Tony Barnsley

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New Branch Banner makes first appearances

  Sandwell General UNISON’s new Branch banner made it’s first public appearance  – fittingly at the performance of Rouse, Ye Women at Cradley Heath library on 18 April  – and also at the event marking International Workers’ Memorial Day on Friday 26 April.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/new-branch-banner-makes-first-appearances/

100% Solid 4 CSA Grade Justice

PRESS RELEASE 29 April 2019 Sandwell Council’s Frontline Housing Staff vote 100% for Industrial Action The lowest paid staff working in Sandwell Council’s Local Neighbourhood Offices have voted 100% for industrial action in formal ballots. Members of UNISON and Unite the union who are Customer Service Assistants in the Neighbourhood Offices voted 100% for action. …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/100-solid-4-csa-grade-justice/

Councillors Back Unions over Sickness Procedures

At our quarterly meeting with Councillors (called the Joint Consultative Panel) the trade unions raised concerns that management were not being allowed to apply any discretion on whether to begin the sickness procedures or not – despite the ability of managers to use discretion being in the Council’s own policy. UNISON simply asked for the …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/councillors-back-unions-over-sickness-procedures/

Charter for Apprentices

Sandwell Council has agreed to a charter for Apprentices that was initiated by UNISON. The Charter brings improvements to the treatment of Apprentices, which includes ringfencing for vacant jobs at the end of the apprenticeship and access to parental/maternity leave. Tony Barnsley, who signed the charter on behalf of the joint trade unions at the …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/charter-for-apprentices-2/

Unanimous support to CSA’s fight for grade justice

Sandwell’s AGM gave a unanimous vote in support of the industrial action ballot by Customer Service Assistants working in the Locals. The ballot for action short of strike action, i.e. a work to rule, will be progressed together with Unite the Union, so that CSA’s can fight for the grade they deserve. A meeting of …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/unanimous-support-to-csas-fight-for-grade-justice/

School Members Ballot

UNISON’s 250,000 school members (alongside the Teacher trade unions) are set to receive a consultative ballot against the impact of the cuts in our schools. UNISON knows that the cuts have hit you with job losses and extra work. The UNISON consultative ballot opened on 22 January and will be undertaken by email – giving …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/school-members-ballot/

2019 Pay Deal Agreed with Sandwell Council

April 2019 will see the implementation of the new nationally agreed pay award for Sandwell Council employees (including schools maintained by Sandwell MBC). UNISON has been negotiating with Sandwell Council over how the new proposals can be implemented at local level to ensure fairness and equality. During the negotiations UNISON raised concern about the number …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/2019-pay-deal-agreed-with-sandwell-council/

A Thank You to UNISON

Sandwell UNISON has sponsored a potential future medal winner who is the son of a Branch steward. Ben was selected to represent GB after a series of selection races held back in March 2018. He managed to secure places on the GB team in both his K1 and his C1. Ben paddled both boats in Ivrea …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/a-thank-you-to-unison/

FSA Consultative ballot result – WM Region

89% of members working for the Foods Standards Agency across the West Midlands voted to reject the employers pay offer, with 11% voting to accept. Thanks to all those members that returned consultative ballot papers over the Xmas period.    

Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/fsa-consultative-ballot-result-wm-region/

Your Branch Wins Regional Award

Sandwell General Branch won the West Midlands Regional Award for recruitment innovation with our Branches initiative to recruit apprentices. Over 30 apprentices have been recruited so far. The offer from the Branch, outlined at the top of the website, remains open. We urge all apprentices in Sandwell working for Sandwell Council to join UNISON. We …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/your-branch-wins-regional-award/