Unite The Union

Information from Unite - June 2010

Dear Colleagues
Defending Trade Union Facility Time
The Freedom of Information Act has been used by a number of organisations to question trade union facility time across the public sector. Unite believes that these actions are part of an attempt to undermine and weaken trade unions’ legitimate role in the workplace.
Trade Union Facility Time is a crucial union resource and if seriously undermined could acutely jeopardise the ability of the unions to represent members effectively.
We know that we will have many struggles on pay, pensions and other members’ rights and benefits in the months and years to come and we need to be able to defend our members’ interests across the public sector.
We must ensure we defend our Facility Time Agreements.
We have created a Defend Trade Union Facility Time page on the Unite website; there is a Briefing for Activists and a range of additional resources outlining the key arguments that should me made to assist you at a local level to defend your Facility Time Agreements. Please visit

http://www.unitetheunion.com/campaigns/valuing_public_services/

facility_time.aspx?lang=en-gb

Kind Regards
Karen Reay, National Officer Health
David Fleming, National Officer Health

We are very pleased that we have now been able to firm up our relationship with UNITE, the second largest trade union in the UK.

There are approximately 100,000 members in the health sector. UNITE have been proactive and very supportive within the Agenda for Change process within the NHS and are still working with many members and the DOH to achieve agreements. We are pleased that UNITE have extended their professional indemnity insurance policy to cover Family Therapists who are members of UNITE. All existing members will now have professional indemnity insurance as part of their union subscription. This will cover all work undertaken whilst “employed” but excludes any self-employed work or private practice.

Existing members are asked to visit the UNITE web site on www.unitetheunion.org to update their details and ensure they are listed with UNITE as a Systemic Psychotherapist or Family Therapist, otherwise UNITE will not be able to track how many members they have within our field.

What can Unite do for AFT members?

• Unite negotiates nationally for the pay, terms and conditions of members.
• Unite continues to work towards the best outcomes under Agenda for Change for Family Therapists.
• Unite has a lead officer for members working in counselling and psychotherapy.
• Unite provides Professional Liability insurance cover for all employed work.
• Unite publishes a quarterly journal “Unite Health” to which members can contribute article.
• As well as the above, Unite offers all the benefits of a trade union membership such as advice and representation on industrial relations issues and support and representation at professional body disciplinary hearings.
• Prospective members’ attention is drawn to the Unite rule book in respect of the 26 week rule – “A member shall only be entitled to the benefits set out in this rule if he/she has paid (or been excused) contributions for 26 weeks and his/her contributions are not more than 13 weeks in arrears.”

Visit the Unite web site www.unitetheunion.org or enquiries about membership of Unite for Family Therapists may be directed to:

Carol English, Professional Officer
Unite Health,
33-37 Moreland Street
London EC1V
Tel: 0207 505 3000

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