NGSU - Newsletter

	Issue 023 \| Jan 2010 This Newsletter provides information for members of the Nationwide Group Staff Union
In this Issue Happy New Year TUC Aid Haiti Appeal Time-Off for Trade Union Duties Disability and the Downturn Roll on the Summer Hols! Queen's Diamond Jubilee Holiday	Happy New Year Happy New Year to all NGSU members. It's a sincere message but the tragic earthquake in Haiti and other events around the world serve to remind us just how lucky most of us are here in the UK and causes us reflect on what we might wish for ourselves and for those less fortunate in the year ahead. The TUC is organising an appeal to support the aid effort in Haiti and further details are given below should you wish to donate. The new National Executive Committee (NEC) meets later this month to discuss the Union's agenda for the next two years. Our priority is to remain a strong voice within Nationwide so that we can have a real influence over the people agenda. That involves keeping membership levels high and, importantly, for members to be active in putting forward their views and telling us about the issues that concern them. You can keep in touch via your local Rep; join our on-line forum or send us an e-mail. We also plan to get out and about again this year so I hope many members will take the opportunity to come and chat to us. We'll be in Bournemouth Admin Centre in February and keep an eye on our website for news of furture events. Best wishes Tim Poil General Secretary TUC Aid Haiti Appeal TUC Aid is making an appeal to affiliates, union members and to the general public for funds for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The earthquake which struck the island at 21.53 GMT on 12 January 2010 has left a trail of destruction. According to the President of Haiti, it has caused some 50,000 deaths. Massive damage has been caused to Haiti's underdeveloped, poorly maintained infrastructure and property, with most buildings including hospitals and private dwellings in the capital - Port au Prince - turned to rubble. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) estimates that some 3m people, most of whom have been made homeless, are in dire need of food, clothes, shelter and essential medicines. The people of Haiti, considered to be the poorest country in the western hemisphere, had been recovering from the devastation caused by hurricanes. All cheques should be drawn in favour of TUC Aid - Haiti Earthquake Appeal and sent to TUC Aid, EUIRD, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS. You can donate online by going to www.justgiving.com/tucaid The proceeds of the Appeal will be used by the trade union movement in Haiti for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation of victims in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). read more Time-Off for Trade Union Duties We are still seeking Representatives in some departments and in branches across the Network. One of the barriers that seems to prevent members taking on a Representative role is a concern about taking time-off to get involved. However, many members don't realise that there is a statutory right to take time off to carry out trade union duties and that these rights are formalised with Nationwide as part of our Recognition Agreement. A new Code of Practice has been issued by the ACAS, the employment service, to give further guidance on these statutory rights. A copy of the guide can be downloaded from the ACAS website or is available from the Union Office. The provisions of the code, which came into force from 1 Jan 2010, are admissible in evidence at Employment Tribunal cases about time off for Reps although failure to follow the code does not of itself render a person liable to any proceedings. The Recognition Agreement between Nationwide and NGSU formalises the time-off arrangements for our Representatives. This includes a provision of 8 days for District or Department Representatives; 11 days for members of the National Executive Committee and 12 days for Reps attending EIC Business Committees. Details of NGSU vacancies can be found on our website or call 01295 710767 for more information. read more Disability and the Downturn A new study published by Leonard Cheshire Disability found that one in 20 disabled people lost their jobs last year. The charity claims that disabled workers in the UK are subject to greater levels of discrimination as a result of the ongoing economic problems precipitated by the credit crunch. The report, entitled Disability and the Downturn, details research which found that bosses are targeting workers who suffer from disabilities for redundancy. In addition, the charity - which claims to support more than 21,000 disabled people in the UK and has operations in 52 countries - said firms are unfairly turning down such people for jobs. The full report can be downloaded from the Leonard Cheshire Disability website. read more Roll on the Summer Hols! If you're fed-up with the recent bad weather you maybe thinking about seeking out some sun or at least planning your next holiday. If you are then we'd like to remind you that the Union's Travel Club might be able to find you a great deal. The Travel Club is run by Benchmark Travel and they will do their best to beat any holiday deal you can find. They also offer great personal service and provide back-up and support while you're away. Many NGSU members have benefited from this service and regularly book their holiday through the Travel Club. You can call the Travel Club on 0800 9531 263 or go online at www.benchmarktravel.co.uk for more details and to register as a 'rapport' member for access to exclusive information and deals. read more Queen's Diamond Jubilee Holiday And talking of holidays - who wouldn't welcome an extra day off? Although its some time off the good news is that the Government has announced there will be an additional bank holiday in June 2012 as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee. The late May bank holiday will be moved to 4 June 2012 and an extra bank holiday will be added on 5 June 2012. There will therefore be a total of nine bank holidays in England and Wales in 2012. Start organising that street party now!
Nationwide Group Staff Union Middleton Farmhouse 37 Main Road Middleton Cheney Oxfordshire OX17 2QT tel: 01295 710767 fax: 01295 712580 email: ngsu@ngsu.org.uk