Our very own Dave Kingham looks for £££'s

The JE meeting on 3 March will be open to all members. If you know of non-members who wish to have a voice, then it's time to recruit them.

The Branch was very pleased to welcome Becky Hess, Regional Officer for Slough, from the Reading office. Becky is here seen talking to Susannah Walsh of the Britannia Building Society which ran a stall at the Town Hall meeting.

The other UNISON visitor was Tina Ashley, Team Manager of the Brighton Office, and Regional Head of Local Government.

Following on from the branch Development Day in the summer, there was a motion to hold additional branch meetings. These will have a theme. The three proposed so far are

• Job Evaluation on Wednesday 3 March at 16.30 in the Council Chamber if available
• Contact Centre
• The ALMO

Therefore UNISON will shortly approach HR for access to original data which has been used by HR but not been made available to branch officers. It is proposed that the regional office will seek the services of an expert in Job Evaluation. Regional office staff will then respond to the letter from HR dated 20 January.

2004 NJC Pay Claim: Time To Deliver
At a meeting of UNISON’s National Local Government Committee, members looked at branch and regional responses to the draft pay claim. The Committee welcomed the broad support given by members but agreed that certain points need clarification. The amended proposals were discussed with the other unions at a meeting on Monday 19 January and the package set out below was subsequently agreed. The claim will be presented to the Employers at an NJC meeting on 29 January 2004. 
The key points of the claim will be:

1. The abolition of spinal column pay points 4, 5 and 6
2. An increase of 4% plus £200 on all remaining pay points
3. An increase of 4% on all allowances
4. Completion of equal pay audits and pay and grading reviews in every council, in accordance with the Single Status Agreement, within two years and with additional ring-fenced funding to enable councils to carry them out
5. The urgent completion of the training and workforce development agreement with targets and deadlines for implementation and additional ring-fenced funding
6. An increase to the basic annual leave entitlement to 25 days per year
7. An increase in paid maternity leave to 8 weeks full pay and 14 weeks half pay
8. Two weeks paid paternity or maternity support leave
9. In respect of a premature birth, additional paid maternity leave for a specified number of weeks to be calculated as equivalent to the period dating from the actual date of the child’s birth to the due date
10. Paid adoption leave (in line with paid maternity leave) for all adoptions of children under 18

Best wishes, Heather Wakefield, National Secretary, Local Government Service Group
 

Out of the office, Linda is approaching national finals level at bowls. When relaxing she is an avid reader of histories and 'Witch' magazine for those everyday consumables such as black cats, cauldrons and broom sticks. You don't believe me? Have a look in the back garden. Spellbinding!

Excluding retired members, there about 760 members. Guidelines say 1 steward per 25 members. If we had 30 stewards rather than 10, that would make a big difference.

Come on folks, help Maureen and the others. Volunteer as a steward!

To carry out this role effectively, stewards will need to attend the monthly Branch Executive meeting for which paid time off is given. S/he must also be committed to attend any relevant training programs which will help him/her carry out their duties more effectively

The key responsibilities for a steward include: 

• To represent the interests of members in their workplace in any grievance, dispute or workplace negotiations 
• To establish and maintain Union organisation in the workplace and convene workplace meetings 
• To attend the monthly meetings of the Branch Executive and meetings of the membership 
• To report to the Branch Executive all developments affecting members in the their work group or place of work
• To carry out their duties in accordance with the Union's handbook for stewards.