Dear Colleague,

UNISON is aware that many of you are very concerned about redundancy and the loss of your job. The branch is also aware that a number of people have been spoken to in relation to termination of contracts.  These are casual and agency staff, those on fixed term and temporary contracts.  UNISON was aware that these conversations were to take place before any member of staff was informed.  UNISON is concerned in relation to the manner and the message of some of the meetings and has taken this back to our employer

UNISON has been managing change with our employer and has negotiated conditions and processes around change and will continue to do so.  What can not be achieved is a halt to the job losses.  The wage bill for Staffordshire Police is the most significant part of its budget, and therefore job losses will occur as a financial saving.

The processes are hard to accept and are difficult to communicate to hard working and loyal colleagues.  Each and every job/post lost is a blow to the professionalism of each and every member.  That is why UNISON called upon our employer to work alongside this trade union to manage the process and to set up a Strategic Resourcing Panel.  The panel has been up to now a success and has curtailed a number of practices which UNISON believed were detrimental to the retention of our colleagues, whether in their current role, or as a redeployee.

The redeployment register has so far been a success and the work around it undertaken by two of our colleagues has been exceptional.  However, UNISON is not sure that this can be sustained due to the potential for large numbers to be in a position where they go on to the register.  What can be assured is that our employer and this branch will be managing each and every person and role.  

UNISON has also discussed processes and how we manage each and every person affected.  It is the branch position which has been put before our employer, that each person has to be treated as an individual case and not collectively.  No two circumstances are the same, and should not be seen in that way.

If you are still concerned, please make contact with your departmental steward to discuss the matter further or attend one of the UNISON open meetings details of which have been circulated.  Please note that future workplace discussions on this and related subjects will not be open to none members.

regards


Michael Shepherd
Branch Secretary
Staffordshire Police UNISON
Tel:  01785 235369
Mob: 07796173402

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