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Get marching on Saturday 26th March

UNISON is running adverts in the national press this week to encourage people to join us on the TUC demonstration on 26 March to defend local hospitals, schools, libraries and other public services.

As the ads say, UNISON is speaking up for public services and marching against the cuts - that's why we're joining other unions, community groups and local people on the TUC demonstration on Saturday 26 March in London.

SW Branch activists will be making the journey to London this weekend and we would encourage members to do likewise if possible.

For more details on the March and to find out how you can join in see UNISON Scotlands page here.

Hutton Report on Public Sector Pensions Published

UNISON chief, Dave Prentis, is warning that the Government will use the Hutton report as a Trojan horse to raid the pensions of millions of public sector workers. The union is sending out a message to its 1.4m members warning that industrial action is now one step closer.

Dave Prentis, said:

"Whatever the Hutton report may say about fairness, the Government will use it as a Trojan horse to raid the pensions of hard working public sector workers. Pensions that our members have paid into year in year out and which are fair and affordable.

"In fact, even before the report, the Government announced they were increasing employee contributions by 50%. There is a lot of nonsense talked about public sector pensions - they are not gold plated. The average is very low -in local government, the average is just over £4,000, falling to £2,800 for women.

"Asking workers to work longer for less is simply not an option. We want to talk to the Government about their response as a matter of urgency. But I am sending out a clear message to our 1.4 million members warning them that industrial action is now one big step closer"

Clearly there is a lot of work to be done to make this coalition government see sense and our experience of the previous pensions actions indicate that protection of the final salary pension is something that members will fight long and hard for.

For the latest on the pensions campaign click this link

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November Newsletter Now Online

The latest Branch newsletter will be hitting members doorsteps later this week. This issue focusses on the STUC demo, PACE, equality regulations and single person choke clearing amongst other topics. Click here to see a pdf version.

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There Is A Better Way - Demo on 23rd October 2010 - Edinburgh

The STUC have launched a campaign to oppose the impending savage cuts likely to be introduced by the ConDem coalition. A demonstration has been organised for 23rd October in Edinburgh and a dedicated website has been launched with information, myth-busters, campaign materials and even a Pinocchio award for the biggest pork pie presented as fact by politicians, press or lobby groups.

Branch stewards and officers will be in attendance at the demo and we would strongly encourage members to join the demo. If you want to take part please contact Branch Secretary, Andy Nisbet, before Friday 22nd. Limited Branch T-Shirts are available on a first come, first served basis.

Info on the campaign and the demo can be found here

Conferences Coming Up

Members can get involved with UNISON by attending conferences for self organised groups, either as a delegate or as a visitor. If interested in the conferences below either contact the Branch Secretary or alternatively use the dedicated contact address as appropriate.

LGBT Conference - 19-21st November 2010 in Bristol. If interested in attending please email out@unison.co.uk. More info is available here.

National Women's Conference - 17th to 19th February 2011 in Harrogate.
Delegates must apply before 19th November 2010. There is no deadline for visitors. More info is available here.

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Pay Award 2010 - Consultative Ballot Result

The consultative ballot on SW’s 2010 pay award has closed and the results are as follows:-

For the offer—411 (91%)

Against the offer—42 (9%)

Returned ballots—453 (44% return)

This result represents an overwhelming acceptance of the 2010 pay offer and is in line with informal discussions that we have had with members before and during the ballot.

We have therefore confirmed the outcome to SW and we await the results of the other Trade Unions’ ballots which are expected very soon.

If, as expected, the pay offer is accepted by all three Trade Unions, and the Scottish Government, it is likely that the pay increase will be processed for the August salaries.

It is clear from the UNISON result that there is level of pragmatism being shown by members in light of the current economic climate and the anticipated public sector cuts that are proposed by the UK coalition government.

It will certainly be good to get this year’s settlement finalised quickly as gaining any wage increase in 2011 may be significantly more difficult than it has been this year.

And on the theme of money, we have asked SW to confirm to employees when the 2010 Regulatory Bonus is to be paid and how much it is likely to be. It appears that there are still some points of clarity to be agreed with the WIC and the bonus will not be paid until “later in the year”. Hopefully before Christmas at least!

Lealta Discount Card

The Branch has issued all full members with a discount card which is provided by Lealta. This card enables you, as a Branch Member, to present it in-store at local independent retailers (20,000 across the

) to achieve a minimum of 10% discount on products and services that the business provides. Discounts are available across a variety of categories including restaurants, beauty salons, gyms, clothes shops, jewellers, garages, cafes, takeaways, sandwich shops, theme parks and many, many more!

UNISON DISCOUNT CARD MEMBERSHIP also creates the opportunity for members to personalise your own card with discounts relevant to you following the launch of the programme in July 2010 by encouraging you to recommend specific local independent retailers you would like to see offer a discount / benefit, it could be the local restaurant, sandwich shop or the gym used two or three times a week or indeed a carpet fitter, removals company or children’s entertainer only every required once!

In addition your UNISON DISCOUNT CARD MEMBERSHIP also provides you unique access to discounts with over 250 prestige national high street brands. Whereas all the local independent discounts are redeemable on production of the UNISON DISCOUNT CARD in-store, the national brands are redeemed in five different ways;

On production of the card in-store (Tenpin, Spirit Health Clubs, AUTOGLASS, Baron Jon, F.Hinds Jewellers, Moss Bros, Lightwater Valley & Pleasurewood Hills Theme Parks etc).
Online OR over the phone quoting a code (RAC, Thorntons, Virgin Experience Days, Alton Towers, LEGOLAND, Sealife Centres, West Midlands Safari Park, Cadburys Gifts, AA Driving Lessons etc).
By re-loadable gift card which can be topped up weekly or monthly tailored to meet the needs of the end user (ASDA, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones).
Via pre-purchased vouchers from the dedicated UNISON DISCOUNT CARD member helpline displayed on the reverse of your card (Love2Shop High Street Gift Voucher, Comet, Boots, Leisure Vouchers & M&S).

To register and get full details please visit the LEALTA site at - www.unisondiscountcard.com

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