Supporting the motion UNISON’s Morag Houston told delegates that times are hard for all our young people – but they are doubly hard for disabled young people.
UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Let’s give disabled young people the chance they deserve
Supporting the motion UNISON’s Morag Houston told delegates that times are hard for all our young people – but they are doubly hard for disabled young people.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
WOWPetition to assess full impact of all cuts to support & social care for disabled people
Michelle Maher of WOWPetition explains why you should sign the WOWpetition.co.uk
Today’s papers
are full of the horrific impact of cuts to social care and with the Independent
Living Fund just starting to impact, we are sadly sure this will get worse. We
urgently need an assessment all cuts to disability support as called for by EHRC
and Social Security Advisory Committee which Osborne is blocking, showing no
duty of care towards disabled people.
As you know ESA
(WRAG) has also been cut by £30 a week, access to work, support employers,
council tax, housing benefit, and the roll out of PIP has seen many people
losing support. We need you’re help to get behind and back the new WOWpetition.co.uk fronted
by Francesca Martinez. If you can e mail the petition to members tweet
and put on facebook any help would be great.
We are a small
group of sick, disabled people and carers who need backing.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brutal-government-cuts-forcing-disabled-6802010#ICID=sharebar_twitter
Michelle Maher
Sign the new petition here: WOWpetition.co.uk
Petition: Assess full impact of all cuts to support & social care for disabled people
Govt has ignored calls for a full assessment of the impact of Welfare, Social Care & NHS reform on disabled people and their families. The number of households with a disabled family member living in “absolute poverty” increased by 10% between 2013 & 14.Since WOWpetition collected 104,000 signatures the Government claimed IFS said it was too difficult to do a CIA, IFS subsequently contradicted the claim and said it could be done. EHRC and Social Security Advisory Committee have also called for a CIA of how cuts have affected disabled people and their families. A Cumulative Impact Assessment undertaken by Landman Economics and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research proved disabled people have been hit the hardest by cuts.
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Disability leave policies needed to end discrimination
There are serious concerns that employers are using attendance management to get rid of disabled workers as a cost cutting exercise, often in contravention of the 2010 Equality Act.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
UNISON supports disability WOW campaign - add your name to e-petition now
28 Nov 2013 - update
UNISON is supporting the disability WOW campaign and petition which calls for an end to the war on welfare and for a cumulative impact assessment of welfare reform and a new deal for sick and disabled people and their families and carers based on their needs, abilities and ambitions.
Sign the Petition here: http://wowpetition.com/
The petition currently has 96,000 signatures. 100,000 signatures before closing date on 12 Dec will mean it has to be considered for a Parliamentary debate at Westminster.
UNISON's UK Policy officer Allison Roche said: "UNISON believes that the current cuts of £23 billion in disability benefits are not creating a better welfare system but an ill fare system for disabled people and their carers and families.
"It's not just about people losing care services, it's also the quality of care they receive with the increased pressure on staff to cover more clients."
Sign the Petition here: http://wowpetition.com/
UNISON is supporting the disability WOW campaign and petition which calls for an end to the war on welfare and for a cumulative impact assessment of welfare reform and a new deal for sick and disabled people and their families and carers based on their needs, abilities and ambitions.
Sign the Petition here: http://wowpetition.com/
The petition currently has 96,000 signatures. 100,000 signatures before closing date on 12 Dec will mean it has to be considered for a Parliamentary debate at Westminster.
UNISON's UK Policy officer Allison Roche said: "UNISON believes that the current cuts of £23 billion in disability benefits are not creating a better welfare system but an ill fare system for disabled people and their carers and families.
"It's not just about people losing care services, it's also the quality of care they receive with the increased pressure on staff to cover more clients."
Sign the Petition here: http://wowpetition.com/
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
‘Speak-out’ survey reveals children and disabled services hanging by a thread, says UNISON Scotland
Wed 6 November 2013
A ‘speak-out’ survey of community, voluntary and housing workers has exposed services to the most vulnerable people in society as “hanging by a thread”. The UNISON survey, which polled more than 400 workers in Scotland, uncovers dangerously underfunded services leading to hardship and exposing children and the disabled to risk.
UNISON is calling on the Scottish Government to have a major rethink in its attitude to the third sector and to put an end to the ‘sink or swim’ philosophy which is leading to a struggle for survival.
Almost unnoticed by the public, many charities have become increasingly financially dependent on winning contracts from the public sector.
Scotland’s largest public sector union says procurement is the key to change and says the Procurement Reform Bill gives MSPs the opportunity to ensure the private and voluntary sectors are not left in the cold.
The survey will be a key focus of the community sector conference later this week. Organised by UNISON and the STUC, the conference – Holding the Line: Maintaining Standards in a Time of Austerity – will bring all the major agencies together, including those who procure the services, those who work in the field and representatives of users and carers.
Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Convener, said: “This survey must ring alarm bells. The Scottish Government should give charities the means to do what they do best and that is to improve lives and care for people.
Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Convener, said: “This survey must ring alarm bells. The Scottish Government should give charities the means to do what they do best and that is to improve lives and care for people.
“As austerity has bitten, funding for these contracts has been squeezed to breaking point. Staff morale dips, low pay is endemic, leading to rising levels of personal debt and long-term financial hardship for many in the sector.
“While charities are reputable and trusted by the public, they do not have a magic wand, so cuts are putting vulnerable people at risk.”
“While charities are reputable and trusted by the public, they do not have a magic wand, so cuts are putting vulnerable people at risk.”
Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said: “The voluntary sector attracts many thousands of dedicated, hardworking staff, who know that they won’t be paid big bonus salaries but who have a right to expect a fair deal for their clients and themselves. Instead many workers are bearing of damaging cuts to their pay and conditions.
“Charities increasingly rely on winning public sector contracts just to survive. It is vital that procurement legislation is used to change this. It should be made mandatory that those bidding for public sector contracts pay their workers the living wage, so that workers in the private and voluntary sectors are not being paid less for doing work of equal value. We must also ensure that those who provide these services are adequately funding to maintain levels of service.
“Charities increasingly rely on winning public sector contracts just to survive. It is vital that procurement legislation is used to change this. It should be made mandatory that those bidding for public sector contracts pay their workers the living wage, so that workers in the private and voluntary sectors are not being paid less for doing work of equal value. We must also ensure that those who provide these services are adequately funding to maintain levels of service.
“We have always campaigned alongside our communities for equality and social justice. Our community sector conference will bring all of the major agencies together – including those who procure the services, those who work in the field and representatives of users and carers – to find a way to maintain the essential services provided by the third sector.”
ENDS
Key survey results from Scotland (406 workers were surveyed)
Services for children69% are concerned that children may be slipping through the safety net
High risk areas15% do not have enough time to monitor children and follow up on concerns of neglect or abuse.
15% report an increasing risk in administering medications
39% do not have enough time to prepare risk assessments and support plans
42% can now provide fewer resources (such as toys)
44% can now provide fewer outside activities (such as visits)
Since austerity 39% have less time to spend with each child
15% report an increasing risk in administering medications
39% do not have enough time to prepare risk assessments and support plans
42% can now provide fewer resources (such as toys)
44% can now provide fewer outside activities (such as visits)
Since austerity 39% have less time to spend with each child
Services for disabled people73% say clients are being left at risk because their care package has been reduced.
49% are seeing more clients moved into “the community” without proper support.
63% report that service users are becoming more socially isolated, and 72% of these are concerned that this results in self-harm and depression.
57% of staff report less time with each service user.
46% are not able to provide clients with all the help they need.
49% believe that less frequent care reviews are leading to inadequate support.
45% report delays in replacing faulty equipment.
63% are concerned about high staff turnover.
Housing services72% report more tenants are falling behind with their rent
35%* (*please note this is a UK-wide figure) said the top reason was the bedroom tax.
The next most common reasons were:
– complex benefit changes
– the rising cost of living
– under-employment and un-employment
– financial hardship.
49% are seeing more clients moved into “the community” without proper support.
63% report that service users are becoming more socially isolated, and 72% of these are concerned that this results in self-harm and depression.
57% of staff report less time with each service user.
46% are not able to provide clients with all the help they need.
49% believe that less frequent care reviews are leading to inadequate support.
45% report delays in replacing faulty equipment.
63% are concerned about high staff turnover.
Housing services72% report more tenants are falling behind with their rent
35%* (*please note this is a UK-wide figure) said the top reason was the bedroom tax.
The next most common reasons were:
– complex benefit changes
– the rising cost of living
– under-employment and un-employment
– financial hardship.
38% have seen an increase in tenants being evicted or forced to move because of financial pressures.
32% have seen a reduction in non-statutory services (such as play schemes and community centres).
60% report more debt management advisors being employed by their housing
associations.
42% report a rise in anti-social behaviour from tenants.
Other services
Workers in the many other services in the community and voluntary sector also expressed their concern about being able to do a good job.
32% have seen a reduction in non-statutory services (such as play schemes and community centres).
60% report more debt management advisors being employed by their housing
associations.
42% report a rise in anti-social behaviour from tenants.
Other services
Workers in the many other services in the community and voluntary sector also expressed their concern about being able to do a good job.
36% of respondents said they had less time with each service user.
Only 41% said they were able to provide service users with all the help they need.
Impact on the workforceIn the last year, 15% reported that their take-home pay has decreased
55% of staff said their pay had remained the same
20% of staff don’t get paid the living wage
Only 41% said they were able to provide service users with all the help they need.
Impact on the workforceIn the last year, 15% reported that their take-home pay has decreased
55% of staff said their pay had remained the same
20% of staff don’t get paid the living wage
The average level of personal debt is around £1,500
24% reported they were over £10,000 in debt
22% have more than one job
4% have four or more jobs
7% are on a zero hours contract
24% reported they were over £10,000 in debt
22% have more than one job
4% have four or more jobs
7% are on a zero hours contract
Notes to editors
1. The speak-out survey was carried out throughout the UK with more than 3,000 workers surveyed. The figures included in this release are based on the results of the 406 workers surveyed in Scotland.
The report is on the UNISON UK site here:
https://www.unison.org.uk/upload/sharepoint/ On%20line%20Catalogue/21929.pdf
1. The speak-out survey was carried out throughout the UK with more than 3,000 workers surveyed. The figures included in this release are based on the results of the 406 workers surveyed in Scotland.
The report is on the UNISON UK site here:
https://www.unison.org.uk/upload/sharepoint/ On%20line%20Catalogue/21929.pdf
2. The community sector conference – Holding the Line: Maintaining Standards in a Time of Austerity – will be held on Friday, November 8, in Glasgow.
3. As part of Living Wage Week, UNISON – together with the Scottish Living Wage Campaign and the STUC – will be lobbying the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, November 7, calling for changes to public sector procurement.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Access All Areas in Scotland - UNISON Scotland's Disabled Members Newsletter
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/disabled/index.html
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
UNISON Personal Assistants Project launched in South Lanarkshire
#JoinUNISON
Union project offers personal assistants (PAs) and support workers training and employment rights advice
Union project offers personal assistants (PAs) and support workers training and employment rights advice
The public services union UNISON's new PAs project
has launched in South Lanarkshire.
It offers networking, advice and support to personal assistants (PAs) and
Support Workers who work for disabled and elderly clients.
PAs are being invited to a series of meetings in July and
August around South Lanarkshire to find out more.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Police must act on disability hate crime
Strathclyde Police and Fire’s Brian Molloy, backing the National Disabled Members Committee motion highlighted that legislation to combat disability hate crime has existed in Scotland since 2010.
Monday, 10 December 2012
STV: Protest over council's daycare for learning disabled reform plans
10 Dec 2012
From STV news:
Carers and trade unionists have joined forces to challenge Glasgow City Council's planned reform of day services for people with learning disabilities.
Councillors, who are to decide on the proposed closure of three day centres in January, attended an an emotional meeting with the parents of service users on Monday.
The carers spoke of their exhaustion and fears of how they will cope if the facilities are removed for more than 60% of those catered for.
Full story and video:
http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/205250-protest-over-councils-daycare-for-learning-disabled-reform-plans/
.
From STV news:
Carers and trade unionists have joined forces to challenge Glasgow City Council's planned reform of day services for people with learning disabilities.
Councillors, who are to decide on the proposed closure of three day centres in January, attended an an emotional meeting with the parents of service users on Monday.
The carers spoke of their exhaustion and fears of how they will cope if the facilities are removed for more than 60% of those catered for.
Full story and video:
http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/205250-protest-over-councils-daycare-for-learning-disabled-reform-plans/
.
Glasgow Personalisation Network Campaign meeting 10 Dec 2012
10 Dec 2012
Carers and campaigners called for Glasgow's day care closure plan to be halted today at the Glasgow Personalisation Network Campaign meeting held at UNISON's branch office in Bell Street.
Carers and campaigners called for Glasgow's day care closure plan to be halted today at the Glasgow Personalisation Network Campaign meeting held at UNISON's branch office in Bell Street.
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L-R Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland; Brian Smith, Glasgow UNISON branch secretary; Tommy Gorman, carer; Grace Harrigan, carer. More pictures at UNISON Scotland Picasa gallery Glasgow Personalisation Network meeting 10 Dec 2012
|
The meeting was chaired by Brian Smith, branch secretary of Glasgow UNISON, and addressed by carers Tommy Gorman (pictured speaking) and Grace Harrigan, and Ian Hood of Learning Disability Alliance Scotland. Numerous press and media were in attendance.
Tommy Gorman told the meeting that his daughter attends the Summerston day care centre, one of the three which would close under the plan.
He said:
"You can have a consultation, and you can have a fair consultation but you can't have a fair consultation done by Glagow city Council.
"If you're a Glasgow MSP and you don't have a view on the day care closures then you need to ask yourself some questions
"The Scottish Parliament was put in place to make a difference. We're calling on them to step in and investigate
"If this isn't a bogus consultation, if it isn't just about budget cuts, then Glasgow City Council should have nothing to fear from it being looked into.
"The closure of three out of the seven centres leaves provision for the most vulnerable at a very low level - not just now but for decades into the future.
"We're pushing for an independent review of the closure of these day care centres."
Grace Harrigan, a carer who belongs to the East Carers group, said:
"We feel the council wants to absolve itself of its responsibility. We believe they intend to hand this (provision) over to private and thrid sector organisations whose staff are on very low pay.
"The reform is being done by money and not by the assessed needs of the learning disabled people.
"Councillor Matt Kerr (Glasgow City Council social care spokesperson) has said personalisation and self directed support does not mean that carers will be doing any more caring - when every carer is shouting from the rooftops that is does mean exactly that.
Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (LDAS) called for the Care Inspectorate to investigate the Glasgow consultation and closure plan.
He said:
"The consultation which Glasgow City Council is doing is a crime - and not just in a moral sense. There is law about how to go about consultation. Councillors don't have to consult - they can just decide to do things - but if they do they have to do it properly and legally.
"Amongst other things they must give plenty of time. And people with disabilities need to be involved in a substantial way.
"An 8 week consultation with 4 weeks out over Christmas is not acceptable.
"Glasgow City Council set up the consultation from the start off to get the answer they wanted - and to justify the closure of the day centres.
"We should challenge this consultation legally - we are working with families in Dundee who face the same problem.
"But legal challenges take a long time.
"This is a job for the Care Inspectorate.
"18 months ago ago they gave Glasgow City Council a damning report in a number of aspects. What has Glasgow City Council done about it? Nothing.
"We pay billions of pounds - across the whole country - to make sure our most vulnerable citizens are cared for. The Care Inspectorate is there to ensure this happens."
Carers and user made contributions from the floor about the reality of the plans to cut day care in Glasgow.
Tommy Gorman told the meeting that his daughter attends the Summerston day care centre, one of the three which would close under the plan.
He said:
"You can have a consultation, and you can have a fair consultation but you can't have a fair consultation done by Glagow city Council.
"If you're a Glasgow MSP and you don't have a view on the day care closures then you need to ask yourself some questions
"The Scottish Parliament was put in place to make a difference. We're calling on them to step in and investigate
"If this isn't a bogus consultation, if it isn't just about budget cuts, then Glasgow City Council should have nothing to fear from it being looked into.
"The closure of three out of the seven centres leaves provision for the most vulnerable at a very low level - not just now but for decades into the future.
"We're pushing for an independent review of the closure of these day care centres."
Grace Harrigan, a carer who belongs to the East Carers group, said:
"We feel the council wants to absolve itself of its responsibility. We believe they intend to hand this (provision) over to private and thrid sector organisations whose staff are on very low pay.
"The reform is being done by money and not by the assessed needs of the learning disabled people.
"Councillor Matt Kerr (Glasgow City Council social care spokesperson) has said personalisation and self directed support does not mean that carers will be doing any more caring - when every carer is shouting from the rooftops that is does mean exactly that.
Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (LDAS) called for the Care Inspectorate to investigate the Glasgow consultation and closure plan.
He said:
"The consultation which Glasgow City Council is doing is a crime - and not just in a moral sense. There is law about how to go about consultation. Councillors don't have to consult - they can just decide to do things - but if they do they have to do it properly and legally.
"Amongst other things they must give plenty of time. And people with disabilities need to be involved in a substantial way.
"An 8 week consultation with 4 weeks out over Christmas is not acceptable.
"Glasgow City Council set up the consultation from the start off to get the answer they wanted - and to justify the closure of the day centres.
"We should challenge this consultation legally - we are working with families in Dundee who face the same problem.
"But legal challenges take a long time.
"This is a job for the Care Inspectorate.
"18 months ago ago they gave Glasgow City Council a damning report in a number of aspects. What has Glasgow City Council done about it? Nothing.
"We pay billions of pounds - across the whole country - to make sure our most vulnerable citizens are cared for. The Care Inspectorate is there to ensure this happens."
Carers and user made contributions from the floor about the reality of the plans to cut day care in Glasgow.
See also:
Sam McCartney, Glasgow UNISON on council proposals to cut day care services - 13 Nov 2012
http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/sam-mccartney-glasgow-unison-on-council.html
Learning Disability Alliance Scotland
www.ldascotland.org
.
Sam McCartney, Glasgow UNISON on council proposals to cut day care services - 13 Nov 2012
http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/sam-mccartney-glasgow-unison-on-council.html
Learning Disability Alliance Scotland
www.ldascotland.org
.
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Sam McCartney, Glasgow UNISON on council proposals to cut day care services
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Statement by Sam MacCartney, Glasgow UNISON, in response to announcement of Glasgow City Council consultation on proposals to cut day care services across Glasgow for those with Learning Disabilities
"The proposals will see current day care services removed for 320 service users. Currently there are 520 users who attend day care services across the City, this will reduce to 200. In addition three centres will close leaving just four to service the whole of Glasgow. There will be no council centre available in the North West of the city .
"This must not be seen as a done deal and UNISON will be vociferously defending these council services.
"UNISON is appalled at these proposals which will see services return to what they were like pre-1970. This is not progress.
"The report considered by the Council contained a number of inaccuracies and misleading facts about the service currently provided. Our members are deeply concerned about the impact these changes will have on some of the most vulnerable people on our communities and are stunned at the scale of loss.
"UNISON and other key stakeholders will of course make our concerns known but who will advocate for the service users in this process? Where will their voices and that of their families be heard?
"The roll out of Personalisation, whereby services users are allocated a personal budget has always been predetermined by cuts and this is now the real face of this agenda – the most vulnerable left to spend their day in a shopping centre at best, and at worst left at home isolated from friends and support within the day centre. Support that they had known in some cases for all their adult lives."
See also article in Evening Times, Thursday 13 November 2012
Day centres threatened with closure
.
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Lobby of Glasgow City Council to oppose social care cuts through personalisation
Thu 28 June 2012
Trade unionists, service users, carers, community groups and members of the public will gather in Glasgow today (Thursday) to lobby against damaging social care cuts in the city.
This is Glasgow’s first council meeting since the election and members of the Defend Glasgow Services campaign – a group set up by trade unions, community organisations and community campaigners to fight the cuts – will urge councillors to make personalisation a positive choice, not a cuts agenda.
Brian Smith, of UNISON’s Glasgow City branch, said: “It’s time for our elected officials to listen to what’s really going on across the city, to hear how people are hurting as a result of these cuts, and to be brave enough to change it.
“We support the principle that everyone should have choice and control over their care, but this has to be a real choice, not the only option because all of the services have been cut.”
The DGS campaign is calling on the personalisation process to be halted, for funding to be maintained and for meaningful and genuine consultation with service users to take place.
Mandy McDowall, UNISON’s Regional Organiser for social work, said: “People are concerned and angry about Glasgow Council using personalisation of care services as cover for budget cuts - rather than empowering users and carers.
"UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
“Glasgow really needs to get things right with personalisation before it rolls it out further.”
Simon MacFarlane, UNISON’s Regional Organiser for the community and voluntary sector, said: “These cuts are hitting the most vulnerable the hardest and we need to ensure funding for these vital services is maintained.
“The services being provided to people across Glasgow has turned into a postcode lottery and it’s not good enough. We need services that people can rely on and we’re calling for fairness, transparency and an end to social care cuts.”
ENDS
Lobby from 12.30pm in George Square - see flyer here
Confirmed speakers at the event include:Idem Lewis, who is himself a service user, and will be speaking on behalf of the Learning Disability Alliance
Brian Smith, branch secretary of UNISON’s Glasgow City branch, speaking on behalf of the Defend Glasgow Services campaign
Simon MacFarlane, UNISON’s Regional Organiser, speaking on behalf of the community and voluntary sector
Mandy McDowall, UNISON’s Regional Organiser, speaking on behalf of social workers
Norma Curran, from the Campaign for a Fair Society
Claire Cairns, from the Coalition for Carers
.
Trade unionists, service users, carers, community groups and members of the public will gather in Glasgow today (Thursday) to lobby against damaging social care cuts in the city.
This is Glasgow’s first council meeting since the election and members of the Defend Glasgow Services campaign – a group set up by trade unions, community organisations and community campaigners to fight the cuts – will urge councillors to make personalisation a positive choice, not a cuts agenda.
Brian Smith, of UNISON’s Glasgow City branch, said: “It’s time for our elected officials to listen to what’s really going on across the city, to hear how people are hurting as a result of these cuts, and to be brave enough to change it.
“We support the principle that everyone should have choice and control over their care, but this has to be a real choice, not the only option because all of the services have been cut.”
The DGS campaign is calling on the personalisation process to be halted, for funding to be maintained and for meaningful and genuine consultation with service users to take place.
Mandy McDowall, UNISON’s Regional Organiser for social work, said: “People are concerned and angry about Glasgow Council using personalisation of care services as cover for budget cuts - rather than empowering users and carers.
"UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
“Glasgow really needs to get things right with personalisation before it rolls it out further.”
Simon MacFarlane, UNISON’s Regional Organiser for the community and voluntary sector, said: “These cuts are hitting the most vulnerable the hardest and we need to ensure funding for these vital services is maintained.
“The services being provided to people across Glasgow has turned into a postcode lottery and it’s not good enough. We need services that people can rely on and we’re calling for fairness, transparency and an end to social care cuts.”
ENDS
Lobby from 12.30pm in George Square - see flyer here
Confirmed speakers at the event include:Idem Lewis, who is himself a service user, and will be speaking on behalf of the Learning Disability Alliance
Brian Smith, branch secretary of UNISON’s Glasgow City branch, speaking on behalf of the Defend Glasgow Services campaign
Simon MacFarlane, UNISON’s Regional Organiser, speaking on behalf of the community and voluntary sector
Mandy McDowall, UNISON’s Regional Organiser, speaking on behalf of social workers
Norma Curran, from the Campaign for a Fair Society
Claire Cairns, from the Coalition for Carers
.
Friday, 22 June 2012
Campaign for disability leave
#undc12 UNISON will examine the failure of some employers to implement disability leave policies and will develop guidance for branches to negotiate such policies and to challenge bad practice with the Equality Act 2010.
Bill Dunn, Disabled Members' Officer, Highland Healthcare, long time delegate and first time speaker, said that union colleagues at the Disabled Members Conference six years ago were surprised to hear that an NHS employer showed little consideration towards staff members with disabilities. See full story at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story11.htm
Bill Dunn, Disabled Members' Officer, Highland Healthcare, long time delegate and first time speaker, said that union colleagues at the Disabled Members Conference six years ago were surprised to hear that an NHS employer showed little consideration towards staff members with disabilities. See full story at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story11.htm
Friday, 2 March 2012
UNISON urges Nick Clegg to safeguard vulnerable in Universal Credit claim arrangements
 |
| Nick Clegg and Ann Wardlaw at the UNISON stand |
The public services union used a ‘policy pitch’ session with senior MPs and MSPs at the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ conference in Inverness to warn that the planned online claims system should not axe the option for local face to face support.
Ann Wardlaw, vice chair of UNISON Scotland’s Disabled Members Committee, said: "Benefit cuts in the Welfare Reform Bill have horrified those of us who want a more equal society.
"On top of such devastating cuts though, is the worry that many people will not be assisted to claim support that they are entitled to because of the switch to a largely online system.
"We asked Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander to ensure that there is an option still under the new system for local face to face support for a range of aspects of the claim service, including verifying and scanning documents such as tenancy agreements, and help with queries."
Housing benefit is one of the range of benefits being brought together into the new Universal Credit. UNISON represents members who currently work in local authorities administering housing benefit services. The union says that the expertise of these staff should be used in retaining local access to claiming Universal Credit.
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said: "The Liberal Democrats have an opportunity to realise that even if the IT for this proposed new online computerised system works, against the evidence of similar past projects, it is vital to help people claim all they are entitled to.
"Yet half the 9.5 million people in social housing have never used the internet. Attempting to deliver 80% of Universal Credit claims online and most of the rest in distant call centres simply won’t work.
"We believe it is vital to keep a local delivery mechanism , including using the experienced staff in local authority housing benefit services. The Government seems unaware of the high level of face to face interaction these staff have with claimants.
"There is a real risk that without access to proper support, people who could be getting help will lose out, leading to severe financial problems, major stress and potentially homelessness."
ENDS
.
Notes to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing more than 160,000 members.
2. UNISON’s briefing on housing benefit reforms is on our website at
Monday, 25 April 2011
28 April: LOBBY TO DEFEND SERVICES TO DISABLED PEOPLE IN GLASGOW
12.30 pm Thursday 28th April George Square.
Last summer Glasgow City Council started a process called ‘personalisation’ and ‘self-directed support’ across services provided by Social Work. We support the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity. However, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. Right from the word go, the council was explicit in its ‘working assumption’ that at least 20% savings would be made.
Last summer Glasgow City Council started a process called ‘personalisation’ and ‘self-directed support’ across services provided by Social Work. We support the principles of personalisation, which are about providing people with more independence, control and dignity. However, this is not what is happening in Glasgow. Right from the word go, the council was explicit in its ‘working assumption’ that at least 20% savings would be made.
Monday, 19 April 2010
STUC: Re-visit bus deregulation to address failures of Thatcher
Fractured and inconsistent bus services with not enough new build means bus services cannot be left exclusively to the private market, said the STUC backing a motion from Unite. "There is no bigger barrier for disabled people than the design of, and access to public transport. Although Charlie's bill was a small step for disabled people, it was nevertheless, an important one", says UNISON's John Nisbet.
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Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Disabled trade unionists to lobby to support Bus Bill
Weds 30 Dec 2009
Disabled Members belonging to Scotland’s largest public service union, UNISON, are starting a campaign to get their MSPs to support a private members Bill that wants to extend free bus travel to people on the lower rate of Disability Living Allowance, as well as allowing community transport to accept free bus passes.
The Regulation of Bus Services (Scotland) Bill is being put forward by Charlie Gordon MSP and will also allow local councils to step in and put local franchise for services out to tender.
John Nisbet (Chair of UNISONScotland’s Disabled Members’ Group) said “Extending the access of Scotland’s public transport to a wider group of disabled people is very important in the fight to ensure they get equal access to services. This bill would not only directly benefit those on disability living allowance, but regulation could ensure improvements in accessibility. For example it has already been drawn to UNISON’s attention that many buses have no access for visually impaired people with guide dogs.”
To go forward, the bill needs the support of 18 MSPs from two of the major parties at Holyrood. UNISON is putting links on their website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/betterbuses/index.html, encouraging members to sign a petition in support of the bill- www.scottishlabour.org.uk/bus, and to send letters to their own MSPs urging them to back the bill http://www.writetothem.com.
ENDS
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Disabled Members belonging to Scotland’s largest public service union, UNISON, are starting a campaign to get their MSPs to support a private members Bill that wants to extend free bus travel to people on the lower rate of Disability Living Allowance, as well as allowing community transport to accept free bus passes.
The Regulation of Bus Services (Scotland) Bill is being put forward by Charlie Gordon MSP and will also allow local councils to step in and put local franchise for services out to tender.
John Nisbet (Chair of UNISONScotland’s Disabled Members’ Group) said “Extending the access of Scotland’s public transport to a wider group of disabled people is very important in the fight to ensure they get equal access to services. This bill would not only directly benefit those on disability living allowance, but regulation could ensure improvements in accessibility. For example it has already been drawn to UNISON’s attention that many buses have no access for visually impaired people with guide dogs.”
To go forward, the bill needs the support of 18 MSPs from two of the major parties at Holyrood. UNISON is putting links on their website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/betterbuses/index.html, encouraging members to sign a petition in support of the bill- www.scottishlabour.org.uk/bus, and to send letters to their own MSPs urging them to back the bill http://www.writetothem.com.
ENDS
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