My subscriptions have increased (or decreased) on my October pay slip. What has happened?
Annually as at 1st October the payroll check the gross salaries of members. This is done by taking the Superannuable Gross Pay for the previous April – September which is then doubled to give a yearly estimate.
This total is then used as the basis for calculating the subscriptions to be paid for the next 12 months based on the Unison subscriptions rates currently in force.
Note: Superannuable gross pay does NOT include mileage and travel expenses but DOES include sleep ins, overtime etc.
Therefore on the October payslip, certain members will have their subscriptions reduced whilst others will have it increased. To check you are paying the correct amount, calculate the superannuable gross pay for the 6 months 1April -30 September on your payslips, double it and check your figure against the subscription rates.
In case of error, contact your payroll section at Paymaster Services, Swann House, remembering to quote your 3 digit payroll group and payroll number.
I have changed from full to part time working but my subscriptions are still being deducted at the old level.
The branch pays the payroll section of the City Council to manage the subscriptions on our behalf. Ideally, an adjustment should be made when the reduction in hours is processed but this is not always the case. The payroll department therefore have a system where they can recalculate what the subscription payments should be based on the change of earnings and will then offer you the option of either a subscription payment holiday or a refund by cheque, which would be given by the branch once the paperwork from payroll has been received.
I am leaving the employment. Can I stay as a member on the register?
If you have not found alternative employment, you are entitled to remain an unemployed member of the branch for a maximum of 2 years at a cost of £4 per year. Send a letter in writing to the branch, remembering to quote your name, address and membership number, together with a cheque for £4 made payable to “Unison City of Stoke On Trent Branch”. You will be contacted again when the second payment is due. Please inform the branch when you find employment elsewhere so a Transfer Form can be issued if you are still covered by Unison or so you are deleted from the register.
If you have retired or have ceased employment on the grounds of ill health and meet the criteria for retired membership:
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in receipt of a pension
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not in employment or intending to seek further employment
you are entitled to become a life time retired member for a one off payment (currently £15). Please contact the branch office for further details and an application form.
I have been off sick for 12 months and am now not earning any money. How do I continue my subscriptions?
It is branch policy that anyone who is still employed by the City Council but not earning any monies does not need to pay subscriptions. However, you will need to check that your subscriptions are deducted by payroll once you return to work or contact the branch for details of unemployed membership (see above) should this situation arise.
