Branch to hold members' meetings on "improved" terms and conditions proposals

UNISON is holding meetings for members in the week beginning 7th October on Aberdeenshire Council's new package of terms and conditions which will be arriving through the post from now.

Meetings
We will be having meetings as detailed below to answer questions and to seek your views. Please make every effort to come along.

• 8th October 12.30 – 1.30 Banff Court House                      
• 9th October 12.45 – 1.45 Fraserburgh Community and Sports Centre (new pool)   Meeting Room 3            
• 9th October 12.30 – 1.30 Conservatory, Carlton House, Stonehaven                            
• 10th October 12.30 – 1.30 Ury Room, Gordon House, Inverurie                                    
• 11th October 12.30 – 1.30 Marr Room, Annex, Woodhill House, Aberdeen    

The Branch has been fully involved in the negotiations and believes that there have been significant improvements to the council's original terms and conditions proposals consulted on last year. It will ballot members once the package has been fully equality proofed.      

Inez Teece

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, "Although UNISON members accepted the revised proposals for changes to terms and conditions, the Branch made the commitment to continue fighting for further changes includiing the living wage, improvements to the mileage rates, and no reductions to the pay rates for low paid, predominantly female workers.

"This we have continued to do and we believe that we have achieved what we set out to do.

"The living wage was implemented for all staff earning below £7.20 from March last year with an increase being implemented as part of the recent national pay deal.

"These proposals will see an increase in the mileage rate and assistance with travelling with the pool cars and car lease scheme.

"Pay rates have been increased across the board in these new proposals, with all staff seeing at least £250 extra per year and those below G grade receiving £750 per year.  This means our low paid members will receive a welcome pay rise to help cope with the ever increasing cost of living," said Inez.

"There will still be changes to our Terms and Conditions, but we believe that we have moved a long way from the original proposals last year.

"The Branch has worked hard on behalf of our members to achieve these changes. We believe it is the very best we can achieve through negotiation."

Inez warned that some people still may see changes to their pay. "Aberdeenshire Council will be posting the details to staff and we ask you to check them thoroughly and look carefully at what it means for you.

"This is especially important for those of you who receive unsocial hours payments. However, UNISON believes that the package as a whole is a plus for most of our members and that the pay increase goes a long way in addressing the shortfalls members who work unsocial hours could have seen in their take home pay."

Inez said, "UNISON will be balloting its members on these proposals and is asking all our members to return your ballot paper to the freepost address shown. Remember, it is only Trade Union members that decide if these proposals go ahead or not.

"This is about your job and your income; you need to let us know what it means to you and what you think".

Inez added, "Please attend the meetings where we will be able to offer information and answer any questions you have.

"We will be publishing a response at the end of the consultation period."