Note change of date - Aberdeenshire Branch 2014 AGM now on Wed 19th Feb

All Branch members are invited to attend the 2014 Branch AGM to be held on Wed 19 Feb at 7pm in the Kintore Arms, Inverurie. Buffet from 6.30pm.

Please note that the date of the Branch AGM has been brought forward a week,  to enable the meeting to consider Branch motions for the Local Government Service Group Conference and National Delegate Conference, in time to meet the deadlines for submission.

The AGM is the branch's supreme policy making forum. It will elect the Branch Officers and stewards for 2014, set policy on important issues affecting all members and can amend rules.

Aberdeenshire UNISON supports the Miami Five and calls on members to sign online petition

Aberdeenshire UNISON has donated £100 in support of the International Commission of Inquiry into the case of the Miami Five which will take place in London on 7-8 March and is encouraging all our members to support the online petition.

 

UNISON has long supported the campaign to free the Miami Five.

Who are the Five?
The Miami Five are five Cuban men who were unjustly imprisoned in the United States after being arrested by the FBI on Sept 12 1998 and convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami in 2001, in a political prosecution by the U.S. government.

Inverurie Film Club hosts free showing of The Happy Lands on Friday 24 Jan at 7pm

Aberdeenshire UNISON is encouraging members and non-members to go along to a Branch sponsored free showing of the feature film, The Happy Lands, hosted by the Inverurie Film Club, in Inverurie Town Hall on Friday 24th January at 7pm.

The Happy Lands is a powerful film which has been developed by members of the mining communities of Fife. It is a Theatre Workshop Scotland Production supported by Creative Scotland through The National Lottery, in association with BBC Scotland and is directed by Robert Rae.

Branch recognises the work of members in Social Work as UNISON issues guidance on Edinburgh contempt of court ruling

The Branch will make workplace visits to all the Children and Families Social Work Teams across Aberdeenshire in January and February, to recognise the work of our members and to recruit more social work staff to the union.

Lyndsey Wallace, Local Organiser said, "We will be taking round cupcakes for our members to thank them for the work they do to protect our most vulnerable children and their families.

"We also want to encourage non-members to join UNISON to have the protection of the union behind them as they undertake the increasingly complex but very important work that they do.

Branch to review policy on the administration of medications by PSAs at AGM in Feb. Come along and have your say.

Aberdeenshire branch will be putting together a motion for our Branch AGM (Wednesday 26th February at 7pm, Kintore Arms, Inverurie) to strengthen current UNISON policy on the administration of medications by PSAs locally.


Susan Kennedy

The Branch congratulated Glasgow City branch, who after a long dispute over administration of medication in schools have successfully balloted and voted on a new structure for dealing with the administration of medication. Negotiations will continue over the next few months to agree on and finalise policy and procedures.

Susan Kennedy, Assistant Branch Secretary said, "We have been watching this development carefully.

"Administration of medicines under current UNISON and Aberdeenshire Council policy remains on a voluntary basis but we do need to address the current situation.

"We need to carry out an assessment of what is actually being carried out across the authority and work towards a clearer understanding of what is acceptable practise for the role of a PSA and for that we will need the support of our members."

Susan added, "We would encourage all our PSA and other members to come along to join the debate at the AGM and put your views across."

If you need any advice on administration of medications please contact the Grampian Resource Centre on 01224 620624

Branch celebrates School Support Staff

On November 29th Meldrum Academy, working in partnership with UNISON, celebrated all School Support Staff.

During the day both teaching staff and pupils thanked and praised the work that support staff undertook to enable and enhance the learning experience of the pupils.

A special break time treat was put on for all the staff and tea and coffee was served by some of the senior pupils.

Meldrum’s Head Boy told the staff how invaluable the support staff were in the school and that in-class support was very much appreciated and has benefited many pupils at the academy.

Susan Kennedy, Assistant Branch Secretary said, “I would like to thank all the staff and pupils who have made today’s celebration a success.

"We need to highlight the importance of school support staff and work together to protect their roles within Aberdeenshire schools.

"We will be running a programme of school meetings in the New Year to follow on from our School Support Staff survey, so I look forward to coming along to discuss all the issues and move forward with our campaign”

Branch does the double at Scottish Communication Awards

The branch won gold twice at this year's Scottish Communications Awards, winning first prize in the Best Publications category for UNISON Matters, the Branch newsletter, and taking the honours in the Best Online Presence category for the website, Branch Blog and Twitter.

Gold certificates were presented to Morag Lawrence, Newssheet Editor and Kate Ramsden, Webmanager at UNISON's Scottish Council Meeting of branches on Saturday 7th December 2013, along with cheques for £150 in each category.

Morag said, "I am delighted to have won this award on behalf of the branch. It's the first time that the Branch has entered the Newsletter, so to win the gold award is a great accolade."

Kate added, "It was fantastic to win these awards and it is a tribute to all the organising and campaigning work done by the branch.

"I maintain the website and the Blog, and Morag edits the newsletter, but we are never short of things to report. We are a very active branch and the newsletter, website and blog shows just how much work all our branch officers and activists do to support our members."