Stronger together

UNISONNHS Glasgow Clyde & CVS

NHS Glasgow Clyde& CVS Branch

Scotland’s futurein your hands

Inside:Big Guns debate indy refPay 2015Integrationand much more

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Stronger Togetheris published by

UNISONNHS Glasgow Clyde andCVS Branch

Empire House4th Floor131 West Nile StreetGlasgowG1 2RX

Telephone Number0141 331 4450

Thanks to:Everyone who con tributed andall for their time and effort

Issue: Spring 2014

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You can do this by contacting the branch on0141 331 4450.

ContentsElection results 3

NMC plan to increase fees in 2015 3

Time to Care 4

Indemnity insurance – no change in UNISON 5

Pay 2014 5

UNISON demands public sector retail strategyfor new hospital 6

Pay as if at work – update 7

AGM update 8

NWTC and Beardmore Hotel 9

Needle sticks on the ries 10

Integration 10

Standard of living survey 11

Branch Committee 2014 12

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NMC plan to increase fees in 2015

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Branch Secretary Cathy Miller has welcomed theringing endorsement from members after she wasre-elected to the post after an all members ballot,with popular steward and activist Walter Gaffneyelected as LGBT Officer in the same ballot process.

Cathy said, “I am delighted that UNISONmembers have exercised their right to vote andthat they have given me the opportunity tocontinue to represent them, I promise that I willdo my utmost to lead an effective team in themonths ahead.”

Cathy used the opportunity to call for a period ofunity and stability within the Branch saying,“Despite the low turn out it is clear that UNISONmembers across our Branch continue to support the direction oftravel that we have taken. This is the second year in a row thatstewards have exercised their right to force an expensive postalballot, claiming that there was a movement for change. This is thesecond year in a row that members have endorsed the current teamand how we go about representing them. I hope that this means, wecan have a period of sense and stability as we work to secure the bestdeal for UNISON members.”

Election results

Proposals by the NMC to increase fees to £120from 2015 have been condemned by unionleaders and members of the professions rightacross the UK.

The union has also received an emergencymotion on the subject for this years AGM and it islikely to be debated at the unions Healthconference in the spring.

Cathy Miller said “This is a scandal, the NMCforced through an inflation busting increaselast year and now they want more. They areasking nurses and midwives to pay for the

NMC’s inability to run their organisation at atime when these staff have had pitifulincreases in salary. It’s a scandal and we mustresist it.”

She has called on all UNISON members to signthe online petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34101, adding

“UNISON must be at the forefront of thiscampaign and I call on all members to sign upto the online petition which is registered withHM Government and force a debate in theHouse of Commons.”

Cathy Miller – elected again by members

‘Watty’ Gaffney – elected asLGBT officer

The election results were as follows, with a turnout of under 10%:

Branch Secretary: Anne Cameron Burns 430

Cathy Miller 1066 ELECTED

LGBT Officer: Anne Cameron Burns 588

Walter Gaffney 809 ELECTED

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Timeto CareA survey of Scottish homecare workers hasexposed the shocking reality of the country’s careservices.

With almost 2000 members within the Branchworking in the social care ‘arena’. Time to Care isan important issue for NHS Glasgow Clyde andCVS Branch.

The majority of workers polled in the UNISONsurvey believe the service is not sufficient to meetthe needs of the elderly and vulnerable people theycare for – both from the time they can spend andthe quality of care they can provide. Almost half ofcarers (44%) said they were limited to specifictimes to spend with their clients. One in twoworkers are not reimbursed for travelling betweenclient visits, while three in four said they expectedthe situation to get worse over the coming year.

The survey – Scotland: It’s Time to Care – alsorevealed that one in ten are on zero hourscontracts. This is being fuelled by the way councilscommission care and is leading to worse servicesfor the elderly and some of the most vulnerablepeople in our society.

UNISON Scotland Deputy Convener StephenSmellie said:

“Our care services are hanging by a thread andthis survey shows that as austerity has bitten, itis the elderly and vulnerable in our communitywho are paying the price. The elderly in oursociety deserve better – much better – and sodo care workers.”

The shocking results of this survey were the focusof a debate on Scotland’s care services that tooktake place at The Gathering, a conferenceorganised by the voluntary sector.

Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland’s Head ofBargaining and Campaigns, spoke at the event forUNISON and said:

“This report gives staff at the front line of caredelivery the chance to tell their story about carein Scotland and it doesn’t make comfortablereading. It should be a wake-up call for theScottish Government and commissioningbodies to take action to end the race to thebottom in care provision.

“Procurement action includes a requirementthat all care provision should mandate:

� The Scottish Living Wage: this will help therecruitment and retention of staff andsupport continuity of care

� Improved training: to ensure that care isdelivered by properly qualified staff

� Proper employment standards: ending theabuse of zero and nominal hour contracts

� Adequate time to care in every care visit.

“Fairly paid, well-trained staff on propercontracts with time to care is the very leastolder people in our communities have a right toexpect.”

Neil Findlay MSP has now lodged a motionsupporting the UNISON position in the ScottishParliament.

The union’s ‘Head of Community’ in ScotlandDeborah Dyer said, “Time to Care isn’t just acommunity issue, it’s a council issue, it’s anNHS issue and it’s a society issue.

“UNISON will continue to campaign for a fairdeal for members and service users becausethey are worth it!”

Dave Watson and Deborah Dyer meet Neil Findlay MSPat the UNISON stall at the Gathering

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UNISON members should be assured that theunion has no plans to alter its existing indemnityscheme for members after the RCN revealed it is towithdraw indemnity cover for nursing members.

UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde and CVS BranchSecretary Cathy Miller said,

“What the RCN do is a matter for the RCN. As aregistered nurse I know that the indemnitycover I have as a member of UNISON gives mepiece of mind and added security, that’s why Iam in UNISON and it’s why I will fight to ensurethat UNISON continues to provide its own coverfor nurse members.”

Cathy added, “UNISON continues to argue thatthe employers should provide indemnityinsurance for staff, that has always been ourposition, but the union cover, which also coversall of our healthcare members, is additional andon top. It is an important safety net in thesetimes of increasing litigation.”

Professional Nurse Officer forthe Branch and Health VisitingTeam Leader, Una Provan said:

“Understandably we’ve beeninundated with calls fromnurses worried that UNISONwill follow suit. They can beassured that at the highestlevel UNISON haveconfirmed that the union donot plan to make a similarchange to member provision.”

The UNISON scheme also covers nurses whomight provide care out with a work setting (a GoodSamaritan Act) as long as they can demonstratethat they were acting competently and were awareof their own personal safety.

You can find out more about the UNISONindemnity scheme at http://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/health-care/

Indemnity insurance –no change in UNISON!

Pay 2014UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde and CVS Branch Secretary Cathy Miller has fallen short of welcomingthe 1% pay rise for Scottish NHS workers.

Responding to the announcement that NHS staff in Scotland will receive £300 or 1% on all pay andallowances Cathy said “I am pleased that the Scottish Government have chosen to fulfil theirobligation to honour the Pay Review Body, but I share the disappointment of our members, thatonce again NHS workers will take a pay cut in real terms in the coming twelve months.”

The comment came as English, Welsh and Irish NHS members were told that they would be paid lessthan the PRB recommended and the PRB would not be asked to give a report next year – signallingthe potential for no rise in 2015.

Cathy added, “In recent years UNISON has remained loyal to the PRB, despite growing calls forit to reject the body and return to full pay bargaining, now we have a situation in Scotland wherethe government has met our policy (to pay the PRB) and yet in other parts of the UK they havenot. As a result there is growing anger in other nations, which we might not be able to join,simply because the Scottish Government has met our demand and so we can’t technically be indispute!”

Pay will be a hot topic at this year’s UNISON Health Conference in Brighton.

Una Provan,Professional Nurse

Officer

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UNISON demandspublic sector retailstrategy for new hospitalUNISON has called on NHS bosses in Glasgowand Clyde to develop a “public sector first” retailstrategy for the New South Glasgow Hospital.

In an email to NHS bosses, UNISON challengedthem to reject selling retail space to private sectorfood and beverage suppliers, because of fears itwill lead to job losses for NHS staff and impact onquality of service.

Cathy Miller said, “NHS Glasgow and Clyde haveworked hard to eradicate the private sectorfrom providing services in recent years, now isnot the time to turn their back on those staffwho have worked hard to develop new servicesand products. Now is not the time to hand themost profitable sections of the retail service tocompanies who won’t pay fair wages and willspend more time avoiding tax that meeting

their public serviceduties.”

UNISON NHS GlasgowClyde and CVS Branchwere instrumental in thesuccess of the AromaCafe model, which sawthe NHS develop andsuccessful alternative tocanteen style catering,the union is concernedthat this could be lost if

local NHS bossestake a quick profitapproach. As a resultthe union believesthat as many as 50jobs might go to theprivate sector.

Cathy Miller called on health bosses to think beforethey act, “Previous Facilities Director AlexMacIntyre was a big champion of Aroma and inhouse services. NHS bosses need to think thisone through carefully, this union will mount acampaign like never before if they decide to putshort term profit before long term services andjobs.”

The union has also said that NHS bosses shoulduse the opportunity to review the existing retailstrategy and ensure that there is a level playingfield. Regional Organiser Matt McLaughlin said,“It’s bizarre, the Scottish Government refuse toallow NHS catering teams to sell lemonade orsweets, but it seems we can’t stop externalretailers from selling unhealthy food on site.NHS bosses then complain that staff andpatients are not using local provision. It’sanother case of the left hand and the right handnot talking – we need to see a common policy,developed in partnership and delivered withfairness.”

Director of Facilities(retired) Alex McIntyrereceives one of manyawards for Aroma

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The UNISON campaign to secure the correct payfor staff who go on annual leave or sick leavecontinues to pay dividends to members – all beit slowly. A recent meeting with NHS bossesconfirmed that progress had sloweddown over the festive season andwas slow to pick up in the first twomonths of 2014.

The campaign to securecorrect holiday pay fornurses and nurse assistantmembers across NHSGGCcontinues, although as predictedprogress stalled over Christmas andthe employers have been slow to get moving againin the first two months of 2014.

Matt McLaughlin, Regional Organiser said, “We’vetold NHS bosses that this simply is notacceptable, they’ve known about this for agesand still they seem paralysed by the scale of themess that they have created.”

UNISON is now demanding that the employersneed to bring in more HR and Payroll staff todeliver this programme. NHS bosses have agreedand a paper is to be prepared for the Chief Exec.Matt said, “Let’s hope they write the paper andget an answer faster than they’ve moved sofar.”

Despite employer briefings and union information,some wards still seem unable to get this issuecorrect. UNISON has called for NHS bosses totake urgent action if a local ward continues tomake these contractual payments wrongly.

The employers also made an offer over the period2008 which remains outstanding and unions areconsidering their response.

Matt said, “Members will be aware that theagreement to pay ‘as if at work’ started in 2008,however to date NHS bosses have been unableto get access to the 2008 data, claiming that itis archived in an offsite facility.”

The employer’s offer of ‘12.5% of salaryearned or half of the PAIAW amount paid

for 2009 –whichever is greater’ hasbeen rejected by UNISON.

Matt said, “The offer representsprogress, but pay modellingseems to suggest that around

1/5 of members would be worseoff than if they received actual pay. Atthis time some of the other unions arekeen to accept the offer, but withUNISON rejecting the offer, we’ll begoing back to the employers side

looking for an improved offer.”

UNISON is dedicated to ensuring that membersget what they are due and has not yet ruled outlegal action. Matt added, “In truth legal action ina case like this is complex and could beexpensive because of the lack of data from theemployers. Also it wouldn’t secure paymentsany faster for members than the current courseof action, so whilst progress is slow, its steadyand people are getting the right outcomes.However if progress is not steady, we willconsider litigation and we will pursue theemployers with vigour if need be.”

Good NewsIt’s not all bad news almost 400 staff have beenpaid out in Jan and Feb and there are a number ofareas ‘with wards’ for agreement.

Analysis of areas in Partnerships, LearningDisabilities and Mental Health seem to indicatethat the ‘problem’ is not as widespread in theseareas as it is in Acute.

Matt said, “From the analysis we’ve seen itseems that this is an acute only problem, withonly a few isolated areas in Mental Healthidentified as being a problem. Obviously work isunderway to sort these cases, but you have toask why one part of the same organisation canget it so right and another can get is so wrong?”

Pay as if atwork – update

This year’s AGM went off without a hitch and was very well attended with almost 100 members andguests in attendance at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.

Included in the ‘business’ were some technical motions to amend the branch constitution and a morefocussed motion which condemned the announcement the NMC that they want to increase nurse andmidwife registration fees in 2015.

Speaking in the NMC motion, Cathy Miller said, “If the NMC can’t balancethe books after the last massive increase and multi million poundgovernment bail out, they should look at themselves and not nursesand midwives for solutions.”

The AGM heard that membership was steadily increasing and that membersacross the private, public and community sector were feeling the squeezeas employers make cuts.

Branch Chair Marie Garrity said, “The AGM is a big event in the branchcalendar and a lot of work goes into it, to ensure that it meets the unions rules, but is also aninformed night out. I was pleased to see so many members and activists in the hall up for talkingabout the real issues.”

The AGM also passed a motion whichwill change the way that Branch Officersare elected after concerns were raised atthe cost of the postal ballot procedureand low turnout. From next year BranchOfficer Posts will be elected at the AGMby those in attendance.

The AGM then proceeded to a hustingsdebate between Jackie Baillie MSP (lab)and Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy FirstMinister (SNP). UNISON Scotland’sHealth Committee Chair, Tam Waterson,oversaw the debate in a humorous but fair manner.

After both politicians said their respective piece, questions from the floor ranged from the value of thepound; the future of public spending; the shape of the NHS and jobs and employment in the context ofthe independence referendum.

Unlike some of the televised discussion on the issue both Jackie and Nicola acquitted themselves withdignity and were respectful of each other’s opinions,which the chair recognised and welcomed.

Speaking after the debate one young UNISONmember said, “That was really good and it waspitched at a level that ordinary people couldunderstand. It’s clear that Scotland cares aboutour public services; the question is what’s thebest way to take them forward.”

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AGM update …

Scotland’s futurein your hands

Pic – left to right: Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Marie Garrity,Branch Chair, Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON HealthCommittee; Cathy Miller, Brand Secretary and Jackie

Baillie MSP

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NWTC andBeardmore HotelDespite all sides expressing a commitment to‘Partnership Working’ as the preferred model forindustrial relations in the NHS, UNISON andbosses at NWTC remain at odds over how toresolve the issues between them.

UNISON stewards decided to withdraw frompartnership working in June last year after NHSbosses accused a full time official of bullying, butdid not offer a right of reply or ‘fair’ process ofinvestigation.

Since then the union and the Chief Executive havebeen locked in discussions which had achievednothing tangible, until the matter was referred toCabinet Secretary Alex Neil MSP.

UNISON Regional Organiser Matt McLaughlinsaid, “There has now been some progress andcompromise on both sides and there is amechanism to get beyond our currentproblem.”

Discussions are ongoing.

In the meantime business continues on site withUNISON working hard to plug in on key issues andrepresenting members at grievances anddisciplinary hearings.

Beardmore Hotel 2020 strategyWork is underway to develop a business plan forthe future of the Beardmore Hotel with UNISONattending the HR Working Group on a nonpartnership basis.

The Group has been tasked with looking at therelevant HR issues and trying to develop a suitablemodel for the future of the hotel. The grouprecently heard that the ‘industry’ was apparentlymoving away from zero hours contracts andcasual/agency staff in favour of permanent staffwith guaranteed hours.

UNISON has welcomed early suggestions thatselling off or franchising the Hotel will not be anoption, but has called on the employers to take

steps to resolve ‘workforce’ issues quickly,particularly around the use of agency workers.

Reception changesUNISON continues to express concern over plansto close the hospital reception/entrance at nightand centralise the reception at the hotel. The unionhas raised a number of points with the employersincluding concern that critically ill patients may beleft waiting for access if they arrive unexpectedand concerns that ill patients relatives will need towalk past hotel residents who might not beunderstanding of their concern.

1–1 meetings are planned soon to investigatestaffing concerns.

7 day workingThe majority of OT members have agreed to pilot7 day working on site with a commitment torevisit any concerns that they have after the pilotperiod.

Modern apprenticesUNISON has expressed disappointment that theBoard seem to have decided not to develop aModern Apprenticeship scheme. Given theunemployment locally the union is keen to seeBoards invest in young people to help them intomeaningful work.

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Needle stickson the riseUNISON is calling for renewed efforts after NHSGGC figures showed thatthe number of needle stick injuries had risen in 2013.

According to NHSGGC figures the average number of needle sticks per month in 2012 was 37, whilst theaverage number of needle sticks per month is 2013 rose to 40.

Branch Health and Safety Officer Tommy McWilliams has said, “Statistics show that NeedlesticksInjuries are still a cause of concern within GGC Health Board, with the latest figures showing anincrease in needlestick injuries since the start of 2013. Unison GCCVS Branch we are determinedto ensure management are focused on reducing these figures. Health Safety Reps will continue toensure that staffs are reporting incident/near misses on datix system.”

Branch Chair and Health Visitor Marie Garrity said, “Needle sticks are a preventable occurrence andthere is no acceptable excuse for the number of needle sticks to have risen last year. UNISONhas demanded that NHS bosses redouble their effort to investigate the reasons why needlesticks are still happening, if it’s training then we need to invest in training; if its equipment, thenwe need to ensure that equipment is safe; if it’s work practices, then we need to change the workpractices.”

In 2013 there were 476 reported needle stick injuries with 52 related to administration of insulin.

IntegrationIntegration of Health and Social Care remainsfirmly at the top of the unions agenda and wasthe purpose of a joint meeting between Healthand Local Government Branches recently.

Lead stewards form council branches within theNHSGGC area and Health Stewards met todiscuss progress locally, issues and concernsand how UNISON should work together to fightoff any privatisation agenda that may evolvewithin the Health and Social Care bodies.

Billed as the next big thing, UNISON isconcerned that whilst the corporate body modelensures that NHS staff remain in Health (and viceversa for all members) with their own pay, termsand conditions, it does not deal with the myriadof professional and staffing issues which lead toanxiety, pressure and in some places anger andtwo cultures collide.

Diana McCrone, Lead Steward for UNISON withinthe Inverclyde CHCP said, “Inverclyde has been

largely successful, but that doesn’t mean thathave not been any issues. Right from the outsetthe issue of council and health having differentcultures was a challenge and although it’sbetter, it still bubbles to the surface at times.”She added, “The big worry for health membersis the emergence of these new bodies ascommissioners of services, particularly whenthe prevailing attitude in some areas is forprivatisation – in health we fought and won thearguments against the private sector, now itseems we may have to do it again.”

With each area at different stages (Inverclyde,East Ren and West Dun are well developed –Glasgow/East Dun are not and Renfrewshire issomewhere in between) the union is alsoconcerned that those councils who see this as asolution to budget pressures will charge aheadwith little or no regard for Staff or ClinicalGovernance – with the Health Board powerless tostop them once the ball is rolling.

items’ and 30% advised that they had boughtsecond hand clothes for themselves.

One member said, “I go around the Supermarketadding up food as I go and if it becomes tooexpensive then I stop and have to decidebetween certain foods, what to buy.” – (Femaleaged 35–44, Children under 12, Single IncomeHousehold.)

Despite Government and employers efforts toimprove the health and well being of Scotland’speople, incredibly nearly 1/3 of respondents saidthat they were not able to afford sport/exerciseclasses. Cathy Miller said, ”Incredibly despite allof the money spent trying to convince staff tolive a healthier life, the impact on pay andearnings is such that our members are workingharder to pay the bills and even when they havethe time and energy, they can’t afford to investin their health and well being.”

The survey and report was also influenced by aseries of member interviews which the academicteam found very useful.

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Standard of livingsurveyAlmost 13,500 UNISON members who work in theNHS were surveyed over pay in 2013 and theresponse was fantastic 13% response rate. Theanalysis showed that around 42% of respondentshad cut back on dentist’s visits could not afford toget dental work and almost 60% did not haveresources (savings) to meet an unexpected bill of£500 or more.

The report was commissioned by the Branch andwas conducted by academics from GlasgowUniversity. It is expected that the final report will beready in the next few weeks.

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller said, “We wantedthe survey to do more than just look at pay, wewanted it to look at how families have beenaffected by year on year pay freezes and cuts.By looking at things like managing bills andcredit, making household cuts and affordingnecessities the research team were able toprovide a comprehensive picture into what thereal impact has been on UNISON members.”

A whopping 81% of members who respondedadvised that they had actively cut back on ‘food

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller

Able to meet an unexpectedbill of £500 or more

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Branch Secretary Cathy MillerAssistant Branch Secretary Frances LyallChair Marie GarrityVice Chair Eleanor HarveyVice Chair Rose AndersonTreasurer Julie BallantyneAssistant Treasurer Samuel BrewsterService & Conditions Julie BallantyneHealth & Safety Tommy McWilliamsBOAT Co-ordinator Diana McCroneBlack Members OfficerCommunication Samuel BrewsterDevelopment & Recruitment Marc BoyleDisabled Members Officer Bob GibsonEducationInternational Officer Margaret BeanLabour Link Officer (job share) Marie Garrity

(job share) Marc BoyleLGBT Walter GaffneyLifelong Learning Officer Margaret CardiganMembership Services Ray SumnerRetired Members (job share) Ali Syed

(job share) Morag HoustonWelfare Officer (job share) Elizabeth Rankin

(job share) Eleanor HarveyWomen’s Officer Margaret CardiganYoung Members Ryan BoyleConvenorsCHCP & Mental Health Stephen FullertonClyde (job share) Graham Capstick

(job share) Raymond O’DonoghueCommunity & Voluntary Cheryl McCormickFacilities Rose AndersonGlasgow Acute Cathy MillerGolden Jubilee Hospital (job share) Ann Sinclair

(job share) Sylvia McCullochPrivate Jackie RodgerLocal Lead StewardsCHCP (shared post) Glasgow Marjorie Gaughan

Clyde Diana McCroneInverclyde Acute (incl Vale of Leven) Raymond O’DonoghueMental Health Lorraine FullertonRenfrewshire Acute Barbra SteelProfessional OfficerNursing Una Provan

Branch Committee 2014 – as ratified at the AGM