Local News

News from your local branch ............

Drop the Bill - Petition has hit the 100,000 mark

The e-petition on the Goverment website has now reached over 110,000 signatures - but it still needs more!

We and others are calling for as many people as possible to sign the e-petition on the government's website calling for the NHS Bill to be dropped. It has already reached 100,000 signatures so should automatically trigger a debate in parliament, and in the current atmosphere who knows what could happen with that!

To ensure that this happens, keep signing up to the petition as the more that sign, the more MP's may join their voices to match the public mood

Sign the petition here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670

Article added 2012-02-15 13:10:03

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UNISON welfares' Octopus Lottery

UNISON welfare relies on UNISON members and branches to help us with fundraising and the Octopus Lottery Monthly prize draw is one of the ways we can do this.

UNISON Welfare is a registered charity that provides a unique confidential service just for UNISON members and their families (including retired members). Every year we help thousands of members with grants, wellbeing breaks, free debt advice and a wide range of support services.

To be able to provide this support we rely on UNISON members and branches to help us with fundraising and the Octopus Lottery Monthly prize draw is one of the ways we can do this. Up to 50% of the total money raised from ticket sales is paid out as prizes and administration costs are kept very low at just 10 %

You can buy up to a maximum of 10 numbers at £1 each which will be automatically entered into each months prize draw. So unlike some prize draws you do not need to remember to enter each month.

If you would like to sign up to play Octopus Lottery please complete the application form and direct debit form and send it to: Freepost RSAE-BEHJ-XTXB, Octopus Lottery, Kings Court, London Road, Stevenage, SG1 2TP.

The application form can be downloaded from: http://www.unison.org.uk/octopus/

Article added 2012-02-14 13:52:07

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Next Pension briefing

Thursday 27th October 2pm. Lecture Theatre 2, Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Site

Pay more, work longer, get less

It sounds simple doesn't it? We can't afford to pay for these pensions so public service workers like street sweepers, school dinner staff and healthcare assistants need to accept that and work longer, pay more and get less.

But that isn't the whole picture.

Public service workers are being asked to pay more in pension contributions by an average of over 50% - if you earn above £15,000. It's the equivalent on average of a 3% pay cut.

And this extra money isn't being used to improve pension schemes for the future, it's going straight to the Treasury to pay for the bankers' crisis.

Your pension is under attack - join us in defending it.

For more information, go to: http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

Article added 2011-10-26 10:37:34

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Pension Ballot - closing date looms

UNISON, along with many other public sector unions, is balloting for industrial action. We are urging you to vote in the ballot and to vote YES.

The ballot closes on 3 November - make sure you've posted your vote before then.

It's urgent that we let relevant ministers know that UNISON members don't deserve this treatment and that we're serious about saying 'enough is enough'.

Proposed changes to your pension threaten most of you with having to work longer, pay more and get less when you eventually retire.

These changes are unfair. They mean that many hard working UNISON members will be paying 50% more a month into their pension, working for much longer, and then retiring on a pension worth around 15% less.

if you are a member and haven't recieved your ballot paper contact UNISON direct on 0845 355 0845 before midday on 31st October

If you are not a member and wish to join then go to https://join.unison.org.uk/joinus.php and join online to ensure you get your vote

Article added 2011-10-26 10:32:01

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Retired members Seminar

The next regional seminar for retired members is being held in Ely, Cambridgeshire

All retired members of UNISON within the Eastern region are invited to the next seminar being held on the 14th September 2011, at the Ely Catherdral Cantre, Palace Green, Ely, CB7 4EW

Members who wish to go need to contact the branch office so we can assist them by filling in an application form as we will pay for subsistence and travel costs

Article added 2011-08-02 14:49:11

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NHS Pension proposals - How will it affect you?

there is a meeting on the 17th August at the clinical school on the Addenbrooke's site to discuss how it will affect members

The Government is proposing changes to the existing NHS Pension scheme, and the branch is holding a series of meetings with members to explain them. The next meeting scheduled is

Article added 2011-08-02 14:45:53

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Violence down, Sanctions also down!

Figures released last week on the NHS Business Services Authority’s website show that violence against health staff seems to be on the wane in Cambridgeshire overall, however of the 324 reported attacks, only one appears to have been followed through successfully in that a sanction (unspecified) was given.

While it is clear that the majority of attacks are from individuals either short or long-term confused (as evidenced by the majority being in the Mental Health Trust), this does raise the concern that members who are the victims of an attack are not followed up by their Trust Security or Governance teams.

UNISON will continue to raise at Trust safety meetings the importance or reporting on assaults against staff, and the need for full investigations and where appropriate that the individual receive the relevant sanction, and calls on members to continue reporting through incident forms to their employer, and to us at UNISON if you feel that the action taken was inappropriate.

The figures for Cambridgeshire are:

Key: APE: Assaults per 1000 employees
Years: 2010 (2009)

· Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Addenbrooke’s & Rosie Hospitals)

• Assaults: 107 (129)
• APE: 13.7 (17.2)
• Sanctions: 1 (3)

· Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (Mental Health Trust)

• Assaults: 225 (150)
• APE: 110.5 (75.6)
• Sanctions: 0 (0)

· Cambridgeshire PCT

• Assaults: 2 (9)
• APE: 0.7 (3.1)
• Sanctions: 0 (0)

· East of England Strategic Health Authority

• Assaults 0 (0)
• APE: 0 (0)
• Sanctions: 0 (0)

Article added 2010-12-16 16:00:03

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Organising works: MEDIREST members' great success!

Members of UNISON working for Medirest (a division of Compass) have been fighting a long running campaign against job cuts, pay freezes and other changes to their terms and conditions.

Early this year Medirest launched a consultation to reduce working hours, remove shifts and stop the pay rise and the agenda for change increments for their staff. At the same time UNISON 3 companies project had just started work in the branch to help organise and recruit new representatives and work out the barriers to people joining UNISON.

Following months of recruitment, organising, members meetings and mapping they had recruited an additional 150 members (approx) and were in a good bargaining position. Not only that they had arranged members meetings where new representatives were elected who formed the core of a new Medirest organising committee for the Soft FM contract based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

As a result the below statement was issued at the end of November, in a nutshell stating that the pay freeze was cancelled, and that the reduction in hours for ward staff was put on hold - GREAT WORK TEAM!

JOINT MEDIREST / UNISON COMMUNICATION STATEMENT

Further to a meeting between MEDIREST and UNISON on the
16th November 2010 and staff meetings conducted prior to this, we are writing to advise that we have agreed the following:

1. Ward hour’s reductions – are placed on hold, but will apply to all future recruitment in both domestic and hostess posts.
2. Proposal to freeze pay and Spine Point increment – This option is not being progressed.

HOWEVER, in order to work towards the required savings, the following will be implemented on a phased basis.

1. Non-replacement of one currently vacant supervisor’s post.
2. Target hours for each ward have been agreed and we will be looking to achieve these as vacancies occur. Existing employees will need to be flexible to assist this process.
3. The current freeze on vacancies has been lifted and therefore the requirement for overtime will be reduced.
4. Clocking-in system – strict controls will apply upon implementation.
5. Sickness absence management – will be consistently managed in line with the company absence management policy.
6. More effective management of chemicals and microfibre.

Medirest and Unison will be working closely to agree the detail and time-lines of the proposals and further information will be provided in due course.

Our progress towards achieving the cost-savings required will be reviewed in three months time.

Article added 2010-12-16 15:53:09

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Make it a no cuts Christmas

Captain Ska's anti-cuts, anti-coalition single Liar Liar is out on sale this week hoping to make it to Christmas number one. Help us get Captain Ska's anti-cuts, anti-coalition single to number one.

Proceeds from the single will go to causes helping those affected by the cuts, including the homeless charity Crisis, Disability Alliance, Women's Health Matters and False Economy - a cuts campaign site supported by UNISON.

I

t's just 79p to download, for a good cause.

Watch the video and download the single.

http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=6478

Thank you and merry Christmas

Article added 2010-12-16 15:12:42

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Football Against the Cuts

Hunts TUC invite all UNISON members/stewards, Cambridge TU's & friends to join a Inter union weekly 5-a-side football "league" for 2011

They are looking to organise a weekly informal football night in
Cambridge for early next year. Nothing more serious, at this point,
than a weekly get together in the evening for all those wishing to
express themselves using the medium of the beautiful game. Bring
yourself or bring a team and there will be a minimal cost.

If things go well, and as the days get warmer and lighter, we would
envisage continuing the weekly event to include possible bigger games
on Parker's Piece against the students. A possible future 5-a-side
tournament is also on the cards.

What we are looking for is your 'register of interest' so we can get
an idea of numbers and start to organise a venue.

So please email us at unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk if interested in helping set up our Branch team, or daniel.sly@cambridgeshire.gov.uk for other branches and trade unions

Article added 2010-12-09 08:07:54

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Website maintenance (June 2010)

During June and July the website will be undergoing some minor changes

The changes are being done to bring the website into line with current patch arrangements, and to also improve (we hope) manoeuvrability around the site. Some members may have noticed that the convenor areas are now out of date, conveners are being asked to provide updates for their areas which will go onto the site as soon as they are done, we are also planning to review the current pages, available on the site, and see if we can create some new areas with help from our web designers WebElementary

While this is ongoing there may be delays or occasional downtime on the website for which we apologise in advance

If members have any suggestions on how to improve the site, please email them to:unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Many thanks
Branch Comms Team

Article added 2010-06-18 13:22:31

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Regional Council Report (April 2010)

Report by Shona Grieg for the Branch on the April meeting of the Eastern Regional Council

Report from Regional Committee Meeting April 13^th 2010

Sarah Crowe took over from Paul Farley as Regional Convenor

There was a proposed rule amendment in relation to representation from the retired members accepted; in the absence of an approved Retired members section, each section or branch may nominate two candidates from their retired members.

Motions to NDC prioritised:-

5, 18,27,45,46,81,87,92,101,112, 113 &117

Regional SERTUC Council: Shaukat Dhali, Jeff Grace, Polly Smith, Gill Thwaites

& Greg Grant

Region Plan presented and accepted (SG Has copy)

Regional Day of Action planned around anti BNP activities 26th April _ notification by national mailing

Reports from and elections of Regional Sub Committees

Education

Health and safety

Communications

International

Retired members

& Welfare all elected and appointed. Young Members, nominations are needed for this sub committee.

This is Greg Grants final year as regional secretary.

Labour Link is Daniel Zeichener

Shona nominated as teller for NDC

An evening to promote “Reclaim the night” a Women’s candlelit event being planned by Linda Durrant on Parkers Piece on the 8^th May, is anyone one is interested to come along and support Shona with carrying our Branch Banner?

Shona Greig is on Health and safety, International and Welfare subcommittees.

Also to help organise regional social event for NDC!!

Article added 2010-05-12 02:33:16

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Open meeting to launch 'Cambridgeshire Against the Cuts'

Saturday 20th March 2010. 10 am (registration from 9.30) Bailey Rooms, Shire Hall, Castle St, Cambridge

Register online here

followed by :

NO CUTS TO PUBLIC SERVICES

Our education, health, emergency services, libraries, leisure, transport, housing and other services are being cut to pay for the bank bail out! We say we wont pay!

No cuts to services, No job losses, No cut in pay or conditions , No outsourcing or privatisation

ASSEMBLE 12.30pm

BAIlY ROOMS, SHIRE HALL, CASTLE HILL

CAMBRIDGE

Article added 2010-03-18 16:39:47

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UNISON - A million voices for change

Wednesday 10th March 2010, 1630 -1730, Emmanual Colleage lecture theatre

UNISON cambridge Branches are hosting a "Question Time" format meeting, speakers are:

• Eleanor Smith, Unison Vice President (Chairing)

• Heather Wakefield, Unison National Secretary for Local Government

• Professor Keith Ewing, member of the Institute of Employment Rights

• Dr. John Lister, London Health Emergency

• Public & Commercial Services Union speaker (to be confirmed)

Article added 2010-02-24 11:55:32

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CUBA update

There are just two days left to get your MP to sign EDM 1171 on Cuba. The EDM has been signed by 240 MPs, but there is still time to get more before it closes on Thursday. If your MP has not signed, please email or call them now Read more, email your MP and check if they have signed at: http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news.asp?ItemID=1725

Also in the update:

UNIQUE CUBA SOLIDARITY GREETINGS CARDS

Stand out from the crowd by sending one of CSC’s beautiful, full colour cards, featuring four original images from photographer Roberto Fumagalli.

Place an order today and support CSC campaigns at:

http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news.asp?ItemID=1731

OMAR PUENTE IN CONCERT - LONDON

17 November 2009, 7pm

Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, London, NW1

Omar Puente the great Cuban jazz violinist launches his new album From There to Here.

Find out more and book tickets at:

http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/events.asp?EventID=281

UNISON has a long history of links with trade unions in Cuba. UNISON has vigorously opposed the illegal blockade of the island by the US government and through twinning with regions and branches has been able to establish formal links to support our sister unions in Cuba.

for more information, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/international/pages_view.asp?did=2214

Article added 2009-11-10 12:21:06

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Postal strike and UNISON support

Members will be aware that the Communication Workers Union has announced two days of national strike action on Thursday and Friday 22/23 October.

UNISON nationally and at local level supports the CWU's campaign against further privatisation of postal services and therefore does not use competitor services. During the industrial action, some branch and regional mailings such as membership cards and application forms are likely to be subject to delays.

Article added 2009-10-20 11:34:35

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New union being considered in Cambridge

A call for interest in the formation of an Unemployed Workers Union in Cambridge Has gone out inviting interested parties to a meeting this Month

Daniel Owen would like to call a meeting of those interested in a Unemployed Workers Union for Friday 25th at 3.30pm at the Earl of Beaconsfield pub on Mill Road, just by the bridge.

If you have childcare needs, it shouldn't be a problem bring your kids! (Kid friendly meeting!) Bring friends, relatives, anyone interested whether unemployed or not -- this is about building solidarity and awareness. The meeting will hopefully be folowed up by a public meeting if enough parties attend.

Article added 2009-09-23 07:43:30

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Miami 5 US Embassy Vigil (Cuba Campaign)

Thursday 1 October 2009 6pm-7.30pm US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London,

special guests from Cuba Adriana Pérez, Olga Salanueva, and Irma
González - families of the Miami Five.

They will be joined by many guest speakers including: Michael Mansfield QC,
Colin Burgon MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP and Christine Blower (NUT).

The vigil will be followed by an opportunity to meet the guests informally at a
local venue.

Please show the Five they are not forgotten in the UK by coming to this vigil
to mark the 11th anniversary of their imprisonment.

More details at:
http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news.asp?ItemID=1684
Download a flyer at:
http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/miami5/pdfs/M5vigil_Thurs1stOct09.pdf

Article added 2009-09-22 18:56:48

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No change to NHS Pay Deal;- Government Promises

THE THREE-YEAR pay deal for health workers will not be scrapped, despite the economic recession, the Health Secretary has confirmed to UNISON.

Speaking to delegates at the union’s Health Conference in Harrogate in April, Alan Johnson attacked the Tories and others who are calling for next year’s pay increase to be scrapped, saying: ‘We have heard predictable calls from certain commentators that public services must take their share of the pain in the global recession; that if people in the private sector are losing their jobs, the response must be to throw nurses and teachers on the dole queue.

"Those advocating a freeze on public-sector pay believe that we should cut our way out of the recession," he added. "This government, together with every other G20 country, believes we must grow our way out of recession."

He assured delegates that the current NHS pay real, which amounts to ten per cent over three years, will be honoured.

Employers’ warning

However, there is growing evidence from NHS employers that they may put pressure on the government to scrap the third stage of the pay deal, due to be paid in April 2010. This is because of the squeeze being placed on public spending by the government, in their efforts to get back some of the billions of pounds paid out to prop up failing banks over the last year.

Employers are expected to say that unless the government makes extra finance available for the pay rise, they will have to make big cuts in services to cover the cost of the increase. Locally Addenbrooke’s is already warning of the need to make £26 million savings this year just to break even.

UNISON believes that working people should not be made to pay for the failings of the banking system, and that with the cost of everyday items such as food and bills still going up, pay needs to keep pace. We call for much greater public control over the finance industry, as well as improved investment in public services as a way of stimulating the economy.

This message was spelt out at the G20 demonstration in London on March 28^th, to which Cambridge UNISON branches sent a full coach-load, and the Cambridge May Day demonstration (see pictures).

The main message to health workers is to join UNISON, get active and get involved in the fight to defend our pay, our jobs and the services we provide!

Article added 2009-05-05 14:20:22

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International conference fights marketisation of health care

International Discussion – an open meeting Health Services: Condition Critical The international drive towards privatisation and marketisation of health care – and how to resist it Saturday June 20, 10am-3pm, Coventry

Article added 2009-05-05 11:59:45

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Help us to keep Cambridge BNP free

The BNP are planning to stand candidates across East Anglia in the Euro elections in June.

By whipping up the fear people feel as a result of
the recession and a widespread disillusionment with established
politicians, they are hoping to make a breakthrough into mainstream
politics by winning seats in the Euro Elections. The BNP claim to be a
respectable political party, but beneath their new suits and sharp hair
cuts, they are still the same racist thugs of old.

Unite Against Fascism Public meeting:Friday 13th March, 7pm,
Emmanuel United Reform Church Hall,
Trumpington Street, Cambridge. Speakers will include MP David Howarth, MEP Richard Howitt, Musicians, Trade Unionists and Community leaders.

Unite Against Fascism is a National Campaign, bringing together people
from diverse backgrounds with the single aim of alerting British Society
to the threat of racism/fascism and preventing the BNP from gaining an
electoral foothold in this country.

Come along and help keep them from building any support in Cambridgeshire!

Other events organized by the Cambridge Love Music Hate Racism group
include:A two tone Ska night as part of the City Councils Heart of the World
Festival, featuring Big Ten and local support bands. Saturday May 2nd,
7pm onwards, Arbury Community Centre (£5 entrance/£3 unwaged and
students/children free with an accompanying adult.)


The Shills, Ten City Nation, Ten City Nation, Bokaata and Hymen Roth,
May 9th, The Portland Arms, Cambridge, 8pm onwards.


Attila the Stockbroker, David Rovics and local poets, Johnnie Marvel and
Nicky Smith. Sunday 24thMay, CB2, Norfolk St, Cambridge (further details
to be confirmed.)

e-mailrosey@repeatfanzine.co.uk

Local website and contact information:

www.cambsagainstthenazis.co.uk

www.myspace.com/cambslmhr

email:contact@cambsagainstthenazis.co.uk

c/o R*E*P*E*A*T, PO Box 438, Cambridge, CB4 1FX.

Article added 2009-03-11 15:43:35

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PUT PEOPLE FIRST!

On 28 March thousands are marching through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20 ahead of their summit on 2 April, and there will be a free Coach for UNISON members.

Leaders and bankers from the world's biggest economies are meeting to discuss how to respond to the global financial crisis. This is the chance for ordinary people to tell the world's leaders what we want - decent jobs and public services for all!

Every day more appalling news of the impact of the economic crisis on working people comes out, whether it is job losses, homes repossessed or savings disappearing. Locally hundreds of jobs are being lost at Cambridge University Press, the former Grampian Foods, and in many small shops and workplaces.

The health service is bound to feel the impact of the crisis before long; indeed, Addenbrooke’s management has already warned about the need to make savings, and indicated that jobs may have to go. Other health providers, especially the deeply-indebted NHS Cambridgeshire, will undoubtedly go down the same road.

UNISON says we should not be made to pay for this crisis! Instead of pouring billions into the pockets of the banks, so that the likes of former RBS head Fred Goodwin can walk away with multi-million pound pensions, the government should be investing in productive industry and particularly in public services, to provide employment and steer a way through to the future.

It's time to put people first, to tackle poverty and climate change, and sort out the mess the bankers have made of our economic system!

People from all over the country will join the march on March 28. Be one of them.

Coaches leave from ELY at 8 am (Barton Road Car Park, opposite King’s School Playing Fields), and from CAMBRIDGEat 9 am (Victoria Avenue, next to Midsummer Common toilets).

If you want to come, please contact the branch office on 01223 217550, or email unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Article added 2009-03-11 15:40:11

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Karen Reissmann - new date for hearing & Call for funds

Karen is taking her case for unfair dismissal to an Employment Tribunal due to take place 26th to 30th January 2009. And on Tuesday 4th November at 10am Karen Reissmann legal defence fund will be launched. This takes place exactly one year after Karen, a nurse and union steward, was sacked by Manchester Mental health and Social Care Trust for speaking out about the impact of cuts and privatisation.

UNISON, staff and users of the service remain concerned about the services the Trust provides. Last week in the annual Healthcare Commission (HCC) ratings of NHS trusts, Manchester was the only mental health trust in the country to be rated "weak". The Trust had rated themselves as good but this was amended by the HCC after inspection.

Karen is taking her case for unfair dismissal to an Employment Tribunal due to take place 26^th to 30^th January 2009.The fund will help to pay for her barrister for the case.

The fund has several patrons – some of whom will be available for the launch. They are Tony Benn, Graham Pink (whistleblower from the 80s), Mark Steel (comedian), Paul Reed and Alan Hartman (from Manchester User Network), Hilary Wainwright (writer and academic), Robert Lizar (solicitor), John Leech Lib Dem MP for Withington, and John McDonnell Labour MP.

Sheila Foley, the chief executive who sacked Karen, has since resigned from the Trust following a critical report. She, herself, is now taking a case for unfair dismissal against the Trust.

Cheques to the fund can be made out to "Karen reissmann legal defence fund"Unity Trust bank, sort 08-60-01, acc no 20215859 and sent to:

Treasurer Kathy Crotty, 181 St Mary’s Rd, Manchester M40 0BN

The launch will be at NUJ offices, 5^th floor, Arthur House, Chorlton St, Manchester (opposite the bus station) on Tuesday 4th at 10am.

If you would like us to send a photo please let us know.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch on 07972 120 451.

Article added 2008-11-02 19:37:02

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Executive Board Approves Med Sec package

The Addenbrooke’s Executive Board approved the project for Medical Secretaries’ recruitment and retention on Thursday 24th October after a successfull presentation by rep Carole Proctor

The project came into being because Carole Proctor, Admin & Clerical Convenor at Addenbrooke’s took the proposal to the Director of Operations, Richard Sunley, when it became apparent that because of the current working conditions the medical secretarial establishment was in decline. Indicators were the high proportion of secretaries coming up to retirement in the next 10 years – showing poor recruitment in recent years, the sickness levels which were above Trust limits for capability, the turnover of staff which was half as much again as the Trust average, and the number of current vacancies (more than one in twenty posts).

Once the project had been given the green light to produce a paper for the Board, a lot of work was done by Carole Proctor, and Carol Phillips, also a Unison member and Steward and Convenor, and consultations were held with the Medical Secretaries’ Forum. A questionnaire produced an 80% response rate, giving an absolute mandate to put the project to the Board.

The proposals which were agreed today includes

Ø Introducing digital dictation Trust wide

Ø Providing adequate Annual and Sick Leave cover by means of employing floating secretaries where leave in Departments adds up to a whole time equivalent. Paid overtime to cover in other areas, Trust employees who can no longer get into the Trust working from home to help out.

Ø Developing a career pathway using funding from JIF and Train to Gain to train up floating secretaries from the lower bands and to train secretaries into junior management roles (not just senior secretarial)

Ø Home working one day a week to get the typing done using digital dictation, Citrix and the Electronic Medical Record with phone calls covered by ‘buddy’ and vice versa,

Ø Equitable application of Trust Policies across the Trust with deviation being the exception and justified. These policies to be:

ü Minimum cover levels which reflect new working arrangements,

ü flexitime with no core hours,

ü Annual Appraisals to be carried out, with training needs recorded centrally and implemented

ü Overtime payments to be made for all overtime worked, at the appropriate rates.

The response from Medical Secretaries today when they heard the news was enthusiastic to say the least, and it has to be said that this has only come about because of the work Unison does on behalf of its members, both to improve working condition and to promote learning and career advancement through Life-Long Learning.

Article added 2008-10-27 05:32:42

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Members success in Clinc 4, Addenbrookes

Members of Unison in the clinic have this month succeeded in having action taken to improve file storage and transfer systems

Members were concerned over a lack of storage space and having to share trolleys with other clinics when they needed to move notes around the hosiptal. Carl Whiffen, Health & Safety rep met with members and caried out safety and risk assesments which showed a need for better storage and a seperate trolley. This was then presented to Trust management who have now bought a new trolley specvifically for Clinc 4 staff, and have agreed to build new storage facilites.

If you have a safety issue in your workplace, why not contact the Branch and ask a rep to come and help your team work on improving it - as this example shows, perseverance and the union reps get results.

Article added 2008-10-27 05:28:06

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HINCHINGBROOKE FOCUS OF KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC CAMPAIGN

Cambridge branch of Keep Our NHS Public is giving strong backing to the campaign to keep Hinchingbrooke Hospital in NHS hands, as the central focus for campaigning in defence of the NHS.

A demonstration was held in Huntingdon on Saturday October 4th, following an announcement by Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust that control of Hinchingbrooke is to be 'franchised out', possibly to a private company. This is believed to be the first time this has happened to a DistrictGeneralHospital.

The march was well supported by supporters from around the region as well as locally. In Huntingdon town centre people have been queuing up to sign a petition to the Strategic Health Authority opposing the franchise plans. Now a public meeting is to be held to take the campaign forward.

For more information about KONP activities, contact Martin Booth through the UNISON branch office at unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk or 01223-217550

Article added 2008-10-26 01:35:51

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Karen Reissmann's Hearing date set

Karen, Chair of the Machester Community and Mental Health Branch has had the dates set for her Employment Tribunal against her dismissal.

Karen Reissmann, UNISON activist and community nurse, was sacked by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust in November 2007. She was dismissed for speaking out about cuts in the NHS in her role as a UNISON lay officer.

Karen is now taking her case to an Employment Tribunal set betwen 1st and 5th September in Manchester and we are supporting her Branch's call for as many members and supporters to turn out on the first day at 0830 till 1000 to Personage Gardens, Deansgate, Manchester to give Karen Moral support during this event.

Full details of the hearing and back story can be found at www.reinstate-karen.org

Article added 2008-07-29 15:03:23

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Local Government Strike Action

MEMBERS of Cambridge Health branch joined forces with UNISON colleagues in Local Government for a rally in Cambridge against low pay on July 16th.

The rally was called during the first of two days of strike action by local government staff against a 2.45 per cent pay offer.

Addressing the rally, UNISON National Executive Council member Peter Gaskin called for united action by public sector workers against below- inflation pay rises.

Cambridge Health branch chair Martin Booth told the rally that in his own view health workers should have been out taking action alongside local government members; pointing out that Cambridge Health branch had recommended rejection of the latest 3-year NHS pay deal, he called for negotiations to be reopened.

Article added 2008-07-23 11:30:01

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Reopen Pay Negotiations!

UNISON’s Eastern Region is calling on the union’s national negotiators to reopen talks on pay, after a resolution was submitted from Cambridge Health branch.

A three-year deal on NHS pay is now being imposed, after UNISON accepted it following a national ballot, which saw 64 per cent of those taking part voting to accept. The turnout was only 17 per cent, which local activists feel reflects the disillusionment many feel after the unions refused to make a recommendation on the offer, although some branches (including Cambridge Health) recommended rejection and a campaign of industrial action.

But part of the deal is that negotiations should reopen if inflation rises significantly higher than pay. This has already happened, with the Consumer Price Index for June showing a 3.3 per cent rise, whereas this year’s pay rise is only 2.75 per cent (the Retail Price Index, which includes housing costs, is up by 4.3 per cent).

Cambridge Health branch passed a resolution calling for negotiations to be reopened, and the Regional Health Committee backed this up by adding that information about inflation should be immediately collected to be presented to the Pay Review Body (which decides on NHS pay), and that if there is no satisfactory resolution within three months of this information being submitted, a ballot for industrial action should take place.

Local activists insist that inflation is not caused by low-paid workers getting pay increases, and that we should not be made to pay for economic mismanagement by governments.

Article added 2008-07-15 13:34:29

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Croyde Bay holidays - New offers

Croyde Bay Village is a UNISON members (and familly) only resort on the beutifull North Devon Coast, and has unrivalled access to the best surfing beaches in England! To keep track of offerds like this, you can go to www.croydeunison.co.uk

if you like the idea, phone 01271 890 890 for the following offers, or to find out about other times

Sat June 28th x 3 nights - only £69 per adult.
Children half price.

Sat June 28th x 5 nights - only £99 per adult.
Children half price.

Friday 4th July x 3 nights - only £69 per adult.
Children half price.

Monday 7th July x 5 nights
- only £99 per adult.
Children half price.

SELF CATERING:
Friday 27th June x 2 nights - only £99 per cottage.

Article added 2008-05-12 12:27:41

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Healthcare Assistants National Conference

Unison is repeating its much loved conference for HCA/HCSW staff this year in July

UNISON is delighted to announce that its third national Healthcare Assistants Conference will be held on 22 July 2008 at TUC Congress House, London.

Entitled A Picture of Health - Healthcare Assistants in Tomorrow's NHS, the conference will hear from a range of keynote speakers, including UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis, a Minister of State for Health, UNISON head of nursing Gail Adams and Open University Dean Shirley Reveley, covering a varied programme of issues, such as registration of HCAs, access to education, duty of care and emerging roles. Time will also be set aside for a panel discussion and plenty of contributions from delegates.

A small fee is being charged of £20 to UNISON members, £35 to non-UNISON union members and £50 for staff on a professional register or managers.

The application form can be dowloaded from http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/nursing/hcas.asp.

Once completed the form should be sent to Gail Adams, Head of Nursing, UNISON, 1 Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9AJ no later than 7 July 2008 - delegate fees must be enclosed with the registration form. Places are limited on this occasion and early bookings may avoid disappointment.

Article added 2008-05-12 12:18:00

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Hands off Brookfields! Defend the NHS!

ONE hundred demonstrators marched down Mill Road in Cambridge on April 5th to demand that NHS beds at Brookfields Hospital be kept open for rehabilitation and continuing care.

The demonstration was organised by Keep Our NHS Public, with the full backing of Cambridge Health UNISON, Cambridge and District Trade Union Council and Cambridge Older People’s Enterprise (COPE). Delegations from teachers and postal workers’ unions also joined the march.

It was called because Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust is planning to close wards at the hospital’s Davison House and hand them over to a charity, Sue Ryder, to run a neuro-rehabilitation service. The supporters of the demonstration fear that this will lead to a lack of provision of rehabilitation and continuing care, especially for elderly people, despite assurances from the PCT that such people will be able to get this care in their own homes, or in private care facilities.

The marchers chanted ‘Hands off Brookfields! Defend the NHS! Don’t close the wards! No ifs, no buts, no NHS cuts!’ as they made their way to a rally at the front entrance of the hospital. Passers-by waved support, hooted horns and signed KONP postcards calling for the consultation process to be halted because it has not included the option of keeping the NHS beds open and extending the service.

Addressing the rally, local campaigner Lil Speed said that she was fighting for the interests of elderly people ‘because no-one stands up for them’, and that the fight to defend Brookfields and the NHS would continue, whatever the PCT decided.

Steve Sweeney, secretary of Cambridge KONP, told the rally that the Brookfields campaign was part of the wider fight against privatisation of NHS facilities which New Labour was determined to pursue. He called for people to sign up to KONP and build it.

Robert Boorman, spokesperson for COPE, condemned the PCT consultation as flawed and called for a fresh look at how NHS services for the elderly were provided.

Terry, one of the demonstrators, said that he had a relative who had been in Brookfields and that the staff gave better care than could possibly be given in the home.

Tom Woodcock, secretary of Cambridge TUC, called for the KONP campaign to link with a broader campaign to defend public services against New Labour’s campaign of cuts and privatisation. Paula from the NUT pointed out the link with the teachers’ campaign on pay and workload, and urged health workers and supporters to join forces with teachers on the one-day strike on April 24^th.

Martin Booth, chair of Cambridge KONP and Cambridge Health UNISON, pointed out that the PCT’s ‘Sue Ryder’ option was being chosen because it involved the least expenditure, and warned ‘Sue Ryder today means United Healthcare, Humana and the rest of the profit-seeking private health sector tomorrow.’ He urged everyone to sign up to KONP and build up future activities, including a planned screening of Michael Moore’s ‘Sicko’ and an event around the time of the NHS 60^th anniversary in July 2008.

Article added 2008-04-30 21:46:18

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Love Music Hate Racism

Cambridge Trades Council are hosting an event for International Workers Day

Cambridge & District Trades Council
Invite you to celebrate International Workers Day
With an evening of entertainment at the Romsey Labour Club
Friday 2nd May, 7.30pm till late
Live acoustic music from:
Cosey Cosey, Allotment, AC Mars & Chris Free

ALL WELCOME : FREE ENTRY (TURKISH FOOD £5)
for further info contact: 07967325363

Article added 2008-04-30 09:29:45

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Pay Deals motion to Unison's 2008 confernce

Following the AGM the Branch Committee has sent a motion relating to pay negotations to the national Delegate Conference

Title: Pay deals must keep up with cost of living!

Recent pay deals across the public sector have fallen behind any measure of the rise in the cost of living. This means that in real terms the pay of public service workers has been cut - something that UNISON should never accept.

In addition, there are considerable discrepancies in the actual cost of living, particularly housing, between different parts of the country, but this is largely only recognised in London, where weighting allowances have been paid for many years. This means that the pay of a public sector worker in a high-cost area is actually less, in real terms, than that of a similar worker in a low-cost area.

Conference determines that no pay offers below the rate of inflation should be recommended for acceptance in any future pay negotiations. Conference also calls for the actual cost of living in different areas to be taken into account when determining whether an appropriate supplement should be negotiated for that area.

Article added 2008-03-11 16:41:55

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Unison supports survey into smoking situation

unsmoke (understanding smoking on NHS Hospital sites) is a independant study into why NHS hospitals have difficulty in keeping their smoking grounds free, run by medical students

NHS hospitals are finding it difficult to keep their sites smoke-free and the researcher's want to find out why: whether it's due to people finding it hard to give up, people's attitudes towards smoke-free policy, or something else entirely.
Unsmoke's research will directly influence NHS policy so by taking part, you're helping to shape the future of the service.

Unison Nationally has a long-standing policy of helping members and non-members to be able to work in smoke free environments, and this study will help us understand the barriers.

If you have been a recent patient to Addenbrooke's Hospital, then there is a good chance that you will have a copy of the questionairre sent to you in the post, if you are staff at the Hospital - you can complete it online (and maybe win an i-pod!)

Jon (Branch Secretary) met with Tom (from the Unsmoke team) to discuss the project and to answer some members questions:

1. Is this a covert attempt by Addenbrooke's to find out who smokes on site? NO! Addenbrooke's won't see that specific level of data, and you don't have to give your name anyway
2. Is it just staff being targetted? Again No - Patients are being asked as well, by letter to recently discharged patients
3. What will it do for me? Well, if the results show that more people need help to quit, this will add weight to the arguement that the Trust should provide smoking cessation services for staff, which could include free NRT! (but not necesarilly)

So what should members do? go to www.somethingintheair.org and fill in the survey - I've done it myself!

Jon Yule

Branch Secretary

Article added 2008-03-05 16:30:53

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Mental Health Latest News

Mental Health Matters is a new update from our Mental Health Team

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

4^TH MARCH 2008.

Convenor Changes Hands

I’d like to formally thank Stephen Lintott of North West Anglia Branch for his invaluable input and assistance throughout his three years as Staff Side Secretary for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health (MHS) Trust. He’s travelled many, many miles, often at short notice to represent members across, as the trust is often referred to, “the patch”. He’s given inspiration to “stick to our principles” on policy reviews and re-writes. Favourite sayings of his are, “a loss for one is an injury to all” & “there should never be losers”. Good guiding principles to set standards by. On behalf of all Mental Health Members of Unison a huge “thanks” Steve.

Branch Elections/ Changes

Rob Weil from Supported Living Services is our delegate Health Conference this year, and Natercia Godinho is to represent us at National Conference -first time Unison delegates for both.

Natercia is also sharing the Equality Officer post within branch with Christinah Khobane from Addenbrookes.

Rob Bode a Steward, formerly from the Young Peoples Service has taken up a new post in Early Intervention Services – well done Rob, good luck in your new post.

Parking Prices

As elsewhere, Mental Health members based on Addenbrookes site, are aghast by the proposal to increase Staff Car Parking charges by around 40%. The general feeling is, that for many folks in real terms that just about eats up the pay rise, so lets combat this decision until we end up with zero charges to attend to our jobs in Health provision. Similar views are being expressed about the proposed congestion charge.

Consultation News

The Drug and Alcohol Service within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health (NHS) Trust, is currently experiencing upheaval & uncertainty due to the transfer of Adult Drug Services to Addaction. For many, this will mean a TUPE transfer to the new Service Provider. Consultation runs until end March, with staff are being supported by reps from Cambridge Health branch, County Branch and North west Anglia Branch and additionally by an HR consultant from the “Trust”, who had hoped for an outcome in their favour of the tender of the Drug service. The Alcohol Support Service will be facing the same process in 2009.

Older Peoples Mental Health Service - South are currently in Consultation on the Restructuring of Community Mental Health Teams and Day Services to provision the start of Community Intermediate Care Services. This consultation runs until the 9^th of April and impacts on approximately 70 members of staff. There is not expected to be any job losses.

Adult Community Mental Health Team (Huntingdon) is expected to begin formal consultation on 12^th April involving around 50 members of staff in a restructuring of services.

Supported Living Services continues in consultation on restructuring and it is expected the Trust will be putting in a bid to continue providing this service.

Becoming Active

Anyone employed in any aspect of Mental Health Services – Ward Assistants, Nurses, Housekeepers, Support Workers, Health Care Assistants - having any interest in becoming more involved in Unison, either as a workplace contact, a Steward, Health and Safety, Learning at Work (Life long Learning) or anyone interested in starting a Self Organised Group, should contact either myself on 07834 335026 shona.greig@cambsmh.nhs.uk or directly to the Branch office on 01223 217550 or Unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk . Additional training is provided, new activists are mentored and all input is equally considered and valued.

Shona Greig

Unison Steward & Health and Safety Representative.

Mental Health Staffside Secretary

Article added 2008-03-05 14:04:53

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Staff Parking at Addenbrooke's to increase by 42 percent

Health Unions Condemn Parking Charge Increase at Cambridge Hospital

UNIONS at Addenbrooke's Hospital have condemned proposals to increase staff parking charges at the hospital by more than 40 percent. The management of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is intending to raise the daily charge for staff from £1.40 to £2 from April 1st - a rise of around 42 percent, when the most recent pay rise for health workers has been less than two per cent when averaged out over the year.

The Cambridge Health branch of UNISON wrote to Trust Chief Executive Gareth Goodier in mid-February asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the proposal (see attached letter), and this move was supported by other unions, but regrettably Dr Goodier has not responded to the letter. Accordingly UNISON now believes it is necessary to publicise its opposition to the price hike.

Jonathan Yule, Branch Secretary added: “at a time when Wales is leading the way and expected to scrap all hospital parking charges by 2011, this sudden increase by Addenbrooke’s Hospital just adds to Unison’s members concerns at the direction England’s NHS is taking us”

The full letter to Dr Goodier, Chief Executive of the Trust can be found in the organising Unison members section of our Help Files.

Article added 2008-03-04 12:33:28

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New Deal for Medical Secretaries at Addenbrooke's

Carole Proctor, Unison Cambridge Health’s Admin & Clerical Convenor has been in discussions with Richard Sunley, Director of Operations, to hammer out a New Deal for Medical Secretaries in Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The new arrangements will involve:

Ø Annual and Sick Leave cover of an acceptable quality.

Ø A Band 3 entry level med sec post to train new secretaries up to the required standard. This was not to be a ‘typing pool’ type set up.

Ø Introduction of a career pathway for those secretaries with the ability and inclination to follow one. This needs to be more than just a ‘senior secretary’ role at Band 5.

Ø Improvement in the quality of transcription equipment, by means of the introduction of digital dictation throughout the Trust.

Ø Discussion around Home Working on some days for current employees when clinical typing could be done.

Ø Possible Home Working for retired medical secretaries, those looking after small children or those who are carers in their home environments.

The proposals were discussed with the Medical Secretaries Forum on 6^th February, and a Working Group is being formed to discuss the best way of implementing the proposals.

The report from the Medical Secretaries forum can be found in the dowloads/ help files section of our site, under organising members

Article added 2008-02-27 08:24:13

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KEEP LAUNDRY SERVICES IN-HOUSE!

CAMBRIDGE Health UNISON issued a report in February calling for laundry services at Addenbrooke's to be kept in the NHS, in the review being carried out by the Trust.

Management at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is

reviewing laundry and linen services, because of the expansion of

Addenbrooke's and questions over the future of the current laundry site at

Fulbourn.

The review is considering two options:

1. building a new NHS laundry with expanded facilities to cope with demand

2. closing the laundry services and handing it over to a private contractor.

In a document presented to Trust management [see campaign pages], UNISON sets out the case for keeping the service in-house and expanding it for use by other NHS organisations, other public sector bodies, and private NHS and care

organisations which need the same high standard of laundry service as the

NHS.

This would require considerable investment in the short-term, but would reap

long-term benefits compared to the year-on-year costs of contracting out the

service, the branch says.

Not only that, but the proven high standards of the existing service would

be continued with an expanded Addenbrooke's laundry, whereas the standards of a private contractor would be questionable, to say the least.

The UNISON submission reports on a visit to a large hospital laundry

operated by the Sunlight company, where there was evidence of:

· infection control problems

· clean linen stored next to dirty areas

· staff paid less than the NHS minimum

· worn out equipment

· much lower standards of quality control than at Addenbrooke's

The findings were dramatically underlined, purely by coincidence, in a

report on the same company in the News of the World on February 17th which condemned Sunlight's practices in dealing with NHS laundry.

Commenting on the submission, Cambridge Health UNISON branch chair Martin Booth commented: 'The Addenbrooke's laundry review creates a good opportunity to show how much better in-house NHS services can be than the private sector.

'Our in-house service has a proven track record for quality, which we feel

should be expanded and made available to a wider section of the public

sector.

'By contrast, private laundry providers are all about making as much money

as possible with as little expenditure as possible. With all the recent

publicity about hospital infections, do we really want to create another

potential risk by losing control over the cleaning of such essential items

as bed linen and staff clothing?

'We believe UNISON has made a strong case for an NHS laundry for the future, and we strongly hope Addenbrooke's management opts for this, rather than a high-risk strategy of short-term cost-cutting by handing our laundry

services to the privateers.'

Article added 2008-02-25 12:05:06

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Congestion Charging for Cambridge

Addenbrooke's seeks staff views about the proposal

As part of Cambridgeshire County Council's travel improvement programme, consideration is being given to the introduction of a congestion charge in Cambridge.

Addenbrooke's Hospital (part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) is gathering information about their staff travel arrangements and gaining staff opinions to help them to respond to the Cambridgeshire Council's consultation document on the proposed charges. The survey will run till midnight on Friday 29 February 2008.

UNISON members who work for this Trust can complete an online survey via the Connect article on the Trust Intranet, UNISON will also be responding to the proposal at a Branch level and we expect to have a version of our response availiable for download soon.

Article added 2008-02-18 11:19:54

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Help with course fees

Following on from the success of our campaign to persuade Addenbrooke’s Hospital to reintroduce Learning Accounts for those employees in Pay Bands 1-4, to date approximately £6000 of the available fund has been taken up. There is still £14,000 available.

Staff are entitled to a contribution from the Trust of £125 per annum towards courses which are beneficial to both the Trust and the Employee. From the employee perspective, this does not mean it has to be specifically related to courses relevant to their present post or Department. It is advisable that any course of study does form part of each individual’s Personal Development Plan, which is part of the Annual Review procedure. If you have not had an annual review, but still wish to undertake a course, you need to ask your Line Manager to approve your proposed course of study. Again, I will reiterate, this does not mean that the course has to be relevant to your current post or Department. Your Line Manager will need to complete a Virement Form, which is available through Connect.

Part of the 2007/2008 national pay award also includes £25 per employee, again in Pay Bands 1-4 towards employee development courses – ask your Trust HR department t for more info on what they have applied for.

Article added 2008-02-04 14:53:27

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UIA Prize Draw - be mortgage free for a year!

Closing date 31st December 2008

UNISON and other unions' members who use UIA have a great chance to win all (or part) of their mortgage and rent costs paid off.

Enter UIA's fabulous free prize draw and you could win your mortgage or rent paid for a whole year. That's right - a whole year when we take the strain off your bank balance and help you to pay for your home.

The prize includes a one-off lump sum payment of up to £6,000 (equivalent to £500 per month), based on the winner's monthly mortgage or rent payments. Visit our website for full details and your chance to win. www.unisoninsurance.co.uk

Article added 2008-02-04 14:46:29

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Support the National Blood Service

Unison colleagues in the NBS are calling for support to their campiagn to prevent ongoing closures, and future threats

The Save Our Blood Service facebook group has gathered a massive number of members and is growing all the time. We have a paper petition with 7000 signatures from around the West Mids which we will be presenting to the council (and getting the media to cover) very soon. We are also contacting patient groups around the country.

* We are now asking for your valuable help with a quick and easy action that you can all do, to build mounting pressure on the Board of Directors not to reduce local processing and testing labs.

The NBS Board is appointed by the Health Minister and is ultimately responsible to the government. We need volunteers to email councillors in the affected cities telling them you are opposed to the NBS cuts and expressing your anger. This is not glamorous, but it will build pressure on local councils to adopt stances against the closure, which is strategically vital for the campaign at the moment.

* Why is this necessary? Flooding of lazy councillors inboxes with queries about the NBS cuts will make them pay attention and make them more likely to look into the restructuring plans.

The response of Sheffield and Birmingham councils has shown that the board of directors has not bothered to properly inform the local authorities about the mad scheme and what it will mean for the health service. We hope to make the directors sweat by grassing them up and raising the interest in the strategy from their political masters. They don't think they have to answer to the staff or the public, but they do have to answer to the government!

* The campaign has developed detailed lists of all the local councillors in all of the affected areas to make life easier. You can find the list here:

http://secouncillors.wordp ​ress.com/

(see tabs at the top of the page for different cities/areas) and use them to select who you write to.

* Also to save you time we have a few model/example emails that you can use - see end of message.

We need to do this mass lobby on a massive and co-ordinated scale to
make it properly effective, so we are asking for every supporter of the campaign to make that extra effort. Please take a minute to contact councillors using these templates, and let us know who you have hit, along with any response you get from them, at the campaign email address:
nbs.sos@googlemail.com, so that we can keep tabs on how much volume we are bombarding these guys with.

Thanks for your support!
NBS SOS

------------------------

COUNCILLOR EMAILS HERE: http://secouncillors.wordp​ress.com/

SUGGESTED SAMPLE EMAILS:-

1) Dear Councillor,

It has recently come to my attention that the national blood service,
which filters, sorts and supplies England's stocks of blood to the NHS
is facing major restructuring.

I am very concerned and saddened to see this is the case, and I am
worried it may affect patient care. We are always hearing on the
radio and in the media that stocks of blood are low, and now there are
plans to shut down ten of the country's thirteen blood processing
centres. That could mean that blood supplies will not reach hospitals
and patients in time when they are most needed.

I'd urge you as a councillor for this area, which I gather is one of
those affected, to look into the matter, as I feel in one way or
another we may all be affected if these cuts to the service go ahead.

Yours,

2) Dear Councillor,

Yesterday I received a leaflet about the planned closure of ten blood
processing centres throughout England, as part of measures to
restructure the national blood service. I am very concerned about
this, and this city is one of the areas which is going to be affected.
I'm worried about what might happen if blood supplies to hospitals are
affected, and it's concerning to know that the public have not been
consulted about these measures. I'd like to know whether the council
have been notified about these plans and what guarantees you
have been given that this won't affect patient care.

Yours,

3) Dear Councillor,

I recently joined a facebook group called "Save Our National Blood
Service" after I heard about planned closures of many blood processing
plants across England. I'm sure you'll agree that the NBS is vital
for smooth running of much of the NHS and safe readily available blood
supplies are an extremely important part of modern healthcare.

I am extremely angry that yet again a backward step is being taken in
healthcare in this country. Not only will many skilled jobs that are
important to the economy be lost in cities from Birmingham, to
Newcastle to Southampton and elsewhere, but we are about to lose a
working part of the NHS that currently makes a profit. It's to be
replaced with an unnecessary scheme that has no proven track record,
which is not justified, and which may end up costing us all a lot
more.

I'd urge you to look into this matter. Apparently those in charge of
the restructuring didn't get around to telling Sheffield City Council
about their plans to axe the centre in that city, and that local
authority has now adopted a policy of opposing the closure plans.
It's high time the same strong stance was adopted in <INSERT COUNCIL X>.

Yours,

Article added 2007-12-15 20:28:27

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Know your reps, and perhaps become one

Representatives from across the branch gather once a month to debate the issues currently affecting our members, so why not join in?

Keep tabs on your Branch Committee representatives and also find out whats currently on our agendas

Across the patch we cover over 2,500 members so it is important that we touch base and make sure we all know about issues that are going on within our employers or professional groups - that's why it is so important to have a local rep.

Members can elect their own local workplace representive at any time, all a potential rep has to have is membership, an open mind and a willing to train up, we then help them to do the rest - look at our Branch Guide "What does it mean to become active in Unison" found under organising members of you are interested.

You will also find the latest minutes of the Branch all Activists Committee are now posted in the help section - if members want more detailed information on issues raised, such as finances or the campiagns then please use the contact page or ring the office.

Article added 2007-12-13 22:13:59

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Reinstate Karen Resissmann

We have heard today that the Appeal against Dismissal by Karen has gone against her.

Karen was told yesterday that her Appeal was "turned down" and her sacking upheld - to refresh your memories, Karen was dismissed for speaking out against cuts in services and then telling people that she was facing disciplinary action for the above by her Employer. All unions are seeing this as a direct attack on an individual performing their union duties - breaching employment Law.

Manchester Community & Mental Health Branch have released the follwoing statement:

Protest in Manchester Tuesday 11th December as Karen Reissmann, nurse and union rep, loses appeal against sacking

100s plan to protest at rally tonight over the dismissal of Karen Reissmann’s appeal against her sacking. They will rally at 6pm on Tuesday 11th December in PiccadillyGardens

Karen Reissmann, UNISON activist and community nurse was sacked by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust on November 5th. She was told yesterday (Monday 10th December) that her appeal had been turned down. She was sacked for seriously affecting the reputation of the Trust, telling people she was suspended and what for, protesting her innocence, and allowing the press to print misleading statements.

Karen went on record to say “This is an absolute disgraceful decision. It is also a sad day for the NHS. Health workers across the country will feel frightened to speak out when their services are cut. How can this improve our NHS? The Human Rights Act is supposed to guarantee our freedom of speech, but this has been taken away from me by an NHS Trust, in 2007 under a Labour government.”

UNISON members, users, carers, trade unionists and many others were outraged to hear of her sacking. Andy Gill, UNISON regional officer confirmed that UNISON will be supporting Karen to take her case to an employment tribunal.

Karen has been a community psychiatric nurse in the Trust for 25 years. She had been suspended for 19 weeks. All her alleged offences relate to her trade union activity and her speaking out against government policies and local cuts. She is the branch chair and a member of UNISON’s national health executive.

UNISON believes this is an attack on their union and an attack on the NHS. Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust is officially in “turnaround”. It has to make over £3million more cuts this year. These are cuts UNISON has and will vigorously oppose.

We believe the sacking of Karen is an attack on her human right to freedom of expression. This is an attempt to intimidate other stewards from opposing and speaking out against cuts in service. The chief executive has already said in an internal memo that she wants an end to the bad news stories.

However, in the 6 months she has been here, she has closed an elderly ward, and closed, at an hour’s notice, a respite centre. During the first 2 periods of strike action in defence of Karen the chief executive moved patients to a private hospital in Darlington 100 miles away causing huge distress to patients and their carers and friends. Community reorganisation has been chaos and led to significant reduction in service for patients. It is these sort of decisions which produce bad news and affect the reputation of the Trust.

Karen has been a community psychiatric nurse based in Manchester for 25 years. She is based in north Manchester psychiatric unit, Park House. She lives in South Manchester. None of the offences related to her clinical work and on the day she was suspended the Trust also wrote her a letter informing her she had been successful in interview for promotion.

For more information visit http://reinstate-karen.org/

Article added 2007-12-11 09:19:01

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National March for Karen Reissman

Over a thousand people turned up in Manchester on November 24th for a march and rally in defence of mental health nurse and UNISON activist Karen Reissman.

Over a thousand people turned up in Manchester on November 24th for a march and rally in defence of mental health nurse and UNISON activist Karen Reissman. Karen was sacked in October for the 'crime' of publicly criticising cutbacks in services made by her employer - an act which was considered to be 'bringing the Trust into disrepute'. Many feel her real 'crime' was to organise a successful campaign of industrial action against her Trust's cutbacks.

Over a hundred of Karen's colleagues are now on indefinite strike action until she is reinstated. They were very much in evidence at the march and rally, which revealed very strong local support for Karen from other unions and NHS service users. UNISON is giving national support to Karen, as was made clear by UNISON National Office Bob Abberley at the rally.

The strikers urgently need financial support for their fight, which must be won if the right of trade unionists to speak out in public is going to be defended. Please send cheques made out to Manchester Community and Mental Health branch UNISON and send them to Union Office, Chorlton House, 70 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9UN.

Article added 2007-12-05 13:02:32

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Compass (Medirest) & Unison sign national framework agreement

A new agreement has been reached between Medirest – the healthcare division of the national Facilities Management Company Compass, Unison and other unions.

For the most part the agreement seeks identical terms and conditions to those applied in the NHS. The exceptions are:

1. Reckonable Service: This will now include all continuous service to any contractor providing the same job for the NHS as long as TUPE was applied to the transfer, ie at Addenbrooke’s it would include anyone transferred over from the Trust originally in the late 90’s up to the present day.

1. Sickness & Absence: Staff will get sick pay for the first time, as the NHS sick pay agreement will apply, but Compass’ own absence procedures will be used to monitor. This breaks down as:

• Up to 1 year service = 1 month full pay, 2 months ½ pay
• 1 up to 2 years = 2 months full pay, 2 months ½ pay
• 2 up to 3 years = 4 months full pay, 4 months ½ pay
• 3 up to 6 years = 5 months full pay, 5 months ½ pay
• 6 years and over = 6 months full pay, 6 months ½ pay

1. Hours of Work: The new hours are agreed at 37.5 same as the NHS. Transition arrangements will depend on the level of staff working over, or under these hours.

1. Job Evaluation: Compass has produced job profiles nationally in line with the NHS profiles, these will be circulated and then agreed locally.

1. Unsocial Hours: Current arrangements will apply, until an NHS agreement is signed off and then it will apply

1. KSF: Similar agreement to the NHS, full details from the office

1. Employee relations: Commits Medirest to working with Trade Unions and ensuring that agreements are signed off locally

1. Pay: Based on the AfC banding, Compass will honour all pay rates, including any rises to the NHS agreements, and all progression through the bands will occur every October.

1. Others: All other agreements such as Maternity & Paternity pay as per the relevant sections of the Agenda for Change Handbook.

The Full agreement will be available for download as soon as possible, please keep checking the site for more details.

Article added 2007-10-08 18:58:56

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UNISON sends prescription to new Health Secretary

In a letter to the new Health Secretary, UNISON has called for early talks over health services

UNISON has welcomed the appointment of Alan Johnson as Health Secretary who has given assurances that there will be no further centrally dictated top down restructuring of PCTs and strategic health authorities for the foreseeable future. In a letter to the new Health Secretary, UNISON has called for early talks over health services and outlined a prescription of treatments to inject a fresh approach to UK health services and reverse sliding morale among NHS staff and patients.

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “We do hope that the new minister seizes this golden opportunity to listen much more to the real experts in the NHS: staff and patients. NHS leaders need to urgently switch the focus from endless and costly reorganisations and privatisation to more compassionate, patient-centred health care.”

The prescription being sent from UNISON to the new Health Secretary will read:

• FAIR PAY: Pay to reflect living cost rises; move away from poverty pay
• LISTEN AND LEARN: Listen and respect patients and staffs views
• NO NHS VIOLENCE: Prosecute and punish violent cases against staff
• PUBLIC FIRST: Put patients and value-for-money before profits and value-for-shareholders
• END WASTE: Stop squandering taxpayers’ cash on endless change and management consultants

Article added 2007-10-08 18:57:58

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Personal Injury Settlements in June

Over Two million pounds in compensation won for Unison's members in June.

Unison working with Thompson’ s solicitors managed to negotiate over two million pounds in compensation for it’s members in June this year.

In Eastern region alone 22 members received a share of £202,996.54 after taking up their case with Unison’s backing.

If you think you have a case and are a member of Unison, please contact the Unison office, or download a copy of the P1 (work related) form from our documents database and send it to the Branch office.

Article added 2007-10-08 18:18:59

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Transport for the London Rally

Unison has organised Coach transport for Saturday 3rd November

The Coach will be picking up people from Ely Market street at 0800, and then going on to Cambridge to pick up from Parkside (opposite police station) at 0900.

You need to book in advance if you want a place as we need to know numbers of people attending, so please email us via the contact page telling us the name of everyone you are bringing along, and whether you are to be picked up in Ely or Cambridge

The Coach will arrive at London enbankment at 1100 for the start of the March, which will be followed by a Rally and Entertainment, and then the coach will pick people up at 1700 for the return journeys

Article added 2007-10-08 18:17:36

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TUC Rally goes ahead

On october 6th as part of the regional conference activists and members of Health unions will join the TUC March through Cambridge

On Saturday october 6th the organisation "NHS Together" is holding an activists confernce to organise and campaign around cuts and threats of privatisation to the NHS within the Eastern region.

Following this event there will be a rally at 14:00 (2pm) from Shire Hall (Cambridge County Council's main offices) down towards the Guildhall in market square.

Any and all comers are welcome on the march and rally which is being organised by Cambridge TUC

For more information please use the contact form on this site, or speak to your local union representative (of any union)

Article added 2007-10-07 08:26:54

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New Holiday entitlement

From today (1st october)Holday entitlement has increased

From 1st October 2007 the minimum leave entitlement yhas increased to 4.8 weks PAID leave each year for all workers and employees under the working Time Reguations 1998 (amended). They also still maintain the right to take any unpaid leave as payment when the contract is terminated.

This will increase further to 5.6 weeks in April 2009, with a cap of 28 days (20 days and 8 bank holidays), though where agreement has been reached for a higher amount, ie Agenda for Change in the NHS, this will nor be affected.

If you wish more detailed information, ACAS has produced a new guidance leaflet, which can be found at http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=806

Article added 2007-10-01 11:58:25

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NHS pension update

The NHS Employers and Healthcare unions have submitted a final draft to the Department of Health

The Final draft would appear to be broadly the same as the consultation document published last year and the NHS Employers have kindly issued a press statement (http://www.nhsemployers.org/aboutus/mediacentre-listing.cfm/pressrelease/659) which includes the primary points and explanatory detail.

The statement says that:

Existing scheme members will:

• keep a normal pension age of 60 (or 55 for staff with special rights) and the right to take a pension after the age of 50
• keep a final salary pension with a 1/80^th accrual rate and a 3/80^th lump sum for each year of service based on the best of the last three years of work before the age of 60
• have a new option to take a larger lump sum, up to 25 percent of the value of the pension, in return for giving up some of their pension
• have survivor pensions extended to partners in addition to widows, widowers and civil partners
• be able to continue paying into their pension beyond their current normal pension age and build up their pension up to a total of 45 years regardless of age

New scheme members will have:

• a normal pension age of 65 and the right to take a pension after the age of 55
• a final salary pension with a 1/60^th accrual rate for each year of service based on the average of the best three consecutive years of membership in the ten years before retirement (allowing staff to take a lower paid job in the run up to retirement but have their salary calculated on the higher salary they had before stepping down)
• the choice between converting up to 25 percent of the pension into a lump sum, foregoing a lump sum in favour of a larger annual pension or they can choose anything in between the two options
• a more flexible pension with the ability to take all or part of the pension while continuing to work and build up more pension.

If you wish more information, or would like to contibute to the discussions, please use the contact form on this website

Article added 2007-09-26 12:08:51

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Local Discount for members

Sta's Brasserie in the Frank Lee Centre at Addenbrooke's hospital has teamed up with Unison to provide a disount to all members of the union

From August 2007, all Unison members who show Sta and his team their membership card will receive a 10 % discount on Food purchased from the Brasserie. This deal is partly due to our successfull work together at AGM meetings over the years. For more information please contact Andie Graham at the union office.

Remember, to get to Sta's you must already be a member of the Frank Lee Centre, or a guest

Article added 2007-09-02 08:27:53

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Should we reject the new NHS pay offer and fight for a decent pay rise?

Make sure you vote in the members’ ballot! Health workers are being offered a slightly improved pay deal in a last-ditch attempt by the Government to prevent a pay dispute in the NHS.

All the health unions condemned the original offer, which saw a 2.5 percent pay rise (around 2 percent less than the annual rise in the cost of living) cut in value by the decision to pay it in stages - 1.5 percent from April and another 1 percent from November. UNISON had decided to ballot members for industrial action unless there was an improved offer. The RCN were consulting their members to decide whether to follow suit; this has resulted in an unprecedented 95 per cent vote to reject the offer and take some form of action.

Now the Government have made a number of additions to the original offer, hoping to convince us that the new deal is worth more than the old one. But the new deal is still not even worth as much as 2.5 percent would have been if we'd been paid it in one go back in April. Given that health workers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already been told they'll get that, there is a strong feeling from some in the union that this latest offer still goes nowhere near far enough. You need to decide whether to fight for decent pay, and UNISON is giving you the chance to do this in the ballot of members in the NHS, which is now under way.

How much is the new pay offer worth?

.

1. Basic pay

The new offer - like the original one - is staged in England, which means we only get 1.5 percent back dated to April. From November 1st, we would get a further 1 percent or (for those on bands 1 and 2) a little extra to lift their pay scale by £400. But that includes the April pay rise, meaning that those staff would only get the full value of the rise next year.

2. Professional registration fees

Lots of NHS staff now have to pay a fee to a professional body, with nurses recently having the Nursing and Midwifery Council put their registration fee up by nearly double. The new deal includes a payment of £38 to all NHS staff who need to pay a professional registration fee. It should be pointed out this is only half the NMC fee, it will be taxed, and there is no commitment to increase it in future years.

3. Training allowance

For staff who do not need to be registered with a professional body, the Government is proposing a £25 NHS training allowance. This is supposed to make up for the fact that NHS employers have been slashing training budgets left, right and centre in their efforts to balance their books . Whilst any support for training is welcome, it has been pointed out £25 would scarcely buy one hour’s training.

4. Future terms and conditions

The employers and the Government will agree to talk about the unions' claims on terms and conditions - things like reducing the working week, reducing the number of incremental points within each band, and job security. There are, of course, no guarantees that such talks would lead to anything, and if the unions were threatening serious action on the pay rise then the employers would be forced to negotiate on these issues as well.

What is it worth to me?

In terms of cash in your pay packet, the new offer is worth between £270 (for those at the very bottom of band 1) and £393 (at the top of band 4 or the bottom of band 5). That's between £5 and £7.50 per week extra, less tax and NI. If we won our original demand for a pay rise in line with inflation, we would get between £556 and £946 - or between £11 and £18 per week. Even just getting the government to drop the staging of the pay award, and paying 2.5 percent in full from April 1st would be worth more than this new offer. If we got that, staff on the bottom of band 1 would get £295, or £6 per week, while those on the top of band 4 would get £493, or £9.50 per week .

Health workers are not the only ones facing a pay cut.

All public sector workers will, according to Gordon Brown, have to make do with pay rises worth no more than 2 percent - that's less than half the rate of inflation. That's why the NHS rise was split into two stages , so it cost the Government only 1.9 percent extra this year even while they claimed we were getting 2.5 percent . And this limit on pay rises is set to stay for the next two years as well, unless public sector workers unite to get something better.

Postal workers are already taking strike action to win a decent pay rise this year. UNISON and other unions are consulting workers in local government over the possibility of industrial action to win a pay rise of more than 2 percent, and civil servants and teachers are also both considering action. If we all fought together we would win!

What can we do?

Cambridge Health UNISON urges its members to participate in the pay offer in the consultation ballot taking place between 20 August and 13 September. The union is not recommending to you whether or not to accept – that is your choice.

If you do vote to reject the offer, you need to be prepared to take industrial action to get an improved offer.

If you are a UNISON member and you don't receive a ballot paper by August 27th call UNISON on 0845 355 0845.

The branch is organising a series of meetings with members between now and the close of the ballot to discuss the issues; for details keep looking on the news & events pages.

Article added 2007-08-29 08:57:42

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New NMC Guidance for Registered Staff

The NMC has reissued its guidance on dleegating hesalthcare tasks to non registered staff

This is in responce to the issues raised at both hearings and in phone discussions with the NMC by rurses and other registered professionals. ALthough the NMC does not cover them, such guidance should also be considered good practise guides for other registered professionals such as occupational therapsists

Please follow the link below for the advice sheet

http://www.nmc-uk.org/aFrameDisplay.aspx?DocumentID=3076

Article added 2007-08-21 09:38:04

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Join In: Consulting and Negotiating

At Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge Unison and other unions together meet with the management of the Hospital to consult with each other, and when opportunity comes, to negotiate on policy and practise affecting all staff.

Currently there are several reps from Unison, the nursing bodies RCN and RCM, and the physio union CSP who are able to attend the majority of sub groups (see boxes), however to ensure that every member is represented we are calling on Addenbrooke’s members to join us on some of these groups.

Catering:

Attended by the Trust, staffside and Medirest discuss’ and arranges provision of food to staff onsite.

Policy:

This group reviews, amends and creates all personnel policies of the Trust.

Equal Ops:

Recommends and promotes equal opportunities throughout the Trust.

Access:

On of the more controversial subjects, any issue relating to car parks, fines or cycles comes through here.

Heath & Safety:

Any (Trust) Risk Officers and (Union) Health & Safety Reps are welcome and encouraged to attend.

IWL:

Stands for Improving Working lives – this group mainly works on the staff survey and its results, helping other groups implement change.

If any of these groups interest you, email Martin Booth; Staffside Secretary on unison@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Article added 2007-08-13 11:27:20

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Remember the diaries

At the last AGM in January 2007, the members present agreed to trial a new way of encouraging attendance at this important meeting.

As you are aware, at the last AGM in January 2007, the members present agreed to trial a new way of encouraging attendance at this important meeting. With this newsletter you would have had a cover slip like most years asking you if you would like to attend the 2008 AGM.

However what you may not have noticed is that it also asks you two further questions, a) would you like us to add your emails to a mailing list (and then a space for you to give it) and b) would you like a Unison diary?

It is very important that you send this slip back to us before the deadline of 1^st October as otherwise we cannot confirm our booking with the Frank Lee as the venue for the AGM, or order enough diaries to go around.

So please remember your diary and fill in the reply slip.

Article added 2007-08-13 11:23:39

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NMC review of pre-registration midwifery education

New NMC standards for all new pre-registration midwifery programmes commencing from September 2008.

Article added 2007-08-01 06:24:01

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Equal Pay win for unions

GMB v Allen - EAT overturns decision

Unions will be jumping for joy this morning. The EAT has overturned last summer's employment tribunal decision which resulted in many unions withdrawing from negotiations in the North East equal pay litigation.

GMB had encouraged its members to agree a settlement agreement (in the North-East equal pay litigation) which seriously undervalued the women's claims. The tribunal found this was indirectly discriminatory by the union, and it was believed that the GMB would be liable to pay in excess of £1m in compensation.

The EAT has overturned this decision. Notwithstanding criticisms of the GMB's method of obtaining the (potential) Claimants' consent to the undervalued settlements, it held that settlement of the claims was a legitimate aim and the means adopted were proportionate. In the crucial sentence, Elias P. stated that "In short, the fact that the objective might be achieved by using unlawful, even dishonest practices does not necessarily mean that the means are disproportionate once it is accepted that the aim itself is legitimate."

(c) Daniel Barnett 1999-2007 http://www.danielbarnett.co.uk

Article added 2007-07-31 14:03:52

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New Unison Pay deals with Private Employer

Unison have announced a new national pay, terms & conditions framework for Sodexho within the Health Service

This is a National Framework Agreement between UNISON, GMB and UNITE with Sodexho to enact Agenda for Change terms and conditions for Sodexho staff in NHS Trusts who are covered by the 2005 “Agenda for Change and NHS Contractors Staff – A Joint Statement”.

Key Areas of the Agreement

The agreement confirms that Sodexho is committed to securing agreements with NHS Trusts based on NHS Agenda for Change Terms and conditions and backdated to 1 October 2006 in line with the national Joint Statement. For the most part the agreement seeks identical terms and conditions to those applied in the NHS. The exceptions are:

1. Sickness absence – the NHS sick pay agreement will apply, but Sodexho will operate the Company’s absence management procedure to manage sickness absence.
2. Annual Leave – Staff will be entitled to the full NHS annual leave provision, including public holidays, but a voluntary option for staff to sell annual leave down to a minimum of 20 days will be provided. This will be an option purely for staff and management will not be able to request or require staff to sell leave.
3. Hours of work – Transition from current hours of work to 37.5 hours will follow the NHS 2 year timescale and transition principles, but the start date for transition will differ from Trust to Trust dependent on when agreements to implement the agreement are reached.
4. Job Evaluation – Sodexho has produced national job descriptions based on the national NHS job profiles. Work is currently underway to evaluate these jointly, but progress has been hindered by lack of support from NHS Trusts. An agreement was reached with the Department of Health recently for JES training to be provided for private contractor management and union representatives and the Sodexho job descriptions will be jointly evaluated soon. The job descriptions will be used at all sites for joint local job matching following the NHS JES procedure. Jobs that do not match will be evaluated jointly in line with the NHS procedure.
5. Unsocial Hours – Current arrangements will continue to operate until an Unsocial Hours agreement is reached in the NHS. This agreement will then be applied within Sodexho.
6. Knowledge and Skills Framework – Sodexho has committed to developing a KSF scheme that reflects the NHS scheme principles. Work on this will begin later this year.

Employee relations – The national framework contains proposals for a formal bargaining and consultation machinery to be established at national and local level.

This agreement in now for local consultation and members meetings in affected workplaces will be held soon, for more information contact the Branch Secretary.

Article added 2007-07-30 15:22:44

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NHS National Demonstration

Saturday 3rd November, Central London

Coach running from Cambridge at 9am (TBC)

Building on the successes of our Keep the NHS Working and NHS Together campaigns, the demonstration will be the focus of a public display of celebration and solidarity for an NHS that after almost 60 years, is still largely owned and run by the public sector. Widespread support for the event will send a strong message to the government that we want to keep it that way.

We are calling on our colleagues in the NHS Together alliance of unions, supporters from a broad coalition of user, patient and community groups and members of the public, to join with us to make the demonstration a massive success. Over the past two years we have led a high profile campaign calling on the government to re-think its policies of private sector involvement in NHS provision, to consult fully with staff, patients and stakeholders at all levels, and to halt the measures that are fragmenting the NHS. With a new Prime Minister and a newly appointed Health Secretary, we will use every opportunity to influence government policy on these issues.

Unison Cambridge Health will be organising a coach from Cambridge (at 0900) to London to meet up with other supporters from the Trade Union Congress and other union bodies, to book a place email the branch via the contacts page.

Article added 2007-07-30 13:48:23

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Congestion charges in Cambridge

Please follow the link below if you wish to sign the petition to prevent Congestion Charges in Cambridge.

Apparently, the Science Park, Addenbrooke's Hospital (etc) are within the zone and costs are predicted at being between £3 & £5 per day Monday - Friday. The charge will also apply to residents within the zone, even when trying to get out! sign Petition here Please pass to all that live and visit Cambridge on a regular basis to oppose the congestion charging in Cambridge.

Article added 2007-07-26 23:14:37

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