Branch AGM 2014

Branch AGM 2014 will be held on Wed 26th February at 7pm at the Kintore Arms, Inverurie. Buffet from 6.30pm

The preliminary notice has gone out to all members. Please come along and hear what the Branch has been doing over the past year and have your say.

Branch to meet council on terms and conditions after apology for bypassing unions

The council has apologised for bypassing the unions when announcing the outcome of the consultation on Terms and Conditions and UNISON has agreed to meet with them to go over our detailed response and to discuss the feedback from the Council’s consultation.

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, "We have now written to all our members to update them on Terms and Conditions after the council issued emails and placed articles on ARCADIA before the Joint Trade Unions had a chance to discuss the consultation exercise.

"We did not know those mailings were happening.  This is not normal practice and I raised the Branch's concerns formally with Aberdeenshire Council.

Branch condemnation as council bypasses unions on terms and conditions announcement

The Branch has condemned Aberdeenshire Council's decision to publicise the outcome of the consultation on terms and conditions BEFORE meeting with the trade unions to discuss the Trade Union and staff responses.

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, "UNISON Aberdeenshire consulted our members and we sent a detailed response, we believe other trade unions did likewise.

"Aberdeenshire Council also asked all staff to fill in their consultation response, yet have not shared the outcome of that consultation with us.

"Consultation must be meaningful and it’s normal practice for the Council and the unions to share information and to discuss outcomes, yet this has not happened.  UNISON believes the trade unions have simply been ignored.

A Class Act - Aberdeenshire UNISON celebrates the “unsung heroes” in our schools

On Friday 29th November the Branch will be celebrating all school support staff, as part of UNISON’s National Day of Celebration for Pupil Support Assistants.

The Branch will work in partnership with Meldrum Academy and for the whole of the previous week, the school will be holding special assemblies as part of that celebration.

UNISON will provide the refreshments for a special celebration at tea break in Meldrum Academy on Friday, the National Day of Celebration.

Come along to the St Andrews Day March and Rally for Equality, Justice and Respect on 30th Nov in Aberdeen

"Stand together for a caring and compassionate society"

Please come along and join us at the St Andrew's Day March and Rally, on Saturday 30th November in Aberdeen, to give a clear message that racism and fascism are not welcome here in Aberdeenshire.
           
10.30 am Assemble at St Nicholas Churchyard. Look out for the branch banner and join us to march behind it.
11.00am March down Union Street
11.30am Rally outside Marischall College (latest information.)

There will be speakers from Trade Unions, Community Organisations and Political Parties at the rally. Kate Ramsden, Aberdeenshire UNISON Branch Chair will be chairing the Rally.

Branch ballots Cornerstone members on 1% pay offer

 

Inez Teece

The Branch has issued ballot papers to all Cornerstone members to seek their views on a 1% pay offer, backdated to 1st April 2013. This does not apply to those on preserved/conserved salaries, who will not see an increase. Those on a living wage supplement are also excluded from this rise.

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, "UNISON has been negotiating with the employer about the annual pay increase and seeking a pay rise in line with inflation.

Branch will work in partnership with council Health and Safety team to address stress at work

Susan Kennedy

Aberdeenshire UNISON's stress survey shows that many members are struggling with increased workloads, deadlines and time pressures and worry about job security.

Assistant Secretary, Susan Kennedy met with Aberdeenshire Council's Health and Safety team on 6th November to discuss these findings and to agree a way forward.

See the full report on the website

Members vote to accept new terms and conditions but branch calls for more talks to protect low paid

Aberdeenshire UNISON members have accepted the new terms and conditions package proposed by the council, with two thirds of those who responded in the ballot voting to accept.

However, responses to UNISON’s consultation has shown a clear division between members who work 9-5, who stand to gain most from the proposals, and those who work unsocial hours and shift work, who stand to lose anything from £200 to £3000 a year. These are amongst the lowest paid in the workforce and many, such as homecarers, provide care services to the most vulnerable in our communities.

Inez Teece

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, “We were able to negotiate a pay increase of £750 in total for our lowest paid workers, as well as the living wage which is already in place, and £250 for everyone else. Whilst many members were happy with this and will see a rise in their take home pay, others will see this eroded and more by the loss of unsocial hours payments, shift allowances and the mileage lump sum.

“We are particularly concerned, as a union, about the impact on our lowest paid, mainly women workers and at the bitter divide that this is creating between those who work 24/7 and 9 to 5 staff.

Members vote 94% to 6% to accept new Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme

UNISON members in Scotland have voted overwhelmingly to accept the new LGPS scheme in the ballot which closed today.    
       
The result was 94% to accept and 6% to reject.

UNISON will now sign the Heads of Agreement this month and move onto the detailed work on the regulations and the outstanding issues.

Many thanks to everyone who returned their ballot paper.

Come along to the St Andrews Day Anti-racism March and Rally "Stand together for a caring and compassionate society"

We are encouraging all our members to join us at the St Andrew's Day March and Rally, to give a clear message that racism and fascism are not welcome here in Aberdeenshire. 
   
There will be speakers from Trade Unions, Community Organisations and Political Parties. Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair will be chairing the Rally

10.30am Assemble at St Nicholas Churchyard. Look out for the branch banner and join us to march behind it.
11.00am March down Union Street
11.30am Rally in the Castlegate