Somerset County Council

UNISON is the largest trade union at Somerset County Council. We negotiate for better pay and conditions, help individuals in trouble and campaign for a safer, fairer society.

The recent ballot for Redundancy Compensation closed on Friday 25th November. The ballot was counted and the Branch Committee received a report on the outcome.
The results are as follows:
26% turnout
80% rejection of employers offer
63% would consider strike action.

The branch secretary will be asking for a meeting with management to discuss the outcome of the ballot and the rejection of the offer from them. Hopefully this meeting will take place within the next couple of weeks. The branch secretary will update you further once the meeting has taken place.

Questions put by your branch secretary to the cabinet meeting on 14 September 2011

SCC Responses To Questions Put By Your Branch To Full Council On 20 July 2011 - click here to read

The Tory council assault on unions - Read the article in the Guardian.

Your branch secretary has asked to speak to Council on 25 May 2011 on these topics.

Questions submitted from your branch for the Council meeting on 20 July 2011

Your branch put questions to the Council on 16 February 2011. Read the questions and replies.

The cuts are NOT about the money, they are not necessary. Otherwise how could we afford to pay £800 a day for a consultant?
Somerset County Council defends £800 a day for "Consultant"

Local government workers hit from all sides say unions

UNISON Statement to Cabinet on 2 February 2011

Questions from your branch being put to the cabinet meeting on 20 October 2010

Your branch ask questions about South West One savings under the Freedom of Information Act.

Tories run scared to avoid hearing the truth - MP's were called to to see David Cameron to avoid meeting constituents

Read your branch's email to the Chief Executive sent on 13 October 2010

UNISON registers a formal dispute over the following pay issues in Local Government:

Pay freeze
Refusal of employers to pay £250 announced by chancellor to those on less than £21,000
Issuing to councils of document "Reducing Workforce Costs

Alan Jones' payoff
A UNISON spokesperson said "Our Members at Somerset County Council will be shocked to see how much public money has been spent to change Chief Executives. Unlike Alan Jones, they are facing minimal redundancy compensation for the loss of their livelihoods and the prospect of pay cuts through the downgrading of their posts.
“Many of our members are low-paid and will now struggle to support their families and keep a roof over their heads. The redundancy money will run out very quickly and in today’s jobs market it will not be easy to find work. More people out of work on reduced or no income means less money in the High Street and a higher welfare bill. This all adds up to a bad deal for Somerset.
“With a better than expected settlement from the Government, UNISON urges the Council to resume negotiations and offer a fair deal to our members, who provide many vital local services.”

Double Standards - The Current Position on NJC Pay

Thousands face a salary cut
Employers threaten to have one point per grade.
The Branch response to the proposal Some FAQ's written by the branch

Read The article in Public Service on the proposed cuts

Edinburgh City Branch of UNISON is fighting privatisation and mention Somerset as an example of why not to go down that route

A report on A review of social workers’ pay and progression

Still part of the job? Why history of violence against social care workers is repeating itself

Read Heather Wakefields latest blog in Public Finance

What are your commentson the employers proposals? Click here to read comments already left