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SEFTON UNISON AGM 2010 Wed 10th March 1-2pm and 5.30-6.30pm at Bootle Town Hall and then Southport Town Hall Thursday 11th March 12.30-1.30pm. Buffet lunch at both lunchtime meetings. It is really important to attend ONE of these meetings that ratify and confirm or elect all the Officers and Stewards who will act on your behalf for the forthcoming year. Please do your utmost to attend. Glen Williams, Branch Secretary, Sefton UNISON.
Branch Executive Committee Supports Dave Prentis for General Secretary Election. The Stewards Committee met today and unanimously agreed to support the nomination of Dave Prentis for General Secretary in the forthcoming elections. The all postal ballot will be sent to Members' homes and Sefton has joined with the North West and many other regions in recommending that our members vote for Dave Prentis. For real leadership, fairness, continuity and a voice of confidence and honesty that speaks for the majority of our union, please join your elected Officers and Stewards and make sure you use your vote for Dave Prentis when the Ballot forms arrives at your home. In photo - Glen Williams, Sefton Branch Secretary (2nd from right) with Dave Prentis and other delegates in Feb 2010 at National Social Care Conference  
3rd March BASW Jump The Gun! BULLETIN FOR SOCIAL WORKERS: UNISON relationship with the British Association of Social Workers You may be aware that the British Association of Social Workers (a professional association) has told Community Care magazine that it has dropped plans for a joint membership scheme with UNISON, and has decided instead to offer a discount on BASW membership for social workers who belong to unions or other professional associations. We want to let you know that BASW have not discussed their new proposal with us before announcing it to the press. UNISON has not signed up to any offer or affiliation scheme with BASW. If BASW does approach us with a proposal we would need to consider and consult within the union before any decisions are made. Unless you were intending to join BASW anyway, we would therefore suggest that you don't take up this offer at the current time. If there are any developments we will update you further. Background Only 1 in 8 social workers belong to BASW, although it is the largest social work professional association in the UK. It has therefore been actively looking at ways it can boost its size and profile. BASW’s AGM voted in 2008 to develop a link-up with a trade union. Although there are a couple of other unions with very small numbers of social workers in membership, BASW was keen to talk to UNISON as we represent nearly 45,000 social workers in the UK. During 2009 UNISON held a series of meetings with BASW to explore options for creating a UNISON-BASW joint membership scheme which would allow those social workers who wished to, to join both organisations for a single membership fee. The talks were put on hold in September at BASW’s behest, however we have continued to liaise on areas of mutual interest, while recognising that in some areas we do have significant policy differences – such as on privatisation of social work. In Scotland, and in some English regions, there continue to be active joint working on policy and guidance between UNISON and BASW. 16th February 2010 - BALLOT RESULT The count of the ballot papers was completed on Friday Evening (12th Feb) and UNISON Members voted overwhelmingly to accept the negotiated package that will avoid the need for any compulsory redundancies this financial year. 80% of Members voted to accept the package on a 40% turnout with 17% rejecting and 3% spoilt papers. The GMB have reported that their members, on a very low turn out, voted by 4-1 also accept the package. Unite has not reported its result yet. Many thanks to all UNISON Members who took part in the Ballot. The task ahead for Sefton UNISON over the next 12-24 months is to maintain the priority of avoiding job losses and to keep our members informed. As happened this year, regular communications and up-dates will continue to be posted in emails and on this website. Ultimately, our members will decide and it is clear by a massive majority that the negotiated package, whilst not without pain to our members, was seen as a far better option than major job losses. 10th February 2010 - Ballot on Savings Package. Deadline Approaches - The deadline for postal ballot papers to be returned to the UNISON Branch Office is this Friday (12th February) at 5pm. No papers returned after that date will be accepted. This is your opportunity to have your say in the democratic process and influence how UNISON responds to the Council's proposals. The outcome of the Ballot along with the other two trade unions who have also balloted their members will be announced next week. I have received an extremely high volume of emails in relation to the proposals and apologise for any delay in replying, but now believe every single query has been responded to in writing. 1st Feb 2010 All UNISON Members directly employed by the Council, along with members in Unite and the GMB have been sent the same Ballot papers asking members to tell their respective unions what they wish to do in relation to the proposed package to avoid compulsory redundancies. The decision is simple - if you accept the 1 year package then vote to accept it. If you do not and would be prepared to take part in Industrial Action to try and get an improved package, then vote to reject the package and vote in favour of being balloted for Industrial Action. All 3 unions have issued a statement saying that the package is as a result of many hours negotiations and is the best we can achieve through talks. The Chief Executive has written to all staff also advising of the ballot that would be binding on ALL staff, The letter was shared with UNISON prior to being sent out and urges non-union members to join a trade union - this would be a very useful time to remind all those non-union members that the Chief Executive encourages trade union membership, so maybe they should now join UNISON. Please use your vote. |
