Categories
Archive Blogs Branch Secretary Campaigns Demonstration Derby City Council Derby Homes Events LGBT News Newsletter Our History Schools Social Training UNISON Young Members

Your Important UNISON Update – April 2020

Dear members,

We hope you are keeping safe and well, personally I am starting to struggle with the lock down restrictions. I am missing my family terribly as many of you also are. However, I will continue to follow the guidelines as we all want some kind of normal back – although I’m guessing we will be anything but normal for some time yet. It’s also ok to admit we are not doing ok. Phone a friend, a relative, try a new hobby whatever helps you, do it! We are in this together!

I thought I’d take this opportunity to update you on a few things that are still high on the agenda within the branch. As you can imagine COVID-19 has taken over most of our work and dealing with live situations has been of most importance however it is important that you know other matters have not been forgotten.

Private sector and Academies
Zero Hours contracts are still causing some very stressful situations for members within the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to put pressure on the employers and encourage them to furlough staff so our members are not suffering a material detriment. Of course we cant enforce the employer to do the right thing but we will support you by putting the pressure on. Please continue to contact us if you are facing difficulty. Our UNISON charity may be able to help you during these times. (more information further on in the branch update.

Equal Pay update
We have heard from Matthew Pull, the solicitor who is leading on the Equal Pay claims we have across our branch.
The good news is that the Council have dropped 58 of the out of time points they were raising, and Matthew expects this trend to continue as DCC are required to firm up the points they are taking.  The tribunal have arranged a 2 day hearing to determine all of the preliminary issues on the 7th and 8th October (this is the earliest the judge could go in light of the current restrictions/circumstances. We will of course keep you updated as and when we hear any updated news.

Derby City Council
We have also been informed this week (22/04/2020) that DCC are putting a pause on the adding photos to your email addresses, we are pleased that a pause has been put on this. UNISON, GMB and UNITE have informed DCC that the having no option to “opt out” and the fact the collective and individual grievances are not being recognised we have no option but to open a dispute. While we are not opening the dispute at this time Derby City Council recognises we do need to talk more about this. We respect that the situation is currently paused as COVID-19 work continues. We hope that discussions will begin as soon as time allows and I am still hopeful an “opt out” option can be introduced I will keep you updated.

We have been heartened to hear so many of you have volunteered to be redeployed to other services during the pandemic, UNISON branch officers have also got involved and doing our bit for our city, Anita Jones our women’s Officer has been redeployed to one of the Care Homes in the city, Our Equalities Officer (Tracey) and Welfare Officer (Jayne) are both still working within there school settings and myself and Julie Walker (our Treasurer) have been supporting the team at Nottingham Road Cemetery.

Financial support
We know for many of you these times can be tough financially, please do get in touch with us if you are struggling. Our “there for you” charity may be able to help you.
Everyone being at home all day and eating more food will be adding a strain to an already tight budget.
Gas and electric meters not lasting till the next pay day like they normally would.
Public transport not running and taxis are expensive to get to and from your essential work.
“there for you” may be able to help.
Do not struggle, you are not on your own.
Please get in touch help@derbyunison.org
The process is confidential.

Show your support colouring pages
Recently we sent out a message to you which contained some colouring pictures we were really pleased how many of you requested the pictures to be posted out, We now look forward to seeing them coloured in and on display. I’ve got mine in my car (not that my car is going anywhere at the minute) and on my front door. We can still send these to you if you cant print off at home. please email help@derbyunison.org

A Teaching assistant asked us if she could print for the children who are in school to colour, the answer was Yes, if these colouring pictures help some one adult or child then yes print, colour and display. We really do want to see the pictures displayed. you can alternatively click on the link here

International Workers Memorial Day 
Next week is International workers Memorial Day Tuesday 28th April at 11am we will be remembering all who have lost their life while at work, this year especially we will be thinking of all key workers who have lost there life to COVID-19
The hash tag #neverforgotten will be being used. We welcome you to join us as we silently remember our fallen key workers. We will have more about this on our Facebook page UNISON -Derby City Branch

Please continue to support each other, keep safe, keep well and stay home.

Keep in touch.

Becky Everett
UNISON Derby City Branch
Branch Secretary
beckyeverett@derbyunison.org

Categories
Archive Blogs Branch Secretary Campaigns Conferences Demonstration Derby City Council Derby Homes Events LGBT News Newsletter Our History Retired Members Schools Social Training UNISON Young Members

UNISON Derby City Branch is still here for you

Dear Member

Myself and the regional team are working with the private sector care homes and care service within the communities, nurseries and academies to ensure you are being treated right by your employer. Thankfully in most cases you are. However in some you are not and we will do our upmost to ensure this changes. We truly have heard some awful stories.

Jill and Dennis your Assistant Branch Secretaries are picking up your calls and emails from all our members within Derby City Council. Both are being supported by our regional team. Jill should be enjoying her Easter Break as she is term time employed however the employer has granted her some extended facility time to support COVID-19. Jill will be working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday both weeks over the Easter Holidays.

Julie continues to support our members within Derby Homes.

Our Branch Team are working remotely and we also, are adapting to new ways of working. I’m proud of how we have come together as a team and continue to put the members first and in this crazy time still able to recruit new members.

On Tuesday we sent an email out about learning with UNISON, there are 100s of free courses available and we shared a small selection of courses with you. Take a look, while we’re in these times of lockdown why not do something for you! You never know where a few new qualifications and certificates can take you. If you are unable to print out any certificates you earn, I am happy to print the certificates for you and pop it in the post.

We, again would like to express our sincere THANK YOU’S, to you all. If your staying at home keeping you and your families safe, if your an essential worker and continuing to work or if your in isolation because you are or have been poorly or because you have been advised to. THANK YOU.
Everybody is doing there bit.

In these tough times try and find a positive every day.

If you have a colleague who would benefit from UNISON support right now regarding a COVID-19 situation, there is no better time to join, our 4 week joining rule has been lifted for the current time so we can ensure we can help more of you at this difficult time.
New members can join online just type “join UNISON” in your search bar.

Or email me for a membership form to be sent out to you, but please note, our post is being posted weekly and collected weekly while we also follow guidelines to keep safe while we work.

Should you need any help and support during COVID-19. Derby Response Hub can be contacted on 01332 640000 they can help with a wide range of services including collecting medication, essential shopping, dog walking and even a friendly chat if you need it.

Easter working arrangements for UNISON Derby City Branch.
Good Friday – closed
Bank Holiday Monday Closed
Reopen Tuesday 14th April 9am
Branch Officers will not be answering the phones over the Easter holidays.
We would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter Break we will all be celebrating Easter differently this year but we hope you manage to enjoy it.
If your working – Thank you.

Keep yourself well, look after each other and stay safe.

Becky Everett
Branch Secretary
UNISON Derby City Branch
beckyeverett@derbyunison.org
help@derbyunison.org

Categories
Archive Blogs Branch Secretary Campaigns Derby City Council Derby Homes Events Labour Group LGBT News Newsletter Our History Retired Members Schools Social Training UNISON Young Members

COVID19 – Important Branch Secretary Statement

Statement issued by UNISON Derby City Branch Secretary Becky Everett on Wednesday 18th March 2020

We are receiving a high amount of calls from our members regarding the Coronavirus, we fully understand your worries and concerns.

The advice on Coronavirus is changing daily, so always check reputable news bulletins and Public Health England for the latest updates. We would advise against Social Media for getting advice as this is not always factual.

UNISON Derby City Branch organises within numerous employers and we will not be able to give separate updates to members in each individual workplace. Your employer should be keeping you updated. This is also new territory to the employers and many are also seeking our guidance.

Our main priority currently is to ensure the Health and Safety of members and their families along with the people they look after as part of their jobs.

This advice will be updated as employers respond to our requests for more information. We will, of course update our website as and when we receive guidelines from any of our employers.

If you need advice on workplace issues, please email help@derbyunison.org in the first instance. Or call direct on the Derby City Mobile on 07789 556487 We will respond at the earliest opportunity. If you leave a voice message or text message please ensure you tell us your name, job title and workplace.

Branch Officers have been advised, to avoid face to face meetings, Members will still receive a personal service by receiving a dedicated time slot for phone calls to discuss issues.

There is a chance that Branch Officers may need to be off work, we are a dedicated team and will ensure that messages and emails are acknowledged. At times we may have reduced staffing so please bear with us.

Kind regards

Becky Everett, Derby City Branch Secretary