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School Support Staff Update – 9 August 2016

DSSS FBOOK TWITTER logo-01Hardship Fund

We are pleased to report that last week we received several donations from other UNISON branches. This will help us to support you with hardship payments to enable you to continue to take action during September if no resolution has been reached . We also launched our “Just Giving” page to enable individuals to make contributions to the hardship fund. This strengthens your position moving forward.
If you are able to share details of the “Just Giving” page with friends and family who are supportive this would widen the appeal further. The link is below.
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/unisonderbyschools
All claims for hardship from the July pay day have been processed and any outstanding claims for that month should be made before 24 August 2016.

UNISON’s Welfare Fund

Individual claims for unexpected hardship can also be made through UNISON’s Welfare Fund, “There for you”. (This is a national fund, separate to the Branch’s Industrial Action Hardship Fund). Members have been able to claim assistance with unexpected bills and replacement white goods. These are based on an assessment of income and expenditure. If you would like further information about this fund, please contact the branch and we will be happy to send out the relevant form.

Wider Support for the Campaign

We were also pleased to have received a letter of support from Dave Prentis, our General Secretary and also the General Secretary of the NUT. Our campaign is receiving national coverage in the trade union and labour movements and this again, strengthens your position.

ACAS

Last Friday the UNISON team met with DCC and ACAS and a further meeting will take place as soon as everyone can be available, hopefully in the next few days. We are committed to ensuring that these meetings take place without delay.
We appreciate that it is frustrating to have no news and we know how keen you are to hear of developments. Both parties are committed to finding a solution to the dispute and time has to be taken at the outset of any discussions to agree protocol etc. At this point no proposals have been put forward but we are very much hoping that more definitive news will be released following the next meeting.
In response to queries, please be assured that if any proposals are put forward then you, our members, will be notified and it will be you, our members, who decide the way forward.

Incorrect Strike Deductions

Those of you who have had an incorrect deduction made from your pay for taking strike action should write to your head teacher and set out the details of the incorrect deduction for striking and ask for the payment to be rectified without delay.
Deductions for action taken during July are expected to be made from your August pay. The office will be open to complete hardship claim forms and receive copy payslips from Tuesday 30 August. Please note that you should not attempt to collect copy payslips from the Council House until you have checked to see if your payslip is held at school. Payslips are often posted to staff during August.

Thanks

All hardship payments were processed this month within 7 days, in most instances considerably quicker. The Hardship/Welfare Committee would like to thank branch admin staff, Marion and Kirk and our Treasurer, Julie Walker for their exceptional support during this busy time.

We do hope that you are managing to enjoy the holidays, and we wish to assure you that we are continuing to work on your behalf and will let you know as soon as we are able of any developments.

Please share this email with your colleagues. If they have not received this communication direct they should email the office (unison@derby.gov.uk) informing the branch of their email address and giving their permission to use it.

Yours sincerely
UNISON Derby City Schools Team

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