Welcome to the third issue of the regional newsletter.
Download the newsletter as a PDF.
Region 6 Newsletter 06-2009The region has been extremely busy since the last newsletter – we have had two successful regional forums, where we focused on a number of issues including a talk by Taylor & Emmet, one of Community’s solicitors and a talk by John Mann, MP on a guide he produced on combating anti-social behaviour, sponsored by Community. There are more details on the guide are on page 2.
CHALLENGING TIMES
In May Region 6 held our Action Week—where we visited a number of workplaces to raise our profile and encourage non-members to join Community. We all know we are entering difficult times and many employers are reporting a very difficult trading environment. However the more members Community has in our workplaces the better placed we are to protect our member’s jobs and to negotiate in the best interest of our members.
If you know of any non-members in your workplace or amongst your friends and family, why not encourage them to join? Community will be stronger and they will benefit from our support.
The region are experiencing a number of redundancies in the region and Community are committed to supporting our members beyond the traditional trade union support through our training arm Communitas.
Community has been praised by Government for our redundancy support work, ensuring that our members receive necessary information, advice and guidance (IAG) during a very traumatic time and are able to progress to training. It has been proven that such support vastly increases member’s ability to find another job. Who else will look after members during this trying time?
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
These are also difficult times politically. There is a great deal of anger being expressed over the issue of MP’s expenses, and rightly so. Whatever our disappointment and anger over expenses, we must ensure that workers and trade union rights are protected and there is only one party in the European Elections that will do that, Labour.
And working people now face a greater threat, the threat of the BNP. The BNP are using the anger over MP’s expenses to further their own agenda – an agenda that does not include trade union rights; quite the opposite, they are opposed to the very principle of trade union rights. A low turn out at the European elections would only serve to benefit the BNP, we can’t let that happen.
Glenis Willmott, MEP, takes up the argument for why we need to vote on June 4th on page 2.
STAFF CHANGES
Since the last newsletter we have seen many changes, Roy Bennett with 47 years membership and 23 years as a full-time officer retired last September. Roy Bennett has given many years loyal service to our members and I hope that you will join the region in wishing him well in his retirement and thanking him for his dedication. Roy will be sorely missed.
The region also has two new Branch Development Officers, Kevin Edwards and Sean Redgate; they introduce themselves on page 3. I know they are both providing you with the service and support our members deserve.
Finally, Jenny Connolly, the Senior Regional Administrator retired in May. Jenny has given many loyal years service to Community & KFAT and is greatly missed. Ginny Pope, the Administrator for Region 8 has moved to Region 6 as the Senior Administrator and I’m sure Ginny will provide you with the help and support you need.
Peter Crowe, Martin Rutter and Tracy Clarke presenting a 40 year badge to Janet Baxter.
30 YEARS AT COURTAULDS
Community were proud to hold a 30 year award ceremony at Courtaulds in Belper, where over 30 members have been members of Community (and formally KFAT) for over 30 years, with half a dozen having over 40 years service. Peter Crowe, former Deputy General Secretary returned to present the badges.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter, if you have any stories that you would like to see in your newsletter or would like to see an issue covered, please contact the regional office.
Christine Hardacre
Regional Director
A Message from Glenis Wilmott MEP
about the EU elections
It’s not just fighting talk to say we battle for fair chances, a fair say and fair rules for everyone. The action we take in Europe proves it. Europe has a massive impact on our lives and we have achieved so much by working together. We boost the work of governments to help them do things they simply couldn’t do alone.
In this time of crisis we are taking real action to support people - helping them to stay in their homes, protect their savings and create jobs. The big problems we face can only be tackled by coordinated action and working this way magnifies the benefits for all of us.
But in the run up to the European Elections on June 4, we must make sure people know just how much of a difference we make and why it is so important for them to back Labour this summer.
A staggering 81% of people feel badly informed about the work of the European Parliament. That means over three quarters of working people do not know that Labour in Europe has helped improve maternity and paternity leave, that we’ve introduced measures to control working time as well as brought in equal rights for temporary and agency workers, that we have boosted protection from cancer-causing chemicals and ‘accidents’ at work, that anti-discrimination provisions have got better because of us and that we have helped win the right to paid holiday.
But David Cameron and his MEPs want to pull out of the Social Chapter - social protections, workplace rights and the environment, all are at serious risk – and the Tories’ fiercely anti-European stance means they regularly vote against our progressive measures.
And while Labour policies are boosting employment prospects, protecting the environment and helping to keep us safe in our communities locally, across the UK and in Europe, Cameron is planning to pull the Tories out of the biggest political group in the European Parliament to set up alone. This will mean the Tories will have no say on economic recovery, climate change or energy security - major issues shaping our future. How does any of this help British families at a time of crisis?
And we cannot ignore the advancing BNP. We must be careful we don’t allow the debate on foreign workers to fan the flames of intolerance which keep them so warm. Less than one in 20 of our workforce are non-British EU citizens while 1.6 million of us live and thousands of us work in other EU countries.
One in ten of our UK jobs are the result of trade with the EU. Only about eight per cent of the vote would give the BNP a seat in the European Parliament. To stop this happening, to protect us from the damage the Tories and UKIP can do, to ensure we have a voice in Europe and that it’s a progressive one, boosting Labour turnout on 4 June is crucial.
For further information have a look at our European Parliamentary Labour Party website (Eurolabour.org.uk ) or get in touch with your MEP direct. Let’s protect the planet, our homes, our jobs, our health, our safety and our rights. Let’s get more Labour voices into the European Parliament.
Glenis Willmott
MEP for the East Midlands and Labour’s Leader in Europe
Support at home
The region has collaborated with John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, on a guide to combating anti-social behaviour. The guide provides practical advice on how to cope with and overcome anti-social behaviour, for example, noisy neighbours. This guide has been issued to all of our Branch Secretaries.
Members facing these difficulties can access information via their Branch Secretary or they can contact the regional office.
We have collaborated on this guide because we are a community union and are committed to supporting our members in their communities, as well as at work. Dealing with anti-social behaviour can be stressful and many people simply don’t know where to turn to for help. The guide offers straight forward, practical steps that can assist in resolving the issue.
Commenting on the collaboration John Mann MP stated, “This guide provides valuable advice and guidance to my constituents; I was pleased to collaborate with Community, my union, on this guide as I know that community matters are at the core of Community’s values and can provide valuable assistance to your representatives and members”
Your Branch Development Officers
Sean Redgate
Since working for Community I have enjoyed the chance to meet and interact with the branch secretaries in region 6 to give them help, support and guidance where needed.
Having such diversity of industries within the region throws up many new challenges for me and hopefully by having regular contact with the branches and its members any obstacle that is put in the way can be overcome by using our collective trade union principles to rise to the challenges that lay ahead.
Hopefully with the experience I have gained from the Automotive Industry over the last 25 years, working my way up through the branch structure from workplace rep to full time Convenor and District Branch Secretary, then I will, with the support from the branch committees, be able to promote and implement fresh ideas and to get the branches developed to their maximum potential.
I’m an advocate of the educational opportunities that Community and Trade Unions can provide, having completed the TUC Reps programme culminating in a year long Access to Higher Education Certificate in Employment Law, which has enabled me to study for a Bachelor of Law Degree at Nottingham Trent University.
I strongly encourage branch officials and members to utilize these programs to enhance their personal development thus giving the branch officials confidence and knowledge to address issues raised by members within their own branch structures.
Thanks for the warm welcome that Reps and members have given me, I hope that we can build a great working relationship to build the trade union movement from within community.
Kevin Edwards
I have been a member of Community for 7 years and I was a branch official at JM Royston for 5 years. I am enjoying working on behalf of the members of my union. Community have always been at the for front of organising and it is my task to ensure that branches are well organised, with Reps that are well trained and supported.
These are difficult times—the better organised we are the more we can protect and deliver for our members. I look forward to working with you all.
Do you know Community’s benefits?
Child Benefit – a success – Since introducing the new “child benefit”, take-up of this new benefit has been significant. However, talking to our members and representatives in the region, we are not sure that you are all aware of the benefits that we offer, so just to update you, here is a brief summary.
Legal Services – Community provides employment related legal advice to members together with free general legal service to members and their families. General advice commonly includes landlord & tenant issues, criminal law, welfare benefits and neighbourhood disputes. Community will also arrange free personal injury advice for members and their families, who have been injured through no fault of their own. Community can arrange for members to be provided with a basic will free of charge, this includes a mirror will for a partner.
Benevolent Fund – This fund exists to provide assistance to members and their families who are experiencing severe financial difficulty.
Convalescence Benefit – This benefit is to provide members who have experienced serious illness or industrial injury with 2 weeks rest and recuperation.
Bereavement Benefit – Designed to assist your next of kin at that difficult time. Members will accrue £200 per annum for the first 5 years of membership to a maximum of £1000, after that Community will continue to annually increase the bereavement benefit.
Representation – If you work in a workplace where we are not recognised, as a union member you are entitled to representation if you face a disciplinary at work. You are entitled to representation at a grievance hearing if you have a workplace problem associated with a legal right; for example if you are experiencing bullying or have a Health & Safety problem.
Other benefits— We also provide other financial services, advice and insurance. More information on Community benefits can be obtained from our Member Service Centre 0800 389 6332 or our website http://www.community-tu.org/
Organising the Bookies and NSPCC
Community has two National Organising Campaigns the organising of betting shop workers and our campaign at the NSPCC.
TAKING THE FIGHT ON SAFETY TO WESTMINSTER
A key element of Community’s organising drive in betting shops is the campaign for safer workplaces. In the period 2005-2007 there was an increase of almost 40% in robberies of betting shops in the Greater London area and a near 200% increase of robberies and assaults in the city of Glasgow.
As well as the increase in the risk of being a victim of robbery, anti-social behaviour is often a common problem experienced by betting shop workers. Increasing anti-social behaviour not only affects betting shop workers but it affects our communities as this spreads on to the High Street.
In Scotland, the union’s campaign has won widespread support from politicians and safety organisations and Community has placed the issue of our members’ safety at the forefront of the news. We have also produced a DVD on the issue, which can be accessed via the union’s homepage at www.community-tu.org.
In the autumn, Community launched a campaign for minimum safety standards in the betting industry and took the campaign to Westminster, with Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North, holding a Parliamentary Reception on this issue. Ian McCartney, MP, opened the event by speaking giving full support to our campaign.
Following our lobbying the government under the auspices of Ministers James Purnell (DWP) and Pat McFadden (Berr) set up a roundtable of stakeholders which included the industry, police, local authorities and Community, which has since seen the launch of “Safebet Alliance” covering minimum standards during robberies in London.
This was a move welcomed by Community covering some of our minimum standards, but the document needs to go further. The working group is now looking to widen the standards to cover other areas of violence and to be adopted UK wide. Community will continue to push for the adoption of all our minimum standards.
Detail of the minimum standards we are campaigning for can be found on the website.
Here in the East Midlands, officers are visiting betting shops and encouraging workers to join our campaign and we have been actively lobbying local MPs. If you would like to become involved in the campaign, contact the regional office.
Making Gains in NSPCC
As of April last year the transfer of undertakings between Community and BUSWE, a union representing workers in the social work sector with recognition at NSPCC, was finalised allowing Union organisers and officers to have access to NSPCC offices. Since then we have been attending NSPCC team office meetings across each region. Here in the East Midlands we have a number of offices and a training centre in Leicester with a large number of staff.
Community Union has been sending regular updates to NSPCC union members on all aspects of union activity and has developed a two-day training programme to introduce NSPCC members to union activity. Our membership continues to grow in NSPCC and we are campaigning hard on building union strength within NSPCC.
Region 6 welcomes our new members in NSPCC which adds to our region’s diversity.