September Outlook
October 19th, 2010
Welcome to this months Outlook. We give you an update on the ongoing talks with UKIO HR regarding pay and notice of our first members meeting for the 2011 pay claim. We also provide a brief update on the Capita Industrial Action ballot and finally provide some background information on the film “Made in Dagenham” which is out on general release from 1st October
Pay
We have held further meetings with UKIO HR regarding the issues we have raised relating to the annual salary review. These include the publishing of salary scales and the pay cap at the market median amongst others. We are pleased to report that we are making progress on these issues and are hopeful of reaching agreement in time for the 2011 review.
Members meetings are taking place between now and the end of October to understand what you want to see in next years claim so please look out for dates of the meetings and come along and tell us what you want.
The first meeting takes place on Wednesday 29th September in 121 Kings Road.
New Backshift for Operators in PGDS
PGDS have proposed that a new backshift for Computer operators based in Reading and Craigforth.
The proposal has come off the back of a number of meetings with Unite reps in the area. Unite were able to secure a number of concessions from its original proposal.
These include:-
Xmas day working to be paid at treble time plus time off in lieu and a desire for it to be staffed on a voluntary basis
Start time of the backshift to be flexible and to be agreed between Operator and Team leader
Day shift overtime to be paid at discretion of Team Leader
Removal of holiday restriction on backshift and ability to swap a backshift
Review of proposal after 16 weeks
Meeting between Unite and Company to discuss existing holiday guidelines and manning levels
Lone working Operators to be given a “man down” device
Unite balloted its members on the proposal and the result of the above ballot is as follows
64% Accept
36% Reject
Turnout 88%
Capita Industrial Action Ballot
Since our last Outlook the talks between Capita and Unite regarding Pensions and pay have broken down without agreement and Unite have been balloting its members in Reading and Craigforth for Industrial Action. Other Capita sites including ex CFS, AXA have also been balloted.
The outcome was overwhelmingly in support of action. Turnout was high (71% in Reading and 77% in Craigforth). Although there is not much we can do to support any action taken by Capita members, we have asked Prudential to see if they can use any influence they have on Capita to get back to the table and try and resolve the dispute. Any Industrial Action that may be taken would of course directly affect Prudential customers. Your Unite reps completely agree with the decision made by Capita members to fight to protect their pay and pensions.
Pru Section Elections
If you are a member of Unite, you should have received invitations to stand for positions in the Prudential Section. Nominations close on 8th October. If you want more details on any of the available positions or you want to get more involved in Unite Prudential Section please email Unite@prudential.co.uk
Made in Dagenham
You may well have seen advertisements for the film Made in Dagenham which is on general release from 1st October. The film shows the Ford strike of 1968. This was an important milestone in the struggle for equal pay. But it was by no means the start (the first TUC resolution calling for equal pay was passed in 1888) nor was it the end of the struggle.
The strike led to the Equal Pay Act which got rid of separate pay rates for men and women doing similar work, but it did not tackle the low value given to jobs seen as womens work. It was not until 1983 that it became possible to bring claims for equal pay for work of equal value. Unions backed a number of landmark legal cases.
Trade Unions continue to support tens of thousands of women, often in low paid work like cleaning, catering or caring, who are struggling to get equal pay with male colleagues doing jobs like gardening or refuse collection. Women in full-time employment still earn on average 16.4% less per hour than men, while women working part-time earn 35% less per hour. The struggle for equal pay in the UK and around the world is not just history.
For more information and to hear the Ford women and others talk about equal pay visit the TUCs equal pay archive at www.unionhistory.info/equalpay/
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