Today (27/05/10) UHB UNISON's Branch Committee expressed concerns for the future due to the election of the coalition Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition (or the ConDems), especially with recent announcements of £6billion worth of cuts in public services.
While the NHS budget has been ring fenced, the high increase in the cost of healthcare means that cuts will be made in order to meet those costs. It is particularly worrying that both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats want to freeze public sector pay and attack our pensions.
The Branch Committee resolved to make sure we build a good relationship with our local MPs and welcomed the election of Labour MPs in our local constituencies of Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Northfeild and Hall Green. The committee decided to write to these MPs to congratulate them, encourage them to support UNISON's Million Voices for Public Services campaign, and invite them to come along and meet members of the branch to hear experiences from the shop floor of the NHS.
The committee heard how members in the old pension scheme (1995 scheme) would be given the choice to move into the new scheme (2008 scheme which new starters since then are already on). Personalised information packs will be given to all members of the old pension scheme so they can make an informed choice, this will be coming out for the 50 and overs around July this year and for other staff it will be spring next year.
The Branch Committee also discussed what content should be in a future newsletter to keep members up to date with local issues, and future recruitment activity as well as support for recruiting more
Concerns were also raised about car parking, particularly at the QE site as well as for the New Hospital and these will be raised through staff side colleagues.
Branch Committee meets on the last Thursday of every month at 10am in the Joint Union Office at Selly Oak Hospital. For more information contact James Anthony, Branch Chair
Subscribe to RSS Feed
