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Derby City Council News Schools UNISON

UNISON School’s Team Important Support Update – Jan 2016

UNISON School’s Team will be supporting our members in nearly 30 Dismissal and Reengagement meetings at schools this week. Please do not be anxious, you are not actually being “dismissed” at this meeting. It’s just the second part of the consultation and if it’s outside of your normal working hours YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND.

If collectively UNISON members decide to not attend, could you please let us know?

Being Backed into a Corner?

There are a number of schools who are still insisting on members signing DCC’s terms and conditions to enable them have access to additional hours. We believe this is immoral, not fair and is backing us into a corner and forcing us to waive our legal position. Talk about kicking you when you are down.
We shall continue to work with these schools this week to encourage them to adopt a more sympathetic approach.

What we have at present is individuals negotiating with schools for temporary or even supply hours or getting nothing at all… how can this be equal?! This is a crucial stage… time for a fair deal for all!! How can we stand by and let our friends and colleagues be treated like this.

Regret Signing? Take it Back!

UNISON has sought advice from our solicitors who consider that if you believe that you signed the Individual Agreement which changes your Terms and Conditions in error then you are able to contact the Pay and Reward Team and request that they return this signed document to you. The deadline for accepting the proposed changes is Tuesday 31 May 2016 and therefore it is our legal team’s considered view that up until this date you can rescind your signed form. The implication of rescinding this acceptance form is that you will then be dismissed and re-engaged by your employer. It is better that this is imposed on you by Derby City Council than you choosing to accept these changes to your Terms and Conditions.

If you are one of our members who has signed and accepted and wish to take this back, we would suggest that you write/email the Pay and Reward team requesting this. We have suggested wording for this email on our website: www.derbycityunison.co.uk

Worried how all this will affect your pension?

As a member of UNISON you are entitled to a complimentary, no obligation initial consultation from Lighthouse Financial Advice, UNISON Plus’s endorsed provider of financial advice. One of their qualified advisers will ask you about your circumstances and objectives to establish whether you could benefit from advice.

For more information visit www.lighthousefa.co.uk/unison or call 08000 85 85 90

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Derby City Council News Newsletter Schools UNISON

Have you signed the individual agreement and wish to change your mind?

UNISON has sought advice from our solicitors who consider that if you believe that you signed the Individual agreement which changes your terms and conditions in error then you are able to contact the Pay and Reward Team and request that they return this signed document to you. The deadline for accepting this proposed changes is Tuesday 31 May 2016 and therefore it is our legal teams considered view that up until this date you can rescinded your signed form. The implication of rescinding this acceptance form is that you will then be dismissed and re-engaged by your employer. It is better that this is imposed on you by Derby City Council than you choosing to accept these changes to your Terms and Conditions.

If you are one of the members who have signed and accepted and asked us how you can get back this signed form, we would suggest that you write/email the Pay and Reward team stating:

I would like to rescind my signed Individual Acceptance Form.  I signed this in error and didn’t realise the implications and severity that signing this would entail.  I signed this form during the consultation process and therefore hadn’t had the full opportunity to understand the implications until I was able to seek advice.  I felt coerced into signing as pressure was put onto staff to sign and accept, and therefore ask that this is returned to me.  I appreciate that this will mean that my employer will need to take steps to impose the changes to my terms and conditions.

 

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Derby City Council News Schools UNISON

Branch Secretary’s Update for Derby City Council Employees

Update on UNISON’s Position

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate UNISON’s position with regard to the council’s decision to seek individual agreement on the changes to our terms & conditions. Our advice to our members is to not sign.  This is because if there is a legal challenge only UNISON members who have not signed will be part of that challenge and receive a part of a pay-out should one happen.

UNION’s legal team are working hard to build an equal pay case. We are also looking at the prospect of a collective unfair dismissal claim, again this would only involve those UNISON members who have not signed the new terms & conditions.

Myth Busting FAQs

What happens to my continuity of service if I don’t sign?

It will have zero effect on your service.

Will it go on my staff record?

Although not a legal requirement, DCC are saying that it will be noted on your record. It will show as ‘dismissal for any other substantial reason’. This will not have any detriment to you whilst you are still working for DCC and will not be included in a reference should you be applying for other work in the future. DCC say that they need to keep a record of who was dismissed and reengaged for any future fall-out from unfair dismissal appeals. However, we believe this is being used as a scare tactic in get people to sign.

If I have been downgraded, do I need to sign to keep my protection of pay?

No, whether you sign or not your agreed time of pay protection will start on 1 June. It makes no difference at all.

For any advice or help please don’t hesitate to contact us on unison@derby.gov.uk or call us on 01332 643216 .

Nicole Berrisford – Branch Secretary