Liz Warner is a member of the Softball National Squad, heading for the European Championships in Austria, with a warm-up in France during May. Softball has to be totally self-funding, so the local branch has voted to donate £250 sponsorship. John Gunn presents the cheque. Go Liz!

British National Party wins Euro Seat in South East Region.

“It has just been announced that due to a low voter turnout, the BNP now  has an MEP in the South East Region. The BNP polled only 27,000 votes across the 9 counties, which make up the SE Region but this was enough to see them gain their first seat.”

This is a call to all Slough Borough Council UNISON Members and their family members who are eligible to vote, to stop this piece of fiction from becoming a reality.

Please make sure you vote on June the 10th, it does not matter which of the main parties you vote for, just vote to stop the BNP from gaining a Member of the European Parliament.

UNISON Press Release

Local Government Pay Talks Stall

Summer Action “Not Ruled Out”

Pay talks covering 1.5 million local government workers today stalled when the employers signalled a reluctance to improve on the earlier “with strings” offer of 7% over 3 years.

UNISON National Secretary Heather Wakefield, said:

“After three joint secretaries’ meetings, it’s absolutely clear that the employers are adopting a tough stance. This morning they indicated that the earlier offer which included more strings than the philarmonic, is unlikely to be improved.

“The strings include withholding the third year of any pay deal if councils have not carried out equal pay reviews before then. Why should our members be penalised for employers’ failures? The employers have a duty under the Equal Pay Act to carry out those reviews - we are not stopping them, indeed we are trying our best to get them to carry out their obligations. We even included it in the claim. But it needs funding - it cannot be found from existing budgets.

“Their offer also demands removal of premium payments for overtime and shift working from the national agreement. A move which would affect already low paid care workers. And will only increase annual leave to 25 days if the unions negotiate a reduction in sick pay. This is an appalling proposal.

“In the wake of the 2002 dispute and the positive report from the Local Government Pay Commission, we would have expected the employers to recognise the link between fair treatment of the workforce and service improvement.

“I cannot see a way forward unless the employers rethink their penny-pinching approach. At this rate we cannot rule out industrial action over the summer.”

The trade union side will meet on 7 May to consider further steps.

Link to the regional website
http://www.unison-southern.org.uk

Link to the national website http://www.unison.org.uk

When you are at this site, you can enter a keyword such as BNP to gain more information, or e.g. Newham to find out about the strike (the full time secondment of three local UNISON branch officers has been withdrawn by the council)

Link to the UNISON Holiday Club http://www.unison-holiday-club.co.uk

UNISON's very own holiday destination at Croyde Bay http://www.croydeunison.co.uk

Obituary

Veronica 'Ronnie' Vaughan passed away on 1st May. She is sadly missed by Corporate Reception.

Local UNISON Branch members support Kidsco at Easter

Chris Mason

Dear Chris

I wanted to write and thank you for your thoughtful donation of Vouchers to the children of Kids Company.

Our children, like everybody else feel spring is a time renewal and change, sadly their lack of family support is often highlighted at this time and it is the kindness of people like yourself that enables us to provide them with the basics such as new toiletries, fresh clothes and music. These simple provisions means so much to them and gives therm hope despite the challenges they face daily. Thank you,

With best wishes

Camila Batmanghelidjh