Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Notting Hill Housing Strike Ballot: Campaign for Dignity & Respect

The strike ballot for industrial action by UNISON members working for Notting Hill Housing Group started yesterday.

The result is due on Monday 22 February. The information below has been sent out by UNISON to members.

I’ll post some more lively stuff later. Check out previous post.

Corporate Management Team have refused to negotiate with UNISON on changes to the terms and conditions of all staff. They are now imposing those changes despite the fact that all staff will suffer a loss in one or more of the following key contractual areas:

Flexitime

A Flexible Working Policy will be imposed. This Policy was presented to JNC after the consultation had ended. UNISON has had no input into its drafting; does not agree with the process that has been adopted; and feels that the Policy is fundamentally flawed.

Paid Carers Leave

The right for all Carers to request paid Carers Leave will be removed. An overall average of 3 days paid Carers Leave was requested in 2008/09 at a cost to the employer of a mere £30K (NHHG 2008 operating surplus: 19.8 million).

Pay Protection

Pay protections for all staff that are redeployed following a restructure will be reduced from 2 years to 6 months. This is despite the fact that the implementation of ‘All Together Better’ in March 2010 will result in significant changes to staffing roles and levels. All redeployed staff will suffer an immediate loss.

Relocation Expenses

The current contractual right to be paid travel expenses for 1 year will be reduced to 3 months. Many redeployed staff will suffer an immediate expenses loss. All staff will experience a contractual loss if the Group relocates its head office to Kings Cross; an idea that is currently being seriously considered.

37-Hour Working Week

NHHG Board ‘reluctantly’ agreed to not increase the working hours for all staff from 35 hours to 37 hours. UNISON made it clear in consultations with CMT that members would agree to an increase in working hours provided there was a corresponding percentage increase in pay. Many members reported that they already worked extra (unpaid) hours. The current TOIL Policy suggests that from 1st March 2010 the working of unpaid extra hours will be a common expectation.

TUPE Terms and Conditions

Members who were TUPE transferred into Notting Hill Housing Trust may suffer additional contractual losses with no negotiated remuneration for that loss.

Love Where You Work…?

Notting Hill Housing used to be a top sector employer with good employee relations and excellent family friendly policies. The Group’s latest staff survey - conducted before the imposition of change - shows that staff morale is plummeting. The Group cannot achieve its stated aim of improving customer staff satisfaction levels if it does not meaningfully engage you in that process and show you all the dignity and respect that you deserve. This means listening to your collective concerns about the fact that changes are being imposed rather than negotiated with UNISON.

All Together Worse…?

Over 300 staff members signed and supported a UNISON petition for meaningful negotiation which was presented to The Board. The Board ignored the petition and refused to allow CMT to negotiate with UNISON. There has also been a refusal to go to ACAS for mediation. Send a message to the Board and CMT to engage with UNISON on negotiated change by voting ‘YES’ to Industrial Action.

Vote for negotiation by voting against imposition.

Please return your ballot paper promptly

Vote YES

For

Industrial Action

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

After today lets hope your not counting the ballot papers

John Gray said...

Hi Anon

I agree and I don't think the certification officer would be very keen either.

Anonymous said...

think its done by the ectorial reform society unlike SP and SWP ballots/(rigid)