A number of members have reported that their flexible working time arrangements have been cut back arbitrarily by managers.
Here is the guidelines for ensuring flexible working time isn’t taken away without proper consultation with the worker’s affected.
If any UNISON members feel this is something they are worried about then read these attached guidelines and please get in touch.
Reviewing Flexible Working Arrangements within Teams – guidance for UNISON members and stewards
Would you like to become a shop steward in UNISON?
A union is only as strong as its members, and its members are stronger when they are better organised. Lambeth UNISON has a number of stewards across the council who help members with any issues they might have at work. Our stewards are the front line support for our members, helping with organising, listening to members’ views, and promoting democracy and participation. They are also active in recruiting new members – a very important role because the greater the proportion of workers who are members of UNISON, the stronger we are when it comes to having our voice heard, and the more likely we are to win campaigns.
UNISON provides full training for stewards so you can feel confident and capable to represent members and offer advice.
If you would like to take up this opportunity then please print off and complete the following form.
UNISON Stewards nomination form 2016
Please return this form to Paul Fitzgerald, UNISON, International House, by 5pm on Monday 6 June 2016 (or
scan and email to JABlake[at]lambeth.gov.uk).
If you have any questions please email either Ruth Cashman or Jon Rogers (Rcashman[at]lambeth.gov.uk and JRogers[at]Lambeth.gov.uk).
A lot of people are unhappy with the Labour councillors in Lambeth – all the more reason to join Labour and fight for a change of policy. Continue reading
Labour Party members across the country are backing this statement in support of the occupation of Carnegie library – more than a hundred from across the country over the course of the weekend.
Please add your or your organisation’s name by emailing labour4libraries@gmail.com (all signatories pc unless indicated) or fill out the form below Continue reading
Lambeth UNISON has launched a consultative ballot across the council work force today.
The ballot asks council members whether they are willing to take action in support of the ongoing libraries dispute.
Dan Jeffrey, vice chair of Lambeth UNISON said; “We have launched a ballot today across the Council workforce to take industrial action in support of our colleagues who are fighting to save the library service. Other than for a national issue, this is the first time the branch has taken a Council wide ballot for industrial action in many years. This shows how passionately our branch feels about saving the library service which is such a crucial resource to the local community. It is a service that is not only a vital educational resource for many people, but also a facility and space that provides a multitude of services for the community. The libraries provide a life line for many people whether this be getting assistance in filling in housing benefit forms, being a refuge for those who have suffered domestic violence, providing translation services, or providing a space and play groups where parents can bring their children to. I have never seen such a passionate response from the workforce and local community in 20 years of trade union activism. The councillors need to listen to their community and change course.”
UNISON activists have put up posters in the major council buildings, and leafleted every desk. There will be more stalls and floorwalking later this week to get the vote out. If you are a member of UNISON in the council and have not got your email then please contact us and we will send you a link.
Campaigners pledge to step up the fight as Lambeth Council to push ahead with library closures
On the eve of a major demonstration against library closures, Lambeth Council have rejected a proposal to keep all ten of the libraries open.
Ruth Cashman, library worker and UNISON Branch Secretary commented
“The proposal by head of the library service Susanna Barnes has been rejected because it “would not provide the necessary savings by 1st April 2016”, something that their own proposals also fail to do.
UNISON believes the council has acted hypocritically. They had the alternative proposals for 12 months and sat on them. The Council only started to consider the proposals seriously earlier this year, when forced by campaigning; including community demonstrations, strike action and near mutiny in the local Labour Parties.
The Council has now rejected the alternative claiming it cannot be implemented in time but neither the council or GLL have produced details on their plans for Carnegie or Minet to become ‘healthy living centres’ or a timeline for the implementation. The building could lay padlocked and empty waiting for the gym equipment to arrive.
With days to go, the council has yet to release any details of the contract with GLL: rent, floor plans, staffing or health and safety information.
Scandalously, council managers informed UNISON that they couldn’t tell us whether under-18s would be allowed in the new bookish gyms, as they were unclear how children would be safeguarded.
The Council has made a partial U-turn following a mass community campaign, announcing today that Tate South Lambeth will not be handed to GLL and instead will run a reduced service pending a further decision on its future.
Friends of Tate South Lambeth released the following statement:
“Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library are relieved that Lambeth has responded to the strong backing of the local community for the maintenance of our library – and the strong opposition to its replacement by a gym with minimal library service. We were lucky that the consultation on the future of TSL and Durning libraries gave the community an opportunity to express its opinion. Other Lambeth libraries under threat have not been given this chance. Mindful that our library has been given only a temporary reprieve, we remain in solidarity with the campaign to save all Lambeth libraries.”
On the 1st April Lambeth Council plans to padlock the doors of five of our libraries. We love Lambeth libraries – which in the last 12 months have become one of the most improved libraries in the country. This is testimony to the hard work of the library staff, many working knowing that the council’s axe is hanging over their jobs and workplaces.
There is an alternative proposal in front of the council that will save jobs and keep all the libraries open. The council aren’t listening to what the people of Lambeth want.
This protest is a really important as we open up a month of action against their plans. Please come along to Windrush square in Brixton on 5 March at 10.30am – bring home made banners, whistles, your favourite books and friends. The Facebook event is online here.
Launched in February 2015, you can sign this petition to add your voice to many others who want to keep our library service open
Lambeth UNISON 