A summary of the minutes from our last branch committee meeting which began with a speaker from Camden Against Violence.
Discussed was:
– Recruitment and targets
– A change in subsistence allowances from Unison HQ
– Branch activities, including a report back on the Gary Younge meeting, and planned future meetings on abortion and immigration.
– A report back on meetings with the Chief Executive, HR and the leader of the council. Discussed at these meetings were bringing outsourced contracts back in-house, the NSL strike ballot, Croma sackings, zero hours contracts, York Way and other issues.
– The new contract buyout was discussed. HR have threatened to dismiss and re-engage employees who don’t sign up. However 227 members will suffer substantial pay cuts, and these are just fortunately the lowest paid, so we agreed Unison could not recommend signing up on this basis. Initial publicity to go out to members, and shop meetings will be organised for members.
– National and local government conferences: Unison ruled out our proposed rule change, and our appeal against the decision was unsuccessful. They also ruled out our amendment to motion 1, but all our other motions were accepted.
Directorate reports
– Issues in regulatory services and Holmes Road discussed
– senior rep Mandy Watson is leaving the council after 20 years. Everyone is sad to see her go, and she is thanked and wish all the best for the future
– Unison is trying to get additional payments for members in schools for medical administration procedures
– Issues for children’s social workers were discussed
– It was announced that our campaign to stop Swiss Cottage School becoming an academy has been successful, and management have abandoned the plans
– Victimisation of a union rep, and anti-union emails by management at York Way were discussed.
Private sector reports
– Following a big vote in favour of strike action in an indicative ballot, official ballot paperwork has been submitted to the Unison region. We are due to meet with NSL management later this month.
– Croma sackings update given. Employment tribunal claims need to be submitted within one month.
Self-organised groups
– Camden Black Workers Group are holding a meeting on 28 June 2018
Health and safety
– agreed that we can send up to 4 delegates to the Hazards and the Stress conferences in July and November respectively.
– Health and safety issues for contact Camden and housing workers in the five PS reception area discussed. Agreed to write to the director of HR.
Motions
– Agreed to support and make a donation to Camden Against Violence
– Agreed to purchase adverts in the Camden New Journal while the price remains low
AOB
– Demonstration announced against the killings of 49 unarmed Palestinians by Israeli army.