LATEST NEWS FOR MEMBERS
Dear Members
There are a couple of bits of information that I need to inform you of:
CASE FORMS 
There has been a recent Case Form briefing meeting at Arena Point at which several reps attended. I will be sending out more detailed advice eventually but in the meantime it is important that all reps when they have a member who needs to fill in a case form follows this advice:
1) If a member has need to fill in a case form make sure that you are with them when they fill it in, by either meeting them at the branch office or another suitable arrangement. When complete bring it into the Branch office
2) If a member is facing a gross misconduct charge and a hearing has been set, fill in the form and send to the office for signing off as soon as possible, with any relevant paperwork (interview notes etc…) the region may be able to assist in advising you of the merits of the members case.
3) The situation of a possible Discriminatory cases the member concerned must fill in the case form with their own notes on how they feel they have been discriminated by the employer and if available any written response again as soon as possible from the date of the discriminatory act.
4) Whilst our members have up to 3 months from any dismissal or discrimination, the quicker that these forms are with me and then onto the region give the region the necessary time to advise both the member and the rep of the likelihood of a tribunal being lodged and how strong their case is. So get the form in within days - not weeks
5) The branch is now going to look at how we manage these case form records in the office and have a regular review of each case and where it is at. If you hand out any case forms please notify either Elaine or Annette as to who and when the form was issued.
6) One final important point. Where reps are dealing with cases of potential discrimination, redundancy or breach of contract make sure a case form is also filled in and returned to the office with any relevant paperwork. This can also allow the Case to assist a member in identifying whether they may have a case or not.
4 WEEK RULE
Please note that UNISON has a 4 week rule regarding membership and representation. What this means is that a member is entitled to receive free legal assistance, in accordance with UNISON’s scheme provided s/he has 4 weeks continuous membership before knowing s/he had need of legal assistance, and must not be in arrears of subscription.
For the purpose of administering this rule membership starts from the date upon which the member’s completed application form is received by a branch or regional office (recorded as “entered office date” on the membership register).
Generally, UNISON will not provide representative support in respect of issues that occur within the first four weeks of membership or which pre-date the member joining. However, in respect of members who join and bring an equal pay claim as part of UNISON’s mass litigation process, the NEC has waived the qualifying period. The 4 week rule will continue to apply to these members for all other services.
Please ensure that if a member approaches you about wanting to join because they have a problem at work that you make them aware of the 4 week rule.
DHS AND MEMBERS WHO COME FOR ADVICE
As of 1st of June C&SS, Env Services and CH&SC are applying a pilot scheme of health, well-being and sickness reporting. Joint Secretaries agreed in principle to test the water but did not agree that it is now the new policy, that would have required full consultation.
So there is no new policy as regard sickness reporting. There is a pilot scheme that the council are trying out which are monitoring but are saying that it cannot and must not be deemed compulsory. I am - as Joint Secretary of the unions making it clear that we do not see why staff should be made to call DHS and should be able to call in the usual manner their current contact when off sick.
HR know this and we hope there will be no need for tensions to rise, that common sense approach is taken by line managers. The employer has the right to test the water so to speak even if we come from different views on its likely effectiveness. In some cases it may well suit some of our members.
Our starting point is that as it is a "pilot scheme" then it cannot override current Terms & Conditions and that the recognized procedure can be adhered to by our members.
Members should decide whether to tell their line manager that they are opposed to being informed that they have to ring DHS and that The union has taken this matter up at the highest level of talks at Joint Secretaries as of today as we see it as voluntary as it is a pilot scheme and not yet the current policy of the council. They should note the time and date when they spoke to their line manager or who is the appropriate person to speak to.
We are advising members (where there may be problems with a line manager) not to personalize the issue with the manager but to merely state that they are taking advice from UNISON. If anyone feels they are being pressurized to follow any instruction so as to avoid a risk of an unhelpful reaction they shouls say they will seek UNISON advice.
Also look at our branch website and follow my views under members information at www.salfordcityunison.org.uk. It will be updated as and when.
Many Thanks
Ray Walker
Branch Secretary
Salford City UNISON
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