November 30: Glasgow march details
The route for the  Glasgow march on 30th November will be 12 noon gather at Shuttle Street, moving off at 12.30 to George Street, Cochrane Street, George Street (South),Hanover Street, Ingram Street, Glassford Street, Trongate then Glasgow Barrowland.  Speakers will start at 1.15.

(posted 29/11/2011)
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BBC poll: strong public support for November 30 pension strikes
An opinion poll conducted on behalf of the BBC has revealed overwhelming support by the British public for those going on strike on Wednesday: 61% of people believe public sector workers are justified in going on strike over pension changes. Amongst women the figure rises to 67% and among young people aged 18-24 support is a massive 79%. Even among the higher social grades (AB) support was 51%. This level support has been achieved despite the Government consistently misrepresenting their proposals as an improvement for most staff and a vicious anti-union campaign in the right-wing press.
The BBC story may be read here and the full opinion poll downloaded here
(posted 28/11/2011)
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Government is attacking private sector pension rights
Responding to the announcement today (Monday 28th November) that the final stages of auto-enrolment into pensions will be postponed for a year, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'Making staff in small businesses wait even longer before they get the right to an employer contribution to their pension is a grave disappointment.
'It is further confirmation that this government sees small business staff as second class workplace citizens, not deserving of the same rights as staff in bigger firms. The need for a retirement income does not depend on the size of your employer.
'This government attack on private sector pension rights should end any claim that ministers are interested in fairness across public and private sectors. Unions have always argued we need to level up private sector provision but the government is now cutting it back.'
(posted 28/11/2011)
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Unilever staff vote to strike to defend their pension
It’s not only public sector employees who are prepared to strike to defend their pensions. Members of Unite working at Unilever, have today (Monday 28 November) voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in protest over the company’s plans to scrap its final salary pension scheme.
In what will be the first ever national strike at Unilever workers have voted ‘yes’ to strike action by nearly 85 per cent, with about 92 per cent voting in favour of action short of a strike. This will mean walkouts are likely across the company's 12 sites during December.
Unilever, the food and household goods giant, whose brands include Marmite, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Pot Noodle, Dove, PG Tips, Comfort and Surf, is ploughing ahead with its plans to ditch the company’s final salary pension scheme which will see the retirement income of thousands of staff slashed by up to 40 per cent.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer, said: “Our members have spoken and, while the decision to strike was not an easy one, the message is clear: they will not roll over and accept this attack on their pension scheme.  Unilever must now do the decent thing for its loyal workforce and get back around the negotiating table.
"Only this month, Paul Polman (CEO) received shares worth £1,069,986, and Unilever management has told us that the pension changes are not driven by financial imperatives. The truth is they want to maximise returns to shareholders and fat cat executives, and make our members pay the price by slashing their pensions.
Unilever plans to transfer current final salary scheme members to an inferior Care Average Revalued Earning (CARE) with effect from 1 January 2012.
The plans will lead to pension losses of around 20 per cent for the majority, but with some individuals losing as much as 40 per cent of their retirement income.
(posted 28/11/2011)
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30th November: advice from the Group Secretary
As the build-up to the 30th November Day of Action gathers pace there will be information that local reps will wish to ensure members are aware of. The details are quite fluid and there are a number of meetings between striking Trade Unions, including Unite and NHS GG&C Senior Management over provision for the 30th November. Unite’s general advice is that normal public holiday cover should be made available but as our main dispute is with Government, and as responsible dedicated Trade Unionists and public employees, we will consider any reasonable request from the Board for essential cover.
Local reps should engage with their local managers to ensure any cover necessary is agreed in a clear and non-confrontational manner. In many workplaces Unite members will have colleagues who are either non-members, members of non-striking unions and perhaps some Unite members who intend coming to work. In these situations additional cover to be agreed by Unite will be up to the normal public holiday complement. Please also note in discussing with local management that it is clear that where public holiday work is normally half a day (morning) then that is what should be offered. The advice document on cover was sent out to reps a couple of weeks ago but can be downloaded here.
Many members are asking who they should inform that they will be on strike. I am aware that the official strike letter from Unite states that the HR Director should be told. This is obviously impractical within NHS GG&C, therefore please advise members to tell their line manager & confirm by email (when possible). In any area where this is or is perceived to be a difficulty please let me know.
It is intended that almost all NHS premises will be picketed on the day, however Unite are focussing our main activity on the major hospital sites. Unite will be represented on these sites by a Senior Representative who will coordinate our efforts on the Picket. Members wishing to picket should make themselves known to the appropriate Senior Rep – details can be downloaded here. It is Unite’s intention that the picket will be from early morning - Senior Reps intend to be available from 6 am! It is also the intention that the picket will wind down in plenty of time for members to attend the main rally in Glasgow (there will also be one in Paisley).
All members  are  encouraged to attend the main demonstration  and rally in Glasgow. Details of this rally are still to be finalised by the STUC and will be sent to group reps and published on this website.
Ian Forbes, Group Secretary.
(posted 24/11/2011)
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Unite's reaction to the government's latest statement on public sector pensions
Unite assistant general secretary, Gail Cartmail said today (Thursday 24th November): "The government have resorted to plucking figures out of the air to justify its refusal to negotiate constructively with the unions. If Danny Alexander and Francis Maude are so concerned about the impact of the strike on the economy, why are they refusing to make any attempt to negotiate further?
"We have resisted negotiating through the media because we prefer to sit across a table. The government has been a repeat offender, choosing to negotiate by megaphone and then offer too little, too late."
(posted 24/11/2011)
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TUC: Unfair private sector pensions are no model for public sector
Making public sector pensions like those in the private sector would mean taking all pensions away from two in three public sector workers and giving a huge increase to the pension pots of a small number of senior public sector staff, says a TUC report published today (Thursday 24th November).
Many critics of public sector pensions say that public sector pension provision should be made more like that in the private sector. But the TUC report A Race to the Bottom, which analyses official pensions data, shows that in the private sector:
Two in three private sector workers are not members of a workplace pension.
Private sector pension provision increases sharply with pay, while in the public sector it is much more evenly distributed. Two in three public sector staff earning between £100 and £200 a week are in a pension while only one in seven private sector employees in the same wage band are in a pension.
Pension provision in the private sector varies hugely between sectors, with four in five workers in the energy sector having a pension, but only one in 16 in the hospitality sector having one.
While senior public sector staff are in the same schemes as the rest of the employees in their sector and often pay bigger percentage contributions, top directors in the private sector (FTSE100 directors) have pensions worth nearly £4 million.
Pension provision in the private sector is therefore extremely unfair and making the public sector mirror such arrangements would be deeply damaging, says the TUC.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The current pensions debate is all about divide and rule. Employers have been cutting private sector pensions for years, while usually hanging on to their boardroom specials.
'Pensions in the private sector are deeply unfair, and making public sector pensions more like private sector provision has nothing to do with fairness. It is just part of a long campaign by those on the small-state right to cut public services.
'A typical nurse is being asked to pay an extra £1,000 a year and work longer to get a smaller pension. None of this will help a single private sector worker get a better pension.
(posted 24/11/2011)
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Unite members vote YES to industrial action on pensions
Unite members in the NHS, civil service and local authorities have voted yes to industrial action by a 75 to 25% majority. Within the NHS, UK-wide the figures were 17,368 (73.18%) in favour with 6,336 (26.7%) against. The Scottish figures were 3460 (80.41%) in favour and 837 (19.45%) against.
Further guidance will be issued to group representatives following a joint trade union meeting on Monday.
Commenting on the result of the ballot, Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said:
“Public sector workers in Scotland are telling the government that `enough is enough’. They are enduring wages cuts, rising living costs and horrific job losses, as the UK government forces the less well off in this country to pay for the sins of the elite. They are not prepared to stomach this attack on their pensions, too.
“A deal has been struck with the Scottish Government to exempt the increase in contributions of local government employees. While Unite views this as progress in contrast with the imposition by the UK Government there is still the outstanding issue of all public sector workers having to work longer to receive a smaller pension. For public sector workers outside of local government they are still faced with the prospect of paying more into a pension.”
(posted 17/11/2011, updated 18/11/11)
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STUC demonstrations on 30th November
The STUC, as part of their campaign for pensions justice, has organised a march and rally to take place in Glasgow on Wednesday, 30th November leaving from Shuttle Street (off Albion Street), Glasgow at 12:30 pm to arrive for the rally in the Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow at 1.15 pm.
The STUC has also organised a march and rally in Paisley on the 30th November. Assemble at Brodie Park, Paisley at 10.30am for the march at 11.00am to the rally at County Square. A shuttle bus will travel between Cotton Street and Brodie Park from 9.00am to 10.00am
(posted 17/11/2011)
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Unite Executive Committee Elections
A recent amendment to the Unite rule book allows for the election on a national basis of one LGBT member and one disabled member. Any Branch member wishing to be considered should note that possible nominations will be considered at the Branch meeting to be held on Wednesday 7th December at 6.30pm in the Campanile Hotel, 10 Tunnel Street, Glasgow.
(posted 17/11/2011)
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Unite Education Courses 2012
The union is running education courses in Glasgow for workplace representatives as follows:

COURSE CODE	COURSE TITLE	START DATE	END DATE	COURSE DURATION
WR1C/12/001	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 1	23-Jan-12	27-Jan-12	5 days
WR1C/12/002	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 1	5-Mar-12	9-Mar-12	5 days
WR1C/12/003	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 1	27-Aug-12	31-Aug-12	5 days
WR1C/12/004	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 1	22-Oct-12	26-Oct-12	5 days
WR2C/12/001	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 2	26-Mar-12	30-Mar-12	5 days
WR2C/12/002	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 2	14-May-12	18-May-12	5 days
WR2C/12/003	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 2	29-Oct-12	2-Nov-12	5 days
WR2C/12/004	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate Module 2	3-Dec-12	7-Dec-12	5 days
WR1C/12/019	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate 10 Tuesdays	28-Feb-12	28-Mar-12	5 days
WR2C/12/019	Workplace Reps Introductory Certificate 10 Tuesdays	4-Apr-12	2-May-12	5 days
HS1C/12/001	Health and Safety Certificate Module 1	6-Feb-12	10-Feb-12	5 days
HS1C/12/002	Health and Safety Certificate Module 1	16-Apr-12	20-Apr-12	5 days
HS1C/12/003	Health and Safety Certificate Module 1	10-Sep-12	14-Sep-12	5 days
HS1C/12/004	Health and Safety Certificate Module 1	1-Oct-12	5-Oct-12	5 days
HS2C/12/001	Health and Safety Certificate Module 2	23-Apr-12	27-Apr-12	5 days
HS2C/12/002	Health and Safety Certificate Module 2	25-Jun-12	29-Jun-12	5 days
HS2C/12/003	Health and Safety Certificate Module 2	26-Nov-12	30-Nov-12	5 days
HS2C/12/004	Health and Safety Certificate Module 2	3-Dec-12	7-Dec-12	5 days
EQC/12/001	Equality Reps Training	12-Mar-12	16-Mar-12	5 days
DRC/12/001	Dealing with Redundancy	12-Apr-12	14-Apr-12	3 days
ULR1C/12/001	Union Learning Reps Training Module 1	13-Feb-12	17-Apr-12	5 days
ULR1C/12/002	Union Learning Reps Training Module 1	9-Apr-12	13-Apr-12	5 days
ULR2C/12/001	Union Learning Reps Training Module 2	3-Sep-12	7-Sep-12	5 days
ULR2C/12/002	Union Learning Reps Training Module 2	12-Nov-12	16-Nov-12	5 days
P1C/12/001	Pension 1	2-Apr-12	6-Apr-12	5 days
P1C/12/002	Pension 1	17-Sep-12	22-Sep-12	5 days
BLC/12/001	Bargaining and the Law	2-Jul-12	6-Jul-12	5 days
BLC/12/002	Bargaining and the Law	19-Nov-12	23-Nov-12	5 days
OCC/12/005	Organising Campaigns	2-May-12	4-May-12	3 days
SAC/12/005	Senior Advocate Training	5-Nov-12	7-Nov-12	3 days

Application forms can be downloaded here and should be returned to:
education.scotland@unitetheunion.org
(posted 17/11/2011)
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Branch meeting dates for 2012
Branch meeting dates for 2012 have been agreed and may be viewed here
(posted 17/11/2011)
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TUC Guide to Equality Law 2011
Written by Simpson Millar Solicitors on behalf of the TUC, this guide covers the main family-friendly rights that are covered by legislation separate to and included in the Equality Act 2010. It is split into three main sections: the Act itself; rights for working parents and carers; and compliance and enforcement. The guide can be downloaded from:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-20272-f0.cfm
(posted 17/11/2011)
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NHS pension contributions in Scotland
At a pensions campaign meeting in Glasgow Royal Infirmary yesterday, a question was asked about the total contributions made to the NHS pension fund and payments to current pensioners (excess of payments goes to the Treasury). The latest available figures for Scotland (2009/10) are:
 - Contributions (employer and employee) received - £884.5 million
 - Pensions paid out (including lump sums) - £660.0 million
 - Excess of contributions over pay out - £224.5 million (=25.4% of contributions)
 - The proposed increase in employee contributions for the year 2012/13 will result in a further £55 million approximately and thus the excess of contributions over pay out will become £279 million approximately (=29.8% of contributions)
In summary, contributions are  currently 34% more than is paid out and this will rise to 42% in 2012 if the government’s proposed increase is put into effect.
(posted 09/11/2011)
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Ford workers to strike to defend their pensions?
It’s not just in the public sector that employees are preparing to defend their hard-won pension rights.
Unite has walked out of negotiations with Ford UK which is insisting on closing its pension scheme to new entrants, raising the possibility of the first strike at the company since the 1970s.
Last night (Tuesday 8 November) union representatives for 2,500 Ford staff walked out of negotiations because Ford is insisting on the closure of its final salary pension scheme to new entrants. The union believes this is the 'thin end of the wedge' and will lead to the ultimate closure of the company's staff final salary pension scheme.
The breakdown in talks also follows Ford's hourly paid staff who rejected a similar offer yesterday.
Unite national officer Roger Maddison said: "Our members have made it crystal clear that they fiercely oppose the closure of the final salary scheme to new entrants. They also believe it is the thin end of the wedge and the company wants to ultimately close the entire scheme. We call upon Ford management to restart negotiations with an open mind, rather than demanding changes to long standing agreements that could lead to Ford's first strike since the 1970s."
(posted 09/11/2011)
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Unite attacks government’s misleading public sector pension’s claims
The official Unite response to the government’s statements:
Danny Alexander made the extraordinary claim that a nurse with a full career, retiring on a salary of £34,200 would receive a pension of £22,800 a year under the proposed scheme whereas under current arrangements they would only get £17,300.
But an analysis by Unite's pensions' experts found that this example was based on a comparison of a nurse working for 43 years and retiring at age 68 in the proposed scheme and a nurse working for 35 years and retiring at age 60 in the current scheme. So under the proposed scheme the pension quoted involves working and contributing for eight years more and receiving the pension for eight years less.
 Unite calculations indicate that if a like for like basis of comparison is made, based on working to the same age and the same length of service, then the proposed scheme produces worse benefits at every age up to 68.
Retiring at age 60, at the top of pay band 6, earning £34,200 the nurse would be 40 per cent worse off and at 65 the nurse would be 20 per cent worse off.

Danny Alexander also claimed that under transitional proposals those ten years or less from retirement age are assured there will be no detriment to their retirement income. When you include the loss of purchasing power during retirement on account of the indexation change to the lower CPI measure of inflation the change could reduce the value of total pension income paid during a typical retirement by a further 11 per cent.

Danny Alexander also failed to mention that the nurse and many other public sector workers will face a 50 per cent increase in their contributions, costing the nurse a further £1,000 a year gross, or £65 a month after tax.

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said:"Danny Alexander is making extraordinary claims in order to mislead and manipulate the public about the government's pensions proposals.
"He's using distorted figures to conceal the way in which government proposals will reduce pensions. Most NHS workers will not get a pension anywhere near this maximum full-time service example, and many will have lower pay than the qualified nurse he has focused on, but all will suffer similar proportionate losses to those he is trying to conceal. Currently the median pension received by NHS workers is only around £4,087.
"If the government's proposals are fair why is Danny trying to pull the wool over our eyes?”

The full press release can be read here and the BBC story here
(posted 08/11/2011)
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Constitutional structures in Unite
The union’s Executive Committee has decided that workplace representatives (including group reps, shop stewards, safety reps etc.) and Branch Officers shall be elected for a period of 3 years. Elections shall take place in June 2012 with the period of office running from 1st July 2012 for three years. Future elections, other than to fill casual vacancies, shall always take place in June to ensure synchronisaton with the unon’s other structures.
(posted 08/11/2011)
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Branch library additions 
Copies of the latest additions to the Branch library are available for borrowing from Senior Representatives:
- Learning and Skills at Work - a guide for trade unionists (Augsut 2011)
- Health and safety law 2011 (July 2011).
In the case of difficulty, please contact the Branch Secretary. A list of all available publications may be viewed here.
(posted 08/11/2011)
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Pensions: the truth about the ‘improved’ offer
Yesterday’s announcement by the Government of a ‘revised’ offer on public sector pensions has generated a lot of rhetoric in the media but some of the ‘facts’ quoted are misleading or simply wrong. For example, this morning’s Herald states that “… anyone less than a decade from retirement would not pay a penny more .”  This is quite simply wrong – presumably a misunderstanding by the Herald journalist. Other ‘facts’ appear to be accurate quotes of what the Government said but these facts are deliberately designed to be misleading. Based on the information available to me here are the unbiased facts about the Government’s position:

Staff within 10 years of retirement on 1st April 2012 will retain their current pension rights in terms of retirement age and final salary. They will have to pay the proposed increased contribution rates i.e.  up from 6.5% to 9.2% for most NHS staff (less if you earn under £26,558 and more if you earn over £48,983) in staged increases until 2014.
In summary: pay more, get the same.

The accrual rate offer is 1/60 for each year of pensionable service. The Government’s figures suggest that ‘a nurse’ earning £34,200 would now get a pension of £22,800 as opposed to £17,300 in the existing final salary scheme. This is stunningly misleading on a number counts. £34,200 is the top of band 6. For the Government’s figure of £22,800 to be accurate the hypothetical nurse would have to have been on Band 6 for his/her whole career – this is more than somewhat unlikely as qualified nurses start on Band 5 and more than a few spend a lot of years on Band 5! The comparison also omits that in the ‘nurse’s’ current scheme, they would receive a tax-free lump sum of £51,900 in addition to the pension of £17,300.
In summary: Government comparing apples with oranges

Here is a comparison of the old NHS pension scheme (the one most of us are still in) benefits, the new NHS pension scheme (2008) benefits and the Government’s proposals for public sector pensions – to make the arithmetic simple I’ve assumed a final salary of £30,000 and 40 years pensionable service:

Old NHS pension scheme: pension of £15,000 and a tax-free lump sum of £45,000 – normal pension age 60.

New NHS pension scheme (2008) : pension of £20,000 but no automatic lump sum (can give up some pension for a lump sum) – normal pension age 65

Government’s proposal : pension based on career average earnings, so would be £20,000 if person had not received any promotion increases, less than £20 ,000 if promoted – could be a lot less. No automatic lump sum. Normal pension age linked to state pension age – so depending on your current age could be 66, 67 or 68.
In summary: pay more, get less at a later age.

Another analysis of the Government’s misleading claims “Separating spin from substance” can be read at:
http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/separating/

Unite response to the Government’s proposals: Assistant General Secretary Gail Cartmail - You Tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzk1VumZ-M4&feature=share
 
Joint union statement:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/joint_union_statement_on_publi.aspx

Unite response:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/unite_response_to_the_governme.aspx

An excellent explanation of accrual rates and career average v final salary pensions:
http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/understanding-pensions-accrual-rates-and-career-average-v-final-salary/

(posted 03/11/2011, updated 03/11/2011)
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Public sector pensions ballot
The public sector pensions ballot is now open. If you have not received your ballot paper by Monday 7th November it is possible that it has got lost in the post or that the union does not have your current address - phone 020 88899203
Please note: if you are leaving NHS employment on or before 30 November 2011 you should not vote in this ballot.
The union’s website has a section devoted to the public sector pensions campaign:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/resources/pensions/protecting_pensions_for_our_pu.aspx

To check your current details held by the union visit:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/resources/pensions/protecting_pensions_for_our_pu/get_ready_to_vote_-_have_we_go.aspx
or contact the union’s Glasgow office - Tel: 0141 404 5424
(posted 31/10/2011)
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Equality duty toolkit
Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 imposes on public sector organisations a duty when carrying out therir functions to have due regard to eliminate all forms of discrimination, harassment and victimisation that are prohibited by the Equality Act; and advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations. The TUC Equality Duty Toolkit  is aimed at trade union negotiators to help them understand the new public sector equality duty and how they can use it. It provides guidance on the new public sector equality duty, including what ‘due regard' means in practice. It can be downloaded from the TUC’s website:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-20159-f0.cfm
(posted 31/10/2011)
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FTSE directors’ pay goes into orbit
A report published last week revealed how FTSE 100 directors' pay has risen by 49 per cent in just one year.
In the course of two years (2010 and 2011) an NHS employee at the top of the NHS pay band 5 has lost £2,194, whilst one at the top of NHS pay band 7 has lost £3,192. In local government a teaching assistant has lost £1,815 ,a librarian has lost £2,418, while a social worker has lost £3,238.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Welcome to Britain under the Tory-led government. Public servants who heal our sick, look after our communities and educate our children are having their pay slashed while FTSE 100 directors' pay goes into orbit. The contrast is stark and it is sickening. It tells us everything about the sort of society that the coalition government wants to create. They want public servants to work for longer and for less while giving their friends in the City free reign.
"The government is now coming after the modest pensions of public servants and we are urging our members to stand up and vote yes to action on 30 November."
(posted 31/10/2011)
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Unions take Government to court over public sector pensions 
Six unions have mounted a legal challenge on behalf of millions of public sector workers over which inflation index is used to increase their pensions. A judicial review hearing starts in the High Court on Tuesday (25 October) to challenge the switch to using the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the traditionally-higher retail price index (RPI) for the annual increase in public sector pensions.
Because CPI is around 1.2 per cent lower on average than RPI, the loss to existing public sector pensioners will be around 15 per cent. It is already affecting staff currently paying into career average schemes whose pension pots are revalued annually and will be smaller when they retire. The unions' case is that the imposed move was not permitted under social security legislation, and that it reneges on assurances given by successive governments that RPI would apply.
The six unions are the Fire Brigades' Union, teachers' union NASUWT, Prison Officers Association, Public and Commercial Services union, Unison and Unite. All the unions have either already balloted for industrial action, are balloting, or will be supporting the day of action over pensions on 30 November.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Our legal challenge against the coalition government is hugely significant for workers in both the public and private sectors.
"Public sector workers face an opportunistic attack on their pensions by this government, but many workers in the private sector have also been affected.
"Vested interests are trying to create a wedge between public and private sector workers, when in reality they have common cause on this. We know that some private sector employers are already attempting to move to the lower inflation index citing the government's example. In reality this government wants us all to work for longer and for less."
(posted 24/10/2011)
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Pension ballot timetable
MONDAY 17 - WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER; Notification of Ballot to all employers
WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER; Ballot opens
THURSDAY 17 - NOVEMBER; Ballot closes (notification of result to employers/members)
WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER; National day of action
Your union will NOT ask you to put patients at risk on November 30th. But we need you to VOTE YES so we can protect your pension.
NHS employers have now been issued with notices telling them that we are about to ballot for industrial action over pensions. They will now want to talk to you about ensuring the service is safe for patients. Unite has produced some guidance to assist you in these discussions.
We are therefore advising that you adopt a position of providing “Public Holiday cover determined by professional and skilled staff”. The guidance goes on to explain what this means. Please click here to read more.
Should you have further questions, please talk to your Regional Officer.
Fiona Farmer, Rachael Maskell, Barrie Brown - Unite National Officers for Health
(posted 24/10/2011)
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Patient safety a priority
Unite has written guidance for its members on cover during periods of industrial action, recommending that staffing levels should be at public holiday levels and those levels to be determined by professional and skilled NHS staff .
However Unite members are angry about the way the government is cutting their pensions and have a right to defend themselves against a weakening of their terms and conditions of employment - an act in itself which can have an adverse impact on morale, staffing levels and patient safety over the long term.
Unite national officer for health Rachael Maskell said: ”Our members have faced immense pressures on a number of fronts since the coalition came to power in May 2010 – the so-called £20 billion of efficiency savings which are just camouflage for severe cuts to services and job losses; the privatisation agenda contained in the Health and Social Care bill; and now the pernicious attack on their pensions and other terms and conditions.
”Our members are saying enough is enough – and that they intend to exercise their legal and democratic right to take industrial action to defend their pensions.“
(posted 24/10/2011)
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Pension calculator
How will the Government’s proposed changes to public sector pension affect you? Unite’s pensions changes calculator can be accessed here:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/pensionscalculator
(posted 24/10/2011)
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Unite reaction to the latest rise in inflation figures
With the news that the consumer prices index has risen from 4.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent - which equals the record high reached in September 2008 - and the retail prices index rate of inflation has risen from 5.2 per cent to 5.6 per cent in September - which is the highest rate in 20 years - Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Inflation is soaring, unemployment is out of control and there are no signs of growth. The coalition government is piling misery upon misery for ordinary families. Now more that ever Britain needs a 'plan B' from this government.
"David Cameron and George Osborne's political cowardice means they are presiding over an economic catastrophe. Their refusal to change course is a political decision, not an economic one."
(posted 24/10/2011)
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Industrial action ballot on pensions
Unite is ballotting its NHS membership on industrial action to defend the NHS pension scheme. Similar ballots are being held/have been held by other unions in a concerted action to oppose the Government’s attack on public sector employees’ pension rights. The ballot papers will be issued at the end of October (one week later than originally planned) and members are urged to vote YES and to support the first day of action on November 30th.
The union has made available two leaflets for download here and here and a Power Point presentation here.
(posted 07/10/2011)
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NHS GG&C Group elections
At the Group Representatives meeting held on Wednesday 5th October, the following were elected:
Chair - Stuart Burnside; Secretary - Ian Forbes; Senior Representatives - Jim Spencer, Linda Delgado, Joe McIlwee, George Walsh, Lisa Cameron, Charlie Kinstrie and Donald Sime.
The senior representatives’ committee will make recommendations with regard to the schedule of meetings for next year, appointment of minute secretary and the areas of responsibility for each senior rep.
(posted 07/10/2011)
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Changes to elections for group reps and branch officers
The union’s executive council has amended the arrangements for the election of branch officers and workplace representatives. The main effect of these changes is that elections will be held in June 2012 and that normally the period of office will be for three years beginning July 2012.
(posted 07/10/2011)
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Branch Library additions
The Branch has added the following to the Branch Library:
 - Law at Work 2011 (June 2011);
 - Stress and Mental Health at Work (May 2011)
Representatives wishing to borrow a copy should contact one of the senior reps or, in case of difficulty, the Branch Secretary.
The full list of available publications may be viewed here.
(posted 07/10/2011)
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TUC to challenge ‘draconian’ anti-union legislation
Following a debate at last month’s Congress, the TUC General Council is considering how to challenge the UK’s anti-trade union legislation. It is believed that the UK does not conform to the European Social Charter in two crucial aspects: strike ballotting requirements are too strict and protectiojn of strikers is too limited. Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, slammed the “Bullingdon Bolsheviks in government who are threatening to bring in still further laws to attack free trade unionism”. However, he also noted “The fact that we came to an end of 13 years of Labour government with the Thatcher laws in place is a stain on Labour’s record and a betrayal.”
(posted 07/10/2011)
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Two for one offer at Pavilion
Dancing Shoes - The George best Story
The Pavilion Theatre 13th – 17th September
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UNION MEMBERS
BUY TWO TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Ticket offer available Tuesday – Thursday Evening and Saturday Matinee Performances (top price tickets only)
Don’t leave it too late contact the box off on 0141 332 1846 or
go to www.paviliontheatre.co.uk Quoting – UnionGeorge
Dancing Shoes tells of the turbulent and colourful life of one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. From his childhood days kicking a tennis ball against a gable wall on the Cregagh estate to a life of fame, fortune and controversy, this story has it all.
(posted 11/09/2011)
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Cartmail slams attack on public sector pensions
A new report claiming that axing 400,000 public sector jobs was ‘easily manageable’ is part of the anti-state agenda being orchestrated by the government, said Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail.
Ms Cartmail said that the report by the self-confessed ‘pro-market think tank’ Reform accompanies ‘the cacophony of anti-public sector rhetoric’ coming from the coalition and its right-wing allies in the media and amongst opinion formers.
She continued: ”Unfortunately, the rhetoric is turning into reality with policies designed to break-up the national education and health services.
”The continuing crude attack on public sector pensions is part of this chorus. Such attacks will hit the retirement incomes of much valued public servants, such as health visitors, teachers, and paramedics.
”The not-so-hidden agenda of organisations, like Reform, is the break-up of the 1945 welfare state for the benefit of the market-driven private sector, where good education and health provision will be the prerogative of the wealthy.
”Reform’s recommendations for abolishing national pay agreements for teachers and health staff have nothing to do with raising standards, but cutting costs to the bone – and not recognising that public sector workers deserve fair pay and conditions for their dedicated work.
”Britain and its citizens have gained enormously from the benefits of the public sector over the last 65 years, where the ethos of service for all has transcended the profit motive of a few. This ethos is being seriously eroded by the government.
”Unite is not saying that public services can’t be improved - but that dismantling them is not the answer.”
(posted 11/09/2011)
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“Invest for growth” - TUC
Speaking at a press conference in Congress House on Friday, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
‘A year ago we were told that everything was set for recovery. Yet here we are 12 months later facing a real prospect of a double-dip recession.
'Trying to eliminate the deficit in just four years can now be seen as nothing more than a national programme of self-harm.
'It has killed both consumer and business confidence. With the cuts already putting the brake on government investment, the net result is that almost no-one is investing. Yet without growth there is no prospect of closing the deficit gap in the short, medium or long term.
'The desperate position that the government now finds itself in is shown by the sheer irrelevance of its ideas for growth. Scrapping the 50p tax rate as many Conservatives want, or tearing up a planning system that has not stopped growth when the economy was functioning well shows just how far away from the real economy and real people they are.
'The problem is that the government has not just produced the wrong answer, they do not even understand the question.
'Our economic problems lie in the collapse of an economic model that started in the 1980s and ended with the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.
'Its central flaw was that it encouraged the rich to get richer, while those in the middle and bottom had their living standards held back. Instead they were sold credit. The result was not sustainable economic growth, but what has now been cruelly exposed as a huge debt bubble.
'Debt and the deficit are very real issues, but they are symptoms of what went wrong, not the cause.
'But you cannot cure the patient by treating symptoms alone, especially when the treatment's side effects make the root illness worse.
When even the IMF says that a root cause of the crisis was the growth in the gap between ordinary people and those at the top, making it even bigger is like trying to put out a fire with paraffin.
'We need a national investment bank and a green investment bank to drive investment. If companies and individuals are not spending the state must fill the gap. And it is a lack of demand and investment - not a lack of land - that is holding back building the houses we need at least at the moment.
'Above all we need this government - and others - to put the brake on austerity. This is the only way to restore confidence and get the economy growing again. And that means boosting the living standards of those who did least to cause the crash.
(posted 11/09/2011)
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Unite alarm over silent crisis
Two-thirds of Unite trade union members in Scotland have had their pay cut or frozen over the last year.
The poll conducted in August was undertaken due to the growing concern over the economy’s direction. Key findings were:
    Married, middle-aged couples living in the suburbs with their children are disproportionately affected;
    Young, single people living in small council flats in cities are disproportionately affected; and
    35% of those surveyed also had their employment terms and conditions altered.
Unite Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty commented:
“These poll findings are extremely worrying. Not only do we have high levels of unemployment but those in work are experiencing enormous reductions in living standards. This is the largest fall since the early 1970’s.”
“It’s clear that our members are enduring a silent crisis often because they are grateful that they have a job. However, we are only going to get out of this mess through Government and businesses taking measures that fairly reward workers.”  
The latest inflation data remains at 5% (Retail Prices Index including mortgages), VAT has risen to 20% and domestic gas and electricity bills have recently risen by up to 19% (e.g. Scottish Power).
(by Peter Welsh)
(posted 11/09/2011)
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Unite slams public sector pension contribution increases
A divided and inept government was accused by Unite today (Thursday 28 July) of imposing public sector pension increases before the negotiations had finished.
Unite, the largest union in the country with 250,000 members in the public sector, condemned the government’s announcement that public sector pensions would rise next year as ‘an exercise in ineptitude’ by ministers clearly divided on the future of the individual public sector schemes.
The union called on ministers to take part in ‘real and genuine negotiations on what is a difficult issue’.
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: ”This arbitrary announcement - while negotiations are continuing on the individual schemes - demonstrates that the government is not interested in genuine negotiations, but just in pushing through these changes.
”Despite the rabid tabloid headlines that these pensions are ‘gold plated’, the average local government  pension is just £4,000-a-year and over half of female NHS employees can expect an average of £3,500-a-year – hardly a fortune after a lifetime of work.
”And this has been recognised by the right wing cabinet ministers in charge of health and education respectively, Andrew Lansley and Michael Gove, who have raised concerns about chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander’s hardline attack on public sector pensions.
”Public sector pensions were reformed by the last government with increased contributions and later retirement ages. What Danny Alexander is attempting is to push through further changes that will drive thousands of already hard-pressed public sector workers out of these schemes and, ultimately, undermine the very viability of these schemes.
”The unions are united on this issue, but the government is divided.
”This approach is like a landlord announcing rent increases and saying they are still going to apply even after they have moved you into a much smaller property.
”The increases in 2012/3 are the first of three annual increases which, in total, go far beyond offsetting any increase in the cost of the schemes.
”The government’s so-called ‘consultation’ is inappropriate because contributions are being proposed when the future structure of benefits is still under negotiation. While the 2012/3 increase might not be unreasonable if current benefits were going to be maintained, the government's intention is that they will be greatly reduced in value after the contributions have been raised.”
Unite will keep its members fully informed and consult them on the final package when it finally emerges.
Details of the proposed increases for the NHS pension scheme may be downloaded here. In theory, the proposals do not apply in Scotland, but previous changes in England have been reflected in Scotland.
(posted 28/07/2011)
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Branch election: Vice-chair
Notice is hereby given that an election for the post of Branch Vice-chair will take place at the Branch meeting to be held on Wednesday 3rd August at 6.30pm in the Campanile Hotel, 10 Tunnel Street, Glasgow G3 8HL
(posted 27/07/2011)
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Lansley letter supports unions’ view on pensions
Commenting on the letter from Andrew Lansley to Danny Alexander on public sector pensions leaked to the Daily Telegraph today (Monday 25th), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'This is a letter that could have been written by any of the union negotiators. Mr Lansley endorses almost every point the unions have made. He confirms that the government is grabbing money from public sector workers to pay down a deficit they did nothing to create, even at a time when their pay is frozen for two years and many are facing job losses.
'Most tellingly he says the government is trying to take so much out of public sector pensions and impose so many extra costs on workers that there is a very real danger that staff will simply opt out of their pensions.
'This would have the perverse consequence of making the deficit worse, as the government will still have to pay current pensions but will get no benefit from the contributions of those who leave their schemes.'
The TUC’s Touchstone blog has a ‘dissection’ of the Lansley letter:
http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/2011/07/dissecting-andrew-lansleys-letter
Last week, the TUC stated that a meeting of the TUC's public service unions on Monday 18th July agreed to extend the TUC's negotiations with the government on public service pensions.
Further talks will take place centrally, and individual unions will be actively considering also participating in scheme level talks in order to fully explore all the issues and to enable unions and their members to reach a judgement on whether agreement is possible or whether more unions will enter into dispute and plan industrial action.
The TUC has made clear to the government, in agreeing to continue negotiations, that unions have not agreed to or accepted any of the Government’s objectives or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI.

(posted 25/07/2011, updated 27/07/2011)
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Useful web addresses
Donald Sime, Branch Chair and NHS GG&C employee director, gave a well-received presentation on useful Internet resources at the July meeting of the Unite Group Representatives. The web addresses range from purely NHS ones to government departments and agencies and may be downloaded here.
(posted 25/07/2011)
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Payments to Derek Simpson
Unite the union’s annual return to the Certification Officer for 2010, submitted in conformity with legislation, includes details of payments made that year to Derek Simpson, Joint General Secretary until 23 December 2010 upon conclusion of his elected term of office.
These payments included, in addition to normal salary payments and other contractual benefits, a severance payment.  The procedure leading to this payment was authorised by a meeting of the Amicus General Purposes and Finance Committee in March 2008.  That meeting, which was not attended by Derek Simpson, resolved that Mr Simpson be treated in the same way as previous Joint General Secretaries of Amicus, and General Secretaries of unions which had merged into Amicus, upon leaving the employment of the union.
The payment was made in December 2010.  Neither the current General Secretary of Unite, nor the Unite Executive Council, nor the national executive committee of the Amicus section were previously advised of the authorisation given by the Amicus General Purposes and Finance Committee.
The General Secretary and Executive Council of Unite regard this payment as inappropriate.  No such arrangement exists in Unite going forward.
Following discussions initiated by the union, Derek Simpson has agreed to a change in the terms of the lease under which he lives in a union-owned house, to the advantage of the union, and to other alterations in his severance arrangements, likewise to the benefit of Unite.  The value of these concessions, dependent on actuarial assumptions, could be as great or greater than the net sum received in severance by Derek Simpson.
(posted 25/07/2011)
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Voluntary redundancy
Branch members may be aware that NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has put a sum of around £6 million aside to meet costs where ‘some members of staff voluntarily choose to terminate their employment with NHS GG&C’. The Board has made it clear that they will be seeking best value for money in this regard and that only staff who are in a redeployment situation or whose post is at risk will be considered. In other words, your post must be redundant but they are not willing to pay the redundancy compensation that is part of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions Handbook (Section 16). Unite’s advice on this clear – anyone who wishes to volunteer for redundancy should be paid the full AfC agreed rate – one month’s pay for each year of service, capped at 24 years service.
(posted 01/07/2011)
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Little progress in public sector pension talks
Reacting to the outcome of talks held Monday 27th June  on pensions between unions representing public sector workers and the government, Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail, who took part in the talks, said: "In the key areas, there is still a major gap between where the unions and the government stand.
“There was a serious risk that the talks could have broken down after Danny Alexander took the decision to try to negotiate through the media. However, we continue to negotiate in good faith but remain convinced that we must make progress on pension contributions, indexation and pension age for our members to find any changes acceptable.
"The government still wants our members to pay more and work longer - it refuses to make any compromises.
"There has been no movement from the government on pension contribution increases, the link to the rising state pensions and the unions remain at odds with the government over the inflation link change from RPI to CPI.
"The government has at least acknowledged that it has not fully understood the funding basis for the local government pension scheme. We welcome that local government unions will now be holding more detailed discussions with the government.
"The unions have taken away detailed proposals from the government that we will look at and interrogate. The talks will now continue beyond June and Unite intends to work hard to try to reach a settlement which is acceptable to our members."
(posted 28/06/2011)
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June 30th Industrial Action - Unite Advice
PICKETING ADVICE
Unite members may encounter picket lines either at their place of work or during the course of their work. Given this, and the very complex legal position workers and unions currently find themselves in, we have issued the following advice;
- It is perfectly lawful for pickets to approach workers; other employees at the place of work covered by the strike action, lorry drivers and/or drivers of other vehicles making deliveries or collections from the workplace. It is perfectly lawful for these pickets to ask workers to stop, to communicate information to them on the merits of their dispute and to peacefully persuade them to honour the picket by abstaining from working.
- Unfortunately, until such time as UK workers are protected by the same democratic rights provided to others across Europe to make individual expressions of solidarity and support, attending a place of work and then refusing to cross a picket line could amount to unauthorised industrial action and could place those members at risk of disciplinary action, even dismissal, and/or deductions from pay. It is important that our members understand these risks and feel able to explain such risks as and when they are approached by anyone on a picket line.
- If members approach any picket line they should advise the pickets that support is given to the dispute by Unite but as they have not been balloted for industrial action themselves they will not be able to join the strike. However, they will not undertake any work outside of their normal contractual duties, neither will they take over the work normally conducted by those workers in dispute. If your employer demands that you do take over the work of those in dispute immediately speak with your shop steward, the union will resist such demands and could ballot members to join the industrial action.
- If members approach or are approached by pickets and on assessing the situation feel insecure, threatened in any way or indeed believe that their presence or continued operation in the area could endanger either themselves or others, they have the right to remove themselves from the situation.
- If it is believed that this is the only available course of action members should leave the area and contact their employer for further guidance. If contact cannot be made with their employer and they are not at their place of work they should return to their place of work, unless advised otherwise.
- Employees have a statutory duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) Section 7, not to endanger themselves or others during the course of their work. This decision is one that can only be made by yourself as the individual concerned, having assessed the situation as you see it on the ground. As above, in these circumstances you should remove yourself from the area and contact your employer for further guidance.
- Your employer has a statutory responsibility to assess all risks to both yourself as an employee and to other who may be affected by or arising from their operations. This duty has been strengthened by Regulation 3 (3)b of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) which requires employers to review risk assessments where there have been significant changes to the risks posed. Risk assessment must therefore be up to date and relevant to the situation, in writing and provided to you on request prior to you commencing duties.
Please do what you can to support colleagues taking action on the 30th June – stopping this attack on decent hard working people, our public services and the vulnerable that rely upon them is a fight we cannot afford to lose.
Len McCluskey,
General Secretary
(posted 27/06/2011)
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April inflation statistics
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Government’s preferred measure, rose by 4.5%. The inflation rate as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) was 5.2%.
Individual items looked like this:
- Housing costs (excluding mortgage interest) up 6.3%
- Petrol and oil up 11.9%
- Vehicle tax and insurance up 22.4%
- Rail fares up 8.1%
- Food 4.7%
- Clothing and footwear 10.9%
- etc.
NHS pay increase this year 0%
(posted 29/05/2011)
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Annex T - Scottish letter
Following discussion at the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC), the Scottish Government Health Department has re-issued the 2010 guidance on Annex T (accelerated career progression). The covering letter and the guidance can be downloaded here
(posted 29/05/2011)
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Len McCluskey’s speech at Glasgow May Day rally
Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, addressed this year’s May Day rally in Glasgow. His speech can be viewed on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-_vo_dX5iQ.

(posted 29/05/2011)
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Shift working hazards
Employees working a night shift are three times more likely to have a work-related accident than day-shift colleagues and twice as likely to have a car accident on the way home after their shift according to a report from The Young Foundation. The study found night-shift workers to be “a vulnerable workforce, poorly supported whose members are mainly unaware of the risks they face”. The Young Foundation’s report, Rough Nights: the growing dangers of working at night, can be downloaded here.
(posted 16/05/2011)
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May Day march Berlin
Although on holiday, some Branch members found time to participate in Berlin’s 2011 May Day march.



(posted 16/05/2011)
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Branch library update
The Branch has purchased copies of the following booklets:
- Sickness absence and sick pay - a guide for union reps (October 2010);
- Discrimination at work - a guide to the Equality Act 2010 (December 2010);
- Case law at work (January 2011).
Group representatives may borrow a copy from a senior rep (in case of difficulty, contact the Branch Secretary). A full list of available publications is available here.
(posted 16/05/2011)
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Meetings: Group Reps - change of venue and dates; Branch - change of venue
Following a decision by the STUC to more than double the cost of room hire for the monthly Group meeting, Glasgow Health Service Branch decided that holding the Branch and Group Representatives meetings at the STUC venue no longer offered value for money. Accordingly, future Group Representatives meetings will be held in the union’s Glasgow office at John Smith House, 145-165 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 4RZ. Unfortunately, the change of venue has meant some of the previously agreed meeting dates have had to be changed. The updated list of meeting dates can be be viewed here, but group representatives should note that future meetings will start at 1.30 pm and not 2.00 pm.
Future meetings of the the Branch will be held in the Campanile Hotel, 19 Tunnel Street, Glasgow, G3 8HL. The previously agreed dates and time remain unchanged.
(posted 27/04/2011, updated 09/05/2011))
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National RRP - Scottish circular
National Recruitment and Retention Premia (NRRP) are agreed national pay supplements for individual jobs, or groups of jobs, where market pressures would make it difficult for NHS organisations to recruit or retain staff in particular jobs, UK-wide, at the normal salary.
The Hartley equal pay test case Employment Tribunal determined that the NRRP in payment to maintenance craft workers was justified until 31 March 2011, but must cease after that date and NRRP will not be paid to new starters from 1 April 2011.
Transitional arrangements have been agreed to cover staff currently in receipt of the payments.  The premia payable for maintenance craft workers (staff requiring full electrical, plumbing or mechanical crafts qualifications) and healthcare chaplains will be withdrawn over a two year period.  Current payments will be protected as follows:
• Year one: 2011/12 100 % of the payment at current value.
• Year two:  2012/13 50% of the payment at current value.
• On 1 April 2013 all payments will cease.
The Scottish circular can be downloaded here
(posted 19/04/2011)
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Unite launches mobile service
You may be aware that the union has a mobile companion - UniteYou - that updates you with information and enables you to reply with your opinions. As this is a mobile service, the full version of this site can be visited on your mobile phone, just type in the address uniteyou.org to your phone’s browser. Text CUTS to 86888 for free to join the text message service.
It is our intention to create a Scotland specific service from April to focus on the campaigns that are of importance to our members. Could you please sign up to the service if you haven't done so already and circulate widely through your contacts and distribution lists as the service will be a key part of our strategy to organise, mobilise and communicate with our members here in Scotland.
Pat Rafferty
Regional Secretary
(posted 04/04/2011)
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Scottish NHS Committee pays tribute to Michael Fuller
At a special meeting of the union’s Scottish NHS Committee in Perth, tribute was paid to Regional Officer Michael Fuller who retired last month. Michael was for many years the Regional Officer with responsibility for Glasgow Health Service Branch, as well as being the union’s lead officer for the NHS in Scotland. In the latter capacity, he played a leading role in the introduction of partnership working as well as representing the union with distinction on numerous national committees and bodies. The importance of partnership working in achieving advances such as paid parental leave, organisational change earnings protection, no compulsory redundancies etc cannot be over estimated.

Michael with Sharon Duncan, chair of Unite’s Scottish NHS
Committee.
(posted 04/04/2011)
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Joint letter to Guardian on NHS pensions
Unite joined forces with a number of other NHS unions to write to the Guardian newspaper in defence of the NHS Pension scheme. The published letter can be seen on the Guardian’s website:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/31/informed-debate-on-nhs-pensions
(posted 04/04/2011)
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NHS Scotland Pay Circular 2011
With effect from 1st April, the following changes will apply:
- Pay points 1 to 15 will receive a flat rate increase of £250;
- Pay point 23 increased by 0.33%, with a consequential spreading of points at the top of Band 5 and bottom of Band 6;
- Pay point 1 not to be used in Scotland, as it’s below the Scottish Living Wage
- Annex U Trainees on a percentage of the top a particular pay band should receive a total of a £250 uplift if their salary is less than 21,000
The Scottish NHS circular can be downloaded here
(posted 04/04/2011)
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Christchurch Earthquake
Former Branch Chair Marlene Barrie was on an extended stay in Christchurch, New Zealand when the recent earthquake struck. She has sent the following message:
Thanks for all your concerns. Not able to get in touch before as power, has been off - however we are grateful to be alive and well. Power now on, but still no water or sewerage.
Using friend's e mail just to let anyone who is concerned know we are okay! House quite badly damaged, but still livable in (we think!)
Garden covered in liquifaction which is horrible stuff!
Dunkirk spirit is to the fore, and everyone helping everyone else.
We have water from an artesian well in the street which opened up seconds after the earthquake after 40 years of being blocked! Won't describe other facilites, but they are fairly primitive!
Everyone is devastated at the loss of all the people, and for the destruction of such a beautiful city.
Awra Best, Marlene
(posted 27/02/2011)
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Inflation hits 5.1% (or 4% or 2.4% or 5.1% or 3.8%)
So just what is the real inflation rate. Well, the traditional method of measuring inflation has been the Retail Price Index (RPI) and in January the 12 month inflation rate was 5.1%. The Government’s preferred measure is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which excludes housing costs and was 4%. Another Government measure is the RPIX, which is the RPI minus mortgage interest payments, and was 5.1% in January. Just to make matters really confusing, the Government also publishes the CPIY (CPI minus  VAT,  duties, insurance premium tax, air passenger duty, stamp duty on share transactions) which stands at 2.4% and the RPIY (RPI minus council tax, VAT,  duties, vehicle excise duty, insurance tax and air passenger duty) which is 3.8%. There’s more but, unlike the Government, I wouldn’t want to confuse you. So, I’ll just say that housing costs were up by 5.8%; petrol and oil by 15.4%; vehicle tax and insurance 26.1%; food 6.2%; clothing and footwear 9.3% etc etc.
(posted 22/02/2011)
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Official inflation data ‘misleading’
Britain’s official inflation statistics are ‘misleading’ the public as to the real amount by which prices are rising, academics have warned in a report.
The official price indices currently available for the UK are misleading the general public and are of doubtful relevance for policy purposes,’ said the report, published in the respected journal of the International Association for Official Statistics.
The authors, Michael Ward, Derek Blade and former IMF official Carol Carson, said the measure failed to make a ‘totally unambiguous’ distinction between the change in prices of a given bundle of goods and services, and the way in which consumers respond to such price changes. While this approach may be standard now in most developed countries, they said, ‘this does not necessarily make it right.’ They warned that the public may lose faith in the measure due to the gap between it and ‘their own daily shopping experience.’ They also cast doubt on its methodology, such as changing the weighting of certain goods, and raised concerns as to the very goods on which it is based.
‘The CPI purports to measure the general increase in prices when, in fact, it leaves out major costs like housing that are of primary concern to households,’ they said.
And while mortgage interest – an important housing cost – is included in the retail price index (RPI), the former official gauge, the experts said the CPI excludes all housing costs on the ‘curious grounds that it was not possible to reach agreement among the EU member countries on how to measure them.’
Calling the gauge ‘little more than a political convenience,’ they said it simply served as an indicator necessary to facilitate comparability with other EU states and ensure conformity with EU policy targets.
Courtesy: Citywire
(posted 22/02/2011)
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March for the Alternative
On Saturday 26th March Unite members, along with their families and friends will be going to London to ‘March for the Alternative’. The march will send a strong message against the cuts being pushed through by the Conservative-led coalition government.
Join us and make your voice heard. You can come with your family and friends on the Unite buses, coaches and trains going to London. The union has organised train travel from Glasgow: if you want to attend contact Kenny Jordan at the Unite Glasgow Office:  Kenny.Jordan@unitetheunion.org.
Further details of the march and rally (assemble at Victoria Embankment, London at 11.00 am on the 26th March) are available on the union’s website at: www.unitetheunion.org/marchforalternative
Unite is at the heart of a powerful, progressive coalition against the cuts, bringing together service users, charities and community groups. The union movement and the country face the sternest test in a generation. Not only is the economy on its knees, not only is the law tilted against us, but we have a government in power that is making spending cuts of a speed, scale and savagery never before seen. This national demonstration forms part of the campaign against these cuts.
(posted 13/02/2011)
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Additional Public Holiday
Although the unions and management at the UK NHS Staffs Council have been unable to reach agreement on the status of the additional public holiday on Friday 29th April 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has decided that the normal terms and conditions that apply to the usual 8 public holidays will also apply to the additional public holiday. Nicola Sturgeon’s letter can be downloaded here.
(posted 13/02/2011)
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Extension of on-call protection
Members will be aware that the protection agreed at UK level that allows for the continuation of current systems of payment for on-call ends on 31st March 2011. It has been agreed that within NHS Scotland the new on-call payments system will be negotiated on a Scotland-wide basis and that in order to allow the matter to be considered in 2011-12, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has agreed that the current arrangements shall be extended and Health Boards have been so instructed. A copy of Nicola Sturgeon’s letter can be downloaded here
(posted 13/02/2011)
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Nominations for Unite executive council
Nominations are invited for the for the Regional; NHS Sector; National Women's; and Black, Asian or Ethnic (BAEM) minority seats on the union’s executive council. The Regional and NHS Sector have two places each for nominations, the Women's and BAEM  each have one place. Nominations may be made at the February meeting of the Branch (2nd February at 6.30 in the STUC 333 Woodlands Glasgow) - anyone wishing to be nominated must be an accountable representative of workers and must be a member of the electoral constituency they wish to represent. This means that:
- A nominee for a Regional seat must be a member of that region
- A nominee for an Industrial Sector seat must be a member of that
Industrial Sector
- A nominee for the National Women’s Seat must be a woman
- A nominee for the national Black, Asian and ethnic minority seat must be
a person who is of Black , Asian and ethnic minority origin.
A copy of the February Branch meeting agenda may be downloaded here
(posted 13/01/2011)
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All change at the top
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, has announced that he will step down from that office on January 31, 2011.
The move follows the election of Len McCluskey as Unite general secretary in November.
Writing to the members of Unite's governing body, the Executive Council, Tony Woodley says: "Like all of you, I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and optimism throughout Unite following the conclusion of the election for general secretary-designate. It is clear that our whole union is now ready to move on in a unified way under the new leadership chosen by our members.
"You will be aware that under the provisions of the union's rule book, I should remain as general secretary for a further year. I cannot be persuaded that is a sensible course of action – it is not in the best interests of the union, or of Len himself, to have another twelve months of two-headed direction of Unite.
"It is, therefore, my intention to resign as general secretary of Unite the union as from January 31 2011. Len McCluskey will then become, in the new year, Unite’s first and sole general secretary.
"However, I am pleased to say that I am not jumping ship – I will continue to work for the union until my normal retirement age of 65."
Announcing Tony Woodley's new role as Unite's executive officer for organising, general secretary-elect, Len McCluskey said: "Tony Woodley will be rightly regarded as one of the defining union leaders of modern times.  It was not be easy for him to make this decision but it is testimony to Tony that he believes that to do so is in the best interests of our union.
"I am delighted to say that Tony will carry on contributing to Unite's work.  His role as Unite's executive officer for organising will help this union deliver on its pledge to stop the most vicious attacks on the lives of working people for generations."
Tony Woodley will also continue to lead on the union's attempts to settle the BA dispute. Tony was elected general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union in 2003 going on to become joint general secretary in the newly-formed Unite with Derek Simpson in May 2005.  Derek Simpson retired from Unite on December 23rd, 2010.
(posted 04/01/2011)
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