HOLIDAY PAY

Background

On 22 May 2014, UNISON member Joe Lock was successful in his claim, Lock v British Gas. The Court of

Justice of the European Union (CJEU) found that a worker’s 20 days statutory annual leave pay should include commission payments if these were part of normal pay.

The Employment Tribunal will decide how UK law will now be interpreted in light of this decision. It is likely that whatever decision is reached by the Employment Tribunal will be appealed through the higher courts, so it may be a long time before any payments are received.

If members are regularly paid payments for time or activities at work that are not paid when they take annual leave (e.g. commission payments, other supplements, bonuses or overtime payments) then there may be entitlement to increased holiday pay in future and back pay.

Branch Action

We have written to all the employers, where we have members, and asked what they intend to do in relation to unpaid holiday pay in respect of additional payments during working time.

[STATE IF AND WHAT RESPONSE THE BRANCH HAS HAD FROM EMPLOYERS]

On a national level UNISON is collating responses from employers and will then decide a strategy on how best to pursue claims.

What you need to do

If you think you may have a claim, contact the branch office. This will allow us to keep you up to date on your employer’s response and on UNISON’s strategy. You should ensure that you keep your contact details up to date. The easiest and quickest means of contact is through email. Don’t worry if you don’t have an email address as we will still write out to members if required.

You should contact the branch immediately if:

·         Your employer stops making the payments for commission, other supplements, bonuses or over-time pay;

·         The employer starts paying any unpaid commission, other supplements, bonuses or overtime pay during annual leave.

·         You leave employment or change jobs.

Time Limits

Employment Tribunal claims for unpaid holiday pay must be made within 3 months of the latest underpayment.

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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.