You can find the latest branch newsletter here...

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Open invitation to all staff...

Come and celebrate our 20th Birthday!

TUESDAY 9th JULY
11 - 4pm

PATIO, GROUND FLOOR,
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE,
ST JAMES’S HOSPITAL

• Free food and drink!
• Stalls
• Raffle
• UNISON freebies!

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Conference Backs Low Pay Campaign

Delegates today agreed to start a major campaign on pay amongst NHS staff across the UK. In particular, conference decided to prioritise increases for the low paid and to campaign to end the pay freeze. James Anthony from the health service group executive commended the NHS in Scotland for its commitment to pay the living wage and pledged a fight to extend that coverage across the UK.

Gordon McKay of the Scottish health committee, pointed out that the 17 richest people in Britain could wipe out the nation's debt, while healthcare staff throughout the UK relied on food banks. "This is the reality of life in Tory Britain," he said. However, job security often overshadowed pay as a concern for members, and that the union needed to build a campaign for action on pay to ensure that the leadership and the members were at one on this issue. The need to defend the structures and conditions of Agenda for Change, were also agreed and conference heavily defeated an amendment that attempted to censure the executive for accepting changes to terms and conditions

Nationalisation of all PFI Projects

Wakefield and Pontefract branch committed the health group to campaign for the nationalisation of all PFI projects, with compensation paid only on the basis of proven need.
As Adrian O’Malley explained, "there's no need for expensive compensation when we own the banks anyway".

The executive recommended to accept the resolution with the point on compensation removed claiming "any form of ending PFI other than buying out contracts would be unlawful".

But the resolution being carried as amended is still an important commitment.

Solidarity the Watchword

General Secretary Dave Prentis told delegates solidarity was the unions watchword. He vowed we would not allow the coalition attacks on the NHS to continue until the next general election - with or without Labour.

We cannot forget that new labour built bridges that the Tories walk on. If we chose to take industrial action we expect our Labour party to support us and not to criticize us. Prentis said it is what is happening in our economy that makes people so angry.

The question is how best to get them to change course. The public doesn’t want to see strikes.

But delegates heard since it was created in 1948 the NHS has been under constant pressure from successive governments. Much of this by a squeeze on funding.

The first ideological attack on the NHS came when Margaret Thatcher tried to introduce market forces. But even for her the NHS was a battle to far.

Delegates heard how the coalition government have used the cloak of austerity to mount a fundamental challenge on what many right wingers see as the last remaining sacred cow of socialism.

Delegates heard how this well thought out plan to undermine the whole basis of health care in this country seized upon Mid staffordshire to make a general attack on the whole of the NHS in order to justify spending £3b in their plans to reorganise and privatise the sevice.

50,000 Strong Rally Hailed

Delegates hailed a 50,000 strong rally for Stafford Hospital. The beleagured hospital became the focus of a mass protest on Saturday after regulators announced it had placed the hospital in administration and would close its acute services.

The Francis report found the West Midlands hospital saw hundreds of unnecessary deaths between 2005 and 2008.

Regional Organiser Ray Salmon said, the protests were proof that people understood the problem was an under-resourced public sector itself- not the public sector itself.

People recognise that vast improvements have been made at Stafford Hospital and want to see investment and support from the government, not threats of down grading.

Gary freeman from south Derbyshire branch called for a national demonstration in defense of the NHS, saying the union had to get behind the movement of public opinion.

But Pauline Stanley, Central Lancashire Health, disagreed. Her branch had spent £45,000 on sending groups on national demonstrations since the Con-Dem coalition began, “but its the same people every time”.

Karen Smales, Leeds Community branch and Deputy secretary of the SGE said finances are tight. We’re not committing the Executive to a course of action we don’t know we can deliver.

A 30,000 strong rally to save health services in Lambeth was also hailed by delegates.

Hospital Car Parking is a Tax

Hospital car parking is seen as a tax on those who use and provide hospital services according to Cambridge Health.

Delegates condemned hospital parking costs - calling it a tax on the sick and on those caring for them.

Dave Godson, Head of Health in the East Midlands, said: "Visiting or going into hospital is a very stressful time without having the additional worry about the cost of parking. "Visitors must feel free to stay with their loved ones for as long as they are needed."

Delegates agreed that all hospital car parking should be free of charge, as it is in the UK outside England, and committed the Service Group Executive to a widespread campaign.

Principles for an NHS

A motion from UNISON north West region has developed six principles that should be the basis of a quality health-care system.

1. That care should be free at the point of use.
2. That the service should be funded from fair taxation
3. That care should be based on clinical need
4. That all care should be provided by the public service
5. That public health should be the core of health policy
6. That the NHS should be open, transparent and fully democratic.

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Executive come under fire for Agenda for Change

The big issue of the day was Defending Agenda for Change.  There was a number of branches that had criticized the Health Service Group Executive for accepting this years offer on Agenda for Change cuts.

George Baron moved motion 11 on behalf of the Executive.  He said Agenda for Change offers our members the best access to decent working conditions, equal pay and preserving an effective UK-wide bargaining strategy.

Agenda for Change is under attack as a result NHS cost pressures and the lack of political support from the Tory-led Coalition government.

George explained the employers had come with a shopping list of terms and conditions they wanted to take from members and an attitude of “to hell with agenda for change”.

George defended ‘survey monkey’ the on-line survey that had been used by the Service group to find out members views.  He said the Service Group had consulted members widely and all the regions had supported the changes to AfC.

Assistant Branch Secretary of Manchester Community Health Branch moving amendment 11.1 said accepting cuts was not acceptable and agenda for change was not only the responsibility of branches but also the responsibility of the Service Group Executive. 

He blamed the Executive for accepting cuts in agenda for change and wanted delegates to support him in censuring them for accepting these cuts on our behalf.

He said his members back in Manchester were livid over these cuts and was not acceptable. The consultation was flawed, a done deal, and scare tactics got the the deal through.

Pauline Stanley opposed and said it was idiotic to censure the Executive for listening to members.

Sean Sawyer supported the censure and spoke about the cut in sick pay for people working unsocial hours and asked delegates to realize the losses to those people who work permanent nights.

Mick McEwan from Liverpool asked do you really think the Service Group Executive acted in bad faith.

Conrad Lawrence from London Health said we should respect their decision, or are we saying we do not respect members views.

Delegates voted against the censure.

Amendment 11.2 was moved by Adrian O’Malley from Mid Yorkshire Health branch (formally Pinderfield and Pontefract Trust). Conference heard from Medical Secretaries that had been threatened with down banding and took strike action received rapturous applause.

Strikers at Mid Yorkshire Health spoke of there experiences on strike and encouraged branches to dispute local attacks and wanted training how to instigate lawful industrial action.

Amendment 11.3 from Bucks health called on the union to prepare for a lawful ballot for national industrial action in defense of Agenda for Change should employers come back with more proposals to alter it, or if local employers opt-out.

Jenny Forbes was in opposition saying our union is member led and it is up to members to decide if to take industrial action.

James Morgan supported and spoke about members who face £400 a month pay cut.

Jenny Harvey from the Executive said we should vote on the motions content, not what the branch mean.  She said this would shackle negotiators in talks with employers.  But also said, UNISON is prepared to call for strike action if needed.

Helena from South London said pay was under attack and we should do something about these attacks while Dino Williams asked how do we do this? 

In his right of reply George Baron said it was time to draw a line in the sand.  He asked delegates not to support amendments 11.1 & 11.3  but support motions 11 and 11.2 which the majority did.

 

To Strike or not to strike, that is the question?

Motions 6 and 7 had been merged together and called composite B which was named NHS Pay Freeze.  The motions spoke of the severe drop in living standards due to soaring increases in the cost of living, inflation, changes to the welfare system and tax credits.

An amendment from Bucks Health, James Anthony again called on the union to prepare for a ballot for lawful industrial action.

Sai a new delegate from West London spoke of what members are prepared to do and not to do.  Members are not willing to strike.

Sai said he told his members I have good news for you. You have a 1% pay rise.  Some people are not getting anything. 

He said he was not willing to strike if people are not willing to do it. No one comes to meetings.  We can’t get a quorate. There is no mood to strike.  Live with 1% if we can.

Roger Davey from Wiltshire branch said every year we come to conference to defend members pay.  This unprecedented onslaught is part of the system.  And if not now, when do we ballot for industrial action.

Roger said, we are raising our membership. Get out there and encourage members to take action.  Be a fighting campaigning union.

First time speaker and a nervous Sam Jefferys from South East Wales branch said he would vote against preparing for a ballot for lawful industrial action. 

Members are willing to put up with anything to save their jobs.  How can we ask them to strike.  He added our branch does not support a blanket approach to industrial action.

Helen Redebt would support strike action.  The Government said they do not believe pay increases are necessary or affordable.  Yet they have money for Trident and money for the banks. 

We’re suffering pay and pension attacks. Employers keep coming back for more and more pay, terms and conditions.  Prepare for a ballot for lawful industrial action.

Sarah Lewis, Great Ormond Street Hospital would vote against strike action.  She said it would take more than one day of action.

The public support the NHS and Tories want to sell off the NHS bit by bit.  And everyone in this room is proud to be working in the NHS.

Dino Wiliams urged members to talk to members, ask them.  He said its pointless ordering them.  It will be bands 1 and 2 not band 8 who take strike action.  He urged delegates to support the motion but not a ballot for strike action.

Other speakers spoke of patient care and no appetite to take industrial action. There was no evidence members would strike and don’t run before we can walk.

In his right of reply James Anthony said the Executive do not support a 1% pay increase.  The only way to oppose it is to fight it.  He urged delegates to talk to members what they want. 

Delegates voted to reject preparing for a ballot for strike action.

 

Round up of todays decisions
Motions supported
Motion 10 asking members to vote on the pay award 2013/14.
Motions 8 and 9 Pay campaigning, and the drop in living standards.
Motions 42 and 43 Influencing the new NHS England, about blocking privatisation and restricting encroachment of markets. 
Motion 16 and 17 Pay Cartels, stopping NHS Trusts coming out of agenda for change and setting up worse terms and conditions

Motions 14 and 15 Defense of National Pay and Conditions and calling on censuring the Health service Group Executive was rejected by the majority of delegates.

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Welcome to day one of UNISON’s Health Care Conference at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.  Your delegates are Sharon Hamilton, David Beavers (Theaters), Kate Windle (Neonatal), John Chadwick (Estates) and Gina Hughes (Facilities). 

This week we will bringing all the news from Conference.  Issues to look out for will be pay, agenda for change, the future of the NHS and what the union intends to do to defend these.

Dave Prentis Welcomes Conference with a return to a Victorian past.

Continuing with his ‘this is our time’ speech from last year, General Secretary Dave Prentis boosted conference spirits. He told conference the coalition government plant seeds of derision against the NHS so the public doubt the NHS.  This is because the government want to divert precious money needed for health care to share holders. 

This is a government with no mandate but give Barclays bosses £40m bonuses.  One of the richest nations in the world and introduce a bedroom tax in a bitter attack on 650,000 of the poorest householders.This will destroy local economies finishing what Thatcher started.  Oxfam have warned of inequality in Britain not seen since Victorian times.

They want to cut sick pay, work longer and Introduce fees for industrial tribunals of £250.  Dave told Conference UNISON will do every thing in their power so fees won’t be paid.  This is a return to a Victorian past. And he said UNISON speaks for more people than they do?  Half million people rallying in London mainly UNISON.  Demonstrations in all our major cities.  And next month UNISON introduces legal advice to activists when you need it.

He ended people need a political party who they can vote for. Not a party that criticize a union when they try to defend members. And UNISON will ensure we will only support a party that supports working people.

Government attacks Tribunal Time limits

A presentation by Assistant general secretary Bronwyn Mckenna on Employment Law told delegates how the government wants to undermine trade union rights. She spoke of the negative effect on the economy when the government cut back on time limits to employment Tribunals working people will have.

Bronwyn praised trade union reps saying, “every job saved makes a difference”.

But the government intend to introduce what they call ‘fair’ unfair dismissal time limits raised from from one year to two years. This is the governments driver needed to reduce claims. As a consequence Bronwyn told conference this though will only introduce more discrimination claims and increase whistle blowing.

The government no longer want to use the involvement of lay people such as trade unionists, clergy and influential people from other parts of society. Now employment judges with a Conservative mandate will be the only ones making Tribunal rulings.

Other Tribunal changes will include claims less than £1000 not allowed into court and there will be no automatic right to receive compensation. Where 99 or more employees are to be made redundant the time limit will be reduced from 90 days down to 45 days consultation, under 99 employees 30 days notice, giving those being made redundant and the unions little time to organise a defense or sort any alternative to redundancy.

Remembering Stephen Lawrence

20 years to the day delegates remembered the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the botched police investigation.  Delegates also heard how still black people are more likely to be stopped, searched and arrested than other races.

Boris urges toughen up on strikes

Gossip at conference included Boris Johnson and backbench MP’s exploiting the aftermath of Thatcher’s funeral by calling for anti-worker laws.  In a show of ‘Thatcherite zeal’ aimed at stopping industrial action, they are demanding a clampdown on trade unions.  He was calling for new laws making it illegal to take action without the backing of 50 per cent  of members.  This comes in response to unions raising the prospect of a general strike.

Tory MP Dominic Raab, who notoriously labelled British workers as the worst idlers in the world, is leading the campaign for further Thatcherite restrictions.

However, delegates say the Tories are hypocrites.  David Cameron only got 36 per cent of the vote in the 2010 general election.  With a 65 per cent turnout means 75 per cent of the electorate did not support him.  This means Cameron had no mandate to sell off the NHS, axe the benefits system and bring in private profiteers in to schools. The truth is that union members in the emergency services are always reluctant to take strike action and only do so when no other way of resolving a dispute is available and only after a proper ballot.

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TRUST ANNUAL AUDIT

A number of wards and departments failed the annual LTH Health and Safety audit this year. The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England, told failing wards and departments to comply with the Trust H&S audit just having a health and safety policy is not enough. Wards and departments will need to show evidence they are implementing the policies.For more information on the CQC go to: http://lthweb/sites/quality/quality/standards-for-better-health/?searchterm=CQC

TRUST INJURIES

Between October and December there was 6 Lifting and handling, 12 slip trip and fall and 13 Needle stick injuries.

RETRACTABLE NEEDLE STICKS

The Trust wants to spend an extra £500,000 on sheaved and retractable needle sticks to prevent needle stick injury. A consultative document has been produced.

WORK RELATED STRESS

Stress, anxiety or depression are increasing and are now the principal causes of sickness absence in the Trust.

TRUST SIGNS UP TO MINDFUL EMPLOYER CHARTER

The Trust has signed up to the voluntary charter which is a commitment to assisting the recruitment and retention of staff with mental illness.

ASBESTOS LGI

Despite the Trust monitoring areas for asbestos the substance was found by LGI Shift Engineers in a damaged state in an unlisted and unmonitored plant area. The reason for it being missed was because the area was not known about. The Asbestos department have said they intend to carry out new asbestos risk assessments in all areas.

SECURITY TO GET ASBESTOS TRAINING

The increasing number of empty buildings across the Trust are a target for intruders. This can make any asbestos containing materials present which has been sealed and made a safe condition has the potential to be damaged exposing asbestos fibres. Security Officers are to be trained in asbestos awareness and given information about each building.

UNISON ASBESTOS REGISTER

UNISON has an asbestos register for people who think they may have been exposed to asbestos in their current or previous job. You can record the details by completing a questionnaire. To find out more go to: http://unison.org.uk/resources/asbestosExposure.asp.

COSHH

Pharmacy will re-check 10% of all COSHH and latex audits. Review the Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) master list. Switch to latex free gloves (non-surgical). Schedule environmental monitoring of volatile gaseous anaesthetics in operating theatres.

VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS

There was 112 incidents of bay/ward closures due to suspect/confirmed viral gastroenteritis and incurred 171 bed days lost.

OVERTIME CONTROLS EFFECT CLEANING SCORES

As a result of bank, agency and overtime controls the number of hours cleaning has reduced with the effect in the overall cleaning scores that have deteriorated. Monitoring the cleaning has also had a slight decrease.

FLU JAB

The Trust inoculated 8000 staff against flu this winter. According to the Infection Prevention & Control doctors and nurses are the worse groups for not taking up the offer of a free flu jab which can be detrimental to patients.

ASSAULTS REDUCED

There has been a 24% reduction in the number of assaults being reported in 2011/12.

SECURITY INVENTORY

A company called Openview are to carry out a Security Inventory of all Security equipment and a Security register will be maintained..

VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION

The Violence and Aggression policy is to be renamed the Conflict Resolution policy.

FIRE TRAINING

3154 staff has no record as having attended fir training. The fire team intend to start in Estates and Facilities resolving this problem. These people will be trained over the next 12 months.

FIRE ALARMS

There have been 229 false alarms across the Trust this year. The Trust has a plan to reduce these by 25% over the next 12 months.

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Urgent: All UNISON members

For future consultation requirements it's important that you update us if you any of your details have changed. If you have moved house, changed workplace, changed your name or any contact details please email the branch on unison.sjuh@leedsth.nhs.uk or call 0113 2064369 or online here...

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