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25 January 2008
12 April 2006
An outcome at last!
You may have seen or heard the news.
Because you and hundreds of thousands of other members took massive action on the 28th we have made this important breakthrough.
Here is the report from Jon Gray, our SW Region Head of Local Government Service Group.
"I have just spoken to Nick Olgard, our representative on the National LG Service Group Executive at the end of their meeting.
The Service Group Executive (SGE) had to consider whether to continue strike action. Ultimately the SGE agreed that the Statement offered enough to justify the suspension of the action. Continuing to talk was seen as more fruitful than continuing to strike."
"The important concession in the statement is the agreement that 50% of the savings from the abolition of the rule of 85 and the savings from the new commutation proposals would be available to fund scheme improvements, including protection for existing staff. When set against the Employers’ insistence on keeping these savings for themselves and their refusal to contemplate protection beyond 7 years, this is a massive advance and a tribute to the effectiveness of our highly successful Day of Action."
"The SGE agreed that they have the basis for on-going discussions about revisions to the Pension Scheme. The first step is to come to an agreement about the figures involved and reconcile different views about the size of the problem. It will also be important to set a clear timetable for the talks, which must be concluded by June."
Jean Geldart, the Chair of the SGE and one of our National negotiators, said ‘This is not the final victory but it is a way forward.’ We should be pleased that our action so far has cleared the ground but we need to maintain our pressure to ensure a decent Local Pension Scheme in the future.
To everyone who took action - be proud of your solidarity.
If you have any hardship problems as a result contact the Branch. We have a hardship fund and a wellfare fund to which you are entitled to apply for assistance.
Don't forget that you can also pay in your missed pensions contribution that would have gone in on the day you took action.
On your behalf I'd like to say a great thank you to the Branch Activists and Office Staff who worked extremely hard to make sure the 28th went as well as possible.
To everyone - a huge thank you from me,
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
Because you and hundreds of thousands of other members took massive action on the 28th we have made this important breakthrough.
Here is the report from Jon Gray, our SW Region Head of Local Government Service Group.
"I have just spoken to Nick Olgard, our representative on the National LG Service Group Executive at the end of their meeting.
The Service Group Executive (SGE) had to consider whether to continue strike action. Ultimately the SGE agreed that the Statement offered enough to justify the suspension of the action. Continuing to talk was seen as more fruitful than continuing to strike."
"The important concession in the statement is the agreement that 50% of the savings from the abolition of the rule of 85 and the savings from the new commutation proposals would be available to fund scheme improvements, including protection for existing staff. When set against the Employers’ insistence on keeping these savings for themselves and their refusal to contemplate protection beyond 7 years, this is a massive advance and a tribute to the effectiveness of our highly successful Day of Action."
"The SGE agreed that they have the basis for on-going discussions about revisions to the Pension Scheme. The first step is to come to an agreement about the figures involved and reconcile different views about the size of the problem. It will also be important to set a clear timetable for the talks, which must be concluded by June."
Jean Geldart, the Chair of the SGE and one of our National negotiators, said ‘This is not the final victory but it is a way forward.’ We should be pleased that our action so far has cleared the ground but we need to maintain our pressure to ensure a decent Local Pension Scheme in the future.
To everyone who took action - be proud of your solidarity.
If you have any hardship problems as a result contact the Branch. We have a hardship fund and a wellfare fund to which you are entitled to apply for assistance.
Don't forget that you can also pay in your missed pensions contribution that would have gone in on the day you took action.
On your behalf I'd like to say a great thank you to the Branch Activists and Office Staff who worked extremely hard to make sure the 28th went as well as possible.
To everyone - a huge thank you from me,
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
01 April 2006
Selective strike action halted. Money flows in.
After our stunningly strong strike last Tuesday informal talks took place with the employers and the government on the future of our pensions.
As a result, the next stage of the strike, the week-long stoppage of meat hygiene inspection, has been put on hold. Further talks will begin early next week to determine whether an agreement can be reached to protect existing staff and begin negotiations on the new scheme. The action has been deferred to allow the best chance for a successful resolution of the dispute.
Money Flows In.
Branches across the South West have pledged money to help with the selective strikes, should they need to go ahead after all. Cornish Branches have led the way. Congratulations to them.
But in addition to those pledges this Branch has been receiving cheques, donations of a day's pay, from members who were exempt and members who are not a part of the Local Government Pension Scheme. This impressive spirit of solidarity has been a wonderful tribute and acknowledgement to those who did take action. Thank you everyone.
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
As a result, the next stage of the strike, the week-long stoppage of meat hygiene inspection, has been put on hold. Further talks will begin early next week to determine whether an agreement can be reached to protect existing staff and begin negotiations on the new scheme. The action has been deferred to allow the best chance for a successful resolution of the dispute.
Money Flows In.
Branches across the South West have pledged money to help with the selective strikes, should they need to go ahead after all. Cornish Branches have led the way. Congratulations to them.
But in addition to those pledges this Branch has been receiving cheques, donations of a day's pay, from members who were exempt and members who are not a part of the Local Government Pension Scheme. This impressive spirit of solidarity has been a wonderful tribute and acknowledgement to those who did take action. Thank you everyone.
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
28 March 2006
Weren't we wonderful!
Colleagues,
I'm so proud of UNISON today. Every single web news-site has pictures of UNISON members commited to action to defend our pensions. Everywhere.
Right across the country we've massively made our point through direct action, service disruption, school, libary, transport system and other closures, to name but a few. And we've had huge media coverage - mostly neutral or positive.
And Devon's Branch members have been highly active too. In the true sense that we are a lay-led union our success is down to each of you who stayed away from work, all of you who stood in the bitingly chill wind this morning, picketing. The hundreds and hundres of you who rallied at lunch-time across the county.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) there's another tripartite negotiating meeting. UNISON's negotiating Team know we've shown the Government and the employers that we mean business. We've built a strike base-line that will only grow stronger and more dedicated if the employers and Govt still refuse to budge.
We said Hands off our Pensions!, and we meant it.
Keep strong.
Moira
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
I'm so proud of UNISON today. Every single web news-site has pictures of UNISON members commited to action to defend our pensions. Everywhere.
Right across the country we've massively made our point through direct action, service disruption, school, libary, transport system and other closures, to name but a few. And we've had huge media coverage - mostly neutral or positive.
And Devon's Branch members have been highly active too. In the true sense that we are a lay-led union our success is down to each of you who stayed away from work, all of you who stood in the bitingly chill wind this morning, picketing. The hundreds and hundres of you who rallied at lunch-time across the county.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) there's another tripartite negotiating meeting. UNISON's negotiating Team know we've shown the Government and the employers that we mean business. We've built a strike base-line that will only grow stronger and more dedicated if the employers and Govt still refuse to budge.
We said Hands off our Pensions!, and we meant it.
Keep strong.
Moira
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
27 March 2006
Rally venue changes in Exeter.
Please don't go to the Mint Methodist Church.
Please go to the Thistle Hotel, opposite Central Station in Queen Street. The Rally is in the Cavendish Room from 12.45 p.m.
See you there,
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
Please go to the Thistle Hotel, opposite Central Station in Queen Street. The Rally is in the Cavendish Room from 12.45 p.m.
See you there,
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
26 March 2006
If you're picketing....
.... call the Branch Office by 11 a.m. on Monday so we can post you the official arm-bands and the leaflets to hand out. 01392 382530
We'll post first class to your home address. You will also be told what mobile phone numbers to ring to report in how you're doing. Anyone who can get to the Branch Office - we're in the Matford Offices on the County Hall campus - we've still got some placards and placard poles left.
Read the picketing Do's and Don'ts - in a blog below - they're very important.
Remember the lunch-time rallies in Barnstaple and Exeter - see details below.
Hands Off Our Pensions!
Moira Macdonald, Branch Secretary
We'll post first class to your home address. You will also be told what mobile phone numbers to ring to report in how you're doing. Anyone who can get to the Branch Office - we're in the Matford Offices on the County Hall campus - we've still got some placards and placard poles left.
Read the picketing Do's and Don'ts - in a blog below - they're very important.
Remember the lunch-time rallies in Barnstaple and Exeter - see details below.
Hands Off Our Pensions!
Moira Macdonald, Branch Secretary
24 March 2006
lunchtime rallies in Barnstaple and Exeter
(Important - See the blog below about how to Picket)
Get the latest news from those in the know.
The lunch-time rallies will give you the chance to
Both rallies will run from 12:45 p.m. - length depends on the number of questions and the amount of discussion after the speakers have spoken.
EXETER - The Mint Methodist Church, located at the top of Fore Street. Nearest car park is the Mary Arches multi-story.
BARNSTAPLE - Christ Church. Nearest car park is in Green Street, once parked, walk through the arcade - the church is near the other end of the arcade. NB, if you buy fish and chips at the shop close by you are asked not to take them into the church.
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
Get the latest news from those in the know.
The lunch-time rallies will give you the chance to
- be updated on the latest negotiations between UNISON, the Government and our employers' association - the Local Government Association (LGA).
- hear what is planned for the next few weeks to keep up the industrial action pressure
Both rallies will run from 12:45 p.m. - length depends on the number of questions and the amount of discussion after the speakers have spoken.
EXETER - The Mint Methodist Church, located at the top of Fore Street. Nearest car park is the Mary Arches multi-story.
BARNSTAPLE - Christ Church. Nearest car park is in Green Street, once parked, walk through the arcade - the church is near the other end of the arcade. NB, if you buy fish and chips at the shop close by you are asked not to take them into the church.
Moira Macdonald
Branch Secretary
Why picketing is important
And a brief guide to its do's and don'ts...
It is lawful to picket, but the law imposes limits. Your objective is to
You need to let the Police know that you intend to picket. You also need to let the Branch Office know and to give us a phone number to contact you on the day. Those who do picket will be given a mobile number to link to Branch Officers if needed.
And the really important bits...
It is lawful to picket, but the law imposes limits. Your objective is to
- persuade (peacefully) fellow workers not to cross the picket line to work.
- persuade (politely) goods and trades vehicles / people from entering the site. In other words try to persuade the post deliverer, milk supplier, stationery supplier, etc. not to deliver
- if someone insists on going in to work (you are not allowed to bar them from doing so) then you can ask them not to cover the work of those who are out.
- hand out leaflets explaining why we are having to take action
- picket at least for the first few hours when people will be coming to work - say from 7.30 to 11.00 a.m. After that you may wish to come to one of the lunch-time rallies (see other parts of this blog)
- be seen to be active by the public and be ready to explain why we're taking action. Don't expect everyone to agree with you, or even to be polite, but always use acceptable behaviour back.
You need to let the Police know that you intend to picket. You also need to let the Branch Office know and to give us a phone number to contact you on the day. Those who do picket will be given a mobile number to link to Branch Officers if needed.
And the really important bits...
- No more than 6 people at a time can picket - have a rota. If anyone else comes to lend moral support or wave placards they must stand clearly separate, take no part and be equally well-organised. Only members who are on strike can picket.
- Keep a picket register. This is important in case of trouble, but also so that we know who might need to claim from the Local Action Fund.
- The people picketing must be identifiable - UNISON armbands are available from the office.
- Don't cause traffic to back up dangerously into the road or create a highway hazard
- You can only picket your own place of work. If you don't have a fixed base that you work from you may picket at the administrative centre of your employer
- You must co-operate with any requests that the police might make but are entitled to try persuading them that you should be allowed to ask cars and other vehicles to stop (if they suggest you can't) so that you can speak to the driver and hand them a leaflet.
- Have a poster or placard that says you are an official picket - the Branch Office has lots of these already made up - email or phone to request one.
What to do if things go wrong
If members who are picketing start behaving unacceptably you should ask them to leave. If non-striking workers or the public become excessivley or even physically abusive you are entitled to call on the police for assistance.
You will have mobile phone numbers you can ring for advice.
Powerful picketing will help protect our Pensions. Go for it!
Moira Macdonald, Branch Secretary
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