| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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MINUTES of BRANCH ANNUAL The meeting was chaired by the Branch President, J Galletta. 1. OPENING REMARKS/INTRODUCTIONS The meeting AGREED the Emergency Motions on Retention & Remuneration in Social Work, Improving Public Services, Nursery Nurses Pay Dispute and University Tuition Fees would be submitted to the Agenda. 2. APPOINTMENT OF SCRUTINEERS Four scrutineers were appointed - Rose Jackson (Social Work), Maureen Christie (Social Work), Walter Weir (City Development), Steve McDonald (Corporate Services) 3. STANDING ORDERS The Branch Standing Orders were AGREED for the following year. 4. MINUTES OF BRANCH MEETING 2004 The minutes of the last Branch Annual General meeting of 24th March 2004 were AGREED as a correct record with no matters arising. 5. ANNUAL REPORT No questions were raised on the Annual Report. 6. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The meeting AGREED the financial statements. 7. SPECIAL REPORTS The Service Conditions Co-ordinator appraised the meeting on the progress in negotiations on the following issues:- i. Pay Claim ii. Nursery Nurses Dispute iii. Single Status iv. Social Work Remuneration, Retention & Pay 8. ELECTION OF BRANCH OFFICERS The undernoted were elected unopposed: - President: Joe Galletta Chairperson: Barbara Foubister (Education) Secretary: John Stevenson (Social Work) Treasurer: Mike McCrossan (Housing) Service Conditions Co-ordinator: John Mulgrew (LVJB) Service Conditions Convener (APT&C): John Ross (Housing) Service Conditions Convener (Craft): Walter Weir (City Dev) Service Conditions Convener (Manual): George Lee (Social Work) Health & Safety Officer: Tom McLeod (City Dev) Equalities Officer: Irene Stout (Culture & Leisure) Education Officer: Ken Scott (City Dev) Communications Officer: John Stevenson (Social Work) Welfare Officer: (Job-Share) Gillian Allan (LVJB) Mike Smith (Finance) International Officer: Matthew Creighton Elections required for the following Branch Officer post: Vice-Chairperson Ballot results recorded were:- Matthew Creighton (City Dev) 135 votes Gerry Corbett (Social Work) 125 votes Mathew Creighton was duly elected Vice-Chairperson. Assistant Secretary Ballot results recorded were:- Catriona Grant (Social Work) 125 votes Agnes Petkevicius (Education) 139 votes Agnes Petkevicius was duly elected Assistant Secretary. Service Conditions Officers (4 - at least two must be women) Alan Brown (Education)158 votes Kevin Duguid (Finance) 163 votes Agnes Petkevicius (Education) 194 votes Lyn Williams (Social Work) 143 votes Elaine Wishart (Social Work) 177 votes The following were duly elected Service Conditions Officers:- Alan Brown, Kevin Duguid, Agnes Petkevicius, Elaine Wishart Recruitment/Membership Officer: Barry Carbis (Social Work) 144 votes Craig MacLeod (City Dev) 116 votes Barry Carbis was duly elected Recruitment/Membership Officer. No nominations were received for the post of Young Members Officer. Nominations will continue to be sought via the Branch Committee for this post. 9. RULE CHANGES New Rule E21 Lifelong Learning Convenor Proposed by John Ross (Housing) Amanda Kerr (Culture & Leisure) The role of the Lifelong Learning Convenor will include the following in conjunction with the Education Officer:- 1. Developing the profile of Lifelong Learning in the branch 2. Encouraging members to become Lifelong Learning Advisers/ Representatives 3. Setting up schemes and structures to support advisers and members in Lifelong Learning 4. Co-ordinating the activities of Lifelong Learning Advisers/Representatives to:- a. raise awareness of Lifelong Learning issues in the workplace and the branch b. raise awareness of Lifelong Learning opportunities amongst members and potential members c. help to identify and articulate the learning needs of particular groups of members or potential members d. raise awareness of the UNISON partnership approach to learning e. liaise with employers on learning opportunities in the workplace f. create a positive experience of what UNISON can do for members in the workplace around learning issues g. encourage colleagues to join courses such as Return to Learn and supporting them while they are learning h. work with the branch to encourage learners into branch activity i. work with other branch officers to promote Lifelong Learning opportunities Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Rule Change were AGREED with the required two-thirds majority. 10. POLICY MOTIONS With the agreement of the movers Motion 1 (Tackling the Crisis in Social Work), Motion 2 (Reorganisation of Social Work Services), Motion 3 (Social Work Reorganisation) and Amendment 2 (Reorganisation of Social Work Services) were merged into Composite A. Composite A - Reorganisation of Social Work Services Proposed by John Stevenson & Lyn Williams (Social Work), Duncan Smith & Lorraine Paterson (Housing) This Branch deplores the sensationalist responses to the O'Brien Inquiry and supports its Social Work members against the lust for blame and the unfair attacks on them and their service. This Branch welcomes the measures taken by officers and stewards as outlined in the Annual Report and the key role UNISON has played in speaking up for Social Work staff and their profession. This AGM also extends its support to all members directly affected by the Inquiry and pledges to continue that through advice, representation, moral support and other action as necessary. While the effects on individuals have been devastating, the possible effect on the whole of the Social Work service is just as concerning. This Branch recognises the work already done by officers and stewards to challenge reorganisation and remuneration plans and commits itself to continue campaigning on the following principles:- a) A lack of resources is the key element and must be tackled before anything else. b) The O'Brien Report is a flawed document which must not be used as a basis for reorganising child protection. This must only be done on the basis of good hard evidence and with the resources to back it up. c) While not opposed to reorganisations in principle, this is not the time or the context to be embarking on wholesale restructuring. If money is available it must be firstly used to regenerate existing services. d) We oppose plans to split up the Social Work Department. Such a move flies in the face of findings by Inquiries and of the poor experience of authorities that have gone down this route. e) Fragmentation would damage the Social Work ethos which serves to protect practice from being compromised by resource pressures and political expediency. f) The only long term solution to the crisis in recruitment and retention is a Scottish review, similar but not identical to the McCrone review in Education. g) Any local initiatives for better remuneration must therefore only be seen as an interim measure and must be applied fairly and equally. This Branch therefore resolves to: 1. Oppose reorganisation of this type at this stage and demand a much increased consultation period. 2. Continue to campaign for an understanding that Social Work staff work with risk and need to be supported in that rather than blamed and vilified. 3. Continue to campaign for a national review and for an emergency injection of new resources. 4. Working alongside other organisations which share our aims and values, to promote the above via measures like submissions, conferences, lobbying and rallies. 5. Take all measures possible, including a ballot on industrial action if necessary, to secure an extended consultation period and to defend members and their services. Furthermore, this Branch believes that the proposals contained in the Chief Executive's report on the ‘Organisation and Management of Social Work Services' has serious implications for a wide variety of council employees. Although centred on the Social Work Department the options for change impact also on UNISON members in the Education and Housing Departments. However, there is a real danger that members will split along departmental lines rather than adopting a unified approach to the Council's proposals. There is therefore a need for all members in the departments concerned to be fully consulted and involved in the decision making process. As a first step this Branch will urgently set up a group comprising representatives from the Education, Housing and Social Work Shop Stewards Committees and from the Service Conditions Team to progress UNISON's response. Secondly this Branch will call a Special General Meeting where UNISON's position be discussed and ratified so that all members will have an opportunity to air their views before the final UNISON response is made. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Composite Motion were AGREED. At this point of the meeting it was AGREED to debate the following Emergency Motion:- Emergency Motion 3 - Nursery Nurses Pay Dispute Proposed by Barbara Foubister & Agnes Petkevicius (Education) This meeting congratulates our Nursery Nurse colleagues for the manner in which they have conducted themselves throughout a Pay Dispute which has gone on for over three years. They have shown a level of perseverance and solidarity which sets an example to others who may be in dispute with their employer. We note the employers' shambolic approach to negotiations having initially agreed to national negotiations then stating there has to be local negotiations only to seek further national discussions and finally stating the local negotiations are the only way forward. This led the Nursery Nurses to ballot for All Out Strike Action with the outcome being a resounding call for action. This Branch commits itself to support the Nursery Nurses in whatever way required to achieve a fair and equitable resolution to their Pay Dispute, this to include encouraging more members to contribute through collection sheets to provide additional financial support. We call upon the City of Edinburgh council to recognise this dispute can only be resolved through national negotiations and to use their undoubted influence in CoSLA to persuade their fellow councils to initiate national talks immediately which would allow the threat of further disruption to services to be lifted. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Emergency Motion were AGREED. Motion 8 - Consultation on Pay and Gradings Proposed by James Black (Social Work) Joan McBride (Social Work) On being put to the meeting the amendment in the names of John Stevenson (Social Work) and John Mulgrew (LVJB) was LOST and the original motion was CARRIED. In light of recent pay negotiations for the Recruitment & Retention of Social Workers & Occupational Therapists some social work shop stewards are concerned that the negotiations at that time were not congruent with procedures outlined in the Constitution Rules and Standing Orders as revised by the 2002 AGM. For Example Section E 8 1d states "the postholder (Branch Equalities Officer) should continually monitor the application of agreements to ensure that they are being applied consistently and in a non-discriminatory manner" Section B4 2 states "there should be ballots on major issues such as pay". The Recruitment & Retention package, which was, negotiated on behalf of the Social Work Shop Stewards Committee was divisive and against the principal of equal pay for equal work of equal value. In addition details and proposals put to the negotiators were never fully shared or discussed with the Social Work Shop Stewards Committee. For future negotiations on changes to pay scales/gradings we call on this AGM to instruct negotiators, in line with the constitution, to: 1. Fully consult with Stewards Committees openly & transparently 2. Ballot members for any significant change affecting pay structures, grading changes & pay reviews within the City of Edinburgh Council. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. Motion 9 - Car Allowances Proposed by Barry Carbis & James Black (Social Work) as amended by John Stevenson (Social Work) and John Ross (Housing). "Following consultation with the RAC and the AA the Social Work Shop Stewards Committee have been advised that these national Organisations calculate that the average cost of running a car is 66 pence per mile. It is the view of these organisations that this amount should be reflected in the recompense that workers receive for using their cars for work. However, this branch meeting notes that, at the current standard rate of tax, the 66p figure would only deliver 51p per mile net. With the incremental progression (for many Social Work staff for example) and if overtime is taken into account, taxation could be higher and result in a net figure of 39.6p - a reduction from the current non-taxable rate of 40p. Accordingly this AGM instructs Branch Officers to take specialist advice on formulating a car allowance claim that will properly reflect the true cost of car usage on official duties." Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion as amended were AGREED. Emergency Motion 4 - University Tuition Fees Proposed by Kevin Duguid (Finance) Douglas Linton (Finance) This meeting notes with concern the recent passing of a Bill through Parliament which seeks to allow introduction of Top Up Fees at Universities in England. Furthermore, we note with disappointment that a number of Scottish Labour MP's chose to vote in this debate and that they chose to vote with the Government despite the fact that presently the Scottish Parliament does not intend to introduce Top Up Fees in Scotland. Their support of this Bill can only be seen to lend credence to those Scottish Universities such as Edinburgh who are calling for the introduction of Top Up Fees in Scotland. This Bill has still to pass through the House of Lords and as such the campaign against it must continue and in doing so the following should be actioned. 1. That UNISON re-affirms its opposition to the introduction of Top Up Fees anywhere in the United Kingdom. 2. That UNISON continue to actively support the National Union of Students in their ongoing campaign on a local and national level. 3. That UNISON members be encouraged to write to and lobby their members of Parliament and members of the House of Lords over this bill. 4. That the Affiliated Political Fund both in Scotland and in the United Kingdom as a whole be requested to try to use its influence in this matter. 5. That the Affiliated Political Fund through its interaction with the Labour Party be asked to raise the grave concerns we have that Scottish Labour MP's are being used as voting fodder for the Government over issues which do not directly concern their constituencies and furthermore that their actions in this case only serve to undermine the position taken by the Scottish Parliament on Top Up Fees. 6.That UNISON mounts a campaign for a review of how the United Kingdom Parliament conducts its business where it is clear that the issues being debated and voted on are already devolved to other Regional Assemblies or Parliaments i.e. "The West Lothian Question". 7. That the terms of this motion be submitted to National Delegates Conference. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Emergency Motion were AGREED. Motion 10 - Congestion Charging Proposed by Kevin Duguid & Mike Smith (Finance) This AGM notes that the City of Edinburgh Council intend to hold a referendum on the introduction of Congestion Charging. However, there remain a number of concerns which need to be addressed should Congestion Charging become a reality. 1. UNISON members who currently use their vehicle to carry out their duties and are authorised car users should not be financially disadvantaged. 2. That Congestion Charging should not discriminate against disabled members who, because of their mobility problems, cannot access public transport and require to use their vehicle to get to and from work. 3. That there are a huge number of members who live outwith Edinburgh and as such will experience difficulty in accessing adequate public transport, unless the Council resolve to significantly improve public transport facilities. This AGM therefore instructs Branch Officers to raise these concerns with the Council and seek agreements on the above. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. Motion 11 - Access to Pensions Benefits Proposed by Irene Stout & Amanda Kerr (Culture & Leisure) This Branch welcomes the government's commitment to put in place legislation to allow same gender couples access to works pensions benefits equal to those enjoyed by married couples. Whilst this initiative is a major step forward we note with concern this provision is not to be extended to heterosexual couples who are not married. We call upon the union at all levels to continue campaigning for all members of works pensions to have equal access irrespective of the status of their relationship with their partner. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. Motion 12 - No Quango for Criminal Justice Social Work Proposed by John Stevenson (Social Work) John Mulgrew (LVJB) This Branch opposes Scottish Executive plans which could remove Criminal Justice Social Work from local authority control and place it into a quango under the prison services. While it notes that there may be a change of thinking by ministers, it must continue the campaign by ensuring members and the public are aware that:- 1.Evidence shows that non-custodial sentences are more effective in stopping youth crime. 2. Despite the success of these community based initiatives, a new unaccountable body dominated by the Prison Service would be likely to place a greater emphasis on punishment and custody. 3. The removal of the planning, running and liaising functions of criminal justice from local control and placing them in a huge centralised body would affect the crucial local liaison on issues like monitoring and exchanging information on sex offenders and flies in the face of the Executive's stated aim. 4. Current Criminal Justice services in Edinburgh are under-resourced and staff are under enormous pressures. This Branch believes the Scottish Executive would be better to heed the Justice Committee's recommendation of more investment and resources and introducing a more radical approach to sentencing than seeking to create yet another quango. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. Motion 13 - Opposition to Large Scale Stock Transfer of Council Housing Proposed by Duncan Smith & Dougie Boxall (Housing) In 2001, the Housing Department commissioned research into the options available to the Council for the future management of council housing. The result of this research was to retain the bulk of council housing in local government ownership. However, the Scottish Executive now has a target to transfer 75,000 Local Authority houses to other landlords and this has revived the debate around large scale stock transfer in Edinburgh. In light of this development we call on this branch to re-affirm its agreement with UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Executive's proposals for the Housing Scotland Bill regarding mass stock transfer as noted below:- • UNISON Scotland believes that a policy of mass stock transfer, or so-called ‘community ownership' is unnecessary and damaging for the following reasons: • It is an expensive and unnecessary means of resolving the investment crisis in public housing stock • It will lead to less democratic accountability • It will destabilise communities • It will result in less diversity in housing tenure • It may lead to increased social exclusion • It will, over time, lead to an increase in rents • And it will inevitably have a detrimental impact on jobs, pay and conditions of local government housing staff. • UNISON Scotland believes that tenants should make real choices about the future management and maintenance of their homes - with the maximum possible information available to them. We therefore call on this branch, in the event of a decision to pursue large scale stock transfer, to:- 1. Promote a broad-based campaign to keep Council Housing in Local Authority ownership, including support for any tenants' campaigns. 2. Ensure members in the Housing Department are supported when they give UNISON campaign leaflets to residents in order that tenants should make real choices about the future management and maintenance of their homes - with the maximum possible information available to them. 3.Make use of UNISON's General Political Fund to finance this campaign. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. Motion 14 - Access for Disabled Staff and Members of the Public Proposed by John Ross (Housing) Tom McLeod (City Development) This Branch looks forward to the conclusion of the audit of all council's properties in relation to Access for the Disabled but is concerned that, without major additional funding from the Scottish Executive, local authorities will not be able to initiate the works required to address the problem. We call upon the union to initiate a campaign along with colleagues in the STUC to call for the required additional monies and for the APF to raise this issue within the Labour Party. Decision: On being put to the meeting the terms of the Motion were AGREED. At this point of the meeting the Chair advised the AGM was closed with all remaining motions and vacant Branch Officers posts being remitted to the Branch Committee for decision and action.
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