Derbyshire County Unison News : 27 May 2010
Single Status update
We recently ran an indicative ballot to see if members countywide were prepared to take industrial action against the Derbyshire Package (the loss of overtime rates, out-of-hours enhanced payments, car mileage allowances, sleep-in allowances etc).
Unfortunately, the response was low. There was a majority against strike action and even though a small majority voted for action short of a strike, numbers were far short of any reasonable prospect of being affective. On this basis, the branch committee decided not to call a formal industrial action ballot.
UNISON remains committed to achieving fairer pay for all members and work has already started on achieving improvements in what are now your local terms and conditions (the Derbyshire Package).
During the single status negotiations, UNISON:
· Won the full implementation of AWE Additional Work Element. This meant higher Job Evaluation points for thousands of low paid workers, resulting in higher pay levels.
· Achieved slower implementation of changes to Casual Car User Allowances. The council wanted to drop this to 40p from April 2010 but this won’t be down to 40p until 2013.
· Won thousands of pounds in equal pay compensation for low paid workers in Derbyshire. Further cases have recently been submitted and there could be more in the pipeline.
· Received confirmation in writing from the Director of Human Resources, that single status does not mean changes to your normal working patterns can be imposed without agreement.
UNISON is now:-
· Preparing to represent all those members who have lost basic pay, via the appeals procedure and, if necessary, available legal avenues.
· In talks to negotiate local terms and conditions on an annual basis, starting in September 2010. This gives us further opportunities to win benefits for all.
We all need to work hard to get back any conditions lost. This will not be easy in the current climate but we will be negotiating from a stronger position if you can encourage any non-union work colleagues into becoming members of Derbyshire County UNISON.
Mick Wilson
27th May 2010
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