The vision for a worker’s charter has been with us for some time.
In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s workers had been on the sharp end of tory restrictions and anti-trade union laws – the time for bringing a claim of unfair dismissal was one year [and strangely enough there were large numbers of people dismissed on one year minus one day – a bit coincidental!].
The Institute of Employment Rights with others, including trade unions, attempted to establish a platform of minimum standards at work that workers could expect not to fall below
The Labour Government of 1997 published ‘Fairness at Work’ and brought forward a new Employment Rights Act but it still countenanced many of the tory anti-worker laws and even Tony Blair acknowledged that we had the most restrictive industrial framework of any other European country.
UNISON commissioned Keith Ewing to produce a workers charter for us with 10 objectives that a worker could reasonably expect in their terms and conditions and protections and in 2002 the TUC went on to launch a charter all unions could get behind.
The supporting work for this charter detailed how to improve individual and collective rights at work and was presented alongside ideas for an alternative economic framework – one that promotes economic efficiency and social justice. It also illuminated the extent to which the UK failed (and still fails) to meet its international standards and obligations.
Needless to say, despite campaigns from the trade union movement and lawyers of the ilk of Ewing – the government of the day failed to significantly improve rights or ensure sustainable laws
As can be seen now by moves by Government and Employers to attack workers rights now.
The release by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills of an Employer’s charter – ostensibly to advise employers on what they can do – came not long after the release of the LG Employers advice on reducing costs by reducing workers terms and conditions
All of this giving a signal to employers that the worker was a target at work as well as in society
Rather than giving them encouragement
This charter was also released alongside a consultation on changing the tribunal system, including extended the time period from one to two years for bringing a claim for unfair dismissal. Other potential changes may also affect statutory sick pay and there is an expectation that smaller businesses may be exempt from many employment laws already.
Ironic given that most ‘entrepreneurial’ enterprises already seem to treat them with contempt – just talk to your friends working in small manufacturing companies – they will have some stories for you.
Cameron ‘explained’ that this was all about getting business moving again – about removing red tape – about freeing employers from their obligations to their employers – but strange that it is the workers intended to bear the brunt.
After all if an employer doesn’t want to warrant a claim of unfair dismissal – then they simply shouldn’t dismiss unfairly
It really is just another dig at workers – particularly softening up the workforce so that they are cheaper to hire and fire – or privatise in the case of public services!
Did you know that the UK is in breach of not one, but 13 of the 16 different obligations specifically accepted by this country in the Council of Europe Social Rights Committee – going back through successive (and different political) governments to the 1960’s – all at the expense of workers – how dishonest can you get!
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Say NO to Academy in Whickham
Tommorrow, Wednesday 20th July, members of the union NASUWT at a Whickham School will take industrial action following the school making the decision to opt for academy status.
The school propose to convert to academy status without the governors consulting with parents nor staff.
There decision to take industrial action follows on from a protest held on 16th July where both parents and pupils joined teachers and support staff in a succesful protest.
Unfortunately I cannot join the protest tommorrow as I have a UNISON national meeting to attend although I do hope my colleagues from UNISON will be in attendance offering support.(Please send photos to flemingi@me.com)
To join the protest you need to be at Whickham School, Burthouse Lane, Whickham, NE16 5AR between 8-9am.
Show your solidarity and support the staff at Whickham to say NO to Academies.
Best Wishes for the day
Ian Fleming
The school propose to convert to academy status without the governors consulting with parents nor staff.
There decision to take industrial action follows on from a protest held on 16th July where both parents and pupils joined teachers and support staff in a succesful protest.
Unfortunately I cannot join the protest tommorrow as I have a UNISON national meeting to attend although I do hope my colleagues from UNISON will be in attendance offering support.(Please send photos to flemingi@me.com)
To join the protest you need to be at Whickham School, Burthouse Lane, Whickham, NE16 5AR between 8-9am.
Show your solidarity and support the staff at Whickham to say NO to Academies.
Best Wishes for the day
Ian Fleming
Monday 18 July 2011
Defend the Hardest Hit
This Thursday 21st July in Ashington, the Northern Public Services Alliance are inviting the public to a meeting in order to examine the impact of the Coalition Government policies and cuts to disabled people. There will be disabled speakers representing a range of disability charities. They will be joined by Ian Lavery MP Member of Parliament for Wansbeck. A campaigning discussion will follow. For more information contact Neil Foster at nfoster@tuc.org.uk or 0191 227 5554.
To advertise this event please use this link http://bit.ly/r36af3 to circulate to your friends and family.
To advertise this event please use this link http://bit.ly/r36af3 to circulate to your friends and family.
NO REDEMPTION - THE 1984–85 MINERS’ STRIKE IN THE DURHAM COALFIELD
In August ’84, Keith Pattison was commissioned by Sunderland's Artists' Agency to photograph the strike in Easington Colliery for one month. He stayed there on and off for eight, till the strike ended in March ’85, working behind the lines to record events from the miners’ point of view.
These photographs concentrate not on the much publicised violence of the strike, but on how the village responded to the overwhelming opposition of the state. He found a community which rallied together - women and children figure strongly in these images - and he shows it against the landscape which shaped it, street corners, back lanes, coal strewn beaches, crowded meeting rooms, dwarfed by the colliery.
Now, in 2011 we face just as big an attack on our communities, our families, and our services. We believe that the lessons learnt in the miners’ strike are just as relevant today. It is vital for all of us, women, men, young and old, whether we work in the public sector or private, or are unemployed to work together for a decent society.
Join us at the Black Swan – Newcastle Arts Centre – on Thursday the 28th of July when award winning photographer Keith Pattison will present a short performance based on his work and a powerful slide show while Harry Hamer reads from GB84 by David Peace. Afterwards there will be a discussion panel featuring local trade union and community activists. We will round the night off with music from a local band.
Please use this link http://bit.ly/nemXPO to advertise the event and to invite friends and familiy to this event.
These photographs concentrate not on the much publicised violence of the strike, but on how the village responded to the overwhelming opposition of the state. He found a community which rallied together - women and children figure strongly in these images - and he shows it against the landscape which shaped it, street corners, back lanes, coal strewn beaches, crowded meeting rooms, dwarfed by the colliery.
Now, in 2011 we face just as big an attack on our communities, our families, and our services. We believe that the lessons learnt in the miners’ strike are just as relevant today. It is vital for all of us, women, men, young and old, whether we work in the public sector or private, or are unemployed to work together for a decent society.
Join us at the Black Swan – Newcastle Arts Centre – on Thursday the 28th of July when award winning photographer Keith Pattison will present a short performance based on his work and a powerful slide show while Harry Hamer reads from GB84 by David Peace. Afterwards there will be a discussion panel featuring local trade union and community activists. We will round the night off with music from a local band.
Please use this link http://bit.ly/nemXPO to advertise the event and to invite friends and familiy to this event.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Berwickshire Constituency Labour Party (CLP) AGM
On a very wet afternoon yesterday (Saturday, 16th July) I attended Berwickshire CLP AGM at St. James Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick. The meeting started with the current Chair, Bill Grisdale, introducing himself to BCLP members then we went straight into business with branch elections. The following list is the key positions which were filled on the day of the AGM.
Bill Grisdale, retained the Chair.
Joyce Guthrie, is a newly elected Vice-Chair
Scott Dickinson, retained CLP Secretary.
John Davison, retained the position as CLP Treasurer.
The AGM invited Grant Davey, Leader of the Northumberland Labour Group to speak about the ongoing challenges they face as part of the opposition to the Lib.Dems in Northumberland. Grant, talked about Northumberland in the context of youth provision, crime, learning disabilities and future arrangements of the Council in terms of Northumberland County Council handing the delivery of services to the parish councils. Many of these former district councils duties such as Cleaning of public toilets, Graffiti removal, Allotments and Parks are but a few to mention are expected to be delivered by the Parish Councils. Grant highlighted that many of these services were formerly managed through the former district councils, prior to the formation of the Unitary Authority in 2009 and highlighted issues which could arise from this transfer of delivery. In his presentation Grant also implied that the current administration failed to save money through making unnecessary redundancies when it had a year on year leaving rate of 850 staff.
From Trade Union perspective I believe there should be no need for any redundancy whether thats voluntary or compulsory. The crisis was caused by the bankers not public servants.
The discussion raised alarm that many of these services maybe outsourced as Parish Councils look to save monies in order to deliver services on a shoe string budget.
Following the debate with members the CLP thanked Grant for his attendance.
Our special guest for the AGM was Sir Jeremy Beecham(SJB), give a briefing on the Localism Bill, which was very informative covering a broad variation of issues and outlining the advantages (very few) and disadvantages of the Bill.
The Labour member for the House of Lords, identified how the forthcoming Localism Bill will remove strategic leadership with the dissolution of regional planning. In the drive towards localism, he argued that parochial interests could dominate and fail to reflect the national interest. For example few local communities will attend neighbourhood forums. In the context of Northumberland, Sir Jeremy raised concerns over how a vision for the towns and villages could be run by local wealthy business people where they could develop under the new localism. If power is to be devolved to the neighbourhood level, as proposed in the Localism Bill, it will be a mammoth task joining up the varying interests to create a local vision.
I can't help feeling that skills and resources may not be available at the neighbourhood and community to deliver the ideas presented by this government.
The reality is that those same old people will attend the planning meetings, of course those in the business community will welcome the watered down planning restrictions which will arise from this Bill and we will be swamped by business people wanting to push their plans through in order to fill their pockets.
Bill Grisdale, retained the Chair.
Joyce Guthrie, is a newly elected Vice-Chair
Scott Dickinson, retained CLP Secretary.
John Davison, retained the position as CLP Treasurer.
The AGM invited Grant Davey, Leader of the Northumberland Labour Group to speak about the ongoing challenges they face as part of the opposition to the Lib.Dems in Northumberland. Grant, talked about Northumberland in the context of youth provision, crime, learning disabilities and future arrangements of the Council in terms of Northumberland County Council handing the delivery of services to the parish councils. Many of these former district councils duties such as Cleaning of public toilets, Graffiti removal, Allotments and Parks are but a few to mention are expected to be delivered by the Parish Councils. Grant highlighted that many of these services were formerly managed through the former district councils, prior to the formation of the Unitary Authority in 2009 and highlighted issues which could arise from this transfer of delivery. In his presentation Grant also implied that the current administration failed to save money through making unnecessary redundancies when it had a year on year leaving rate of 850 staff.
From Trade Union perspective I believe there should be no need for any redundancy whether thats voluntary or compulsory. The crisis was caused by the bankers not public servants.
The discussion raised alarm that many of these services maybe outsourced as Parish Councils look to save monies in order to deliver services on a shoe string budget.
Following the debate with members the CLP thanked Grant for his attendance.
Our special guest for the AGM was Sir Jeremy Beecham(SJB), give a briefing on the Localism Bill, which was very informative covering a broad variation of issues and outlining the advantages (very few) and disadvantages of the Bill.
The Labour member for the House of Lords, identified how the forthcoming Localism Bill will remove strategic leadership with the dissolution of regional planning. In the drive towards localism, he argued that parochial interests could dominate and fail to reflect the national interest. For example few local communities will attend neighbourhood forums. In the context of Northumberland, Sir Jeremy raised concerns over how a vision for the towns and villages could be run by local wealthy business people where they could develop under the new localism. If power is to be devolved to the neighbourhood level, as proposed in the Localism Bill, it will be a mammoth task joining up the varying interests to create a local vision.
I can't help feeling that skills and resources may not be available at the neighbourhood and community to deliver the ideas presented by this government.
The reality is that those same old people will attend the planning meetings, of course those in the business community will welcome the watered down planning restrictions which will arise from this Bill and we will be swamped by business people wanting to push their plans through in order to fill their pockets.
Save our Schools
Please see attached Northern Public Service Alliance leaflet on Academies. http://bit.ly/qS1da6
Wooler News
Read the latest edition of the Wooler Parish Pump: http://bit.ly/nLbABa
Read the Glendale Free Music Festival: http://bit.ly/mZuKhW
Read the Glendale Community Plan - A Vision for the Future: http://bit.ly/oKl7RR
Read the Glendale Free Music Festival: http://bit.ly/mZuKhW
Read the Glendale Community Plan - A Vision for the Future: http://bit.ly/oKl7RR
Monday 11 July 2011
UNISON Labour Link Forum 2011
I attended the UNISON Labour Link forum in Liverpool at the weekend with the the Northern Region delegation. Northern Region delegates spoke on half of the 19 motions at Forum and moving 2 of our own, every delegate had a part to play speaking on a wide range of issues such as Pensions, Housing, low paid workers and the NHS. Speaking to motion 18 on Education cuts Tina Roche pointed out the vital work being carried out in the Region by the PSA in defence of youth services, such as Connexions, and our 2 motions on Local Government Funding and Retired Members were carried overwhelmingly. Merv Butler, Chair of the Regional Labour Link Committee said: ‘It was a superb effort all round from the Northern Region, our speakers were impressive and the messages they got across were important.’
Keynote speakers at the Forum included Ed Balls (Shadow Chancellor), Dave Prentis, Arlene McCartney and Linda Macovin (MEP’s), Lilian Greenwood and Angela Eagle (MP’s) and Jake Morrisson; Health Care Assistant, Liverpool City Councillor, UNISON member and at 18 years of age the youngest person ever to be elected to Council. Speaking on the importance of UNISON’s past and present campaigning Ed Balls said: ‘The partnership today (with Labour) is more important than it ever had been’, while General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: ‘It’s our link that keeps the Labour Party on its toes – week in, week out it’s UNISON people working on the ground for Labour. We expect Labour to be there for us as well.’
I moved the motion Local Government Funding, see my effort below:
Chair,President,Forum.
Ian Fleming, Northern Region, moving motion 7 on Local Government Funding.
We all know Council’s play a crucial role in the economic, social and environmental well being of people, businesses and communities. Council’s are responsible for a wide range of issues and services which affect peoples lives – caring for and safeguarding adults and children, creating the conditions for economic growth, skills, health, transport, roads, environment, housing, planning, culture and leisure to name but a few.
None of these important areas relate to business rates income – which is a central feature of this Governments proposed reforms for local government finance. In the Northern Region all 12 Councils collect less business rates than they receive from the formula grant. So how the review is resolved and the impact a new system has on the ability to provide a good level of service no matter what your needs are, who you are or where you live is a critical issue for us all.
The 2011/12 and 2012/13 grant settlements for the North East will result in grant losses above the national average in percentage terms and substantially above average reductions in cash grant. The significant reduction in resource equalisation means that Councils can no longer provide the same level of service by charging a similar Band D tax. With an alternative cap on Council tax increases this means that the North East has to make deeper cuts in its revenue budgets, thereby putting greater pressure on the delivery of core services.
We would all agree that the current system we have used for years is far from perfect and it is our union which rigorously campaigned for something better, but at least you could say the system we used attempted to be fair by providing different Councils with different levels of resource to meet different needs. It does this by compensating for different council tax yields and allocating according to different levels of need. Its objective is to financially enable Councils so that residents, our members, across England receive the same level of service, regardless of the resource base of their local area.
Under the reforms Councils will make up their remaining Government grant, which is 80% of the calculation through collecting business rates.
Localisation of business rates would re-allocate resources to Councils with strong economies, i.e wealthy and business rich parts of London and the South East, led by Westminster and the City of London and in areas where there is a vast mix of high value national and international businesses and retail sites. Those losing would be poorer areas, smaller commercial and business areas and those with high rates of out – commuting to neighbouring urban conurbations. Due to the uneven British economy, the vast majority of areas throughout the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, East and West Midlands and the South West would lose, as would many poor parts of London.
My region would lose 320m. One Council projects losses of 88m per year. My own Council is set to lose 60m in one year making it one of the biggest losers, but this isn’t the end as my Council is still expected to make a 30m saving on top of the 60m, while the likes of Westminster will collect half a billion pounds more than it was previously allocated.
Forum it was Cameron and Clegg in May 2010 who said ‘We will ensure that fairness is at the heart of decisions so that all those most in need are protected’. What a joke!
Forum we need a new funding formula which delivers better financial outcomes for our Councils in the short, medium and long term and provides a fair and equitable formula that takes into account the different needs of different people and places, but most importantly a formula that works to help everyone right across our country, not just for those who live in the likes of Westminster – no offence to colleagues from there.
Forum please support the motion.
Keynote speakers at the Forum included Ed Balls (Shadow Chancellor), Dave Prentis, Arlene McCartney and Linda Macovin (MEP’s), Lilian Greenwood and Angela Eagle (MP’s) and Jake Morrisson; Health Care Assistant, Liverpool City Councillor, UNISON member and at 18 years of age the youngest person ever to be elected to Council. Speaking on the importance of UNISON’s past and present campaigning Ed Balls said: ‘The partnership today (with Labour) is more important than it ever had been’, while General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said: ‘It’s our link that keeps the Labour Party on its toes – week in, week out it’s UNISON people working on the ground for Labour. We expect Labour to be there for us as well.’
I moved the motion Local Government Funding, see my effort below:
Chair,President,Forum.
Ian Fleming, Northern Region, moving motion 7 on Local Government Funding.
We all know Council’s play a crucial role in the economic, social and environmental well being of people, businesses and communities. Council’s are responsible for a wide range of issues and services which affect peoples lives – caring for and safeguarding adults and children, creating the conditions for economic growth, skills, health, transport, roads, environment, housing, planning, culture and leisure to name but a few.
None of these important areas relate to business rates income – which is a central feature of this Governments proposed reforms for local government finance. In the Northern Region all 12 Councils collect less business rates than they receive from the formula grant. So how the review is resolved and the impact a new system has on the ability to provide a good level of service no matter what your needs are, who you are or where you live is a critical issue for us all.
The 2011/12 and 2012/13 grant settlements for the North East will result in grant losses above the national average in percentage terms and substantially above average reductions in cash grant. The significant reduction in resource equalisation means that Councils can no longer provide the same level of service by charging a similar Band D tax. With an alternative cap on Council tax increases this means that the North East has to make deeper cuts in its revenue budgets, thereby putting greater pressure on the delivery of core services.
We would all agree that the current system we have used for years is far from perfect and it is our union which rigorously campaigned for something better, but at least you could say the system we used attempted to be fair by providing different Councils with different levels of resource to meet different needs. It does this by compensating for different council tax yields and allocating according to different levels of need. Its objective is to financially enable Councils so that residents, our members, across England receive the same level of service, regardless of the resource base of their local area.
Under the reforms Councils will make up their remaining Government grant, which is 80% of the calculation through collecting business rates.
Localisation of business rates would re-allocate resources to Councils with strong economies, i.e wealthy and business rich parts of London and the South East, led by Westminster and the City of London and in areas where there is a vast mix of high value national and international businesses and retail sites. Those losing would be poorer areas, smaller commercial and business areas and those with high rates of out – commuting to neighbouring urban conurbations. Due to the uneven British economy, the vast majority of areas throughout the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, East and West Midlands and the South West would lose, as would many poor parts of London.
My region would lose 320m. One Council projects losses of 88m per year. My own Council is set to lose 60m in one year making it one of the biggest losers, but this isn’t the end as my Council is still expected to make a 30m saving on top of the 60m, while the likes of Westminster will collect half a billion pounds more than it was previously allocated.
Forum it was Cameron and Clegg in May 2010 who said ‘We will ensure that fairness is at the heart of decisions so that all those most in need are protected’. What a joke!
Forum we need a new funding formula which delivers better financial outcomes for our Councils in the short, medium and long term and provides a fair and equitable formula that takes into account the different needs of different people and places, but most importantly a formula that works to help everyone right across our country, not just for those who live in the likes of Westminster – no offence to colleagues from there.
Forum please support the motion.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Wishing the NHS Happy 63rd Birthday
As the National Health Service turned 63 today, the Northern TUC and Northern Public Services Alliance were out in force to celebrate one of the most envied healthcare systems in the world - providing free healthcare for all at the point of need. I was in Morpeth speaking to people and asking them to sign the birthday card. 
Clare Williams, Chair of the Northern PSA and Unison Regional Convenor said: 'It is important to celebrate the creation of the NHS, and to highlight the threat it faces due to the Government's plans for public services. The Government promised no more top down reorganisations of the NHS, but what we are seeing is the biggest reorganisation since its creation. The health budget is not protected and we are having to find £20 billion in efficiency savings, which will inevitably impact on the delivery of healthcare. We have already seen health jobs lost in the North East as a result of the Government's plans.
'Even after the 'pause and listening' exercise the amendments to the proposed Health White Paper do not remove the core: to increase privatisation into healthcare - and to hand £80billion to GPs to commission care, something the majority don't want to do. The public support and satisfaction for the NHS is at the highest it has been for decades. This is why the Northern Public Service Alliance is continuing to campaign against this Government's plans for public services, and the NHS.'
Clare Williams, Chair of the Northern PSA and Unison Regional Convenor said: 'It is important to celebrate the creation of the NHS, and to highlight the threat it faces due to the Government's plans for public services. The Government promised no more top down reorganisations of the NHS, but what we are seeing is the biggest reorganisation since its creation. The health budget is not protected and we are having to find £20 billion in efficiency savings, which will inevitably impact on the delivery of healthcare. We have already seen health jobs lost in the North East as a result of the Government's plans.
'Even after the 'pause and listening' exercise the amendments to the proposed Health White Paper do not remove the core: to increase privatisation into healthcare - and to hand £80billion to GPs to commission care, something the majority don't want to do. The public support and satisfaction for the NHS is at the highest it has been for decades. This is why the Northern Public Service Alliance is continuing to campaign against this Government's plans for public services, and the NHS.'
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