PES Issues

PEC Issues

The posters for each of the AGM venues are available from the links below. Feel free to download and print the poster for your area and display at your station to help us to publicise the AGM

NWAS UNISON AGM Manchester Area Poster 2012

NWAS UNISON AGM Cumbria & Lancs Poster 2012

NWAS UNISON AGM Cheshire & Mersey Area Poster 2012

The links above will download the  posters  in PDF format

Our independent scrutineers’ report of voting, as required in accordance with section 231B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, for the above ballot which closed at 10am on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 is as follows:-

QUESTION
ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE FORM OF ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE?
RESULT OF VOTING

Number of ballot papers returned:  5,233
Number of papers found to be invalid: 9
Thus, total number of valid papers to be counted: 5,224
Number voting YES ……………. 4,408 (84.4% of valid vote)
Number voting NO …………….. 816 (15.6% of valid vote)
TOTAL  5,224 (100% of valid vote)

INDEPENDENT SCRUTINEERS’ REPORT OF VOTING

We are satisfied:

• a) that there are no reasonable grounds for believing that there was any contravention of a requirement imposed by or under any enactment in relation to the ballot
• b) that the arrangements made with respect to the production, storage, distribution, return or other handling of the voting papers used in the ballot, and the arrangements for the counting of the votes, included all such security arrangements as were reasonably practicable for the purpose of minimizing the risk that any unfairness or malpractice might occur,
• c) that we have been able to carry out the functions conferred on us under section 226B(1) without any interference from the trade union or any of its members, officials or employees.

We would draw your attention to subsection 231B (2) which requires that, for a six month period starting from the date of the ballot, a copy of this report be made available, on request, to any person who was entitled to vote in the ballot and the employer of any such person. A reasonable fee may be charged for this service.

Regional officers should check the ambulance section of the ballots hub for copies of relevant paperwork.
There will be lots of work to do between now and the ballot outcome to define appropriate ‘action short of a strike’ for staff groups within your membership, but we need to focus our energy next week on getting a good turn-out in this ballot.

Below is a list of 5 quick things you can do next week to support the decision of the Sector to run this ballot, along with some FAQs that will hopefully answer most queries from members. Attached is an A4 advert that you can use for publicity.

5 quick things that you can do The following actions would be really helpful:

· INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

1. Use your branch communications to make sure members know about the ballot.
2. Attached is a PDF of an advert which will be in next week’s Ambulance Today – please print and display on notice boards around your workplace and in all of your stations.
3. Send your members the FAQs below or cut and paste them into mailings for reps to send out
   

   BRANCH RECOMMENDATION

4. . This ballot is being run at the recommendation of the Ambulance Sector. It would be helpful if your branch exec could also formally recommend a YES vote and encourage members to return their ballot papers swiftly.
5. Remember that although this will be an aggregated ballot (with separate results for NHS Scotland Pension scheme members) it will be a strong indication of the strength of feeling about the pensions issue in your branches. Your employers will also be notified of the outcome of the ballot. As with the preparations for 30 November, we will co-ordinate plans via your region, so please make your regional officer aware of any major issues with the ballot in your branch.

Good luck!

Sara Gorton
Senior National Officer, UNISON Health Service Group

FAQs for members

Who is being balloted?

Members who are directly employed in NHS Ambulance organisations will be balloted. This will also include Isle of Wight Ambulance members employed by the PCT. As in the previous ballot, students (unless in full time employment with the NHS ambulance organisation) will not be balloted.

Why are we running the ballot?

UNISON’s ambulance sector identified that an ‘action short of a strike’ mandate would give more flexibility for 999 service staff to participate in industrial action, rather than either take strike action or work as normal to provide cover. This ballot gives a separate – additional – mandate to the existing ballot for strike action, and does not supersede it.

When will the ballot open and close?

The ballot will open on 9 December and papers must be returned in the pre-paid envelopes by 3 January 2012.

Where can members get papers from?

Eligible members who have not received papers by 14 December are advised to phone UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845 and ask for the Ambulance Ballot hotline.

When will we know the result?

We will contact you shortly after the ballot closes on 3 January to notify you of the result.

Has further action been called on pensions

Not yet, and it is difficult for us to identify at this point when action will take place. We will of course comply with the legal requirements and notify and consult members. UNISON is still working hard on your behalf to press the Government to reach an acceptable negotiated settlement on changes to your pension scheme, but we need to keep up the momentum to ensure that we are able to take further action should this be needed to strengthen our position.

What does action short of a strike mean?

This means that the union can identify the type of action which each group of staff in your workplace can take. This may be the same action for all groups (e.g. work to rule) or identify actions which are particular to each group of staff. In the event of a YES vote, your regional team will be working closely with the ballots department to identify what actions are most suitable for members to take in your workplace.

Pensions ballot advert (PDF 2.5 mb)

Q. What does UNISON want the membership to do on the 30th, work or strike?
A. UNISON prefers that its members take strike action on the day to demonstrate to the government Ministers that their plans for the Pensions Schemes are unacceptable.

Q. Is this a local or national dispute?
A. This is a national dispute with the Government Ministers; it is not a dispute with the North West Ambulance Service. This is why at this stage of the dispute, UNISON is trying to minimise the disruption to the service to avoid putting the public at risk and to avoid a local dispute with NWAS.

Q. If I decide to Strike, do I have to tell my manager that I am not coming into work?
A. No, this is not necessary. UNISON has informed the management that every UNISON member has the right to strike and may choose to do so on the day. They have confirmed that they respect the right of individuals to Strike.

Q. If I take strike action will I get into trouble?
A. No, as this is a lawful dispute, you will not get into trouble.

Q. Can I strike if I am not a member of a union?
A. You can’t strike if you’re not a member of a Union, New members can join UNISON, and join the strike, right up to and including on the day of action. See your local steward for details or contact unison direct on 0845-355-0845

Q. I am a registered professional is my registration at risk?
A. No there is no risk to your registration for taking lawful industrial action.

Q. I work for P.E.S. if I decide to work on the day, what am I expected to do?
A. You will respond to all 999 calls from your picket line. The picket line will normally be at your place of work. You will not go out on standby. You will book on as normal on the day and check your vehicle prior to going on the picket line. You can then return to your vehicle to respond once your radio has been activated. You should clear as normal at the hospital.

Q. If I strike, what should I do?
A. We would ask that you join a picket line at your place of work or at one of the identified sites to be published. You can also join one of the rallies that have been arranged.

Q. What if I am on a day off?
A. We ask you to support your colleagues by joining them on the picket line or by joining one of the organised rallies.

Q. I am on nights on Tuesday and Wednesday and want to strike, what do I do?
A. You cannot go on strike until midnight on the 29th, as such, you can finish work at midnight by booking off and informing ECC. You should return to work at midnight on the 30th November as the strike is over then.

Q. If I go on strike, will I get paid?
A. No, you will lose pay for the period that you are on Strike.

Q. Can I cross the picket lines?
A. Yes you can to work within the guidance provided by Unison

Q. What do I do if I have a problem?
A. You should contact your local steward straight away.

Q. Can I work overtime?
A. As there is an overtime ban, UNISON expects its members not to work overtime for the duration of the day of action.

Q. Are my pension contributions affected if I take strike action?
A. If your employer decides to dock your pay for the day of action, the employers do not have to pay pension contributions during that period and you will not have paid your portion of contribution for that day. The impact on your final pension would be extremely small but you might want to consider replacing the lost contribution.

It is possible, with your employer’s agreement, to pay a sum equal to the employee and employer contribution and receive full credit for the day’s absence and continue to have full cover. Any member wishing to do this must inform their employer in writing before the absence takes place.

Q. How do I donate to the Industrial Action Hardship Fund?
A. All donations should be paid to NWAS Unison Branch 20097 & addressed to NWAS Unison Hardship Fund, Eccles Ambulance Station, 130 Barton Lane, Eccles, Salford, Manchester. M30 0FG

Q. Why has it all been last minute?
A. UNISON was the first union to ballot its members and announce the results. Even though it may seem last minute, UNISON has announced its intentions before the results of the other unions in NWAS have come through. The reps of NWAS UNISON are doing all that they can to keep you informed of all developments as soon as they become available.

Q. Where can I get more information?
A. From our local and national website. The addresses are www.nwasunison.com and www.unison.org.uk.

Q. What next?
A. It is hoped that the results of the ballots will persuade the Government to change their position and enter into meaningful discussions about their intentions. This will enable us cancel the day of action.

Do you want to pay more for your pension while getting less and working longer?

Do you think it’s fair that the government plans to take nearly £4 billion out of your pension schemes to pay for the crisis caused by fat-cat bankers?

No? Then join UNISON in the fight for a fair deal on pensions.

Pay more

The government is planning to increase your pension contributions by at least 50%. Why? To make up for the £3.8 billion it plans to take out of your pension schemes to help pay off the money used to bail out the banks.

Get less

Not only will you pay more – the amount you get for your pension each month will be cut by 15%. This is because pensions will no longer go up in line with the true cost of living – the Retail Price Index. Instead the government will use the Consumer Price Index to measure pension increases.

This change will take £84 billion out of your pension payments over the next 15 years.

Work longer

The government wants you to work until you’re 68, instead of 65, before you can claim your hard-earned pension.

Don’t believe the lies

You may have heard politicians talking about how lucky public sector workers are to get “gold-plated” pensions. What they don’t tell you is that the average pension for a woman in the LGPS is only £2,800. Changing benefits will mean even more pensioner poverty. UNISON says that the attacks on our pensions are unfair and unnecessary. We are negotiating at the highest level to defend public sector pensions and you can play an important part in the fight too.

What you can do

You have the right to a decent pension and dignity when you retire. You need to be ready and prepared to defend your pension, even if it means going on strike.

Make sure you read all the UNISON information and attend workplace meetings in your branch or area.

Talk to colleagues. If they are not already members of UNISON ask them to join at unison.org.uk/join Defending our pensions involves everyone.

Become a UNISON pension champion or pensions contact and help organise the campaign in your branch. Sign up today at unison.org.uk/protectourpensions

Remember no one person can do everything, but every one of us can do something!

The changes that the government wants to make mean that you will:

Pay more – pension contribution rates for all NHS employees earning over £15k will increase. You could be paying between 25% and 70% more.

Work longer – the retirement age for all NHS employees could increase to match the state pension age. In the future it will go up to 66, before rising to 68. You may be able to retire at 60 or 55 (for protected special classes), but pensions you earn in the future could be reduced by up to 48%.

Get less – The way cost of living increases for pensions are calculated has changed. By using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead of the Retail Price Index (RPI) anyone getting their pension could be 8.5% worse off by 2017. On top of that the government wants to change the way pensions are calculated in the new scheme so that they provide the bare minimum to get members above the poverty line.

This could mean that future pensions are almost halved.

We don’t think that this is right – especially as the money the government will save will not be used to make the pension scheme affordable in the future, but will be used to pay off the deficit caused by the bankers.

What is UNISON doing?

UNISON is protecting your pension. We are negotiating with the government to ensure our pensions remain fair and affordable. We are also making preparations to oppose any attempts by the government to impose changes that will make us worse off. The more we stand together in the workplace the greater chance we have of protecting decent pensions for people who work in the health service.

What you can do

Spread the word – tell your colleagues, family and friends what’s going on – encourage colleagues to join UNISON and get involved in the campaign. Find out more: unison.org.uk/pensions/healthcare

Become a UNISON pension champion or contact. Find out more on our Protect our Pensions campaign pages at unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

Make sure your membership details are up to date so if we need to contact you we have correct details. You can do that by calling 0845 355 0845 or online at

unison.org.uk/membership

Contact your local UNISON representative/pension champion or visit our pensions website to keep up to date with what is happening with your NHS pension:

unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

Not in a union?

Join online at unison.org.uk/join or call

0845 355 0845