Reading Borough UNISON

TUC March For The Alternative

2011-01-06T01:22:00.000-08:00

The coalition's cuts to vital public services are not inevitable – they are a political choice, and they’re the wrong choice for the economy.

That's the message UNISON will be putting forward when we March For Public Services on 26 March

Alongside other trade unions, community groups and services users on a TUC organised national demonstration in London, UNISON will be spreading this message as widely as possible.

When times are tough, people need good local services more than ever: they help support communities; help people back into work; help give our children the best start in life; help care for our sick and elderly.

And by putting money into local services, we help to kick-start economic growth and recover from the recession caused by irresponsible banks.

There is an alternative: (Click here to read UNISON's Alternative Budget)

fair taxation
investment in our local communities, health and education
a more equal and just society

This is the message UNISON is determined to get out to wider public and to our own members – and this is why we need as many people as possible marching in March.

To find out more or register your interest in taking part in the event contact the branch office

Happy New Year!

2011-01-06T01:13:00.000-08:00

A very happy New Year to all our members and best wishes for 2011

Attempt To Rush Through Tutition Fees Rise

2010-12-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

The vote on whether to raise university fees is set to be put before Parliament on Thursday 9 December in an apparent move to by the government to hurry through unpopular plans. Unions and students have confirmed protests will take place in the run up to, and on, the day of the vote.

National Union of Students (NUS) president Aaron Porter said: "MPs can be left in no doubt as to the widespread public opposition to these plans or of the consequences of steamrollering them through parliament. For the third time in less than a month thousands of students have taken to the streets to protest against the government's attacks on further and higher education.

He added: "Despite repeated dismissals by Nick Clegg that these are uninformed protesters, students are intelligent, articulate people who are not being listened to by those in whom they placed their hope for a different politics."

University & College Union (UCU) general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "We will be lobbying hard with protests organised up to, and on, the day of the vote. If the government thinks it can hurry through these deeply unpopular and fundamentally flawed plans without a fight it is utterly mistaken.

'We do not think penalising families by trebling the cost of a degree is fair or progressive. Every MP should think hard about what these proposals will really mean for their constituents. The widespread opposition to the plans has become clear in the past few weeks and it is rather cowardly of the government to now try and rush the vote through."

Click here to read Aaron Porter's letter to Nick Clegg

Health & Wellbeing Amongst Older Workers

2010-11-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

UNISON has have been approached by Middlesex University Business School about a research project on older workers.

It's a one year study commissioned by the EU to look at the impact of organisational restructuring on older workers’ health and well being. The other countries involved are Italy, Germany, Austria, and Finland.

The survey will look at the causal factors which lead to declining health (such as loss of job control, deteriorating working conditions, etc) which can have both theoretical implications (eg which models are best for describing the experiences of older workers) as well as practical ones (identifying the best approaches to supporting older workers).

If you are aged 50 or over, please take a few moments to complete the questionnaire.
The results will be immensely useful to UNISON in gathering evidence on any health effects on older workers identified. The deadline for responses is 15th December.

Click here to take part in the survey

Cuts Calculator

2010-11-22T03:04:00.000-08:00

We all know that the coalition government's spending cuts will hit us and our communities. Use the calculator below to work out just how much it will impact on you personally.

In Remembrance

2010-11-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

It was with great sadness that we learned Debbie McKenzie, Branch Secretary of Reading Borough UNISON, passed away on Sunday 7th November. Our deepest sympathies are with Debbie’s family, friends, and colleagues at this most difficult time.

Debbie had been involved with UNISON, and before that NALGO, for many years as a member and workplace representative. In recent times Debbie was elected first as assistant secretary and then as branch secretary of Reading Borough UNISON. Throughout she worked tirelessly and selflessly for the benefit of all our members.

A funeral service will be held at 9.30am on Wednesday 17th November at English Martyrs Church on Liebenrood Road (in West Reading near Prospect Park.) All Debbie’s friends and colleagues are welcome to attend and are asked to please wear at least one brightly coloured item of clothing.

There will be a Memory Book in the UNISON office on level 14 of the Civic Centre from Monday 15th November for two weeks. If you would like to sign, or add a personal message or recollection, please come up to the office at any stage during the fortnight between 9am and 4pm.

Memories and tributes have already been flooding into the branch office, all of which will be passed on to Debbie’s family, and in the coming days our executive committee will be discussing an appropriate way to properly commemorate the vast contribution Debbie made to this branch during the past decade.

In the meantime, UNISON has started a collection for a donation to be made to charity Cancer Research UK in Debbie’s name. If you would like to contribute please speak to your UNISON workplace representative or contact the branch office.

Debbie’s fierce determination to protect the rights of members, both individually and collectively, showcased the very best of the trade union movement. Her dedication, integrity, and constructive and positive approach won the respect not only of UNISON members, but of RBC managers, her colleagues, and fellow trade unionists.

Lifelong learning was something Debbie believed in passionately and one of her proudest achievements was negotiating a workplace learning agreement between Reading Borough Council and its recognised trades unions.

Debbie was an inspiration to those lucky enough to have worked with her. Her energy and enthusiasm touched us all and she will be greatly missed.

Comprehensive Spending Review - message from UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis

2010-10-21T01:33:00.000-07:00

Today, we are beginning to see the shape of the coalition government's cuts agenda - half a million jobs axed in the public sector; services slashed to the bone and a brutal attack on the welfare state.

And it looks like local government will take the hardest hit.

George Osborne's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement contains only the headlines. The reality of what they will mean for public service workers and their families will be revealed piece by piece over the next few months as our devolved governments, local councils, police authorities, hospitals, schools, voluntary organisations and others struggle to make sense of the massive budget cuts they have been dealt.

Today's headlines are about job cuts - the government admits to half a million in the public sector alone. Other commentators say 600,000. And economists warn that the private sector is likely to suffer a similar level of job losses as councils and others cancel contracts, shut down projects and search for ways to cut expenditure.

And even those areas the government claims to be protecting are already under pressure - in the NHS alone, £20 billion of cuts are to be found.

Across local government, health, education, housing, police, all of our public services and the private sector that relies on them: a million jobs - axed.

Behind every one of those jobs is a real family dealing with real hardship. A million public service roles - vanished.

And for each service lost - communities losing the real services they rely on. And an economy taking another hit as our families tighten their belts and cut back our own spending. Women are estimated to use three quarters of the services or benefits being cut. That is the legacy of this spending review.

A million less jobs, £4.6bn in lost tax revenue. A million less jobs and £6.1bn increase in benefit payments. An 'austerity budget' that adds £10.7bn a year to the annual deficit and almost entirely wipes out the apparent £12.5bn saving to the public sector pay bill.

These are challenging times for everyone who works in our public services and for all those who rely on them. Our services, our jobs, our pay and our pensions - all under attack.

UNISON has been speaking up for public services. Our Million Voices campaign has warned that the effects of cutting so hard and so fast will ravage our communities. We have protested that public service workers should not be made to pay for the excesses of the bankers and speculators who caused the economic recession.

Today, we are seeing the big picture of the cuts agenda. In the coming weeks, we will see more detail. But I wanted all our activists and representatives to get the union's first take on the spending review as soon as possible.

See our first glance summary of the key issues for UNISON here.

In the coming weeks and months, we have hard work to do. Our members will be anxious and fearful for their jobs. We will have to represent our members and their concerns as well as continuing to put the pressure on government and employers through local campaigning.

We will have to work with public service users and community groups to make sure that we speak up for vital services.

But we will meet this challenge as a strong, united union, determined to speak with one voice whether locally or nationally, with one aim. To defend our public services and the people who provide them. Together, in UNISON, we will meet this challenge.

Dave Prentis
UNISON general secretary

You Are Sadly Invited To Attend …

2010-10-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

The Funeral Procession for Public Services

5pm, Wednesday 20th October
gathering outside Reading Civic Centre

Save Our Services in Reading, an independent organisation supported by UNISON regionally, is holding an event to mark the expected substantial cuts to public services this week.

People will be gathering outside the Civic Centre to pay their respects to jobs and services lost. The mourners will then take part in a funeral procession through the town centre culminating at Reading Station.

All are welcome to participate and mourners are invited to dress appropriately for the solemn occasion.

In a statement the group said that "as we mourn what has already passed, we must look to the future. The fabric of our society is under threat. Under the pretext of cutting ‘public sector debt’ a heinous crime is taking place. Our Government hopes to murder every public service we hold dear, one by one, in the biggest attack on working people in living memory. As we remember the fallen, we pledge to fight for the living."

For more information or to join the coalition email sosreading@live.co.uk. Alternatively you can join the group on Facebook

Your Money, Your Say

2010-10-18T03:41:00.000-07:00

In the run up to the comprehensive spending review announcement on Wednesday 20 October Reading Borough Council has been asking local residents for their views on which services they think are important and provide value for money, and which could be changed or delivered differently.

If you are a Reading resident you can have your say at: www.reading.gov.uk/yourmoneyyoursay

UNISON's National Skills For Life Survey

2010-10-18T02:43:00.000-07:00

UNISON is inviting branch members to take part in the union's first national Skills for Life survey.

UNISON is interested in finding out about the skills, confidence, attitudes and needs of our members in relation to literacy, numeracy and computers. This will help to inform the development of our union's Skills for Life Strategy to support our members.

All members are invited to take part. It should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and responses will be reported anonymously so that it will not be possible to identify you or your organisation.

The closing date for completion of the survey is Friday 26th November 2010.

If you have any queries about this survey or require the questionnaire in an alternative format, please contact the branch office.

Click here to begin UNISON's Skills For Life survey

Today Is National Coming Out Day!

2010-10-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

National Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is used to celebrate sexual identity and gender expression and to increase government and social awareness of LGBT issues.

It dates back to 1988 and is celebrated each year on the 12th of October. It is highly encouraged for participants on this day to wear gay pride symbols, such as the pink triangle (gay men), the black triangle (lesbians), the Greek letter lambda, and rainbows in jewelry and on clothing.

There is no formal commemoration of National Coming Out Day, but here are some ways you can celebrate the LGBT holiday:

1. Come Out
You don't have to come out on National Coming Out Day (coming out should happen only when you are ready) but if you do choose to begin the process of coming out, you can follow these steps.

2. Support Someone Who Is Coming Out or Already Out
Support is a key component of the coming out process. Coming out is a "process" because rarely does one disclose their sexual identity at one time. A person first comes out to themselves, then others and then more over a period of time. It's important to be as supportive as possible to someone you know that's coming out (or already out). Your affirmative acceptance can thwart any fears or pain they may have. Your support creates a positive foundation in their lives before, during and after they come out.

3. Speak About It
Write about free sexual identity and gender expression on your Facebook Wall; Twitter your followers about your support for LGBT causes, or share a story amongst your friends.

4. Volunteer
There are many LGBT organizations, community centres and youth services that need your help. Volunteer your time or resources to help further LGBT causes and help LGBT youth and adults in need.

5. Recruit A Straight Friend
The number of people that support LGBT people is larger than you might think. Reach out to your straight friends and ask them to support LGBT causes.

Reading Borough UNISON Members Take To The Streets

2010-10-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 29 September was the European Day Of Action in response to cuts. Mass demonstrations in Madrid, Brussels, and across the continent didn't go unoticed by the media in this country, and nor did the events in Portsmouth, Southampton, and Brighton.

Reading trade unionists were involved in action on Broad Street, distributing pamphlets and rasing awareness that there are real alternatives to the plan being rolled out by the coalition government.

Representatives from your branch took part and after speaking to people on the street it's clear that there is substantial support for public services from people all across the commuity.

The campaign gathers pace and you might have noticed UNISON are promoting the value of public services on buses throughout Reading: Spead The Word - There Is An Alternative

Save Our Services - European Day Of Action

2010-09-27T03:44:00.000-07:00

The fightback against the cuts is gaining momentum and so as part of the Million Voices For Public Services Campaign UNISON representatives will this week be taking their message to the streets of Reading.

UNISON, along with colleagues from other unions in the area, will be in the centre of Broad Street on Wednesday 29 September from 12pm - 2pm to hand out flyers and talk about the impact swingeing public sector cuts could have on people and communities.

This event has been organised to coincide with the European TUC's Day Of Action and has been arranged in conjunction with the newly reformed Reading Trades Council.

UNISON representatives will be wearing high visibility jackets and hats and will be assempling from midday. Our branch supports the action and encourages members to participate in the event in their own time or during their lunch break.

If you would like to know more please read the latest edition of UNISON's Coalition Cuts Newsletter (South East Edition) or you can contact the branch office in the usual way.

Unions Fighting Acadamies In Reading

2010-09-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

You may be aware of the Fighting Academies In Reading (FAIR) campaign which has been set up by unions to urge local schools not to sign up to become academies under the bill rushed through Parliament by the coalition government.

UNISON, along with NUT, NASUWT, UNITE, GMB, and ATL, started the campaign because of a belief that academies will prove expensive, divisive for communities, and bad for pupils, teachers, and school support staff.

Four schools in Reading, namely Highdown, Kendrick, Reading School, and Churchend Primary, have all signalled their intent to become academies so far and more are set to follow.

FAIR has written to the schools involved to urge them to reconsider their plans and the steering group will be meeting on Monday 27 September to plan the next stage of the campaign.

If you are concerned about academies or want to become involved in FAIR please email unison@reading.gov.uk

To find out more about the acadamies plan and why UNISON opposes it visit UNISON: Defend Your School

NJC Pay Claim

2010-09-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who responded to the branch consultation on the 2011/12 NJC pay claim; we can report that a clear majority of respondents were in favor of the proposal.

The results of the consultation have now been passed on to our regional office and we will update you on what happens next as the situation evolves.

NJC Pay Claim 2011/12

2010-09-21T04:34:00.000-07:00

The time has come for the joint trade unions to submit a pay claim for 2011/12 to the local government employers. The UNISON NJC Committee met earlier this month to discuss what the claim should be and would now like to consult members on the following question.

Do you agree that:

An increase of at least £250 on all salaries and spinal column points for 2011/12 and
A joint review of the employment conditions proposals tabled by the trade unions in 2008/9*

should be the NJC pay claim for 2011/12?

Responses need to be received in the branch office by 5pm on Thursday 23 September. You can use the poll on the right of this page or email us at unison@reading.gov.uk. Comments can be left below.

In arriving at the above, the trade union side of the NJC Committee considered a wide range of economic indicators, pay comparisons with other public sector workers, the employers' capacity to pay, the impasse over this year's negotiations, and member' concerns over job security.

It is also worth bearing in mind that following this year's freeze, NJC pay has fallen even further behind the rest of the public sector and inflation is predicted to remain at around 3-4%.

If you would like to know more about the details of the claim please contact the branch office or visit http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/pages_view.asp?did=11763

Robin Hood Tax

2010-09-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

If you do one thing this week, UNISON is asking that you add your support to demands for the Robin Hood tax at:

www.robinhoodtax.org.uk

A tax on banking transactions is a key element of UNISON's motion to the Labour Party Conference next week and was the basis for a lively debate at our own National Delegate Conference earlier this year.

Formation Of Reading Trades Union Council

2010-09-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 18 September the inaugural meeting of the Reading Trades Union Council (RTUC) was held at UNISON's regional offices on church street.

Over 30 activists from a dozen different unions working in the private, public and voluntary sectors across Reading came together to elect an executive group and begin developing a programme to build a united voice for working people and communities in our town.

Representatives from the branch attended the event because we feel there is an urgent need for a united trades union movement to defend members and promote an alternative to a cuts agenda which could devastate our community.

The next RTUC meeting will be held on Thursday 7 October, and the group will be building towards an AGM next February.We will bring you more news as things develop.

To find out about the RTUC and its history visit readingtuc.blogspot.com

UNISON's Award For Outstanding Social Work

2010-09-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

Do you know a social worker who has done outstanding work, supporting adults, families and children, and who deserves special recognition?

Why not nominate them for UNISON's award for outstanding social work, which has been set up to highlight the huge difference that social workers make to people in the UK.

UNISON represents more than 40,000 social workers who work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society, often under enormous pressure from underfunding, understaffing, and excessive paperwork.

Despite this, social workers are constantly facing bad press and so UNISON is attempting to redress the balance by highlighting some of the positive contributions made everyday.

The deadline for entries is 1 December 2010 and there will be a prize for the winning social worker in each region.

Visit UNISON Social Work Award to download a
nomination form

Pakistan Flood Appeal

2010-09-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

On 23 August UNISON nationally donated £10,000 to the Pakistan Flood Appeal and urged branches to follow suit. UNISON president Angela Lynes commented:

"The recent floods in Pakistan are probably the worst humanitarian disaster in the UN's history because so many millions of people are affected. The international community must respond faster and more generously if more lives are not to be lost ... thousands are dying needlessly from preventable diseases and millions more are without food or shelter."

The Reading Borough UNISON Executive Committee this week approved a motion for our branch to donate £500 to the same Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help alleviate the awful human tragedy caused by the flooding.

To find out more about the DEC and the Pakistan flood appeal, or if you would like to make a personal donation, please visit: www.dec.org.uk/

Save NHS Direct!

2010-09-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

An online petition has been launched as part of a campaign to save NHS Direct after the coalition government revealed plans to replace it with a cut-price service staffed by non-medical workers.

The coalition plan to roll out the non-emergency "111" service nationally once trials had been completed in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Luton.

Around 11,600 have signed the petition so far. Cameron has previously promised a Commons debate on any petition that receives 100,000 signatures.

Please sign the petition and encourage others to do so at: www.savenhsdirect.co.uk/

Introducing Moneyway: Unison’s new Personal Loan provider!

2010-03-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

When members enquire about taking out a personal loan with Moneyway, you’ll be met by a friendly, experienced team who will offer advice that is specific to your needs explaining your options clearly and carefully. This ensures that no only do they lend responsibly but any loan offered is at a level that you can comfortably afford to repay.

Moneyway offer an unsecured lending facility for almost any purpose, ranging from home improvements to holidays, that once in a lifetime special occasion to consolidating any other lending. Members can apply for personal loans to £500 to £15,000 with each loan tailored to your individual circumstances to ensure you are offered the best rate available with Moneyway.

· Loans available from £500 - £15,000*
· Term 1 – 5 years
· Unsecured lending only (i.e. your home is not used as security)
· We don’t borrow from other banks
· Same day decisions in most cases

So why not give them a call now on 08451 117 113** (opening hours 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday) or for further information visit our website at www.moneyway.co.uk/unison.

* Terms & conditions apply. Loans subject to status. Available to UK residents 18 years and over.

** Calls may be recorded and monitored for quality and training purposes.

Loans provided by Secure Trust Bank plc.

Learn Something New:

2010-01-05T02:17:00.000-08:00

CREDIT CRUNCH COOKERY

FREE FUN COURSE
TEACHES YOU COOKERY ON A TIGHT BUDGET

4pm - 6pm: Monday 18th January
until Monday 22nd February

In Six Two Hour Sessions In Our fantastic Teaching Kitchens At:
NEW DIRECTIONS SOUTH READING

This course is open to UNISON members only. We will ask you for a deposit of £20, which is fully refundable on completion of the course.

Limited Availability
To secure a place or to find out more please contact the branch office:

Ext. 72890 / Unison@reading.gov.uk

Free 2010 Diaries!

2009-12-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

As an early Christmas present, the branch has a number of UNISON 2010 diaries to give away to our members FREE on a first-come first-served basis.

The diaries are pocket sized, leather, and are burgundy coloured with gold trim.

If you are a member of this branch of UNISON and would like a free diary, please email unison@reading.gov.uk, quoting ‘UNISON 2010 Diary’ in the subject line, and giving your work address where the diary can be posted.

We anticipate high demand for these, so email soon to avoid disappointment!

Membership Benefits Event

2009-12-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

The branch is holding an event to advertise the full benefits of UNISON membership:

12.30 - 2 : Monday 14th December

Kennet Room : Civic Centre

Representatives from Thompson's Solicitors, UIA insurance, Britannia Building Society, Frizzell Financial Services, and Lealta (administrators of the UNISON discount card,) along with Branch Officers, Stewards, H&S Reps, and ULRs, will all be there to talk about the membership services and the substantial discounts available to UNISON members.

Free Tea, Coffee, Orange Juice, and Mince Pies

The event is open to all RBC employees - members and non-members alike. Come along and find out how UNISON can save you money.

Car Allowances Proposal - A UNISON member responds

2009-10-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

Any employer wishing to amend allowances in the way RBC propose should negotiate through the LGA for the change to be made across the board through revision of the Green Book rather than piecemeal unilateral erosion of agreed terms.

I need to use my car so I can deliver equipment to my clients and risk assess it's use at the same time, not some time after the van has made delivery separately to client. The need is therefore related to client risk rather than mileage. If the council will not pay me a realistic rate for the wear and tear of using my car for repeated short urban journeys (the most wearing type of driving on all components of a car) I will have to consider whether to use public transport which will slow down the number of clients I am able to see hugely.

I also feel that we need to look at attacks on public sector workers in context. This year's pay award was (I think) around 1%. Next year politicians are talking about a public sector pay freeze. Pensions commentators are already talking in the media about ending the final salary public pension schemes such as the LGPS. Inflation is also reported to be rising again. Now with the proposed changes to car allowances these wil, taken together, bring about considerable reductions in pay and benefits to an already low-paid sector which is being asked to work harder every year.

NJC Pay 2010 Consultation Results

2009-10-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

162 branches responded to consultation over the three main elements of the pay claim for 2010/11. By overwhelming majorities of 99%, 97% and 98% respectively, UNISON branches have said they want:

· A one year increase

· A £500 flat rate increase or 2.5% - whichever is the greater

· Improvements to conditions to be kept separate from the pay claim.

This would mean a 4.3% increase for those on the lowest scale point (£12 145) and 2.5% for those on scale point 23 (£20,198) and above. Overall, it would mean an approximate 2.8% increase on the pay bill.

NJC Executive Meeting

A Trade Union Side NJC Executive meeting took place on Tuesday, 13 October between UNISON, UNITE and the GMB where our consultation results were discussed and the position of the other trade unions was explored. Whilst we remain committed to delivering a pay claim as early as possible, in line with conference recommendations, the GMB position will not become clear until after their pay consultation meeting on 20 October. UNITE also want to submit the claim as early as possible. It is the continuing aim of all three trade unions within the NJC to submit a joint claim. A joint Trade Union Side meeting will take place on 26 October to finalise the claim. It is likely that a full NJC meeting will also be held with the employers on the same day.

Question about Pay Claim

2009-10-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

Q.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding this but it seems to me that the response is suggesting that lower paid staff (under 20K?) should get bigger annual increases in salary, than other so called ‘higher’ paid staff (20-50K?) purely because they receive a lower salary. The cost of living increases year on year for everyone, we all work just as hard as anyone else. ‘Higher’ paid staff don’t get paid bigger salaries just for the sake of it - there is a reason behind this, and could be because of levels of responsibility, experience, qualifications etc (not denigrating lower paid staff in any way). Therefore I would not be happy to support a move which seems to suggest that as ‘higher’ paid staff get bigger salaries, it is ok not to give them a pay rise they need / deserve.

A.

The current majority view of the branch committee is that there should be research into the accumulative effect percentage increases have on maintaining differentials between salary points. Maintaining differentials are, as you point out, essential in recruiting, retaining and rewarding staff at various levels. However we don't agree that it is productive for these differentials to broaden, or indeed substantially decrease. We fear year on year percentage offers are having a detrimental effect of broadening differentials in real terms, making it harder for scale 1, 2, 3 and 4 members of UNISON to make ends meet, buy a house, run a car, raise a family, have a social life etc. This is acute in areas of the South East. The branch committee agreed that we want to be consistent in asking for the research, which may demonstrate that there are alternatives to percentages plucked from the air.

Fair and Practical Pay

2009-10-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Brendan said in his e-mail that he had very few replies back regarding the NJC 2010/11 pay claim. The reason I (and possibly many others) didnt respond is that I have lost all motivation and hope that my pay will be fair and practical. It seems that no matter what I say or do, I am still likely to loose out and continue to struggle financially. I just want to give up.

(Sent Via Have your Say)

Important Meeting

2009-10-08T05:35:00.000-07:00

Joint Trades Union Committee

Urgent Meeting for Union Members

To Discuss Pay and Reward
and the Essential Car User Allowance

Tuesday 20th October: 4pm
Bennet Road Social Club

Wednesday 21st October: 5pm
Meadway Room, The Avenue Centre

Thursday 22nd October: 4pm
Kennet Room, The Civic Centre

Join Us And Have Your Say

Black Member's Group Network Day

2009-10-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

UNISON South-East Region is holding a network day for the Black Member's Group

Saturday 10th October 2009
Brixton (Lambeth) Town Hall
Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW
12pm to 4pm

Speaker: Dr Lez Henry on “Whiteness Made Simple

Venue has disabled access
Expenses for lunch, travel (including any car parking) and dependent care expenses will be met by the RBMG
Call Steve or Mumta on 0845 355 0845 to book your place or crèche facilities!!
Lambeth Town Hall map:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=SW2+1RW&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1

2010/11 Pay Claim

2009-09-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

Now that the pay award for 2009/10 has been finalised, UNISON is pressing ahead with preparations for next years pay negotiations. The UNISON NJC Committee has considered a wide range of economic indicators, pay comparisons with other public sector workers, and the state of local government finances in 2010/11, and has agreed that the claim should be for a one year flat rate increase of £500, or 2.5% whichever is the greater over one year.

The branch is looking for feedback on this proposal, so please get your comments to the branch via the comments button below, or by emailing unison@reading.gov.uk, on or before Thursday 8th October.

NJC PAY 2009/10 Pay Settlement – Offer Accepted

2009-09-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who took part in the branch's recent consultation over the 2009/10 pay claim. The results of our ballot were communicated to the national body and at a meeting of the UNISON NJC held on Wednesday 09 September, these results where considered and an overwhelming majority, 89% of members, accepted the offer of a 1% pay rise for the majority of workers. The other Unions involved in the negotiations have also accepted the offer and as a result, the employers have been asked to implement the agreement ASAP.

2009-09-24T02:50:00.001-07:00

The Workers Educational Association (WEA) is running an excellent selection of courses in the Reading area that might be of interest to our members. Places are filling up rapidly, so enrol soon to avoid missing out. For full details of the courses available please visit their website:

www.wea.org.uk
The Workers’ Educational Association
(WEA) is Britain’s major provider of adult
education courses. Courses are open to all
and no previous qualifications are
necessary

A Million Voices For Change

2009-09-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

Reading Borough UNISON Branch Statement

"This branch believes that people matter and our principles are that we care about equality and fairness. People, and services for the people, come before profit. There is such a thing as society and our communities must be inclusive. We want to see transparency, diversity, self-sufficiency, health and happiness - we want bread and roses for everyone. It is our in-house public services that deliver these principles: services that are democratically controlled by the people, protecting the vulnerable through the prudent use of public money, public service by public servants, fair services at a fair price, distributed fairly and accessible to all."

Our votes – our Council. Our taxes – our services.
Our jobs – our lives. Our choice – our voice.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICES WHY NOT ADD YOUR NAME TO UNISON’S ‘Million Voices for Change’ Campaign.
Visit www.unison.org.uk/million

Essential Car Users Allowance

2009-09-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

UNISON have provided councillors and lead officers with the results of our survey of car using union members. The findings reflect concerns about H&S, service efficiency and fairness. We have put forward a proposal to define essential car users accurately and compensate them accordingly. We anticipate to hear the outcome of these sensible and constructive representations by the beginning of October. We will be convening meetings at various sites once we have had a response. Results of the survey are available upon request to the branch office. Tel 01189 390890 unison@reading.gov.uk

Welcome to our Blog

2009-09-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

We at Reading Borough UNISON are alive to developments in communication technology/The Regional Office has told us to set up a blog! We aim to update regularly.

We would like to draw your attention to the new branch website www.rbcunison.org.uk

We welcome views and comments from branch members, trade unionists and any like minded souls seeking a fairer society.