Jan 2012 Newsletter

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R e v i e w City and County of Swansea I n s i d e What's happening to our Public Service Not Private Profit January 2012 pension dispute? Unison Branch Elections Stand for office in 2012 T w e e d l e D u m & T w e e d l e D e e C a m e r o n a t t a c k s o u r p e n s i o n s a n d M i l i b a n d a g r e e s Unite Against Fascism Conference Stopping the Nazi menace in 2012 United strikes on 30 November last year saw millions of public- sector workers take action together. The day showed the potential that exists to stop the Tories’ assault on public sector pensions. But the Tories aren’t backing down yet and are determined to wreck our retirement, our communities and our futures. Over Christmas there was much confusing information from the press of about a final 'deal' being struck. This is not the case. Nevertheless there have been important developments with some national unions rejecting, and some accepting, an outline deal as a basis for negotiation. This outline deal is called the 'Heads of Agreement'. After a series of pension summits and national meetings Unison nationally accepted the 'Heads of Agreement' as a basis for talks. However many branches - including the City and County of Swansea branch - opposed this, as well as other national trade unions. UNISON nationally remains in dispute with the Coalition over its attacks on our pensions and the ballot is still ‘live’. We will not have to re- ballot at the end of negotiations if they fail. Any decision on any final proposals in either the NHS or LGPS will be a decision for members, through an all- member ballot. If proposals are rejected, members will be asked whether they want to take further industrial action. Therefore a debate is ongoing within all unions about where to go next. Swansea Unison opposed the 'heads of agreement' for good reason. Firstly, the government was happy with it which indicated it was no good for us. Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, said that the agreement that has been provisionally reached will cut "tens of billions of pounds in decades to come" from pensions. He also said that the proposed deal did not mean any additional money has been made available. In a rebuff to those in government who thought privatisation might be made more difficult by the aggreement, Alexander celebrated that the changes would allow the government to "forge ahead" with its "ambitious plans" for public sector reforms (i.e. privatisation) since the new pension arrangements will be "substantially more affordable" to alternative providers in the private and voluntary sector bidding for public sector contracts. Secondly the ‘agreement’ only delays the increase in employee contributions that was due to be imposed between 2012 and 2015 to pay the Treasury’s £900 million pensions tax. But it still makes us pay that £900 million by bringing in the new scheme a year earlier – from April 2014 rather than April 2015. The “Heads of Agreement” has no detail in it – but accepts that the Treasury paper issued on 2

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trade union newsletter

Transcript of Jan 2012 Newsletter

Page 1: Jan 2012 Newsletter

ReviewCity and County of Swansea

Inside

What's happening to our

Public Service Not Private Profit January 2012

pension dispute?

Unison BranchElectionsStand foroffice in2012

Tweedle Dum & Tweedle DeeCameron attacks our pensions andMiliband agrees

Unite AgainstFascismConferenceStopping theNazi menacein 2012

United strikes on 30 Novemberlast year saw millions of public-sector workers take actiontogether. The day showed thepotential that exists to stop theTories’ assault on public sectorpensions. But the Tories aren’tbacking down yet and aredetermined to wreck ourretirement, our communitiesandour futures.OverChristmas therewas muchconfusing information from thepress of about a final 'deal' beingstruck. This is not the case.Nevertheless there have beenimportant developments withsome national unions rejecting,and some accepting, an outlinedeal as a basis for negotiation.This outline deal is called the'Heads of Agreement'.After a series of pensionsummits and national meetingsUnison nationally accepted the'Heads of Agreement' as a basisfor talks. However many

branches - including theCity andCounty of Swansea branch -opposed this, as well as othernational trade unions.UNISON nationally remains indispute with the Coalitionover its attacks on ourpensions and the ballot is still‘live’. We will not have to re-ballot at the end ofnegotiations if they fail. Anydecision on any finalproposals in either the NHSorLGPS will be a decision formembers, through an all-member ballot. If proposalsare rejected, members will beasked whether they want totake further industrial action.Therefore a debate is ongoingwithin all unions about where togo next.Swansea Unison opposed the'heads of agreement' for goodreason. Firstly, the governmentwas happy with it which

indicated it was no good for us.Danny Alexander, chiefsecretary to the Treasury, saidthat the agreement that hasbeen provisionally reached willcut "tens of billions of pounds indecades to come" frompensions. He also said that theproposed deal did not meanany additional money hasbeen made available. In arebuff to those in governmentwho thought privatisation mightbe made more difficult by theaggreement, Alexandercelebrated that the changeswould allow the government to"forge ahead"with its "ambitiousplans" for

public sector reforms (i.e.privatisation) since the newpension arrangements will be"substantially more affordable"to alternative providers in theprivate and voluntary sectorbidding for public sectorcontracts.Secondly the ‘agreement’ onlydelays the increase in employeecontributions that was due to beimposed between 2012 and2015 to pay the Treasury’s £900million pensions tax. But it stillmakes us pay that £900 millionby bringing in the new scheme ayear earlier – from April 2014rather than April 2015.The “Heads of Agreement” hasno detail in it – but accepts thatthe Treasury paper issued on 2

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Officer Post and Job Description Name of Candidate

Chairperson – acts as leader of delegations to meet employers, chairs meetings of branch, or committees, leads representations at UNISON meetings where branch is represented, acts as signatory on branch accounts.

Vice Chairperson – assists Chair in carrying out their functions and deputises for chair in their absence.

Branch Secretary – receives all correspondence to branch, signatory to all correspondence sent in branch name. Manages affairs of branch on behalf of membership and their committees. Ensures all functions of branch are carried out and timetables for election of stewards, officers and delegates are adhered to. Acts as main representative in collective bargaining meetings

Assistant Secretary - to assist the branch secretary in the role above

Convener - To coordinate and lead the City and County of Swansea UNISON representatives and to develop and support those stewards and other appropriate representatives

Treasurer – acts as custodian of branch accounts, ensures prudent financial management of the branch, prepares regular statements of income and expenditure; prepares annual state- ment of income/expenditure. Mandatory signatory to all branch accounts.

Minutes Secretary – ensures accurate minutes of all officially convened meetings are kept, recorded and collated.

Lifelong Learning Coordinator - Co - ordination of Union Learning Reps in the Branch with a view to the provision of learning opportunities for Branch members.

Health & Safety Officer – co-ordinates the Health & Safety function of all stewards, represents the branch at any meeting with employers about H&S, and is first choice representative on any UNISON H&S committee. Reports any H&S concerns.

Education Coordinator – co-ordinates trades union education of all stewards and officers. Arranges branch courses on Trade Union education, liaises with TUC education and UNI- SON education services to promote education of all representatives.

Publicity Officer – prepares and distributes any branch publicity regarding meetings, information or advice; produces a regular newsletter. To prepare press releases and to maintain a directory of members and their locations to assist in the distribution of information.

Membership Officer - To organise recruitment amongst stewards and members and monitor recruitment and retention of Unison members within the Branch.

Benefits Officer – assists any member needing advice or representation when claiming state benefits, to act as advocate at benefit tribunals.

Welfare Officer – assists in administration of National welfare scheme and administers branch welfare function.

Equality Officer – assists promotion of equal opportunities; ensures policies of branch and employer are in line with equal opportunity legislation; ensures branch involvement in self organised group conferences and acts as representative on any UNISON equalities committee; help promote fair representation and proportionality in UNISON.

International Secretary – acts as point of liaison on matters of international interest.

Young Members Officer – encourages recruitment, promotes involvement of young members.

Sports & Social Secretary & Assistant (2 posts)– co-ordinates and arranges branch sporting activities, manages the promotion of a range of branch social activities.

City & County of Swansea UNISON - Branch Officer Nominations 2012 - 13The branch will hold this years AGM on March 29th. You can nominate a member for any branch officer post in 2012 - pleasecomplete and return it to the branch address on the back of this newsletter. Incorrectly completed forms will not be accepted.

Nominations must be returned by midday on Monday 6th February 2012

Proposed By...................... Tel. No ........................ Seconded By..............................Tel. No....................Address...................................................................Address.......................................................................Please give a telephone number or email address where you can be contacted in case any points need to be clarified

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE AGREEMENT OF THE PERSON YOU ARE PROPOSING BEFORE YOU NOMINATE THEM

"In the past year Labour has struggled to get its message across to show that there is an alternative to the Coalition’ssavage cuts in our public services and the attack on the living standards of millions of ordinary working people...(Miliband)has decided to embrace a Tory pay policy that hits millions of public service workers, particularly low paid women - care

workers, hospital cleaners and dinner ladies, who have already had two years of pay freezes and job losses.Ed Miliband’s naivety is breathtaking and his ill-thought-through comments will have unintended consequences. At a time

when hard working families are struggling to make ends meet, the very party which they look to to stand by them, haschosen instead to play cheap politics with their lives.”

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis has condemned the Labour Party's suggestion that public service workers should accept morepay freezes and pay cuts as "a slap in the face". Labour's misguided statement came at a time when it is predicted that 700,000 jobs will

be lost in the public sector by 2017, two thirds of whose workers are women.The majority of Unison members are not part of theAffiliated Political Fund, whose members choose to give some of their subs to Labour. Nevertheless Unison has a close relationship withthe party, unlike other union's which are not affiliated. Recent developments will accelerate a debate of why we need any relationship at

all, and underlines why it was wrong to put the brake on our dispute and the need to keep fighting with the other unions.

Miliband's 'slap in the face' to public sector workers

UCUThe lecturers union UCU havenow voted to call a strike on 1March and are calling for otherunions to join them. Theexecutive of the UCU voted by24-8 to reject thegovernment’s “heads ofagreement” and to “name aday” for national strike actionto defend public sectorpensions.The executive voted to instructthe union’s General Secretaryto approach other “rejectionist”unions (see below) with anoutline programme of regionaland rolling action in Februaryand to call on other unions tojoin the UCU on strike onThursday 1 March.

UniteAll three of Unite’s sectorsinvolved in the dispute havevoted to reject. That coversworkers in health, localgovernment and governmentdepartments such as theMinistry of Defence.Members of Unite’s executivehave also forced a meeting tobe called, set to take placethis Wednesday.

Teaching unionsNUT and NASUWT— thebiggest teaching unions by far—have both refused to signthe 'heads of agreement'document. So has EIS inScotland, Ucac in Wales andInto in Northern Ireland, butno teaching union has yetnamed a day for furtherstrikes. The NUT executivemet recently and unanimouslyvoted to keep up the pensionsfight.The ATL has signed up andthe NAHT is surveying itsmembers.

Civil ServiceThe main civil service union,PCS, rejects the deal and aredebating further action. ButProspect and the FDA havesigned up.

Whats happeningwith other unions?November will be the basis for

negotiating the new scheme Thissets out (1) Increased EmployeeContributions of on average 3%,up to 9.5% for most members, (2)Ending the Final Salary Scheme –with 1/60 Accrual Rate, which isworth less then 1/60 final salary,(3)Raising the Retirement Age inlinewithStateRetirementAge toatleast 68 - in fact George Osborneannounced in his Autumnstatement that hewasspeedingupthe increase to 67 to 2026 -affecting anyone under 52 now.It also announced limitedprotection for thosewithin10yearsof retirement on 1 April 2012. InLocalGovernment this only coversthose born between 1 October1955 and 31 March 1957 - and itlooks like the cost of protectionwould be taken out of benefits forothers. The government say wecan negotiate on all theseelements -butonlywithin thesame“cost envelope” so that anyimprovement in one element hasto be paid by worsening another -for example for lower contributionswe would have to accept workingeven longer than proposed orgettingevenworsepensionswhenwe retire.In other words the reason wecame out on action - that theattacks mean we will pay more,work longer and get less -remains the same.Thirdly on 30 November we tookpart in the largest strike action in atleast a generation, in anunprecedented display of unityacross public sector unions. DavePrentis rightly proclaimed it “anincredible success and one of theproudest moments of my career”.It was then a fundamental mistakenow to sign the agreement andallow the government to now playdivide and rule with the unions.This can only make it easier forthem to push through the cuts inour pensions as part of their widerausterity programme of real paycuts and massive job losses,making working people pay theprice for a crisis created bybankers’ greed. There is toomuch

at stake to allow the Con Dems topick off unions one at a time or toseek to isolate others as they areclearly attempting to do. In Unisonthere is also a proposal to call aspecial conference on pensionsunderUnison's rules to reverse thedecision to sign up.There are major unions (see boxright) that rejected the 'heads ofagreement' outright and arecommitted to further action. Inaddition Unison's HealthExecutive did not accept anddecided to put signing theagreement to a members vote.A further strike by amillion ormorewould be a powerful boost and ifUnite, UCU, PCS and the NUTwere to strike and to put picketlines up at hospitals, colleges,schools and council workplacesthen many Unison and GMBmembers will not cross.

The Coalition was rocked by ourstrikes, but has not backed down;and we cannot rely whatsoever onLabour to save us in May or after(see box below). Resistance is theonly route open to us. If we give upon the pensions battle it will makeit a thousand times harder to winfights on pay and jobs and todefend our services from the Toryonslaught.We have a right to decentpensions. They are our deferredwages and are accumulated byyears of us paying money intothem so that we can have a betterretirement. It’s our ownmoney thatthe government wants to snatchaway.

Fighting for pensions will protectfuture generations. Thegovernment’s current assault isbad enough but life will be evenharder for future generations ofworkers if they get away withattacking us today. Stopping themnow will also make it harder forprivate sector bosses to attackworkers’ pensions. Public sectorworkersaren’t responsible forpoorprivate sector pensions - theemployers and the governmentare. Private sector bosses areattacking pensions while thegovernment refuses to pass lawsthat could protect them and a

victory in the public sector wouldencourage private sector workersto fight for better pensions too.

The money is also there. Thegovernment says it has to “reform”public sector pensions becausethey are ‘unaffordable’ which is alie. The government’s ownresearch shows that the cost ofpublic sector pension schemes isfalling and will continue to fall. TheHutton Report published last yearestimates the cost of public sectorpensionsasapercentageofGrossDomestic Product (GDP). GDP isthe value of all goods and servicesproduced in a country over a year.

Hutton shows that the cost ofpublic sector pensionshaspeakedand is now falling. It estimates thatpublic sector pensionswill cost just1.5 percent of GDP by 2060,compared with 1.9 percent today.Research from the NUT unionshows that workers have paidmuch more money into theTeachers Pension Scheme (TPS)than has been paid out.Teachershave paid the equivalent of £46billionmore into the fund than it haspaid out since the scheme was setup in 1923. The union adjusted thefigures in line with GDP growth.

Even if theschemeswere indeficit,the government would have nomandate for the cuts it wants toimpose.The extra money savedfrom its pension reforms won’teven go to the pension schemes. Itwill go to the Treasury to cut thedeficit that was caused by bailingout the banks. The reforms are notabout making the schemes“affordable” and no one is askingthe rich to “work” longer or getlower pensions.We can also winon pensions. The public sectorstrikes on 30 November wereincredibly popular and those onthe Swansea march rememberbeing applauded by the public aswe marched. There was greatenthusiasm for the action amongstrikers, who mounted big picketlines at many workplaces. Westruck because we wanted to stopthe Tories and not see our actionas a token gesture. With morestrikes in the future we can win.

continued from frontpage

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Officer Post and Job Description Name of Candidate

Chairperson – acts as leader of delegations to meet employers, chairs meetings of branch, or committees, leads representations at UNISON meetings where branch is represented, acts as signatory on branch accounts.

Vice Chairperson – assists Chair in carrying out their functions and deputises for chair in their absence.

Branch Secretary – receives all correspondence to branch, signatory to all correspondence sent in branch name. Manages affairs of branch on behalf of membership and their committees. Ensures all functions of branch are carried out and timetables for election of stewards, officers and delegates are adhered to. Acts as main representative in collective bargaining meetings

Assistant Secretary - to assist the branch secretary in the role above

Convener - To coordinate and lead the City and County of Swansea UNISON representatives and to develop and support those stewards and other appropriate representatives

Treasurer – acts as custodian of branch accounts, ensures prudent financial management of the branch, prepares regular statements of income and expenditure; prepares annual state- ment of income/expenditure. Mandatory signatory to all branch accounts.

Minutes Secretary – ensures accurate minutes of all officially convened meetings are kept, recorded and collated.

Lifelong Learning Coordinator - Co - ordination of Union Learning Reps in the Branch with a view to the provision of learning opportunities for Branch members.

Health & Safety Officer – co-ordinates the Health & Safety function of all stewards, represents the branch at any meeting with employers about H&S, and is first choice representative on any UNISON H&S committee. Reports any H&S concerns.

Education Coordinator – co-ordinates trades union education of all stewards and officers. Arranges branch courses on Trade Union education, liaises with TUC education and UNI- SON education services to promote education of all representatives.

Publicity Officer – prepares and distributes any branch publicity regarding meetings, information or advice; produces a regular newsletter. To prepare press releases and to maintain a directory of members and their locations to assist in the distribution of information.

Membership Officer - To organise recruitment amongst stewards and members and monitor recruitment and retention of Unison members within the Branch.

Benefits Officer – assists any member needing advice or representation when claiming state benefits, to act as advocate at benefit tribunals.

Welfare Officer – assists in administration of National welfare scheme and administers branch welfare function.

Equality Officer – assists promotion of equal opportunities; ensures policies of branch and employer are in line with equal opportunity legislation; ensures branch involvement in self organised group conferences and acts as representative on any UNISON equalities committee; help promote fair representation and proportionality in UNISON.

International Secretary – acts as point of liaison on matters of international interest.

Young Members Officer – encourages recruitment, promotes involvement of young members.

Sports & Social Secretary & Assistant (2 posts)– co-ordinates and arranges branch sporting activities, manages the promotion of a range of branch social activities.

City & County of Swansea UNISON - Branch Officer Nominations 2012 - 13The branch will hold this years AGM on March 29th. You can nominate a member for any branch officer post in 2012 - pleasecomplete and return it to the branch address on the back of this newsletter. Incorrectly completed forms will not be accepted.

Nominations must be returned by midday on Monday 6th February 2012

Proposed By...................... Tel. No ........................ Seconded By..............................Tel. No....................Address...................................................................Address.......................................................................Please give a telephone number or email address where you can be contacted in case any points need to be clarified

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE AGREEMENT OF THE PERSON YOU ARE PROPOSING BEFORE YOU NOMINATE THEM

City & County of Swansea UNISON - Branch Officer Nominations 2012 - 13The branch will hold this years AGM on March 29th. You can nominate a member for any branch officer post in 2012 - pleasecomplete and return it to the branch address on the back of this newsletter. Incorrectly completed forms will not be accepted.

Nominations must be returned by midday on Monday 6th February 2012

Proposed By...................... Tel. No ........................ Seconded By..............................Tel. No....................Address...................................................................Address.......................................................................Please give a telephone number or email address where you can be contacted in case any points need to be clarified

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE AGREEMENT OF THE PERSON YOU ARE PROPOSING BEFORE YOU NOMINATE THEM

Page 4: Jan 2012 Newsletter

This newsletter is produced by the City and County of Swansea Unison Branch. Any letters, comments or suggestions for articles should be posted to the branch addressor emailed to [email protected]. Correspondence is not guaranteed to be published and contents may not necessarily reflect Unison policy.

YOURUNION

Spor ts & Socia l websi te : www.suss.me.uk www.unison.co.uk

Contact us: Unison Office The Guildhall Swansea SA1 4PE01792 635271 [email protected]

Unison has over 100 trained union reps throughout the council, schools andFEcolleges.Wewill advise,support and represent you collectively and individually on issues from sickness, discipliners to legalmatters insideandoutside theworkplace. If youneedadviceor representationpleasecontact theSeniorSteward(s) for your department below or go to your workplace steward. Alternatively please contact thebranch office.

Joint Branch Secretaries: Nicky Symons & Mike Davies

EnvironmentIan Alexander - 07584 505793Tony Dearden - 07971 121533Pat Lopez - 07584 505792Social ServicesAlison Bell - 07941 757853Bill Williams - 07557 560092ResourcesGareth Parry - 07584 341240

EducationChris Bell - 07967 551025Karen Verallo - 07771 922985Regeneration/HousingJohn Llewellyn - 07557 560093Roger Owen - 07941819229Gower CollegeRon Job - 07963 454041

Unite Against Fascism Wales

May elections - Keeping the Fascists OutDefend Multiculturalism - Reject Islamophobia

Conference

Confirmed speakers include:

Peter Hain MP; Andy Richards, President of Wales TUC; Zita Holbourne Black Activists Rising AgainstCuts; Luke Young, President NUS Wales; Weyman Bennet, Secretary UAF; Derek Vaughan MEP;Zahid Raja, NUS Wales Black Students Officer; Amarjite Singh VP Wales TUC.

Supported by: Wales TUC, CWU, NUT, NASUWT, USDAW, UNITE, PCS , UCU

May elections - Keeping the Fascists OutDefend Multiculturalism - Reject Islamophobia

Fighting Fascism in 2012

2011 was a mixed year for anti-fascists. The upside was thecontinuing decline of the Nazi BNPand the defeat of the EDL in theirattempts to march in Wales, Londonand elsewhere. The downsideincluded Cameron joining in theattack on multi-culturalism,Osborne’s promise of seven years ofmisery which will provide a breedingground for fascism and then the linkup between the EDL and the so-called British Freedom Party toattempt to provide a new face forBritish fascism – this time with well-funded, international anti-Muslimbacking.

In 2012 we will have to face thesechallenges – come to our Februaryconference to help discuss how weare going to do this.

Saturday 11thFebruary 2012Transport House, Cathedral Rd, Cardiff 10.30am - 4.30pm

Register at: [email protected]