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Friday 10th July
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Consultative Pay Ballot 2020/21- Have your say!
Dear Ealing UNISON member
Many of you will be aware that there have been ongoing negotiations with the Employers Side at a National level regarding the 2020/21 Pay Award. We have now reached the end those negotiations and therefore as per UNISON rules you are being asked to take part of a consultative ballot, on whether you wish to accept or reject the Employers final offer.
The consultative ballot question below is what is being sent to every UNISON member who is covered by NJC Pay (Most of those that work for London Borough of Ealing and most Schools within the Borough). If you are not sure whether you are eligible to vote, or if you are/are not covered by the NJC – please email the branch directly for the necessary advice.
For your information, your Ealing UNISON Branch Committee previously met twice to discuss the final employers offer, we were specifically asked to consider the offer and decide whether to accept or reject this offer. Ealing UNISON Branch committee unanimously voted to REJECT this offer. This was also the majority outcome across London UNISON Branches.
UNISON
NJC Pay Offer 2020/21: Consultation Ballot Paper
The Local Government Employers’ NJC pay offer comprises:
With Effect from 1 April 2020, an increase of 2.72% on all NJC pay points 1 and above
With effect from 1 April 2020, an increase of one day to the minimum annual leave entitlement as set out at Part 2 Para 7.2 in the National Agreement.
Continued discussions on “a comprehensive joint national review of the workplace cause of stress and mental health”
Discussion, without prejudice, to examine options for ensuring the sector and the NJC pay spine – can meet the challenge of the Government’s target for the National Living wage in the coming years.
The NJC Committee’s view is that this is poor pay offer, which falls short of what members need and deserve and does not reflect their worth. At the same time, local government is struggling financially and inflation is low, and this is the best offer achievable by negotiation.
Please read the pay offer and the UNISON NJC committee’s view, the consultative ballot statements you are being asked to respond to is:
I wish to ACCEPT the Employers’ pay offer for 2020/21
or
I wish to REJECT the Employers’ pay offer for 2020/21
Please return you response via email to ealingunison@ealing.gov.uk – a simple Accept or Reject – with confirmation of your Full name as shown on the UNISON records).
This Consultative Ballot closes at 5pm on Monday 10th August 2020.
Ealing Solidarity with Tower Hamlets Unison members on Strike
Why Are Tower Hamlets Unison on Strike?
Branch Secretary John McLoughlin explains why calling this industrial action has been necessary:
“Shockingly our Labour Council are using sacking and reengagement to impose detrimental contracts that the workforce has overwhelmingly rejected.
Our Branch suspended industrial action in March to focus on supporting our community through the Covid 19 crisis,
Having been applauded as essential workers we are now being sacked by the imposition of these contracts at a time when the Council think it will be difficult for workers to resist.
We have been left with no option other than to take action.
Any solidarity will be greatly appreciated.”
In solidarity
John McLoughlin
Branch Secretary Tower Hamlets UNISON
View Tower Hamlets Unison leaflet outlining the detrimental cuts they face to their terms and conditions:
Tower Hamlets Proposals and why they are on strike
Ealing Branch Secretary Mary Lancaster says the following:
“Tower Hamlets are one of the largest London Branches within UNISON , they have a large network of reps and activist, recently they held a meeting (before lockdown) in connection with this threat of whole scale dismissal and re-engagement – and over a 1000 UNISON members attended – but still this labour council and labour elected mayor – believe they can win this battle over the terms and conditions of all staff. They held lawful ballots to confirm the position taken at the meetings – getting significant turn outs and an agreement from members for this action. If the employers succeed in Tower hamlets – than other boroughs and the National employers will also look to see if they can save money by making changes to not only our local terms and conditions but also what we have within the national agreements.”
You can join the rally virtually:
We are with you Tower Hamlets! Solidarity Forever
Unison consultation on latest pay offer- Have your say!
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PPE Not Promises- Unison Advice and Petition- 29th April
NJC Pay Offer and Union Response- 28th April
TUESDAY 28th April – Is Workers Memorial Day. Please take some time to watch this video made by Camden UNISON. We would ask all workers to take some time at 11am tomorrow to join with UNISON and all Trade Unionists across the world to think of all those front line workers who have lost there lives not only during this crisis but while doing their job.
Govt Guidance on PPE- 12th April 2020
Unison Letter to Education Secretary- 31st March
Visit our Schools page for the latest on School closures
Find out how to volunteer with Charities in Ealing
Or become a community reserve volunteer
And how to support and donate to Ealing Foodbank
Update on School partial opening- 20th March 2020
Corona Virus Guidance from/NJC/UNISON/Ealing LA/Government
LGA Guidance on School Closures
Government Guidance for Schools, Colleges and Local Authorities on Maintaining Educational Provision
Government Free School Meals Guidance
Council Leader’s statement- 18th March 2020
Government Guidance on Social Distancing and for Vulnerable People
EGFL Gatekeeping- Staff Absences – 17th March 2020
NJC Circular on Working from Home- 17th March 2020
Government Stay at Home Guidance- 16th March 2020
Unison Guidance- 10th March 2020
Ealing EGFL Gatekeeping- 6th March 2020
Government Guidance for Education Settings
If you have any employment based queries regarding Corona Virus, self-isolation or sickness absence then please contact us at EalingUnison@ealing.gov.uk or 0208 825 7999.
If you have any medical concerns or queries regarding the virus, consult the government advice on self-isolation, social distancing and vulnerable people, contact 111, your GP or a medical health professional.
Ealing Unison AGM
Ealing Unison held three aggregate meetings of our AGM earlier this month. Members had the oppotunity to view last years budget and consider the draft budget for the year ahead t0 31st December 2020.
The Branch Chair, Branch Secretary and other Convenors updated members on casework, campaigning and recruitment/retention within the Branch and there was discussion and questions about the upcoming Mayoral elections, Corona Virus, Ealing Council and members in outsourced services such as careworkers.
Some branch officer positions were filled and those vacant positions will now be considered by the branch committee.
Unfortunately the meeting was not quorate and as such no minutes will be published.
Unison backs Kier Starmer for Labour Leadership and Angela Rayner for Deputy Leadership
Read the full articles here:
Winter Fuel Grant 2019-20
We are delighted to be launching this year’s Winter Fuel Grant Programme next week on Monday 2 December!
The Winter Fuel Grant Programme is run by UNISON’s charity, There for You. It is a limited fund to help UNISON members who are on a low income with their heating costs over the winter.
Download an application form here
Member Benefits
Find out about what benefits you can enjoy as a Unison member
PAY CLAIM 2020
UNISON submitted a pay claim for all council and school workers, employed on NJC pay in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 24 July 2019. UNISON, GMB and Unite’s joint claim is asking the Local Government Association for:
- A real living wage of £10 per hour for the lowest paid (NJC scp 1)
- A 10% increase for everyone else
- A one day increase to the minimum paid annual leave entitlement
- A two hour reduction in the standard working week
- A comprehensive joint national review of the workplace causes of stress and mental health
NJC-Pay-Claim-2020-FINAL-24-July
There For You
Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants.
Check out their website for more details
Advice for our EU Members as Brexit approaches
If you are an EU National and a Unison member, you can contact us for advice about your status in the UK after Brexit.