Turn2us - Be Aware

Turn2us - Be Aware

CALENDAR COMPETITION 2015

Would you like workers all over Shetland to see your photos?  Following the success of last years competition your pictures could appear on the local branch calendar for 2015.  You can send us photographs taken in Shetland, or in any part of the world you have visited, but all submissions must be from UNISON members.  Please send images in hard copy or digitally with your name, contact details, membership number and category entered on the back.  The categories for entries are:

1. Place of Work

Images of any places of work.  This category can include imaginative images of any element of a workplace, here in Shetland or overseas.

2. Wildlife

Could include any wildlife-related image.

3. Landscape

This category might include any landscape, outdoor scene, natural image or sunset.

4. Urban landscape

Pictures of urban places.

5. Rural Landscape

Images of rural landscapes.

6. Our community

Pictures which use the theme of community and what that means to people.

7. Weather

This category includes any image of weather.

8. Architectural Design and Building

Images which capture stunning architecture or building design.

9. Hobbies

Could include any images associated with hobbies, or activities you do in your spare time

10. Portrait

Pictures of people from all walks of life.

11. Black and White

Images in black and white, with any subject, composition or style considered.

12. Trees

In our final category, we’re looking for images of trees.  American Giant Redwoods or Willows in Waas can be submitted.

Images should be sent to:

kaila.mcculloch@shetland.gov.uk

Photographic Competition

UNISON Local Services Branch

18-20 Alexandra Buildings

The Esplanade

LERWICK 

ZE1 0LL

The closing date is Friday 29^th August 2014.  We can’t return photos, unfortunately, so remember to keep a copy for yourself.  We’ll let you know in early September if your picture has been chosen.

PAY BALLOT

Colleagues
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY
The consultative ballot on pay will commence next week. Ballot dates are 9th June – 7th July. All members should receive a ballot paper, ballot insert and a pre paid return envelope. A helpline for those who have not received a ballot paper will be notified to branches later next week. The question being asked on the ballot paper is ‘ are you prepared to reject the actions of the employer and pursue a vote for industrial action in support of an improved offer ‘. As previously stated this is a consultative ballot, however it is extremely important that we encourage all members to participate.

REMINDER - BRANCH AGM

Dear UNISON member

The annual general meeting of your branch is in Islesburgh Community Centre, this Friday (14 March) at 12 noon.

We are lucky this year to have Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish secretary, as our main speaker. Mike is Scotland’s top full time official in UNISON. He took over as Scottish Secretary in December 2010 after serving as Scottish Convener - Scotland’s lead lay activist - since the merger that created UNISON. He was president of the Scottish Trade Union Congress in 2011/12.

Lynne Duncan, our regional officer, based in Aberdeen, will also be present.

There will be the usual buffet following the meeting and a gift for all those who attend.  I hope you make every attempt to come to along, to hear what has been going on and what might be happening from now on.

We are always on the lookout for new stewards and officials – do consider getting active in UNISON. The more active members we have, the more of a difference the union can make. Training is always available.

Best wishes

Brian Smith

Branch Chair

BRANCH AGM UPDATE

The branch are delighted to announce that Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary, will be speaking at this years meeting. Mike is Scotland’s top full time official. He took over as Scottish Secretary in December 2010 after serving as Scottish Convener - Scotland’s lead lay activist - since the merger that created UNISON. Mike was also for many years one of Scotland’s lay Regional reps to National Conference. He was 2011/12 STUC President.

Our fabulous Regional Officer, Lynne Duncan shall also be attending. Lynne's support to the branch is crucial in helping reps and officers support our members in the issues that affect them during their working lives.

BRANCH AGM

This years Branch AGM will be held in Room 16, Islesburgh Community Centre at  on Friday 14th March 2014 at 12pm and will be followed by a buffet lunch.  A small gift will be presented to all those who attend.

 

Management have granted time off to attend so please give line managers ample notice of your wish to attend.

 

As always we would love to hear from anyone who is interested in participating in the branch, whether it be a workplace contact or a branch officer.  Our national campaign states 'we are worth it', so help us spread the message.

 

If you have anything you would like to see on the agenda please get in touch.

 

We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Tracey Leith

Branch Secretary

Shetland Local Services Branch

unisonslg@btconnect.com

01595 696668

Scottish Pension Reforms

Local authority employers and trade unions have reached emphatic agreement on the new design of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in Scotland.
The movement to a Career Average Valuation will ensure that those at the lowest end of the pay scale and particularly female employees will benefit from a fairer and sustainable pension.  Scotland’s Councils are one of Scotland’s largest employers, employing over 280,000 people.
The new scheme design will go a significant way to ensure that those employees can make a decent provision for their retirement.  COSLA Leaders approved the new scheme design in September 2013 and now UNISON has confirmed that they had received an overwhelmingly positive response to the new design with a 94% positive response to the ballot.

Councillor Kevin Keenan COSLA’s Finance Spokesman said:

"Whilst we felt we already had a sustainable and fair Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland, the reform process did over an opportunity for local authorities as Employers to ensure that the Scheme provided important support for employees at the lower end of the pay scale and reflects the unique demographics of our workforce whilst remaining affordable and sustainable.  The positive ballot result from the Trade Union Side is a welcome confirmation that the new scheme design is a positive change and reflects a very constructive approach between all parties."

Dave Watson, Scottish Organiser (Bargaining and Campaigns) at Unison said:

“Whilst the local government trade unions, UNISON, GMB, Unite and UCATT regard the reform of the Scottish LGPS as an unnecessary interference by the UK Government in the operation of a pension scheme that had been updated as recently as April 2009, our approach has been to minimise the impact of the changes imposed by the UK Government and maintain the main elements of the uniquely Scottish approach. The main aim was to protect and improve pension benefits for the majority of members without increasing contributions. Such an increase would simply drive members away from pension provision at a time of pay cuts and other economic pressure. We hope the new scheme will attract new members, particularly women and those at the lower end of the pay scale who are most likely to suffer by not having a secure pension in retirement. In doing so we believe we have a sustainable and affordable scheme for the longer term.”

The key changes to the new scheme are:

• Move from Final Salary to Career Average Pension Scheme
• Increase in accrual rate from 1/60ths to 1/49ths.
• Retaining existing ill health and death in service benefits.
• Introducing a 50/50 option allowing employees to pay 50% of contributions for 50% benefits.
• Introduction of an Employers' cost cap mechanism to ensure the future affordability and sustainability of the scheme.
• Equality in partner pensions for co-habiting and civil partners as with married couples