Unite CEC Branch – Unite CEC Branch

September demo to #SaveOurCareHomes

Unite give a deputation to the EIJB at the City Chambers to protest care home closures

On 28 September, the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board met to discuss plans to change Drumbrae Care Home to a hospital based complex clinical care unit (HBCCC) and to close the NHS-run community hospital at Ferryfield.

The Council trade unions organised demos throughout the day with the support of community activists and Labour councillors. Once again, Unite gave a deputation to the EIJB to speak out against cuts to publicly owned-residential care homes, the unaccountable nature of the EIJB and the lack of consultation with staff, residents and citizens. Watch Unite’s deputation in the Council’s webcast or read it below.

Recruitment in Waste and Cleansing

Looking for a permanent drivers job in Waste and Cleansing?

The Council are recruiting to permanent positions for Waste and Cleansing Driver Crew Leaders.

Unite have been campaigning to reduce agency spend in the Council and ensure internal candidates have support in their applications for these jobs, so we are delighted that the Council are offering support and interview skills assistance for current staff and agency staff that are looking to apply.

If you work in Waste and Cleansing, contact your line manager for details of this.

Demo to #SaveOurCareHomes on 28 September

The campaign to save Council-run continues, with the next big date for your diary as Tuesday 28 September at 2pm for the next demo at the City Chambers, to coincide with the next meeting of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB).

See the Facebook event for the demo as organised by Another Edinburgh is Possible for 9.30am. Unite members will hold a demo at the new time of the EIJB meeting 2pm, Tuesday September 28th outside the City Chambers.

Read about the Save Our Care Homes campaign for details of the proposals and the fight so far.

Read on for an update.

Help #SaveOurCareHomes!

If you can’t make the demo, you can still help by

Industrial action ballot launched—important details for members

Branch convener Graeme Smith and branch secretary Brian Robertson each hold a Unite flag and jointly hold an envelope reading notice of industrial action outside the Edinburgh City Chambers — Branch convener Graeme Smith and branch secretary Brian Robertson serve the notice of industrial action at the City Chambers

Unite launch industrial action ballots across all Scottish local authorities as pay dispute escalates

Today, Unite the Union served notice of industrial action ballot to all 32 Scottish local authorities following an overwhelming rejection of the pay offer in a consultative ballot.

In the ballot:

83% rejected pay offer
74% indicated a willingness to take strike action.

Important ballot information for members

We will conduct a ballot for industrial action of the following members:

Have you voted in the General Secretary election yet? Let us know!

Banner with the text: Sharon Graham, the workplace candidate. Let's get back to the workplace. Vote Sharon Graham.

Use your vote in the historic Unite General Secretary Election.

We need to hear from you now—today!

Voted already? Let us know!
Lost, mislaid or didn’t receive your ballot paper? Let us know and we’ll help get you a new one!

Please share with others who you know are in Unite.

New rep training dates

Unite Scotland have released the education programme for 2021/22 with dates for training for reps and those looking to become reps. Courses running in Edinburgh are below for quick reference.

Become a rep

If you are interested in becoming a rep, contact one of our branch officers to chat about what’s involved, the support available and the opportunities on offer.

Author: Unite CEC Branch