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Newcastle City Local Government Branch2019Annual Report to UNISON members to be presented to the Annual General MeetingHeld on Monday 18h March 2019 at 5pmCouncil Chamber, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle City UNISON, Room 5, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QHTel: 0191 211 6980Email: unison.newcastle@newcastle.gov.uk Website: https://newcastlecity.unison.site/Twitter: @Newcastleunison

Financial Assistance - If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whateverthe circumstances, There for You can offer you support. You may have financial problems for reasonsincluding: Relationship breakdown;Loss of income;Suffering from a long illness;Needing to buy equipment because of a disability;Caring for someone with special needs or an illnessGeneral Advice - There for You provides support in coping with personal problems at home. Weprovide a confidential service for members over the phone or in person if you are experiencingpersonal difficulties such as: being off work with a long-term illness;domestic violence or abuse;living on the breadline and needing to pay for a major bill or vital item;recovering from surgery;looking for advice in dealing with your debts.Branch Welfare Officers - A branch welfare officer is a member who has volunteered to be the localrepresentative of There for You. They are often the contact person for There for You staff at nationaloffice. Local branch welfare officers are the first point of contact for members who are experiencingpersonal, emotional or financial difficulties, or for those who need advice. They also help membersapply for help or funding.Branch Welfare Officers: Andrea Ibbetson, Jane Yugire or SusanRobsonContact them via 0191 211 69802

Annual Report to UNISON members to be presented to the Annual General MeetingHeld on Monday 18th March 2019 at 5pmCouncil Chamber, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon TyneCONTENTS Introduction from the Branch ChairBranch Officers, Shop Stewards & ULRs 2017-2018Branch Delegations 2017Training Courses 2017Branch Officers Reportso Branch Secretary Paul Gilroyo Deputy Branch Secretary Nicky Ramanandio Branch Lead Lynda Hardieo CVS Organiser Derek Museo Schoolso Black Member’s Officer Ulela Kaferawanthuo Women’s Officer Caroline Collinsono Education Coordinator Wendy Aitmano Learning & Organising with IT Projecto Lifelong Learning Coordinator Evan Pecko Bridges 2 Learning Project Jane Yugireo Labour link Ed Whitbyo Branch Membership & Representationo RecruitmentBranch Administration StaffUNISON Regional Support Regional Organiser & Area OrganiserAnnual General Meeting Paperso Agendao Item 2. AGM 2017 Minuteso Item 4. Financial Report Branch Accounts Proposed Honorariao Item 6. Branch Officer Nominations 2018o Item 7. Confirmation of Shop Stewards 2018o Item 8. Motion a. Dignity at Worko Item 8. Motion b. Living WagePage 4Page 5Page 6Page 6Page 9Page 11Page 14Page 17Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 24Page 26Page 28Page 30Page 33Page 36Page 36Page 37Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 42Page 47Page 48Page 49Page 50Page 513

An Introduction from the Branch ChairDear UNISON member,Welcome to the Newcastle City UNISON Annual Report. We hope that you will find this a useful andinformative guide to the work that the branch has been involved in over the past year – obviously it’s notpossible to list everything that we do, but we hope that you’ll agree that the Annual Report provides acomprehensive insight into some of our most important work and priorities.Nationally the Government claims that Austerity has ended, however the daily reality for UNISON members, isthat very little has changed. It is more apparent than ever that the Conservative government has little to noregard for the needs of the working class, for vulnerable people and those who provide vital public services toeveryone.Due to lack of funding, many services are now stretched to crisis point, barely able to provide even statutoryservices. Exacerbating this is the continued roll-out of Universal Credit, pushing even more families intopoverty. This is directly affecting many of our members who are low paid, working part time or in unsecureemployment and juggling their work commitments with caring responsibilities.Nationally, we must continue to make the case for increased funding for public services, while locallysupporting members whose jobs and services are threatened with cuts or closure.These areas remain priorities for the branch, and Branch Officers have worked tirelessly throughout the year tosupport members through change and achieve positive outcomes wherever possible.While in 2018, we broke the 1% pay cap in Local Government, we know that this is not enough and does notstart to address the real terms pay cut we have had since 2011. Therefore, it is so important that we continueour pay campaign to achieve real pay rises for our members.As ever, 2019 will continue to be challenging with Brexit now imminent and still no deal agreed. This continuesto create uncertainty for many of our members and the wider North East economy. We must ensure that anydeal protects hard won workers’ rights which are enshrined in EU legislation. These include the Working TimeDirective, maternity and paternity leave, and health and safety – this is not red tape that hinders innovation orbusiness, but important regulations that save lives.And as a branch, we must continue our campaign against far right groups, who are fuelling and trying tolegitimise the increase in racism, xenophobia and hate crime.However, the North of Tyne Mayoral election in May gives us an opportunity to influence decision making andUNISON will be using this as an opportunity to encourage candidates to publically support our objectives andwork positively with trade unions to provide better outcomes for our members and our communities.Alongside these wider challenges, Newcastle City branch remains committed to providing high qualityleadership and support to all members.I would like to thank all the Branch Officers, Branch Employed Staff, Shop Stewards, Workplace Reps, Health& Safety Reps and Union Learning Reps who have contributed their valuable time throughout the year. Withoutit the branch would not be the strong, well organised and vibrant collective it continues to be.4

I look forward to working with them and you throughout the coming year.Josie Bird Branch ChairpersonELECTED BRANCH OFFICERS 2018/19CVS Organiser Derek Muse, Branch Lead Officer Lynda Hardie, Deputy Branch Secretary NickyRamanandi, Auditor Helen Clark, Black Members Officer Ulela Kaferawanthu, Chair Josie Bird, DisabilitiesOfficer Alan Chambers, Education Co-ordinator Wendy Aitman, Equal Ops Officer Cath McGuinness, H &S Officer (Job Share) Jaci Carden & Paul Barwick, International Officer Gayle Purves, Labour Link OfficerEd Whitby; LGBT Officer Christine Jackson, Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator Evan Peck, Retired MembersSecretary vacancy, Secretary Paul Gilroy, Treasurer Andy Hall, Welfare Officer (Job Share) AndreaIbbetson & Jane Yugire & Susan Robson, Women’s Officer Caroline Collinson, Young Members OfficervacancySHOP STEWARDS 2018/2019ASST CHIEF EXECOPERATIONAL DIVISIONPLACEMUSEUMSNEWC COLLEGERESOURCESTT2C&V SECTORPEOPLE – AdultsPEOPLE – Children’sSCHOOLSYHNBranch Lead: Paul GilroyWendy Aitman, Caroline Collinson,Branch Lead: Nicky RamanandiConvenor: Micky DobsonSteven Barnes, Paul Barwick, Graham Brown,Alan Chambers, Paul Gilroy, David Jobe,Cath McGuinness, Nicky Ramanandi, Linda Slasor, ValSuddes, Malcolm Temperley, Derek Tree, Craig Smith, Wiseman NdlovuBranch Lead: Nicky RamanandiTim Cook, John HorneBranch Lead: Derek MuseNick OliverBranch Lead: Derek MuseConvenor Joanne McShaneJulie LowesBranch Lead: Paul GilroyJosie Bird, Lynda Hardie, Andrea Ibbetson, James Imhoof, David Mead, JoanneNicholson, Tracy Quinn, Tony Carr, Zoe Hunt, Andy HallBranch Lead: Derek MuseConvenor: Ian RoyalBranch Lead: Derek MuseJack Blackbird, Holly Sutherland, David Watson, Scott Moore, Holly SutherlandCQC, Holly Watson Dimensions, Joe Kirwin Alzheimers SocietyBranch Lead: Paul GilroyConvenor: Nancy BoneJacqui Carden, Paul Gregory, David Leach, Eddie Wilson, Jane Yugire, UlelaKaferawanthuBranch Lead: Lynda HardieSharon Bond, Lewis Roberts, Kirsty Kelly, Mark Wilkinson, Ed Whitby, LizPattersonConvenor:Alan Carson, Cheryl Lacey, Kim O’RourkeConvenor: Derek MuseChristine Bradford, Kim Crinnion, Christine Dawson,Christine Jackson, Donna Lambie, Andrea Martin, JaneMcKeough, Paul Murray, Omar Yaseem5

Union Learning Reps (ULRs) 2018/2019Asst Chief Exec (2) Wendy Aitman, Caroline CollinsonOPERATIONS (12) Joe Gallant, Paul Gilroy, Steve Hopper, Paul Maddison, Babiker Mohamed, WisemanNdlovu, Evan Peck, Lindor Slasor, Craig Smith, Peter Welford, Alan Jones, Cath McGuiness.NEWCASTLE COLLEGE (1) Julie LowesRESOURCES (7) Susan Allan, Theresa Connell, Lynda Hardie, Eva Miller, Andrew Fletcher, Margaret OliverT&W MUSEUMS (4) Claire Gill, Neville Hails, David Ward, Kathleen Boodhai.VOL SECTOR (1) Jo Dexter, Janis Clark, Sarah Eaglestone, Ambrose Isibor, Jade Bambrough, MarkTearney.People (18) Jean Day, Paul Gregory, Lynn Harvey-Slater, David Kane, Joyce Mains, Colleen Todd-Smith,Mike Symington, Jane Yugire, Lyn Alderson, Lindsey Allen, Tony Carr, Iqbal Syed, Sarah Armstrong, SarahCane, Helen Macdonald, Michael McGuire, Debra O’Keefe, Susan Robson.YHN (1) Christine Jackson, Derek Muse, Oliver Richards.TT2 (1) Ian RoyalSchools (4) Penny Aso, Caroline Chirnside, Charlotte Emmerson, Kim O’rourkeBranch Delegations 2018/2019The Branch has sent delegations and representatives to the following UNISON conferences, seminars andmeetings this year, playing a full role in UNISON democracy and organising at a Regional and National level: National Delegate ConferenceLocal Government ConferenceNational Black Members ConferenceNational Women’s ConferenceNational LGBT Conference,National Disabled Member’s ConferenceNational Retired Member’sNational Young Member’s ConferenceNational International SeminarSchool Support Staff SeminarNational FE SeminarNorthern Region, Regional CouncilNorthern Region, Local Government Service GroupNorthern Region Provincial CouncilDurham Miner’s GalaThe Branch has organised, delivered or sponsored the following training courses in the last year:JanFebBudgetingWellbeing level 1Disability Awareness level 1Diabetes level 1Dementia level 1Autism x2MindfulnessProject Management x3Reading Ahead SessionMindfulnessStress BusterERAAutism6

MarAprLaughter YogaUnderstanding DepressionWelfare rightsDementia FriendsAction PlanningDyslexia and Dyspraxia SessionAssertivenessConfidence BuildingBudgetingStress x2Mental Health AwarenessECDLMental Health level 1Mental Health and Mental Health issues level 2Introduction to Dementia level 1Introduction to Dementia level 2Assertiveness CourseMindfulness x2Autism x2MentoringUnderstanding AnxietyFacing Change Together x2ADHDWellbeing level 1MayDementia Course level 1Mentoring level 1Personal SafetySign languageDyslexiaPublic SpeakingDementia and DeliriumConfidence Booster x2Unconscious BiasDiabetes Awareness in Health and Care level 2JunJulAugSepConfidence Building x2Facing ChangeUnderstanding Depression level 2Wellbeing level 1Facing ChangeMindfulnessTime ManagementCreative WritingDementiaReading AheadMental HealthPersonal SafetySpeaking With ConfidenceMindfulnessUnderstanding AnxietyUnconscious BiasGDPRTime ManagementBullying and Harassment in The WorkplaceStewards CourseLaughter YogaSpeaking With ConfidencePensions7