Libraries are at the very heart of our communities, but many

local authorities are being left with

no choice but to close them due

to the cuts being made to budgets

by the Tory-led Government. The effects will be felt across the

country - reports suggest that up

to 400 libraries could be facing

closure, potentially resulting in up

to 6,000 librarians losing their jobs. Closing and reducing access to libraries will remove or reduce internet

access for the 25% of Britons who do not have it at home, place more

strain on already stretched school library services and

impact on adult education.

We need to stop Neath Port Talbot CBC Libraries

becoming part of this sad statistic, this just isn't

right. We are asking our local councillors to oppose the

proposals to close our local libraries (Taibach,

Resolven, Cymmer Library, Cwmllynfell, Gwaun-Cae-

Gurwen, Seven Sisters, Blaengwynfi

and Ystalyfera). We are asking them to work with the

community and UNISON on finding alternative

models, which will both save money and save these

vital community services. You can help by signing the e petition, and help us

with ideas to save the service. Scan the code with your smart phone to

take you to the petition or go to: http://www.change.org/en-GB/

petitions/neath-port-talbot-coucillors-we-ask-you-to-oppose-the-

proposals-to-close-our-local-libraries

NEATH PORT TALBOT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BRANCH NEWSLETTER

Room 254, 1st Floor,

Port Talbot Civic Centre,

Port Talbot SA13 1PJ Tel: 01639 763820

unison@npt.gov.uk

www.nptunison.org.uk

NOVEMBER 2013 Your branch website: www.nptunison.org.uk with our NPT branch page

OFFICE NUMBER 01639 763820

SAVE OUR LIBRARIES

A member came to the UNISON office exactly six and a half days after losing

her job, following the death in infancy of one of her children. UNISON was

able to prove, at the member’s appeal with the Councillors, that the

Authority did not follow their own procedures. The member was reinstated

and given back pay to cover all wages lost.

THIS IS THE REASON YOU NEED TO BE PART OF THE UNISON FAMILY

LASTMINUTE.COM@NPTUNISON

CALLING ALL YOUTH &

COMMUNITY WORKERS

UNISON needs you !! We are looking for work place representatives /Stewards to

represent the Youth & Community workers.

We will provide all the training and support need to become a steward / workplace contact.

If you are interested please

contact the UNISON office on 01639 763820 or email

unison@npt.gov

BRANCH SECRETARY’S REPORT 2013

Dear Colleagues,

As another year draws to a close, public services continue

to be a target for the current government. The budget cuts

imposed once again are going to make life extremely

difficult for those of us working within the public sector.

The Welsh Government has given a commitment to

protect the NHS in Wales, but this comes at a cost to local

authorities that will have very difficult decisions to make

over the next twelve months. It must be remembered that

the Welsh Government has been forced to make cuts to

the budgets of local authorities; this is due to the Con-Dem

governments’ draconian ideology to privatise as many public

services as they can. This can only result in cuts to terms

and conditions and outsourcing of our services to the

private sector.

Our local authority has been pro-active in seeking

expressions of interest for ER/VR in order to avoid

compulsory redundancies and keep our services

in-house. UNISON will continue to work in

partnership with the authority to protect our

members’ continued employment.

Gwrp Gwalia is currently due to consult with trade

unions on the future of the services they provide.

UNISON will be arranging a series of meetings for

our members within Gwalia and we will be writing

to you all shortly.

FORWARD

FINANCIAL PLAN Dear member, As you may be aware the authority are

£45 million over budget in our Forward Financial Plan over the next 4 years. UNISON is working with the authority to

minimise the effect on services and jobs. However this will become very difficult with such a high deficit budget. The authority is undertaking a VR exercise to help manage this situation and minimise compulsory redundancies. UNISON are sitting on this group. The authority is also undertaking several restructures in some departments. If you are concerned by these issues please do not worry... as a UNISON member you are not alone, advice and support is only a phone call away. Call the UNISON office

on 01639 763820 to discuss any issues you may have, or we can attend your workplace to discuss any concerns if you would prefer.

Mark Fisher, Branch Chair.

SOCIAL EVENTS

This year the branch organised a day trip to Bristol Zoo,

which was very well attended. For once the British

weather behaved itself resulting in a lovely day out for

all who came along.

We are due to run a Christmas shopping trip to Bath

later this month. We have had a lot of interest in the

trip, the first we have arranged for adults only and I hope

it goes as well as previous outings.

We also continued with our family fun-days at Margam

Country Park, which are becoming more popular each

year, so look out for the vouchers in future newsletters.

Melanie Fender, Branch Secretary

Do you know any member who is on long-term sickness or finding things difficult at present? If so, please send in their name and address so we can

send them some flowers.

READY FOR 5Th November?

DON’T FORGET THE FIREWORK CODE

Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

Number 1 Check your tyres

A good tread depth will stand you in good stead for

the slippery surfaces that come with falling leaves, wet

ground and frosty mornings. Number 2 Check your spare wheel and tyre

Is it there? Is it inflated properly? Do you even have

one? Many modern cars come with either space

saver or expanding foam repair kits. Number 3 Top up screen wash and de-icer

October is the month when frost starts to kick in,

don’t be caught out! Number 4 Wiper blades

Clean wiper blades with a cloth to remove any

residue or dirt if they are smearing your windscreen.

If this doesn't work, consider replacing them with

new ones. The blades may last up to two years at

the most but it's good practice to renew them

every year. Number 5 Headlights, indicators & brake lights

t is important to be seen, so as the nights draw in,

many of us will be traveling to and from work in the

dark. So give other road users the best chance of

seeing you by asking a friend or family member to

check that all your lights are working while you

operate them.

Number 6 Top up your oil Lubricating your engine keeps it working. Check your oil via

the dipstick and don't just wait for the car to tell you it's low.

Number 7 Check your coolant levels Cars still need to

keep their engines cool even in poor weather. It is critical to

the health and well being of your engine.

Number 8 Chip in your windscreen?

If you ignore small chips they can grow and become irrepara-

ble. Secondary cracks can form under the combined effect of

heat, moisture, frost, dirt and vibration. So any dirt or mois-

ture entering the chip will make it more difficult to produce a

visually acceptable repair so it's important to act quickly and

sort it out.

Number 9 Car batteries

Autumn can take its toll on car batteries, keep the top of the

battery clean and dry and make sure the terminals are tight

and free from corrosion. If a battery is more than three years

old, check it now you might save yourself many a frustrating

start to a morning.

Number 10 Energy supplies

Finally an essential in any car should be a supply of good old

Werthers Originals, boiled sweets or mint imperials to keep

your energy up when you are faced with lengthy delays...!!

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable. 2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time. 3. Follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary. 4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back. 5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks. 6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit. 7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them. 8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators. 9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire. 10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Essential Car Maintenance Tips for Autumn

Autumn isn't all about conkers and falling leaves – it also brings many changes for road users, from dazzlingly blinding sunlight to the first icy windscreen of the season. So be prepared – plan ahead and don’t get caught out.

Get to know our school forum members... Name: Faye Duncan Role: Teaching Assistant School: Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen How long have you worked there? 13 years. Why did you become a member of NPT UNISON Schools Forum? To be able to meet others who are in the same kind of work, and be able to discuss any concerns or problems we're faced with, and are given the help and support to deal with them. What do you love most about your job? Seeing children starting school, watching them grow and develop day by day, and being a part of it!

Fun Facts

Favourite film? Santa Claus The Movie.

Favourite food? Chinese… yum! Who’s your hero? Simon Cowell!

Hobbies? Shopping and socialising.

UNISON ACTS INTERNATIONALLY

UNISON writes to Guatemalan president over murders

UNISON has written to Guatemalan president Otto Pérez Molina to call on him to tackle the rise in attacks on

trade unionists in the country. General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The president of Guatemala said it was

shameful that his country is now the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. "If the shame is to

be lifted, then he must ensure that the perpetrators of the 58 murders of trade unionists in recent years are

brought to justice."

And Mr Prentis added: "The targeting of trade union leaders - especially women - is abhorrent. As a union with a

million women in membership, we are pleading with President Pérez Molina to protect those who are currently

receiving death threats, and to conduct proper investigations into the scores of murders that have taken place."

TUC hears of UN concerns over UK union rights The UN says the UK must strengthen trade union rights, UNISON's Liz Cameron told TUC delegates as they debated international issues

an the busy final day of the TUC conference in Bournemouth. Reminding delegates of the call earlier this year from the UN special

rapporteur on the freedom of assocation, she asked: "Are you listening Mr Cameron? The UN has called on you to strengthen trade union

rights not destroy them!" Seconding a motion on international union rights, Ms Cameron said: "The UN report calls for the UK govern-

ment to protect the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and the right to strike. This government's cynical attempts to dilute

the rights of workers to join independent trade unions must be resisted." And she observed: "We must ensure that international stand-

ards, including ILO conventions 87 and 98 protecting our rights to join unions and bargain collectively, are protected."

In a similar vein, UNSION's Bev Miller called for unions to show solidarity with those struggling for LGBT rights across the world as

she addressed congress on international LGBT rights. And she urged delegates to remember to "ask before we act" on the issue.

Supporting the general council's statement on Syria, UNISON president Maureen Le Marinel stressed that it "quite rightly emphasises the

importance of international diplomacy in bringing about an end to the conflict in Syria. That's why we should welcome the current initia-

tive by the US and Russia to locate and destroy Syria's chemical weapons through the United Nations. More importantly, the statement

states that the best way to deal with war crimes - and let us be clear that the use of chemical weapons is a war crime - is through the

International Criminal Court," she said.

UNISON QUIZ NIGHT

with FREE BUFFET Wednesday 13th November

7pm, Neath RAFA Club, London Road, Neath

All Welcome

5 members per team. Prizes for 1st , 2nd and 3rd. For further details contact Jane Gebbie.

Branch Profile NPT UNISON Schools Forum Profile

STARTING FROM ONLY £17.50 PER MONTH

Includes: Emergency treatment and

call outs fillings, dentures, extractions

& bridges X-rays & hygenists

FREEPHONE

0800 740

8450

Join online at www.youbenefit.co.uk/dental

UNISON DENTAL PLAN

For more details about the

benefits of the plan, or if you

have any questions call our

customer service team on

UNISON believe that Teaching

Assistants are a vital part of the school team and make a huge difference to the young

people they support on a daily basis.

Activities and events will be held all over the UK on Friday 29 November to celebrate

teaching assistants and recognise the valuable role they undertake within the

education system.

Please send in your photos and comments in order to share your celebrations.

Many thanks, Sharon

unisonabsec@npt.gov.uk

TEACHING ASSISTANT - A VITAL PART OF THE SCHOOL TEAM

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to let you know that the

Joint NJC Trade Union Side met this

afternoon (16th October) and unanimously

agreed the NJC pay claim for 2014-15.

The claim, which will be submitted early

next week to the Local Government

Employers, will be for:

“ A minimum increase of £1 an hour on

scale point 5 to achieve the Living Wage

and the same flat rate increase on all

other scale points”.

There was welcome unanimity on the

Trade Union Side about the need for a

joint and high profile campaign which

challenges the austerity myth and gives

our members confidence to pursue our

objectives. It was noted that the Living

Wage is currently 2 pence an hour below

the official poverty line of £7.47 pence an

hour and is a modest wage.

Materials to inform members will follow

shortly, as will a detailed campaign plan.

Best wishes, Heather

Heather Wakefield National Secretary

Local Government,

Police and Justice

Section

PAY CLAIM UPDATE

MEMBER DETAILS : Name Payroll No

Address

Postcode UNISON Memb No Work Tel

Home Tel Mobile

Open to UNISON members’ children and adopted foster children (if legal guardian) ONLY. Grandchildren will be considered

subject to availability (PROOF WILL BE REQUIRED) A £5.00 refundable deposit for each child is required with each application.

Cheques only (CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) made payable to UNISON NPT. Cheques will be destroyed after the party

IF the child attends.

I agree to abide by UNISON rules and the rules and elegibility requirements, terms and conditions and

Health & Safety regulations. I understand that if my childrens’ or my conduct is not acceptable I may be subject to

sanctions and/or asked to leave the event.

Signed

PRINT NAME DATE

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER CLOSING DATE OR WHEN 200 NAMES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED Eligibility Requirements You must be a UNISON member on 16 August 2012 and have at least 2 months unbroken membership at

date of application. You must be a UNISON member on the date of the party. All children must be accompanied by the member

or members partner for the duration of the party. No applications will be ACCEPTED without PROOF of membership and proof of

parenthood/guardianship. Any adults or children who abuse this FREE event will be banned from future events. You are responsible

for both your child’s and your own behaviour during the event. Full eligibility requirement on request!

CHILDREN’S DETAILS:

NPT UNISON CHRISTMAS PARTY APPLICATION FORM 2013 Please complete fully in BLOCK CAPITALS and return to Branch Office

NPTC UNISON Branch

Children’s Christmas Party 2013

Name and address (including postcode) Boy

(tick)

Girl

(tick)

Date of

birth

Special dietary needs

Neath Working Men’s Club Saturday 7th December

2.00PM until 5:30PM

Places for 200 children ONLY Children must be aged 10 or under

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, 15th November 2013

Be Safe This Christmas … RoSPA offers simple tips for a safe and happy Christmas

Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and it is in the excitement of the season that accidents can easily happen. But one of the good things about Christmas is that there are typically more people around to supervise the children and, with a little more care and forward planning, most accidents could be avoided.

Follow these 12 safety tips to help prevent your festivities being cut short by a trip to casualty:

Make sure you buy children's gifts for the correct age group and from reputable sources that comply with standards (e.g. The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011).

Remember to buy batteries for toys that need them - that way you won’t be tempted to remove batteries from smoke alarms.

Look out for small items that could pose a choking hazard to young children, including parts that have fallen off toys or from Christmas trees, button batteries and burst balloons.

Keep decorations and cards away from fires and other heat sources such as light fittings. Don’t leave burning candles unattended, make sure you put them out before going to bed and do not put candles on Christmas trees.

If you have old Christmas lights, seriously consider buying new ones, which will meet much higher safety standards, keep the lights switched off until the Christmas tree is decorated, don’t let children play with lights (some have swallowed the bulbs), and remember to switch off the lights when going out of the house or going to bed.

Remember, Christmas novelties are

not toys, even if they resemble them, and they do not have to comply with toy safety regulations. Give careful thought to where you display them; for example, place them high up on Christmas trees where they are out of the reach of young hands.

Give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to avoid hot fat, boiling water and sharp knife accidents that come from rushing, and keep anyone not helping with dinner out of the kitchen. Wipe up any spills quickly.

Have scissors handy to open packaging, so you’re not tempted to use a knife, and have screwdrivers at the ready to assemble toys.

Beware of trailing cables and wires in the rush to connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read instructions.

Falls are the most common accidents so try to keep clutter to a minimum.

Make sure stairs are well lit and free from obstacles, especially if you have guests.

Plan New Year fireworks parties well in advance and follow the Firework Safety Code.

Do not drink and drive, and plan long journeys so you won’t be driving when tired.

Latest Statistics

Candles sparked around 1,000 UK house fires, resulting in 9 deaths and 388 casualties, in 2011/12.

Fairy lights went up in smoke causing 20 fires, while Christmas trees, decorations and cards were also a fire risk and responsible for 47 house fires, leading to 20 non-fatal casualties, across the UK.

For a quote call UIA free on or visit: www.unisoninsurance.co.uk to receive up to 15% online discount

HOME, TRAVEL & PET INSURANCE

As a UNISON member, you are entitled to great value, low cost insurance from UIA

0800 66 88

FROM ALL UNISON OFFICERS, WORKPLACE CONTACTS AND STEWARDS

We wish you a

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year

NPT UNISON Mail to: UNISON, c/o Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ Branch Secretary Melanie Fender

0797 051 9698 unisonsec@npt.gov.uk Branch Chair / Labour Link Officer Mark Fisher

0797 125 5130 unisonchair@npt.gov.uk Asst. Branch Secretary/ Vice Chair Jane Gebbie

01639 641648

msjanegebbie@aol.com Asst. Branch Secretary / Vice Treasurer / LLL Officer

Sharon Sunderland 0788 741 5544 sharonsunderland75@btinternet.com Health & Safety

Ian Ready 0797 092 0313 i.ready@ntlworld.com Membership Officer Pam Kiley unison@npt.gov.uk Treasurer / L.Link /

Welfare Officer Neelo Farr (JS) 0780 058 2883

n.farr@npt.gov.uk Equalities Sam Alkarnaz 01639 686953 or 0786 653 9456

s.alkarnaz@npt.gov.uk Education Karen Chapman k.chapman@npt.gov.uk Sports and Social Martin Ashford

m.ashford@npt.gov.uk and Karen Howells

0798 057 9517 k.howells05@aol.com Welfare

Hazel Dance (JS) h.dance@npt.gov.uk 0781 692 9265 Green Simon Young 0797 930 5087 youngsimonb@sky.com International

Eirwen Isaac Rosepetal1266@hotmail.co.uk Communication Alison Lloyd 01639 881635 a.lloyd@npt.gov.uk

Becoming a Steward

Are you happy in your work place?

Do you want to make some changes?

Now more than ever we need people

to stand up and become stewards,

activists and UNISON contacts.

Full training and support provided.

Contact Neelo Farr, 07800 582883

or UNISON Office.

.

This newsletter is produced by Neath Port Talbot UNISON Branch. Letters, comments and suggestions for future articles would be much appreciated, and should be posted to the branch address or emailed to UNISON. unison@npt.gov.uk Correspondence is not guaranteed to be published and contents may not necessarily reflect UNISON policy.

Christmas fun for all!!