Pension Update – Negotiations completed. Time to have your say

[box_dark]The views expressed are those of Unison, and not necessarily those of the force. Here, Jill Harrison discusses the latest issues.[/box_dark]

After months of tough negotiations, the proposals for the LGPS from 2014 have been signed off by ministers for consultation. UNISON will now start briefing regions, branches and members to let you know exactly what is being proposed from 2014 so that you can have your say.

UNISON will be consulting you about the proposals in a postal ballot. Please take time to read the proposals, tell your workmates to do the same and go to briefings held in your branch or region. Please remember that none union members will not get a vote on this very important issue that effects you all. If you are not yet a member and want your voice heard please visit http://www.unison.org.uk/membership/ or contact the Unison Office on 7800 2710. Staff need the strength and democracy of UNISON behind them to protect their pension – now and in the future.

The branch will be holding Unison surgeries across the force to answer any questions in relation to the new proposals.

Can I please remind everyone to please continue to collect signatures for our Stop Police Privatisation campaign. It was noted at the last Police Authority meeting the number of signatures that UNISON collected in the month running up to the meeting on the 24^th May 2012. If anyone wants any of UNISON Policing for Profit leaflets please contact the office. Unison are still working alongside our Labour Link Officers in the regional and our National Officer Ben Priestley to highlight our campaign.

This week Mark Brittle and I attended the Policing 2012 Conference in London and the Business Partnership Programme was high on the agenda with the Managing Director of G4S John Shaw, Tom Winsor, Nick Herbert MP and Mick Creedon Chief Constable of Derbyshire Police all answering questions on the proposals. UNISON will be circulation a report on this conference to their members shortly. It was encouraging to see the amount of delegates that attended the master class session Police Privatisation a trade union perspective hosted by Unison and Unite.

[pullquote_right]The branch will be holding Unison surgeries across the force to answer any questions in relation to the new proposals.[/pullquote_right]

I am pleased to announce that I have been elected to the Police and Justice Service Group Executive from the West Midlands Region along with Michael Shepherd (Branch Secretary of Staffordshire Police Unison).  I believe that’s it’s important to all Police Staff in West Midlands Police to have a representative working on the Service Group Executive (SGE) to ensure that our voice is heard.

Elections for service group representatives are held every two years. Each service group is made up of members across the country doing similar kinds of jobs or working for the same kinds of employers. UNISON has seven service groups, covering the energy, healthcare, higher education, local government, police staff, transport, and water and environment industries. Each SGE holds four meetings a year, in addition to the national service group conference.

What is the role of the SGE?

The executive:

• Agrees the priorities and objectives of the service group as a whole, including all the membership groups who come under its umbrella
• Agrees and develops policy on issues, such as “privatisation”, pay and service delivery
• Takes a strategic overview of the service group’s aims and objectives
• Works with branches, regions and the sector committees in the interests of members at national level.
• Implements policy decisions voted on by members at conference
• Establishes sector committees where appropriate

Jill Harrison

UNISON Branch Secretary