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." 

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