LGPS Employer Borrowing From Pension Fund Account To End

The new regulations from the Department for Communities and Local Government realise that local authorities will no longer be able to borrow money from the local government pension scheme funds and will be forced to ring-fence assets in separate bank accounts.

Full information can be downloaded here – lgpsemployerpensionborrowingtoend

Proposed pay freeze for 2010/11

20/1/10 – The Local Government Employers have today told the unions that there will be a pay freeze in 2010/2011 for NJC staff and for other local government groups.  This was announced without any negotiations taking place.

 The press release below has been issued and there will be a meeting of the full NJC Trade Union Side on the afternoon of 3 February, following the NJC UNISON Committee meeting earlier that day.  This is clearly a massive slap in the face for our hard-working members who have kept local services going through the crisis and in the face of widespread redundancies.

 The NJC Committee and Trade Union Side will decide the next steps on 3 February.

 Best wishes

 Heather
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY, 2010
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIONS OUTRAGED AT PAY FREEZE

Local government unions, UNISON, GMB and UNITE, representing 1.6 million workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, have today been told that their members face a pay freeze in 2010/2011.
 
The unions are calling on the local government employers to think again, saying that local government workers will struggle to afford basic essentials, with nearly 3% inflation rendering the pay freeze a real terms pay cut. The unions are calling for them to come to their senses and make a reasonable offer, saying that there is room in council budgets to give workers decent pay.   
 
UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said:
 
“The employer’s decision to cut our members’ pay without negotiation is a slap in the face for hard working council employees who have kept local communities together through the crisis.”
 
“Two thirds already earn less than £18k a year. Last year George Osborne, Tory shadow chancellor said the Tories would not freeze pay for those earning in this pay bracket, now the Tory LGA is doing just that.”
 
“Our members are already covering posts left vacant by wide-spread redundancies. 75% of the workforce are women so this is an outright attack on women’s pay.”
 
“We know that councils can afford an increase. Council reserves have grown, while many have chosen to cut their own income by freezing council tax. Our members will be outraged by this threatened pay freeze.”
 
“The trade unions will meet urgently to consider the next steps.”

Voluntary Redundancy and Unison Membership

If you are leaving the authority on voluntary redundancy and we are pursuing an equal pay case or legal case on your behalf, it is imperative your maintain your membership of Unison in one of the following ways:

(a) If you are “retiring”, ie in receipt of a pension and are not in any other employment or intending to seek employment in the future, you can become a lifelong retired member of the branch for a one off payment of £15. Please contact the branch office, giving your name and postal address so the retired members application form can be posted to you. 

(b) If you are not currently in employment, you can become an unemployed member of the branch for a maximum of 2 years for a payment of £4 per year.  Please post a cheque for £4 to the branch office made payable to “Unison” together with a letter with your name, address and membership number, indicating you wish to become an unemployed member.  You will be reminded of the need to renew the 2nd years membership automatically.

NB If during this time your employment circumstances change, it is imperative you contact the branch office to amend your membership status.  If you are employed in a sector that is covered by Unison, you will need to join the appropriate branch and pay subscriptions based on your new earnings.  If it is the private sector, you will need to pay Unison 30p per week by direct debit to maintain your right to legal support.  Please contact the branch office for the appropriate form.  If after 2 years you are still unemployed and we are still pursuing an equal pay or legal case, you will need to pay 30p per week by direct debit.

The branch office contact details are:

Unison, 40 Kingsway, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1JH

Telephone 01782 236750. E-mail ul-stokecity@unison.org.uk

Unison Annual General Meeting 4 March 2010

The Unison AGM will take place on 4 March 2010 at 5.30 pm in the Jubilee Hall, at the Civic Centre.

A buffet tea is available from 4.45pm.

The following documents are available for downloading:

1. Promotional poster for displaying on notice boards –   AGM2010POSTER
2. Agenda for the meeting including order for buffet tea – 4March2010AGM

Documents to be discussed at the meeting:

The following documents will be uploaded as soon as they become available:

1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 5 March 2009 – 5March2009AGM
2. Annual report – not yet available
3. Annual statement of accounts – not yet available
4. Honoraria – not yet available  
5. Scheme or payment of expenses – not yet available

Personal Injury Claims Dec 2009

During December 2009, Unison West Midlands region succeeded in obtaiing £104,307 in compensation for personal injury claims on behalf of members.

Members of this branch received £4400.

It pays to be a Unison member!!

Outcome of Car Allowances Consultation Meetings Dec 09

Arising from the feedback received at the consultation meetings in December, we have informed the employer of the following:

1.  We want to retain the 3 bands in the Green Book because they represent a rational amount to reflect the real cost of running a car.

2.  We want to negotiate a more equitable essential user scheme which reflects the criteria contained in the Green Book, namely “essential users are those whose duties are of such a nature that it is essential for them to have a motor car at their disposal whenever required” – Part 3 Para 6.2.

 These will form the basis of our negotiatons with the employer commencing on 15 January 2010.

Election of Convenors, Officers and Stewards 2010/11

The branch is now in the process of electing Convenors, Officers and Stewards for April 2010 – March 2011.

Further information on the closing date for nominations and  how to apply is available -2009ELECTIONIBLOGVERSION - please also display these on your workplace notice boards.

 For Convenors and stewards election meetings have been arranged as follows:

(1) Housing, Environment & Neighbourhood Services, Kier Stoke, Adult Social Care, Health & Communities – Community Services Section – Thursday 28 January 2010 at 12.30 pm, Room C Civic Centre

(2) Children & Young Peoples Services -  Social Care, Youth Workers, Adult Social Care Health & Communities – Social Care – Wednesday 27 January 2010 at 12.30 pm, Jubilee Lounge, Civic Centre

(3) Children & Young Peoples Services Schools, Sixth Form College and Stoke-on-Trent College – Wednesday 3 February 2010 at 12.30 pm, at Stoke-on-Trent College and Wednesday 3 February 5.30 pm, Room B, Civic Centre

(4) Children & Young Peoples Services – Non Schools, Central Services, Chief Executives and North Staffs Regeneration Partnership – Tuesday 26 January 2010 at 12.30 pm, Room C at the Civic Centre.

Branch Officers will be elected at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday 4 March 2010 at 5.30 pm. 

Personal Injury Claims October and November 2009

During the month of October 2009, Unison members of the West Midlands region received £210,854.83 in compensation for personal injuries.

Members of this branch received  £2,155.

For November 2009, the region received £184,372.37 with members of this branch receiving £13,500.

It pays to be a member of Unison!!

New Health Benefits For Unison Members

Unison is proud to announce the launch of its:

50+ HEALTHCARE PLAN

This is a low cost alternative to private medical insurance.  For full information and how to join, please dowload the 50+ Healthcare Plan Factsheet – UnisonPlus50+HealthcarePlan

There is also a:

UNISONPLUS DENTAL PLAN

This works in 3 easy steps:

1. Pay for your dental service or treatment at your visit.
2. Complete and return a claim form with a valid receipt.
3. Receive 100% of your money back*

*Up to generous annual maximums. Please see Premium & Benefits table on the leaflet.

 The full details including premiums and benefits can be downloaded on the Dental Plan Factsheet – UnisonPlusDentalPlan

Making Road Accident Claims Easier

23/10/09 – The government has recently announced details of a new scheme covering personal injury claims under £10,000 that arise from a road traffic accident.

On behalf of the unions, as a key stakeholder, Unison has been involved in this initiative which should be implemented in April 2010……     Making road accident claims easier

To find out more about Unison and employment law – visit our national site http://www.unison.org.uk/resources/employmentrights.asp