P6&12 A NICE LITTLE EARNER P16 GAIL FORCE ACTIVISM P30 HAVE A NICE DAY! UNISON research reveals huge pay A force of nature who chairs Peter Carroll rages against rises for university vice-chancellors regional women’s committee computers and call centres UNISON

THEACTIVE! MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE SUMMER 2015 | ISSUE 21 | £3 WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK

BLOODY BUT UNBOWED The fight goes on, says Wendy P5

We’ll weather Tory storm P9 UNISON members struggling through an unexpected crisis can get help from ‘there for you’ by:-

Contacting their Branch Welfare Offi cer Calling us on 020 7121 5620

You can also fi nd out more information by visiting our website

www.unison.org.uk/get-help/ - Financial assistance help-with-problems-at-home/ - Debt advice there-for-you/ - Wellbeing breaks Registered charity number 1023552 - Support & information

Please make sure our members are aware of the help that is available in these diffi cult times. SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 03 WELCOME

TURN UP THE TURNOUT o-one willingly fare better). take a legal challenge OurUnion loses a day's pay, And even if the 50 to the highest court DAVE Nbut sometimes per cent box were in Europe. General Secretary PRENTIS when every attempt to ticked, those in The Government Dave Prentis GENERAL SECRETARY solve a dispute has essential services like says it's on the side of Regional Secretary failed, there is no choice health and education, working people, but John Cafferty but to take strike action. would face the added not it seems if they are Regional Convenor But with the Wendy Nichols complication that 40 in a union and want a Conservatives back, per cent would have to decent pay rise. UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside ministers have unions vote yes before any Of course turnout Commerce House, Wade Lane, firmly in their sights. If action could take place. should, and could be Leeds LS2 8NJ T: 0845 355 0845 or freephone they have their way, it That means anyone higher. So let's get textphone 08000 967 968 will become much who abstains counts balloting brought into W: www.unison-yorks.org.uk harder for workers to go against the strike. the modern age, with Lines are open 6am-midnight on strike. But we'll take people voting via Monday-Friday and 9am-4pm Saturdays None of UNISON's campaigning against phone, laptop or recent national disputes the Trade Union Bill in secure workplace

Editor - in health, the police our stride. We'll join ballot boxes. Barrie Clement service, local civil liberties groups to The Government

Consulting Editor government or probation protect the right of might be using the Mary Maguire - would have passed the ordinary workers to language of the 1970s Chief Photographer test of a higher turnout have a voice. when it talks about Jim Varney threshold (though We'll fight against unions, but we'll use Contributors local disputes, where the Bill wherever and every modern means Peter Carroll, Lorraine Fitzsimons, the numbers involved whenever we can, even to keep its spiteful Bill Ryan Fletcher, Helen Hague, Mary Maguire, Paul Routledge, Tristram are smaller, tend to if it means we have to at bay. Sterry

Cover Image Everett Historical / Shutterstock

Published on behalf of UNISON by Let’s grab this opportunity Century One Publishing Ltd. Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG UNISON members That is why it is so important for T: 01727 893 894 F: 01727 893 895 who gathered for our our members to play their part in E: [email protected] WENDY annual delegate electing the new Labour leader who W: www.centuryonepublishing.uk NICHOLS NATIONAL conference in Glasgow we all hope will replace the Tories in Advertising enquiries PRESIDENT showed they have now 2020. David Murray shaken off the huge UNISON members who decided to T: 01727 739 182 W.Nichols E: [email protected] disappointment of the be in the affiliated political fund will Design and art editing General Election result. have a vote in the leadership election. Farah Jafarian & Miny Sharma In speech after speech, our members UNISON will be contacting them T: 01727 739 190 E: [email protected] re-stated our profound commitment to about how they will be able to cast a improving life for our members and vote and any member who wants to Printed by Unison Print fighting to protect public services. register to the APF – it doesn’t cost

Copyright reproduction We know we face more Government anything extra - can in whole or part by any means without written permission of the publisher attacks on local authority budgets and just make contact is strictly forbidden. UNISON and the publisher that more jobs are at risk. with their branch, or accept no responsibility for errors, omissions or And the future of the NHS as register at the consequences thereof. we know it is in severe jeopardy. www.unison.org.uk © UNISON 2015 But as the delegates made loud /labour-leadership- and clear in Glasgow, there is no vote-thank-you sense of defeatism. The fight for I hope we will all fairness and social justice did not grab that chance end on May 7. with both hands. 04 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 NEWS

Stand together!

UNISON is bracing itself relations saved both time for fresh attacks on and money, said John. facility time in the region. UNISON was faced by Government guidance in a Government motivated the probation service for only by a deep instance would ideological hatred of ultimately lead to having organised labour in any only one steward for one form, he said. Warning day a week to cover the that it was a sign of whole of North Yorkshire, things to come Humberside and throughout the public Lincolnshire – and any service, the regional training would have to secretary said: “If we do come out of that not vigorously oppose allowance. these new restrictions we New office takes off “As with their will be picked off one by counterproductive one.” UNISON general Linda said: “There is a lot economic austerity, there UNISON’S national secretary Dave Prentis of space in the building is no practical need to do delegate conference in officially opened the new and we can also generate this,” said regional Glasgow gave its full offices of the Bradford some income for the secretary John Cafferty. backing to campaign on local government branch branch by letting “Employers, especially the issue, and work with on June 8. conference and training in the public sector, know the police and UNISON’s The branch bought the rooms to outside bodies. that good facilities national probation premises in Neal Street, “We are delighted that agreements free them committee to challenge near the Karachi UNISON’s general from many needless this new attack on trade restaurant after many secretary and assistant hours of meetings with unionism and gain as years of renting general secretary Cliff individual employees,” much public support accommodation in Williams were here he said. as possible. Manor Row. because it was a proud Employers also know Branch secretary Linda day for our union. It that many potential Crowther said members shows confidence in our disputes are averted decided to buy the future and confidence through co-operation premises for the long- in Bradford.” with activists. Such term security of UNISON effective industrial in the Bradford district. l P22 - Following in mum’s footsteps

WHY NOT COME TO UNISON’S ANNUAL RACEDAY? IT’S AN There’ll be plenty of fun for the whole family at Doncaster Racecourse. ODDS-ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 1, 2015 • ‘2 for1’ grandstand tickets total price £13 (2 tickets) WINNER • PLUS live DJs - Vernon Kay and Jo Whiley

BOOK NOW: 01302 304200 (offer closes July 24) SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 05

Fight goes on, says Wendy

There’s no doubt that the always led against born out of violent Tory” claims, Wendy says result of the General injustice, economic hostility from the it is clear his government Election was a “body corruption and greed is wealthy and their will continue to attack blow” to the Labour and continuous and never agents, because we are ordinary working people trade union movement, ending. democracy in action. to further enrich their says UNISON’S newly- “Because we don’t just “If the Tories think we billionaire backers. elected national president fight against these are defeatist, they are “We are working very and regional convenor grotesque injustices, we making a lethal hard to make sure we are Wendy Nichols. also stand for principles mistake.” organised and prepared But once the shock and which resonate with Wendy said the crucial to do what we have disappointment fades, she millions of ordinary challenges ahead will be always done to protect believes the role of people who spend their to fight the imposition of our members and to UNISON – along with our lives improving life for austerity and the protect our services. fellow trade unionists – others. continuing privatisation “UNISON and the has never been more “The Tories are of public services and values we hold dear were important. currently enjoying their assets. Poverty is now not defeated in May. The Wendy said: lap of honour but the widespread in the sixth Tories conned, lied and “Politicians see General sneering and gloating richest economy in the cheated their way to Elections as being like a will not last long. world, which would be a power. We are still here, football match – the “If they think their cause for shame for a fighting for social justice, winner gets the cup and proposed anti-trade government that had as always.” the loser leaves empty- union legislation will any commitment at all to handed. finally kill us off, they will civilised values. l Active! will carry a full interview with “But in reality, the fight be in for a nasty shock. Despite David Wendy in the next issue following her which UNISON has “The trade unions were Cameron’s “one nation election as president of UNISON.

Have your say in the Labour leadership election

If you're a member of UNISON's affiliated political fund, then you're eligible to vote in Labour's forthcoming leadership election. To activate your vote you'll need to sign up as a registered Labour Party supporter at www.unison.org.uk/labour-leadership-vote-thank-you It’s free for members of the affiliated fund. 06 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 NEWS

rate for VCs (assuming a 37 hour week) amounted Leeds gets to an astounding £194 at Sheffield, £135 at Leeds our charter and £134 at Sheffield Hallam. Making sure there are Regional head of higher minimum standards for education Leonie Sharp care at home for both the pointed out that most vice people who receive it and chancellors also have the workers who provide grace and favour homes, it are priorities for Leeds chauffeur-driven cars, City Council after they gardeners, chefs and became one of the largest cleaners, all for their local authorities to sign private use. “This is paid up to UNISON's Ethical for by public money and Care Charter. £378,000 for the lack of accountability The charter commits and transparency is the council to a system in scandalous. Other public which carers do not have year’s work bodies such as local to rush from client to authorities and hospital client and that people will trusts all have to be keep the same carer transparent in how they wherever possible. It also Massive double-digit received respectively pay their staff including commits employers to salary increases are being £260,000 and £259,000. those at the very top, but provide guaranteed hours awarded to highly paid The lowest paid was at universities seem to think as the norm rather than university vice- Leeds Trinity with they are not publicly zero hours contracts, to chancellors across the £147,833 a year. The accountable. pay for travel time and to region while wage average figure for the “UNISON has long target a situation in which increases to staff barely region was £244,221. been campaigning for the workers are paid at least keep pace with inflation. The highest VC’s pay Living Wage for all our the living wage of £7.85 Deeply concerned rise for 2013/14 were 16.7 members many of whom per hour. about the massive and per cent at Leeds Beckett hold down multiple low- growing gap between University, 12.9 per cent paid jobs just to make university leaders and at Bradford and 9.3 per ends meet. This is all the their staff – and the cent at Huddersfield. more vital now when we secrecy with which the Where pay seems to know how people are VC’s pay is decided at have been cut there is struggling and turning to some universities – often a compensatingly food banks and UNISON embarked on a large pension increasingly using our nationwide series of contribution. The 'There For You' welfare Freedom of Information University of Hull support. The vice- requests. reported a cut of 10.2 per chancellors’salaries UNISON researchers cent, but the pension uncovered by UNISON found that top of the pay contribution was £49,000. are eye-watering league in Yorkshire and Some showed very high and just Humberside was the rises in the previous year cannot be University of Sheffield - most shockingly 39 per justified.” vice-chancellor on cent at Sheffield £378.000. University - but have His colleagues at been less dramatic this Sheffield Hallam and year. l P12 - Nice Leeds University The notional hourly little earner Leonie Sharp www.unison.org.uk THE ADDED VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

UNISON members are entitled to a range of exclusive deals and discounts that we have negotiated with a number of suppliers. These UNISON Plus deals add real value to UNISON membership, and over time members can save the cost of their UNISON contributions many times over.

Find all the details here:- www.unison.org.uk/for-members/member-offers-and-entitlements/ exclusive-deals-and-offers/

Croyde Bay Holiday Village Owned and operated by UNISON for more 80 years, the Croyde Bay Holiday Village has become renowned for its comfort, choice and hospitality. Croyde Bay is a popular addition to the benefi ts of UNISON membership, and offers a range of competitive rates, with special discounts for UNISON members and families. www.croydeunison.co.uk 08 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE MEDIA REVIEW

THEBIGBEASTS Potential leaders of the Labour Party are at large in the region. Active’s media correspondent Mary Maguire will keep her eyes peeled for the press coverage

here’s only one eat a bacon sarnie, how can he The “big beasts” of thing worse than run the country? A pragmatic Yorkshire were doing battle losing an election. publication, it supported the (BBC). And the biggest beast And that’s losing NICK Tories in England and Wales to fall was Ed Balls – a Ttwo elections. But CLEGG and the SNP in Scotland. The symbolic scalp for the Tories. worse than that, is having to WAS UKIP-supporting Express George Galloway’s “knock- listen to or read the HECKLED whined on April 28: “11 days out blow” at the hands of sanctimonious, I-told-you-so, AND BOOED to save Britain”, and then Labour’s Naz Shah was small know-it-all claptrap from the AS HE promptly lost count. consolation to Labour on a nation’s self-appointed SPOKE AT I got a bit excited at a stream bad night (ITN). pontificators and as for those HIS COUNT of links to TV and radio Nick Clegg was “heckled pollsters – they’re enough to broadcasts and newspaper and booed” as he spoke at his make you want to boil your AFTER articles on the union. Alas, on count after a narrow win head. A NARROW closer inspection, it wasn’t the (Sheffield Gazette). Of course, The election campaign was WIN trade union they were banging both he and Labour Leader just one big, fat, tedious flop. on about, but the threat to the Donnie’s Ed Miliband, It seemed to start off about United Kingdom of a Labour- dominated the post-election 100 years ago, moving SNP alliance. news – in a bad way, as they glacially with as much kissed their political careers momentum as a sloth at rest. SHOWDOWN goodbye. Those pesky opinion polls, The sedate Hull Daily Mail ABDICATION engaged in daily hand-to- seemed positively relieved The newspapers didn’t really hand combat with the don’t - that Barry Sheerman was the bother with it much until a knows, came up with a “one thing that remained a certain part of the British Isles hung-Parliament scenario that constant”. Although I can’t looked as though it was the media then played out help thinking that YEP got a going to raise an army to relentlessly. tad carried away when it march on Westminster, eating Come election night, declared that Hilary Benn had first-borns and molesting Scotland was a foregone “stormed to victory” in Leeds. maidens en-route. conclusion. But Yorkshire and And, the idea that “tension “Worst crisis since the Humberside bravely woke was mounting” at the abdication” declared the folk from their torpor. Harrogate count with fears of Daily Mail, clean forgetting “Night of high political an upset, was on the outside how its owner had supported drama in Leeds” was how the of credible (Harrogate Ad). Hitler. And the day before Yorkshire Post set the scene. I will watch the Yorkshire & polling, it screamed: “For It went on: “The last big Humberside space because sanity’s sake don’t let a class- showdown Leeds arena there are still big beasts in the war zealot destroy our hosted was Josh Warrington’s region vying to become economy”. (That’s enough victory against Dennis Labour Leader. about Cameron - editor). Tubieron – but it has been But, forgive me if I decline The Sun went into overspin Mary Maguire, playing host to a potential the Halifax Courier’s former head of with that bacon sandwich press and knockout drama of a different invitation to relive, via video, picture under the caption broadcasting kind”. The boxing metaphors the 2015 General Election “Save our Bacon” – if he can’t at UNISON continued. count in Calderdale. n Images: Mark Harvey Images: BLOODY BUT UNBOWED UNISON’s regional officials believe the union has what it takes to weather the storm whipped up by the new Conservative Government. Peter Carroll reports

t is time for UNISON political climate. We have of our membership in many members to lift up their shown consistently that when areas.” heads and declare UNISON is organised and John said that a survey of “business as usual” after motivated, we can be the most UNISON members had been Ithe General Election effective force against injustice commissioned to find out shock, says regional secretary in the country. what their main worries are in John Cafferty. “Despite the relentless terms of their employment. In the wake of the crushing central government attacks on And it is clear that the result, John held a meeting of public service jobs, which we John Cafferty biggest concern by far is his regional office staff at the know will continue in the about redundancy. union movement’s Wortley years ahead, our recruitment Of those interviewed 60 per Hall in Barnsley (above) to has held its own. cent said job losses were their address the challenges “In Yorkshire and main worry and that was UNISON faces in the years Humberside in 2014 we especially the case in services ahead. recruited 18,000 new that had been or were facing John said: “The election members. And we have Chris Jenkinson outsourcing. result has caused many of us recruited new stewards and And the survey showed that to feel defeated and branch officers, which is vital most people (up to 77 per despondent, and that is if we are to be really effective cent) joined UNISON in order entirely understandable. It in the workplace. to get support at work. was a huge shock. “But we are losing members Other reasons for joining “But there are beacons of because of job cuts and we include the threat of change s light even in this desperate need to increase the density Tony Pearson at work (59 per cent) and to 10 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE STRATEGY

s help improve pay and become academies. “When we get it right, we conditions (24 per cent). That will mean UNISON do it better than anyone else. John said: “We know what will have to deal with But we have to be more we have to do to deal with THERE ARE thousands of individual consistent and we are the challenges we know we BEACONS schools rather than 24 local determined to be so. It is the face in the years to come. OF LIGHT education authorities. lay activists who will take us “But we have shown we EVEN IN forward. can recruit successfully THIS CONSISTENT “Working people are going especially in very difficult DESPERATE Again, this will be a challenge to need trade unions in a way circumstances when people POLITICAL which will require good they have never needed them need to be in a union more CLIMATE organisation and a before. Trade unions were than ever.” commitment to recruiting born out of the very same Regional head of local more members. hostile political government Chris Jenkinson Chris said: “We are dealing circumstances we are in now. agreed there were big John Cafferty with this challenge and we “Our activists are great changes ahead for members have shown time after time people who do so much hard working for local authorities. that we are better at dealing work in their own time to In particular the Secretary with these problems than any improve life for others and of State for Cities, Greg Clark other trade union. that gives me great was committed to “We are the union which is confidence. The Election was, introducing combined at the negotiating table and of course, a terrible result but authorities based on the reporting back to our we have got to lift our heads biggest cities. members. up and I know we will.” There will be moves for “We have the structures elections for “Metro Mayors” and the organisation in place SUCCESSFUL in West and South Yorkshire, to do this and we should now Regional head of health Tony Below & Right: Humberside and North The staff meeting be looking at the Pearson agreed that UNISON Yorkshire. is serious … opportunities it represents was not just good at standing Chris said: “That will but fun as well rather than the threats. up to changes like the Health obviously be a major change to how councils are run and we of course will closely examine how democratic changes will affect our members. “But one thing we are not going to see is any council putting up a ‘closed for business’ sign. Their spending has been set for two years. “Local authorities are still going to employ many thousands of people. All that we need to do is increase our membership and improve our density. “We know that as a union we are able to do just that.” Chris said there will be more academy schools in the system as so-called “coasting schools” will be forced to and Social Care Act, it was dispute.” “So we must make sure our “magnificent”. And he said the lessons PR strategy is right when we Tony said the long-running learned from Care UK would go into future disputes. and successful strike by be very valuable in an Unlike in other industries, members at Care UK in increasingly fragmented any industrial action our Doncaster had taught us a employment world. members take directly affects great deal about how to He said: “We couldn’t have the public and not the organise in the current done what we did in employer. political climate. Doncaster just through an “That is why we have to do He said: “At the point industrial strategy. all we can to make sure the where services are being “You cannot have all-out public know why we are tendered we have to look at strike action in these taking action, and that it is what our organisational circumstances because always because our members strengths are, at how many people could die and our care as much about the members and activists we members could never do quality of services as they do have. that. about themselves. “Do we need to send “The company bussed in “The Care UK strikers are assistant organisers and local people from all over the place WE ARE to be applauded for their organisers into workplaces to to fill the gaps. courage and self-sacrifice. speak to people? “But we had a public BETTER AT They will act as an example of “Jim Bell (the regional relations strategy and we had DEALING how good we are when we organiser in charge of the to make this a national issue WITH work together. Care UK strike) built up from because this was about the THESE “We have learned a great two stewards to 10 by the future of all care services PROBLEMS deal from that dispute. Most time the members were throughout Britain. THAN ANY important is the knowledge transferred to Care UK. He “Eventually the co- OTHER that, in the disputes which tried to get the branch’s ordinated media strategy got UNION. undoubtedly lie ahead, support at an early juncture the message over in the UNISON has the strength, and ensure the organisers regional media as well as the experience and commitment were the link between Daily Mirror and the to fight for our members branches and workers in Observer. Chris Jenkinson everywhere.” n 12 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE HIGHER EDUCATION

Image: Lorraine Fitzsimons Image: NICE LITTLE EARNER VICE CHANCELLOR! Local organiser Lorraine Fitzsimons on how UNISON is mounting a concerted campaign to get to grips with a scandalous pay gap at the region’s universities

uge salaries and pay negotiations for 2013-14, s Above: Members in Sheffield, and eye-watering pay UNISON found that the Reps and officials around the country, make their point increases enjoyed salary of the University of at Sheffield supported three days of strike by university vice- Sheffield’s own vice University action which led to a two per Hchancellors in the chancellor had risen by a cent rise in 2014-15. UNISON region has led to a campaign whopping 39 per cent to locally negotiated a payment by UNISON to promote a £370,000, with an additional matching the Living Wage to culture of “Fairness, £4,000 benefits in kind. the university's lowest paid Transparency and the Living At the same time the staff. Wage” across the sector. university had still not Around 400 employees Shocking figures discovered agreed to pay its staff the were affected and agreed a by UNISON’s research, based Living Wage, and reduction to their contractual on nationwide Freedom of implemented the one per hours, achieving an increased Information requests (page 6), cent offer before the dispute hourly rate and access to has mobilised members into and pay negotiations were overtime payments. While action over pay and settled. the University of Sheffield strengthened negotiations The UNISON branch at still has the highest paid VC with employers. UNISON the university swung into in the region, his pay rise the branches in the region have action mobilising for the pay following year was only 1.1 already been active around campaign, working with the per cent. the key campaign themes: other unions on the campus A combination of and stepping up constructive negotiations, FAIRNESS negotiations with the campaigning and effective While staff in higher employer, including a communication with education were being offered sustained campaign for the Lorraine members resulted in the one per cent in the national Living Wage. Fitzsimons branch making some positive SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 13

moves towards fairer pay at Wage. In Huddersfield’s alarming – well over £3m a the university. case there has been a year at the University of willingness to sign up to the Leeds and over £1.3m at LIVING WAGE Living Wage and positive THE LIVING Bradford and Leeds Beckett. Some universities paid at, or industrial relations with WAGE Many universities contract slightly above, the Living UNISON have helped WILL out cleaning, catering or Wage at the time of the achieve it. HELP security services, or operate research. They were Leeds Branch secretary Shaun LOWER wholly owned subsidiaries. Trinity, University of Leeds, Beckingham said: “It’s good PAID These employers can set their University of Sheffield and to see that the university STAFF own terms and conditions, York St John. The University values its staff and their AVOID and pay as low as the of Huddersfield paid the dignity, aiming to motivate minimum wage. highest. The Living Wage goes its key resource. Payment of FOOD As Liam Byrne MP, up each autumn and pay the Living Wage will help BANKS Labour’s shadow minister for negotiations aim to secure that lower paid staff avoid universities, said when he level for the bottom grade. becoming reliant on benefits met the branch before the However when the Living and food banks.” Shaun general election: “It’s Wage is increased – and Beckingham unacceptable that unions employers fail to fully sign up TRANSPARENCY have to use Freedom of to the scheme - staff can fall Like many branches, Leeds Information requests to get back below that level. Beckett University (LBU) information on salaries.” n The UNISON branch at the UNISON want to see greater University of Huddersfield openness on pay-setting. has a well-established Despite sitting on several constructive relationship with negotiating bodies and the employer, with some having an active role in successful negotiations under many university matters the their belt. In fact the branch is unable to influence university made additional some of the highest salaries payments to staff on top of the in the region, as there is no nationally agreed pay rises. To representation of staff or date Huddersfield is the only students on most university in Yorkshire & remuneration committees Humberside which not only dealing with senior posts. pays the Living Wage, but is In 2013/14 LBU’s vice an accredited Living Wage chancellor received the Highest Paid Vice-Chancellors employer. The university will largest pay rise in the region in the Region 2013/2014 also be making it a condition of 16.7 per cent, while eight of future outsourcing contracts staff at the university were Sheffield £378,000 that staff are paid at least the paid more than £100,000 Leeds Uni £259,000 Living Wage. Higher each year. These decisions Sheff Hallam £260,000 education financial are made by remuneration information shared in the committees which meet Hull £254,000 region last year showed a very privately and without Leeds Beckett £251,000 generous VC salary at transparent criteria for how Huddersfield £247,000 Huddersfield together with a huge salaries are reached or substantial income, operating accounted for. There is no York Uni £232,378 surplus and assets. This was consistent approach across York St J £220,000 also the case at other higher education, and in institutions. It proved the many cases UNISON is not Bradford £193,000 affordability of a decent pay even aware of the process. Leeds Trinity £147,833 rise for all and the Meanwhile spending on Average £244,221 implementation of the Living agency staff was also 14 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE EQUALITY

MOBINA’S MISSION Mary Maguire interviews a respected UNISON activist who experienced injustice in her own life and wanted to tackle it for the sake of her colleagues

Images: Andy Images: Paraskos

obina Begum is a became clear to me the huge “rebalancing inequalities in woman on a inequalities that people are society”; one that helped mission. Not an subjected to. My eyes were people gain access to services, impossible opened by the suffering of ASYLUM advice and support. Mmission, but an women fleeing domestic SEEKERS A woman with Mobina’s ambitious one. It’s a mission violence, problems facing ARE drive couldn’t be a passive to move society to a more those recently released from DESTITUTE. member for long and when she equal, fairer place, starting prison, the homeless and the THEY started work at the university, with Leeds Beckett university, desperate plight of refugees HAVE she got stuck in, first as a rep, where she works, and the and asylum seekers. NOTHING then women’s officer, later Yorkshire & Humberside “Asylum seekers are BUT WHAT chair of the branch and now region. And who knows absolutely destitute. They deputy branch secretary. She where next? have nothing but what they THEY advocates active recruitment to Recently elected chair of the stand up in. They can’t STAND ensure a “strong voice” for the region’s higher education acquire refugee status. They UP IN union and members. group, Mobina has spent her are effectively on the streets – Mobina’s day job at the life trying to help people in homeless. And instead of university involves advising desperate need. She’s seen a blaming them for their plight, and supporting students on a lot of suffering, injustice and we should be helping them. A wide variety of matters from inequality and that shaped civil society should support how to manage their money, her desire to do something everyone regardless of advice on benefits, to personal about it. background or issues, including counselling. situation. That, I believe is And her personal experiences SUFFERING humanity’s moral have helped her understand Bradford born and bred, responsibility”. what many of those students Mobina moved to Leeds at the It was this passion for are facing. age of 19 and volunteered at fairness that moved Mobina to Brought up in an Islamic the Citizens Advice Bureau, find UNISON. She was household where “women later becoming permanent. looking for a union that didn’t have the same rights”, She recalled: “It quickly shared her principles of she left home at 17 as a result. SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 15 EQUALITY FEATURE

She said that going through the Having seen poverty and school system here gave her want, campaigning for the the courage to do that because Living Wage is very much a she knew there was an priority in the sector. She cites alternative. Although reluctant education institutions making to talk about that time, she told “huge profits” who pay staff me: below the Living Wage and “When I left home I felt that I operate a two-tier had broken free. I am workforce. She wants them all independent and make my own to become accredited Living decisions in life. I faced the Wage employers. same struggles that a lot of “It’s not right that you can young people now face – no have a cleaner for example money, lack of opportunities who can only get 15 hours and lack of support in order to work at the university but then live independently. to make up her hours, has to “Working here at the go to an agency, employed by university, I have come across the same university, to clean at students who have had to leave the same university, for worse their parents in order to come pay and conditions. That and to university. I find I am able to the drive towards shared Images: Andy Images: Paraskos mentor, support and help services is creating a two-tier them. I know what they are workforce and it has to end”. going through.” Mobina is respected and admired by friends and PROGRESS colleagues for her conviction, For Mobina, race equality is dedication and commitment long overdue – and working and her determination to with other BME staff through speak up for other people. the race forum, she is helping Regional head of higher push the diversity agenda and education Leonie Sharp, said: a change of culture through the “She’s a tireless university. campaigner. And she is Still dominated by white passionate about males, Mobina says there has equalities. Her work on behalf been some progress in gender of BME members and higher equality, but there’s still more education members is to be done. Importantly, race brilliant. She wants to put equality lags behind and she is higher education firmly on the critical of those universities that UNISON map by giving it a are not reflective of the student higher profile. Mobina is and local communities. someone who doesn’t just “Universities need to do more talk. She listens. And she has than pay lip service to race set about making the service equality by having in place group something that measurable goals that make a members want to take part in difference to the experience of by making it more engaging BME staff.” And if she had a and active.” magic wand, she would start by It’s obvious that Mobina has strengthening the equalities little time to herself, but when legislation to give it more teeth. she does she likes to spend it Pay inequality is just as with friends and in visiting important, she believes. family in South Africa. n 16 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE THE INTERVIEW

ail Andrews' sense of adventure is infectious. The 57- GAIL FORCE year-old advanced Ghealthcare assistant from Belton, near Doncaster, once chained herself to the COMMITMENT railings at Parliament during a protest against draconian child support policies. "I put the key down my bra so they had to get the bolt cutters. The chain was that thick it broke them. In the end they had to get a blow torch to get me off. I'm a bit of rebel really. I'll have a go at anything." Gail laughs. Next year she is going to visit her 36-year-old son, Mark, when he gets posted to Kenya during his duties as a helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps. It seems like Mark is a chip off the old block: Gail enlisted in the RAF when she was 18 as an air traffic communications operative. Her daughter, Katie, 16, is also joining her for the Kenya expedition. However Gail isn't just content with family time in the safari capital of the world. She is laying plans to visit more remote parts of Africa during the trip; to see for herself the work carried out by the maternal health charity she helps support: Life for African Mothers. "I'm hoping to leave my daughter with my son and get a flight to Sierra Leone or Chad and spend a few days working with the midwives over there. I think it'll be a life changing moment for me," Gail explained. Images: Mark Harvey Images: Her friends never know what she's going to do next. Reporter Ryan Fletcher interviews the livewire chair of Whether applying for TV the regional women’s committee – someone whose gameshows, helping to organise community friends never know what she’s going to do next… activities, protesting for SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 17 THE INTERVIEW FEATURE

change or fundraising - Gail's time Gail found it more distraught. enthusiasm for getting difficult when it came to She said: "I rang her to tell involved is endless. standing up for herself. It was her I was poorly and upset. Her passion for active the very personal realisation I’M A BIT I was depressed. She swore at pursuits extends into her of how easy it was to fall OF A me, she said she couldn't talk to leisure time; whenever she victim to unreasonable REBEL me when I was upset. She said gets the chance Gail will travel circumstances that led her to REALLY. she was going to put the phone to Hull, Leeds, Bradford take a bigger role within I’LL HAVE down and not to or even London to go to UNISON. A GO AT bother calling back until I'd the theatre. "At my old hospital I was ANYTHING finished crying." "I love going to the theatre. bullied by a senior staff "Because I have suffered at There's something about it member and I didn't go to the the hands of a bully I have an that's different to the pictures. union. I forgot I was in the understanding. I knew I didn't It's the atmosphere. You just union actually. I needed to get want anybody to feel the way I feel good. It's as if you’re part out so I applied for a job felt, so when I started at my of it," she told me. "I love somewhere else and got it," new job I decided to do socialising and I love that Gail said, "During that time I something about it." sense of being part of cried every day at work Since starting at Scunthorpe something. When I get making beds. I cried and I'd be Hospital in 2002 Gail has involved I like to think I can agitated before I went to work. become more and more make a difference." She would do things like ball involved with UNISON. One of When it comes to others me out in front of patients and the things she learned from her Gail has always had an innate staff for things I hadn't done." previous experiences was the

sense of justice. Like many The final straw came when necessity for good people willing to go the extra Gail called work after a family s Below: communication between mile for a good cause, at one tragedy had left her Gail on her rounds colleagues and the need for a s 18 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE THE INTERVIEW

s better way for people to that with the growing support workers provide express their feelings and pressures on workloads and invaluable care in return for concerns: whether those who living standards staff were in low-pay and uncertain bottle everything up, or those AT MY OLD need of a confidential shoulder working conditions. Gail says who might not always HOSPITAL to lean on. Thankfully the there needs to be more consider how what they say I WAS service was kept and although recognition for the services may come across to others. BULLIED Gail doesn't take credit for it they carry out - both from "Nobody should ever be BY A she says she definitely made others and the women bullied. So when I go into SENIOR her voice heard. themselves. There is a lot of disciplinaries I say 'no I'm STAFF good work going on, but absolutely not accepting that MEMBER CHILDCARE worries over job security are it wasn't your intention Gail is also raising her voice stifling enfranchisement. because look at the impact when it comes to the issue of "Anyone will say these it's had on that person,” Gail empowering women. As the workers are the backbone of told me. only female rep in her hospital the NHS. Yet they are treated "I'm not going to say I'm an she has taken on the role of so shabbily. We've got a angel. I've actually taken women's officer and is chair of predominantly female someone to one side and the regional women’s workforce - a lot of them are really bawled them out. And committee. Unfortunately she the main breadwinners for then when I thought about it I feels there is still a long way to their families, a lot are single thought 'oh my god'. So I go before other women like parents," she explained. went back and said 'I stand by her find their voice too. "They're so frightened for what I've said but I apologise She said: "Women are their jobs these workers won't for how I said it.' I've learnt a proportionally rock the boat. And it's not just lot and I wouldn't do that disadvantaged. More of them women who are worried. now." are in low paid jobs, they're That's why bullying will carry Her interest in resolving the ones that more often than on. Anyone who's got a job at problems without undue not sort out childcare. Many the minute feels that they’re conflict and giving people the women suffer from low self- lucky." tools to get things off their confidence. So it's about Nevertheless Gail feels chest properly led Gail to put empowering women, positive about the future and herself through a counselling convincing them they can do could not speak more highly of course. things they might usually rule her colleagues at the hospital When the counselling themselves out of and getting and within UNISON. True to services for staff at them to come forward." form she is even thinking of Scunthorpe Hospital were Nowhere is this issue more her next adventures: Visiting under threat three years ago apparent than the NHS, where an elephant sanctuary in Sri Gail fought for their a mostly female army of Lanka and a European camper- continuance. She pointed out healthcare assistants and van road trip. n

Why not give us a go? SATURDAY Every branch in the region is allowed to nominate up to five delegates to the regional women’s group. MEETINGS 10AM The group holds four meetings a year plus a training day. Expenses should be met by each branch so women should not be out of pocket, and crèche facilities are provided for youngsters up to the age of 16. -1PM The meetings take place on Saturday mornings from 10am until around 1pm.

The group is made up of women with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Says Gail: “We have a break and have a chat with each other, it’s not all work so why not give us a go. Get your branch secretary to nominate you and other women, I look forward to seeing you.”

We GUARANTEE to beat your current home insurance premium!*

WIN YOUR POLICY FOR FREE Call us now to beat your renewal quote: UIA Insurance will be giving away a FREE Home Insurance policy every day for the 0800 66 88 55 rest of the year‡. Simply take out a policy Or from a mobile dial: 01438 761 790 with us over the phone for a chance to win. Quote reference: ACTIVE215 • 87% of customers would recommend us** Lines open 8:30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. • Interest-free monthly Direct Debit payments *’Price Guarantee’ is an introductory offer and applies to new customers only for first 12 months of policy. Min premiums apply. Max discount £150. Offer is available if you have been claim-free for 5 years or more, is subject to our usual acceptance and underwriting criteria, and is only available when you call us quoting reference ‘Active215’. We reserve the right to verify your home insurance renewal premium. A quote must be requested by 30.9.15. Quotes valid for 45 days. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. **Research carried out by UIA (Insurance) Ltd, April 2015. ‡Terms and conditions apply, visit www.uia.co.uk/terms-conditions. UNISON is an Introducer Appointed Representative of UIA (Insurance) Ltd, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

From £1.30 a month Every UNISON member receives our full range of products and services including:

• A hotline for help and advice on workplace issues • Legal services for you and your family for injuries and accidents at work and outside work. • Unrivalled protection and representation at work • Help with pay and conditions of service • Welfare services for you and your family • PLUS hundreds of member discounts JOIN NOW for essentialCall 0800UNISON 0 857 cover 857 www.joinunison.org 20 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE COMMITMENT

Image: Mark Harvey Image: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Sharon Simcox was failed by management, but her anger turned her into an activist. Two years later Sharon is a branch convenor. Mary Maguire reports

wo years ago, Sharon correction. This proved to be a myself out of the mess. I Simcox was watershed in Sharon’s life and examined the council’s suspended from her a change of direction policies, procedures and job. It was a job in the followed. She told me: “I was guidelines. I worked out what Tcare sector that she very angry. I spent those seven I could do, how I could loved. A job caring for weeks wondering what I had support myself and others vulnerable, elderly and done wrong. When I got back facing similar situations”. disabled people, across to work, it was difficult to hold Almost immediately, Rotherham. A job she had back that anger. I felt that Sharon was hammering on the done for the best part of 25 management had failed me, Rotherham branch office door, years. The experience left her that the process had failed me.” determined to become a angry, but stronger. But that anger prompted UNISON steward. Soon she At the end of a seven week Sharon to act. She explained: was representing members, suspension, she was fully “I also spent those seven weeks but was eager to do more. reinstated, without sanction or looking at ways of getting Mary Maguire Sharon soaked up training SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 21

opportunities. A quick the National Union pondering a problem. Her big learner, she took on more of Mineworkers. motivation is to see people complex cases and developed Sharon has school age treated more fairly. A fair the experience and knowledge children, a son of 18 and THEY CAN day’s pay for a fair day’s she needed to do the best job daughter of 15, and an STAND UP work. She is particularly for her members. elderly disabled mother to FOR WHAT passionate about care A year down the line and look out for. She will soon THEY workers. Sharon had to face a tough be a grandmother herself as BELIEVE IN. “The big cats get massive choice. Did she stay in a job her eldest daughter is due THEY DON’T pay rises. Yet the people who that she loved and remain a to give birth in October. HAVE are always there at night, early steward or did she stand for At the age of 16, she left TO STAY morning, weekends, bank full-time branch school. Her first job was in a IN THE holidays, doing a fantastic job convenor? After a shop, organised through the SHADOWS looking after vulnerable “mental battle”, Sharon then Youth Training people, are paid a pittance. It’s decided to take the Scheme. She recalled: as if the bosses say ‘keep them UNISON path. “I was quite a good artist down there, keep them low at school, but I couldn’t be paid. Make them do more and COURAGE bothered to go through more each day for less and With 4000 members, Sharon three years of college. I less’. We are paid way below finds it’s full-on, but she isn’t wanted to be out earning what we are worth and I just complaining. The job of money like my mates. So I wonder with this convenor, she says, is all about took the path of least Government, how will that get “empowering members to resistance, left school and any better”. fight for their rights and to drifted through different Although Sharon says she’s give them the courage and jobs. I had some passion for not politically minded as she inspiration to believe that they working in the care sector finds politics “difficult to can do it”. and that’s eventually what swallow”, she’s alarmed at the She adds: “Yes, the job is I did”. Tory Government and its age a a ey about representing members, Her son wants to be a “hostility” towards trade but it’s also about getting tattoo artist and uses his unions. That, she says, will them to realise that they can mother as a guinea pig for make life more difficult for say enough is enough. They his designs. On her union reps like her. But I can stand up for what they 45th birthday, Sharon had doubt that will stop her. n believe in. They don’t have to her back tattooed with a stay in the shadows. They are compilation picture of her the union and they should children, designed by her NeverTooLate stand up and speak out son. As a friend joked: “Your against injustice and kids will always be on your inequality.” back”. Sharon took the opportunities Sharon stresses that she made available through Her youngest daughter is UNISON’s regional education couldn’t do her job without showing a keen interest in programme and so could you. the branch secretary/ fighting discrimination and It endeavours to offer courses administrator who is the first inequality and is often at to suit everyone. point of call: “As soon as she Sharon’s side at rallies and The education programme is designed to help both picks up that phone, she’s demonstrations. Sharon individuals and their branches. UNISON needs more, better ready to reassure and support proudly says her daughter equipped and motivated activists. The courses are aimed troubled or distressed has the “potential to do a lot at building confidence and developing abilities. Courses members.” are available for potential, new and more experienced of good in the future”. activists seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. Sharon, 48, was born in the Sharon is devoted to her It is never too late to learn. mining village of Thurcroft family but committed to her where she’s lived all her work. Music helps her cope Contact your branch education co-ordinator or branch life. Her dad was a miner and and she can often be seen secretary for details. an active member of ear attached to i-pod when Image: Steve Morgan Image: eeds adult support worker Rachel Crowther loves her job – helping Lvulnerable adults live independently and get the most out of life. So she was happy to spend most of Christmas day and Boxing day ‘at work’ – joining people she helps care for celebrate at the supported living bungalow they share in the city. “We had a great time and lots of fun“, says Rachel. Helping ensure residents have fun and ‘get out and about’ is an important part of her job. And Rachel’s very glad the days of shutting people away in big institutions are long gone. With the right care package and support, they can thrive. “People with learning difficulties and additional needs can be underestimated”, says Rachel. And it’s not simply about where people live. “Adult day services and transport play a massive part in helping people live their lives independently and enjoy what’s out there.” There have been many trips out for Rachel and the people she helps support – from bowling in Leeds to days at the seaside – and even a live ‘X Factor’ event at Leeds Arena. Like many care workers, FOLLOWING IN Rachel has more than one job. She works 25 hours a week MUM’S FOOTSTEPS with people in the bungalow. Additionally, she looks after a At 23-years-old adult support worker Rachel Crowther six year old boy and acts as a PA for a 19 year-old young is one of the region’s youngest shop stewards and woman with learning mother Linda couldn’t be more proud. difficulties. Helen Hague reports At 23, Rachel - who switched from hairdressing to care - is one of UNISON’s SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 23

youngest shop stewards in knows first-hand the recruit more the next year, the region. She took up the importance of recruiting new which is fair enough,” says role in November, and is members and nurturing Linda. keen to offer her colleagues young activists. ADULT DAY She says the council and union support when they Rachel and her siblings SERVICES the union work well in need it. grew up steeped in the AND partnership most of the time You could say it’s in the importance of solidarity and TRANSPORT – a working relationship, blood – especially down the fairness at work – not to PLAY underpinned by a unique female line. Rachel’s mention the impact public A MASSIVE agreement, which can help grandma was both a care services have on people’s PART IN solve problems before they worker and a union activist – lives. Their mum has acted as escalate. “If we can sort a and still goes to meetings for a powerful role model. HELPING problem rather than taking it retired members. Bradford local government PEOPLE through formal procedures, Rachel’s mother Linda, branch– represents not only LIVE everyone benefits” says now UNISON local 9,000 members employed by THEIR Linda. government branch secretary the council, but other LIVES But she is certainly not over in Bradford, got active organisations delivering afraid to clash with in the union at 25. She’d just services to the public - from employers if that’s what it returned to work after Bradford Community takes to get a fair deal for maternity leave with three Housing Trust to parts of members. “That’s what we children under four. She was further education and the are here for – to get the best able to do that with much- voluntary sector. for our members. We have a needed support from the Linda is proud great team of stewards and council’s day nursery, now that despite the convenors and we are trying sadly shut. Juggling cuts, the to make the union deliver childcare and work ‘is a lot branch – what our members need.” harder now for many and the Now Linda is keen to women’ says Linda. eight represent members - and the The union was very male- strong region - at national level dominated back then, even team after being elected to a though women made up released women’s seat on the most of the workforce. A from national executive. “I'm steward, usually male their day really grateful to the people ‘handed you a form on the jobs full who voted for me. I'll use the first day and virtually or part mandate to make sure everybody signed up’. time - members’ views are taken has into account at national SOLIDARITY managed level”. But change was in the air. to exceed Her daughter is keen to Soon Linda, and other mums recruitment recruit more members newly returned from targets set by where she works. “Some maternity leave, began head office over people sign up on the spot, turning up to union meetings the past two years. but there can be a bit of and making a difference. “When we meet hesitation if they are not Linda’s appetite for getting one target, it sure what UNISON involved was well and truly means we can do for them. It’s whetted. Before long she was have to my job to explain. a steward and has served as Nowadays it’s branch secretary in Bradford always a good since 2008. idea to have And she’s obviously someone there chuffed – but not surprised - to back you up.” that Rachel is actively Let’s hear it for involved in the union. She Rachel Crowther solidarity… n Image: Mark Harvey Image: Roger's part in one of the longest running strikes in the history of the NHS would see him tour the country, speak to 50,000 people at an anti- austerity rally and address a crisis meeting in parliament. "It was madness. Complete and utter surreal madness. If someone would have told me what was going to happen two years ago I wouldn't have believed them," he said. CHANGES Roger has spent nearly his entire working life supporting people with special needs, and has seen a lot of changes along the way. After leaving The Owls he spent eight years from 1982 working at St Catherine's long stay mental OLD OWL healthcare hospital before moving into care in the community around Doncaster. TAKES Community care is only effective, Roger says, when support workers can ‘give the FLIGHT time to chew the fat with and get to know’ the people they're assisting. From 1990 Roger worked for the NHS Roger Hutt went from playing football in front of content in the knowledge that thousands to making speeches to even bigger crowds in he and his colleagues were contributing towards a his role as a Care UK activist. Ryan Fletcher reports common good. In April 2013 things suddenly went backwards: oger Hutt's sense of This time however the NHS care in the community fair play stayed stakes were much higher and services were sold off to Care with him even after the opposite side weren't just UK, owned by private equity he left Sheffield intent on ignoring the rules; WE'RE firm Bridgepoint - whose R Wednesday. His they wanted to change the FIGHTING business model required teenage career as a game. The 52-year-old Care FOR THE stripping services to a professional footballer came to UK worker was fighting SOUL minimum to provide investors an end, Roger says, after he against those who wish to OF THIS with a hefty profit. The ‘discovered beer and women’. turn one of our country's COUNTRY company welcomed its newly It would take more than 30 crowning glories - that all acquired employees with the years before he appeared in members of society are cared news that they were facing front of thousands of people for regardless of their wage cuts of up to 35 per cent. again - but he was ready to economic standing - into a "They categorise it as a throw everything he had zero sum calculation of profit business. When has healthcare against his new adversary. and loss. ever been a business? SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 25

Everybody becomes a day in the city spreading the heart. We're fighting for the commodity. The most message. In total the strikers soul of this country. It is still a vulnerable people in society received around £150,000 for great country, I know it are perceived as a WE'VE the hardship fund from doesn't feel like it at this commodity," said Roger. PASSED members of the public. present moment in time, but it ON THE As momentum grew Roger is and we have to fight for it," BELIEFS MANTLE joined comedian Russell he said The 90 day strike that TO OTHER Brand, Guardian columnist followed Care UK's take-over PEOPLE Owen Jones and Green Party LEGACY caught the public's attention MP Caroline Lucas in The strike ended in November because it wasn't just about an speaking at the 50,000 strong last year with a pay deal. extreme attack on pay and People's Assembly rally in Roger has gone back to work working conditions, it was Parliament Square on July 11, for Care UK, despite his also about our country's 2014. In October the same dislike of its ethos, and fundamental principles. year he addressed the Crisis continued his role as a Roger, who played a pivotal in Social Care meeting at UNISON rep. "All differences role in raising awareness in Parliament. At events across are left at the door, so we can the national consciousness, the country he went down a get on with what matters" he says this is because dearly treat. His popularity is due, in says. Outside of work Roger is held beliefs about helping part, because like the other still involved with providing those in need had come Care UK strikers Roger was a support and solidarity to other second fiddle to cash. working man risking his struggling healthcare workers "There was a guy in his late livelihood for the good of across the country "Our legacy 30s that came to us at the everybody. is that we've passed on the sheltered housing complex I "Whether you're giving a mantle to other people who worked in. He was always speech to three people, 300 or believe they can make a getting locked up and was 3000 you speak from the difference," he said. n very confrontational. His entire life had been fight or flight," Roger said. "But we spent so much time with him that we got him to the point where he became a really nice character. That's why I remain in the sector. But I don't think we're in a position where that is going to be possible anymore. There isn't that continuity of care with a private company who want a transient workforce - they're just interested in making money." Early on in the hard-fought and bitter conflict Roger put forward the idea of branching out from the picket line and touring the country. The response the striking workers received nationwide was overwhelming. In Hull Roger was handed a collection of £3000 in support of the strikers after spending the 26 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE POLITICS

have to satisfy new strike ballot majorities that most members of the Cabinet failed to win in their constituencies. The use of agency casuals to break walk-outs will also be legalised – a “scabs' charter” if ever I saw one. This is a deliberate strategy to prevent union members protesting against spending cuts and a £12 billion raid on the welfare budget that will cost jobs and pay right across the public sector – including the NHS. The punishment will not end there. For those still in a job, but not earning enough to live on, in-work benefits will be cut. So will home services for old folk. Thousands more council staff face the axe. Police budgets will be hit, costing support jobs. Young people will lose all benefits if they don't do as ordered under new “earn or WAR ON learn” rules. And the homes waiting list will sky-rocket with the sell-off of housing WORKERS association properties. SEARCHING In an exclusive article for Active! The Mirror’s Paul It didn't have to be this way. If Britain had been as wise as Routledge says there is a deliberate strategy to stop Bradford, Ed Miliband would union members protesting against spending cuts be Prime Minister today. If England had been as sensible as the voters of Leeds, avid Cameron From her throne in the Sheffield, Hull and declared a House of Lords, the monarch Wakefield, there would be no Whitsuntide war proclaimed that “my Tory rulers in any of our on workers as the government” will “legislate town and city halls. D first all-Tory to reform trade unions and Labour performed pretty government for nearly 20 protect essential public well in parliamentary and years came to power. services from strikes”. local elections in our region He couldn't wait to launch All services are essential, or on May 7, largely bucking the an attack on rights at work. It they wouldn't be provided. trend that put Cameron back was the highlight of the Nurses, firefighters, transport into Number Ten. Queen's Speech within days workers – anybody this Now, the party is searching of taking office. Paul Routledge government decrees – will for a new leader after Ed SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 27

Miliband resigned. His Louise Haigh, who took coming second. However, successor might well come Sheffield Heeley with a the Ukippers won fewer from Yorkshire, with Yvette thumping majority of almost than twenty council seats Cooper, Shadow Home 13,000 over Ukip – more than THOUSANDS across the county. Secretary, one of the front- double the margin won in MORE The biggest problem runners. 2010. And in York Central, COUNCIL facing Labour local The contest will be held Rachel Maskell held the STAFF government in our region is: under new rules for union constituency with a FACE how to live with the members, but they will still comfortable majority over THE AXE horrendous public spending have a vote. We'll know the the Conservatives. cuts sweeping down from winner on September 12. Whitehall for at least the There were more highs NEWCOMERS next three years. than lows in the The women didn't have it all The biggest problem Parliamentary polls, with their own way : Imran facing the unions is how to women candidates Hussein took Bradford East adapt to draconian rules performing particularly well. back from the Lib Dems – in requiring a 40 per cent Our region sent eight new fact it was a clean sweep for turnout plus a 50 percent Labour women to Labour in the city and Harry “Yes” for strike ballots to be Westminster. Naseem Shah Harpham took over from legally valid. pulled off the best result of David Blunkett in Sheffield TUC general secretary the night, ousting George Brightside. Frances O'Grady says these Galloway and his Respect These newcomers add to a so-called employment law Party in Bradford West. strong phalanx of Labour reforms will mean In Bradford South, Judith big-hitters from the region, workpeople have “as much Cummins held on to the seat including Dan Jarvis power as Oliver Twist.” And vacated by former Sports (Barnsley), Rosie Winterton we know what he got when Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, and (Doncaster), Caroline Flint he asked for “More.” n Jo Cox easily retained next- (Don Valley) and Hilary door Batley and Spen. Paula Benn (Leeds Central). Sarah Sherriff triumphed in Champion held off a major TheRundown Dewsbury, taking the Ukip challenge in constituency back from Rotherham, and Sir Kevin the Tories. Barron stuffed Farage in Labour won 33 seats in UNISON's own Melanie Rother Valley. Yorkshire and Humberside, a net gain of one compared Onn confounded pundits But elsewhere the results with 2010. Labour who thought her Great were disappointing. Trade increased its share of the Grimbsy seat might be taken union lawyer Jamie Hanley vote by 4.8 percentage by Nigel Farage's Ukip Party. failed to take Pudsey, John points. The Conservatives She trounced the Tories and Grogan didn't make it at won 19 seats, the same number as in 2010. Their share the Ukippers with one of the Keighley and Ilkley. Most of the vote was broadly unchanged. biggest swings to Labour, stunning of all, Shadow giving her a majority five Chancellor Ed Balls was The Liberal Democrats won two seats, which was one times bigger than the one defeated at Morley and fewer than in 2010. Party leader Nick Clegg narrowly held bequeathed by retiring Outwood by a Tory his seat in Sheffield Hallam, but the Liberal Democrat veteran Austin Mitchell. unknown. share of the vote in the region fell 15 percentage points, The Tories poured His overthrow was largely to 7.1 per cent. resources into their bid to due to a massive rise in votes take Halifax, including visits for Ukip – from 1,500 to The UK Independence Party won 16 per cent of the by David Cameron and almost 8,000 – which vote, more than double the Liberal Democrats, but failed George Osborne, but to no dwarfed the Conservative to win any seats. avail. Labour's Holly Lynch majority of only 466. The held on with a slightly “Nigel surge” garnered over The Green Party won 3.5 per cent of the vote, an increased majority. 200,000 votes in the region, increase of 2.7 percentage points compared with 2010 Another new name is with Ukip occasionally ONNWARDS AND

UPWARDS s

Active! editor Barrie Clement interviews Grimsby’s new Labour MP Melanie Onn, who comes from a long line of hard working local women

Image: John Jones / News Photo Image:

hen the young The awe of the “new girl” s Above: play of the fact that he was woman first quickly dissipated and the Hard-won victory going to govern for the whole for MP Melanie approached determination of the of Britain, well that means he the ornate “Grimsby girl” took over. must get rid of such things as W gates it was Within days Melanie had exploitative zero hours a bit daunting. committed herself to the all- contracts. As a UNISON regional party group on fisheries and “Another important issue is organiser Melanie Onn had had been involved in a youth unemployment. In been to the Palace of meeting of the Parliamentary Grimsby around 25 per cent of Westminster before. But this Labour Party discussing the young people are not in time the girl who started out process of electing a new party employment, education or on Grimsby’s Grange and leader. training and unemployment Nunsthorpe estates, was there “There wasn’t a lot of time generally is running at around as the town’s new Labour MP. for reflection; for enjoying the 10 per cent. We need more “It felt like the gates to a election victory. It was a real jobs, but we also need better very exclusive club. Rather dampener to realise that we jobs.” than saying: ‘You are not were in opposition. A lot of the WE NEED Melanie’s victory in the allowed in here!’ I was almost things we talked about; how MORE Grimsby poll was hard-won. surprised when I was we would make working JOBS, Together with a dedicated welcomed in.” people’s lives better, it was so BUT WE band of volunteers, Melanie But Melanie had the people disappointing we wouldn’t be ALSO spent months building behind her. She was elected as able to implement them. Our NEED Labour’s reputation and Great Grimsby’s first woman task now is to campaign and BETTER gaining people’s trust. “I MP with a majority of 4,575, lobby the government. J0BS wanted people to know that I up from 714 in 2010, beating “In his first speech to the was normal; someone who the Tories into second place Commons after election, could understand their and Ukip into third. David Cameron made great concerns. Not everyone is born 29 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 NEW MP FEATURE

with a silver spoon in their feed himself, wash himself, Now she juggles her mouths - and I certainly get himself to the bathroom, parliamentary career with wasn’t.” and it was very difficult for me looking after her eight-year- Born in the old Grimsby to accept that I had to be old son Gabriel, a Maternity Hospital and involved in it. I'd be getting responsibility she shares with growing up on Grimsby’s ready for my GCSEs and her ex-husband. Grange and Nunthorpe getting up in the middle of the “Gabriel doesn’t like estates, Melanie saw at first- night to change the bed sheets. change, so it’ll take him a bit hand how local people had to "I remember thinking 'I can't of time to adjust, but it’s the be strong to get by. do this', which is really selfish, kind of worry a lot of working actually, but then teenagers people have.” n TENSIONS are, aren't they?" Melanie has a ‘battler’ instinct Soon after quitting school, in her DNA, coming from a she decided to leave the house long line of hard working local she shared with her aunt after women – her nan and great their relationship "broke aunt were a big part of down". community life in the cress Thanks to local charity beds, cooking in school Doorstep, Melanie soon had a kitchens and pulling pints at roof over her head and was pubs across town. able to complete her A-Levels Her mother was "a bit of a at Grimsby’s Franklin College hippy; a transient searching and go on to read Politics, for inner peace". That search Philosophy and International would eventually take mum Studies at Middlesex and four-year-old Melanie to University in North London. London where she went to a tough school riven with racial VOLUNTEER tensions. But at the age of six Her first job after university she returned to Grimsby to was working the 5am shift at live with her great-aunt in Tesco where she joined the Healing village, on the shopworkers’ union Usdaw. outskirts of town. Her early starts didn’t stop her Despite having no father heading over to South East figure - she never met him and London volunteering at read about his death in the Action For Blind People. Grimsby Telegraph - she There was a Remploy describes her early years as "a factory alongside the Tesco wonderful upbringing". stores and it was there that she Third place for Ukip "We had a garden and saw the value of trade stability and the local school unionism. The GMB was the was just behind my aunt's recognised union. As a regional organiser with UNISON, Melanie Onn, the council house. I felt very In January 2001 she became newly-elected MP for Great Grimbsy, negotiated living loved." a receptionist at the Labour wage agreements with councils in York, Doncaster and Her teen years were a Party's London headquarters. North East Lincs. Melanie campaigns tirelessly against different matter. "That's when I While Melanie came from a the iniquities of zero-hour contracts. became horrible," she admits. Labour family and was Despite the pundits’ prediction that Ukip would take In particular Melanie sympathetic to the party, she Grimsby from Labour, they were beaten into third struggled when her aunt's knew "very little" about it. place. She was elected as Great Grimsby’s first woman Polish lodger required round- She wanted to come back MP with a majority of 4,575, up from 714 in 2010. The the-clock care after a stroke. home so her son could grow Tories’ Marc Jones received 8,874 votes and Victoria "My great aunt became his up in Grimsby. Her job at Ayling of Ukip 8,417. carer; it meant that he couldn't UNISON helped her do that. 30 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE TECHNOLOGY

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Active reporter and technophobe Peter Carroll expresses his frustrations over the modern world of computers, call centres and endlessly repeated Vivaldi

t was being forced to As an opening message kids complain of the stress listen to a tinny recording warns, all calls are recorded caused by the grinding of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and I didn’t want to land any frustrations of automated for the eighth time in of the workers in trouble. SOME communication. Ithree hours that finally I said something like: “I’m YOUNGER A GP recently warned of made me slam down the satisfied with the way you PEOPLE people moving house or phone in despair. have listened to me but I am REGARD changing utility providers In the spirit of embracing not happy with the service ME AS being “engulfed by an the modern world, I’d just had because I still cannot send AT BEST overwhelming tsunami”. broadband installed at home important e-mails for work A LUDDITE Symptoms including a racing and rang the company to get and no-one is doing anything AND AT heartbeat, sweaty palms, connected to the internet. practical to help.” headaches and stomach After six hours on the This experience will be all WORST upsets are all the result of phone, over two gruelling too familiar to most people. AN IDIOT hanging on the end of days, they still couldn’t Almost every aspect of a phone. connect me. daily life is now controlled by So why is this seemingly I spoke to six different voice recognition computers, unstoppable march of robotic, people and each one promised call queues, multiple choice computer driven (“computer me someone from a more questionnaires and people senior level would call me you have never met not within the hour. Not one of ringing you back when they them did. say they will. But at the end of every As a man in late middle conversation I was asked, age, I know some younger robotically, precisely the same people regard me as at best a question: “Are you happy Luddite and at worst an idiot with the service you have when it comes to technology. received today?” But even technical whizz- Peter Carroll SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 31

says NO”) tyranny happening spell the end of the human like nothing better than so rapidly right across the race.” having a good laugh. world? Artificial intelligence I once rang a life insurance All the people I have spoken scientists say they will soon be WE ARE company after seeing yet to about this issue most able to make machines that SOCIAL another advert from Michael certainly do not believe it can actually think and act ANIMALS, Parkinson touting his benefits them, so people independently. Prof Hawkins WE NEED famous Parker pens. assume the technology boosts said machines would be able HUMAN I told them (they put you productivity. to take off on their own and re- CONTACT on a loudspeaker if they design themselves at an ever AS MUCH think you’re eccentric for FRUSTRATED increasing rate. their mates’ entertainment) Since the industrial AS FOOD that, like Michael, I was from revolution, employers have TERRIFYING AND WATER Yorkshire and so would like looked to mechanise Humans, who are limited by a pen. production to reduce the slow biological evolution, “Well you have to show an number of people on the wouldn’t be able to compete interest in taking out a policy payroll, and call centres are and would potentially fall to get one,” she said. part of that tradition. victim to the superior “Well if you send me a But evidence that call computers which have long Parker pen I might be centres really increase been able to beat chess interested. Is Michael there, productivity is slim, and in Grandmasters with relative I’ll have a word with him?,” many cases companies ease. I said. actually risk losing frustrated And only recently a “No, sorry Michael isn’t customers who yearn for a professor warned that humans usually here in the real human being to could be left “utterly evenings”, she replied, help them. defenceless” by flying robots smothering a giggle. “I think One reason for all this is the that think for themselves and we have run out of Parker belief of many people that are designed to kill. They pens but we do have some nothing is impossible to could be deployed within a carriage clocks if that’s OK?” science and technology, which decade. “That will be fine,” I said,” will ultimately solve the This terrifying prospect is and please give my best world’s problems. a possible, even probable wishes to Parky.” If something can be done conclusion of the automated Two days later, not one but with new technology, it will be world now being imposed two Parker Pens arrived with done because progress is on us. a drawing of the great “intrinsically” good. The fact We are social animals, we interviewer and a ‘love from that it dehumanises people need human contact as much Michael’ note. when implemented is not a as food and water to survive So next time you’re consideration. and be happy in our allotted trapped in the labyrinth of Professor Stephen time here. the call centre, try having a Hawking, not a scientist The poor underpaid battery laugh with them - you never known for sensationalism, has hens forced to work in call know what might happen. n warned: “The development of centres are human too. They artificial intelligence could 32 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 THE COLUMN A TYKE’S EYE VIEW

PAUL ROUTLEDGE Polictical columnist on The Mirror Not everybody’s glass of Tetley’s Rambler Tom Stephenson had the idea of the Pennine Way footpath in the 1950s and yet it took 14 years of wrangling with landowners to make the dream a reality. Not everyone was pleased, especially a council official’s wife who ended up in a bog…

once walked the Pennine Way. Not all HS2, the high-speed rail connection 250 miles of it, you understand, but the planned between Leeds and London, is stretch between Cowling and scheduled to run slap bang through I DARE Lothersdale in North Yorkshire. Or, picturesque parkland south of the city. SAY SOME Imore accurately, between the Black Bull The route goes through the 250-acre PEOPLE and the Hare and Hounds, two handsome Walton Hall estate, which includes Waterton WILL real ale boozers. The Bull is now a furniture Hall, now a hotel, but originally home to the CURSE emporium but the H&H is still going strong. famous 19th century plant explorer Charles The Way is 50 years old this summer, and Waterton. ME FOR thousands are tramping across the tops. It Sir David has joined a local campaign to THIS was Britain's first national long-distance save the park from HS2 planners, pledging PENNINE footpath, and it's still the most popular. support for the estate to be made a protected WAY But do you know its origins? Rambler UNESCO World Heritage Site. BUSINESS Tom Stephenson had the idea in the 1950s In a letter to Wakefield Council, the TV after walking up Pendle Hill in Lancashire, wildlife guru said: “Walton Hall is an gazing at the hills of Wharfedale and the extremely important site in the history of Pennines on the horizon. conservation worldwide – the first tract of Rambler, Around that time, he had a letter from two land anywhere in modern times to be Tom Stephenson American girls coming to England for a long protected, guarded and maintained as a vacation who wanted to walk something like nature reserve.” the 1,500-mile Appalachian Trail in the USA. Charles Waterton, who travelled the Not quite enough room for that here, but world in search of flora and fauna, Stephenson wrote a newspaper article welcomed visitors to his reserve, set up in suggesting a Pennine Way and the idea took the 1820s, provided they didn't carry a gun. off like a lark. Fourteen years of wrangling And he gave sixpence to anyone who with landowners later, it became a reality. brought him a live hedgehog for release into It's not everybody's glass of Tetley's. the park. Guiding a council official through a right of HS2 spin doctors insist that “no final way in a bog, Stephenson said to the man's decision” has been taken about the exact wife: “I dare say some people will curse me route of the line from Birmingham to Leeds. some day for this Pennine Way business.” That usually means they have decided, but The woman glared at him and snapped: won't tell for fear of hostile public reaction. “You needn't wait!” Incidentally, HS2 isn't even planned to stop in Wakefield, so more power to your DON’T RAILROAD US! arm, Sir David! “The railroad runs through the middle of the house, since the company bought the land” REED ALL ABOUT IT goes the old American song. And now it Keighley, my nearest town, gets a bad press, could come true in rural Wakefield if compared unfairly to historic Skipton. celebrity naturalist Sir David Attenborough But it's a hit on YouTube after local boy fails to stop the iron road engineers. James Reed, 28, wrote a comedy song about SUMMER 2015 UNISON ACTIVE! 33

the town that went viral. The song, that is, wooden stand at Valley Parade. Ferged Out! not the town. Police say his statement was submitted to He jokes about the poor selection of shops the coroner, but after all these years this and people being “slightly down-at-heel” can't be verified. Sir Alex Ferguson, 73, and suggests they move to posh Ilkley or So, as one mystery appears to be solved, finds retirement Harrogate (they'd never have the money). another emerges from the smoke. At least “more exhausting” than getting up at six “If you live here, you've got a right to we can now be pretty certain that it wasn't every day to run laugh about the place,” says James. “And I arson by the club's chairman, as suggested Manchester United. like living here. I'd move away if I didn't.” in a new book on the tragedy by a survivor Given the club's Fine, but I wouldn't strike up the ukulele of the fire. underwhelming with his ditty on North Street of a Saturday performance since he night if I were him. RUN ON THE BANKS quit, I'm sure they'll More than 60,000 people in Yorkshire used have him back, if ROUND THE BEND food banks in the past year, six times the he asks nicely. It’s official. Women drivers are better than number only two years ago. And one in men. They outperform macho males in just three were children or teenagers. about everything on the road, including Nationally, the figure was over the Drunk As A... observing speed limits, stopping at lights million mark, said the Trussell Trust, which and using indicators. organises many – but by no means all – the Aristocracy is derived Women are also likely to tailgate less, or country's charity feeding centres. from two ancient cut into traffic, use a mobile phone Problems with benefits are the main Greek words meaning while driving or cause an reason for the surge in demand, but “rule of the best.” obstruction. the trust also experienced a rise Lord Worsley, 24, son of the Earl of Men have more bad habits, in those on low incomes. Yarborough, was such as talking or texting on And with £12 billion caught driving almost a phone, cutting welfare cuts coming down three times over the dangerously into traffic, the track, things can only drink limit and cutting corners and get worse. without insurance or obstructing the road. a licence, after he These findings, from a IN COD I TRUST crashed into a study carried out by We’ve had our chips. That's lamppost. Privilege Insurance, confirm if you want haddock, anyway. He was “blacked up” with boot polish what I have known for years: Rising temperatures in the on his face. that I'm safer in my wife's car than North Sea will sharply diminish “I do feel I have been with the editor of UNISON Active! at stocks of haddock, plaice and lemon rather foolish,” he told the wheel. He’s a nutter. sole, say researchers. cops in Grimsby. And everybody is safer on the roads for Being a cod man myself, I can't say I'm Foolish? Criminally the fact that I don't drive at all. heartbroken, because I hear there's better barmy, more like. As news on the cod front. But just like some well as a hefty fine, NOT ARSON (like me) prefer gin to whisky, some will magistrates ordered The mystery of the Bradford City football mourn the demise of the humble haddock. him to do 120 hours of unpaid work. I hope stadium fire that killed 56 fans 30 years ago Austin Mitchell, former Labour MP for he uses the may have been solved. the once-mighty fishing port of Grimsby, opportunity to reflect Australian fan Eric Bennett, now dead, changed his name by deed poll to Mr on his folly, but I doubt admitted to police that he probably started Haddock in protest at EU catch quotas. he will. Aristocrat? the blaze by dropping a lighted cigarette The gimmick didn't last long. Much like Aristoprat. butt that fell down a hole in the condemned the fish itself, you might say. n 34 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2015 FEATURE NHS STAFFING

MORE NURSES NOW! Tristram Sterry, of Thompsons Solicitors’ Leeds office, calls for mandatory nurse to patient ratios to avoid an increasingly dangerous working environment

he new government nurses, paramedics and other are magnified by an ageing must make proper healthcare workers who have population and a reduction in NHS staffing levels a been injured or attacked when adequate funding from central priority, or else inadequate staffing levels PROPER government. In the long term, Thealthcare workers produce a more dangerous STAFFING these pressures escalate even will continue to find working environment. LEVELS further when applied to a themselves at risk. Michael Martin, a UNISON MUST BE workforce of which, thanks to In April UNISON carried member from Wakefield, was A PRIORITY the last government’s policies, out its annual survey of the a nursing assistant at Mid- 37 per cent are working cover in hospitals throughout Yorkshire Hospitals NHS overtime and 70 per cent are the UK.. The results were Trust when he was attacked not able to take required disappointing, if not by a patient while caring for a breaks. This is an environment surprising. Despite hoping to terminally ill patient on the which is putting nurses and see a positive change, it is neurology ward. The patient patients alike at risk. apparent that - yet again - the who attacked him had a Until a government takes last government’s claims to mental health condition and this issue seriously and puts in have ushered in an was becoming progressively place mandatory minimum improvement in nursing more agitated before he nurse-to-patient ratios, nurses numbers have no basis assaulted Michael with a and other UNISON members in reality. chair. like Michael Martin will The report found that 65 per The attack left Michael with continue to be put at a level of cent of respondents felt that fractured ribs and in chronic risk that would not be care was not being carried out pain - ultimately he had to tolerated in any other to a consistent standard due to give up his job. Crucially, at workplace. understaffing – an 11-point the time of the accident, The cuts programme of the increase on the 2014 figure. On Michael’s ward was badly previous government left the day of the survey 70 per understaffed: he was one of many NHS staff hamstrung in cent were unable to take all or only three staff responsible for delivering the quality of care some of their breaks, while 42 twenty-eight patients. Had they want to achieve and per cent found themselves there been enough staff on which all care patients caring for eight or more hand, the patient who ended deserve. The new government patients. Such staffing levels up assaulting Michael may must act now to make are clearly preventing never had become agitated in achieving proper staffing committed NHS workers from the first place, or a colleague levels a matter of priority. n carrying out their jobs to the may have been able to standard they want, and intervene before Michael was nearly half of respondents felt struck. there was insufficient staff to The dangers of deliver safe, dignified, and understaffing have profound Tristram Sterry compassionate care. implications for the safety of Unfortunately, Thompsons all healthcare workers. The regularly sees examples of pressures of providing care Meet the UNISON plus team UNISON plus working with Branches

The team is happy to assist Branches with UIA Insurance recruitment activity and support recruitment events. UIA offers home, travel, and pet insurance at special We can also arrange:- rates to members. Please contact Sue Kemp for all • A Branch visit or workplace visit promotional materials on 01438 761633. • Offer a presentation to or ‘exhibit’ at a Branch meeting Hilary Horobin 01438 761661 • Provide promotional literature and materials [email protected]

LV = Liverpool Victoria UIB Family Protection insurance Discounted car insurance for UNISON members. FREE £2,500 accident insurance plus UNISONProtect www.unisoncarinsurance.com low-cost income protection, personal accident cover Britannia Rescue and guaranteed acceptance life insurance. Cheaper breakdown cover from UNISON’s official UNISON Prepaid Plus Mastercard breakdown partner. This is a prepaid card, so you load it before using it and www.britanniarescue.com/unison you can earn between 3-6% cashback at retail partners.

Ian Crabbe 07733 423 835 John Eccles 07833 450 067 [email protected] [email protected]

UNISON Travel Club TC Advertising Gifts Lighthouse Financial Advice Hassle free holiday UNISON’s only supplier of planning service with gifts such as pens, bags, UNISON’s chosen exclusive holiday deals for clothing and USBs. For a provider of Independent UNISON members. copy of our brochure call Financial Advice. Free no 01844 275700 or visit obligation consultations. www.TC-UNISON.co.uk

Dianne Jolly 07427 610 612 June Anderson 07921 037 425 John Duffy: [email protected] [email protected] 07535 991722 john.duffy@ lighthousefa.co.uk (South Yorkshire and The Tax Refund Company Vision Express Substantial savings on glasses and contact Humberside) Are your members lenses for UNISON members and their families. Gillian McGrath: 07887 788935 missing out on a Nikki Williams 007940 169 557 [email protected] possible tax refund? [email protected] (North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire) Use this NO REFUND = NO FEE service. UNISON Rewards - Free £10 Bonus Plus get paid cashback, loads of discounts and offers at over 2,500 online retailers. Lynda Dobson 0844 332 0004 John Eccles 07833 450 067 [email protected] [email protected]

UNISONplus Health & UNISONDrive Dental Plans For all new and used cars, any make, UNISON Croyde Bay Holiday Resort Low cost healthcare plans any model. and Conference centre that give members cashback Richard May 0845 122 6923 Self catering and half board for their everyday costs not [email protected] accommodation, indoor pool, sauna, covered by the NHS. See gym and jacuzzi and right next to the www.youbenefit.co.uk for Union Energy beach. Also ideal for conferences and special offers Gas & Electricity price comparison service training courses. owned by the TUC. Wendy Freeman 0800 037 0753 Mike Jones 07901 229204 Simon Willis 0127 189 0890 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

UNISONPlus on the web. For more information on all the services available and the great savings you can make visit www.unison.org.uk and click on the UNISONPlus logo on the home page. LAST UNISON: PROVIDING ESSENTIAL CHANCE! COVER FOR THOSE DELIVERING PUBLIC SERVICES... DONCASTER RACEDAY SATURDAY AFTERNOON 1 AUGUST 2015

Exclusive special ticket offer for UNISON members

Please note: there will be a £2.50 ‘2 for 1’ Grandstand Tickets transaction charge per order except for Total price £13 (2 tickets) purchases of four or less tickets. On sale: from 1 February 2015 Offer closes: 5.00pm on 24 July 2015 To book tickets call 01302 304200 and quote ‘the UNISON raceday offer’, your UNISON membership number or UNISON branch code.

PLUS! LIVE DJ’s Vernon Kay & Jo Whiley