The tyranny of hospital car parking charges

UNISON assistant national health officer Val Johnston is supporting health workers across England to push back against hospital parking charges.

She explains: “When hospitals charge staff for parking, it doesn’t work on a daily ticket basis. You buy a permit, but that doesn’t even guarantee you a parking space.

“We hear from members who have paid for a whole year, but aren’t able to park when they turn up to work. You can end up driving round looking for space, getting into work late and keeping patients waiting.

“This adds additional stress to hard-working health staff, who are already working long shifts in a stressful environment. Having to arrive an hour early just to find a parking space makes a 12 hour shift into a 13 hour shift.”

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Earlier this month, hospital workers in Norfolk successfully pushed management to scrap charges for two rural hospitals.

UNISON Norfolk and Suffolk regional organiser Peter Passingham commented: “Lots of Norfolk is very rural with poor public transport links. The NHS trust was going for a one-size-fits-all approach and tried to implement parking charges across the whole area, including two rural hospitals – North Walsham and Kelling.

“Management consulted with staff, who challenged them on the difficulty of using public transport to get to work, especially for night shifts.

“One site backed down, but the other didn’t, so staff organised a petition and lunchtime protest in June, and in August we got the good news that the charges were being stopped, and sites would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“This win will have a positive effect on other rural hospitals.”

Join the UNISON hospital parking charges campaign

UNISON branch secretary Rad Kerrigan added: “The UNISON branch pulled together a well-attended meeting at very short notice. People from across all grades and a variety of grades came to have their say.

“Within two weeks, the petition had gathered over 1,400 signatures from staff and local residents.”

For Liz, a therapy assistant and UNISON member who joined the campaign, the whole experience was very positive: “To be part of the campaign with the guidance and help of UNISON, standing together with work colleagues who felt the same, made me feel empowered.

“When we got the result we wanted, it made me realise that when we all work together, we’re all so much stronger.”

UNISON has developed a hospital parking charter to support health workers to fight back against charges and improve parking at their workplace. It says:

• only charge staff for the hours their vehicles are parked at the hospital, not for an annual permit
• guarantee a parking place for all staff with a valid parking permit
• provide emergency bays for on-call staff so they can park for free
• ensure that the cost of parking is more affordable by charging on a sliding scale so staff who earn less pay less
• scrap parking charges for staff with disabilities
• make on-site parking free for all staff on a night shift.

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Blog: This should send a chill down the spine of everyone who cares for democracy

Boris Johnson has only been Prime Minister for 36 days, and yet his government has already launched an outrageous attack on our nation’s democracy.

Now we know for sure what Johnson and his acolytes meant by “take back control”. They didn’t mean bringing powers from Brussels back to Westminster – they meant putting power in the hands of the rich and powerful, and silencing opposition and dissent in the most dictatorial way.

The planned closure of Parliament, at a time of constitutional crisis, is the sort of manoeuvre more suited to a corrupt tin-pot dictatorship, not one of the oldest democracies in the world.

Boris Johnson stands against everything our union believes in, and those of us who plan on opposing his government every step of the way should be justifiably concerned that one of his first acts in power has been to trample all over our country’s long-standing democratic norms.

If this is what he’s willing to do after only a month in Downing Street, then where does he draw the line when it comes to those who would stand in his way?

Worst of all is that this is in pursuit of a Brexit – in all likelihood a ‘no-deal’ Brexit – that would shatter our economy, our society and our public services.

The government’s own report, ‘Operation Yellowhammer’, predicts food shortages, travel chaos and a long-lasting lack of vital medicines if we crash out without a deal. Meanwhile any alternative deal that Johnson might propose risks smashing rights at work into the dirt and ending twenty years of peace in Northern Ireland.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Johnson’s approach to Brexit will put lives at risk and cause the greatest disruption to life in the UK for a generation.

That our new Prime Minister (chosen, of course, by only a tiny handful of Tories), is willing to trample over Parliamentary democracy to deliver such a terrifying outcome should send a chill down the spine of everyone who cares about our country and our democracy.

That he is doing so under the guise of standing up for the will of the people shows him up for the tin-pot autocrat he aspires to be. We cannot and will not let him get away with it.

UNISON is actively working with other unions and civil society organisations to fight this abuse of democracy and the threat of a no-deal Brexit. And we are encouraging all activists to attend upcoming local protests so we can all make our voices heard.

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This will be ‘catastrophic’ for working people

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis is supporting the urgent message of over 80 civil society organisations that a no-deal Brexit will be catastrophic for working people.

The Brexit Civil Society Alliances’ urgent message sent to the Prime Minister today argues that a no-deal risks too much for too little and will be catastrophic to working people, civil society and communities.

Mr Prentis says the open letter to the PM shows how the government has failed to listen to the concerns of civil society organisations, that a no-deal Brexit will impact negatively on workers’ rights, standards, EU citizens rights, devolved governance and transparent law-making.

Coming together from across the devolved nations, as well as a breadth of English regions, the signatories of the letter, which include those delivering front-line public and community services, are unified in their concerns.

In particular the threat to communities in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement presented by no-deal, with its regression of rights and standards, and legal uncertainty of the Good Friday Agreement is too high a price to pay for Brexit at any cost.

 Read the full press release and letter here

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No-deal will leave NHS gasping for breath

Commenting on the statement from the TUC and health unions on the threat posed to the NHS by a no-deal Brexit, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“Boris Johnson is setting a timebomb for the NHS. The promises of more cash for the health service made during the referendum were just empty words.

“No deal will instead leave the NHS gasping for breath, creating chaos for the hard-working staff and spelling potential disaster for patients.”

Notes to editors:
– The full statement (embargoed to 00.01hrs Thursday 29 August) reads:

“Together we represent more than a million health and care staff.
They’re the lifeblood of our health service, consistently going above and beyond to make sure we can all rely on world-class care when we need it most. 
A no-deal Brexit could devastate the NHS and social care. And if this government goes ahead with it, health and care workers will be on the frontline.
As the Yellowhammer report makes clear, a no deal could cause significant disruption to the supply of medicine, lasting up to six months.
Many medicines, including life-saving agents for cancer diagnosis and therapy, cannot be stockpiled and for those that can, those stockpiles could run out.
These kinds of shortages and delays can be fatal. No responsible government should take that risk.
We have already seen thousands of EU staff leave since 2016. In the event of a no deal, tens of thousands of NHS and care workers from the EU would be left in limbo, intensifying the largest staffing crisis in the services’ history.
Ministers must unequivocally guarantee the right of European health and care staff to continue to live and work in the UK.
Finally, we know that the stronger our economy, the more funding we can dedicate to the NHS and social care.
Treasury assessments show that a no-deal scenario would shrink our economy by £90bn, reducing the money available for the NHS and other vital public services.
After a decade of austerity, health and social care budgets across the country are under immense pressure. With many care providers already in difficulty, a hit to the public finances could have additional knock-on consequences for the NHS.
With waiting times rising, operations being cancelled and yet another winter crisis looming, the health service cannot weather a long-term economic shock.
We call on the government to take no deal off the table.”

– It has been signed by Frances O’Grady, general secretary, TUC; Dave Prentis, general secretary, UNISON; Dr Chaand Nagpaul, council chair, British Medical Association; Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary, Royal College of Nursing; Gill Walton, general secretary, Royal College of Midwives; Tim Roache, general secretary, GMB; Gail Cartmail, assistant general secretary, Unite; Karen Middleton, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Physiotherapy; Richard Evans, chief executive, Society of Radiographers; Sam Aitkenhead, general secretary, British Orthoptic Society; Annette Mansell-Green, head of employment rights, British Dietetic Association.

– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local
government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M:07834 864794E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk

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Leaked document reveals government ‘concern’ over teaching assistants

UNISON has criticised today’s leaked government briefing that details concern about “the rising number of teaching assistants”.

Contrary to the government’s reports of an increase, secondary schools have seen the number of teaching assistants (TAs) cut by 12% since 2013.

UNISON represents more than 150,000 teaching assistants in the UK, and argues that they play a vital role in boosting quality and standards.

National education officer Joanna Parry said: “TAs play a hugely important role in our school communities, supporting teaching and learning, boosting pupil attainment and giving specialist assistance to the most vulnerable children.

“The government’s reported concerns around TA numbers are an insult to teaching assistants who are stretched to the limit due to funding cuts, yet still making a positive difference to pupils.

“UNISON will be campaigning to defend TAs against these shocking government threats.”

The union has long argued that the vital role teaching assistants play in boosting quality and standards should be backed up by greater investment in the workforce.

Ms Parry said that if the government’s aim is to deploy TAs effectively, as the leaked memo implied, this would require investment in the workforce with better pay, and opportunities for training and development.

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Suspending Parliament smacks of dictatorship

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s plan for an extended suspension of Parliament, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“This outrageous manoeuvre has been made to silence all opposition in the most dictatorial way.

“Our parliamentary democracy is the envy of the world, but it’s being stamped upon and disregarded by a Prime Minister who’s not gone near a public vote.

“Boris Johnson is treating the future of the UK like the plot of a far-fetched political TV drama. The country must be asked for its view on Brexit right now. That’s the only way.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk

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Blackpool hospital staff begin two-day strike

Underpaid employees of Compass, a private health contractor, began two days of strike action in Blackpool today. Blackpool NHS Teaching Hospitals, St Helens Hospital and Whiston Hospital will all be affected.

Strikers are calling for pay parity with NHS colleagues. The cleaners, caterers, porters, receptionists and security staff employed by Compass are paid the minimum wage of £8.21 per hour, whilst colleagues employed by the NHS are paid an hourly minimum of £9.03.

The difference of 82p an hour is worth £1,600 a year for full-time staff.

In addition to being underpaid, Compass staff also lose out on shift bonuses for working on weekends and bank holidays, and only receive statutory sick pay whereas NHS workers have a comprehensive sick pay scheme.

UNISON North West regional organiser Lisa Oxbury told the Blackpool Gazette: “These dedicated NHS workers simply want to be part of the health service team, with fair pay and treatment. Our cleaners, caterers, porters, reception and security staff make a huge contribution to the NHS.

“They deserve the NHS rate for the job, enhancements for unsociable hours and a health service sick pay scheme.”

This is the second round of industrial action for Compass staff in Blackpool, following a day’s strike on 31 July. Negotiations between UNISON representatives and Compass have since soured after Compass offered a paltry £80 backpay to underpaid workers in St Helens and Whiston Hospitals.

Click here to send a message of support to the strikers

On the day of the July strike, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis stated: “Compass made £1.7bn in profit last year alone, so we refuse to accept its claim that it can’t afford an 82p pay rise for its lowest paid NHS staff.”

Compass boss Dominic Blakemore was paid £4.6 million last year.

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What does a no-deal Brexit mean for the NHS?

Last week, senior NHS bosses were ordered to repeat Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s claim that a no-deal Brexit must be carried out in October if necessary.

As reported in The Independent, a controversial government briefing stated that all communications sent by NHS England must be “aligned to this script”. Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Jonathan Ashworth MP calls this a “gagging order” on NHS managers.

The NHS Confederation have previously outlined several risks to a no-deal Brexit, namely delays in accessing medicine, suspension of pharmaceutical research and the potential for UK pensioners living in EU countries to have their right to receive local healthcare revoked.

If the latter happens, the NHS could end up swamped with an extra 260,000 expat pensioners after Brexit.

Staff shortages are one of the most alarming features of a no-deal Brexit. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research predict that by 2021, there may be a shortfall of around 5-10,000 nurses.

The Royal College of Nursing has stated that since the Brexit vote in 2016, there has been a 90 per cent fall in EU nurses and midwives applying to join the national register.

UNISON represents 450,000 people employed working in health, and a further 350,000 in social care. If this includes you, and you’re worried about the impact a no-deal Brexit will have on your job, have your say here.

Chair of UNISON healthcare executive Roz Norman says: “A no-deal Brexit will be the first nail in the coffin of our NHS. We have the best health service in the world, but a no-deal Brexit will have a significant impact on patient care.

“Most of our medicines come from Europe. I know that some hospitals are already stockpiling, and some hospitals are already running out of medicines.

“This includes chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients. If cancer patients don’t get those treatments on a regular basis, we could be looking at a lot more deaths.”

“Even if we do get the medication, and we haven’t got the staff to deliver the services, it’ll be the patients that suffer”

Norman has worked at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust for 38 years and is the staff-side chair there. She adds: “I’m so proud to work here. We’re deemed as one of the happiest trusts to work for in the country. It’s a real melting pot with overseas nurses and medical staff from many different countries. We’ll lose that culture”

“We had a Spanish nurse here who’s gone back to Madrid for some training. She planned to come back to the UK once she’d finished the training, but now it doesn’t look like she’ll get back. The NHS will collapse without overseas nurses”

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Bradford NHS members suspend strike action

UNISON has agreed to suspend the indefinite industrial action that was due to start on Monday at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, after successful talks at the conciliation service ACAS.

Some 300 UNISON members were preparing to escalate industrial action if the trust didn’t halt plans to transfer them to a wholly owned private company it is setting up.

Regional organiser Natalie Ratcliffe said: “The trust has agreed not to proceed with a 1 October transfer date. The board of directors will meet on 12 September.

“UNISON has been offered the opportunity to present its case, to allow the board to further reflect on the position previously taken. The outcome of this further consideration will be notified to UNISON by the end of September 2019.”

The staff, who work in estates, facilities and clinical departments, went on strike at Bradford teaching hospitals for two weeks earlier in August, having already taken one week’s action in July.

They want to remain as direct NHS employees, and fear that the trust’s plans to move their work to a wholly owned subsidiary company could see workers losing the protections they have as NHS employees.

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West Midlands Ambulance Service wins back contract

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) have won back a contract to deliver the local NHS 111 service.

WMAS will take over the contract in November 2019, and plan to integrate both the 999 and 111 services in the area, leading to “significant improvements for patient care”.

For the past four years, the 111 service has been delivered by private company Care UK.

UNISON West Midlands regional organiser Chanel Willis told the Express and Star: “The big winners from the return of the 111 service to the public sector will be patients.

“From November they’ll once again be able to speak with highly trained NHS staff.

“When NHS services are privatised, the concern is always that costs will be kept down to drive up profits.

“UNISON is pleased that after four years health bosses have finally realised the 111 service is safer in the NHS family.”

Existing workers on the 111 service will now transfer over to WMAS. WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “We will also be looking to significantly increase the number of staff so that there is more resilience over the winter period.

“I firmly believe that this will be positive for both sets of staff for example, providing new opportunities to develop and progress their careers.”

Call handlers across three sites will be able to deal with both 999 and 111 calls and there will be retraining for all staff.

Marsh says: “We have an outstanding track record in running complex clinical call handling operations.

“This expertise will allow us to bring real improvements to the 111 service for both patients and our staff.”

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Government should heed report’s call and fund councils properly

Commenting on the report on council funding published today (Wednesday) by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“Local councils are in a bad way and the blame lies solely at the government’s door. With funding in short supply, local authorities have had to cut back services substantially, or axe them altogether.

“While the Prime Minister has pledged cash for police, schools and the NHS, struggling councils need help now.

“Local authorities still have no idea of their budgets for the next financial year, making it impossible to plan. Yet if the country plunges off a Brexit cliff, it’s under pressure councils that’ll have to pick up the pieces.

“The government must give councils resources now, and allow them to borrow and raise more income locally so they can start to repair the damage of a decade of austerity.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk

Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk

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All-women shortlists must not be ‘meddled with’

Jeremy Corbyn must oppose any attempt to undermine the practice of all-women shortlists, UNISON said today (Friday).

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has written to the Labour leader warning that any move that threatens equal representation in parliament risks a return to the ‘bad old days’ where men ‘monopolise promised (parliamentary) seats.’

It comes as Labour is set to decide who will replace retiring MPs in the run-up to a general election.

In his letter, Dave Prentis says: “The Labour Party and UNISON have a proud record of encouraging women to come forward.

“We’ve worked together over decades towards our goal of 50-50 representation through the all-women shortlist process.

“However, I’m aware of discussions around existing seats that seek to overturn that practice.

“I find this deeply concerning, and wish to flag up the risks and dangers of meddling with a process that has served us well.

“All-women shortlists are being used as bargaining chips primarily for the convenience of men to take or monopolise promised seats.

“There must not be a return to the bad old days of backroom stitch-ups and women being pushed further away from being represented in parliament.

“We support more than a million women including thousands who are active in the Labour party. They’re strong, talented and from all walks of life, and many – like Angela Rayner and Eleanor Smith – would make excellent MPs.

“Labour has a clear policy that where a female Labour MP steps down, that specific seat must stay open to women only. This must remain the case.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
– UNISON is committed to increasing women’s representation in parliament through the all-women shortlist (AWS) process.

Media contacts:
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
Siobhan Cooley T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07816 538199 E: s.cooley@unison.co.uk

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Government only doing ‘half the job’ by replacing police officers

The government must replace 22,000 police community support officer (PCSO) and other police staff jobs axed since the start of austerity, UNISON said today (Wednesday).

The union warns that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to recruit extra police officers is not enough on its own to halt the rise in serious and violent crime. 

Ministers and police chiefs must also restore the entire police workforce to 2010 levels by replacing the thousands of police staff jobs lost since 2010, says UNISON. This includes taking on more 999 call takers, fingerprint experts and detention officers. 

It comes as government figures* show PCSO numbers have nearly halved, from 16,918 in March 2010 to 9,547 in March 2019. Police staff jobs too have reduced by more than 17% over the same period, from 83,843 to 69,305.

UNISON is concerned that the extra police officers promised by the government will not end up on the beat. Instead, they will be carrying out jobs currently done by police staff, unless the entire police ‘team’ is rebuilt. 

UNISON national officer for police staff Ben Priestley said: “Recruiting new police officers is a start. It’s necessary if the government is serious about tackling the rise in serious and violent crime that’s happened on its watch. 

“But this isn’t enough on its own – it’s only doing half the job. These officers won’t have the team needed to cut crime without more police staff such as crime scene investigators, specialists in cybercrime and data analysts.

“Just as doctors alone can’t run a hospital, officers can’t patrol the beat and tackle crime without police staff and PCSOs working alongside them.

“Ministers must restore the entire police workforce to 2010 levels, not just part of it. Otherwise the community will suffer the consequences.”

UNISON has written to the police minister Kit Malthouse as well as organisations, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, urging them to support its campaign to rebuild the whole police team. 

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors. 
– *A total of 14,538 police staff jobs and 7,371 PCSO jobs have been cut since 2010, according to Home Office police workforce data.
– Police staff undertake vital work for police forces and include crime scene examiners, fingerprint experts, investigators and detention officers.
– Office for National Statistics figures show that certain crimes including stalking and harassment, and possession of weapons have risen significantly between April 2018 and March 2019.

Media contacts:
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
Siobhan Cooley T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07816 538199 E: s.cooley@unison.co.uk

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Activists: an inspiration at the heart of our union

“UNISON activists are the people who make our union so special,” general secretary Dave Prentis declared today, as he visited the Southampton District branch.

The branch and members – working at Southampton city council, Hamwic Education Trust, Solent University, Capita Southampton Ltd, Active Nation UK Ltd and elsewhere – have been through a difficult time. Mr Prentis praised “a great group of activists” who have helped them get through that.

A mix of “old stewards returning to the fray” or new branch activists –  particularly women – who have come forward to support their colleagues, have created a branch “that’s really going places,” said Mr Prentis, “and it inspired me.”

Activists are at the heart of the union, and the general secretary praised their professionalism, loyalty and commitment.

Like thousands of UNISON activists across union, said Mr Prentis, the team at Southampton has “only one priority – coming together collectively to provide the best possible support for our members.

“This is what makes UNISON so special.”

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Blog: A brilliant branch building on their many strengths

It was great to visit Southampton district branch today, and meet up with a great group of activists who have taken their branch and our members through a very difficult period. Whether they’re old stewards returning to the fray or new branch activists, particularly women activists, recruited to support their colleagues, this is a branch that’s really going places and it inspired me.

Today I saw people from different backgrounds with different talents and different skills coming together to support public service workers. These activists were professional, loyal and committed – a great example of what our union does best. Most of all, the UNISON activists today, like thousands of you across our union, have only one priority – coming together collectively to provide the best possible support for our members.

This is what makes UNISON so special – as I told members in Southampton today. I also gave them a personal commitment that I would keep on supporting them as they continue to develop and grow this brilliant branch, which by building on its many strengths will continue to show that UNISON is the only union worth joining in local government and in Southampton.

I want to place on record my gratitude, not just to the activists I met today, but to all UNISON activists who make our union so special. Every day I’m proud of our union.

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Bradford hospital members to strike again

Some 300 UNISON members are preparing to escalate industrial action at Bradford teaching hospitals if the trust doesn’t halt plans to transfer them to a wholly owned private company it is setting up.

The staff who work in estates, facilities and clinical departments are due to end a two-week strike tomorrow, having already taken one week’s action in July. If there is no resolution to the dispute, they plan to start indefinite strike action on 26 August.

The staff want to remain as direct NHS employees and fear that the trust’s plans to move their work to a wholly owned subsidiary company could see workers losing the protections they have as NHS employees.

The trust argues that the new company – to be called Bradford Healthcare Facilities Management Limited –“will always be 100% owned by the NHS” and never sold on. It also says that workers transferred to it will keep NHS pay, including future pay rises, terms and conditions, such as access to the NHS Pension Scheme.

However, it also says that it will only offer terms and conditions for future staff  that are “comparable” to NHS terms.

Strike appeal

The 300 striking members include porters, cleaners and security staff at Bradford teaching hospitals. UNISON is asking branches to donate to their hardship fund.

Please donate via bank transfer to Unity Trust, sort code 608301, a/c no 49021215, or cheque made out to Bradford Health Services Branch and posted to UNISON office, Field House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ.

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‘Think again’ UNISON tells government on LGPS plans

UNISON has called on the government to rethink its plans to allow universities and colleges in England to opt out of offering membership of the local government pension scheme to new non-teaching staff.

Responding to the formal consultation on the plans, the union said that the government’s plans are unlikely to achieve the savings being talked about, and it “strongly believes” the proposals should be subject to a formal equality impact assessment.

The consultation response pointed out that the LGPS is an affordable scheme, and the costs of its benefits have recently fallen rather than risen.

The answer to the chronic underfunding of public services currently affecting all areas, including education and especially colleges, is not to withdraw benefits negotiated in good faith, where reassurances were given in 2012 that changes would not be made again for 25 years, the union told the government.

And it certainly isn’t appropriate to deny a decent pension scheme to predominantly low-paid women.

In addition, UNISON argued in response to the proposals that:

• if the changes are taken up by colleges and universities in England, it will lead to a two-tier workforce in pensions, with new starters being offered inferior and less cost-effective pensions;
• they are most likely to affect lower-paid members of staff and mainly women – which could lead to a future legal challenge that could overturn the proposal and be costly to employers;
• a proportion of employers closing membership of the scheme to new starters could lead to serious cash flow problems for LGPS funds, with a shortfall of contributions at the same time as the number of pensioners increase;
• an employer who closes the LGPS to future membership could face higher contributions in the future to cover the LGPS pensions that have already been built up for its staff, which would offset any savings achieved by offering a cheaper and inferior scheme to new starters;
• even in the short term, the cost of setting up inferior pension arrangements could reduce any potential savings to the employer;
• although initially only affecting England, there are concerns these proposals could undermine universities and colleges who decide to still provide access to the LGPS for new starters and also put pressure on colleges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On top of that, the union said that all proposed changes to the LGPS should be negotiated through the governance structures of the LGPS.

It argued that the current proposals undermine the work being done by the LGPS scheme advisory board to come up for solutions for LGPS employers that are finding it a challenge to remain in the scheme.

Download the union’s full response

Defend the LGPS: more info and film

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Doctors are not the only ones who need NHS pensions help, says UNISON

​Responding to the announcement of an overhaul in pension rules, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “These changes are just fixes to resolve unworkable parts of George Osborne’s taxation regime.

“Introducing measures to help only a small proportion of the millions of active NHS scheme members looks alarmingly like the beginning of a ‘clinicians-first’ approach to pension strategy.

“At the other end of the pay scale, thousands of low-paid staff leave the scheme because they struggle to afford the payments. The government should also be paying similar attention to this problem and introducing flexibility to give staff on far lower earnings a more comfortable retirement.”

Notes to editors
​– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

​Media contact:
​Anthony Barnes T: 020 7121 5255 M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

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Blog: Our union fighting and winning for working people in the courts

UNISON members know that our award-winning legal team is always looking out for them. Whether it’s our famous victory on Employment Tribunal Fees, holiday pay for NHS workers or the ongoing battle over pay for “sleep-in” care workers, our skilled team of in-house lawyers are unrivalled when it comes to winning not just for UNISON members, but all working people.

But it’s not just our own cases where we can make an impact. Our legal team also scour current court cases for opportunities to “intervene” in cases to secure legal victories on rights at work and pay.

Today is a fantastic example of that dedication, focus and experience, with UNISON securing a Court of Appeal victory which will benefit hundreds of thousands of employees working part-time and irregular hours or patterns.

The verdict in the case (Harpur Trust v Brazel & UNISON) guarantees all workers a minimum of 28 days paid annual leave even if they’re not paid (or given work) for parts of the year. That obviously has a real impact on many UNISON members across the UK.

Staff in schools, for example, are often required under contract to be at school outside term time – and carry out work outside of term-time too. They should get 28 days paid holidays just like everyone else.

I’m delighted that the Court of Appeal accepted UNISON’s arguments, and that once again it’s our union fighting and winning for working people in the courts. UNISON will always stand up for working people by any means possible – whether it’s taking more strike action than any other union, leading demonstrations across the country, making the case in parliaments or winning in the courts.

At a time of real uncertainty for public services with a No Deal Brexit looming on the horizon, these victories make me so proud of our union, and what we can achieve together.

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Blog: Money spent on public service workers and their pay is money well spent

In the two weeks since he became our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has made a flurry of announcements, all intended to suggest that his government has energy and ideas – but also to deflect from the catastrophe of a No Deal Brexit that looms on the horizon.

There are clearly those around him who believe that crashing out of the EU is a situation that can be “managed”, but those who work in public services already stretched to breaking point know the truth – a No Deal Brexit would see public services and those who provide them hit hardest.

Millions of public service workers – including UNISON’s 1.3 million members – have seen the value of their wages slashed during a decade of austerity. Right now you shouldn’t be fearful of what the future holds – you should be seeing proper, long-term, sustained investment in public services, including much needed increases in public sector pay.

Instead of spending billions on preparing (once again) for No Deal Armageddon, that money could and should have been spent instead on better wages for public service workers.

The Health Secretary said on July 1 that it’s time to “show some love” to public sector workers. In reality that “love” should have come years ago. Instead those workers were made to pay for a crisis they didn’t cause. Now, as a result of cuts and pay caps, many public sector employers are finding it more difficult to recruit and retain staff – putting even greater pressure upon public services which are already at breaking point.

The time for real pay rises – and real investment in public services – is long overdue. That’s why I wrote to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor last week to demand that they take action and increase funding for public services. Providing adequate funding for public services and those who provide them vital, or – deal or disastrous no deal – public services may be pushed beyond the breaking point once and for all.

The time for kind words and vague promises from politicians of all stripes is over. Money spent on public service workers and their pay is money well spent, both for UNISON members and the millions of people you serve. And at this time of real insecurity, it’s time the government provided much needed funds across the whole public sector, before further long-lasting and avoidable damage is caused.

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Landmark UNISON case confirms minimum annual leave for all workers

UNISON today secured a victory at the Court of Appeal affecting hundreds of thousands of employees working part-time and irregular hours or patterns.

Harpur Trust v Brazel & UNISON clarifies the legal position ensuring all workers are entitled to a minimum of 28 days paid annual leave, even if they do not get given work or paid for parts of the year. In addition, this leave must be paid at the rate of a normal week’s pay, or based on the average payment for the preceding 12 weeks if pay is irregular.

UNISON intervened in this appeal, which was being defended by music teacher Mrs Lesley Brazel and brought by Harpur Trust, her term-time employer. The trust claimed she was entitled to leave and pay below the statutory minimum.

The position of leave for hourly-paid workers in the education sector, who are not paid a salary during school holidays, has been unclear due to the absence of government guidance or definitive case law on their holiday rights.

Although Mrs Brazel is not a member of UNISON, the union was concerned about the wider implications of the case and how it would affect hundreds of thousands of part-time workers and those working on irregular hours. It applied to intervene in November 2018.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “UNISON intervened because this case was about all workers being treated fairly and would have an impact across the whole of the UK.

“Staff in schools are often required under contract to be at school outside term time, and, like Mrs Brazel, are required to do additional unpaid duties beyond those periods.It’s right that they should be paid the same minimum statutory entitlement of 28 days annual leave like everyone else.”

UNISON legal officer Shantha David who acted for UNISON said: “We’re extremely pleased that the Court of Appeal considered and accepted UNISON’s argument.

“The government’s failure to provide guidance in this area has left workers in limbo. The courts have once again had to step in to stop the abuse of workers and to fix what legislation should have made clear from the outset.”

A link to the judgment will be available here.

Notes to Editors
– Members of UNISON’s legal team are available for interview.
– In 2011, the Harpur Trust decided casual and term-time staff should be paid an annual leave allowance of 12.07%. The 12.07% figure was calculated using the 5.6 weeks holiday, divided by 46.4 weeks (which is 52 weeks – 5.6 weeks). The 5.6 weeks are excluded from the calculation as the worker would not be at work during that time in order to accrue annual leave. As Mrs Brazel worked 32 weeks, they said she was entitled to 3.86 weeks of leave (19.3 days, or 32/46.4 x 5.6 weeks). Therefore it said each day’s leave would be paid at the rate of 12.07% of her pay.
– In March 2015 the Claimant presented a complaint in the Employment Tribunal for unlawful deductions from her wages by underpayment of her entitlement to holiday pay
– On 15 January 2017 an employment tribunal at Bury St Edmunds dismissed her claim. It held that the application of a figure of 12.07% to either the length of the holiday entitlement or to what it described as the claimant’s “average pay over the course of the working year of 46.4 weeks” would give her proportionately the same holiday-pay entitlement as a full-year worker.
– On 6 March 2018, following an appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Judge Barklem allowed the appeal and said she was entitled to the full 28 days (5.6 weeks) under the Working Time Regulations on the basis of a full week’s pay calculated in accordance with sections 221 to 224 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The Harpur Trust applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal.
– In November 2018, UNISON applied to intervene in this matter as it was concerned about the effect that this appeal would have on hundreds of thousands of part-time workers and those working on irregular hours.
– Today’s judgment means that all workers are entitled to a minimum of 28 days annual leave under statute, and this should be paid at the rate of a week’s pay (and if this is irregular, then the average over the previous 12 weeks).
– UNISON has had a number of important and high-profile legal victories. This decision comes two years after UNISON’s successful challenge at the Supreme Court overturning the imposition of legal fees at employment tribunals and earlier this year the Court of Appeal agreed that regular overtime should be included when calculating holiday pay.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Siobhan Cooley T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07816 538199 E: s.cooley@unison.co.uk

 

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More funding needed to tackle NHS staffing gaps, says UNISON

Responding to Boris Johnson’s announcement about extra NHS funding amounting to £1.8 billion, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“Extra cash for a chronically underfunded system is welcome but it’s tied to upgrading hospital buildings and will only cover a fraction of what needs doing after a decade of neglect. Nothing has been promised to tackle the gaping holes in staffing.

“We wait expectantly for urgently needed money in the next budget to plug the gaps that will be identified in the forthcoming NHS people plan.”

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Boris Johnson must prioritise pay for public sector workers, says UNISON

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to invest in public sector workers without delay after years of being targeted for pay cuts and job losses.

The PM has a “duty” to take action to ease the financial strain on employees whose income is slipping further behind as the cost of living rises, his letter says.

From 2010 to 2018, the cost of living rose by 31%, but the average public sector worker’s pay increased by less than 8%. During that period house prices rose by 37% and childcare costs shot up by 32%.

Mr Prentis calls for Mr Johnson to honour Theresa May’s pledge that “austerity is over”, emphasising that public sector employees are still to see any evidence of this.

He wrote: “If wages continue to fall behind the cost of living, the serious problems in our public services will only get worse.

“What we need now are pay increases for all public service workers to bring wages back in line with pre-crash levels.

“But, just as importantly, those wage increases need to be funded by your government, not covered by existing budgets which are stretched to breaking point.

“Only adequate funding of public services, and investment in staff pay, can begin to repair the damage to our services and to the lives of those who work so hard to provide them.”

Notes to editors
– Dave Prentis wrote letters to Boris Johnson and chancellor of the exchequer Sajid Javid yesterday, Thursday 1 August 2019
– The full text of the letter can be accessed here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Garfield Myrie T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk

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Staff at Bradford Hospitals Trust strike over privatisation plans

More than 300 porters, domestics, security and catering staff at the Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust will strike for two weeks from today (Thursday) 1 to Thursday 15 August, to oppose plans to outsource their jobs.

The workers believe pay and pensions will suffer as part of a drive to cut costs if roles are transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary company (subco), being set up by the trust.

These companies don’t have to honour NHS contracts and are free to pay employees less than NHS staff doing the same jobs, creating a damaging two-tier system that’s no good for staff or patients, says UNISON.

The August strike follows a week of industrial action in July that saw workers come together with the local community to oppose the backdoor privatisation of health services across the trust.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Staff are taking this action to ensure the NHS keeps its highly motivated and committed workforce together, working for the people of Bradford, not for the directors of a private company.

“It doesn’t reflect well on the trust that staff who are proud to be part of the NHS have to take to the streets to convince the trust that patients and staff come before profits.”

Notes to editors:
– Staff will be outside St Luke’s and Bradford Royal Infirmary from 6am on Thursday 1 August.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media Contacts:
Garfield Myrie T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

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