UNISON Glasgow homeless service workers to take all out strike action

Monday 30 March 2015
Seventy workers in Glasgow Council’s Homeless Service will walk out on Tuesday 31 March in a dispute over their pay grade.

The workers are all members of the trade union UNISON and will take all out, indefinite strike action in a dispute over the application of the council’s job evaluation scheme to the role of Homelessness Caseworkers. Three out of every four strikers will be women.

Ian Leech, UNISON Glasgow Social Work Convenor, said:
“These workers have been unfairly treated for years in that their jobs should have been graded the same as other frontline staff in addiction services or older people’s teams. They have been very patient and hoped that the matter would be addressed by the council, indeed over the years some managers have informally said that they agree with the trade union position.

"Our members care about the people who rely on the service which they provide however, they have been left with no other option. All they are looking for is to be treated the same as the other 400 social care staff who do a similar job.”

The workers assess the needs of homeless people and families across Glasgow, organise crucial support and help people to access and maintain emergency, temporary and permanent accommodation. The seventy workers have nearly 3,000 people on their caseloads.

ends 

Notes for editors

• The strikers will protest outside the Social Work HQ, 40 John Street on Tuesday 31 March at 12noon. Come for photo opportunity and interviews with the strikers.
• The UNISON density level in the dispute area is over 90%.
• 84% of members voted for strike action on a 64% turnout.
• The members have been taking action short of strike action since late January 2015.
• The workers are on Pay Grade 5 (£21,000 to £24,500). Others doing a similar job are on Pay Grade 6 (£25,500 to £30,000).

Lights out for Earth Hour

We've put the lights out on our website to prepare for Earth Hour 2015 tonight at 8.30pm. See the website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/  and see why at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/greenworkplace/earthhour15.html

UNISON welcomes decision in Edinburgh social work contempt of court case

UNISON Scotland today welcomed the decision by the Court of Session that the conduct of social workers in Edinburgh City Council did not amount to contempt and that the decision of the Sheriff is quashed.

John Stevenson of UNISON’s City of Edinburgh Branch said:

"The court has recognised complex and difficult decisions social workers have to take in their work in protecting the welfare of children. We hope this decision will assist in providing some clarity for them in exercising their duty in good faith to hold the child's interests as paramount".

"UNISON backed our members from the beginning and we are glad that the long months of uncertainly are now over for them. We have already briefed our members throughout Scotland as this process has continued and we will further brief them on any implications for practice arising from this judgement. We would also acknowledge the support and assistance the City of Edinburgh Council gave to our members throughout this matter”

1. The full decision of the Court of Session can be read here https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/judgment?id=63d8cea6-8980-69d2-b500-ff0000d74aa7

2. UNISON’s statement at the time of the decision setting out our concerns over the Sheriff’s decision http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2013/novdec/1216.htm

Leaflet and lobby SNP conference 28 March

#decentwork @ScottishTUC is asking all political parties to support its Manifesto for Decent Work and this weekend it is the turn of the SNP to be lobbied at its conference in Glasgow. The event follows previous lobbies of the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems. Leafleting and the lobby will start at 12.00 at the SECC. More details at http://ajustscotland.org/events/8/snp-campaign-conference

Earth Hour 2015 and the importance of a global climate deal in Paris

Earth Hour 2015 takes place next Saturday, 28 March, and is a reminder of the importance of a global climate deal in Paris in December.

UNISON Scotland is a strong supporter of WWF’s Earth Hour campaign.

Each year Earth Hour sees the lights go out on countless famous buildings and in ordinary homes around the world to raise awareness of the need for action on climate change.

In Paris in December 2015 United Nations talks take place with the aim of securing a strong international agreement to cut carbon emissions and protect the future of the planet.

This week the International Trade Union Confederation issued the results of a global poll showing support for stronger government action.

And a new ITUC briefing explains the importance of the Paris talks and a Just Transition to a low carbon economy.

Scottish political leaders have backed Earth Hour, as usual. But the Scottish Government has missed three climate change emissions reduction targets already, despite proudly boasting of Scotland’s world leading legislation.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is asking supporters to lobby First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to deliver the action needed to meet the Scottish Act’s targets and to work for a strong global deal this year.

As the ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said: “We know the science is unequivocal. Without urgent and ambitious action we will face a temperature rise of 4ºC or more this century and irreversible changes in our climate.”

Climate change is a trade union issue and there are no jobs on a dead planet.

Opinion poll: Scottish voters election priorities are public services

UNISON Scotland today commented on a new opinion poll which shows that public services are the number one issue for the majority of Scottish voters.

The poll was undertaken by Survation, for UNISON Scotland, and asked voters to explain their priorities. Scots said that public services, welfare, jobs and pay were the most important issues for them in the coming general election. 

Scottish voters also had clear views about who should deliver public services. Half of respondents believe that ‘public sector organisations (such as local councils and the NHS)’ deliver the best quality public services. This compares to only 16% who believe that ‘charities and social enterprises (such as co-operatives)’ and 14% who believe ‘private sector organisations (such as businesses)’ deliver the best quality public services.

They were also clear about their spending priorities. If the next government was to raise £2bn by cracking down on tax avoidance, 58% of respondents believe that the money should be spent on improving public services, compared to 19% who think it should be spent on reducing public borrowing, and 17% who think that it should be used on income tax cuts. 

Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Convener said; “This poll shows that UNISON is right to focus its general election campaign on public services, jobs and fair pay. We are reflecting the views of people across Scotland with almost 6 in 10 saying public services are their number one issue in this general election. And two fifths of voters say wages and jobs are also priority issues for them.’

‘We were also very encouraged to see that people agree with UNISON if a company wins a government funded contract it should have to pay the living wage.’ 

Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary said ‘ we found this poll hugely encouraging. People seem to understand that public services not only support our most vulnerable people, they help grow the economy and contribute to ending poverty and low pay. Something the Chancellor missed in his Budget yesterday that continues his failed austerity economics in Scotland. This is a public services election. The result really matters. We are asking that people think carefully before they vote and vote for public services, jobs and fair pay’. 

See full poll details at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/UnisonScotlandAttitudesPoll.pdf
See summary document at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/UnisonScotlandSummaryDoc.docx

Notes to Editor

· UNISON is the largest public services trade union in Europe. We are the largest trade union in Scotland. 

·  The top three issues for respondents and their families ahead of the general election were ‘public services (schools, hospitals & GP services, council services etc.)’ (58%), ‘welfare / pensions / social security provision’ (48%) and ‘the availability and security of jobs and the level of wages’ (40%).

· Unsurprisingly, the top issues differed greatly by voting intention. The top three issues for Conservative voters were ‘national economy (economic growth, reducing the deficit etc.)’ (61%), ‘public services (schools, hospitals & GP services, council services etc.)’ (47%) and ‘national defence and counter-terrorism’ (42%). For Labour voters, the top issue was ‘public services (schools, hospitals & GP services, council services etc.)’ (61%), followed by ‘welfare / pensions / social security provision’ (53%) and ‘national economy (economic growth, reducing the deficit etc.)’ (42%). SNP voters chose the same two issues as Labour voters for their top two (63% and 55% respectively), but their third was ‘the availability and security of jobs and the level of wages’ (46%).

·  For supporters of all parties, ‘public services (schools, hospitals & GP services, council services etc.)’ ranked in their top three issues.

·  44% of respondents believe that a Labour-led government in Westminster would be better for public services in Scotland. This compares to just 20% of respondents who believe that a Conservative-led government in Westminster would be better for public services in Scotland, and 36% who don’t know. 

· When asked the same question but about public services in the United Kingdom, the responses are very similar, with 46% believing that a Labour-led government in Westminster would be better for public services across the UK, compared to 22% who believe that a Conservative-led government in Westminster would be better for public services across the UK. 32% don’t know.

· Westminster Voting Intentions are similar to other recent polls.  (change from Daily Record Poll 18/02/2015) SNP 47% (+2); LAB 28% (+1); CON 15% (-1); LD 4% (-1); OTHER 6% (-1)

· If the next government was to raise £2bn by cracking down on tax avoidance, 58% of respondents believe that the money should be spent on improving public services, compared to 19% who think it should be spent on reducing public borrowing, 17% who think that it should be used on income tax cuts and 7% who didn’t know.

· A majority of both Labour and SNP voters would spend the £2bn on improving public services, whereas more Conservative voters would rather spend the money on reducing public borrowing (43%) than improving public services (39%).

· Half of respondents believe that ‘public sector organisations (such as local councils and the NHS)’ deliver the best quality public services. This compares to only 16% who believe that ‘charities and social enterprises (such as co-operatives)’ and 14% who believe ‘private sector organisations (such as businesses)’ deliver the best quality public services. 19% don’t know.

· Over two-thirds (68%) of respondents believe that ‘public sector organisations (such as local councils and the NHS)’ are accountable to the public, compared to just over a third (35%) who believe that ‘private sector organisations (such as businesses)’ are accountable to the public. Just under half (48%) believe that ‘charities and social enterprises (such as co-operatives)’ are accountable to the public.

· Respondents were fairly split over how Scottish council services should be funded. Given that currently 80% of funding for Scotland’s council services comes from the Scottish government, 22% believe that a greater proportion should come from council tax and business rates, 23% believe that a greater proportion should come from the Scottish government and 34% believe there should be no change. 21% didn’t know.

· If a greater proportion of council services was funded locally through council tax and business rates, 44% believe that those services would become more locally accountable to the needs of residents, compared to 12% who believe those services would become less locally accountable to the needs of residents. 21% said that those services would be no more or less locally accountable to the needs of residents, and a further 23% said that they didn’t know.

· 72% of respondents believe that it should be a requirement of all organisations seeking publicly-funded contracts to pay at least the living wage, compared to 15% who believe that it should not be a requirement of all organisations seeking publicly-funded contracts to pay at least the living wage. 13% didn’t know.

  For further information contact:

• • Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns:        07958 122409
• • Danny Phillips, Communications Officer:                         07944 664110

UNISON Scotland launches Childcare Charter

Monday 16 March 2015

UNISON Scotland today (16 March) launched a Childcare Charter. The charter calls for an expansion of paid parental leave and flexible working for parents; and fair pay, training and career paths for childcare workers. UNISON has also called for childcare to be delivered free in the public rather than private sector.

Carol Ball, chair of UNISON’s education issues group said ‘The research is abundantly clear. High quality childcare is hugely beneficial for children, it supports parents and grows the economy. It helps close the gender pay gap, supports women in work and reduces child poverty.

I am calling on all political parties to make childcare a central policy platform for the coming elections and say how they will make the real change that families and childcare workers are calling out for. We need to change work for parents and improve terms and conditions for the childcare workforce, as this will improve the lives of children in Scotland.’

UNISON Scotland Childcare Charter calls for

·         High quality childcare

·         Free childcare provided in the public sector

·         Extension of paid parental leave

·         Improved flexible working

·         More research into what parents want

·         Fair pay for nursery staff

·         Training for nursery staff

·         Preparation time and study leave for nursery staff

·         Career paths for nursery staff

In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."Notes to Editor

·         UNISON is the largest public services trade union in Europe. We are the largest  trade union in Scotland.

·         You can read UNISON Scotland childcare charter here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/educationissues/UNISONScotlandChildcareCharter_Mar2015.pdf

Anti-austerity campaign

There is a story in today's Sunday Herald that highlights UNISON Scotland's ongoing campaign against austerity and the impact it is having on Scotland. It describes some of the methods we are using to promote that campaign in the coming months.

However, the newspaper has spun this into an initiative aimed at attacking Labour. It is nothing of the sort.

In fact the campaign starts by highlighting the differences between Labour's spending plans and those of the Tories as analysed by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies. This shows a £43bn difference in the two plans. While the Barnett consequentials of that difference is difficult to precisely calculate, the Tory plans will clearly result in massive cuts to services and the jobs of UNISON members in Scotland.

While this campaign is not intended to direct members on how to vote in the General Election, the idea that it is being targeted at Labour candidates is nothing short of absurd. It will be up to all parties to explain to our members their position on austerity and they will make their own decision on how to cast their vote.

UNISON’s response to the Scottish Government’s Sustainability and Seven Day Services Interim Taskforce Report

Friday 6 March 2015

UNISON welcomes interim report from the Scottish Government’s Taskforce for Sustainability and Seven Day Services. This taskforce is considering how we provide round the clock care for patients who need it the most, with a genuinely seven day service for acutely ill patients.

The taskforce met for the first time in April 2014 and this interim report (released today) provides us with an update on the work undertaken to date and suggests the next steps.

Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland regional organiser said:

"We welcome this report and the commitment to work with UNISON.

"Our members are committed to providing patients with the best most comprehensive services we can.

"UNISON members already work 7 days and this programme should compliment and support our staff in doing this.

"The final recommendations need to be underpinned by detailed workforce planning, training and employment of new staff.

"This also needs to recognise existing staff contracts."


ends

Note for editorUNISON is the biggest trade union in Scotland, and the biggest in trade union the NHS

UNISON report says that ‘mental health staff are working under increasing stress’

More than 8 in 10 (84%) of mental health staff say that their workload has increased, more than 7 in 10 (76%) say they have experienced cuts, with the quality of patient services in decline, in the last three years.

Those are the findings of a new report into working in Scotland’s Mental Health Services, by public services union UNISON. The report See Us was compiled by the trade union who represent workers in all the sectors which deliver services in mental health – the NHS, councils and the third sector.

The trade union has been doing survey work across its members who work in Mental Health and 84% reported that they had increases in their workload in the last three years. 76% of staff report cut backs in their workplaces in the last 3 years. Meaning staff spend less time with each patient.

Staff said that cuts in mental health services often go under the radar. They report that ‘it is difficult to recruit and retain staff and  jobs do not get refilled’ and that ‘staff are leaving and not being replaced, or if replaced their position is downgraded’ and that there is a freeze on vacant posts for both nursing and social care, and jobs get re-graded and advertised at a lower levels to save money.

Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland head of bargaining and campaigns, said  ‘This report should serve as a warning. Mental health services remain the invisible part of the NHS. Yet one in four of us will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year.  Wherever and whoever we asked, whether it was a Psychiatric Nurse on a hospital ward, or a Mental Health Officer working for a council – they told the same story of workload increasing but resources being cut and time with each patient going down. Staff are stressed because they don’t feel that they are giving patients the service that they deserve or doing the work they are capable of’

Dave Watson continued, ‘there has been fantastic work by the See Me campaign in recent years to raise the visibility and status of those with mental health issues. Today the staff are saying See Us – and if we do that, and take their concerns on board , we’ll have better more effective services for everyone.’

Quotes from mental health staff include:

“(We) are subjected to regular staff shortages and high stress.” – Community Psychiatric Nurse

“I was off  work related stress for three months last year due to trying to do three people's jobs to statutory deadlines and not succeeding.”  - Mental Health Officer

“Increased stress levels as just don't have enough time to meet all deadlines. Also spending more and more time on non patient related activities.” - Deputy Charge Nurse

“There is an increase in the paperwork for statistical purposes.” – Registered Mental Nurse

“Higher caseloads with fewer staff leads to higher stress and people being incompletely treated reducing job satisfaction and increasing frustration.” – Occupational Therapist

Notes to Editor

·         UNISON is the largest trade union in NHS Scotland. We represent mental health staff in NHS, voluntary and private sectors

·          The full report can be read here http://unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/SeeUs_MentalHealthStaffSurvey_March2015.pdf

·         This report is the result of work carried out by UNISON Scotland amongst our members who work delivering Scotland’s mental health services; acute wards, in the community, working for the NHS, Local Authorities and the Third Sector. It aims to give expression to the concerns they have in their working life and for the services they provide. 

For further information contact

·         Danny Phillips, UNISON Scotland, communications officer 0141 342 2877 / 07944 644 110

·         Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland, head of bargaining and campaigns 0141 342 2840 / 07958 122409

New Scotland in UNISON online now

March's Scotland in UNISON is now online: Stories on Council Cuts; Jane Carolan on Women Demanding Change; Mike Kirby on UNISON and the General Election; Comhairle Living Wage; Gordon McKay on Mental Health Nurse Freeze; Conduct pack for Nurses; Stornoway Jobs Saved; STUC Party Conference Lobbies; Skills Devt Pensions; Communications Awards and much more in this edition. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/siu/index.html