Unison Glasgow Clyde & CVS Branch 

UNISON Scotland today released a briefing on the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2017-18.

It covers how the Scottish Government intends to raise revenue, including its use of the new devolved powers over taxation.

It then sets out the spending plans and how they are likely to impact on the services UNISON members deliver. You can read the briefing below.

http://www.unison-scotland.org/library/Policy-briefing-83-scottish-budget-2017-18.pdf

UNISON NHSGGC & CVS Branch today attended a ceremony to recognise the high standard of work of this years recruits in the Boards modern apprenticeship programme.

All receive mentor support and are given role-specific training packages which ultimately lead to SQA qualifications.

Frances Carmichael, assistant branch secretary of UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde and CVS Branch, said: “We are proud that NHS GGC & CVS Branch supports the Board’s MA programme by sponsoring the Modern Apprentice of the Year prize.

“Modern Apprenticeships provide us with the means to recruit young people into permanent employment within our organisation.

“We recognise the exceptionally high standard of employees who have been recruited through this programme, and highlight the dedication and enthusiasm of each individual, and their exceptional performance on the job and in approach to their studies.

“UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde and CVS Branch is honoured to have sponsored and supported these apprentices over the last three years, and will continue to support this innovative programme.”

At a recent protest outside the NHS Annual review in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, your branch demanded that Health Minister Shona Robinson, listen to concerns over massive cuts to services, and the impact they will have on patient care.

Staff are already stressed due to understaffing and consistent cuts over the last few years, and further cuts will have a detrimental effect on staff, services and patients.

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller Probed the Health Minister: “This is not about the Board. This is about the Scottish Government funding Glasgow. Another year, another budget settlement which falls far short of what it costs to deliver services across NHSGGC.

Cathy Added: “NHS Glasgow and Clyde is not overspent, it is underfunded. In addition to the centralisation of more services and short staffing right across our membership, we are now at the stage where the Board are relying on selling off parcels of land to release one off money to help balance the books.”

The protest follows a leaked development plan suggesting maternity and vital wards face the axe in a cost cutting drive. They include the closure of midwifery facilities at Vale of Leven Hospital in Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde Hospital in Greenock.

Lightburn geriatric hospital in Glasgow could also shut while children's emergency care may be moved from Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. Bosses hope to raise £23 million by selling off 19 disused sites including Victoria Infirmary, Merchiston, Blawarthill and Drumchapel Hospital, but amid warnings of a economic slowdown they branded this a "desperate gamble".

Cathy said: “It is clear that despite near constant change and review, this Board can’t meet the demands being placed on it. If they are not funding us, we can’t do everything they are asking us to do. If they do not do something about this, these services will be lost. If they are not willing to help it's in their hands".

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, praised our branch at this years’ AGM. In his address, Dave thanked the Branch for their support. He said: “The size of the branch is important, but it’s what you do with it. Cathy Miller is an example of what building strong support is all about in a union. There is much that other branches can learn from this branch.”

Dave spoke passionately about five years of austerity and sleepless nights and the prospect of a further five year of the same and the negative effect on our members.

Dave added: “Our union is standing tall. People want to listen to what we have to say. This government is trying to take away our rights and we will not let them do it.”

Cathy Miller Branch Secretary presented Dave with a canvas of branch pictures. Cathy said: “We are proud to have Dave here tonight and we thank him for his continued support. Our members are at the heart of our branch and we will continue to campaign on their behalf.”

UNISON members, staff, visitors and patients can breathe a short term sigh of relief today after Glasgow City Councillors agreed to extend the permit for car parking at the Ogilvie’s Site on Hardgate Road. The decision is however bitter sweet, because the extension is only for 12 months, rather than the three year period requested.

UNISON Branch Secretary Cathy Miller said, “I’m absolutely delighted that city councillors listened to the common sense argument put forward by Ogilvie’s and the thousands of members who supported the UNISON campaign. This result means that staff will still have a sensible and realistic option to travel to work by car at a time when the Board are failing to support them.”

Cathy also took time to thank Maz Murphy, UNISON member and local parking activist, she said, “As usual Maz has been brilliant in her efforts locally to encourage staff members to support our campaign on parking, she is so well respected and it’s a privilege to work with her on the issues that matter to our members.”

UNISON can confirm that the Planning Consultant employed by Ogilvie’s has been in touch with the union to advise that his clients will now consider their position and what they do in respect of future planning applications and consents. They have agreed to keep UNISON informed of their client’s decisions and are keen to work with the union and staff in the future if possible.

This month will see many UNISON members receive letters from Thompsons Solicitors in relation to EQUAL PAY in the NHS.

It is important that members are encouraged to deal with the pose letters within the prescribed 14 day period.

Please read the letter carefully and pay particular attention to section 2, which explains the legal basis of claims.

NHS Equal Pay claims are regrettably significantly less than similar claims in other sectors. There are a number of reasons for this (see section 2 of the letter)

ONLY members who have employment tribunals lodged will have received letters - there is no scope for new claims.

You do not need to accept the offer, but the union will stop acting on your behalf if you do (because we believe, based on our legal advice, that the offer is reasonable)

UNISON has been at the forefront of the campaign to tackle historic equal pay in our NHS and these offers represent a reasonable offer of settlement, which has been secured after lengthy, detailed and complex litigation/ negotiation.

UNISON in association with Thompsons Solicitors have won two substantial cases for members of staff in Greater Glasgow Health Board. Both members were injured whilst on duty, one suffered a head injury leaving her with loss of vision and another was struck by a vehicle and suffered a fracture, whilst walking in a hospital corridor.

Both members of staff suffered extreme stress and psychological damage as a result of their injuries. The Health Board accepted that there was a strong vicarious liability in these cases and accepted liability.

We are delighted to have settled for both these members and won over £80,000 in total damages which our members were happy to accept.

UNISON is always here for our members. Where there is blame there is a claim. As a paying UNISON member you are entitled to free legal advice with Thompsons Solicitors.

For more information of your members benefits including a free

Will writing service contact UNISON DIRECT on 0800 0857 857

UNISON is campaigning to ensure everyone who works in our NHS is valued, whatever role they fill. This campaign aims to promote the message amongst the public, politicians and media of the great work that support staff do every day in the NHS.

UNISON knows that all staff no matter what their role play an important part in delivering quality patient care and as part of our campaign, we want to challenge the artificial divide that is created between NHS staff by using language such as ‘frontline’ and ‘back office’. We will continue to be the main union that represents support staff across the NHS, and will campaign against any attacks against on our members working in NHS support services.

When people think of the NHS, they probably think of doctors, nurses and paramedics. But what about the rest of the NHS workforce who work behind the scenes and carry out hundreds of different roles every day to make sure that patients and their families get the best treatment possible?

We want to promote the message that all NHS staff, whatever their job, play an important role in delivering quality patient care in their own different ways. Without cleaning staff wards wouldn’t be safe for patients and their families, without finance staff the bills wouldn’t get paid and without stores staff, essential healthcare supplies wouldn’t be delivered on time to the right wards.

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller said - “I think support staff are sometimes forgotten about. When you hear politicians and the public mentioning the NHS it is always doctors and nurses, but there is more to it than that. There are domestic staff, as well as porters and admin staff who never really get a mention but play an important part and most are on low pay.”

“You always hear how the clinicians are important to the NHS, but the backbone of the NHS are those who make their jobs easier and keep it running, for example secretarial and admin staff who are the forgotten workforce”.

The NHS couldn’t operate without admin staff who are responsible for booking patient appointments and dealing with patient records, it needs maintenance staff who make sure that hospital buildings are safe and in working order, and managers who work to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

We think it’s unfair that NHS support staff don’t always get the recognition that they deserve, and think it’s high time that people and politicians stood up and took notice of the valuable contribution that these staff make.

UNISON has secured another significant breakthrough in the union’s attempts to eradicate low pay in the public sector after NHS bosses agreed to undertake a review of the roles and responsibilities of staff on Agenda for Change pay Band 1.

Whilst the terms of the agreement are still being worked out, the basic principle is that every Health Board including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will work with UNISON and other unions locally to review all Band 1 job descriptions and that every opportunity will be taken to expand these to secure a real pay uplift for the lowest paid workers in the NHS.

The agreement which has backing at a political level will ensure that an all band 1 staff who wish to transfer to these extended roles will do so by 1st October, 2016 and will see UNISON members increase from £15,358 to £18,103 after progression and pay uplifts.

The deal which has been negotiated by UNISON will deliver real increases in pay for almost 8000 workers across NHS Scotland

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller said, “Once again we’ve shown that UNISON delivers on low pay, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do to ensure that everyone who wants a Band 2 secures the right job description and that for the very small number of people who don’t want a Band 2, that we understand their concerns and protect their position.

It’s important that UNISON members keep up to date with these developments as they progress and we will be in regular contact over the next few months.”

UNISON and others are watching to see what happens next with the UK’s biggest private care home provider, Four Seasons after it quietly sold of £20m worth of assets to an American hedge fund late in 2015.

One broadsheet newspaper reported that the company was struggling to meet interest payments and that UK wide the private care home sector is on the verge of collapse as income and profits are squeezed by the NHS and Local Councils.

In response a company spokesperson said that the company was not in immediate difficulty and that there was “sufficient medium term financial flexibility”.

However these announcements and reports come at the end of a year, which as saw the company continue to close or sell of homes which require major investment or are not profitable.

UNISON Regional Organiser Matt McLaughlin said, “Obviously this report came out late in the year at a time when head offices are closed and people are on holiday. Since then UNISON has been in touch with the company and they tell us that there are no problems. UNISON is however aware that staff and members at Four Seasons are concerned and we will continue to engage with the company in a positive manner to try and ensure that our member’s jobs and the services they provide are protected.”