Greater London UNISON representative on the OFSTED national forum, Roulla Xyrizos, is back at work, her suspension having been lifted by the employer.
This is great news as it means that Roulla can get back to advising and assisting OFSTED employees - and will be part of the discussion about the result of the current strike ballot.
Watch this space!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
OFSTED strike ballot closes next week!
This is a reminder to our Lambeth UNISON Ofsted members that the ballot for strike action closes on 30 April 2008.
Please make sure that you vote.
If any member has not received a ballot paper please call Colette Whitehead in the Local Government Section at UNISON Headquarters on 020 7551 1691 quoting your membership number to request a duplicate.
As you are aware, after a 94% vote to reject the 2007-10 pay offer members are angry that Ofsted is imposing below-inflation rises and, for many, a three-year pay freeze. PCS members have also rejected the pay offer. The offer amounts to a pay cut in real terms for most members. Not just for 2007 which is long overdue, but for 2008 and 2009 as well. In the first year of the offer there is a guaranteed offer of just 2% non-consolidated. In years two and three this ‘guarantee’ drops to just 1%. Meanwhile RPI inflation, the amount you need to stand still, is running at over 4%.Ofsted has chosen to push through a new pay system which is unfair and unacceptable.
Please make sure that you vote.
If any member has not received a ballot paper please call Colette Whitehead in the Local Government Section at UNISON Headquarters on 020 7551 1691 quoting your membership number to request a duplicate.
As you are aware, after a 94% vote to reject the 2007-10 pay offer members are angry that Ofsted is imposing below-inflation rises and, for many, a three-year pay freeze. PCS members have also rejected the pay offer. The offer amounts to a pay cut in real terms for most members. Not just for 2007 which is long overdue, but for 2008 and 2009 as well. In the first year of the offer there is a guaranteed offer of just 2% non-consolidated. In years two and three this ‘guarantee’ drops to just 1%. Meanwhile RPI inflation, the amount you need to stand still, is running at over 4%.Ofsted has chosen to push through a new pay system which is unfair and unacceptable.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Strike ballot goes ahead with full national backing
At this week’s meeting of UNISON’s National Executive Council(NEC) the NEC agreed to a request from General Secretary Dave Prentis to send a message of support to our members at OFSTED in the current pay dispute.
UNISON and PCS are pressing ahead with strike ballots while making it clear to OFSTED that the trade unions are available to meet to negotiate at any time to try to resolve the dispute.
Keep up to date here and at the official national site.
UNISON and PCS are pressing ahead with strike ballots while making it clear to OFSTED that the trade unions are available to meet to negotiate at any time to try to resolve the dispute.
Keep up to date here and at the official national site.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
a personal message to OFSTED UNISON members in Greater London
I would like to sincerely and from the bottom of my heart thank all those UNISON members who have been in touch with me to wish me well. I am so very sorry that I cannot reply to any of your emails, telephone calls and cards, due to instructions from Ofsted.
However, I want you all to know that your wishes uplift me every single day. Thank you again. It has been, still is, and always will be my privilege to be your union representative.
I also want to thank UNISON officials Stuart Barber, Jon Rogers, Nick Venedi and the Lambeth UNISON group for their support and assistance.
Roulla
However, I want you all to know that your wishes uplift me every single day. Thank you again. It has been, still is, and always will be my privilege to be your union representative.
I also want to thank UNISON officials Stuart Barber, Jon Rogers, Nick Venedi and the Lambeth UNISON group for their support and assistance.
Roulla
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Friday, April 04, 2008
It's official - UNISON has announced OFSTED strike ballot
Here is the link to the official Press Release announcing our strike ballot on the UNISON website. As Helga Pile, our national officer says; “Inspectors have been pushed to breaking point by Ofsted constantly demanding more work for less pay. The cost of living is soaring, yet our members are being expected to sign up to an unjust new pay structure and three years of below inflation pay settlements.”
Now it’s official the Lambeth Branch of UNISON will be formally launching this blog.
Now it’s official the Lambeth Branch of UNISON will be formally launching this blog.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
National Strike ballot over pay follows 94% rejection
Here is a bulletin received from UNISON National Office on Wednesday 2 April - not for immediate circulation (but since we are not launching this blog today I think it is ok to reveal this!)
Notice of intent to ballot for industrial action is being dispatched to Ofsted today. Ballot papers are due to start being dispatched from 9 April and the ballot is due to close on 30 April.
PCS are working to the same timescale and a joint press release is being prepared.
Forum reps will be aware that the Employment Relations Agreement contains a clause stating that use of Ofsted’s IT system by union reps is provided on the understanding that it is not used to promote industrial action. Therefore in preparation for the ballot papers going out, a letter is being sent by post to all members at their home address advising them of our intention to ballot and alerting them to our web-page https://owa.unison.co.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/ofsted.asp where updates will also be posted. The letter also advises that any member who has not received a ballot paper by 14 April is asked to call Colette Whitehead in the Local Government Section at UNISON Headquarters on 020 7551 1691 quoting their membership number to request a duplicate.
Regional Officers: Please could you alert the relevant branches in your Region with Ofsted membership to the above. Further briefings etc will follow.
Here is a reminder from the UNISON website;
UNISON members in Ofsted have voted overwhelmingly (94%) to reject an unfair and divisive three-year pay offer - also rejected by PCS members.Ofsted can have been in no doubt about the strength of feeling among members, yet it has still moved to impose the pay offer without agreement.UNISON and PCS have written to Ofsted to advise them that we are in dispute and that we view this unilateral action as extremely disappointing and misguided.We remain open to further negotiations and urge them to come forward with an improved offer.We are now working closely together to consider our next steps. Further updates will be issued to members shortly and will also appear on this page.Reasons for rejection…The offer amounts to a pay cut in real terms for most members. Not just for 2007 which is long overdue, but for 2008 and 2009 as well. In the first year of the offer there is a guaranteed offer of just 2% non-consolidated. In years two and three this ‘guarantee’ drops to just 1%. Meanwhile RPI inflation, the amount you need to stand still, is running at over 4%.Ofsted has chosen to push through a new pay system which is unfair and unacceptable.
An unfair ‘single salary’ system
No pay progression
An untested performance-related bonus scheme
Higher paid grades favoured at the expense of lower paid
Worsening the undervaluing of jobs in the Children’s Directorate
No equality-proofing of the large pay gaps between grades In a tight public sector pay environment Ofsted has sought to divide and rule. While over 40% of all schools inspectors (HMI) get over 6% in the first two years, 20% of childcare inspectors and half of all social care inspectors and inspection managers have their salary frozen for three years. Of those getting an increase in these grades around half qualify for less than 2%.
Notice of intent to ballot for industrial action is being dispatched to Ofsted today. Ballot papers are due to start being dispatched from 9 April and the ballot is due to close on 30 April.
PCS are working to the same timescale and a joint press release is being prepared.
Forum reps will be aware that the Employment Relations Agreement contains a clause stating that use of Ofsted’s IT system by union reps is provided on the understanding that it is not used to promote industrial action. Therefore in preparation for the ballot papers going out, a letter is being sent by post to all members at their home address advising them of our intention to ballot and alerting them to our web-page https://owa.unison.co.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/ofsted.asp where updates will also be posted. The letter also advises that any member who has not received a ballot paper by 14 April is asked to call Colette Whitehead in the Local Government Section at UNISON Headquarters on 020 7551 1691 quoting their membership number to request a duplicate.
Regional Officers: Please could you alert the relevant branches in your Region with Ofsted membership to the above. Further briefings etc will follow.
Here is a reminder from the UNISON website;
UNISON members in Ofsted have voted overwhelmingly (94%) to reject an unfair and divisive three-year pay offer - also rejected by PCS members.Ofsted can have been in no doubt about the strength of feeling among members, yet it has still moved to impose the pay offer without agreement.UNISON and PCS have written to Ofsted to advise them that we are in dispute and that we view this unilateral action as extremely disappointing and misguided.We remain open to further negotiations and urge them to come forward with an improved offer.We are now working closely together to consider our next steps. Further updates will be issued to members shortly and will also appear on this page.Reasons for rejection…The offer amounts to a pay cut in real terms for most members. Not just for 2007 which is long overdue, but for 2008 and 2009 as well. In the first year of the offer there is a guaranteed offer of just 2% non-consolidated. In years two and three this ‘guarantee’ drops to just 1%. Meanwhile RPI inflation, the amount you need to stand still, is running at over 4%.Ofsted has chosen to push through a new pay system which is unfair and unacceptable.
An unfair ‘single salary’ system
No pay progression
An untested performance-related bonus scheme
Higher paid grades favoured at the expense of lower paid
Worsening the undervaluing of jobs in the Children’s Directorate
No equality-proofing of the large pay gaps between grades In a tight public sector pay environment Ofsted has sought to divide and rule. While over 40% of all schools inspectors (HMI) get over 6% in the first two years, 20% of childcare inspectors and half of all social care inspectors and inspection managers have their salary frozen for three years. Of those getting an increase in these grades around half qualify for less than 2%.
Back in Business
As a result of the current unavailability of UNISON Greater London OFSTED Convenor, Roulla Xyrizos, this blog will be used as a source of information for UNISON members in the Greater London Region working for OFSTED.
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