News – Page 13 – Stirling UNISON

Uncover hidden stories in local government

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in all the diverse sectors of local government? Do you want to know how a social worker overcomes challenges? How a library worker celebrates their successes? Or how school support staff campaign for free school meals in Northern Ireland?

UNISON’s popular new podcast, Behind the Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government , will give you a unique glimpse into these experiences, and we’re excited for you to hear it!

Discover these stories now on all major platforms: Listen and subscribe now

This podcast series brings to life the stories of UNISON members across various local government sectors. Each episode takes you on a journey into the lives of those at the heart of our communities, revealing their challenges, aspirations, and triumphs.

Whether you’re facing your own career hurdles, curious about different roles within local government, or in need of inspiration, this podcast has something for everyone. It’s more than just interviews; it’s a source of motivation and a celebration of our collective resilience.

Don’t miss out on these amazing stories. Jump in and start with the latest episode, featuring Abi and Tony and the impactful work of UNISON’s charity “There For You.”

Have a great Christmas New Year

Just a brief and final update for 2023. It’s been quite a year!

This year has been unprecedented in terms of the workload, levels of disputes and the time and commitment you have given in pursuit of safer workplaces, fair pay etc… and all whilst continuing to deliver the valuable services all year round to the communities you serve.

The UNISON Stirling Branch members in Waste Services and Education and Early Years services here in Scotland have played a key role in delivering strike action in pursuit of a fairer pay claim for all Local Government Workers. Again we have achieved the highest pay award yet in Local Government, we have seen our highest recruitment levels within the branch over the last 6 months and delivered successful campaigns. We have hit it out the park and all thanks to the combined efforts of all our members and activists.

We want to thank each and every one of you who have participated in the work of our union/branch and achieved strength and success as a consequence. It will stand us in good stead for the challenges ahead.

We are absolutely confident we will succeed again next year and work forward through what will again be an ultimately challenging year for Local Government.

If you are a member that may be struggling financially particularly at this time of year please remember that our Branch can offer financial support through our UNISON “There For You” Charity. To find out more please contact our branch Welfare Officer Julie Morrison by e-mailing morrisonju@stirling.gov.uk

Our UNISON members Xmas party was a great success and hopefully has seen a lovely finish to the year for those members that attended.

Have a great Christmas New Year and for those of you who will be working hard throughout the festive period providing vital public services, support and assistance and doing what you do best, please know how much you are appreciated and we do hope you manage to have some restful time and a great festive season with your loved ones.

Again, thank you

Best wishes,

Lorraine Thomson
UNISON Stirling Branch Secretary
Viewforth
Stirling
FK8 2ET

e-mail address thomsonl34s @stirlingcouncil
Branch tel. 01786 233093 or mobile 07826903559

Pay 2023 – Consultative ballot results

As you are aware our consultative ballot on the improved pay offer closed on the 27^th November 2023 the results were as follows:
• Those voting to accept the improved offer – 69.64%
• Those voting to reject the improved offer – 30.36%.

We can now confirm that Stirling Council payroll are working hard to ensure that the uplift is implemented in staffs pay on the 15^th December 2023 and this will also include the back pay element based on the offer our members fought for and have now accepted.

This has been a very long and, at times, a very difficult pay round. Again can I just say thank you to each and every one of you for the immense amount of support you have given and in helping secure this revised pay offer.

LG Funding – COSLA Lobbying document

Councils are key

Anyone paying attention to the media this week will not have missed that COSLA have now published their ‘Councils are key’ budget lobbying document in advance of the Scottish Budget on the 19^th Dec. This is above for your information and their press release is here https://www.cosla.gov.uk/news/2023/cosla-are-clear-that-councils-are-the-key-to-unlocking-the-best-for-our-communities,-ahead-of-budget-announcement.

Please do familiarise yourself with this. The ‘% Change in Real Term Revenue Expenditure 2010/11 – 2021/22

by Local Government Service Area’ picture on page 5 is particularly sobering.

UNISON Stirling Members Christmas Party

We have a 10 tickets left for members who wish to attend the UNISON Members Christmas party night this Friday, 8^th December 2023, 7p.m in the Green Lounge, Riverside, Stirling. Tickets are £5(ticket costs include buffet, entertainment and free raffle ticket). If you are interested in attending please contact Yvonne Dickson by e-mailing dicksony@stirling.gov.uk asap.

Council tax freeze

Please see attached a briefing on why UNISON opposes the council tax freeze.

Since First Minister Humza Yousaf announced a council tax freeze at the SNP Conference in October, it is beyond disappointing that the opposition parties seem set to also support it, if ‘fully funded’.

UNISON – along with many others – strongly opposes a council tax freeze. We have done consistently, including during the nine-year freeze which ended in 2017. This briefing sets out our reasons.

Briefing 134 Why UNISON opposes a council tax freeze

Briefing 134 why unison opposes a council tax freeze

It can also be found online here https://unison-scotland.org/briefing-134-why-unison-opposes-a-council-tax-freeze/

Stirling UNISON donates to Ladies of the Rock

Carol O Hare presents donation to The Ladies of the Rock

Carol O Hare, representing Stirling UNISON, made a generous donation of £250 to The Ladies of the Rock. The donation will be used to support The Larder, an organization operating from the Bannockburn Community Centre, which provides food for individuals on benefits, low income, or facing financial difficulties due to the current cost of living crisis.

Elaine Marshal and Dorothy Morrow, members of The Ladies of the Rock, were pictured alongside Carol during the donation presentation. This collaboration between Stirling UNISON and The Ladies of the Rock highlights the importance of community support during challenging times.

The Ladies of the Rock is a non-profit organization comprised of local volunteers who are dedicated to helping those in need within our community. Their main focus is providing food assistance to individuals who are facing difficulties during the current climate. To learn more about their initiatives and how you can support their cause, please visit their Facebook page.

SJC pay offer Consultative Ballot

Members should receive their digital consultative ballot over the next few days. If you have not received your ballot by Thursday 16^th November 2023 you need to call UNISON direct on 0800 0857 857 and ensure we have an up to date e-mail address and address for you and so that you do not miss further communications and digital ballots. If you do not receive your ballot by email by Thursday you need to contact the branch directly by e-mailing thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk with your UNISON membership number you will then be forwarded your unique ballot link. Members should also check their junk and clutter e-mail boxes as your ballot may have went directly into these folders.

Strike Pay Update

We have been made aware by payroll that some have had strike pay deducted from their pay this month and some have not. If you have had a strike pay deduction on the 15^th November 2023 then you should claim your strike pay/hardship payment now. If you have not had a strike pay deduction this month then you should keep the forms and claim as soon as your deduction is made on the 15^th December 2023.

It is essential that all striking workers have notified UNISON of their up-to-date e-mail address. If you are unsure or have recently changed your e-mail address, you need to contact UNISON direct on 0800 0857 857 to update your details now.

All members that have taken strike action in wave 2 should now have received the link directly from UNISON to claim up to £70 strike pay. If you have not received this then you should e-mail the branch directly e-mail thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk

In addition, any member who suffers net basic losses of more than £70 per day must also complete the attached Hardship form to claim from the branch hardship fund

– any such payment will not exceed the normal net basic pay. We will also require a copy of your payslip from the 15^th October that displays your strike pay deduction with this form (the period that includes deductions from your pay). You can get this on the Councils system ERIN. If difficulties in accessing ERIN, payroll may assist in getting you a copy. Payslips are usually online before payday (this may enable you to complete forms/return earlier to us to process).

Hardship Form

Unison Stirling Branch Hardship Payments 2023 Download

The fastest and simplest way to get the Hardship form and copy of your payslip to us is by e-mailing the completed form to us (see attached) with an attached screenshot of your payslip that shows your strike pay deduction. If difficulties in accessing ERIN, payroll may assist in getting you a copy.
Completed Hardship forms and proof payslip should be sent directly to our Branch Treasurer Andy Douglas e-mail douglasa@stirling.gov.uk

If members claiming from the Hardship fund have difficulties accessing a computer or printer or if you are having difficulty in completing the form or require assistance please contact the branch directly by contacting
Lorraine Thomson,

UNISON Stirling,

Branch Secretary:-

E-mail address thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk Branch tel. 01786 233093 or mobile 07826903559

Please note our Branch Office at Viewforth will be open to members claiming strike pay on Thursday 16^th November 2023r to enable members to pop in with Hardship forms and any strike pay queries should they need to.