Dumped on: more work for less pay for members working in waste management

UNISON Scotland has put together a series of reports on how austerity is hitting public services and how we can protect them. Its latest "damage report" looks at our members in waste management in Local Authorities.

Branch Chair, Kate Ramsden said, "I am sure this will ring bells for members working in Aberdeenshire's waste management service.

"The report tells a story of increasing pressure of work at the same time as the value of wages is decreasing. Members are having to work overtime to make ends meet.

"Like other local government workers those in waste management have suffered years of either zero or below average pay rises. In the UNISON survey, staff at all grades, even managerial, report having to make efforts to economise."

"We are shopping around for food, fuel, clothes - to get the best deals, no holidays, having to keep cars longer."

Design and photography services to stay in-house after UNISON pressure

Aberdeenshire Council has ditched plans to outsource its design and photography service after the branch sent a briefing out to all councillors making the case for in-house provision. The design service will now be formally reviewed by the council.

Inez Teece

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary said, “We are very pleased that the council listened to UNISON’s concerns and has agreed to keep the design and photography services in-house. We made the case that outsourcing rarely if ever saves money and often creates more expense if services, as often happens, have to be brought back in house.

“We are disappointed that the council still plans to outsource the print service and we will continue to make the arguments that this is a mistake which may very well come back to bite the council and council tax payers.

"We are also concerned that outsourcing the printing of confidential material risks breaches and we hope the council will not fall foul of this, given the sensitivity of some of its information both personal and commercial."

Aberdeenshire Branch AGM 18th Feb 2015 - PLEASE NOTE NEW ARRANGEMENTS

Aberdeenshire Branch 2015 AGM will be held on Wed 18th February as two meetings this year, the first in Committee Room 4 in Woodhill House from 12-2pm; the second in the Kintore Arms, Inverurie from 7pm-9pm. (Buffet from 6.30pm)

Tea, coffee and a buffet will be available at both events.

Dave Watson

Dave Watson, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Bargaining and Campaigns will speak at both meetings on pensions, the Ethical Care Charter etc.

This will also be your chance to hear what the Branch has been doing and to have a say in how the Branch is run.

Please come along and hear Dave speak and find out what the Branch has been doing and tell us what you think

 

Go to the Branch website for more information, stewards and Branch Officers nomination forms and reports of previous AGMs.

Aberdeenshire UNISON wishes a happy and peaceful festive season to all our members

Nepal Trekking Challenge for UNISON's Sheila

The branch has given its support to UNISON member, Sheila Waterhouse with a donation of £100 towards her ongoing challenge to raise £7000 as part of a major fundraising event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

You can support her too by going to www.justgiving.com/Two-Fab-Ladies

Sheila and her friend, both from Kennethmont will undertake an intensive 8 day trek in the Annapurna region of the Himalaya.

Sheila said, "I would like to thank UNISON for their generous donation of £100.

"In May this year, Macmillan Cancer Support launched their fundraising challenge for Spring 2015 which will see 30 people from all over the UK travelling to Nepal for the trek."

Austerity isn't working as foodbanks in Aberdeenshire grow - Branch calls on members to do what you can to help

UNISON Scotland's report, "Austerity economics don't add up" showed that last year in Scotland 71,428 people, including 22,387 children needed to use Trussell Trust food banks, up 400% in three years.

In 2012-13, a total of 480,000 working age adults in Scotland were living in relative poverty, more than half in homes where at least one adult was working (classed as in-work poverty). Nearly one in five children - 180,000 - were in relative poverty, 59% in a home with at least one adult working. Charities warn of a scale of poverty and adversity unheard of since Victorian times.

And Aberdeenshire is not immune. There are foodbanks at Ellon, Inverurie, Huntly and Banchory.  People can only use a foodbank if they get a referral from their Doctor, Social Work or Housing Support Services.

Steve Gray, Branch Development Officer, who compiled this report, said, "The branch has highlighted that the rise of in work poverty has created the problem that ordinary working people are not earning enough to provide the basic necessities of life like food.

“It is a disgrace in our wealthy society that people in work don’t earn enough to feed their families.

UNISON members vote to keep Political Fund Ballot

UNISON members have voted YES by a whopping 87% to keep our political fund. This will allow our union to continue its tradition of successful political campaigning at both local and national level.

Dave Prentis

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said:"Our members have spoken loud and clear that they want UNISON to continue to promote their interests at European, national and local levels.

"This is in spite of the government's cynical 'gagging act' that aims to reduce the lobbying power of trade unions while the Tories happily sit back and pocket millions from corporate and financial elites.

"UNISON campaigns hard to defend jobs and decent employment standards, to promote public services and equality, and to protect the health and safety of our members, and this is possible because of the political fund."