Branch wins award
The Branch successfully held its AGM this year in March 2014. Nearly 100 members came together to approve the Branch accounts and authorise Branch Committee …
News
NJC pay – branch ballot result
In contrast to Higher Education employers who have just offered their staff 2% and a minimum pay point of the Living Wage (£7.65), Local Government employers are offering 1% and a minimum pay point of £6.75, just 25 pence more than the recently announced National Minimum Wage. This would leave …
UNISON takes tribunal fees case to Court of Appeal
On behalf of all working people, UNISON is taking its fight against the government’s decision to introduce fees for employment tribunals (ETs) to the Court of Appeal. ET claims fell by 79% in the six months since July 2013 when the government introduced charges up to £1,200 for workers to …
HE employers offer 2% and living wage
Higher education employers have made a “full and final” pay offer of 2%, with a minimum pay point equal to the living wage, following pay talks with the unions. UNISON’s higher education service group executive will meet on 23 April to discuss the consultation with members on the 2014/15 offer …
Chichester College to pay the Living Wage
Despite swingeing Government cuts to Further Education funding for 18 to 19 year olds, following negotiation with UNISON Chichester College has just agreed to pay the Living Wage for all permanent directly employed staff. The College will also be working with its external contractors to encourage them to pay the …
Pensions – new LGPS scheme in force from April
The new LGPS started on 1 April 2014 in line with an agreement between the unions, employers and the government. A UNISON briefing provides a summary of the benefits and protections that are now laid down in law. The new Scheme is a Career Average Revalued Earning Scheme (CARE). This is …
NJC pay – have your say by April 15th
The Branch is currently conducting a consultative ballot with its members on NJC pay. This primarily affects all members working for West Sussex County Council, including members in all schools (but not academies). The Employers’ side has offered a meagre 1% for all staff on Grade 3 and above, with …
Local Government pay offer ‘woeful’ says UNISON
The Local Government Association Employers side has now made the following final pay offer: £580 on pay point 5 £550 on pay point 6 £400 on pay point 7 £275 on pay point 8 £200 on pay point 9 £175 on pay point 10 1.0% on pay points 11 and …
Brighton Education Question Time
Is OFSTED a political tool? Do we need SATs? Do teachers need to be qualified? Are standards falling in our schools? Can academies solve the pressure on school places? Why do teachers strike? Should all schools be maintained by local authorities? Warwick Mansell, education journalist and author (Chair) Christine Blower, …
Labour Behind the Label – Branch Officer Report
David Hammond, Branch International Relations Officer, writes: On Monday 10 March I travelled to my first South East AGM and Committee Meeting at Unison Centre Office in Euston Road London, as the International Relations Officer for UNISON West Sussex. I was looking forward to attending the meeting to find out …