PAY OFFER 2010

& Maximising Attendance

All UNISON members are invited to attend one of the series of consultation meetings to discuss the Scottish Employers’ offer. The Joint Trade Unions UNISON GMB and UNITE are recommending that “We reject a three year pay cut”.

Members will also be able to discuss the new NAC policy and how we respond in support of members.

MEMBERS CONSULTATION MEETINGS

• TUESDAY 22 JUNE 5-6.30pm WOODLANDS CENTRE IRVINE
• WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 5-6.30pm ARDROSSAN CIVIC CENTRE
• TUESDAY 29 JUNE 12.30-2PM  WALKER HALL KILBIRNIE

North Ayrshire UNISON response:

to the Consultant from Solace enterprises and NAC Management’s comments

UNISON members should be aware of the short period of consultation regarding the final version of the review and subsequent discussions with Social Services Directorate.

We met to discuss managements comments for the first time on Wednesday 26 May - the report was tabled less than a week later. The full report is available on Navigate under the NAC Executive Committee on 1 June 2010

UNISON submitted this written response to B Docherty, Director and HR as follow up to initial verbal comments made, we have forwarded a copy of this response to all NAC Elected Members.

During this time of potential significant change within services and structures we need strong trade union networks and I would urge you to consider becoming more active in the local branch, there are a number of workplaces without elected shop stewards or health & safety reps - if you would like information on how to go about electing reps please contact Stephanie Herd Branch Secretary at the UNISON North Ayrshire Office.

Initial Response to Review - Final Report v5 - G Johnston& Management Responses                                                                               31 May 2010

Initial comments were provided at the Joint Trade Union meeting held with Social Services and Health Director on Wednesday 26 May 2010. The following comments amplify the main areas of concern:

UNISON is disappointed that we were not part of the consultation therefore some comments made during interviews do not give the full context in particular complaints from managers of being tied to corporate services such as catering transport and maintenance. We would remind managers that these jobs are carried out by fellow employees in NAC , UNISON firmly believes that in house services can provide  good services and best value.

We acknowledge and support the consultant’s and managements view that the service is under resourced compared to other local authorities given the level of deprivation and the increased demand for services to vulnerable people.

We further welcome the statements regarding sound performance and staff commitment.

We have real concern regarding the proposals for management restructure and increased outsourcing.

Management restructure

This is the first time we have heard the argument that the current structure was put in place to offset the national shortage of qualified social workers. Some staff may agree with Management comment however others will be offended by the comment that newly qualified social workers were very ill equipped for work at the frontline.

The future management structure needs to take into consideration the service delivery levels required to meet increasing demand, the departmental and corporate priorities such as SOA, strategic and operational support, who carries the workload of deleted posts.

Options for redeployment are limited, we hope the department is giving serious consideration to matching proposals to cut the workforce using the corporate trawl for voluntary severance, however regardless of the method a job lost has consequences on the rest of the workforce, the services we can deliver and therefore on services users.

There is a cost to individuals and their families that is difficult to calculate - the proposals will be causing alarm to many in the workforce, the uncertainty of future employment will cause further anxiety, staff need to be updated on developments rather than waiting until November to find out their fate.

Outsourcing

UNISON is concerned that Elected Members would consider further outsourcing of care at home services, our preference is to work with the department to improve the effectiveness of in house services. The report and management comments will have workers fearful for their jobs.

Meals at Home - how many council jobs are at risk?

Generally I hope Elected Members will want to know the impact and numbers of employees who will be at risk

Of redundancy as a result of the decisions they are about to take.

I would request all information on Equality Impact Assessments of the options for future services delivery models.

We welcome the comments made regarding investment in Rosemount Project and support the principle of prevention however we feel this is contradictory to the decision taken earlier this year to cease the GAP and mentoring work carried out with young people. At the time of the decision to close these services we were shown no information to back up the assertion by the Consultant that these did not give value for money and feel again that justification is being given after the event rather than before it.

The workforce in Social Services and Housing would benefit from information regarding further integration and consolidation of current joint working.

Management response makes positive comments on Money Matters however there is likely to be an uneasiness with comment that the department may need to think about undertaking a strategic review.

Information and consultation is vital in progressing ongoing reviews, UNISON has asked that we are able to participate throughout the process.

S Herd

UNISON Branch Secretary

What can a million voices for public services achieve?

Speaking out encourages politicians to consider real alternatives to cuts and privatisation of public services. Taxing the banks and financial institutions that caused the credit crunch in the first place is one example. And we could make our tax system fairer - ending tax avoidance that allows the very wealthy to get out of paying their share. It's not just UNISON saying this. Many economists are warning that large scale cuts now could push the economy back into recession. Getting people back to work and getting our economy growing will allow the government to pay back the money it has borrowed.

Why is UNISON campaigning?

UNISON is Britain's biggest public service trade union and represents more than a million voices delivering essential services to the public. Services that protect, enrich and change lives. But our members don't just work in public services - they and their families rely on them too.

We believe that cutting back public service spending and putting our services in the hands of private companies through more privatisation puts all our communities at risk. UNISON is speaking up for public services and for the people who provide them. That's why we are campaigning at a national, regional and local community level to make the case for properly-funded, publicly-provided local services.