A message from Dave Prentis,
UNISON General Secretary
Your pensions are at risk
You may have seen some of the media coverage today of the Hutton report into public sector pensions. I have been interviewed on national BBC TV, Channel 4, ITV, the Today programme, 5 Live, many regional radio stations and by the newspapers.
See our press releases, put out to the media this morning, on our website. I wanted to let you know personally how your pensions and those of your members are being placed at risk by the government. The coalition government has shown contempt for Hutton.
Even before he finished his inquiry, the government decided to increase contributions by more than 50%, at a time when pay is being frozen, inflation is rising and our members' jobs are threatened with cuts and privatisation.
Additionally, the value of members' pensions has been reduced because the government changed the method of calculating annual inflation increases so pensions will increase by less than retail prices.
Hutton is recommending that public sector schemes move from final salary pensions to career averages and that members work longer. This will mean a lower pension because it is based on an average of how much members earn each year rather than on final salary.
And the move to the lower CPI method of calculating inflation undermines the career average scheme, so everyone will be worse off.
You and your members already have to pay more. I am convinced that the government will use this merely to cut costs and benefits. Whatever Hutton says about fairness in his report, it will be used by the government to cut the value of our pension schemes.
These changes are totally unnecessary. Our NHS scheme is cash rich and pays £2bn into the Treasury each year. There are no problems with the local government scheme that would justify this change.
We have already negotiated with the previous government new schemes that reflect people living longer and have made sure they are affordable and sustainable. Talks with the coalition government to protect and defend our members' pensions will be tough. And we need your support.
I will be sending this message to all our members for whom we have an email address. But I felt it only right that you, the activists who are the backbone of this union, got it first.
And remember: we don't have email addresses for everyone: if you do one thing, please make sure all your members are aware of this message and the threat to their pensions.
And use it to recruit new members: tell them what we're doing to protect pensions and ask them to join, so we have a stronger voice.
And get involved in activity within the branch or become a pension champion or write to your local MP to protest.
If we cannot make any progress in our talks with the government to get it to see sense, we will have to take very hard decisions on moving to an industrial action ballot.
You can keep informed of developments by looking at our webpage at unison.org.uk/protectourpensions, which also contains briefings on the threat to our pensions and other resources which you will find useful as an activist.
But I believe that this issue is so important that I will personally let you and our members know the outcome of the talks.
Dave Prentis
UNISON general secretary
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Corperate Governance
Invitation to all Corporate Governance Members.
The Branch has arranged a meeting for all interested members within Corporate Governance on Thursday 10th March at 5pm in Committee Room 5, Peter Hunter UNISON Regional officer based in Edinburgh will be sharing his experience on the proposals to outsource services within Edinburgh and the lessons that can be learned.
So come and join us on Thursday 5pm Committee Room 5.
The Branch has arranged a meeting for all interested members within Corporate Governance on Thursday 10th March at 5pm in Committee Room 5, Peter Hunter UNISON Regional officer based in Edinburgh will be sharing his experience on the proposals to outsource services within Edinburgh and the lessons that can be learned.
So come and join us on Thursday 5pm Committee Room 5.
Friday, March 4, 2011
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Here is a brief report on the Branch AGM.
This week the AGM of the Branch was held at the Lemon Tree and a good turn out of members and activists heard reports on the last year, Karen Davidson Branch Secretary was pleased to note that as a branch we have had some significant victories thanks to the support of our members and the general public.
From increments to the fight over compulsory redundancies and our campaign on PSA's we have been active taking the message into meetings in the workplace and with senior members of management and the administration.
Branch officers and stewards for the year ahead were elected, we welcomed some new faces and it was noted that Gerry McCabe who has served as a Steward for 25 years had decided to step down, Gerry was thanked for his time as a steward and wished well for the future.
A call was also made for anyone who may wish to get involved as a steward or officer of the Branch to contact us, for more information then please contact the Branch Office at St Nicholas House.
The AGM also discussed the councils recent decision to implement 3 new policies on Maximising Attendance, Redeployment and Local Salary Progression and an Emergency motion was debated and agreed following a full debate.
The motion calls for the branch to resist attacks on our pay and conditions by all necessary means and for the branch officers to work with our colleagues in other trade unions to fight to ensure that changes are made.
A full copy of motion will be on the Branch Website soon.
Peter Smyth
Communications Officer
This week the AGM of the Branch was held at the Lemon Tree and a good turn out of members and activists heard reports on the last year, Karen Davidson Branch Secretary was pleased to note that as a branch we have had some significant victories thanks to the support of our members and the general public.
From increments to the fight over compulsory redundancies and our campaign on PSA's we have been active taking the message into meetings in the workplace and with senior members of management and the administration.
Branch officers and stewards for the year ahead were elected, we welcomed some new faces and it was noted that Gerry McCabe who has served as a Steward for 25 years had decided to step down, Gerry was thanked for his time as a steward and wished well for the future.
A call was also made for anyone who may wish to get involved as a steward or officer of the Branch to contact us, for more information then please contact the Branch Office at St Nicholas House.
The AGM also discussed the councils recent decision to implement 3 new policies on Maximising Attendance, Redeployment and Local Salary Progression and an Emergency motion was debated and agreed following a full debate.
The motion calls for the branch to resist attacks on our pay and conditions by all necessary means and for the branch officers to work with our colleagues in other trade unions to fight to ensure that changes are made.
A full copy of motion will be on the Branch Website soon.
Peter Smyth
Communications Officer
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Online Petition Sign up now!
Here is a link to the online petition please sign up today to save education services in Aberdeen
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42283.html
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42283.html
Friday, January 21, 2011
Letter to Councillors
Dear Councillor
As a parent in Aberdeen I am opposed to the budget proposals to drastically cut the number of Pupil Support Assistants in all city secondary and primary schools at the Council meeting on 10th February 2011.
I have not been consulted about the effect this proposal will have on my child's education. Pupil Support Assistants provide a vital service which must be sustained to ensure that all children in Aberdeen are supported and encouraged to fulfil their potential. Cutting the numbers of Pupil support Assistants will ultimately exlude some children from education, which is their right. it will also affect the quality of education that all children receive.
I would be obliged if you could send me the Equality Impact Assessment paperwork that must have been prepared prior to the decision to propose any cuts in Pupil Support Assistant numbers.
I am urging you as my councillor to vote against this particular budget cut at Full Council on Thursday 10th February.
I would also be grateful if you could confirm you have received this letter and let me know how you intend to vote.
Yours sincerely
As a parent in Aberdeen I am opposed to the budget proposals to drastically cut the number of Pupil Support Assistants in all city secondary and primary schools at the Council meeting on 10th February 2011.
I have not been consulted about the effect this proposal will have on my child's education. Pupil Support Assistants provide a vital service which must be sustained to ensure that all children in Aberdeen are supported and encouraged to fulfil their potential. Cutting the numbers of Pupil support Assistants will ultimately exlude some children from education, which is their right. it will also affect the quality of education that all children receive.
I would be obliged if you could send me the Equality Impact Assessment paperwork that must have been prepared prior to the decision to propose any cuts in Pupil Support Assistant numbers.
I am urging you as my councillor to vote against this particular budget cut at Full Council on Thursday 10th February.
I would also be grateful if you could confirm you have received this letter and let me know how you intend to vote.
Yours sincerely
Your Child's Education is at Risk
Councillors are proposing to slash the number of Pupil Support Assistants in our schools at a budget meeting to be hled on Thursday 10th February. This will have a devastating effect on children's education in Aberdeen. They have not consulted with parents on the effect this will have on your child's education, you need to ask them why?
We must show Councillors that the people of Aberdeen will not accept the destruction of our Education Service.
Please show how much you value you Pupil Support Assistant and the essential work that they do to support your children - send the attached letter to your Councillors.
We must show Councillors that the people of Aberdeen will not accept the destruction of our Education Service.
Please show how much you value you Pupil Support Assistant and the essential work that they do to support your children - send the attached letter to your Councillors.
Tell your friends and family too, once the service is gone it will be too late. Each ward has 3 0r 4 Councillors find out who yours are here http://tinyurl.com/6xeb72o and send the letter to each one.
See http://aberdeenunison.co.uk for more information. Contact us if you have any questions and send us your stories on how this proposal will affect your family.
Help save Education Services in Aberdeen before it's too late.
Join us at the Town House between 12 noon and 2.00pm on 10th February 2011 and stand up for your services.
To Join Up or Join In contact 01224 620624
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Increment Latest News
UNISON, Aberdeen's largest public sector trade union, says it is relieved that the long running increments row with Aberdeen City Council is now resolved, and wants to get on with defending public services in the city in the face of crippling budget proposals.
Aberdeen City Councillors voted to approve the deal brokered by ACAS whidh means that all council staff due a pay increment in April 2010 will now receive it. The unions and the council are hopeful that all payments, including back pay, can be made before Christmas. The unions and the council have agreed to enter into immediate and meaningful talks on a range of issues connected to the Council's budget proposals.
Karen Davidson, Branch Secretary of Aberdeen City UNISON, said "we are releived that council staff will now get the agreed rate of pay for their job and we are glad that this distracting issue is behind us. Withholding the increment was a breach of our contract and it affected hundreds of low paid workers who were entitled to an increment for the first time this year. Individuals will not get huge amounts of money out of this - a personal carer helping someone to staff in their own home will get £9.99 more a week after a year in the job, when she has got more skills and experience which enables her to give a better service to her clients.
We have established a vital principle here - that employers cannot use the current tough financial climate as an excuse to break contracts of employment. Our members stood up for their rights this year and carried on doing their jobs in very difficult circumstances. Our employer now know that they must work with their staff and the unions to achieve savings."
Karen continued, "UNISON knows there are difficult decisions to be made in Aberdeen about the vital services that we all depend on. We want to be fully involved in the decisions about what our services should be in the future. It's not the buildings and equipment and complicated processes that ensure people get car, receive high quality educaiton, can enjoy parks, libraries and leisure centres and have their bins emptied - all of this comes down to the commitment and effort of council workers."
Aberdeen City Councillors voted to approve the deal brokered by ACAS whidh means that all council staff due a pay increment in April 2010 will now receive it. The unions and the council are hopeful that all payments, including back pay, can be made before Christmas. The unions and the council have agreed to enter into immediate and meaningful talks on a range of issues connected to the Council's budget proposals.
Karen Davidson, Branch Secretary of Aberdeen City UNISON, said "we are releived that council staff will now get the agreed rate of pay for their job and we are glad that this distracting issue is behind us. Withholding the increment was a breach of our contract and it affected hundreds of low paid workers who were entitled to an increment for the first time this year. Individuals will not get huge amounts of money out of this - a personal carer helping someone to staff in their own home will get £9.99 more a week after a year in the job, when she has got more skills and experience which enables her to give a better service to her clients.
We have established a vital principle here - that employers cannot use the current tough financial climate as an excuse to break contracts of employment. Our members stood up for their rights this year and carried on doing their jobs in very difficult circumstances. Our employer now know that they must work with their staff and the unions to achieve savings."
Karen continued, "UNISON knows there are difficult decisions to be made in Aberdeen about the vital services that we all depend on. We want to be fully involved in the decisions about what our services should be in the future. It's not the buildings and equipment and complicated processes that ensure people get car, receive high quality educaiton, can enjoy parks, libraries and leisure centres and have their bins emptied - all of this comes down to the commitment and effort of council workers."
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