Introducing Moneyway: Unison’s new Personal Loan provider!

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:

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!

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

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

12.30 - 2 : Monday 14th December

Kennet Room : Civic Centre

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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.

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Free Tea, Coffee, Orange Juice, and Mince Pies

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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

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

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.