Dates to alternate between UHW and Llandough

UNISON

Cardiff & Vale Health Branch

ENGAGEMENT / RECRUITMENT EVENTS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED  

*Please note that these dates are subject to change, however we will try to ensure that they remain as shown

Do you use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram? Then check out UNISON’s secure social learning microsite exclusively for our activists and staff.

Leaflet about UNISON’s Campaign Fund and Labour Link.

Courses

**Please note revised dates of the second session only for the Colwyn Bay course

When the GDPR (general data protection requirement) came in earlier this year there was a lot of panic and misinformation circulating. But, now that the dust has settled, what do you, as a UNISON activist, really need to know? 

Whether you're a communications officer, wondering what you're allowed to send people, a welfare officer, dealing with very personal and private information, or a steward keeping track of which of your colleagues, you may well be dealing with people's personal data on a daily basis. What should you stop doing, start doing, or do differently?

UNISON Learning and Organising Services have created a short e-note (online learning module) that takes you through the basic requirements of the law, and explains what you need to do to keep members' data safe. It should take about 20 minutes to complete.

You can find this at https://e-learning.unison.org.uk/course/view.php?id=42, along with some other useful resources including the Branch Data Protection Handbook.

If you haven't used UNISON's e-learning site before, you'll need to create an account at https://e-learning.unison.org.uk. In some cases we've found that the confirmation email is blocked by employers' email networks - if you don't receive an email, email learningandorganising@unison.co.uk and ask for your account to be confirmed manually. Please also contact us on that email address if you need your password reset or if the e-note doesn't work properly for you.

Best wishes,

UNISON Learning and Organising Services

learningandorganising@unison.co.uk

https://learning.unison.org.uk 

 

Subject: Online AfC handbook - evaluation survey link for sharing

http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/nhs-terms-and-conditions/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/handbook-survey

Colleagues,

Following the launch of the online NHS terms and conditions of service handbook, we are now running an evaluation survey.  I would appreciate it if you are able to share the above link more widely amongst your membership as well as drawing their attention to the new online functionality of the AfC handbook.

We will be sharing the survey link via our workforce bulletin and engagement briefs over the next  3 weeks as well.

If you have any questions please let me know.

With regards,

Alex

Alexander van Rees

Team Leader, Agenda for Change

Employment Relations & Reward

DDI: 0113 306 3063

Mobile: 07912 516 460

www.nhsemployers.org

Setting up a SOG in your Branch

What is self-organisation?

UNISON has four recognised Self-Organised Groups, for:

• Women
• Black members
• Disabled members
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members

Self-organisation encourages members in each group to come together to discuss and take forward their own issues and to give each other support.  It is a key part of UNISON's strategy for achieving equality.  Because self-organisation is so important, it is set in UNISON's Rules.

The Rulebook says:

" 4.1 The Union shall promote opportunities for the following groups to organise activities to meet the purposes set out below:

1. women members
2. black members
3. disabled members
4. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

4.2 The purposes of self-organisation shall be, within the framework of the Rules of the Union, to assist the union to:

1. promote the union’s equalities and bargaining agenda
2. defend jobs, terms and conditions and services
3. build its density and have a strong and dynamic presence in the workplace.

(UNISON Rulebook 2014, Sections D 4.1 and 4.2)

Why have self-organised groups in your branch?

TO REDUCE ISOLATION - because of the kinds of jobs they do or the hours they work, many members don't get the chance to talk with others or their UNISON Branch about their issues.  By providing them with an opportunity to get together, UNISON can help members to feel part of something and connected to their union; the Branch can also get better information about what's really going on in some workplaces.

TO PROMOTE DIFFERENT ISSUES - because black, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender members and often women are not fairly represented in UNISON's structures it means that the workplace issues pertinent to them are also less likely to get onto UNISON's agendas.  Having SOGs where members with similar problems can get together in a comfortable environment to discuss what's important to them will bring these issues to light and to prominence.

TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS - the visible and active presence of SOG members within the local Branch will make it more attractive to others who identify with them.  They will want to be a part of it, to join UNISON to be part of something relevant to them and making change happen. 

TO RECRUIT NEW ACTIVISTS - members can take on small, informal tasks in a SOG and get support for doing so.  Such activities are more likely to lead into formal union roles because the introduction is softer and confidence is built.  And this will help the Branch achieve its policy goal of fair representation.

TO CONSULT - both the Branch and the employer benefit from the existence of a SOG that can be approached both to provide information and to give their views on specific issues.  In this way, collective bargaining agendas are better informed.

TO LINK WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SELF-ORGANISED GROUPS - other parts of the union can make contact with members in your Branch if they have a collective identity and/or spokesperson.  Information can also move from your Branch SOGs to Regional and National SOG Committees and Conferences so they can be involved in work over a wider sphere.  They can also submit motions to inform and affect the work of SOGs at Regional and National levels.

TO HAVE FUN - Branch SOGs can be innovative in how they operate; they don't have to replicate structures elsewhere in UNISON which have been off-putting and excluding to some members.  They should be a vehicle for members to get in touch with each other, to spend time together if possible, to learn and grow in confidence and enjoy being part of UNISON.  

Facility Time

Stewards have a legal right to time to carry out their duties; although that doesn’t necessarily mean any other activities.

The right to time off

• workplace reps
• health and safety reps
• union learning reps
• information and consultation reps.

Duties covered

• trade union duties related to collective bargaining, on issues like: terms and conditions of employment; redundancies; job evaluation; family friendly policies; discipline; trade union facilities; and negotiating machinery
• Individual representation
• meetings with management and preparation for these meetings
• keeping members informed about negotiations.

There’s been some negative publicity about facility time in recent years – much generated by conservative lobby groups – but the truth is that good employment relations increase productivity and efficiency.

New reps – where to get support

We know our reps and activists need support and information, help and advice – even more so if you’re new to the role. Here are three things to do to start you off.

1. Ask your branch for mentoring

Support, including training, is available at both national and regional level, but the key to supporting new activists is through the personal touch at branch level – in other words, mentoring.

The key roles for a mentor or buddy will be to:

• talk to you about your training or other development needs;
• direct you to key people in the branch;
• encourage you to work out solutions to issues as they arise;
• help you find ways to follow up actions from courses and put your learning into practice.

2. Read the Stewards’ handbook

This essential publication is given to all reps and stewards and is packed with useful information. Contact your branch if you haven’t received yours yet.

3. Join the Organising Space

The Organising Space is a dedicated microsite for UNISON activists to share and discuss the issues and strategies affecting their duties in the workplace.

More about the Organising Space

3. Look out for Activist communications

UNISON distributes a specialist stewards’ magazine, UNISON inFocus, offering support to all workplace representatives. There is also a weekly email bulletin, eFocus, which is sent to all reps and activists who have registered an email address with the union.

Branches also send representatives regular information on local matters and representatives can always ring the regional office, UNISONdirect or check the news section on this website.

• Our reps and activists
• Help and advice
• Training and development
• Your branch
• Your voice counts
• Make a suggestion
• Activist news and publications

Taking industrial action is a big step for any union.

And with a raft of legislation surrounding any form of industrial action, from ballots to picketing, great care is essential when taking action.

Because of the legal complexity of industrial action, it’s essential that you read the full UNISON guide to industrial action, and talk to your regional organising staff before taking any action.

Read the UNISON guide to industrial action [PDF] 

But there are a couple of general principles to bear in mind:

Getting permission

Permission to embark on a national industrial action ballot rests with the general secretary and the industrial action committee, following a request from the national secretary on the behalf of the service group.

The majority of industrial action ballots relate to local disputes with a specific employer, and permission to hold a  ballot lies with the relevant regional secretary.

There will be occasions where the regional secretary does not agree to authorise a ballot - in these circumstances the branch has a right to appeal to the industrial action committee.

Membership records

It is essential that before any ballot, you make sure your membership records are up to date.

Experience shows that employers will challenge the legality of any ballot they believe is based on inaccurate membership data.

Indeed, this is a really good reason to make sure that your records are regularly checked.

Organising Space

As an activist you are the heart and soul of UNISON, critical to the important work we do. 

So we decided it was time you had a unique online space for all your UNISON Organising activities.    

The Organising Space is an online portal and your place to:

And the great news is it's already here! So, what are you waiting for? 

Join the hundreds of your fellow activists and staff who are already sharing ideas, successes and experiences in the new online space.   

Simply follow the link https://organisingspace.unison.org.uk/

And login using your existing My UNISON details. 

Here's a short video that will explain more

http://youtu.be/sTaiJEebM9c

TUPE: an introduction 

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) is a law designed to protect the rights of employees when a business transfers from one owner to another.

http://www.unison.org.uk/knowledge/pay/tupe/overview/



• The UNISON health and safety rep

  07 Feb 2013 16:20

  Become a health and safety rep in your workplace