APRIL 2004 NEWSLETTER

Articles in this Issue:

• We Won - UNISON Scotland’s Organising Communications 2003/04 Awards

• Breast Cancer UK Website

• Christmas Prize Draw Winner

• Branch Activities Update

• Members Question Page

• Branch Officer Profile: Moira Bangura, Moray Branch Equalities Officer

• Branch Communication Survey – win £25

CHRISTMAS PRIZE DRAW

Congratulations to ANGELA STRACHAN
who won our Christmas Prize Draw of a 2 night stay at the Golf View Hotel in Nairn

Breast Cancer UK

The Breast Cancer web site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman.

It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on “donating a mammogram” for free (pink button in the middle if you scroll down a bit).  This doesn’t cost you a thing.  Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammograms in exchange for advertising.

Here’s the web site!  Pass it along to people you know.          www.thebreastcancersite.com

BRANCH ACTIVITIES UPDATE

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

Q.  If I became a contact within the branch, what would this involve?

A.  Firstly you would be most welcomed by the branch as we need more contacts in each workplace to enable us to distribute information more effectively within all workplaces.   

What would your duties entail?  Well – you would distribute information/materials within your workplace, keeping all the members informed whenever a new campaign/issue was on the go.  You would keep the UNISON notice board up-to-date within your workplace with all the latest information/leaflets/flyers about activities locally and nationally.

Q.      Is it easy to find the Moray UNISON web page on the Moray Council Intranet site?

A.  Yes it is.  On the Intranet home page (on the left hand side) you will find Reference – click to open and stroll down to find MORAY UNISON.  This link will take you to our web page.  Visit it every week for all the latest, up-to-date information about your branch issues and national issues.

BEING ACTIVE IN UNISON - YOUR BRANCH OFFICER PROFILES 

Many workers wonder why some of their colleagues are active in UNISON.  They ask why these people take time away from their workplaces, not only in the working week but also in the evenings and weekends, to give of their time to UNISON.  We thought we would ask some of our Branch Officers to tell us why.

The series continues this month with:    Moira Bangura, Moray Branch Equalities Officer.

Where is it you work and what is your job title?

I’m the librarian at Keith Grammar School.

How long have you worked for the Moray Council?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s just over 13 years.

How long have you been in a Trade Union?

Since I was 22 years old – and we won’t say how long ago that was!

Why in a few words do you believe in Trade Unions?

Because they try to do something to make the workplace a better, fairer, and safer place for everyone who works there.

Are there negative points in being in a Union?

It can get pretty hectic when there are big issues on the go.

Many fellow workers think you’re daft doing what you do?

If they do, they’re keeping their thoughts to themselves!

Why did you get involved in the Equalities role?

Because I would like to see everyone making the most of their lives – people shouldn’t be stereotyped and have hurdles put in their way just because they’re different from the majority.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

I’m still working towards it!

What are your fears for the future?

I’m worried about the amount of privatisation that’s creeping into the public services sector – that can’t be good for poorer people and the elderly.

How would you best describe your Branch?

Hard working – and ever so slightly loopy!

Thank you, Moira

THE ADDED VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

Most people join and stay in UNISON to get the best representation and support at work when they need it.

But UNISON members also receive superb membership benefits that can save them money and give added value on a wide range of services.

All the services featured below have been awarded the new UNISONplus endorsement for providing value and customer care.

So whether you’re already a UNISON member but haven’t yet taken advantage of these great deals, or are still thinking about joining, you could save the cost of your subscription many times over and guarantee yourself the value for money that you and your family deserve.

Only UNISON members can take advantage of these great offers – check it out yourself: just a couple of calls will prove how much you can save.

• UNISON Holiday Club  - the award winning holiday booking service – 08705 50 50 00
• UIA Insurance – exclusive rates for UNISON members – 0800 66 88 55
• Britannia Building Society – preferential mortgage and savings accounts – 0800 77 88 88
• Frizzell – for motor insurance, personal loans & financial planning advice – 0800 272355
• Britannia Rescue – UK’s Best Buy and UNISON’s official road rescue service – 0800 591563
• Croyde Bay Holiday Village – a 10% discount on all self catering and half board holidays – 01271 890890
• The UNISON Credit Card – a choice of two cards to suit your personal needs – 0800 515 166
• Medicash – The UNISON endorsed Health Cash Plan – 0845 600 0151
• Personal Taxation Services – 0845 355 9845
• Co-operative Funeralcare – a range of comprehensive Funeral Pre-Payment Plans – 0800 289 120
• Coventry Assurance – UNIBOND is a tax exempt with profits low risk savings plan – 0800 083 3080
• Vision Express – you & your family could make substantial savings – 0800 73 80 90
• Discount shopping – you can now get discounts at over 10,000 shops & businesses – 0800 587 8800

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BRANCH COMMUNICATION SURVEY 2004

As part of the overall objective of campaigning and promoting our Branch on behalf of our members, we are currently examining ways of promoting better branch communication.  We are therefore very keen to hear the views of members on how they think better branch communication could be achieved and we would like to invite you to fill in the following questionnaire and return it to us – one lucky person will win £25 for doing just so!

Personal details

Name:                                                                                      Address:

Contact No:

 1.       What is your current method of communicating with the Branch?

(a)    letter

(b)    phone call

(c)     fax

 2.       Would you say this is a good method and gets you results?

(a)    yes

(b)    no

 3.       If you have answered no could you please give us a brief explanation of why.

4.       Do you receive Branch newsletters and other mailings OK?

(a)    yes

(b)    no

5.       If you answered no could you please tell us why you think you are not receiving mailings.

6.       Do you feel that members receive enough regular information from the Branch?

(a)    yes

(b)    no

7.       If you answered no could you please give us a brief explanation of why.

8.       We would ask you to list ideas for articles for any future communication type you would like to see from your Branch.

Join UNISON

today

Contact: 01224 620624

For an application form

UNISON Moray Matters is a  regular publication by the branch. 

We would welcome comments/letters/ideas for competitions, etc. 

Any contribution from members would be appreciated.

MORAY BRANCH OFFICE

Council Offices

12/14 Greyfriars St.

ELGIN

IV30 1LF