News – Page 51 – Stirling UNISON

UNSION Newsletter Feb 2021

It’s probably fair to say that this newsletter possibly find’s you after facing off against January Blues that were worse than the usual ones.

The post-Christmas news of the more restrictive lockdown measures although not surprising, hit most people’s morale hard.

It is however important to remember that as the days start to stretch that wee bit longer that we are getting closer to effective distribution of the vaccine. We want you to know that as your trade union, UNISON’s fight for workers’ rights has not stopped.

It hasn’t been stopped by a decade of an anti-union Tory government and it won’t be stopped by COVID-19. If anything, UNISON is stronger than ever because we have welcomed so many new members.

This February, there are a couple of key items we need to make you aware of.

– AGM – 24^th February 12:00 – 14:00

– Plug the Gap Campaign – We need your help

– Health & Safety Fortnight + Free UNISON H&S training

AGM

Firstly, your UNISON branch AGM will be held a bit differently this year. Like most things we have gone virtual and the meeting will be held on the 24^th February 12-2p.m, Papers and Teams link will be sent the day before (23^rd February) to those who confirmed attendance.

You should have already received either an email or letter about this. If you haven’t then please get in touch with the branch asap so that we can facilitate your participation in your branch democracy.

We are delighted that our new General Secretary Christina McAnea has agreed to come along and address our meeting to set out not only the unions key priorities but also how we face the challenge of the COVID pandemic. Christina is not only the first female General Secretary but also the first Scottish General Secretary, she has a long track record of fighting on behalf of our members and a track record of winning those fights.

A further series of emails and letters will go out with details on joining instructions and AGM papers so please keep an eye out.

Plug the Gap Campaign

Our campaign to Protect our council services is gathering pace.

UNISON’s campaign is calling for:

Securing the long-term financial stability of local government: calling for further investment in local government to protect jobs and pay for the future.

Rewarding local government workers: for the vital services that local government workers provide to our communities.

Shaping local government for the future: looking at how roles have changed because of the pandemic

Consolidation of the Living Wage: Delivery of full consolidation of the living wage for across Scotland

We need your help

1. Watch and share our campaign video: Plug the £1bn funding gap

The Scottish government must fund local councils properly to keep communities safe and rebuild the country following the pandemic. We have launched a campaign, #PlugTheGap, to call on the Scottish government to find additional resources for Scotland’s councils to avoid devastating harm to services that have already suffered ten years of budget cuts.

Our governments must #plugthegap in funding. Please join our campaign to protect council services.

2. Ask your MSP to demand that the Scottish government acts to protect essential council services

Write to your MSP using our automated email page – Sign up to support our campaign, read the letter and if you agree, we can send it for you. Or edit the letter yourself and we will send it.

When you email your MSP/MP don’t hold back. Be sure to (politely as possible) let them know how the land lies.

Let them know about the service you still deliver either on the frontline as key workers or working form your makeshift home office.

On the front line tell them about the hazards you have faced at work or during your commute to it. If you are working from home, we want you to let them know how difficult it is to maintain your work while juggling home schooling and caring and worrying about the ones we love.

Most of all tell them why more than ever its vital that MSP’s back the UNISON campaign to properly fund essential council services. You could suggest that if they fail to do so, you will remember their choice when you make yours at the ballot box in May.

Our template letter can be accessed here and has everything you need to get you started. https://action.unison.org.uk/page/70180/action/1

Please encourage your colleagues to join. If they are not members, ask them to take part. If you would like to get involved in this campaign, please get in touch with the branch

3. Get involved in our #PlugTheGap campaign

Health & Safety Fortnight + Free UNISON H&S training

Finally, we wanted to let you know about our Health & Safety fortnight. As you will see from the earlier articles, a strong team of trade unionists is needed now more than ever to keep our workplaces safe. During H&S fortnight we will be running free training for UNISON members that will accredit our normal members to carry out vital safety inspections on behalf of the branch.

If you are interested the sessions will take place over Zoom. The sessions are relaxed and informal. Dogs, Cats, goldfish, hamsters, etc. and children are welcome to attend/ make noise/ run around in the background.

The training is only 2 hours (including a break) and will take place on the following dates;

February 16 @ 15:30 – 17:30 – Spaces Remaining – Be quick

February 23 @ 18:00 – 20:00 – Spaces Remaining

To book your place just drop an email to the Branch Secretary using the details below.

If these dates don’t suit, then don’t worry. – We know how difficult it is to find a minute.

Simply get in touch and tell the branch a time that is more convenient and we may be able to gather other interested members and run a session at that time with some notice.

Your UNISON branch are here for you, just as we always have been. Our contact details are below if you need to get in touch with workplace issues.

By banding together as workers, we can get through this virus. By working together we will stare down those in power that want to see us poorer and our council services cut.

We hope to see you at your AGM, and perhaps one of our H&S training webinars.

Thank you for your continued support in 2021. Can I take this opportunity once again to thank all our members and please continue to stay safe, fit and healthy.

The partial reopening of schools and ELC

As you may have hears the Scottish Government has announced the partial reopening of schools and ELC

Below is from the BBC

Scotland’s youngest pupils are likely to return to the classroom full time from 22 February as schools start a phased reopening.

The move will include all pupils in P1-P3 as well as pre-school children.

There will also be a part-time return, but on a very limited basis, for senior secondary pupils to allow them to complete work for national qualifications.

A final decision will be taken on the partial reopening in a fortnight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55904466

Attached is a copy of our recent survey of members and below a copy of our media release in response to the announcement.

These vital services are currently being delivered to many children and UNISON members have worked hard at creating environments safe for children and staff. It will help no one if further opening up of schools and nurseries brings a greater risk of infection. Councils and Scottish Government need to be making sure that the measures in the jointly developed guidelines are delivered on the ground.

Lorraine Thomson, Chair of UNISON Scotland Education Issues Group said

“Employers must ensure that risk assessments are taking place, that staff are aware of these assessments and are trained so that they can work safely. Proper implementation of appropriate mitigations is the only way to keep staff, children and the wider community safe.

UNISON reps have been working throughout the pandemic supporting members in education. Ensuring that their health and safety is a priority. Members who see that guidelines are not being followed should contact their branch to ensure that appropriate action can be taken.”

There for You – a UNISON Charity for members

There for You the charity for UNISON members is here to help UNISON members get the practical and financial support they need. Despite the current difficulties, we remain open and are here to help in any way that we can.

Currently all staff are working from home and we continue to respond to requests for help and are processing applications as quickly as possible. Other than if there’s no alternative, please don’t send applications through the post as we’re only receiving mail once a week.

Our general enquiry line remains open alternatively, you can send an email. Just leave a message and one of our Support Team we’ll get back to you within 1 working day.

Email: thereforyou@unison.co.uk

Call: 020 7121 5620

Testing for care home visitors gets underway

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for designated visitors of care home residents has started this week with a trial across five local authority areas.

Lateral flow testing of designated visitors is being trialled in 14 early adopter care homes in North Ayrshire, Fife, Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, and Aberdeenshire.

Testing kits will then be sent out to all care homes from Monday 14 December, as announced by the First Minister on Wednesday, once guidance and training materials have been finalised following the trial.

For any care homes unable to make use of lateral flow tests before Christmas, PCR testing of visitors will be available when necessary to facilitate visiting over the festive period.

Guidance, tools and resources on visiting, and supporting residents in care homes during COVID-19 (incl over the festive season)

Guidance on how care home visiting may be gradually increased while minimising risks to residents, staff and visitors has been issued. The guidance recommends care homes take a staged approach to resuming visiting. In addition, the guidance sets out actions to mitigate risks to residents, visitors and staff.

For all care homes, regardless of Covid status, essential visits are to be supported where possible to do so safely, without a defined time limit.