Inside

Public Service Not Private Profit March 2014

ReviewCity and County of Swansea

The situation facing Swansea Councilworkers remains serious. We face theprospect of 635 whole-time equivalent(approx 1000) jobs being axed. Even if - avery big 'if' given the information provided toUNISON - there are no compulsoryredundancies in this round thanks to ER/VRandsomeredeployments, remainingstaffwillstill be vulnerable for the next rounds in year2 and year 3.

ServicesServices also remain at risk. there has beena partial stall on the expected announcementto the closure of residential homes and day-centres - thanks to Unison campaigning.However no-one should beunder any illusionthat the closures are off the agenda. Anyclosures have been postponed, pending apotential internal review, not cancelled.Similarly other services, such as in Leisure,face closure or outsourcing - and a loss ofterms and conditions. The potential cuts weface - if not fought - will result in savage cutsto our services and jobs with axing orprivatising of services, sackings of staff andincreased workloads for those who remain.OppositionMany vulnerable people will not get thesupport they need after the Council recentlyvoted for its cuts-package with no visibleopposition from any councillor. As we havestated many times in this newsletter, theprospect of the cuts is the most serious

T

The fight

Weneed to fightto stop the cuts

for payin

2014

situation the branch has ever faced. Wehave fought over services before - somecampaigns have been won and some lost.The branch won the ballot over theprivatisation of council-housing some yearsago because we connected with Counciltenants, local campaigners and won theballot, ensuring no privatisation for theHousing Department to this date.WeaknessesThe weakness in other campaigns whichfailed - around Earlsmoor care-home andDaniel James School - was the absence of afight by the vastmajority of the staff affected.Without the serious involvement of thoseaffected services will not be kept. There wasalso the prospect of redeployment for thosethat still wanted a job - no such alternative for

all staff will be there in the future; the choicesreally will be to fight or lose our services andour jobs.OrganiseThe exact pattern of some cuts is not yetclear but we know it will be huge and we canprepare. The branch is opposed toprivatisation, job-losses and cuts in servicesbut this commitment in principle needs to bebacked up by organisation and a willingnessto fight. All workplaces and offices shouldelect union reps if they do not already havethem, and all our reps should be organisingworkplacesmeetings to discuss the cuts andhow we can resist - not just the 'big' actionslike strikes but 'smaller' actions to manageworkloads, keep posts and defend services.

The way to fight for services and pay: UNISON Members at the School ofOriental and African Studies (SOAS) stage a 48hr strike over pay in March

Pay 2014: Why we need to fight and what kind oThe fight is on for a decent pay rise and Unisoniscampaigning foran£1anhour forallmembers- and for those at the bottom of the pay scale tohave their pay increased to the Living Wage.

The employers refused to even respond to ourpay claim at a recent meeting. To add insult toinjury they tried to justify this by explaining thatthey were waiting for the updated minimumwage rate to be announced. The governmentalso recently insulted all NHS staff by an ‘offer’of just 1%, with many health workers not evengetting that.

The Tories are effectively admitting that they plan tocondemn hundreds of thousands of care workers,cleaners, dinner ladies and other low paid localgovernment workers to yet another year of povertypay. UNISON, Unite and the GMB who betweenthem represent 1.6 million local governmentworkers have now lodged a formal dispute with theemployers.

Unison has now given the employers until 1 April torespond or the union will begin a national branchconsultation; Unite and the GMB have already saidthey will consult their members over pay. If theemployers refuse to budge, everyone who wants tosee a fight back against low pay will need to throw

themselves into organising the strongest possiblevote for action.

The Tories, using fiddled and selective figures, aretrying to persuade us that our living standards areimproving. They are not―and local governmentworkers know it only too well.

Imposed

Public sector pay has fallen by 0.4 percent over thelast year, even before inflation is taken into account.Soaring prices for food, utilities and other stapleliving costs have led to amajor cumulative cut in thereal value of our pay.

The Treasury expects inflation to increase by astaggering 17 percent over the next four years. Yetaverage pay rose by just 2.1 percent last year. Inlocal government, it didn’t rise at all for the third yearon the trot, meaning local government workers areworse off by about 18 percent since 2010. Otherpublic sector workers have fared almost as badlywith a mere 1 percent increase overall.

ChancellorGeorgeOsborne claims thatweareall init together, but top bosses’ pay increased by amassive 14 percent last year. Theirmedian salary is£568,500. If they can’t get by on that, it was topped

up with an average £553,200 bonusgovernment promises yet more austethey win the election next year, it hasbusiness billions by slashing the corppaid on profits and awarding income taBritain’s biggest earners.

And in the councils the axe will fall onmore jobs this year as new budgetsBirmingham city council for example,job cuts were announced before Chr2,000 jobs face the axe in Wolverhamp

Austerity

Many local government workers underwill take major national strike action temployers to give us a decent pay risepay freeze imposed by the governmentthe cuts. UNISON general secretary Dhaspromised coordinated strike actionoyear.

Thousands of UNISON members toUNISON’s national day of action oveFebruary. Now we need to step up the pthe employers and the government ovclaim. We need a ballot for a serious prostrikes across local government.

Over on£21,000threshoearninggovernm£7.65 p

UNISON is campaigning for a fairdeal on pay for local governmentLocal government workers pay hasfallen by 18% in real terms since2010. This is the result of pay freezesin 2010, 2011 and 2012 and a belowinflation pay increase of 1% in 2013.On top of this decline, individualcouncils continue to cut pay andconditions at local level.

What has happened to localgovernment pay is not simply a storyof the lowest paid workers in thepublic sector being squeezed hardest.Local government pay (NJC) is thelowest in the public sector – from topto bottom of the pay spine.

Without a decent level of pay, localgovernment workers are struggling topay their household bills let alonesave for major items of spending.Payday loans, handouts and foodbanks are becoming a way of life formany.

It is unfair that people providingessential public services do not havea decent standard of living. However,it's not just the workers who are beingaffected, for those with families theimpact can often be greater still.

Pay also matters becausecommunities depend on people being

in work and earning decent pay – paythat we spend where we live, whichboosts local businesses and createsnew jobs.

What is pay?Pay isn't just where you are on yourpay scale. It can also include yourpension contributions and sick pay,annual, parental and carers’ leave,travel and unsocial hours allowancesand much more besides.

UNISON negotiates your pay atnational or local level. At nationallevel, negotiations take place withemployers at the national joint council(for England, Wales and NorthernIreland) and the Scottish national jointcouncil.

How has local governmentworkers' pay been hit?NJC workers in local governmenthave seen an 18% drop in basic payin real terms since 2010. This is aconsequence of the government's payfreeze, failure to pay the promised£250 to the one million localgovernment workers earning below£21,000 and the longer-term declinein NJC pay.

On top of that, the Local GovernmentEmployers chose to impose an additionalone-year freeze in 2010, before the rest ofthe public sector. They have alsoencouraged councils to cut pay-relatedconditions at local authority level.

Over 60% of councils have cut carallowances and many of our members aresubsidising travel for work purposes.

Many councils have cut unsocial hours andovertime payments - hitting the lowest paidhard. Some councils have also cut sick pay,basic pay and redundancy pay. Others have

imposed unannual leav

More thangovernmenthan £15,00At the sameimposing caworkplace cpay the incregistration

More than tworkforce awork part-tionly two-thtime workechildcare orights are thsector.

InflationInflation isduring 20142017. A paa further pa

Average gaare due to

of action do we need? STAND UP TORACISM ANDFASCISM

SATURDAY 22 MARCH 2014

No to scapegoating immigrantsNo to IslamophobiaYes to Diversity

Assemble 11am Clare Gardens, Riverside,Cardiff - March to City Hall for Rally

STOP THE NAZISIN SWANSEAApril 5th

The Nazi National Front areattempting to have a 'white pride'fascist rally in Swansea on April5th. Details of the counter-protestwill shortly be announced but allanti-nazis should note the dateand publicise that the nazis will beopposed. The event is incitement toracial hatred - last years 'white pride'event ended with a gig in which amock black-man was lynched (seepic) andoneof thenaziswas jailed forincitement to racial hatred.

For coach information contact the branch office, yoursteward or secretary@uafwales.com

A day of action has been called to mark the UN Anti-Racism Dayon 22nd March. Across Europe the fascist and populist racist right areon the rise and encouraging hatred, fear and prejudice in a frighteningwave across the continent.

Britain is not immune from this and the far right is hoping for gains in theEuro elections, whilst the 'populism' of UKIP and the Tories boostsracism and scapegoats minorities for the cuts we all face.

Supported by Wales TUC & 25 trade unions. Also: Julie MorganAM - Jill Evans MEP - Sheik Zane South Wales Islamic CentreCardiff - Derek Vaughan MEP - Rt Hon Alun Michael - Andy

Richards Unite Union - Saleem Kidwai MCW - Peter Hain MP -Leanne Wood AM Leader Plaid Cymru- Mubarak Ali ISoW - PippaBartoletti, Green Party Cymru leader - Vaughan Gething AM - ElfynLloyd MP - Paul Murphy MP -Jenny Rathbone AM - Huw Irranca-

Davies MP - Stephen Doughty MP and many others

s. While therity for us ifhanded bigporation taxax breaks to

n thousandsare set. In1,000 moreristmas andpton.

rstand that itto force thee, break thet and to stopDave Prentisover pay this

ook part iner pay on 4pressure onver our payogramme of

Glasgow residential care workers have had asuccession of extended strikes against pay cuts areshowing us how to fight. Unison, Unite, EIS andUCUmembers in Higher Education struck togetherfor 24 hours over pay on 6 February. We should beout with them when they are next on strike.

Labour has pledged a tax rise for the richest. Thathas enraged the employers, but Labour’s Ed Ballssaid he will follow Tory public expenditure cuts rightupuntil 2020. Insteadof pandering to thebosses, heshould be telling Labour councils to agree our payclaim in full.

Strikes

We need to show that we will not accept austerityeither nowor froman incominggovernmentwhetherTory or Labour. The London tube workers haveshown that hard hitting strike action can force eventhe hardest-nosed Tory led employer to back off.

Every government imposed pay freeze on workersin this country has sooner or later been broken bymass strikes. That is what we need to be prepareddo if we are going to reverse the decline in our livingstandards, beat the Tories and austerity.

ne million NJC workers (two thirds) earn less than0 a year. That's below the government's 'low pay'old and over £5,500 less than annual medians in the economy in 2012. Over half a million localment workers earn less than the living wage ofper hour.

npaid holidays or cutve.

half a million localnt workers earned less00 basic pay in 2011-12.e time, many councils arecar park charges, closingcanteens and refusing tocrease in professionaln fees.

two thirds of the NJCare women and manyime on wages which arehirds of the equivalent full-ers. There is no support foror eldercare and parentalhe worst of all the public

npredicted to remain at 3%4 and increase to 3.4% inay award below 3% will beay cut for our members

as and electricity pricesrise by 8.2% over the

coming year NJC workers earningless than £15,000 would have tospend a whole year’s pay on full-time childcare for one child

Inflation hits the lowest paid hardest:Increases in the cost of essentialhousehold items mean inflation of41% for the lowest paid but 31% forthe top 10%

Many part-time workers, vulnerablehouseholds and those withdependents are forced to rely onstate benefits to lift them above thepoverty line

When entitlement to these benefitsends, for whatever reason, thehousehold can rapidly find itself onthe poverty line.

What impact does lowpay and the pay freezehave?Smaller family and personal

budgets, forcing a cut in people'sstandard of living.

➥p4

•

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 Unison@swansea.gov.uk. Correspondence is not guaranteed to be published and contents may not necessarily reflect Unison policy.

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

Contact us: Unison Office, Rm 153-G, The Guildhall, Swansea01792 635271 unison@swansea.gov.uk

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, disciplinaries to legalmatters insideandoutside theworkplace. If youneedadviceor representationpleasecontact theSeniorSteward(s) for your department below or go to your workplace steward. Alternatively please contact thebranch office.

Branch Secretary: Mike Davies / Asst. Secretary: Ian Alexander

Social ServicesAlison O'Kane - 07856 641234Alison Davies - 07941 757853Martin Chapman - 01792 635271EducationPat Lopez - 07557 560097Mark Otten - 07789 485009Eve Morse - 07532 232873 (after 3.30 pm)Chris Bell - 07967 551025

Regeneration/HousingJohn Llewellyn - 07557 560093Roger Owen - 07847 942458Gower CollegeRon Job - 07963 454041ResourcesRhydian Prismick - 01792 635803HousingSallyanne Taylor - 07825 401711YO

URUNION

YOURUNIONSports & Social 2014Disneyland Paris (FULLY BOOKED)May 25 - Prices from £150ppWest Midlands Safari ParkJune 14 - Prices from £8.00Oakwood ParkJuly 19 - Prices from £13.00Chester Day TripAugust 16 - Prices from £8.00London Day TripNovember 15 - Prices from £9.00Children’s Christmas Party***December 6 - Price £4.00Bath Christmas MarketDecember 13 - Prices from £5.00

***Please note that you must be a Unison member for your childto be eligible to attend the Christmas PartyWe can arrange for any of the above trips to be paid for byinstalmentsBooking forms are available on the Sports & Social website(www.suss.me.uk). If anyone would like further information withregards to any of the trips/events listed or about how to joinSports & Social, please contact Stuart Page atstuart.page@swansea.gov.uk or on 07854 974130.

Stress on individuals and family life.

Increased reliance on benefits.

Less money in the local economy.

Problems for recruitment and retention of local governmentstaff in vital public sector work.

What is UNISON doing to win a fair deal onpay for local government workers?UNISON believes that local government workers deserve afair deal on pay. £1 an hour for all is affordable and good forthe economy

Councils have increased reserves by £2.6 billion in the lastyear – a sum which would pay for our claim, with some tospare. The pay bill has declined by over 23% in the last twoyears.

Increased tax and National Insurance revenue from meetingour claim could be re-cycled from the Treasury to localgovernment to pay for the £1 an hour pay increase

Local government workers spend 50 pence of every £1 theyearn in their local economies. A £1 an hour increase wouldboost the economy across England, Wales and NorthernIreland

Every £1 of public spending generates £0.9 - £1.7 of wealthaccording to the IMF (2012)

UNISON's call for NJC workers' pay to increase by at least £1an hour in 2014 can be met – and must be met. Otherwiselocal government workers' pay will decline even further in realand relative terms – and cease to bear comparison with otherpublic sector groups, with whom councils compete for staffand who increasingly work alongside each other.

pay 2014: continued from middle pages••••

A branch Labour Link Meeting is to be held 17.30pmWednesday 2nd April 2014, Room 5, Civic Office.All those paying towards Labour Link are invited.