| |
Latest News
Tory
Motion Defeated
At the Council Meeting last
night, 28 April 2010, the Conservative Councillor Barbara Grant submitted a
motion calling “that the Council should consider that all services, except core
services, be put out to tender.”
Lynne Rankin, UNISON East
Renfrewshire Branch Secretary together with Steven Larkin, Finance and Gordon
Lees, Education Convenor took the opportunity to canvass Councillors as they
entered the meeting, asking them to oppose the motion and vote for the amendment
tabled by Councillor Fletcher. Despite several questions being put, Councillor
Grant would not confirm what those ‘core services’ would be. Her only reply was
that it would be ‘teachers and all that’.
After a heated debate the
motion was defeated by twelve votes to six. Lynne Rankin, Branch Secretary,
speaking outside Barrhead Council Offices, said, “If this motion had been
successful the consequences of outsourcing our Council services would have
devastating effects, not only on our members but also on the communities that we
serve. I am glad that common sense prevailed and that the motion was defeated.”
International Workers Memorial Day
Each year on 28 April, IWMD is marked around
the world to Remember the Dead, and Fight for the Living. We remember
those killed, made ill, or injured by their own or someone else’s work. Their
pain and suffering and that of their families deserves not to be forgotten. We
also renew our commitment to, and demand once more, safe and healthy work for
all.
Far too many workers and their families suffer each and every year. The figures
from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which make the headlines never tell
the full story. It is estimated that work incidents cause up to 1,600 deaths
each year; including deaths to members of the public, work-related suicide, and
road traffic accidents whilst driving for work. On top of this, it is estimated
that there are up to 50,000 deaths from work-related illnesses; including
cancers, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease.
This year at 12 midday on Wednesday 28 April, UNISON East Renfrewshire Branch
along with others from across the UK took part in a minute’s silence. During
this period of silence we remembered those members and workers injured, made
ill, or killed by their work. This year is the first year that the UK
Government will formally recognise International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) as
a national day of remembrance, thereby joining many other countries across the
world.
Representatives from UNISON East Renfrewshire Branch joined our colleagues from
the Paisley and District Trades Union Council at a ceremony to commemorate IWMD
at Cotton Street, Paisley. The ceremony was well attended with representatives
from the GMB, UNISON Renfrewshire Branch, UNITE. The Branch Chair Gerry Green
addressed the crowd and a wreath was laid on behalf of the Branch.
Welfare
UNISON Welfare provides listening and
support, financial assistance, breaks and holidays, debt advice, personal advice
and you can contact them on 020 7551 1620 or email
welfare@unison.co.uk or
www.unison.org.uk/welfare.
Equal Pay claims
The Branch will continue to support our members with Equal Pay claims
and those staff who are currently involved in the Job Evaluation Appeals
process. A top priority for the Branch in 2010 remains negotiating possible Job
Enrichment. Through the support of workplace stewards and contacts we have
achieved progress this year in supporting our members, however with the tasks
ahead it is important that if you have any concerns regarding your working
conditions you get yourself involved in the process. If you think you are
eligible for a further pay claim please contact the Branch
top |
Branch Chair, Secretary and Service Conditions Officer at
Workers Memorial day.
|
|
East
Renfrewshire Branch
|