Ballot Problems

Please note that we have been notified that some of the Ballot papers that were issued have not printed correctly.

If you have been issued with a blank form or one that is printed only on one side please speak to your Steward as soon as possible and they will advise you what to do. Alternatively write whether you accept or reject option 2 on the blank side and return it to the freepost address.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

New Ballot on the Employers Latest Increment Offer

After further negotiations with Trade Unions, Aberdeen City Council have come forward with a revised offer relating to the payment of increments which has been outlined on the "Zone". The Branch at it's Special Meeting on Monday 20 September agreed to issue a further ballot to members asking you to vote on the latest proposal.

The Branch is of the opinion that option 2 is the best offer that can be achieved by negotiation. We are making no recommendation as to whether you should accept or reject option 2 however we have provided you with the pros and cons of accepting the offer to help you decide.

Acceptance of the proposal will mean:-

• the full hourly rate of the increment will be apid from 1 November with no backdating
• the increment monies due from 1 April to 31 October 2010 will be negotiated separately to settle Employment Tribunal claims submitted
• the employer commits to paying in full the increment due on 1 April 2011, subject to individuals meeting the criteria of "normally" (which will permit the employer to withhold or delay increments where individuals are subjectto disciplinary procedures or absence management policies)
• that negotiations will continue with the Trade Unions to obtain a clear set of criteria and guidance for the definition of "normally" and the circumstances in which an individual's increment can be withheld. It is our understanding that this will relate to individual behaviours and not global financial pressure.

Rejection of the offer will mean:-

• leaving the Employment Tribunal to decide whether the increment is due by pursuing the claims for unlawful deduction of wages. If the Council loses they have said that they will appeal; this means there may be no final outcome (and payment of the outstanding increments) for several months (possibly as late as the end of 2012). Although we know we have a strong argument for payment of the increments as a contractual right and the rate for the job, there are no guarantees
• because of public sector predicted pay freezes your hourly rate will remain at 2010 levels until the outcome of the Employment Tribunal
• members will have to be prepared to support some form of industrial action to pursue any better settlement.

We need you to tell us what you want to do. We as a Branch need a clear mandate on how to proceed on your behalf. The Ballot paper was issued on Tuesday 21 September and must be returned by Monday 27 September. This is because the Finance and Resources Committee meets on Tuesday 28 September whereby they may make a decision on this issue. Use your vote.

Press Release Latest Developments

UNISON welcomes latest developments in Aberdeen City Increments Row

A new proposal to settle the dispute over non-payment of the increment due to Aberdeen City Council staff is being welcomed as a step in the right direction by UNISON. Aberdeen City Council has released details of proposals to pay the increment due in April 2010 from November 2010.

Karen Maxfield, Branch Secretary for Aberdeen City Council UNISON says:-

"we welcome the Council's move towards paying the increment in full - this recognises our members' contractual rights and the great unhappiness that the proposal not to pay the increment at all caused. However, we are still in negotiations about the detail, need to consider all the implications and then consult our membership before any decision is reached. UNISON has not decided yet whether this proposal should be recommended to members."

Revised Increment Proposal

Discussions have been ongoing with the employer in light of our consultation paper and recommendation to reject.
The new proposal substitutes the saving from the national pay award being reduced from 1% to 0.65% being used in the basket of savings in place of the Non Standard Working Week element previously proposed.

The Branch Committee are meeting next Monday 6 September and they will take a decision on what action to take on the revised proposal.

We have been informed of the following:

The Scottish Employers have today withdrawn the offer made to SJC employees and now intend to impose the following;

2010/11 0.65%
2011/12 0%
2012/13 0%

The Joint Secretaries and Chair of the Trade Union Side met with the employers yesterday where we sought further discussions on reshaping and re distribution of the current offer. At no time did the employers indicate that they intended to withdraw the offer and impose a lesser one.

Your branch are very disappointed with Coslas stance on this. Unison had been willing to look at reshaping the deal that had been rejected and not necessarily looking for more money. It is very unfair that colleagues in England are to receive an improved offer and that Scotland, when not aware of the financial position is taking this stance. Unison leaders will meet on Friday 3 September to discuss what action will be taken regarding this imposition.

Consultation on Employer's Offer

Following the unanimous view from the Joint Trade Union Meeting on 24 August to reject the employer's offer, the Branch Committee are recommending that their members reject the offer.

You should have received a letter outlining why the Branch are recommending that the offer be rejected along with a consultative paper that has a return date of Friday 3 September. Please use your vote and return the form to give the Branch Committee a clear mandate from you, our members, on whether to accept or reject the offer.

Unison believe that you should reject the offer as:-

• 1.5% is significantly less than the amount of increment that was due to be paid on 1 April 2010;
• the reduction to non-standard working week allowance will have a severe impact on the take home pay of some groups of staff; some will see reductions in pay of up to £1000 a year; those at the top of the scale will also see a reduction in their pay; those in detriment will face a bigger reduction in salary when the pay protection ceases in 2012;
• the reduction in Agency staff could have serious workload issues for some departments where agency staff have been used instaed of permanent staff;
• the removal of First Aid, Fire Warden and Workplace Disturance Allowances will not only affect those due an increment;
• Acting up Allowances and Higher Grade Duties Payments, ceasing these payments may mean greater reluctance to carry out higher grade duties to ensure service provision is maintained during periods of long-term sickness etc; those currently receiving this payment will see a reduction in pay;
• the commitment to revert to the increment scale under EP&M on 1 April 2011 has been withdrawn; and
• the Council have refused to give assurances of no compulsory redundancies.

Complete the form enclosed with your letter and return it to the freepost address as soon as possible. We need to know what you want us to do.

What is your contract worth?

If you breach your contract, you will face disciplinary action.

Your employer has breached your contract, what measures will be taken against them?
What are you prepared to do?

This is just the beginning of a reduction in your terms and conditions which, if allowed to go unchecked will only escalate the downturn in services for the citizens of Aberdeen.

We must act now!

Your branch have been in talks with the employer, advised them on the Employment Tribunals lodged and notified them of huge savings that can be easily made.

We now need you to tell us what you want us to do next.