Category: Archive

Dear Member

The all user email from Deputy Chief Executive Paul Robinson sent on Thursday 23 January stated the following:

“Unfortunately, it has been brought to our attention that UNISON have been sending out misleading information to our employees and causing some confusion. Therefore we have had to write to the UNISON Regional Office directly to express our concern about this approach”.

For the record UNISONs advice regarding the Dismissal Review meetings is as follows:

That you do not have to attend these meetings nor do you have to sign your new contracts.

There is a difference of opinion on the legal implications of voluntarily signing your contract and these discussions are ongoing with your employer.

Our advice remains as it always has been, do not sign the new contract at this time.

UNISON will endeavour to be at the dismissal events, however despite assurances to the contrary, due to Managers refusing to allow some of our Reps time off to attend and support members, UNISON may not be able to attend the full days event today (Friday 24 January 2014). If members are attending today then please see our advice above.

I personally will not be voluntarily signing to say that I agree that the employer can change my terms and conditions for less favourable ones, and I will wait for the employer to meet its legal obligation to individually consult with me as a result of the close of collective consultation and write and inform me of the intent to dismiss and re-engage on a new contract.

Nicole Berrisford
Branch Secretary
UNISON Derby City Branch

The letters are an invitation to a meeting to explain dismissal and re-engagement arrangements and to give contractual notice of implementation to the new contracts in April and also to try and get people to sign up to the changes to terms and conditions.  You are not forced to attend if you do not wish to; it is up to you as an individual to decide.

Individuals who do not sign will receive individual dismissal letters prior to the implementation date and this will inform you about dismissal and re-engagement.

UNISON’s advice is not to sign if you want to protect your legal rights and if you do not agree with the changes to your  terms and conditions.  If individuals decide not to attend or do not sign, it will have no impact at all; there will be no changes to your length of service, annual leave, any probationary periods, your pensions, redundancy, your rights of appeal or your right to put in for VR.  As of the 31st march all those employees who have not signed will be dismissed and re-engaged on the new contracts with the changes to terms and conditions.

The employer is trying to get as many employees as possible to agree to the changes to terms and conditions and UNISON believe that the information being sent out is misleading and causing panic and distress.

UNISON will be issuing all our members with letters of duress to be handed in at the point of re-engagement.

Please ensure we have your most up to date details to ensure you receive the letter and please come back to us if you need further information.

Please share this information with other UNISON members.

We will be updating our website with a FAQ so look out for it.

FOR ANY UNISON WOMEN MEMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT

This friendly and supportive two day course has been developed by the WEA (Workers Educational Association) and UNISON East Midlands region.

The course will help you to:

·                Assess and understand issues around confidence and assertiveness

·                Recognise body language and unspoken communication

·                Say No

·                Deal with criticism constructively

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

·                Identify and use confident behaviour

·                Communicate assertively

·                Plan the changes required to behave in a confident and assertive manner

·                Identify development opportunities

 

Course Timetable:     9.30 am – 4.30 pm daily

Catering:                     Refreshments and buffet lunch provided

Please contact the branch for more information or for an application form.