Dear Member
Hello! We hope you enjoyed the weekend and have had a good start to the working week so far.
UNISON Social Worker Webinar 18 August at 6-7pm
UNISON is holding a webinar for social work members in England and Wales about the return to more normal working in the Covid 19 world. It will cover what employers must do to keep you and your colleagues safe and also safeguarding your professional practice. We strongly encourage all of our social worker members to register for and attend this Webinar, please see the registration link here
Results- Consultative Ballot 2020 Pay Offer
Our consultation ballot on the pay offer for schools and council staff has now closed. The Wirral Branch outcome was:
Reject 84%
Accept 16%;
Turnout 39%
It is clear from such an overwhelming decision that our members, in the main, believe 2.75% is an insulting offer. Whilst we would have liked to have seen a higher turnout in the ballot, but at nearly 40%, it is one of the highest turnouts we have had in such a wide ranging ballot.
Our results will now be fed in to the North West region and then on to a National level. As we hear more details about the results from around the country and next steps we will of course inform you. We want to thank all the members who took part in this ballot for making their voices heard.
Individual Risk Assessments
An employer is required by law to protect its employees from harm. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer must:
- identify what could cause injury or illness
- decide how likely it is that someone may be harmed and how seriously
- take action to eliminate the hazard or if not possible, control the risk.
The way an employer carries this out is by conducting a risk assessment. This should be done for each job role and applies to all workers in that role.
However, there is a further obligation on employers to specifically assess the risk for those members of the workforce who may be more vulnerable. In the context of the current crisis this covers anyone who is clinically vulnerable or was previously shielding or who may be at risk for some other reason. This should be done by means of an individual risk assessment. If the employer is aware that you are more vulnerable, they should take steps to create that risk assessment. However, the employer may not be aware of your vulnerability and in these cases you can request an individual risk assessment. Unison can advise and support our members throughout this process. Indeed within Wirral Council the process specifically allows union reps to be involved in the meetings to discuss the risk assessment. If you are going through this process at the moment or think you need an individual risk assessment please do contact us for any advice or support.
Track and Trace
There has been a lot of talk in the media in recent days about the country’s track and trace system, it is clear, and has been for some time that an effective track and trace system is essential in containing the virus. Whilst this has always been recognised it is only as we move closer to the re-opening of schools that the government is beginning to accept the failings of their system which senior Public Health professionals and Unions have been pointing out for some time.
The Government contracted with Serco, a private company, to provide the national track and trace system at an initial cost of £108 million, they are now considering renewing this contract for a further £302 million!
During an interview on Radio’s 4’s Today programme, The President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy welcomed the government’s plans to address issues with the system but reflected that resources were key to successfully delivering a high quality service. She said "Resources to deliver it will be an issue because we are being asked to do a lot more." She joins other Public health officials who have stated that a joint national and local approach to testing and tracing needs "a change in flow of resources" to help councils cover the costs of trying to reach people.
Wirral Unison has been asking questions of the Council and Wirral Public Health regarding local provision of track and trace as we all recognise that this will be invaluable as we move forward. We would also add that rather than handing over another £300 million to a private contractor, that has proved inadequate, the Government would be better investing in local public services with the skills and expertise to deliver the service we need.
As always, please feel free pass our updates on to colleagues and encourage them to join Unison if they haven’t done already. Here’s the link to join up! JOIN UNISON
Enjoy your evening and we’ll be back in touch soon.
In solidarity!
Lois and Dave
Branch Office: 0151 666 3040
Central email: unison1@wirral.gov.uk
Published on: August 12, 2020