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 unison@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 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

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 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.

NPTUNISON Fun Days in Margam Country Park

Summer Holidays (Not valid for Fiery Jacks Medieval Festival) Steeped in history, wildlife and natural beauty, there’s something for everyone at

Margam Country Park. The magnificent Margam Castle, 18 Century Orangery with

ornamental gardens and Deer Park, are set within 1000 acres of breathtaking countryside.

The park’s attractions include a narrow gauge railway, adventure playgrounds, Go Ape

(high wire adventure), Fairytale Land (children’s area with a nursery rhyme theme) and

rare breeds farm trail.

The Voucher below can be exchanged for free car parking and a free family train ride.

Take the voucher with proof of UNISON membership along to the Park

FREE

Summer Holiday

NPT UNISON Fun Day VOUCHER Present this voucher at Park entrance cabin for free car parking and a family train

ride). (Proof of unison membership required to redeem voucher)

UIA Insurance and UNISON have worked together for many years, offering competitive house insurance, travel insurance and pet insurance to members. As a mutual insurer all our profits go back into the company in order to provide you with low insurance premiums and comprehensive cover. Go to: www.uia.co.uk

SUDOKU For You . . Summer maths for the kids!!

Insurance for UNISON members

Local government unions in

England, Wales and Northern

Ireland have written to employers

accepting the 2013 pay offer -

while warning them that a similar

offer next year 'will be totally

unacceptable'. The offer is for:

a 1% increase on all pay

points and nationally-agreed

protected allowances with effect

from 1 April 2013

deletion of the lowest pay

point - pay point 4 - with effect

from 1 October 2013. However, the joint letter - signed

by UNSION's head of local

government Heather Wakefield

on behalf of the joint union

secretaries - held a warning for

local government employers.

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

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

“We have to motivate and

mobilise our people to stand up

and put their heads above the

parapet. They’re going through

terrible times, but the union

must build them up.”

Whilst this will be a TUC event,

UNISON will be playing a major

part in the organisation and

promotion of the demonstration.

In Wales, although we are not

suffering the same types of attacks

on the NHS as is happening in

England, the NHS is being starved

of funds and so it is equally

important for us to mobilise our

whole membership and support the

march.

NPT UNISON will be

organising coaches to the rally.

OFFICE NUMBER 01639 763820

"In accepting the offer, the trade

union side wishes to make it clear

to the employers that this below

inflation pay offer falls far below

our aspirations and what

members deserve," it stated. "It

means a further pay cut for our

members after a three-year pay

freeze. A significant proportion of

our members voted to reject the

offer and a similar offer next year

will be totally unacceptable." UNISON members voted to

accept the offer in union

consultations. The new rates of pay will be

displayed in your workplaces.

They are also available on the

branch website.

Payments will be backdated to

1st April 2013.

A date for

your diary:

NHS Rally 29th September MANCHESTER

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIONS ACCEPT PAY OFFER

We believe a decent wage should be paid across the board and we will continue to fight for your terms and conditions along with your employment rights.

SUMMER Be Safe in the Sun Slip (on a top)

Slap (on a hat)

Slop (on the

sunscreen)

JANE GEBBIE, ASSISTANT BRANCH SECRETARY/ VICE CHAIR, ON THE PODIUM AT UNISON NATIONAL DELEGATE CONFERENCE

NPT

UNISON is campaigning

for the living wage

within

Gwalia, NPT Homes and Celtic Leisure.

UNISON WELFARE : This is an important message for any members or dependants who

are struggling with their bills and day to day running costs . Don't worry - help is just a phone call

away ! If you know anybody whom may need advice or just someone to talk to about their concerns.

Please contact Hazel Dance, your Branch Welfare Officer

This will not happen if the

present proposals are

accepted -

50 % of the new

team being unable to

assess, plan, deliver and measure individual

care - or respond to emergency situations that

frequently arise.

Reduced skill levels in the new team with the

deletion of the essential duty manager post

Standards at the present 5 star kitchen including

individualised, nutritious, quality meals for all

cannot be maintained with the staff provision

being cut buy half.

"Front line services will not be compromised by

austerity" - and yet, here we are – exactly that.

The consultation period for these proposals ends soon

so now is the time that changes can be made.

We are asking you to help and sign this petition, keeping

standards of care genuinely moving forward and to send

a message that says enough is enough -you cannot

tamper with lives. You can find the petition on our website: www.nptunison.org.uk OR www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/neath-port-talbot-

councillors-review-changes-to-respite-care-for-adults-with

-learning-disabilities OR

Just scan your smartphone HERE

Neath Port Talbot Councillors:

Review changes to respite care for adults with learning

disabilities NPTCBC is committed to a new state of the art £5,000,000

Respite Care Service for adults with learning disabilities.

This service will allow families to have an essential short

break, confident in the knowledge that loved ones are safe,

happy and well cared for - thus enabling them to continue

to provide care at home for many more years to come. However within the proposals for this service, under the

guise of ‘Modernisation’, NPTCBC have seen fit to propose

that, despite the growth in the service:

50% of care officers be demoted to care assistants,

with a reduction in base hours equivalent to 3 job

losses.

that one deputy manager loses their job

that jobs in the kitchen are cut by 50 %

This does not move care forward, it plunges it back years.

Modern respite care services should be able to provide

competent care that allows guests to flourish while they are

staying; improving their skills and knowledge, facilitating

opportunities to participate in their community life, to have

meaningful personal leisure activity programmes. A service

we can be proud of.

During Adult Learner’s Week, UNISON supported

Neath Port Talbot’s Training & Development Officers

and educational providers in highlighting the

importance of lifelong learning and encouraging re-

engaging in the learning process in order to develop

skills in the workplace. We look forward to working in partnership once again

during Dyslexia Awareness Week (14th – 20th October)

when we will hold 2 roadshows. Sharon, Lifelong Learning Officer

ADULT LEARNERS WEEK

Neath Port Talbot Schools Forum launched Monday 1 July At present, we have 16 members from schools

across the authority speaking up for support

staff. It’s an ideal opportunity for members to

seek guidance and support and identify issues

that need to be addressed. It allows us to

provide updates on a local, regional and

national level. Rosie Lewis, UNISON Area

Organiser also attended the meeting and was

inspired by the number of members in

attendance. A huge welcome to Neath Port Talbot Schools

Forum members: Faye Duncan, Eleri Liles, Eiri

Kenyon, Ruth Rees, Rhian Williams, Emma

Payne, Bethan Downing, Nicola Hanbury,

Sarah Thomas, Gemma Lewis, Tracy Dalling,

Tomos Wyn, Cheryl Smith, Alison Davies, Ceri

Anne John, Amanda Bresner. Our next meeting will be in October. If you

would like to get involved, please contact me

on: 07887 41 55 44 / unison@npt.gov.uk Thank you / Diolch Sharon

Has your accident left you feeling isolated? An accident can be shocking. The physical pain and emotional trauma can be hard to bear. But it’s the costs of an accident that can be long lasting too. Lost wages, lost promotion, travel to and from medical treatments, special care needs and more, can all put a strain on your financial resources. Which is why UNISON and Thompsons are here to get you compensation for every-thing your accident has cost you. This service is completely FREE and you keep 100% of the compensation.

As a UNISON member you’re covered for: Free legal advice and representation on: • Personal injury at work (including assaults) • Personal injury away from work • Road traffic accident injury • Slips and trips • Industrial disease or illness

UNISON members and their families are covered for: Free legal advice and representation on: • Personal injury away from work • Road traffic accident injury • Holiday injury* • Slips and trips away from work • Industrial disease or illness away from work

Claim online or

call on

0845 355 0845

Textphone

0800 0967 968

Mon-Fri 6am-Midnight

/Sat 9am-4pm

Cymru/Wales NEC members committees allocations Mike Hayes Services to Members Finance & Resource Management Chair Labour Link

Melanie Fender Services to Members Staffing Industrial Action Welfare Sian Stockham Policy Development & Campaign General Political Fund - Vice Chair Industrial Action A review of conference took place. All motions passed at conference will be allocated to the relevant committees for action. Minutes of previous meetings were agreed. Labour Party Conference

Kim Silver and Mary Locke were elected to attend the Labour Party Conference in September. Report compiled by Sian Stockham & Melanie Fender

NEC Meeting 1st July 2013 It is the first time in UNISON's history that there has been an all woman presidential team. Maureen Le Marinel is President, Lucia McKeever is senior Vice President and Wendy Nichols is the Junior Vice President.

General Secretary's Report

Dave Prentis reported on the meeting of the TUC Public Service Committee,. He said it had been agreed that a demo would take place on the 29th September in support of the NHS. He underlined the need for this to be a priority for the whole union and for it to be used as a recruiting tool. TUC are talking to the police, the executive of the TUC is meeting next week and the details of the demo should be finalised then. The North West region is to be the lead region but each region will have to nominate a member of the regional management team to become a member of the organising team Pay

Dave said that it has been a difficult year for pay negotiations and that the government has now said that austerity will last for a least seven years but members don't aseem to want to use this as a platform for strike action. The Local Government Conference voted to have a major pay campaign and this will take place under the banner of 'Britain Needs A Pay Rise'. It was agreed that the Service Group Liaison committee will coordinate this and are to meet ASAP. UNISON will then liaise with the TUC who will be coordinating the national campaign.

Higher Education

After consulting with members the Higher Education Service Group Executive have decided to move to a full industrial action ballot.

Legal Cases On July 1st UNISON lodged a Judicial Review against the government plans for fees for lodging employment tribunal cases. Through the International Labour Organisation a case has been lodged with the European Court saying that the current process for Industrial Action Ballots infringes our Human Rights. A successful equal pay case was won in Scotland. This had been a difficult case to win as the employer wanted the court to take into consideration the times the comparator visited the school to be part of their argument against UNISON's case. Dave has said that there is a need for the organisation to protect its members and only spend when it is necessary and that every event should be seen as a chance to recruit new members. It was agreed to send a message of support to the Scottish Local Government for their strike action.

NEC REPORT

Do you have a smart phone?

Scan the QR code to take you directly to our website

Thefts from Civic Centres

This is a timely reminder about security. Think about the following suggestions:- 1. Think about what you bring into

the office. Is it necessary to bring it with you?

2. Look at the options for placing

valuables under lock and key. Most of you will have lockable drawers in desks etc.

3. Always be aware what you have

with you in a wallet, purse or hand bag. You may find that you have got personal information which may make you vulnerable to fraud.

4. Do not admit anyone to a secure

corridor using your door entry card. If they have an appoint-ment they should make contact through the One Stop Shop or at a departmental reception.

A few sensible precautions will give us the necessary reassurance to carry on with our business in the normal way.

A great idea for when the

next batch of hot weather arrives. Perfect!! Freeze water and chicken stock with toys, carrots, treats, etc to keep dogs from getting bored and overheated in the backyard. For all our dog friends!!! Don't forget to wet it first so those tongues don't stick !

Trade unions are a vital and intrinsic part of the Labour Party and, together, we have helped ordinary working men and women have a say in the democratic processes of this country and a say in Labour Party policy. However, UNISON believes that the current debate about the relationship between Labour and the unions, played out so publicly in the media, is an unforgiveable diversion from the real issues that this country faces. There are 2.5 million people out of work, young people without a future, families having to rely on food banks and payday loan sharks to make ends meet, and massive cuts to our public services. And our members have seen the value of their pay cut by up to 16% as a result of years of pay freezes. Those are the issues that matter to people. UNISON will continue to fight to protect and defend its members from attack and to help the most vulnerable in our society. We expect the Labour Party to do the same. Best wishes, Dave Prentis, General Secretary UNISON

TO EVERYONE IN UNISON Dear All, Many of you will have watched with interest, if not astonishment, the all too public row recently between Unite and Ed Miliband over the Falkirk constituency. Incredibly, this has now resulted in the trade union movement’s 100 year relations with the Labour Party being called into question. I thought you may be interested in the following comments I made on our new website. UNISON has always given its members the choice of opting in to its affiliated political fund, that gives them a say in the democratic processes of the Labour Party, or of opting in to the General Political Fund, independent of any political party. Our processes are democratic and transparent.

UNISON has never operated the arrangement whereby we pay Labour Party membership fees for new members.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BUYING EXTRA LEAVE?

The NPT UNISON Branch trip to Bristol Zoo was a resounding success with 184 members and their families enjoying the glorious sunshine and the great attraction that is Bristol Zoo. We saw some beautiful animals and some smelly animals and we left them all there, but brought all our members home in one piece. Phew!!! Thanks to the officers and stewards who organized the trip. We will be organising a Christmas Shopping Trip to Bath later on in the year.

Neath Port Talbot UNISON

Branch –

Bristol Zoo Trip

National School Support Staff Seminar

Thursday May 9th 2013

UNISON Centre London opened its doors to school support staff delegates from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland for

the annual seminar. Cymru/Wales delegation included Mark Fisher and I from Neath Port Talbot Branch, Kim Russell from

Conwy Branch, Steve Hibbard from Wrexham Branch and Jess Cromie, UNISON schools lead. The seminar programme

was full of current topics with inspiring guest speakers.

Jon Richards, UNISON’s Head of Education Services outlined the difficulties affecting support staff and how UNISON are

working towards creating a new National Negotiating body following abolition of the School Support Staff Negotiating

Body (SSSNB) by the coalition government.

Tom Bennett provided an enthusiastic presentation on behaviour in schools. He shared some of his experiences as a

teacher and highlighted that behaviour management is a whole school issue and in order to address it effectively, the

leadership team need to offer all staff their full support.

Kevin Brennan – Shadow Education Minister and MP for Cardiff stepped in at short notice due to Stephen Twigg, Shadow

Secretary of State for Education being called away on urgent business. Kevin Brennan was able to relate to issues

affecting support staff as a former teacher and was particularly concerned about the lack of training opportunities

available for professional development. He expressed his desire that a new negotiating body for school support staff be

high on the agenda for a future Labour Government.

Administration of medicines and dealing with health care needs of pupils in schools is an ongoing issue for support staff.

Fiona Smith, Advisor in Children’s and Young People’s Nursing shared the results of the UNISON/RCN survey, which high-

lighted that staff are undertaking complex medical duties with very little training. A lively debate took place with delegates

requesting further in-depth guidance on supporting pupils in schools. Assurance was given that more work would be done

with regards to administration of medicines.

UNISON also launched its campaign for the Living Wage to become the new rate of pay in schools which is £7.45 per hour

(£8.55 in London).

Thank you / Diolch Sharon

Kathie Dickson, UNISON National Officer, presented a detailed

account on job profiles for support staff. Following the

abolition of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB),

the NJCV job evaluation working group began to evaluate the

SSSNB role profiles under the NJC job evaluation scheme.

Kathie noted that 95 job profiles had been developed in 5 job

families. Kathie’s presentation sparked an interesting debate

with delegates highlighting that many support staff have

multiple roles and that ‘any other duties’ is abused.

Helen Arthur, Civil Servant in Welsh Government, discussed

The Education (Wales) Bill 2013 and stated the impact it

would have on support staff in Wales. Helen stated that Welsh

Government are working with UNISON on the detail of

registration. Registration would create a clearer structure for

support staff and professional standards would be set. Welsh

Government would have access to employment details and

would be able to monitor where staff are employed and what

they are doing. The information collated would enable Welsh

Government to learn more about the workforce. Delegates

highlighted the fees of registration, tax relief, public hearings,

code of conduct and job role consistency.

Richard Speight, Project Manager Connecting Learners,

showcased the importance of lifelong learning and highlighted

opportunities available to support staff. He expressed that

we need to “challenge self perception on the value of their

roles” Richard explained that the WULF Project will work with

the employer to arrange large events and identify training

needs and assist with accessing essential skills. Delegates were

asked to complete a short training survey during conference.

Mark and I had the opportunity to share Neath Port Talbot’s

schools project and highlight the importance of partnership

working with the LEA + HR. We were able to promote the value

of creating opportunities to engage with support staff and

building links between the branch and our membership. We

expressed that developing our schools forum widened our

ability to identify issues and aid in the process of resolution.

We stated that partnership working with the LEA + HR was

crucial in achieving mutual agreements.

An enjoyable and informative day was had by all with a

clear direction and firm focus on Cymru/Wales Schools

agenda.

A live twitter feed was set up at the beginning of conference

which allowed everyone to provide regular updates and share

the experience with a wider audience.

Conference 2013 was a great success –

We now look forward to conference 2014

Sharon

Follow us on Twitter: #unisonwalesschools

Cymru/Wales 3rd School

Support Staff Conference

Friday 12th July 2013

Kim Russell, Schools Forum Chair welcomed guest

speakers and delegates and noted how pleasing it was

to see so many in attendance. Guest speakers included

Margaret Thomas,Regional Secretary; Jon Richards,

UNISON National Secretary for Education; Kathie

Dickson, UNISON National Officer; Helen Arthur, Civil

Servant for Welsh Government; Richard Speight,

Project Manager Connecting Learners; Mark Fisher,

(Branch Chair) and I provided a presentation. Margaret

Thomas, Regional Secretary stated that support staff are

a critical part of the school team and vital in supporting

education in our schools. She highlighted that UNISON

are committed to raising the profile of school support

staff and will work with Welsh Government officials on

the finer details of registration.

Jon Richards, UNISON National Secretary for Education,

gave an enlightening speech on education provision.

He briefly spoke of the education system in Finland and

their different approach to the professional

development of staff which is a key focus for them. He

explained how support staff are affected in England

due to the ongoing changes with the implementation

of academies and free schools as well as the recent

target on Teaching Assistants.

Jon encouraged Cymru/Wales to focus on the finer

details when finalising the registration of school

support staff and must consider any implications that

will apply. Delegates questioned who would pay

registration fees and concerns were raised with regards

to the effects of an investigation outcome once

professionally registered. It was also highlighted that

many teaching assistants are highly trained but aren’t

paid accordingly.