Branch to consult Food Standards Agency members on pay

The Branch will conduct a consultative ballot of FSA members on whether to accept the FSA's implementation of the 2014 pay award. Ballot papers have been issued and need to be returned by Tuesday 15th April.

This follows a decision of the UNISON FSA Sector Committee on 1st April.

The UNISON Sector Committee's view is that the employers' below-inflation pay offer falls far below the aspirations in our 2013-14 pay claim and what our members deserve. It means a further real terms pay cut for our members.

However, the Committee also believes that it is the best offer achievable by negotiation and that only sustained, all-out strike action can achieve an improved pay offer. The type and format of any strike action will be geared to causing the most disruption that can be achieved with the smallest possible effect on members’ take home pay.

Workers' Memorial Day Monday 28 April 2014 "Remember the dead, fight for the living"

This year's Workers Memorial Day Service, will be held at 11am (gather from 10.30am) at Persley Gardens, Persley, Aberdeen. All are welcome to attend.

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.

 

The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

The campaign calls on us all to "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

The number of people killed at work in Scotland has been rising in recent years, according to official figures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said 20 workers lost their lives north of the border in 2012 - a rise of six on the previous year.

In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Council Staff say We are "Worth It"

Dozens of staff in Woodhill House and Gordon House showed pride in being a public service worker by signing up to UNISON's "Worth It" campaign.

Branch activists, some dressed as key council workers, such as school crossing patrol staff and road workers, held events in Woodhill House on 26th March and Gordon House on 27th March as part of the TUC Fair Pay fortnight, to highlight the very important work that public service workers do, and to remind staff that they are worth decent pay, terms and conditions, and that Aberdeenshire residents are worth decent public services.

Go along to the free showing of "The Happy Lands" and "City Without Class" as part of Aberdeen Festival of Politics 24th March 2014

"The Happy Lands" will be shown at the Belmont Cinema as part of the Aberdeen Festival of Politics on Monday 24th March.

The evening will begin at 6pm with a showing of "City Without Class" a short film about Aberdeen made by local film makers. The Happy Lands will be shown from 6.40pm followed by a discussion and debate about the campagning work of trade unions today. The evening will finish at 9pm.

Sponsored by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire UNISON entry will be free to all.

For more information about the Festival of Politics go to their website

Aberdeenshire UNISON to visit school support staff "You support children, we'll support you"

UNISON will visit schools across the authority to meet with school support staff to discuss issues affecting Nursery Nurses, PSAs and Admin & Clerical staff.

Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy, Assistant Branch Secretary, who has arranged the visits said, "There are a number of issues affecting our support staff in schools across Aberdeenshire,from changes to pre-5s provision to the administration of medications.

"UNISON is very clear that support staff are absolutely fundamental to our children's education. They support the children in their schools and we support them.

Branch AGM says “We’re Worth it”

Members at the 2014 AGM threw their weight behind actions to protect members in the workplace and to support their standards of living at a time of cuts and change for the workforce in the council and the voluntary sector.

The AGM unanimously supported calls to campaign for affordable housing and for decent pay, alongside measures to monitor the effect of cuts and to press for fairer funding for local government. Members heard of the new threats to social workers and others working to protect children; and of the unreasonable expectations on some of our lowest paid staff to administer medications to children.

Branch AGM 2014 Come along and hear what the Branch is doing for members at this time of cuts and falling living standards and get a chance to win an iPad Mini

All Branch members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Aberdeenshire Branch of UNISON on 19th February 2014 from 7 – 8.30 p.m. at the Kintore Arms, Inverurie. 

Click here for a poster. Please print off and put up in your workplaces.
 

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, "Whether we work for Aberdeenshire Council, a related employer or the voluntary sector, we have all had the challenge of change over the past year. 

"Terms and Conditions, Pay, Pensions and the impact of Service Reviews have been the major issues we have faced. 

"The key component for defending all these issues is membership participation, so we would urge you to attend the AGM and hear what UNISON is doing locally and nationally and be part of our decision making process."

Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair added, "The AGM is your chance to have your say on the issues of the moment and gives you a chance to raise issues or discuss concerns with Branch Officers."