Category: UNISON
We are aware that the employer is currently issuing re-engagement contracts to those employees who did not voluntarily sign up to the variation to contract (ie changes to terms and conditions) as part of the pay review. The proposed implementation date for those employees is the 1st of May 2014.
If you are one of those members who did not sign, then contact the branch and we will issue you a ‘Letter of Duress’ to submit with your signed re-engagement contract, this will protect any legal rights you have. It is important that those members who did not sign, do so when you receive this paperwork and that you turn up for work on or after the 1st of May on your next working day, unless you have authorised absence to be away from workplace ie, annual leave, sick leave etc.
Please ensure you check your new contract to ensure it has your correct pay on it, if it is incorrect then contact the HR help desk.
APPEALS
If you have appealed against the outcome of the pay review then the employer agreed that all appeals packs would be received by mid February 2014, this has not happened and the employer has not clarified when they intend sending out appeals packs. UNISON has and will continue to raise this as an urgent issue with the employer and will continue to meet with the employer to look at informal appeals. In the meantime UNISON will arrange to hold further appeal workshops to look at the process and will inform you of those dates in due course.
If you have any concerns then please contact the branch.
Please find below wording which can be used when signing the new contracts of employment when you do not agree with the changes to your terms and conditions.
The wording can be put in a personal letter which you will need to sign and hand in with your contracts.
Dear ______________________
I am signing the enclosed Contract of Employment under duress as I object to the new terms and conditions being imposed on me without agreement.
I will continue to work under protest but this is without prejudice to my rights to pursue legal recourse which may include, but is not restricted to, unfair dismissal.
Yours sincerely