Say No to Privatisation

UNISON and PCS have condemned plans to privatise the work of our members in OFSTED.

The privatisation plans come at the same time as a long-running dispute with Ofsted, involving 1,000 members of UNISON and PCS, over the imposition of a divisive new pay structure and below-inflation pay settlement. Some members of staff have been asked to take a three-year pay freeze.

“Early years inspectors working for Ofsted are charged with ensuring that every child gets the best start in life,” said UNISON senior national officer Jon Richards.

“This is a vital job, and parents deserve the reassurance of knowing that inspections are done by an independent, reliable and publicly accountable body of staff. This will be severely compromised if inspections are carried out by a private, profit-driven company.

“As an organisation, Ofsted is already understaffed, yet these proposals seek to cut staff,” he added. “UNISON is also concerned that the workers being lined up for sale are those that are taking equal pay claims out against the employer.”

Message to UNISON members

I am sending this message “bcc” to UNISON members in the Lambeth branch of UNISON employed by OFSTED. I am writing about two matters.

UNISON Convenor

As you will know, our Convenor, Roulla Xyrizos, is leaving OFSTED – she will be sorely missed! We need to elect a replacement to act as Convenor for OFSTED members in the Lambeth branch. Our OFSTED Convenor also represents the Greater London Region of UNISON on the OFSTED National Forum.

UNISON has an agreement with OFSTED to give effect to the legal right for such a trade union representative to have reasonable paid time off work to carry out their trade union duties, for which full training is available. If you would like to discuss the nature of the role please contact myself, Roulla, or our Regional officer, Stuart Barber, to whom I am copying this message.

If you would like to make a nomination – or to volunteer – to take on this role please email me at j.rogers@unison.co.uk before noon on Monday 14 July 2008. In the event that there is more than one nomination the branch will organise a postal ballot of members and I will write to you about the timetable for that ballot at the time.

Consultation on the industrial action

You should have received a consultation document in the post from UNISON HQ. This asks you about your opinions concerning the future direction of the industrial action being taken in opposition to the appalling pay offer made to the trade unions by OFSTED. I would like to encourage you to respond to this consultation document.

I have asked Roulla for her opinions based upon her years of experience in dealing with OFSTED as an employer and she advises as follows;

“I would encourage a series of one day strikes again, and continue with working to rule, and continue with not using cars. In summary: continue with the current industrial action i.e. don't use cars, work to contracted hours, and series of one day strikes. However, this time, if we have one day strikes, I would expect UNISON to alert TV media so that they can film it on the day!... …I also think that as mgt turn the screws with their aggressive response, we encourage members to report this to UNISON so that we can publish this on the national unison website and on our own ofstedinstead blog - and alert the media. I would also encourage members to read the house of commons submission (unedited version).”

I would support Roulla’s view that a strong response to OFSTED as an employer is absolutely necessary.

Roulla's farewell message to members

25 June 2008

Dear Members and Friends,

Today is my last working day at Ofsted. So here I am preparing myself for a few good byes to you, my members and my friends.

This letter is long, slushy, and mushy and full of love – and I make no apologies for it either - so here goes!!!!!!!!!

I want to start by thanking you so very much for the wonderful send off that you gave me yesterday. I want to thank you…..
· ….for the wonderful email messages of love and support you sent me. Thank you my friends.
· ….for the cards, drinks, presents…., and beautiful flowers that you gave me yesterday. Thank you my friends
· ……for the beautiful sunflowers delivered to my door this morning. Thank you my friends

I also want to thank you for the cheque that was presented to me yesterday. It was for a truly phenomenal amount – and I am still overwhelmed by your love, your kindness and your generosity. I thank you from the bottom of my heart – and want you to know that words cannot adequately express how I feel at this moment in time – or how I felt yesterday when I was presented with this last night. Thank you all so much.

Thanks to my CCI members, my CSCI members, my Area Manager members, my ITM members, my admin staff members – thanks to all my ex Ofsted employee members who have always kept in touch and who also contributed to my present – my thanks and love to you all!

Mary Holt – where are you girl! I want to thank you so very much for organising the above, for organising the collection and for the wonderful ‘thank you’ album that you have created with your own hands. I will be forever indebted to you. You are a wonderful person who has had to put up with a lot from this organisation, and I want you to remain strong! Members – please all rally round Mary – she is a lovely person as I am sure you all know – is my friend, and will always be my friend – you haven’t seen the last of me matey!

Ofsted UNISON Forum – there are those of you who I have not seen eye to eye with, and I make no apologies for issuing formal complaints against you – as you need to remember that you are accountable to your members – you must and always should be open, transparent and democratic – and I hope that the investigation outcome brings radical reforms to how some of you operate. To my true friends and highly respected friends in the Forum (Valerie, Lynda, Barbara, Carol and Mike) thank you for you unswerving support, love and loyalty. Members are truly lucky to have you fighting their corner. Keep strong. I love you all.

My ex local authority friends (both present and ex Ofsted employees) words are not necessary – you all know exactly how I feel about you all. You are family now. When a Greek says you are family – you better believe it girls!!!!!!

To Lambeth UNISON – Thanks to Jon, Nick, Andrew, Jackie and Juliet for last night. Thanks to all at Lambeth for their wonderful present – it is truly beautiful. Thanks so much to Jon and Nick for their wonderful speeches yesterday. I want you to know how much I have valued working with you. I want all members to know that Lambeth UNISON will always have my vote in whatever they do. Lambeth UNISON are democratic, transparent and revolutionary – and I love them all!! Seriously though, I cannot emphasise what a privilege it has been working with these wonderful and truly gifted people. I will always be an honorary member of Lambeth – will come to all your parties – and am looking forward to 1st August party!! Chaps – for pities sake – don’t let Jon sing again!!!!!!

Stuart Barber – the best ever flipping UNISON Regional Officer we have ever had. You have the measure of Ofsted! You are not afraid to challenge! You are not afraid to say it how it is! My members are very lucky to have you as their regional officer and you know how dearly they all love you. As for me, all I can say is that it has been an honour Sir. See you at the BBQ!

My beloved husband and my kids – I want to thank my husband who has had a lot to put up with over the years. He has listened to my gripes about this organisation. He has worried alongside me for our members. He has advised me, supported me and loved me throughout. I couldn’t have done it without him. He has been a senior union rep for yonks now and I owe so much to him. Love you babe! To my sons – I love you all and thank you for always worrying about my health and sanity working for this organisation, and for your support. My members all know how much I love you all and how much my family mean to me.

My members - It was 6 years ago that I decided to become a union representative....and what a roller coaster ride it has been! I was so chuffed to be given the chance to represent members who give their all for an organisation that has such a harsh, draconian regime.

I believe it is very important for people to know what you think of them, and to understand that they have had an impact in your life and will be remembered for things. I want you all to know that the vast majority of my members are people I admire and respect greatly; many of whom have become very good friends over the years that we have worked together.

Someone once said that it's always too easy for people to make up funny stories about what's happened on nights out or jokes that have been played, but the persons worth is more than that and more than what they have done, the impressions they have left people with and on people. That is why I want to tell you how much I have appreciated some of the things that make the job of a union rep so special – not just the business side of things, but the fun and laughter we have shared.

Even though I am leaving, I will be watching your progress with interest and I shall never ever forget you. I am certain you will all go on to achieve far better things than I did. If my legacy to you was time spent building this membership up, your legacy to me is one of comradeship, faith in teamwork and an abiding passion for justice!

Why does it take a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye?

I now raise my glass to you all and say farewell.

…… How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard



Roulla Xyrizos
your UNISON Rep (and proud of it!!!!!)

roullaxyrizos2004@yahoo.co.uk keep in touch!

LAMBETH UNISON MEMBERS MEETING!!!!!

The Lambeth UNISON Ofsted London members meeting, which will now be held on Tuesday 24th June 2008 at University of London Union (ULU).

This is an extremely important meeting and members should make every effort to attend.

Because of this, and to ensure that we have seating for everyone, I am asking members to RSVP me via my Ofsted email address in order to confirm their attendance. This is very important.

This meeting includes Social Care members and Mike Stapley – our Social Care UNISON rep will also be present.

I know that some of you will be in central London attending the EYFS training, and I am hoping that you will attend our meeting once the training has finished. Don’t worry about being late, as we can delay the start of the meeting until 5.30 to enable you all to attend.

Details as follows:
ULU (University of London Union)
Malet Street, (off Tottenham Court Road)
London, WC1E 7XA
Date: Tuesday 24th June 2008
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Room: 3D

We look forward to seeing you there!

MEMBERS MEETING POSTPONED

The Members meeting of 27 May 08 has been postponed due to half term week. We will be re-organising another meeting just before the next one day strike action is due.

In the meantime, please continue to work to rule and not to undertake any overtime for this week and next week.

UNISON will issue further information in due course

OFSTED London UNISON members meeting - a reminder

Please note that we will also be holding a members meeting on Tuesday 27th May 2008 at our usual venue, ULU.
Details as follows: University of London Union, Malet Street, (off Tottenham Court Road), London, WC1E 7XA
Date: Tuesday 27th May 2008
Time: 5pm – 8pm

On the OFSTED picket line...

First in a long line of photos

This is the first in a long line of photos of todays strike action by UNISON members and PCS.

This photo shows Roulla Xyrizos Lambeth UNISON Convenor for Ofsted outside Ofsted head office in Holborn, with fellow colleagues.

Nice one!

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/news_centre/index.cfm/id/CEDA90B5-21A4-4957-A52A98089BEE8958

Well done UNISON members!

Industrial action by members in Ofsted

This is message to say a big thanks to everyone for making today’s action such a success – the strike has been really well-supported with a good presence at the pickets and good attendance at the rallies.

Some photos from the day are due to be appearing on the UNISON website in due course.

This also to remind you that from Monday we will be entering a wave of action short of strike in the form of “work your contracted hours only” and overtime ban. Attached for your information is the guidance that was mailed to all members earlier this week - Ofsted web-page for members to download at http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/ofsted.asp <http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/ofsted.asp>

Best wishes to you all - and well done - an excellent day was had by all!

We shall not be defeated - Ofsted! We mean business!!!!!!!

Roulla Xyrizos, Stuart Barber, Jon Rogers and all at Lambeth UNISON

Message from UNISON

Ofsted workers strike over pay

(16/05/08) One thousand Ofsted workers have walked out today in a dispute over pay, halting inspections of childcare services across England.They are protesting against the imposition of a divisive new pay structure, which will mean cuts for many workers, and a below-inflation pay offer – pushed through by Ofsted despite being overwhelmingly rejected by members of UNISON and PCS.

"This small but significant group of staff works hard to protect the safety of some of the most vulnerable children in our society," said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis, describing the treatment meted out by Ofsted as "appalling"."They are piling on the work but forcing three-year pay freezes onto some staff." This when inflation is running at more than 4% and even the government's preferred measure jumped to 3% this week."

Our members are demanding a fair deal to cope with the spiralling costs of essentials such as fuel, food and housing," he said. "This strike sends a clear message to Ofsted that we are prepared to take action in our fight for fair pay. What we need now are some serious proposals to avert further action."Today's strike will see rallies held in Manchester and London, and picket lines at offices in London, Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol.

A wave of action short of strike will follow. Members will work their contracted hours only from Monday until the end of the month, along with a ban on overtime.Earlier this week UNISON and PCS warned that extending the dispute would affect planned Ofsted reforms.Calling for a swift resolution, national officer Helga Pile said staff were already under intense pressure."This will only increase as the employers demand large-scale changes in social care and early years inspections," she said, asking: "How will these reforms be possible when staff are disappointed and angry and morale is at an all-time low?"The Treasury and Ofsted employers must realise that a top class inspection service cannot be run on an insufficient budget," she added."If they want to ensure the safety of every baby in nursery, every child in care and each teenager in boarding school then they need to fund the inspections system properly."