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Branch Secretary Update – for School Support Staff 3 January 2021

Dear School Support Staff

Happy new year to you all, the news of the last few days must have caused great anxiety for you. Will schools follow the scientific advice and close for an additional 2 weeks and work on rolling out the Covid testing or will the Government continue to insist schools are safe? You as staff or the families of pupils who attend your schools should not be waiting in limbo like this.
Unless any announcements are made later today it is looking likely Schools in Derby will open. UNISONS advice from our National School Team supported by the National Schools Committee in which I sit, is that schools are currently not safe for pupils or staff. 

I am very aware you don’t want schools to close you are simply requesting that they are safe, and safe for all pupils and staff. 

Last week I attended the Independent SAGE meeting, it was made very clear that schools should not reopen yet. The link for the meeting I attended can be watched below…


Yesterday evening, after seeking legal clarification UNISON sent all school support staff with an active email address an email containing a letter, for you to send to your head and or employer. Ideally send this letter individually but if you would rather send it as a team / group please do so. Ensure every name you add has agreed to be added and ensure you do make yourself available to work from home. I would advise sending this as soon as possible so you’re employer can make arrangements. We have already been notified of potential school closures due to staff exercising the right to be safe. This is your right under Health and Safety Law.

I am happy to be copied into this email. beckyeverett@derbyunison.org
Should you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me on the above email address. I will be keeping an eye on my emails today and I will respond but it won’t be immediately. I am officially back at work on Monday 4th January. 


I will be contacting all our School Stewards today via email to ensure they are fully updated, should you decide that now is the time your school has a steward and or a Health and Safety Rep please contact me and we can get you on board with supporting members in your school and helping keep your workplace safe. 


Your employer and Head teacher / Principle has a duty to keep you safe at work, asking you to cross bubbles is one example of you not being safe and putting you at a greater risk. We understand how it’s near on impossible to adhere to social distancing this is another risk.The new strain of Covid is spreading at a vast speed. 
If you work in a school for a separate cleaning or catering contractor please ensure you notify your employer if you are taking this action advised by your union. 


Your school needs a steward and a Health and Safety Rep right now. Never before have we needed a steward in every workplace. 
It’s not too late to join unison, please inform your colleagues who may not be in a union that we are working to keep you safe in the workplace. New members can join at https://join.unison.org.uk

Keep in touch. 

Kind regards 

Becky Everett 

Branch Secretary

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Our Year In Review – Newsletter

Dear Member 

Please find below our ‘Year in Review – Newsletter’ which contains, our Branch Officer reports, AGM information, Regional Officer report, advice and information that we hope you will find useful.

Please note the branch will be closed on Tuesday 22nd December at 1.30pm and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021 at 9am.

For support while we are closed please call UNISON Direct on 0800 0 857 857 or go to https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/

Take care, stay safe and we will see you in the new year.

Thanks,

Becky Everett

Branch Secretary for UNISON Derby City Branch.

Click the below link to read the newsletter

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Branch Secretary Update – 14.5.20

Dear Member,

We hope you’re well and keeping safe.

Last Sunday Boris Johnson delivered a very confusing statement, which left many of us feeling a little confused.

This week we have studied all the government updates, and had communication from, and with, numerous employers.

Private Sector Care
We are still listening to you regarding PPE, and while we are pleased situations have improved for a few of you, we do know that the situation is far from perfect. Please continue to contact us. Your Health and Safety is of our upmost importance.

DCC
I am continuing to have twice weekly meetings with Derby City Council, The Council are still looking for employees to consider being redeployed whilst we are working through the pandemic. If this is something you can consider please complete the Skills Audit or speak direct to your Manager / Head of service.
If you are employed by DCC and on a zero Hours contract, please get in touch if you are continuing to have issues regarding your pay. I have been assured this is being looked into. I am hoping our members issues are now resolved.

Health and Safety
Dennis Jackson is our Branch Health and Safety Officer. Please contact Dennis direct with any H&S concerns. They do not have to be COVID-19 related. Dennis can be contacted by email Denis.jackson@derby.gov.uk

Nurseries / Schools / Academies
As you will be aware Boris Johnson has said Schools ‘may’ reopen on June 1st.
As a branch we have asked our school members to complete a short survey, which I am sharing your responses with the National Schools Committee this afternoon (Thursday 14th), your views are important. Thank you, just short of 300 of you have completed the survey. This is a fantastic response.

Nationally UNISON along with Teaching Unions are in regular discussions regarding the safe reopening of our schools. If you are on Facebook I would recommend following our branch Facebook page (UNISON Derby City Branch) and also “Schools in UNISON” Facebook page – This is the National page, and has all the press releases and communications shared with the Government. Now really is the time to be part of UNISON. UNISON wants to protects you, the children you work with and the families you all go home to. We have to do this together!

All Members
COVID-19 has left us all in very different and difficult circumstances, for some this has had a direct impact on our household finances, you may need to be putting extra in the electricity meter. Needing to purchase extra food shopping as the whole family is home all day, especially if you have children.

You may have additional expenses of travelling to and from work. If you are up against it, and need a bit of help. Do not hesitate to contact us, our UNISON charity “there for you” may be able to help. The COVID-19 fund is there to help you. This is extremely private, if we can help you we will!

It’s really important our members realise that we are still able to support in meetings, sickness, disciplinary meetings, ill health etc etc. These meetings can happen in a range of ways but we currently are not having face to face meetings. Please contact the branch if you require support.

We have a long journey ahead of us before work life and home life return to whatever our new normal will be. We are in this together & we will come out of this together.

Please share this email with any colleague / friend who may not receive the email, and also with any colleague who is thinking of joining our union. Now truly is the time! Never before have we needed each other as much as we do now.

https://joining.unison.org.uk/join-unison-today/

Keep in touch, stay safe and stay well.

Becky Everett
Branch Secretary.
UNISON Derby City Branch.