(02/02/12) Following the election of two new representatives in South Yorkshire Housing Association, Mushrat Javaid and Joanne Radley (article in previous newsletter) SYHA reps have been getting together at stewards’ committees to discuss common issues in all worksites.
Following on from these meetings one of the initiatives the reps have introduced, to maintain and develop contact with SYHA UNISON members, is to hold regular member surgeries.
The first surgeries have been arranged for Thursday 23rd February and will take place between 11.30am and 1.30pm. One will be held at Wellington Street, Sheffield on the second floor at the end of the Support 55 office, at Browning Court, Rotherham and the other is to be held in Barnsley at The En Route office. The surgeries are for any employee of SYHA who wants to know more about what UNISON membership can offer, for anyone who wants to learn more about UNISON i.e. about its Self Organised Groups, about Health and Safety and Equality in the workplace.
Existing members can also use the surgery to talk to a trained representative if they need any advice or support. We look forward to meeting many of our members and colleagues at these and future surgeries.
The Stewards Committee has also entered into discussions with SYHA about the introduction of a Learning Agreement. Once we have further information regarding this we will share this with you. Having a Learning Agreement with the employer will help the personal and professional development of staff. UNISON can offer its members assistance with Lifelong Learning, negotiate time off for learning with employers and offer a range of courses to members free of charge including Return to Learn and Women’s Lives, which tens of thousands of UNISON members have benefited from over the last 20 years.
Discussions commence next week with management and HR about the possibility of some staff TUPE transferring out of the organization as a consequence of the re-tendering of some contracts. We will keep you informed of any future developments but please contact Jean Sowley if you have any questions or concerns.
