Branch joins 100,000 marchers to say NO to cuts and YES to workers' rights

Branch delegates travelled to Manchester on 4th October to join the TUC march and demonstration against austerity and against the Trade Union bill, on the first day of the Tory Party Conference.

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Tens of thousands of trade unionists joined other activists and protesters to give a loud and clear message to the Tories - "We will not stand by and see the poor and vulnerable targetted with cuts whilst the richest in the UK double their wealth. We will not stand by and see workers' rights and human rights trod underfoot by a government of the rich, for the rich."

As the sun shone the marchers made a colourful display as they snaked through the streets of Manchester. The Tories meantime, hid themselves away behind a "ring of steel" - barriers and security to keep away real people.

Local government members vote to accept two year pay deal

Over 85% of Scottish local government members voting in the pay ballot have accepted a two year offer with a new Living Wage deal. Staff will now get a 1.5% rise from 1 April 2015 and 1% from April 2016.

Importantly, the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.85 per hour will be put in place before the 1.5% rise, making it £7.97 an hour.

And in April 2016, the Living Wage will be increased to the recommended figure of the Living Wage Foundation, again before the 1% rise. There will also be talks on removing the pay points below the Living Wage level.

Negotiators succeeded in getting the initial offer of two years at 1.25% front-loaded to 1.5% in 2015 which is above inflation and slightly increases the value of the 1% in 2016. In August inflation was 0.0% on the Consumer Prices Index and 1.1% on the Retail Prices Index.

Aberdeenshire Council stands with the unions against the Trade Union Bill and will not end facility time and check-off

The Partnership Administration of Aberdeenshire Council has written to the Branch to confirm that they support the continuation of check-off (whereby union members can pay their union subscriptions from their salary) and also support facility time.

They have stated that "the Partnership has no intention of supporting the use of agency staff in the unlikely event of any industrial action."

The Branch has welcomed this commitment from the Partnership Administration and looks forward to working alongside them to defeat the Trade Union Bill.

The full text of the letter is below.

It comes as CoSLA, the umbrella body for councils in Scotland also pledged "to stand shoulder to shoulder with their trade union colleagues against the UK Government's Trade Union Bill."

Branch urges Aberdeenshire Councillors to work with the union and oppose the Trade Union Bill

The Branch has urged Aberdeenshire Council's elected members to work with the trade unions to defeat the Trade Union Bill currently under debate at Westminster.

Branch delegates will take part in a mass demonstration at the Tory Party Conference in Manchester on Sunday 4th October, to join our voice with all those calling for the Bill to be dropped.

The Branch has also called on all our members, families, friends and the public to sign the petition against the bill.

And to write to your MP calling for them to oppose it in parliament.

Inez Teece

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary has written to all councillors calling for them to "help to prevent this Bill being enacted, by influencing your party, your constituents and both Holyrood and Westminster Governments."

She warned that the Bill will, if adopted, introduce the most draconian restrictions on workers’ rights within the Western world.

"I believe if Trade Unions were restricted in such a way by the Trade Union Bill, local authorities would be more vulnerable because they would not have trade unions fighting alongside."

The full text of the letter is below.

Branch calls on members to ask their MP to oppose the Trade Union Bill - an attempt to silence workers' voices

Aberdeenshire UNISON is calling on all our members to take action now to defend hard won trade union rights as part of a campaign to oppose the Trade Union Bill. Please wrote to your MPs and sign the petition by using the links below. It has never been more important to speak up before our voice is silenced.

https://secure.goingtowork.org.uk/page/speakout/will-your-mp-protect-the-right-to-strike-

And to take action by signing the petition against the bill.

UNISON is working with the other trade unions  to protect members' rights by opposing the Trade Union Bill, which represents one of the most aggressive anti-trade union laws ever proposed in a Western democracy and restricts rights protected by international law in England, Scotland and Wales.

Branch says refugees are welcome here and pledges support

The branch has joined UNISON Scotland and many other trade unions and civic groups and has pledged to support the refugees fleeing from war and oppression in Syria and other war torn countries.

We encourage all our member to do what you can to support the local group, Aberdeen Solidarity with Refugees, which has been collecting donations of clothes, bedding and other essentials to take to Calais.

UNISON Scotland has also pledged support to refugees and has welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to do moreon a cross party basis.

Pay offer made - 1.5% this year, 1% next year and new deal on Living Wage. Ballot starts 2 September. Make sure you vote

Following months of negotiations, the Scottish Employers have made UNISON and the other SJC trade unions a final pay offer for council staff as follows:

• A pay agreement which covers the period from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2017
• 2015 -2016. As of 1st April 2015, the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.85ph will be applied, following which there will be an increase of 1.5% on all spinal column points. This would achieve a Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.97ph
• 2016 – 2017. As of 1st April 2016, the Living Wage will be increased to the recommended figure of the Living Wage Foundation, following which there will be an increase of 1% on all spinal column points.
• A commitment from the employers to examine the feasibility of a ‘flat rate’ settlement in future pay rounds subject to the trade unions making such a claim.