Successful meeting of Coventry TUC plans anti-cuts campaign in the city

Unison branch officers attended a very successful meeting organised by Coventry TUC on Monday night called to discuss and organise against the massive cuts that are planned in Coventry.

The meeting focussed especially on the cuts being proposed by the Council that will see virtually every local service closed down and cut, for example children’s and community centres, public libraries, toilets, lollipop ladies, school transport for children with disabilities and much more.

As well as members of Unison there were activists from other unions present such as Unite, PCS, CWU, NUT, UCU as well as the TUC. There was a wide ranging discussion on the current situation and how we can organise against what is happening. Some key dates were agreed for protests and demonstrations. Put them in your diary now!

Tuesday 13th Jan  Outside Council House 1- 2pm. Protest lobby against last full council meeting before the vote on the budget

Saturday 21st Feb (Time and assembly point TBC) Demonstration through Coventry

Tuesday 24th Feb (Time TBC)  Full council meeting which will vote on the budget cuts.

The meeting discussed supporting the petition that is currently on the council website which is available here http://epetitions.coventry.gov.uk/2014/12/stop-the-council-cuts/ (if you are a council worker please ensure you sign in your own time).

There will be further meetings to discuss the campaign including the production of leaflets (includingin different languages), further protests and developing alternatives to austerity. Unison will play our part in this campaign.

There is much to do and we call on all members to get active and get involved. Please contact the branch office for more information office@unisoncoventry.co.uk

Coventry Unison Annual General Meeting – Opening of Nominations

In preparation for UNISON’S AGM, members and reps are encouraged to make sure that there is a rep in every workplace, to ensure that UNISON members views are known and listened to. This will ensure we can work as effectively as possible in the face of unprecedented cuts. All current and prospective reps and officers are asked to make sure that you fill in and return a nomination form (available from Coventry Branch Office) by 17th December.

If you have any questions about this process, feel free to ring the branch office on 024 7655 0829

All Unison members are invited to
UNISON 2015 AGM
6pm on Friday 6th February 2015
At The SQ Club, Whitefriars Street Followed by refreshments and entertainment till late

Unison call on Coventry City Council – Join the Campaign Tackling Poverty and Inequality…

Coventry UNISON welcomes the call by the leaders of 119 Councils across England for an end to Austerity.

Coventry Unison branch call upon Coventry City Council to join the 119 other authorities and campaign for better funding for our City.

Use our Council reserves to protect jobs and services, build Council housing again, protect the Young and Old from harm.  We need a stronger Council that will help rebuild our local economy. Coventry City Council needs a new Agenda that tackles Poverty and Inequality in our City. A Council that will help rebuild our local economy. Coventry City Council needs a new Agenda that tackles Poverty and Inequality in our City. hotline041214

 

COVENTRY UNISON LEARNING STALL – Out and about in your workplace!

WEDNESDAY 03 DECEMBER 2014 – CIVIC CENTRE 2

The UNISON Learning and Education stall will be in Civic Centre 2, with information on courses, development opportunities and much more!
The stall will be available from 12pm until 1.30pm in the reception area. Members will be able to access information on topics such as:
➢ Return to Learn
➢ Women’s Lives
➢ IT Courses
➢ Activist development opportunities
➢ Information on the West Midlands Education & Learning website
➢ UNISON Benefits including: free legal support; Insurance; car deals and much more!
There will also be information on Council Education including:
▪ Skills for Life
▪ Workforce development
▪ Adult Education

All welcome (members and non-members) to come along and discuss your options and the benefits of what UNISON can offer you.
See you there!
Mike & Paul
UNISON learning representatives
**Would you like to help UNISON promote education in your area as a Workplace Learning Rep?

Get in contact with us:
Branch Office: Tel: 02476 550829
Email: mike.wallace@unisoncoventry.co.uk
paul.hunt@unisoncoventry.co.uk

Open Letter to Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Coventry City Council

Dear Martin  

City Council ER/VR Programme 2014

You will be aware of the Council’s plan to manage a reduction in the workforce by offering ER/VR to employees. Sadly, it comes as no surprise to UNISON that the offer has meant that many employees have been disappointed and distressed by the fact that they have not been able to go.

It is very unfortunate that the tone and tenor of comments made at the beginning of the consultation exercise about ER/VR suggested that most people could in fact go.

For example in a Director’s cut it states ‘Other than for a small number of excluded posts, where we know we cannot lose staff without needing to replace them, there will be a presumption that those who want to go can go. Staff will not need their Manager’s permission either to apply or to be accepted onto the scheme. So, it’s getting tough, and it’s going to get tougher.  It’s time for everyone to think about the future, and to make a choice.’

Many members have approached us very upset about the outcomes for them. They have quite naturally, spent a considerable amount of time thinking about their futures and have applied accordingly. Only to find they are unable to go.

This has also left them feeling very despondent and will cause difficulty in encouraging a sense of wanting to continue to belong to the organisation many have worked for so tirelessly.

These are difficult times for us all and it will come as no surprise to you that we do not share the view that the answer to austerity is to reduce our workforce. However, we have a duty of care and responsibility to our members to point out that it is important that the employer acts in a more sensitive way in discussions about these matters which affect our members’ lives directly. Some of our members have commented that they feel very let down by the way in which this matter has been managed, disregarding their wellbeing and mental health and that this has shown that they are not valued.

Good industrial relations relies on respectful interaction with the workforce and their trades unions. It is very unfortunate that this matter has had the opposite effect. Trust and confidence is essential to ensure good working relations. We would like know what you intend to do about rebuilding that confidence and trust with your workforce.

Yours sincerely

UNISON Coventry District Branch

Room 308, Broadgate House, Broadgate COVENTRY, CV1 1NG Phone: 024 76521125 Visit www.coventryunison.co.uk for further information. hotline021214