in the right direction.”
Monday, 10 October 2011
Latest news sent to members
To All Members Employed in The Mungo Foundation
Dear Member
We are writing to update you on a number of matters and to offer some general advice to members that we think is important to set out in the hope it will help you avoid getting in to difficulties at work. UNISON is here to help you if you do have problems at work but we also want to be proactive in helping you avoid some if possible.
I am pleased to announce that the role of Convenor that I have been carrying out since last September has been extended for a further 3 months. I would like to remind you that I am based at Govanhill Street on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. I do not have access to a land telephone number at Govanhill Street but I can be reached at the following mobile number and email: 07557561903 unisontmf@gmail.com . For my other two working days I am based at Springbank Street Project as a project worker.
GLASGOW HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES
The Mungo Foundation advised UNISON over a year ago there would be a massive restructure dictated by the implementation of ‘Personalisation’ by Glasgow City Council and the subsequent cuts to service users budgets that would arise from this. We are now dealing with the consequences of this.
New contracts of employment have been issued to staff as from 1 August 2011, this also being the date the new planners were implemented in Housing Support. Many members have had their hours cut and their location changed and for some (part time workers mainly) an increase in the amount of sleepovers they are now required to work due to the new structure. Part-time workers are also having to work more days often with split shifts but still doing the same amount of contracted hours or less, which adds more traveling time and increases transport costs as well as meaning spending considerably more time away from home for no extra payment. UNISON advised members in our last update that if you were not happy with your new contract not to sign it. It would appear that many, though not happy with their new hours, location and planners have signed their new contracts as they were anxious about their future security and concerned about their job. Some members have yet to sign their contracts and are still on their old contracts but agreeing to work with the new planners until such time as they have reached an amicable agreement with the organisation. This is likely to be once the planners introduced on the 1st August have been reviewed and where necessary adjusted. Some members have reported back that the new planners are working for them, this appears to be at locations where staff are working sleepovers and there is a staff presence 24 hours. At other locations where service users have what we can only describe as unsustainable budgets, service users’ support hours have been cut drastically and they are no longer in a position to pay for the support they need and deserve. Reports from members state that the planners do not allow for accompanying service users to appointments (this includes medical appointments), any incidents that arise whilst on shift, appropriate medication times, service users being delayed or staff being delayed or liaising with other agencies. This is also made more difficult by the number of staff vacancies, holidays, sick leave and the use of relief staff that are unfamiliar with the service users. Another contributing factor is the ever changing needs and support required by the service users.
We are writing to update you on a number of matters and to offer some general advice to members that we think is important to set out in the hope it will help you avoid getting in to difficulties at work. UNISON is here to help you if you do have problems at work but we also want to be proactive in helping you avoid some if possible.
I am pleased to announce that the role of Convenor that I have been carrying out since last September has been extended for a further 3 months. I would like to remind you that I am based at Govanhill Street on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week. I do not have access to a land telephone number at Govanhill Street but I can be reached at the following mobile number and email: 07557561903 unisontmf@gmail.com . For my other two working days I am based at Springbank Street Project as a project worker.
GLASGOW HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES
The Mungo Foundation advised UNISON over a year ago there would be a massive restructure dictated by the implementation of ‘Personalisation’ by Glasgow City Council and the subsequent cuts to service users budgets that would arise from this. We are now dealing with the consequences of this.
New contracts of employment have been issued to staff as from 1 August 2011, this also being the date the new planners were implemented in Housing Support. Many members have had their hours cut and their location changed and for some (part time workers mainly) an increase in the amount of sleepovers they are now required to work due to the new structure. Part-time workers are also having to work more days often with split shifts but still doing the same amount of contracted hours or less, which adds more traveling time and increases transport costs as well as meaning spending considerably more time away from home for no extra payment. UNISON advised members in our last update that if you were not happy with your new contract not to sign it. It would appear that many, though not happy with their new hours, location and planners have signed their new contracts as they were anxious about their future security and concerned about their job. Some members have yet to sign their contracts and are still on their old contracts but agreeing to work with the new planners until such time as they have reached an amicable agreement with the organisation. This is likely to be once the planners introduced on the 1st August have been reviewed and where necessary adjusted. Some members have reported back that the new planners are working for them, this appears to be at locations where staff are working sleepovers and there is a staff presence 24 hours. At other locations where service users have what we can only describe as unsustainable budgets, service users’ support hours have been cut drastically and they are no longer in a position to pay for the support they need and deserve. Reports from members state that the planners do not allow for accompanying service users to appointments (this includes medical appointments), any incidents that arise whilst on shift, appropriate medication times, service users being delayed or staff being delayed or liaising with other agencies. This is also made more difficult by the number of staff vacancies, holidays, sick leave and the use of relief staff that are unfamiliar with the service users. Another contributing factor is the ever changing needs and support required by the service users.
Given all of the above UNISON raised the whole situation with TMF management at a meeting of the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee on Wednesday 5th October. A detailed discussion took place where management candidly acknowledged they were aware there were many issues and that as it stood the service was not meeting its targets. They further acknowledged all this was having a detrimental impact on staff. At the meeting we received the following immediate assurances - that staff are able to claim for traveling time and travel expenses where they incur this due to one way pickups or drop offs. Furthermore a short life working group would be set up to look at all the issues in housing support; Mary Madden will represent UNISON on this.
If you wish to bring your views to the attention of the organisation I would suggest you do so in writing to your line manager and copy Mary Madden in. If you wish to raise issues in confidence then get in touch with me or Mary but we can only deal with individual issues in most cases if you have at least raised it with your manager.
WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE
We again remind staff that they are not obliged to work more than 48 hours over an average of 17 weeks. Staff have the right to opt out of the Working Time Regulations if they wish to work more than 48 hours, this should be done in writing and can be changed again if your circumstances change. For staff working sleepovers the hours spent on sleepover count as part of the 48 hours, e.g. if you are contracted to work 38 hours a week plus one sleepover, this can amount to 47 hours, you are not obliged to work any more hours than that a week; contact a TMF union steward if you require any further information regarding the Working Time Directive.
FOOD POLICY
UNISON at the JNCC again raised issues around the food policy, in particular in relation to sleepovers and the basic breakfast essentials being available and the treatment of staff supporting service users in the community at lunches etc. Again management acknowledged there were issues and it was agreed these would also be looked at in the short life working group that is being set up. UNISON is acutely aware we need to see concrete outcomes and procedures from this working group quickly and will be pushing for this.
MOBILE TELEPHONES
We are aware that TMF have issued questionnaires to staff in Housing Support asking for their views on mobile telephones. Staff are being asked if they would prefer a work mobile or to receive an allowance to cover the cost of work related telephone calls, our advice to members would be to request a work telephone.
TEAM MEETINGS
Members have been raising concerns about the lack of team meetings and supervision sessions and poor communication with managers, this has been mainly in the Housing Support projects, again we have raised this at the JNCC and will be monitoring the situation closely.
REQUESTS FOR ANNUAL LEAVE
We would like to remind members that they should put all their holiday requests in writing to their project manager as soon as they have dates in mind, for those who have access to e-mail you could also e-mail your manager with the dates. Staff should have possession of their (pink) holiday card stating their personal leave allocation and it is the responsibility of staff to ensure that the card is kept up to date and signed by your manager or senior were appropriate. Please ensure if you are carrying forward any leave from one year to the next that you have permission for this in writing. We would suggest that all members have a supply of Holiday Request Forms in their possession and pass your request to your manager or senior giving as much notice as possible.
FESTIVE ROTA's
We would advise members working in Housing Support to discuss festive rota's with their manager as early as possible as we are concerned that cover over the festive period will now become more complex due to the new planners. Please keep UNISON advised of any problems.
REQUESTS TO ATTEND A MEETING
All requests to attend personal meetings to discuss matters such as sickness absence, grievance and disciplinary should be in writing and should advise you that you have the right to be accompanied by UNISON. UNISON considers a meeting that is being conducted by two senior staff members or one senior staff member and a member from HR constitutes a ‘formal meeting’. If invitation is by telephone this should be backed up in writing before the meeting takes place. If you are unsure about your right to representation at any meeting contact a steward as soon as possible for advice. Also if you receive an invitation to attend a meeting and you wish representation please contact a steward immediately to allow the steward time to make the necessary arrangements, I am available at the moment Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, other stewards are working shifts and require notice to rearrange their shifts if they have to attend meetings.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
We would advise all staff to keep up to date with organisational policies and procedures and also local policies and procedures relating to your particular project. If you are faced with any situations or incidents or have any concerns out with the normal 9 to 5 hours it is important that you seek advice from On-call sooner rather than later. If an incident occurs while you are on shift please ensure that you complete an incident report and bring it to the attention of the appropriate person as soon as possible, it is important that you also record the completion of incident reports in the service users file and also at handover or on handover sheets if you are lone working. As incident reports can form part of the evidence at further investigations. For all lone workers please ensure that you are fully up to date with the Lone Working Policy and Health & Safety in the Workplace. If there are any aspects of the policies that you do not understand seek advice from your manager or senior, also if there is any training that you feel is important for you to carry out your duties raise this also with your manager or senior, preferably in writing.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR TMF STEWARDS BRANCH OFFICE
Patricia (Pat) Gunnion: 07988549443 patriciagunnion@ntlworld.com 4th Floor
Mary Madden: 07531 772832 marymadden_fol@hotmail.com Empire House
Stuart McVey: 07917 378116 stew_mcvey@hotmail.com 131 West Nile Street
Tel: 0141 331 4450
UNISON TMF Website (blog) http://unison-mungofoundation.blogspot.com – please watch this space regularly.
Whilst writing we would also like to make a few further points. You are the union, we your stewards and the Branch and the union beyond that are there because of you and are responsive to your views and needs. However we also need you to be active and engaged in the union especially at this time of unprecedented attacks on public spending and thus the funding for the work we do. UNISON is campaigning daily against the cuts and sticking up for the services we provide. As I write hundreds of thousands of our fellow members are being balloted on strike action to defend their pensions. They need our support as we need theirs to stand up for the services we all provide and for decent pay and conditions. So please do look at the UNISON websites from time to time at http://www.unison.org.uk/ and http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/ to see what is going on and to get involved.
I would also remind you that whilst UNISON’s number one job is to help you get a fair deal at work there are loads of other benefits to being a member, you can find out about these all at www.unison.org.uk/benefits/special.asp or if you don’t have access to the internet contact me or the branch to discuss these.
Please do keep in touch and let me know your thoughts and views. Lastly, I would like you to do one thing to make us bigger and stronger and thus better able to represent you in The Mungo Foundation, please ask a non-member colleague to join, they can do so by calling 0845 355 0845 or by visiting www.unison.org.uk/join .
Yours sincerely
Alice Lyness
UNISON Convenor
The Mungo Foundation
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Scottish Spending Review – UNISON Scotland response
Commenting on today’s Scottish Spending Review announcement, Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said: “While we welcome the news on public sector pensions as it applies to local government, the Finance Secretary had the discretion to carry this across the public services and chose not to do so.
“Although his announcement removes the threat of industrial action in local government, we still have serious issues across the public sector with many thousands of our members still facing unprecedented attacks to their pensions.
“We’re angry at the continuation of the pay freeze which will affect hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers, who have already faced a real-term pay cut for the past two years. There’s also no evidence that the £250 payment for workers earning under £21,000 will be universally applied.”
UNISON Scotland’s Policy Briefing #13 on today’s Spending Review is published on our briefings page – www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings.
“Although his announcement removes the threat of industrial action in local government, we still have serious issues across the public sector with many thousands of our members still facing unprecedented attacks to their pensions.
“We’re angry at the continuation of the pay freeze which will affect hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers, who have already faced a real-term pay cut for the past two years. There’s also no evidence that the £250 payment for workers earning under £21,000 will be universally applied.”
UNISON Scotland’s Policy Briefing #13 on today’s Spending Review is published on our briefings page – www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
MEMBERS AND STEWARDS
There has never been a more vital time to be a member of a trade union. Please pass the enclosed form to a non member colleague or they can join online at www.unison.org.uk/join or by calling 0845 355 0845. Also we need more members to come forward to be stewards. Please consider giving this a go, it is rewarding and stimulating work, you get full training and paid time off to do it. Please let me know if you would like more information on getting active.
PERSONALISATION IN GLASGOW
We continue to monitor this situation closely and are in the process of producing a campaign bulletin aimed at raising awareness of the issues arising out of the cuts being imposed in Glasgow.
We are organising a meeting from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday 20th September at the City of Glasgow Branch of UNISON, 4th Floor, 18 Albion Street, Glasgow G1 1LHfor service users, workers and families affected by personalisation in Glasgow, though the meeting will be of interest to people beyond Glasgow as what happens here will be picked up by other local authority areas.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Learning Disability Alliance Scotland Newsletter July 2011
We have provided a link to Learning Disability Scotland's newsletter below.
There are two main articles in this edition.
First looks at how the dominant position of local authorities in funding of social care for people with learning disabilities might affect the development of Self Directed Support. A fuller version of this article is available at http://tinyurl.com/SDS2011
Our second article looks at the increasing charges applied for social care services and wonders if this is a new form of "tax" on the most vulnerable.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Mobilise: A week-long Festival of Campaigning skills happening in Edinburgh from 13-20 August 2011
UNISON Scotland's brings you MOBILISE at the Edinburgh festival.
What is Mobilise?
It does exactly what it says on the tin - brings people together and prepares for action. The art of creative campaigning.
We don’t teach protest theory - our workshops are preparation for action. Leaflets are designed, printed and distributed. Blogs are written “live‟ and uploaded. Films are shot, edited and broadcast. Skills learnt - jobs done. MOBILISE is a unique chance to work with artists and performers and develop your creative campaign skills.
For information and booking http://www.mobilisefestival.co.uk/
What is Mobilise?
It does exactly what it says on the tin - brings people together and prepares for action. The art of creative campaigning.
We don’t teach protest theory - our workshops are preparation for action. Leaflets are designed, printed and distributed. Blogs are written “live‟ and uploaded. Films are shot, edited and broadcast. Skills learnt - jobs done. MOBILISE is a unique chance to work with artists and performers and develop your creative campaign skills.
For information and booking http://www.mobilisefestival.co.uk/
Friday, 15 July 2011
UNISON calls on Glasgow City Council to halt attacks on people with learning disabilities
UNISON, Scotland’s largest union in public services, has joined together with communities across Glasgow to fight against service cuts.
Trade unionists and members of the public packed out a meeting last week to share concerns over personalisation and fears that Glasgow City Council is using this process simply as a means to save money.
Glasgow City Council started its personalisation agenda last summer. While UNISON supports the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. The council has always been explicit in its ambition to realise 20 per cent savings as a result of the process.
Mandy McDowall, regional organiser for UNISON, said: “We’re not against the concept of personalisation, but direct payments should be used to complement a range of public services and should not be used as a disguise for cutting services.
“We held this meeting to bring together those who are being directly affected by these cuts. The meeting was packed with staff, users and members of the community who all wanted to share their experiences. We heard from carers who are having their packages cut by 50 per cent; staff who are having their terms and conditions slashed and communities who are suffering facility closures.
“Each person had a different story to tell and the true human cost of each and every cut was laid bare.”
Parents, carers, service users, campaign groups, academics and disability groups were all in attendance at Thursday’s meeting. UNISON says the meeting will be the first of many and is calling on Glasgow City Council to put a halt to service cuts.
Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser for UNISON, added: “Glasgow City Council has not properly assessed the impact of these cuts and is rolling ahead with scant regard to the devastating consequences.
“We’re calling on the council to call a halt to this process and to reinstate the packages that service users had before the new personalisation agenda was agreed, until a thorough review of the process and the impact on people with learning disabilities is assessed. This assessment must involve service users, their families and front line workers and their unions.”
Trade unionists and members of the public packed out a meeting last week to share concerns over personalisation and fears that Glasgow City Council is using this process simply as a means to save money.
Glasgow City Council started its personalisation agenda last summer. While UNISON supports the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. The council has always been explicit in its ambition to realise 20 per cent savings as a result of the process.
Mandy McDowall, regional organiser for UNISON, said: “We’re not against the concept of personalisation, but direct payments should be used to complement a range of public services and should not be used as a disguise for cutting services.
“We held this meeting to bring together those who are being directly affected by these cuts. The meeting was packed with staff, users and members of the community who all wanted to share their experiences. We heard from carers who are having their packages cut by 50 per cent; staff who are having their terms and conditions slashed and communities who are suffering facility closures.
“Each person had a different story to tell and the true human cost of each and every cut was laid bare.”
Parents, carers, service users, campaign groups, academics and disability groups were all in attendance at Thursday’s meeting. UNISON says the meeting will be the first of many and is calling on Glasgow City Council to put a halt to service cuts.
Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser for UNISON, added: “Glasgow City Council has not properly assessed the impact of these cuts and is rolling ahead with scant regard to the devastating consequences.
“We’re calling on the council to call a halt to this process and to reinstate the packages that service users had before the new personalisation agenda was agreed, until a thorough review of the process and the impact on people with learning disabilities is assessed. This assessment must involve service users, their families and front line workers and their unions.”
URGENT UPDATE - £250 LUMP SUM CASH
UNISON PAY PRESSURE PAYS OFF. You will have been advised that TMF are making a one off pay award of £250 pounds to staff. Whilst falling well short of our aspirations for a 2.5 % increase for all and the introduction of the Scottish Living Wage of £7.20 per hour as a minimum rate’ the announcement came within days of us launching our petition to the Board on pay! This shows UNISON pressures counts. Help us keep up the pressure, make sure you and your colleagues have signed our pay petition (you can’t print one off this blog). Thanks to the many members who have already done so. Together we make a difference in UNISON!
URGENT UPDATE – GLASGOW HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES
We understand that GHSS staff will be issued with new contracts and workplans in the next few days and be given 7 days to sign. We have written to Lorraine Eivers asking what will happen if staff don’t sign. We will keep you posted on the response. However, as previously advised if you are unhappy with any proposed pay cuts, reductions in hours, work locations or workplans then don’t go in to meetings alone and don’t sign anything you are unhappy with. SEEK ADVICE FROM UNISON!
Friday, 24 June 2011
Personalisation Networking Meeting
Arising out of the current crisis in learning disability services in Glasgow brought about by a bastardised version of personalisation UNISON and Defend Glasgow Services have called a meeting for those affected by the issues. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss what is happening and how workers, service users, carers, families and activists can work together. Whilst focussed on the current experiences in Glasgow the meeting may well be of interest to those from other areas facing similar issues.
The meeting is not a rally, rather a chance to share news, tactics and information. If you have an interest in personalisation please consider joining us on:
7th July 2011
10 am
UNISON House
14 West Campbell St
Glasgow
G2 6RX
UNISON members letter
Dear Member
We are writing to update you on a number of matters. Please take note of the following and when you are finished with this letter why not share it with a non member and encourage them to come on board.
Glasgow Housing Support Services
UNISON met with management on 22 April in the Joint Consultative Committee. During this meeting we expressed significant concern about communication and consultation with regards to what is happening in GHSS. A full and frank discussion took place following which we wish to draw the following points to members’ attention:
• The personalisation process being run by Glasgow City Council is not about tailoring services to best fit service users’ needs; instead it is primarily about saving money. UNISON is working with carers, families and service user groups to challenge what is happening and has a campaign networking meeting planned for 10am on 7th July at UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX aimed at those who want to take the fights against the cuts forward.
• Service user involvement in design of support packages - there is strong evidence to suggest that service user involvement in determining their package and needs has been patchy and in some cases completely lacking. We think it is important that staff flag this up with managers and record where they are concerned that support packages are not appropriate to the service user’s needs.
• Over the last week staff have been called in to meetings to discuss workplans. We are concerned that staff were not offered the right to representation and it has been agreed that from 27th June onwards members will be advised of their right to be accompanied. At these meetings many staff have been shown workplans involving a reduction of hours and split shift working. It is inevitable that the move to more tailored services will have an impact on staff and our discussions with members indicate that there is an understanding of this. However, workplans must be reasonable, equitable and fair whilst recognising different people have different domestic and other pressures which should be accounted for. UNISON is clear that members should not agree to a reduction in their contracted hours unless they are content with this. Members should also be explicitly clear whether they have issues with the workplan being suggested to them or not. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself then you should arrange to be accompanied by a UNISON representative.
• With regards to shifts and working patterns these need to be reasonable and practicable. Workers are entitled to a decent life away from work and it is for the organisation to deliver sustainable work patters whilst also offering more flexibility to service users. If the Mungo Foundation fail to get this right then staff will become burnt out and ultimately leave which will have a detrimental impact on service users. UNISON intends to keep a close eye on this and we would welcome members keeping us advised of how the workplans develop.
• In summary if you are unhappy with your proposed hours or workplan speak up now with UNISON representation and support. If you do not it is likely you will be deemed to have accepted the changes!!
Pay
We remain stuck in an impasse with the Mungo Foundation, you our members have voted clearly to seek a pay rise and they are emphatic they can’t afford one. So far they have declined our request to meet with the Board, we will keep pushing for this and look at other ways we can exert pressure on the organisation to give staff a pay rise. The STUC will be organising another march and rally in Glashow in September as part of their continuing There is a Better Way Campaign (www.thereisabetterway.org). These and other initiatives are vital in showing funders, employers and politicians the impact of low pay and the strength of feeling of our members.
As part of our ongoing campaign for decent pay please sign the enclosed petition which we will submit to the board and encourage others to do so. More copies can be found on our website at: www.unison-mungofoundation.blogspot.com .
Recruitment
Please encourage a non member to come on board, the more members we have the more clout we have. They can join online at www.unison.org.uk/join or by calling 0845 355 0845.
Working Time Directive
We would like to remind members that you cannot be compelled to work more than 48 hours a week on average including sleepovers. We know that due to financial pressures many members look for additional sleepover shifts to make up their wages, we understand this and simply say be careful of your health and keep yourself and others safe. However, there are some staff that are being put on the rota for shifts including sleepovers which take them over the 48 hour average. Please note that you can in no way be forced to work more than 48 hours, if you are on a rota for more than 48 hours in any one week please let UNISON know. You should only work more than 48 hours a week if you have signed an opt out from the Working Time Directive (you can opt back in at any time).
Keep your details up to date
We want to keep in touch with you as much as possible; this is difficult if we don’t have your up-to-date details. Please check your details and update them if necessary. You can do this online at http://www.unison.org.uk/membership/update.asp or by calling 0845 355 0845.
We are writing to update you on a number of matters. Please take note of the following and when you are finished with this letter why not share it with a non member and encourage them to come on board.
Glasgow Housing Support Services
UNISON met with management on 22 April in the Joint Consultative Committee. During this meeting we expressed significant concern about communication and consultation with regards to what is happening in GHSS. A full and frank discussion took place following which we wish to draw the following points to members’ attention:
• The personalisation process being run by Glasgow City Council is not about tailoring services to best fit service users’ needs; instead it is primarily about saving money. UNISON is working with carers, families and service user groups to challenge what is happening and has a campaign networking meeting planned for 10am on 7th July at UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX aimed at those who want to take the fights against the cuts forward.
• Service user involvement in design of support packages - there is strong evidence to suggest that service user involvement in determining their package and needs has been patchy and in some cases completely lacking. We think it is important that staff flag this up with managers and record where they are concerned that support packages are not appropriate to the service user’s needs.
• Over the last week staff have been called in to meetings to discuss workplans. We are concerned that staff were not offered the right to representation and it has been agreed that from 27th June onwards members will be advised of their right to be accompanied. At these meetings many staff have been shown workplans involving a reduction of hours and split shift working. It is inevitable that the move to more tailored services will have an impact on staff and our discussions with members indicate that there is an understanding of this. However, workplans must be reasonable, equitable and fair whilst recognising different people have different domestic and other pressures which should be accounted for. UNISON is clear that members should not agree to a reduction in their contracted hours unless they are content with this. Members should also be explicitly clear whether they have issues with the workplan being suggested to them or not. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself then you should arrange to be accompanied by a UNISON representative.
• With regards to shifts and working patterns these need to be reasonable and practicable. Workers are entitled to a decent life away from work and it is for the organisation to deliver sustainable work patters whilst also offering more flexibility to service users. If the Mungo Foundation fail to get this right then staff will become burnt out and ultimately leave which will have a detrimental impact on service users. UNISON intends to keep a close eye on this and we would welcome members keeping us advised of how the workplans develop.
• In summary if you are unhappy with your proposed hours or workplan speak up now with UNISON representation and support. If you do not it is likely you will be deemed to have accepted the changes!!
Pay
We remain stuck in an impasse with the Mungo Foundation, you our members have voted clearly to seek a pay rise and they are emphatic they can’t afford one. So far they have declined our request to meet with the Board, we will keep pushing for this and look at other ways we can exert pressure on the organisation to give staff a pay rise. The STUC will be organising another march and rally in Glashow in September as part of their continuing There is a Better Way Campaign (www.thereisabetterway.org). These and other initiatives are vital in showing funders, employers and politicians the impact of low pay and the strength of feeling of our members.
As part of our ongoing campaign for decent pay please sign the enclosed petition which we will submit to the board and encourage others to do so. More copies can be found on our website at: www.unison-mungofoundation.blogspot.com .
Recruitment
Please encourage a non member to come on board, the more members we have the more clout we have. They can join online at www.unison.org.uk/join or by calling 0845 355 0845.
Working Time Directive
We would like to remind members that you cannot be compelled to work more than 48 hours a week on average including sleepovers. We know that due to financial pressures many members look for additional sleepover shifts to make up their wages, we understand this and simply say be careful of your health and keep yourself and others safe. However, there are some staff that are being put on the rota for shifts including sleepovers which take them over the 48 hour average. Please note that you can in no way be forced to work more than 48 hours, if you are on a rota for more than 48 hours in any one week please let UNISON know. You should only work more than 48 hours a week if you have signed an opt out from the Working Time Directive (you can opt back in at any time).
Keep your details up to date
We want to keep in touch with you as much as possible; this is difficult if we don’t have your up-to-date details. Please check your details and update them if necessary. You can do this online at http://www.unison.org.uk/membership/update.asp or by calling 0845 355 0845.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
No if's, no but's, no disability cuts!
A very succesful protest was held today under the umbrella of the Defend Glasgow's Services campaign.
The protest which brought together trade unions, campaign groups, service users, families of service users and workers providing services heard a range of speeches from the broad range of people in attendance on how Glasgow city council's shameful cuts under the guise of personalisation are impacting upon service users, their families and cuts hours and wages for staff.
We hope it's the start of a unified campaign to fight these cuts, disguised as personalisation!
You can contact Defend Glasgow's Services on 0141 552 7069 or follow them on Facebook.
The protest which brought together trade unions, campaign groups, service users, families of service users and workers providing services heard a range of speeches from the broad range of people in attendance on how Glasgow city council's shameful cuts under the guise of personalisation are impacting upon service users, their families and cuts hours and wages for staff.
We hope it's the start of a unified campaign to fight these cuts, disguised as personalisation!
You can contact Defend Glasgow's Services on 0141 552 7069 or follow them on Facebook.
Scotland’s most vulnerable young people under attack as services face the axe
SCOTLAND’s most vulnerable young people are under attack by government cuts as thousands of staff in the community and voluntary sector face redundancy.
UNISON, Scotland’s largest union in the community and voluntary sector, said urgent action must be taken to halt these drastic cuts and urged the country’s politicians not to throw our young people on the scrapheap.
Councils across the country are being hit with the biggest spending cuts in living memory. No service is safe – but one of the hardest hit is services for young people.
This week alone, more than 2,000 workers from the voluntary and community sector have been threatened with redundancy, while others face attacks on their pay and conditions.
One Scottish charity, Quarriers – which was originally set up to look after orphaned and destitute children – yesterday issued 90 days’ notice to all of its 2,000 staff. The move comes as the charity announced plans to cut its staffing budget by £2.5m – almost twice as much as their own figures (£1.3m) claim are required.
Elsewhere, services to vulnerable young people are also under threat as the Cora Foundation – a voluntary organisation that runs three secure units for young people – issued letters to hundreds of workers threatening them with redundancy. This leaves staff at three of the country’s five secure units (St Phillip’s in Plains; St Mary’s Kenmure in Bishopbriggs; and the Good Shepherd in Bishopton) facing the axe. If secure units run by Cora close, then the courts will be left with no option but to send young offenders to institutions like Polmont, at a much greater cost to the taxpayer.
UNISON has also condemned moves by youth justice charity, Includem, which has refused to negotiate with the union and has instead unilaterally imposed a 9.5 per cent pay cut on its staff.
Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser with UNISON, said: “We’re calling on Scotland’s political parties to focus on the real issues in the week ahead and to prioritise putting a stop to these outrageous cuts. We also need voluntary organisations to act in a responsible manner, to engage constructively with UNISON and not to capitalise on the situation to make unwarranted attacks on low-paid workers.
“Our members work hard to provide services that make a huge difference to the lives of young people and cutting them will only store up problems for generations to come. Services for our vulnerable young people are vanishing and, once these services are destroyed, they will take a long time to recover. Surely every young person deserves a fair chance?”
UNISON, Scotland’s largest union in the community and voluntary sector, said urgent action must be taken to halt these drastic cuts and urged the country’s politicians not to throw our young people on the scrapheap.
Councils across the country are being hit with the biggest spending cuts in living memory. No service is safe – but one of the hardest hit is services for young people.
This week alone, more than 2,000 workers from the voluntary and community sector have been threatened with redundancy, while others face attacks on their pay and conditions.
One Scottish charity, Quarriers – which was originally set up to look after orphaned and destitute children – yesterday issued 90 days’ notice to all of its 2,000 staff. The move comes as the charity announced plans to cut its staffing budget by £2.5m – almost twice as much as their own figures (£1.3m) claim are required.
Elsewhere, services to vulnerable young people are also under threat as the Cora Foundation – a voluntary organisation that runs three secure units for young people – issued letters to hundreds of workers threatening them with redundancy. This leaves staff at three of the country’s five secure units (St Phillip’s in Plains; St Mary’s Kenmure in Bishopbriggs; and the Good Shepherd in Bishopton) facing the axe. If secure units run by Cora close, then the courts will be left with no option but to send young offenders to institutions like Polmont, at a much greater cost to the taxpayer.
UNISON has also condemned moves by youth justice charity, Includem, which has refused to negotiate with the union and has instead unilaterally imposed a 9.5 per cent pay cut on its staff.
Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser with UNISON, said: “We’re calling on Scotland’s political parties to focus on the real issues in the week ahead and to prioritise putting a stop to these outrageous cuts. We also need voluntary organisations to act in a responsible manner, to engage constructively with UNISON and not to capitalise on the situation to make unwarranted attacks on low-paid workers.
“Our members work hard to provide services that make a huge difference to the lives of young people and cutting them will only store up problems for generations to come. Services for our vulnerable young people are vanishing and, once these services are destroyed, they will take a long time to recover. Surely every young person deserves a fair chance?”
*********************************
The above press release was picked up by a number of media outlets including The Herald
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Cuts to social care provision should not be disguised by words such as ‘personalisation’ and ‘reform’, says UNISON.
In a speech to the Scottish Trades Union Congress in Ayr this morning, Lilian Macer, the UNISON Scottish Convenor, said that direct payments must complement a range of public services and should not be used to cover for inadequacies in public provision.
Lilian Macer told the Congress: “The ConDem Government is planning to slice into social care provision and try to cover up the wound with sticking plasters, labelled ‘personalisation’ or ‘reform’. Let’s be clear, we have nothing to fear from reform. But when the first question isn’t ‘how do we make a better service?’ but instead ‘how do we make a cheaper service?’, then it’s not about reform, it’s about attacking services.
“And it’s a low, mean, dishonest trick to try to implement cuts to the services of the most vulnerable people in our society. We believe that everyone should have as much independent, choice and control over their care as they want. But this has to be real choice, not the only option because other facilities and arrangements have been closed or made unavailable.”
In moving a motion to ensure vital services provided for older people are protected under these cuts, Lilian Macer told delegates that personalisation should be an option, but not a cheap option.
She continued: “There are those that see personalisation as a wonderful way of fabricating millions out of social care budgets. They think that by passing money to people directly - that they won’t notice it’s less than they used to rely on. Congress, we need to send a clear message to the politicians and decision makers in Holyrood and council chambers, that they need to accept responsibility for the decisions they take about peoples’ lives. And that we expect more from our parliament and councillors, than a rubber stamp on David Cameron’s cuts agenda.”
Lilian Macer told the Congress: “The ConDem Government is planning to slice into social care provision and try to cover up the wound with sticking plasters, labelled ‘personalisation’ or ‘reform’. Let’s be clear, we have nothing to fear from reform. But when the first question isn’t ‘how do we make a better service?’ but instead ‘how do we make a cheaper service?’, then it’s not about reform, it’s about attacking services.
“And it’s a low, mean, dishonest trick to try to implement cuts to the services of the most vulnerable people in our society. We believe that everyone should have as much independent, choice and control over their care as they want. But this has to be real choice, not the only option because other facilities and arrangements have been closed or made unavailable.”
In moving a motion to ensure vital services provided for older people are protected under these cuts, Lilian Macer told delegates that personalisation should be an option, but not a cheap option.
She continued: “There are those that see personalisation as a wonderful way of fabricating millions out of social care budgets. They think that by passing money to people directly - that they won’t notice it’s less than they used to rely on. Congress, we need to send a clear message to the politicians and decision makers in Holyrood and council chambers, that they need to accept responsibility for the decisions they take about peoples’ lives. And that we expect more from our parliament and councillors, than a rubber stamp on David Cameron’s cuts agenda.”
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Personalisation of Care Services in Glasgow
About personalisation
Last summer Glasgow City Council started a process called ‘personalisation’ and ‘self-directed support’ across services provided by Social Work. We support the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity. However, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. Right from the word go, the council was explicit in its ‘working assumption’ that at least 20% savings would be made.
The process is well advanced for learning disability services, but will be rolled out in time to those with physical disability, children with disability, mental health and eventually older people. In the autumn of last year providers of services, mainly charities and private companies, were asked to fill in Self Evaluation Questionnaires (SEQ) on behalf of the people with learning disabilities they support.
Defend Glasgow Services is aware from speaking to union members involved in providing care services, that on many occasions these forms were completed without direct input from the service user (not always possible), their family or guardians or their key worker. The forms were then put through a resource allocation system, which allocates individual budgets to those who need support, resulting in some seeing a cut of almost 80%. Most providers in the city are facing overall budgets cut of 35 to 40%. Additionally, in most cases, the Individual Budget now has to cover provision for activities and services during the day as the council will no longer provide day services to most people with learning disabilities, presenting a further strain on budgets.
There is no formal appeals process to these cuts in budgets. There is an opportunity to have matters looked at again by a Risk Enablement Panel, however, there is little evidence so far that this process is substantially altering the overall picture of massive cuts.
What does this mean for individuals with learning disabilities?
Wide scale loss of sleepover provision: people with learning disabilities often need someone available at night to assist them with toileting, helping them get in and out of bed, and generally to be on hand should anything untoward occur. Having a presence at night also stops vulnerable people being a target for those who would seek to exploit them.
Massive reduction in care packages: People who previously had 24/7 care are now going to have care for only a few hours a day. There is a danger people will become isolated in their homes with no support to lead a full and active life. Beyond this the level of cuts are so severe that independent living will no longer be viable for many and people will be forced to move in with other people in order to pool support, this is completely contrary to personalisation and for many will be a regressive step.
Lost education opportunities: Many people with learning disabilities need support to attend college courses and access other training. Without the money to pay for the support needed they will not be able to go. As a UNISON member put it ‘this is an accident waiting to happen’.
What does this mean for workers?
Workers providing care and support to those with learning disabilities in Glasgow are seeing a range of attacks on their terms and conditions. This is creating widespread concern among care workers. So far we have seen:
• Redundancies;
• Cuts to sick pay schemes;
• Reduction in hours;
• Threats to hourly rate;
The wider cuts agenda
Like us all, people with learning disabilities depend on other public services (e.g. Department of Work and Pensions, Further Education)and indeed often need them more, so as well as their own services being cut they will suffer from reduced public provision. Add to this the onslaught on benefits and the welfare state and it is clear that we are not all in this together. The cuts hit the poor, vulnerable and voiceless the hardest.
What can we do?
• Lobby the Council against these cuts: on 12.30 pm Thursday 28th April 2011, Glasgow City Chambers, George Square
It’s time to unite workers, service users, their families and friends to show mass opposition to these attacks on some of the most vulnerable in our community. The council needs to halt the process, maintain funding and engage in meaningful and genuine consultation with service users.
• Raise the issue with politicians they are chasing you vote for the Scottish Parliament elections and go and see your Councillor or write to them, details available from your library of visit www.writetothem.com
• Ensure someone is sticking up for people with learning disabilities
If they can’t themselves, workers will be restricted in what they can do for clients they support, but there are groups such as Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (http://www.ldascotland.org/ 07920 141823 ) and the Coalition of Carers in Scotland (http://www.carersnet.org/ 01786 825529) that can help those with learning disabilities and their families. There are also a number of advocacy organisations that can help people in these situations, more information on local groups can be found via the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (http://www.siaa.org.uk/ 0131 260 5380).
• Get active, get organised, get involved. Join a union and join the campaigns!
For more information log on to http://www.thereisabetterway.org/
Last summer Glasgow City Council started a process called ‘personalisation’ and ‘self-directed support’ across services provided by Social Work. We support the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity. However, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. Right from the word go, the council was explicit in its ‘working assumption’ that at least 20% savings would be made.
The process is well advanced for learning disability services, but will be rolled out in time to those with physical disability, children with disability, mental health and eventually older people. In the autumn of last year providers of services, mainly charities and private companies, were asked to fill in Self Evaluation Questionnaires (SEQ) on behalf of the people with learning disabilities they support.
Defend Glasgow Services is aware from speaking to union members involved in providing care services, that on many occasions these forms were completed without direct input from the service user (not always possible), their family or guardians or their key worker. The forms were then put through a resource allocation system, which allocates individual budgets to those who need support, resulting in some seeing a cut of almost 80%. Most providers in the city are facing overall budgets cut of 35 to 40%. Additionally, in most cases, the Individual Budget now has to cover provision for activities and services during the day as the council will no longer provide day services to most people with learning disabilities, presenting a further strain on budgets.
There is no formal appeals process to these cuts in budgets. There is an opportunity to have matters looked at again by a Risk Enablement Panel, however, there is little evidence so far that this process is substantially altering the overall picture of massive cuts.
What does this mean for individuals with learning disabilities?
Wide scale loss of sleepover provision: people with learning disabilities often need someone available at night to assist them with toileting, helping them get in and out of bed, and generally to be on hand should anything untoward occur. Having a presence at night also stops vulnerable people being a target for those who would seek to exploit them.
Massive reduction in care packages: People who previously had 24/7 care are now going to have care for only a few hours a day. There is a danger people will become isolated in their homes with no support to lead a full and active life. Beyond this the level of cuts are so severe that independent living will no longer be viable for many and people will be forced to move in with other people in order to pool support, this is completely contrary to personalisation and for many will be a regressive step.
Lost education opportunities: Many people with learning disabilities need support to attend college courses and access other training. Without the money to pay for the support needed they will not be able to go. As a UNISON member put it ‘this is an accident waiting to happen’.
What does this mean for workers?
Workers providing care and support to those with learning disabilities in Glasgow are seeing a range of attacks on their terms and conditions. This is creating widespread concern among care workers. So far we have seen:
• Redundancies;
• Cuts to sick pay schemes;
• Reduction in hours;
• Threats to hourly rate;
The wider cuts agenda
Like us all, people with learning disabilities depend on other public services (e.g. Department of Work and Pensions, Further Education)and indeed often need them more, so as well as their own services being cut they will suffer from reduced public provision. Add to this the onslaught on benefits and the welfare state and it is clear that we are not all in this together. The cuts hit the poor, vulnerable and voiceless the hardest.
What can we do?
• Lobby the Council against these cuts: on 12.30 pm Thursday 28th April 2011, Glasgow City Chambers, George Square
It’s time to unite workers, service users, their families and friends to show mass opposition to these attacks on some of the most vulnerable in our community. The council needs to halt the process, maintain funding and engage in meaningful and genuine consultation with service users.
• Raise the issue with politicians they are chasing you vote for the Scottish Parliament elections and go and see your Councillor or write to them, details available from your library of visit www.writetothem.com
• Ensure someone is sticking up for people with learning disabilities
If they can’t themselves, workers will be restricted in what they can do for clients they support, but there are groups such as Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (http://www.ldascotland.org/ 07920 141823 ) and the Coalition of Carers in Scotland (http://www.carersnet.org/ 01786 825529) that can help those with learning disabilities and their families. There are also a number of advocacy organisations that can help people in these situations, more information on local groups can be found via the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (http://www.siaa.org.uk/ 0131 260 5380).
• Get active, get organised, get involved. Join a union and join the campaigns!
For more information log on to http://www.thereisabetterway.org/
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Meeting to discuss cuts in the voluntary sector – 13th APRIL
Pay freezes, pay cuts, redundancies, attacks on terms and conditions are happening all over Scotland in the voluntary sector. One example of this is the impact of the personalisation agenda in Glasgow which has seen the Council impose massive cuts in the budgets of service users.
So far most voluntary organisations in Glasgow involved in learning disability services are responding by passing on the cuts to staff in one way or another.
UNISON is calling a meeting to look at how we can respond to this in a more co-ordinated way and the UNISON Quarriers Branch has kindly agreed to host the meeting.
The meeting will be at 10.00am on Wednesday 13th April at the UNISON Office, 4th Floor, Empire House, 131 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2RX.
So far most voluntary organisations in Glasgow involved in learning disability services are responding by passing on the cuts to staff in one way or another.
UNISON is calling a meeting to look at how we can respond to this in a more co-ordinated way and the UNISON Quarriers Branch has kindly agreed to host the meeting.
The meeting will be at 10.00am on Wednesday 13th April at the UNISON Office, 4th Floor, Empire House, 131 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2RX.
The 2nd Scottish Community Service Group Conference will take place on:
This will be an important opportunity for members from the community, voluntary and housing association sectors to come together and discuss the current challenges they face and how UNISON can best respond. These sectors are experiencing massive challenges due to issues such as funding cuts; personalisation/self-directed support; housing benefit reforms; and Protection of Vulnerable Groups. There will be an opportunity to discuss all these issues and more on the day.
There will be a range of speakers and sessions to ensure members get a chance to learn, contribute and feel empowered to help represent community members when they return to the workplace.
Given the unprecedented situation in terms of cuts we have decided to run the Conference as open as possible to encourage as broad and as large an attendance as possible. Branches are asked to appoint as many delegates as possible, there is no limit; we would though ask you to identify a lead delegate. This is so that if there is a contested election for the Committee the lead delegate will be handed a ballot paper, voting will be weighted dependent on the number of Community members in the branch rather than numbers of delegates.
Contact your branch if you wish to attend.
Saturday 14th May
10.30 am
UNISON House,
14 West Campbell Street,
Glasgow
G2 6RX
This will be an important opportunity for members from the community, voluntary and housing association sectors to come together and discuss the current challenges they face and how UNISON can best respond. These sectors are experiencing massive challenges due to issues such as funding cuts; personalisation/self-directed support; housing benefit reforms; and Protection of Vulnerable Groups. There will be an opportunity to discuss all these issues and more on the day.
There will be a range of speakers and sessions to ensure members get a chance to learn, contribute and feel empowered to help represent community members when they return to the workplace.
Given the unprecedented situation in terms of cuts we have decided to run the Conference as open as possible to encourage as broad and as large an attendance as possible. Branches are asked to appoint as many delegates as possible, there is no limit; we would though ask you to identify a lead delegate. This is so that if there is a contested election for the Committee the lead delegate will be handed a ballot paper, voting will be weighted dependent on the number of Community members in the branch rather than numbers of delegates.
Contact your branch if you wish to attend.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Abolition of the default retirement age: Q&A
When is the default retirement age being abolished?
The default retirement age will be abolished from 1 October 2011. Employees who reach 65 on or after 1st October 2011 cannot be forced to retire using the current statutory procedure.Transitional provisions will apply from 6 April 2011 which mean that the last date that employers can issue notices of retirement is 5 April 2011. Retirements issued by this date will be lawful provided that the employer follows the correct procedure
Will employers be able to force employees to retire once the default retirement age is abolished?
No. From 6 April 2011, retirement will no longer be included as one of the potentially fair reasons for dismissal under s.98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, unless the transitional provisions apply and the employee has already been given notice of retirement in accordance with the statutory retirement procedure. A forced retirement after this date could potentially lead to a successful claim for unfair dismissal and/or age discrimination, unless:
- the employee wants to retire voluntarily
- the employer will has a fair, objective reason for dismissal (such as redundancy or capability) and follow a fair procedure before they dismiss
In what circumstances will employers be able to justify compulsorily retiring employees?
To be able to retire employees compulsorily, employers will have to be able to demonstrate that the retirement age is objectively justified. The ACAS guidance states that employers will continue to be able to retire an employee at a set age provided it can be objectively justified. They call this the “employer justified retirement age” (EJRA).
They go on to say that they expect “case-law around EJRA [to] develop once the DRA has been abolished.” Examples given of objective justifications are workforce planning or the health and safety of individual employees.
How will the abolition of the default retirement age affect recruitment practices?
According to XpertHR: “Employers may need to adjust their recruitment practices, to ensure that the number of new employees recruited is proportionate to the number of retirements. This is likely to be less predictable once the default retirement age has been abolished.”
“In addition, the current exemption from the age discrimination provisions that allows employers to reject an applicant who has reached, or is within six months of reaching, the retirement age of 65 or older, will no longer apply from 6 April 2011. Employers will need to ensure that they consider applications from candidates of any age on the basis of merit and suitability for the job in question rather than their age”.
For UNISON guidance on this issue, see the Age Equality Factsheet here.
The default retirement age will be abolished from 1 October 2011. Employees who reach 65 on or after 1st October 2011 cannot be forced to retire using the current statutory procedure.Transitional provisions will apply from 6 April 2011 which mean that the last date that employers can issue notices of retirement is 5 April 2011. Retirements issued by this date will be lawful provided that the employer follows the correct procedure
Will employers be able to force employees to retire once the default retirement age is abolished?
No. From 6 April 2011, retirement will no longer be included as one of the potentially fair reasons for dismissal under s.98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, unless the transitional provisions apply and the employee has already been given notice of retirement in accordance with the statutory retirement procedure. A forced retirement after this date could potentially lead to a successful claim for unfair dismissal and/or age discrimination, unless:
- the employee wants to retire voluntarily
- the employer will has a fair, objective reason for dismissal (such as redundancy or capability) and follow a fair procedure before they dismiss
In what circumstances will employers be able to justify compulsorily retiring employees?
To be able to retire employees compulsorily, employers will have to be able to demonstrate that the retirement age is objectively justified. The ACAS guidance states that employers will continue to be able to retire an employee at a set age provided it can be objectively justified. They call this the “employer justified retirement age” (EJRA).
They go on to say that they expect “case-law around EJRA [to] develop once the DRA has been abolished.” Examples given of objective justifications are workforce planning or the health and safety of individual employees.
How will the abolition of the default retirement age affect recruitment practices?
According to XpertHR: “Employers may need to adjust their recruitment practices, to ensure that the number of new employees recruited is proportionate to the number of retirements. This is likely to be less predictable once the default retirement age has been abolished.”
“In addition, the current exemption from the age discrimination provisions that allows employers to reject an applicant who has reached, or is within six months of reaching, the retirement age of 65 or older, will no longer apply from 6 April 2011. Employers will need to ensure that they consider applications from candidates of any age on the basis of merit and suitability for the job in question rather than their age”.
For UNISON guidance on this issue, see the Age Equality Factsheet here.
Friday, 25 February 2011
Mike Short, Community National Officer responds to news Women's refuge chief returns OBE in protest over cuts
Big society sums just don't add up
The Guardian, Tuesday 22 February 2011
It was sad to read about Denise Marshall's no doubt tough decision to return her OBE in protest at government cuts (Report, 16 February) – a further indication of the damage the Tory-led government is inflicting on the "civil society" it wants to use to replace the state. Organisations like Eaves and Women's Aid already provide vital services for vulnerable women, in partnership with the public sector. But the government's cuts will cost the voluntary sector as much as £5bn when demand for the services such organisations provide is increasing.
The proposed "big society" bank, which will lend two-thirds of its £300m at expensive commercial rates, is just window dressing and will be of little assistance. Against this backdrop, the so-called big society will not empower or strengthen communities; it will leave them with more to do, but with only a fraction of their current resources. It is an attack on both the public sector and the voluntary sector, and it will cause real hardship for millions of people.
Mike Short
National officer, community and voluntary sector, UNISON
The Guardian, Tuesday 22 February 2011
It was sad to read about Denise Marshall's no doubt tough decision to return her OBE in protest at government cuts (Report, 16 February) – a further indication of the damage the Tory-led government is inflicting on the "civil society" it wants to use to replace the state. Organisations like Eaves and Women's Aid already provide vital services for vulnerable women, in partnership with the public sector. But the government's cuts will cost the voluntary sector as much as £5bn when demand for the services such organisations provide is increasing.
The proposed "big society" bank, which will lend two-thirds of its £300m at expensive commercial rates, is just window dressing and will be of little assistance. Against this backdrop, the so-called big society will not empower or strengthen communities; it will leave them with more to do, but with only a fraction of their current resources. It is an attack on both the public sector and the voluntary sector, and it will cause real hardship for millions of people.
Mike Short
National officer, community and voluntary sector, UNISON
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