Dear Member,
Mike More has today written to all staff informing them of potential redundancies.
I am writing to inform you that to date Westminster UNISON has been kept in the dark about the details of these proposals.
For the past three months we have had informal discussions with Graham White and Mike More on future plans. At no stage have we been given concrete proposals, including a structure chart, who exactly is at risk and who is not. We have also never been given a detailed business case for these proposals.
When it became apparent the structure charts had been drawn up and letters of vulnerability were going to be sent out, I met with Graham White and Mike More. I pointed out that we did not consider any meaningful consultation had taken place. I also asked for meaningful consultation to begin new prior going to the formal 90 day consultation process, at the end of which people will be made redundant. Both requests were flatly refused.
As a result our Regional Officer has lodged a dispute with the Joint Secretaries.
The Joint Secretaries comprise the Head of the Employers Organisation for London and the UNISON Head of Local Government for London. They have a duty to mediate in the dispute. We believe the Council has not consulted with us on the details of Transformation and we will be asking the Joint Secretaries to address this.
I was advised that no decisions had been taken, and that all proposals were for discussion during the 90 day consultation process. I was also advised that no decisions had been made on redundancies.
However whilst I was in the meeting, a letter was sent to the Regional Officer telling her that Branch Officers were at risk of redundancy and that their facilities time would be honoured during their notice period.
This clearly demonstrates decisions have been taken and staff have been identified for redundancy.
This is not only an attack on our members, their jobs and council services but a well thought out attack on the union. If these current proposals go through our branch will be decimated.
We need your support
There is a Cabinet members meeting next Monday 6th July at City Hall.
We are organising a demonstration outside City Hall on Monday evening (details to follow).
You need to come along and air your views to the Councillors who will be considering whether to sign off the report which gives permission to go ahead with the changes.
If you have received a vulnerability letter please click here to read an article on what to do next.
Westminster UNISON are also holding two mass meetings for all UNISON members on the 13th July in the City Hall canteen at 4pm and on the 14th July at 4pm in the Lisson Grove/Frampton Street canteen.
It is vital that you attend these meetings so that you can be kept up to date on the issues.
