MAY OUTLOOK
July 30th, 2010
Welcome to the May edition of Prudential Section Outlook. We give a brief update on our Fair Play for Fair Pay campaign which so many of you have signed up to. This edition also looks at some of the re-structures taking place across the business and gives you notice of some of the things we are doing during Learning at Work week (17 – 21st May) and first details of our 40th Anniversary event in July.
Fair Play on Fair Pay
Thank you to all those who signed up to this campaign. It is quite clear that a large number of you are unhappy with the new distribution rules unilaterally introduced as part of the 2010 pay review without any discussion with Unite.
It is also clear that employees want the pay system to be transparent and the market median data for all roles to be available on the Intranet.
Unite are still in discussions with HR on these issues and we accept that some work is being undertaken behind the scenes but progress is slow and we believe the Company are dragging their feet. It is important that we keep the pressure up so watch out for further information on this campaign and please continue to support us by playing an active part in it.
UKIO Re-Structures
You will all be aware of the number of re-structures taking place across the UKIO business as part of Rob Deveys desire to move to a more simpler structure, with fewer management layers and clearer personal accountabilities. This type of restructure makes this an uncertain and unsettling time for many of our members and their teams if they face redundancy as a result of these changes.
During our discussions with the Company to date we have focussed on keeping compulsory redundancies to a minimum and looking at other opportunities to mitigate the need for job losses. As a result of meetings with members in certain teams and discussions with the business we have seen some roles retained and individuals who have wanted to stay find alternative employment.
This is positive news and demonstrates that the Company are prepared to genuinely consult and work with us to save jobs. Sadly, it will not be possible to save every role but if you have concerns about your role in the proposed changes please contact Unite and we may be able to work with you present a case that might retain your role.
PGDS Finance
Unite are extremely disappointed with the PGDS plans to centralise their Finance function in London which will result in 6 redundancies in Craigforth and the fate of the Reading roles yet to be decided. We strongly disagree with the rationale for this proposal and are currently consulting with our members to decide how they want Unite to support them during this change.
Capita Pensions
Many of you will be aware that Unite members in Capita have been balloted on whether they accept the proposed changes to their final salary pension scheme. The outcome was a clear rejection of the proposals and Unite are now looking to proceed with a formal ballot for Industrial Action of staff working on the Prudential contract.
Regular readers will also know that Unite believe that as the staff have rejected the proposals, under the terms of the Commercial contract with Prudential, Capita cannot impose them. Capita dont agree with that so Unite have met with Prudential to get their view.
Unite have met with Prudential to outline our position and the risk to the Prudential should Capita proceed. Prudential have challenged Capita to show how under the terms of the contract Capita can make changes to the final salary scheme without employee consent. Prudential has now received independent QC opinion that the contract does not prevent Capita from making the changes.
Unite believe that if the letter of the contract hasnt been broken then the spirit of it, in relation to the transferred employees most certainly has. We continue to discuss this with Prudential, however, in the meantime Unite members is Capita will be asked if they want to undertake Industrial Action in the ongoing struggle to maintain their pensions..
Learning at Work
May 17 21st is National Learning at Work week. As in previous years Unite have teamed up with Learning and Development and the Employee Forum to host events and promote the benefits of Learning.
Please look at the Intranet sites for some of the events in your location.
On Learning at Work Day, Unite have invited Reading Central Library to come and have a stall outside the canteen to promote the services they offer and to encourage people to become members of the library.
We invited them because the trade union movement has a historic link to public libraries and it was the trade union movement that lobbied and demanded that libraries were made available to all members of the population for free. The Reading Central Library is only a short walk from the offices in Reading.
40th anniversary
Regular Outlook readers will be aware from previous communications that in July 2010, Unite will have its 40th anniversary of supporting Prudential employees.
Unite firmly believes that this is something worth celebrating and your reps have been working hard towards marking this great milestone with a Family Fun Day.
The event has been organised for the benefit of all Prudential and Capita employees and their families and is being co-funded by Unite and Prudential UKIO.
Details of the event are as follows:-
Event: Family Fun Day
Date/Time: Sunday 4th July 2010 – 1pm to 6pm
Location: Trunkwell House
Beech Hill Road,
Beech Hill
Reading
RG7 2AT
www.trunkwell.com
This is a free entry event with many free attractions. Trunkwell House is a fantastic location with a great record of holding large events like this. Further details will follow.
Please put this date in your diary, bring along your whole family and enjoy yourselves.
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