PEOPLE plus SKILLSProspect’s recipe for growth
unites 500 delegates at national conference in
Bournemouth
Elected – Alan Grey heads up your new-look NEC for 2012
High Court victory saves thousands of nuclear pensions
• QinetiQ recognition talks• BT hearing loss claims• CSMA’s Big Weekend
profilewww.prospect.org.uk • Issue 3 – Jun-Jul 2012
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Profile
2 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
GENERAL SECRETARY
Legal victories for Prospect bring shame on employersI am delighted to report two important legal victories for Prospect. The landmark High Court decision that the pensions protections created by the Energy Act 2004 have enduring force, and do not just apply at the point of transfer, has wide implications throughout the decommis-sioning sector.
The ruling (story, facing page) upheld an important and hard-won guarantee of the Act: that employers in the sector will be bound by the conditions in force at the time of transfer, and that pensions for the staff covered will be “no less favourable” despite changes of employer. If the employer – in this case Urenco under the direction of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – had been successful in getting the ruling it wanted, this would have meant open season on the pensions of those currently protected by the Act.
In this case, Prospect was acting alone. But the continuing nature of the protection will apply to employees in other unions and in no union at all. Perhaps those not in a union should reflect on what would have happened without Prospect’s legal action.
Similarly, our win in the employment tribunal case against the Ministry of Defence in respect of oil fuel depot staff was important both for those affected and because of its wider implications.
We were able to establish that MOD had not fulfilled its obligations under TUPE to consult and this will result in compensation for about 80 staff affected.
I hope it will also send a clear message to all employers that they should not leave staff and unions in the dark when they contemplate a transfer. It is particularly galling that we had to take this case to law, and that a government department should have failed so miserably in its legal obligation to inform and consult.
Thanks to our legal team for their work on these cases, and also to the lay reps whose close involvement was crucial for success.
Future protectionIt is curious to me that anyone could seriously think that a good way out of our economic problems is to increase job insecurity and make it easier for employers to fire people. There is no evidence in the UK – or internationally – that measures of the kind widely reported as being seriously considered by the government following a report from Adam Beecroft would lead to job creation and prosperity.
Rather than fool around with pointless plans to allow greater unfairness at work, the government should sit down with trade unions, employers and educators to plan the skills and talents needed to underpin a successful, modern, knowledge-based economy and lead us from austerity to growth.
Paul Noon
A clear message to all employers that
they should not leave staff and unions in the dark when
they contemplate a transfer
WITH THIS PROFILEENERGY LINES – the newsletter for working members in the energy supply industry sector
Beside the seaside – delegates share a joke at Prospect’s national conference in Bournemouth. See page 7 for conference round-up
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 3
NEWS
Prospect’s High Court win protects 13,000 pensionsNUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING workers celebrated a landmark High Court ruling in June that their pension benefits cannot be cut back or varied by their employers.
The judgment protects pension benefits and contribution levels for 13,000 workers now employed at 23 sites in at least nine companies.
It means the pension protec-tion provided by the Energy Act 2004 for former employees of British Nuclear Fuels and the UK Atomic Energy Authority cannot be amended by new employers.
Prospect negotiated this protec-tion when the 2004 act was drafted. With solicitors Russell Jones & Walker, it fought a test case brought by nuclear fuel company Urenco over four employees trans-ferred under TUPE arrangements from Sellafield Ltd.
National secretary Mike Graham said Urenco had sought to break the protection and reduce benefits, raise pension contributions or both. “The judgment rebuffs Urenco on both counts and we are delighted the company has decided not to lodge an appeal.
“This ruling is a victory for members, their pension rights, and for fair play. It will be a huge shot in the arm for everyone in the industry.”
The Urenco case named electrical engineer Gregory Mossop, a Prospect member, who had worked at BNFL’s Capenhurst plant. Mossop had been in the UKAEA
pension scheme since 1982, then the industry’s Combined Pension Scheme. He was transferred from Sellafield Ltd to Urenco in 2008.
Mr Justice Warren’s ruling means that the protection provided by the Energy Act 2004 was intended to be and was, on the facts of the case, of an enduring nature.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority now owns the UK’s civil nuclear liabilities and assets, while contracting out the operation and management of sites to private
companies. The ruling means the NDA will have to ensure new employers give the pensions of ‘protected persons’ enduring protection, in all past and future sale and purchase documents.
Prospect general secretary designate Mike Clancy said while Prospect had fought the case alone, “everyone working in the industry in 2004 now knows their pension rights are safe. Equally, it is up to us to make sure that the authorities live up to their obligations.”
...ANOTHER TRANSFER VICTORYPROSPECT MEMBERS this month hailed the successful outcome of an employment tribunal claim against the Ministry of Defence for failure to consult under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).
MOD transferred responsibility for the operation of its oil fuel depots to the Oil and Pipelines Agency – a MOD sponsored non-departmental public body – in August 2011. But it gave no notice, no information and no formal consultation – all legal requirements under TUPE law. Around 80 staff will receive compensation.
WIN!A FAMILY TICKET TO THE CSMA BIG WEEKENDTICKETS FOR a family of four are up for grabs. Entry into the prize draw can be made by ‘liking’ the CSMA Club Big Weekend Facebook page at www.facebook.com/csmaclubbigweekend. Closing date for entries is July 23.
■ Turn to page 6 for more exciting news from CSMA
PROSPECT’S NEW NATIONAL EXECUTIVE took up their duties at the end of national conference 2012 – full report, p4PROTEST AT VISA REFUSAL FOR ‘TOO POOR’ GUESTS
PROSPECT WROTE to Home Secretary Theresa May in June to protest strongly at the British government’s refusal to grant entry visas to two Kenyan trade unionists invited to attend national conference in Bournemouth.
Delegates carried an emergency motion expressing disgust at the UK Border Agency’s decision to deny entry to the energy workers from trade union KETAWU.
They instructed general secretary Paul Noon to protest to the government. Agnes Githumbi, KETAWU women’s president, and David Songok, national chair, were perceived as at ‘risk of flight’ because they did not have enough money in their bank
accounts. The UKBA also rejected an appeal.
Noon said: “Maybe if they had said that they were here to see the Olympics rather than declare themselves as trade unioniss,
they would have been let in.”The invitation came as part
of a long-running and successful joint project with Prospect sponsored by the Department for International Development.
Prospect had bought
air tickets and organised a programme that included time with DFID’s private sector and climate units. There was no possibility the guests would have “done anything other than return to Kenya at the end of the trip. Both have commitments, jobs and strong ties in Kenya.”
The UKBA’s decision was “utterly despicable”, said EDF Energy’s Tony Hole, moving the emergency motion. “It suggests only the wealthy are worthy of entering the UK. If it is not challenged, it will restrict the ability of activists and trade unionists from developing countries to share experi-ences, learn new skills and help develop their capacity as civil society organisations.”
■■ Hole■–■UKBA■decision■despicable
KETAWU’s thanks, p21
■■ Gregory■Mossop■with■the■judgment■in■his■favour■–■details,■page■27
JONATHAN EELES
Profile
4 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
PROSPECT
Prospect executive is back to 23 seatsTHREE NEW members have been elected to Prospect’s national executive committee for 2012-14.
This year 13,321 working members cast a vote in the elections – a turnout of 13.8 per cent of the 96,546 eligible. More people voted than in 2010 (12,758), reflecting the increase in Prospect’s membership over the past two years, but the proportion voting was 1.9 per cent down.
Top of the poll again was Audrey Uppington, Sellafield Ltd, with 5,245 votes. Freddie Brown, Ministry of Defence (Central) branch, came second with 4,957 votes. Craig Marshall and Tasos Zodiates, both from British Energy, were third and fourth with a very close 4,932 and 4,885 votes respectively.
This year, the NEC reverted to 23 seats – for 2010 and 2011, an extra five seats had been reserved for the IT and telecoms sector, after Connect’s merger with Prospect. Five seats on the new smaller executive are held by women, compared to six over the last two years.
The three new committee members are: ● Bob Digweed, Atomic Weapons Establishment ● Bobby Carson, Magnox Nuclear ● Gordon Hutchinson, Met Office.
The new committee has 14 members from the private sector and nine from the public sector. Recent mergers and privatisations mean nearly two-thirds of Prospect members now work in the private sector, including almost 16,000 in IT and telecoms and more than 20,000 in energy. Seven private-sector seats are held by members in energy, two by defence members, three by IT and telecoms representatives, and two from aviation.
The public sector seats went to three Ministry of Defence members, two from agriculture, and one each from health and safety, transport, the Met Office and Ordnance Survey.
Prospect represents 34,000 members in the civil service, agencies and other non-departmental public bodies, including Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey, and 4,000 members in local govern-ment, who transferred from the Aspect education union in January.
At the end of national conference in May, Nigel Titchen stood down as president after two years. He is succeeded by Alan Grey, with Denise McGuire elected vice-president and Craig Marshall deputy vice-president – see page 8.
Five members have left the NEC – Helen Kenny, former Forensic Science Service, who did not stand; Barrie Worth, BT Wessex; Del Northcott, Devonport Royal Dockyard; Philip O’Rawe, BT Development Belfast; and Mike Collins, North West Regional.
Other candidates not elected were Chris Cummings, Westinghouse; Evan Jones, Welsh Government; Kevin Warden, Department for Transport; George Clarke, MOD (Land); and Martin Pennycook, Defence Acquisition and Maritime (South).
ELECTED
AUDREY UPPINGTON 5,245 Sellafield Ltd
FREDDIE BROWN 4,957 MOD Central
CRAIG MARSHALL 4,932 EDF Energy
TASOS ZODIATES 4,885 EDF Energy
CATHERINE DONALDSON 4,781 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
NEIL HOPE-COLLINS 4,632 Health and Safety Executive
PETER CLEMENTS 4,626 Sellafield Ltd
DENISE McGUIRE 4,392 BT London West Central
BOB DIGWEED 4,330 Atomic Weapons Establishment
JANE COLCLOUGH 4,199 BT Nottingham
ALAN GREY 4,182 MOD Central
MICK UPFIELD 4,169 Ordnance Survey
ANDY MOONEY 4,134 Air Traffic Systems Specialists
KEN TRAPP 4,130 National Grid
GRAEME HENDERSON 4,052 Department of Health
SATNAM NER 4,025 Rosyth Royal Dockyard
BOBBY CARSON 4,007 Magnox Nuclear
HEATHER PHILLIPS 4,005 Department for Transport
NIGEL TITCHEN 3,932 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
VINCE BUTLER 3,878 Scottish and Southern Energy
DAVE CARTY 3,797 NATS Air Traffic Control Officers
GORDON HUTCHINSON 3,593 Met Office
JIM HALLIDAY 3,572 BT London Central East and South
NOT ELECTEDBARRIE WORTH 3,474 BT WessexGEORGE CLARKE 3,441 Ministry of Defence LandDEL NORTHCOTT 3,360 Devonport Royal Dockyard
PHILIP O’RAWE 3,255 Connect Development BelfastMARTIN PENNYCOOK 3,082 Defence Acquisition and Maritime (South)
MIKE COLLINS 2,995 North West RegionalCHRIS CUMMINGS 2,789 WestinghouseEVAN JONES 2,767 Welsh Government
KEVIN WARDEN 2,637 Department for Transport
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 5
Message to QinetiQ: We will not go away PROSPECT HAS stepped up the campaign to restore trade unions to QinetiQ, the privatised company that supplies technical and scientific support to the Ministry of Defence.
Since the company terminated its recognition agreement at the end of March, Prospect member-ship has risen by over 200 and the branch continues to operate, though all facility time arrange-ments have been withdrawn.
On a positive note, Prospect, other unions and company representatives have agreed to talks on recognition and collective bargaining under the auspices of the conciliation service, ACAS.
National secretary David Luxton said the first meeting took place in May, with another held in June.
“There has been meaningful discussions on issues ranging from consultation and negotia-tion to potential bargaining units,” said Luxton.
At national conference, delegates gave unanimous backing to an emergency motion condemning the decision to terminate recognition and urged a campaign to reinstate collective bargaining for QinetiQ staff.
The motion also exhorted Prospect to campaign “wherever and whenever these rights are taken away from members.”
Mover Vince Hibbert, QinetiQ, warned that the union “should never be complacent about membership density. The situation is a clear and present danger to us all.”
Tim Day, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, said: “When the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was split into Dstl and the privatised QinetiQ, we took a kicking, but QinetiQ has received
a blitzkrieg.”Deputy general secretary Mike
Clancy pledged that Prospect would not rest until union rights were restored to staff at QinetiQ.
Other delegates declared that the decision by QinetiQ was “morally repugnant” and an “attack on our core values.”
Clancy explained to delegates how chief executive Leo Quinn had
approached the discus-sions prior to de-recognition. The company had given no indication that detailed plans were in place to announce
de-recognition and the introduction of an employee engagement group before the formal announcement on February 21.
Clancy said: “It is an affront to the professionalism of QinetiQ employees that the company removed the right of freedom of association and the right to conduct collective bargaining. Prospect will not go away.”
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE ...Skills and growth: we are part of the solution
Parmjit Dhanda, parlia-mentary and campaigns officer, sets out why the union will be campaigning this autumn under the banner ‘Before it’s too late’
EVEN COALITION MPs are starting to question their government’s economic policies. Like a one-club golfer, the coalition has hacked away in the rough in the hope that more redundan-cies and less investment in jobs and infrastructure would leave them in a position to say: “Yes we know it hurt, but it worked.”
Two years down the line, the nation’s borrowing has not decreased – it has risen by over £150bn. Unemployment is rising and we’re in a double-dip recession.
Prospect believes it can help win the argument about the need for a growth strategy. To put it simply, we are part of the solution. Instead of eradicating hundreds of thousands of skilled and professional posts, the government should be investing to create more of them.
We also need the government to find the right stimulus to develop our infrastructure – an essential part of a growth strategy. Instead, planning statements to kick-start development are contradicted by commitments to ‘localism’ that block major projects like power stations. And we’ve repeatedly heard talk of superfast broadband, only to see the funding spiked.
Prospect will develop new online resources and branding to get our message across in the coming months. We will use the powerful personal testimony of our members to show the government that it is better to have talented and qualified people in work rather than on the dole.
Our message in 2012 is clear. It’s time for the coalition to change course and invest in skilled jobs for growth – before it’s too late.
NEWS
MEMBERS FIGHT FOR FUTURE OF THORP PLANT NEWS THAT the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority plans to close Sellafield’s Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (above) in Cumbria by 2018 was disappointing but not a surprise, said Sellafield branch president Peter Clements.
In an interview on Radio Five Live, Clements said it was not the outcome members had
hoped for given that “they have been campaigning for years for a long-term future and new repro-cessing contracts.”
He said the union has requested an urgent meeting with the company, even though the closure is six years away, to allow for the completion of existing contracts and discuss redeployment opportuni-
ties for Thorp’s 800 staff.Once operations
cease, fewer than a quarter of the staff will remain to oversee the clean-out and decommis-sioning phases.
The NDA also looked at closure without completing the existing contracts, and at extend-ing the life of the plant.
But the NDA rejected an extension because
it would require a multi-billion pound upgrade against a backdrop of falling demand for repro-cessing and the relatively low cost of uranium.
At a recent meeting with energy minister Charles Hendry, Prospect voiced concerns over the handling of the announce-ment and outlined plans to table an alternative option for Thorp’s future.
DAVID CAIRNS / REX FEATURES
■■ Hibbert■–■danger
■■ Day■–■blitzkrieg
■■ Luxton■–■meetings
■■ Clancy■–■affront
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Profile
6 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
There’s no doubt about it: 2012 has been the year of the party for the UK. With the bunting barely down from the Queen’s Jubilee, the nation – along with the rest of the world – are excitedly counting down the days to the Olympic Games, which take place between July 27 and August 12. But if you can’t wait until then for another excuse to let your hair down, why not join CSMA Club members at one of our exciting national events? Not only will you enjoy welcome perks like private member bars and free karting sessions, you also save up to 33% on public prices. Take your pick from:
WIN!A BIG WEEKEND THIS SUMMER
Join CSMA Club today and you can make great savings on car and home insurance, plus hotel stays and so much more. For details, visit csmaclub.co.uk/prospect
Special Events are just one of the many
benefits of becoming a CSMA Club member.
If you can’t make one of the events you
could always save up to 54% on attractions
such as Chessington World of Adventures,
Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, even Legoland
and Sea Life Centres and Sanctuaries.
JUNE 30–JULY 1Waddington International Air Show, LincolnOne of the UK’s biggest air shows, where 140,000 aviation fans are wowed by spectacular flying displays and aerial antics.
August 5Military Pageant Air ShowOld Warden, BedfordshireAn aerial event the whole family will enjoy. Alongside the remarkable Shuttleworth Collection, which features a Hawker Hurricane, nature’s own winged creatures can be seen at the UK’s largest bird of prey centre.
August 17-19CSMA Club Big WeekendThruxton, HampshireNow in its third year, this is the headline act of the Special Events calendar. There’s so much to see and do – including thrilling racing action
on Thruxton’s circuit, with live stunts and music, plus free karting and 4x4 sessions for members. With onsite camping and caravanning, you can make a proper weekend of it, too.
September 14-16Goodwood RevivalGoodwood Estate, ChichesterGet your glamour on at this famous festival, held in the elegant grounds of Goodwood Estate. The Revival features classic racing, vintage fashion, a huge car show and fairground rides.
■ Visit csmaclub.co.uk/prospect for full details of ticket prices and events.
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 7
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Spotlight on conference decisions
8 MIKE CLANCY: Prospect’s next general secretary shares his vision for the future and promises “to shine a light on bad behaviour without fear or favour.”
9 PAY: Financial pressures on public servants have become unbearable, says conference, voting to campaign against the 1 per cent pay limit by all means necessary, including industrial action.
10 PENSIONS: Delegates reject the divide and rule tactics used by the government to undermine pension provision in both the public and private sectors, calling for Prospect to build a broad alliance to defeat the government’s ‘race to the bottom.’
12 EQUALITY: Continued discrimination means equality at work remains an elusive goal. Conference backs steps to develop the union’s network of equality reps and crack down on opaque reward systems.
13 ENERGY: Prospect backs long-term investment in infrastructure to create a low-carbon economy that will generate quality jobs and growth for the UK.
14 AVIATION: Delegates agree to create a new occupational group to bring together the union’s fast-growing membership across the aviation industry.
15 POLITICAL FUND: Conference calls for a union-wide campaign to win next year’s ballot on a political fund, after voting for guarantees of political neutrality to be built into the fund rules.
16 EMPLOYMENT LAW: Rights at work and employment tribunals are being systematically undermined, warns a former Prospect president, calling for trade unions to resist the government’s attacks “with the utmost resilience.”
17 HEALTH AND SAFETY: After suffering funding cuts of one third, the power of the Health and Safety
Executive to challenge risks to life and limb is being deliberately weakened by a policy that
flies in the face of expert opinion and all the evidence.
18 ON THE FRINGE: Delegates found plenty to do away from the conference floor
with guest speakers and fringe meetings on the Rio+20 climate change summit, young
professionals, rebuilding the economy and campaigning tactics.
19 PAUL NOON: In his farewell address to delegates, Prospect’s retiring general secretary uses the conference theme ‘People+Skills=Growth’ to hammer home the contradictions in government economic policy.
Bournemouth2012
YOUR CONFERENCE COVERAGE STARTS HERE
PROSPECT’S MISSIONConference pictures: Stefano Cagnoni
Profile
8 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR PROSPECTA NEW presidential team was elected at conference to lead Prospect for the next two years.
Each from a different sector of Prospect’s diverse membership, they are:
■ Alan Grey, president, from the civil service sector
■ Denise McGuire, vice-president, from the IT and telecoms sector
■ Craig Marshall, deputy vice-president, from the energy sector.
ALAN GREY, who was previ-ously president from 2004-06, is based at the Defence Equipment and Support agency at Abbey Wood, Bristol. He said:
“I feel privileged and honoured to have been elected for a second time. However, I take up the position at a very difficult time for professional workers, as working men and women are clearly bearing the brunt of the government’s austerity measures.
“I see Prospect and the wider trade union movement as leading the fight against
this government’s policies of equality of misery. It is driving down pension entitle-ments and workers’ employ-ment protection, pay and conditions in a determined race to the bottom.”
DENISE McGUIRE is a chartered marketer and works at BT Tower in London. She was formerly president of Connect, which merged with Prospect in 2010. She is also world women’s president of UNI Global Union, repre-senting skills and service sector workers around the world.
CRAIG MARSHALL works for EDF Energy in Scotland. He is trade union secretary of the EDF Energy company council and the national joint council of the nuclear generation business unit, looking after members across former British Energy sites.
Enduring trade union values with a contemporary voicePROSPECT IS facing the greatest challenges in the decade since its creation, Mike Clancy told conference in his first speech as general secretary designate.
But despite the stiff tests presented by the economic and political climate, he was keen to stress Prospect’s strengths, telling delegates: “There is no need or reason for this union to share a counsel of despair.”
And Clancy highlighted the “unparalleled” expertise of Prospect’s membership, which was “the envy of other unions and organisations.”
He promised to build consensus and act as “a confident and authoritative leader but with the humility to accept and act on good counsel.” He said Prospect’s future would depend on:
● the highest standards of governance ● the development of lay
representatives ● the strength of the relationship
between elected representatives and full-time staff.
Cuts and retirements meant the union was losing experience at all levels – “but what is heartening is how many new delegates are here at conference and the diversity of those delegates.”
Clancy was unequivocal about the union’s relationship with employers, saying Prospect would be a “construc-tive friend or a challenging enemy. It’s their choice.
“We will shine a light on bad behaviour without fear or favour. Our members in QinetiQ have faced just such behaviour from their employer … we will not rest until recognition is restored in that company.”
Stressing the need for Prospect to celebrate “our enduring trade union values” he also said they must be “articulated in a contemporary voice.”
Summing up, he pledged: “You can expect me to tell it as I see it. I commit to you the highest standards of trans-parency and accountability as I believe everyone should be comfortable with the scrutiny of the membership.”
GENERAL SECRETARY DESIGNATE MIKE CLANCY
‘WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THE COALITION’S ECONOMIC MADNESS’AUSTERITY IS a false economy, TUC deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady told Prospect conference.
Spelling out the damage – 710,000 jobs scheduled for the axe and four years of real pay cuts – she said the coalition government had delivered near-stagnation in the economy and a double-dip recession.
Its proposals for regional pay were “divisive, inefficient and damaging.” They would deepen the north-south divide and widen the gender pay gap.
We must “put a stop to this economic madness,” she said.
O’Grady heaped praise on Prospect for its magnificent turnout on the pensions day of action and announced that the TUC was organising
a national demonstration on October 20 to call for a “credible, compelling and coherent” strategy of economic growth – “for a future that works.”
Echoing the conference theme – ‘Agenda for a new economy: people+skills=growth’ – she spelt out the alternative to austerity: a new economy that delivers for all, decent wages and genuine social mobility.
Calling for a properly capitalised strategy for industry and public services,
she said Britain needed a balanced economy with a strong energy infrastructure, where climate change was seen as an opportunity not a threat and where expertise in science and research was valued.
O’Grady, who is being nominated by Prospect to succeed TUC leader Brendan Barber on his retirement this year, advocated a strong system of corporate govern-ance, “where workers have a say in bosses’ pay.” Calling for a tougher approach
to regulation in industry, public services and financial services, she urged support for a financial transaction tax.
O’Grady paid tribute to the “immense contribution” of retiring Prospect general secretary Paul Noon. She recalled their experiences during a solidarity visit to Colombia –”the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists” – where, in confrontation with armed secret police, she came to appreciate his negotiating skills.
TUC DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY FRANCES O’GRADY
PRESIDENTIAL TEAM
Bournemouth2012
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 9
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Action call on pay cutsCEASELESS ATTACKS on public servants’ pay are bad for members, bad for recruit-
ment, bad for equal pay and bad for the economy, conference heard.
After a series of angry speeches, delegates from the public and private sectors united to condemn the savage reduction in living standards imposed by the government’s four-year policy of zero increases followed by 1 per cent pay rises.
All three motions carried by confer-ence called for Prospect to step up the campaign against the curbs, with Ordnance Survey branch arguing for strike action and action short of a strike to overturn the policy.
Public servants were being asked to pay for a double-dip recession that they did not cause, said Andy Gardiner, moving. “We have not forgotten the two-year pay freeze and we will not accept another two years of pay cuts. We demand action.”
From the Intellectual Property Office, Nick Mole said the public sector had reached “a defining moment.” Years of nominal pay rises were now being swept away by inflation and pay cuts. Skills, equal pay and relativities were all being damaged.
“Pay has been the ‘elephant in the room’ for two years and now we
need to act,” he said, urging a unifying campaign across the public sector.
A dissenting voice came from QinetiQ branch. Gerry Wright said many people in the private sector had
suffered worse in the recession and the public sector also had to ‘feel the pain’ if it was to share the gain.
But Simon Chilcott, Health and Safety Executive, responded with a harrowing story about the conditions endured by his wife in her work at a local hospice. “We have not had a pay rise for 10 years,” he added. “This month we had the pension cost increases.”
Similar sentiments came from Tom Machell, BT Sheffield, who said the government had deliberately been trying to divide public from private sector workers. “We are a trade union and we stand together.”
Supporting, deputy general secretary Dai Hudd said the civil service sector had set out its priorities in a pay briefing to branches. The aims of the motion were in line with the short and medium-term strategy now out for consultation, he told delegates, promising to fight for “pay principles based on evidence.”
Prospect had taken some tough decisions in the last two years on redundancy compensation and pensions, said Hudd, Now the need was to go out and “ramp up the campaign on pay” with branches and members.
Progression is everyone’s rightDELEGATES AGREED to fight for progression to the top of pay scales after
a lively debate about the ‘rate for the job’.
The Department of Health branch argued that current public sector pay curbs were unfair because of differing practices on pay progression. In some areas a zero increase meant just that, while in others progression was allowed to proceed as normal.
Mover Geoff Lay said enhancement to roles through compe-tencies was rarely recognised and some
people were stuck for years at the bottom of pay scales.
He ran into concern from some branches that it was normal for extra rewards to be added to the top of pay scales, for instance using extra range points.
But Mike Cassidy, BT Newcastle & Middles brough, said private sector companies would use any excuse to pay people as little as possible. He cautioned against making the rate for the job anywhere but the top of the scale.
For the executive, Steve Jary
(right) said pay was moving up the political agenda just as workers’ share of GDP was falling, down from 65 to 53 per cent in the last 35 years.
Unions had failed to pay proper attention to the relationship between job skills and pay progression, he said, suggesting they had focussed on bonuses rather than the rate for the job.
But he was pleased to report that the civil service sector had started work on designing a compe-tency-based pay system with a scale maximum that everyone could attain.
TIME TO STOP SUBSIDISING EMPLOYERS
CONFERENCE CARRIED a call for HMRC to
lift the current ceiling on tax-free payments made by employers towards the extra costs of working at home.
Fiona Clarkson, BT Leicester, (above) also won backing for Prospect to support branches negoti-ating to secure improved compensation for home workers.
The 2012 budget had raised the tax-free allowance from £3 to £4 a week, said Garry Graham (above), supporting for the NEC. But he agreed that all too often homeworkers were still effectively subsidising their employers.
The NEC would identify and share best practice for branches to put to employers, said Graham.
Further reports on performance-related pay, facility time and other conference debates will be covered in Report, the newsletter for Prospect reps.
PAY HOME WORKERS
CARRIED
40- 42
CARRIED
43
CARRIED
44
■■ Hudd■–■ramp■up■campaign
■■ Gardiner■–■we■demand■action
■■ Mole■–■unified■campaign
■■ Wright■–■feel■the■pain
■■ Chilcott■–■harrowing
■■ Tom■Machell■–stand■together
FIGHT ABUSES BY MANAGEMENT
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT can “psycho-logically
damage your health,” said Alan Gooden, BT Leicester.
Citing examples of grown men crying and members left “in a bad place” by uncaring managers, he said performance guidelines need to be regularly reviewed to eradicate the abuse of human resource policies.
The union needed a ‘proactive policy’ to deal with managers who exercised a duty of ‘don’t care’. Performance management should be about continuous individual develop-ment rather than used as an ‘exit tool’.
CARRIED
34
Profile
10 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
Coalition’s ‘divide and rule’ tactics condemned
THE CIVIL service pensions dispute may be over for Prospect but the issue will not go away,
said Simon Hester, Health and Safety Executive.
His branch called on the national executive to campaign strongly against the “divide and rule” tactics used by the coalition government to undermine pension provision in the public and private sectors.
Hester said his branch was “staggered” by the decision of the civil service sector executive to recommend the final govern-ment offer, given the impressive show of strength by the union on November 30.
Other unions were still taking action, he said. For the private sector also, the govern-ment offensive was set to continue with annual reviews of the state pension age that could take it up to age 70 or even higher for those starting out now. Hester urged a policy of active opposition to the “politics of austerity,” which blamed members for economic failings they did not cause.
But a composited motion from Ordnance Survey branch took the opposite line, “applauding” the actions taken by
both the NEC and the civil service sector in securing the best deal for members.
Mover Tracy Packard recognised that higher pension contributions and a longer working life were not ‘little’ changes, especially for younger members. Her branch therefore instructed the NEC to continue to challenge the government “with the most appropriate methods or actions” to ensure the best deal was achieved.
Colin Skelton, Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory, disputed the government’s case on austerity, pointing to the £325bn spent on quantitative easing. Just £5bn of that would sort out the public sector pension problem, he argued.
John Streeter, president of the civil service sector, supported the motion but made clear he “totally rejected” Hester’s criticism of the sector’s recommendation to members, which rightly belonged in the civil service sector conference.
The motion, instructing the NEC to work with other unions, the TUC and pensioner organisations to build a broad alliance to defeat the government’s “race to the bottom” on pensions, was carried.
‘ WEALTH GENERATION NEEDS INVESTMENT’
THE UK generates more money online than any other G20
nation, Jim McGrath (below) for the Connect Scotland and Northern Ireland branch told delegates.
Highlighting the role of the internet in wealth generation, McGrath urged delegates to support a call for more public invest-ment in delivering the next generation of high-speed broadband services.
With the internet now a bigger part of the economy than education, healthcare or construction, McGrath issued a warning over future access given that the UK average download speed is ranked sixteenth in Europe, and falling.
Other countries are investing heavily in replacing old copper telephone networks with fibre optics, meaning almost unlimited speeds.
But the UK’s compromise – to take fibre optic cables up to BT’s ‘roadside cabinets’ and provide copper wire from there to the front door – would affect speed and
hence industry, he said.Despite the govern-
ment’s commitment to make broadband one of four top infrastructure priorities in line for £200bn investment over the next five years,
actual investment will only amount to 0.65 per cent, or £1.3bn of those funds.
“We refer to our plans as superfast broadband with 90
per cent of homes connected by 2017.
“By then, other countries will be pursuing the next phase – ultrafast,” he warned.
Support came from Robert Phillips, (left) Wales Heritage branch, who
described the inter-net’s impact on rural communities.
He underlined the irony of moves by the National Library of Wales to digitise large
collections in a bid to increase access.
“They are freely available to people in San Francisco and Sydney” – but can’t be accessed by people in many areas of Wales. The motion was carried.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
CARRIED
80
CARRIED
10
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS
BROADBAND
EMPLOYER BOOKLETS MUST NOT MISLEADTOO MANY explanatory documents issued by employers about their pension schemes are inaccurate or
misleading, delegates heard.Connect’s Greater
London East and Essex branch said the govern-ment’s decision to switch from the retail prices to the consumer prices index highlighted the problem.
The BT scheme documents invariably referred to RPI increases for pensions but were subject to ‘caveats’ that effectively contradicted their content.
“So RPI does not mean RPI,” said Tony Cox (above), moving.
Jane Colclough, (left) for the national executive, was sympa-thetic but said she had to disagree.
Pension rules
were lengthy and complex and explanatory booklets had to be qualified with the caveat that the rules took precedence.
Several branches rejected the NEC’s comments, saying most people relied on such booklets to make irrevocable decisions about their future.
“If the FSA had oversight of pensions, this practice would fall foul of their rules,” said Des Daly, BT Greater London Central.
The motion, calling for only clear and accurate information to be provided by employers, was carried.
A plea from Rosyth Royal Dockyard for government to say in state pension forecasts what proportion of pension is a minimum guaranteed amount was remitted. The NEC
needed clarity over what was meant by a ‘minimum guaranteed amount’, Mike Collins (above) said.
Bournemouth2012 ■■ Skelton■–■austerity
■■ Packard■–■continue
■■ Hester■–■staggered
■■ Streeter■–■rejected■criticism
EXPLANATORY DOCUMENTS
CARRIED
17
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 11
‘We must increase take-up’PROSPECT IS proud of the way members from across the public and private
sectors have resisted attempts to drive a wedge between them, conference agreed.
Delegates united behind a motion commending the union’s efforts in campaigning for good quality pension provision for all, including:
● the judicial review of the govern-ment’s switch to the consumer prices index for uprating pensions
● lobbying to retain contracted out rebates that support defined benefit schemes
● arguing for decent state pensions in submissions to government
● protecting defined benefit schemes and improving defined contribution provision.
“The main divide in pension provision today is not between public sector and private sector but between those who have a pension scheme and those who do not,” said the national execu-tive’s motion. It called on Prospect to assist branches covering employers who do not currently offer a pension scheme to maximise the opportuni-ties that the new system of auto-enrolment will offer members.
And it promised to assist branches to reduce the level of
non-participation in pensions schemes across the membership.
Moving, David Simpson (left) said that for many members, pensions are the most important issue that they face. Auto-enrolment, which is being phased in over the next six years, would be the first chance for many workers to save into a
pension scheme, “and there is a role here for Prospect.”
Equally, the union needed to find out why some people did not save for a pension right now. “There may be factors at work where Prospect could influence employers to encourage greater participation.”
PERSONAL CONTRACTS ‘MUST NOT BE SECRET’CONFERENCE BACKED a call from Scottish and Southern Energy branch to outlaw personal contracts that prevent the contract holder from divulging the terms and conditions of the contract to third parties. Mover Chris Hardy said confidentiality clauses were already outlawed across the EU.
MEMBERS NEED TO BE INFORMEDTHE NATIONAL executive was instructed to ensure that Prospect members in the local government pension scheme were fully informed about develop-ments on pensions.
Richard Houghton, Environment Agency, said there were significant numbers of LGPS members in Prospect.
They felt that not enough had been said about their negotiations, though the position had improved in recent weeks.
A separate call for Prospect to campaign to defend benefits in the armed forces pension schemes, and other public sector schemes where it has members, was also carried.
Changes will be unworkableGOVERNMENT plans to withdraw child benefit from parents on higher incomes are
poorly thought out and “no amount of sticking plaster changes” will make it a good idea.
Moving a motion from the Atomic Weapons Establish ment, delegate
David Rawlings said recent revisions, such as the decision to phase out the benefit for household incomes over £50k, did not address the
inequality of a family with a single earner slightly above the threshold losing the benefit, while a couple who
both earn slightly below the threshold will retain the benefit.
Rawlings said: “These benefits are for our children’s welfare which begs the question: Who will the govern-ment try and steal from next?”
Audrey Uppington voiced the NEC’s support by stressing that, bar Italy, every other country in Europe offers a universal benefit or
a child tax allowance. “The UK is about to become the second exception,” she said, stressing that parts of the proposals would be unworkable under the current tax and benefits system.
The motion was carried.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
CARRIED
12
CARRIED
79
CARRIED
35
AUTO-ENROLMENT
CHILD BENEFIT
CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSES
LGPS
‘RECOGNISE THE PRESSURE’
YOUNG PEOPLE need educating about the pensions choices they face as well
as a fair deal on pensions, delegates agreed. They carried a call from the Scottish Government branch which said the November 30 action had shown there was a clear appetite among young people to defend and improve their
pensions.But, said David
Avery, moving, some young people had no pension at all. This “terrified” him, as
falling numbers would threaten the very existence of pension schemes.
His warning was echoed by Vicki Smith, Prison Service, who said the recent £20 increase in contri-butions cost as much as a week’s food shopping for some people.
It might be “terrifying” if that prompted some members to say they had to drop out of their pension scheme, but the pressures on them had to be recognised. The only solution was to talk about pensions to young people from the moment they were recruited, she said.
For the executive, Satnam Ner said Prospect was already doing much of what the motion sought but the NEC was happy to do more on this core trade union function for those entering the world of work.
YOUNG PEOPLE
■■ Left,■president■Nigel■Titchen■is■master■of■all■he■surveys■as,■below,■deputy■general■secretary■Dai■Hudd■takes■time■off■to■catch■up■on■the■view■from■the■other■side
CARRIED
15
Profile
12 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
PROGRESS HALTED, EVEN REVERSEDGREAT STRIDES had been made on equalities legisla-tion, particularly under the last government, said Sue Stelfox, Electricity North West.
“But this government is not following on. It has not put all the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 into force and is now looking to remove some of them.”
In particular, the proposal for no-fault dismissal would allow “unscrupu-lous employers to sack workers on a prejudicial basis without regard to their employment record.”
David Olajide, MOD Central, said equality impact assessments were no longer compulsory under the new public sector equality duty.
Youth unemployment was worst among BME (black and minority ethnic) groups and the disability living allowance was being abolished. “We are seeing a gradual erosion of equality laws that the union movement has achieved over the last ten years.”
After 44 years working in education, Mike
Hardacre, Aspect, said over 80 per cent of its employees were women, yet senior managers were still overwhelmingly male.
As a Wolverhampton local councillor he had chaired an inquiry which found white males had a three to one better chance of being promoted at work, while BME employees were five times more likely to be disciplined.
He urged delegates to look at the conference top table, where just one woman (deputy vice-president Denise McGuire) was on the platform.
William White, Scottish and Southern Energy, agreed that Prospect should put its own house in order.
At QinetiQ, little had changed since a pay audit 18 years ago found women
and part-timers fared less well than men, said Gerald Wright.
Martin Aylett, BT Adastral Park, stressed: “Equal pay is one thing we can really push because there is a legislative agenda behind it.”
Time to put fine words into detailed practice
PROSPECT CAN be proud of its record on diversity and equality,
Leslie Manasseh told confer-ence. The union was working hard to tackle discrimination, challenge procedures and ensure the use of legislation.
But “genuine equality at work remains an elusive goal,” the NEC speaker added, moving a successful call for Prospect to build on its work in this area.
“We know that the gender pay cap stubbornly persists. Black and minority-ethnic members are less likely to be promoted or even invited to a job interview than white candi-
dates with the same profile in terms of skills, qualifications and experience.
“Disabled members feel under pressure not to disclose
any impairment or health issue, or press for reasonable adjust-ments, for fear it would be career limiting. And many LGBT members face bullying and harassment at work.”
Job cuts were having a
disproportionate effect on all these groups. “So we intend to continue our efforts to stamp out discrimination.”
The motion urged Prospect to:
● develop its network of equality reps
● use equal pay to crack open ‘opaque reward systems’ and use the law to aid bargaining at a time of difficult negotiations
● use the website and electronic media to complement Prospect’s formal training programme.
“It is not enough just to say fine things,” added Manesseh. “We have to put those fine words into detailed practice.”
Bournemouth2012
‘Society will pay for austerity’
“I HAVE seen the impact of austerity measures on children coming to school
without breakfast because there was no food in the house – from homes with tensions because their parents are out of work,” Esther Pickup-Keller (below) told delegates.
“This impacts on performance and behaviour in schools. Big reduc-tions in funding mean local authori-ties no longer have the capacity to support schools effectively.”
The Aspect group president was speaking to the debut motion from the newly-merged, 4,000-strong group of education and children’s services profes-sionals. Aspect transferred engage-ments to Prospect earlier this year.
“Local government is gearing up for a period of austerity as bad or even worse than the current one,” she said.
Reporting massive job losses in her own education authority of Bristol, Pickup-Keller – who heads a local pupil referral service – said spending reduc-tions would impact on wider society for years to come. “Many young people are likely to end up in the criminal justice system – something that could be prevented through earlier intervention.”
Aspect group secretary John Chowcat said that in addition to the original 28 per cent cut in council funding in real terms over the current spending review, further cuts of £240m and £497m are envisaged for the next two years.
Important frontline and support services for children and young people had been targeted, including school improvement, youth provision and early years support, where the central government grant had ceased altogether or been heavily contracted.
“The careers and employment security of key professional staff and the life chances of a generation of children have been damaged,” he said.
Education and children’s services would come under further strain as the 2012 early intervention grant – which replaced funding streams and support services for the most disadvantaged children and families – was now also expected to cover the cost of expanding free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES
CARRIED70
CARRIED
27
EQUALITY
EQUALITIES LEGISLATION
■ Stelfox – Act provisions removed
■ Olajide – gradual erosion
■ Hardacre – male manager bias
■ White – Prospect needs to change
■■ Manasseh■–■genuine■equality■an■elusive■goal
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 13
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Going green is key to growthCONFERENCE HAS often debated the need for a balanced energy policy – but
never the same day a draft Energy Bill was published.
Inviting delegates to decide whether it was a “co-incidence of timing or evidence of Prospect’s
influence,” head of research Sue Ferns said: “There is now an overwhelming consensus on the need for quicker progress to decarbonise our
energy industries.” Ferns quoted a recent Oxford
Economics study which demonstrated how the negative impact of spikes in global oil, gas and coal prices could be reduced by as much as 50 per cent in the UK by following climate change policies.
The impact of the Arab spring on wholesale gas prices had increased UK household bills by 20 per cent, she said, moving the motion on behalf of the executive. “Think about it.”
This raised the key issue behind the theme of conference – the need to achieve a stable economy that would provide good quality jobs and growth
for the UK. Despite numerous calls for a green growth solution to the financial crisis, “Vince Cable remains an isolated voice in government in calling for a coherent industrial strategy.”
Ferns added that ambitious carbon targets were meaningless if politicians baulk at the means to achieve them.
The draft bill hinged on how the measures would work in practice, on which more detail was needed. “The numbers are vital for investment decisions,” she said.
“The proposals seem to be a step forward in reforming the way that Ofgem operates but the real test will be whether it actually leads to
more investment in infrastructure and innovation.”
Support came from David Forward, Building Research Establishment, who said measures to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings through the Renewable Heat Incentive had been delayed three times.
Debbie O’Sullivan, Met Office said: “We have many people in this room who know how to influence and really take forward these
carbon-reducing technologies.”The successful motion instructed
the NEC to continue to campaign for: ● a long-term financial and political
framework to incentivise investment ● electricity market reform ● strategies for green growth
● research and development in support of science, engineering, technology and other specialist skills.
DELEGATES BACK RESEARCH INTO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE
Bournemouth2012
THE DRAFT ENERGY BILL PROPOSES: ■ making National Grid the delivery
body for electricity market reform ■ a feed-in tariff with ‘contracts for
difference’ to encourage investment by stabilising returns for generators
■ a ‘capacity market’ to guarantee sufficient reliable supplies at an afford-able price.
The bill would prevent the construc-tion of the most polluting coal plants, while a carbon price floor would give an economic signal to move towards low-carbon technologies.
A call from Fusion Energy branch for Prospect to
lobby the government for a percentage of fuel tax resulting from rising fuel prices to be spent on research into low-carbon energy was remitted. Several speakers described it as laudable but lacking instruction.
A call from the EDF Energy branch for measures to ensure
Prospect is the recognised union in any new nuclear areas won backing from conference. Mover Stuart Mears said: “While nuclear power is not the answer to our problems – neither is gas, neither is coal, neither is renewables, wind, hydro or tidal. The secret is in the mix.”
A call for Prospect to research the impact of new technology
on life at work was carried. Keith Flett, BT Central London HQ, said the proliferation of new technology and working methods meant that members needed up-to-date equipment and training to ensure a good work-life balance. He criticised the isolation of homeworkers, the demand for a 24/7 response from workers, the requirement to communicate in less than 140 characters and repetitive strain injuries.
ENERGY POLICY
IN BRIEF
MEASURES MUST be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by intensive meat and
diary farming while still protecting jobs in the industry, conference heard.
Moving the first of three motions tabled by the branch on the environment, Efra delegate Russell Brown called on the executive to explore ways to improve the sustainability of the intensive meat and diary industries that are “practical and pragmatic so we don’t have unintended negative consequences.”
Members should be provided with
balanced information, drawing on the expertise of all bodies, and the NEC should report back by December, he said.
Brown returned to the podium moments later to highlight the impact of climate change and altered weather patterns on food production and how scientists are battling to counter their effects.
The Treasury should be urged not to restrict funding for this work and government departments should review their research strategies in relation to sustainable food supply and security, he argued.
He was backed by Scottish Government delegate Stewart Robertson, who said the rising global population coupled with the increasing costs of fossil fuels meant food prices would continue to soar.
The third Efra motion, moved by Julia Coneybeer, noted the Philip Green report into savings that could be achieved through centralised government procurement.
It tasked the union with ensuring that social and environmental assessments form an essential part of the public sector procure-ment process. All three motions were carried.
ENVIRONMENT
CARRIED
20
CARRIED
192223
CARRIED
24
CARRIED
38
REMITTED
21
APPOINTMENTSConference appointed the following members to positions within the union for the next two years:PROSPECT TRUSTEESJackie Longworth Phil KemballAPPEAL COMMITTEERussell Brown Jenni Hircock Suresh Tewari.
■ Brown – practical
■ Robertson – prices
Profile
14 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
LEARNING RESOURCES PLEDGE
PROSPECT HAS a strong track record in supporting the skills
development of its members, said Andy Mooney for the national executive.
He called for an effective skills and learning strategy that would recruit new members and demonstrate the value of membership.
He said more should be done to assist workers to up-skill and re-skill: “It requires resources, especially to develop material for the Prospect website.”
He pledged that Prospect
would devote the resources needed to support members’ continuing professional development.
Delegates agreed that bargaining agendas should include training and develop-ment agreements such as transferable skills, skills acqui-sition, continuing professional development and support for lifelong and union learning reps.
New group to protect members and safety
A NEW aviation group is to be set up for more than 5,000 members to address the
challenges of increased liberalisation and competition.
Moving a successful call to create the new group, Aaron Curtis, NATS Air Traffic Control Officers, warned: “The EU is taking a strong stance on the harmonisation of individual states’ regulations. This is largely focused on costs and a drive to make the industry more efficient.”
Rules providing the bedrock for safe aviation were under pressure from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Single European Sky initiative, threatening current levels of protection and professional standards.
“In the UK we are fortunate to have a high set of standards and legislation to protect the travelling public. Some of this is already under attack.”
Proposals to allow pilots to fly for longer, increasing the risk of fatigue, were moving forward. “Potentially an aircraft could be landed by a pilot who has been awake for up to 22 hours. And this is just the beginning.” He believed
an aviation group would be the best way to look after members, wield greater influence and maintain safety.
Gordon McNab, Air Traffic Systems Specialists, agreed: “Change has to be carefully managed.” Yet, he said, huge changes were already under way as air navigation providers collaborated on technology, operations and efficiency through the single sky initiative.
Robert Alway, Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers), pointed out that engineers had been regulated from Europe for the last 15 years. “It is nothing more than a dumbing down exercise to the lowest common denominator.”
For the NEC, Satnam Ner said Prospect’s structure should work “smartly and effectively” for members, which was why it had sectors and groups. An aviation group would be able to raise issues, contribute solutions and provide valuable input at the workplace.
As well as NATS and airline staff, Prospect has members in BAA, the Civil Aviation Authority and Scottish and UK regional airports.
AVIATION
CARRIED
85
PROSPECT FORUM WILL SEEK CONSENSUSPROSPECT WILL create an All Scotland Forum to prepare for a referendum on Scottish
independence in 2014. The forum would not tell members
how to vote, but bring them together to seek consensus on difficult policies like energy, defence, the public sector, tax and welfare.
Proposing the forum, David Avery, Scottish Government, said it mattered “how Prospect engages in that debate – the most important for a generation.”
Since devolution, Scotland had moved away in a lot of social policy areas – “many would say to the benefit of the people of Scotland. We don’t have tuition fees, there has been a commitment to a living wage in public
service and a no compulsory redun-dancies policy. We need to organise in Scotland and do it now.”
Rob Phillips, Wales Heritage, said members in Wales had had a forum for ten years. It brought together a wealth of expertise and experience.
Tommy Doherty, Aspect, said much of the media coverage about Scottish independence had been hysterical. “What we have not had is a measured, rational and informed debate, for and against, so people can make up their own minds.” An
All Scotland Forum was the best way forward.
Backing the motion, Colin Turnbull, Dounreay, said he wanted to thank Prospect for its unstinting support in helping members, regardless of which part of the UK they were in.
Summing up, Craig Marshall, NEC, said devolu-tion had already led to significant changes for the union’s 11,500 members living or working in Scotland. There were more than 9,000 spread across 150 Prospect branches.
“Clearly there will be industrial as well as social consequences arising from either devo max or independence.
“It’s only right that Prospect informs debate, particularly over industrial policy, and helps members to make an informed decision.”
CARRIED
82 84
SKILLS
SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM
POLITICAL FUNDCARRIED
36
GOVERNMENT policies have made the need for a political fund greater
than ever, delegates agreed. By an overwhelming majority, they instructed the national executive to campaign to maintain a political fund in the ballot of members due next year.
Motions from the Connect Greater London West branch and the London and South East Regional branch were carried, warning that without a fund Prospect could be legally barred from lobbying to change policies or laws which affect members’ working lives.
Both branches urged the NEC to ensure that members under-stood the issues involved in the
ballot, which Prospect is legally obliged to hold every 10 years.
From the Connect sector, mover Rod Dowler stressed that the protection of a fund was essential if Prospect was to campaign effectively at national or international level.
The fund was ‘a legal shield’, required by statute if Prospect was to campaign in areas that were deemed to be political.
Pensions, the environment, health and safety, defence – all could be deemed political, he said. “Without a fund we would be
■ Phillips – expertise ■ Doherty – media ■ Avery – organise
■■ Ner■–■expected■valuable■input
■■ McNab■–■manage■change
■■ Curtis■–■rules■under■pressure
■■ Alway■–■dumbing■down
■ Mooney – resources required for website
‘We need a legal shield for union campaigning’
CARRIED
61
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Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 15
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
vulnerable to a legal challenge.”Moving her regional branch’s
motion, Suzanne Burge focussed on the need for an effective campaign. Prospect’s last vote in 2003 had resulted in a majority in favour of a fund of just 134 out of 43,000 votes cast, which she found “really terrifying.”
She suspected much of the problem lay in the name ‘political fund’, which was forced on unions by the legislation precisely in order to put people off supporting it.
Archie Glen, BT West of Scotland branch, said a fund had been vital in enabling Connect to lobby MPs successfully for Openreach to remain part of BT.
Mike Cassidy, BT Newcastle & Middlesbrough, was concerned about the threats to trade union and workers’ rights posed by the Beecroft report. Prospect needed a fund if it was to resist such attacks.
He was supported by Ben Pye, Efra, who feared government’s intention was to destroy the effectiveness of trade unions.
Mike Clancy, left, gave the national executive’s full support. “We must be able to influence politicians and our record in that respect is well established,” he said. The legal shield provided by a political fund enabled the union to lobby parliament and to seek political engagement in the key issues of the day.
“Environment, defence, aviation are all political activi-ties and form a core part of our mission,” he said.
NEUTRALITY WILL BE BUILT INTO PROSPECT FUND RULES
CONFERENCE approved revised rules for a political fund that would
ban affiliation or donations to political parties without prior approval by members in a ballot.
The rules reinstate the provi-sions for a single Prospect political fund that existed until the union merged with Connect in 2010. They were amended to allow Connect to continue its policy of making donations to constituency parties in return for parliamentary support on important membership issues.
Moving the successful NEC motion, the general secretary said the executive believed that Prospect’s traditional position on affiliation and donations to political parties was “so deeply engrained in the DNA of members” that they would not vote for a fund without the guarantee of no political donations.
In a consulta-tive exercise, branches repre-senting more than 40,000 members had backed that stance, against 13,000 who would allow donations from a separate Connect sector part of the fund.
Potential members often asked whether Prospect made donations to the Labour party: “Unless we can give an unequivocal ‘No’ to that question, we would lose members,” said Paul Noon.
Twelve speakers joined the lengthy debate that followed on the NEC rule change and an
alternative proposal from the BT London West Central branch. This sought to retain the Connect sector’s right to make donations in furtherance of political objects from its own part of the fund.
Mover Keith Flett said his sector respected absolutely Prospect’s tradition of political neutrality. “But we do feel strongly that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not best,” he said.
Given the government’s history of intervention in the telecoms industry, “we have had to engage with MPs – politically, but not party politically.”
Several Connect sector branches stressed the impor-tance of the issue to the sector. Martin Aylett, BT Adastral Park A, said he was not a party-political animal and he would be
opposed to any political affili-ation. “But I want to be able to engage effectively with MPs on behalf of our members.”
But for the Scottish Government branch, David Avery warned that “politics is about perception, and neither public nor media nor members would see the difference between making donations to political parties and supporting a political party.”
Russell Brown, Efra, said Prospect was one union and should have one political fund. Donations to parties would be in breach of the civil service management code, he believed.
Marcus Swift, Sellafield, feared the implications of a segregated fund would be ‘catastrophic’ for Prospect, which would risk the loss of significant numbers of members. “We need
a political fund to lobby, but we must not have a party political fund,” he said.
Others shared his concerns before Paul Noon replied to the debate, pointing to the general agreement across the union on
the need to have a political fund.He stressed the importance of
effective political engagement, which, he said, could continue just as well without the need to make political donations.
The card vote in favour of the NEC motion was 57,976 to 8,246, easily exceeding the two thirds majority required for a rule change.
Bournemouth2012
‘We need a legal shield for union campaigning’
■■ Dowler■–■protection■of■a■fund■essential
■■ Burge■–■‘political’■name■forced■on■unions
■■ Glen■–■fund■vital■in■lobbying■for■Openreach
■■ Cassidy■–■threat■to■workers’■rights
■ Brown – one union, one fund
■ Swift – two funds catastrophic
■ Flett – we must engage with MPs
■ Noon – political engagement, not political donations
CARRIED
63
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16 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Delegates agreed to mount stiff resistance to the government’s assault on employment tribunals, unfair dismissal protection, strike ballots and other legal rights at work
CARRIED
32 WORKERS’ RIGHTS are under-going a “systematic and ideological attack”, warned
NEC member Graeme Henderson as he moved a motion opposing the government’s detri-mental changes to employment law and the tribunal system.
The business lobby’s argument that burdens on business were created by employment law was “complete and utter tosh,” he said. “The rights of workers are vitally important to society and to maintaining productivity, and they are under attack in a very concerted way.”
As a member of a lay employment tribunal he was speaking not from self-interest but from considerable experience.
Not only unions opposed these attacks. Sir Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, had rejected the argument; as had other members of the Bank’s monetary policy committee and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. “Mervyn King recognises that the problems within the economy are due to the impact of the financial crisis, rather than any structural problem of the labour market,” said Henderson.
Business research showed that
to sit alone. This would save a mere £100,000 a year, and was opposed by most full-time employment judges because they valued lay members and their knowledge of the workplace.
The qualification period for unfair dismissal had already been extended from one year to two, and ET claimants would in future have to pay twice – both to register a claim and again if it was heard.
The former Prospect president slated venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft’s report for prime minister David Cameron, which proposed to cap compensation for unfair dismissal,
Bournemouth2012
the most successful, productive and profitable organisations “are those with higher levels of staff engagement and stable industrial relations. We need to defend those necessary minimum standards from companies that do not recognise them and would do as little as they possibly can.”
Government changes slipped in before Easter, after a sham consulta-tion, provided for employment judges
Ideological attacks on employee rights are –
TURNING BACK THE CLOCKThe most successful, productive and profitable
organisations “are those with higher levels of staff engagement and stable industrial relations”
REMITTED
68 SPEAKERS ALSO criticised government threats to review the strike laws governing union ballots for industrial action.
Mike Pendlington, Ordnance Survey, moved a motion noting the “thinly veiled threats from Francis Maude and others.”
A CBI report in 2010 had recom-mended that 40 per cent of those
balloted must vote yes, along with a simple majority of those voting, for a strike to go ahead. Maude had quoted the CBI widely in the run-up to the TUC strike on public sector pensions last November “to unsettle trade union members.”
But the government should not be allowed to change this law, he said. Even the CIPD had called the proposal ‘provocative.’
“One final thought: in May 2010 only 38 per cent of Francis Maude’s Horsham constituency voted for
him to be their democratically elected member in what is regarded as a safe seat. Surely what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Ged Kerins, Efra, proposed remission because the motion instructed the NEC to resist “any moves to alter laws governing industrial action.” He felt this could equally apply to changes that favoured workers.
Geoff Fletcher, NEC, disagreed. Delegates should be “big enough and bold enough to take the spirit of the
motion” and vote for it, he said. “We don’t need any further restrictions on our ability to defend and organise ourselves.”
However, Martin Aylett (BT Adastral Park) said even if the motion was remitted, the NEC would still take its spirit to heart, and delegates agreed, remitting the motion.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
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CARRIED
25/6 CONFERENCE DELEGATES united to condemn the government’s relentless onslaught on workplace health and
safety rights, and funding cuts to the Health and Safety Executive of more than a third.
A series of speakers voiced alarm that the government was using ill-informed media reports of ‘elf n’safety’ scares to dismantle hard-won protection for workers under the guise of its deregulation agenda.
Simon Chilcott (pictured above), HSE, said despite countless reviews, none had found the HSE did a bad job. Even Tory minister Lord Young’s report in spring 2011 had said the HSE was fit for purpose and well respected by industry. Yet cuts were proceeding regardless, with inspectors told to inspect 11,000 fewer workplaces a year.
His branch’s motion urged Prospect to “protect the HSE and the work that it does.”
It listed industries where inspectors should not go unless somebody had been killed or seriously injured. They now span the whole public sector, the post office, agriculture, docks, electricity generation and quarries, and many manufac-turing industries.
“We used to be able to provide advice. The info line has been removed. The telephone number for every office has been taken off the internet. There’s one number that goes to a call centre in Liverpool with two, perhaps three people answering. It largely rings unanswered or just says: ‘We’re busy, call back.’”
Yet another government review – by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt – had concluded the HSE worked well. But the attacks persisted, including the introduction of ‘fee for intervention’ charges of £124 an hour if an inspector found something wrong at a workplace.
“You might think that was enough, but no. The prime minister started 2012 by suggesting he was going to kill off the health and safety monster.”
Cathy Collins, Office for Nuclear Regulation, questioned why nuclear inspectors were treated differently. “Our members are actively encouraged to carry out proactive inspections,” she said.
Forty new inspectors were joining ONR this year and 40 next year. The ONR had a charging regime
but it was different as it operated with the support of the nuclear industry.
For the executive, Dave Carty said Prospect had contributed to every HSE review and had warned of the impact of the govern-ment changes. While not against charging in principle, the current
proposals were unfair. “The NEC will continue the campaign, influencing wherever and whenever we can,” he pledged. He urged branches to contact Prospect with examples of good practice and partnerships with management.
Conference instructed the NEC to: ● continue campaigning against cuts in proactive
inspections, fees for intervention and any other attempt to weaken legislation
● vigorously defend the HSE and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
● approach union reps on the HSE board about Prospect’s concerns
● seek a meeting with health and safety minister Chris Grayling.
A successful NEC motion pledged to strengthen Prospect’s links with other
health and safety bodies; promote health and safety partnerships in the workplace; and press the government to disclose the evidence behind its proposals.
Mover Vince Butler also slated Cameron’s ‘deeply offensive’ call for the health and safety culture to be ‘killed off for good’.
“Have we started a mad, despotic regime of terror, destruction and a threat to lives to suffer such a statement?” he asked. “Can anyone tell me when it became such a bad thing to look after people at work and affected by work?”
It was ironic that a government trying to scrap vital legislation as part of its red tape challenge had suggested there was nothing wrong with
keeping a few cans of fuel in the garage, he added.
Another HSE speaker, Peter Kelly, reminded delegates that in 1973, 574 people had died at work. Last year that figure was 190. To
attack the HSE was to “attack all the progress we’ve made.”
even though the median settlement for proven cases is only £4,500 and for discrimination cases between £5,500-£7,000.
Beecroft also wanted to reduce redundancy consultation and TUPE rights, amend the Equality Act and introduce no-fault dismissal in small companies, allowing employers to dismiss at whim.
Referring to LibDem opposition inside the coalition, Henderson said: “If this was not so serious it would be almost farcical. I may be a judicial postholder but it is not injudicious to say that this is a systematic and ideological attack on workers’ rights, which can only be defended by the utmost resilience from
Prospect and the rest of the trade union movement.”
Delegates instructed the executive to resist detrimental changes to the tribunal process, defend existing rights and campaign for the right to claim unfair dismissal from day one of employment.
TURNING BACK THE CLOCKThe NEC will continue
the campaign, influencing wherever and whenever we can
No evidence for dismantling health and safety regime
HEALTH & SAFETY
■■ Delegates■voted■to■resist■the■government’s■attacks■on■tribunal
■■ Left,■Dawn■Lakin,■Department■for■Transport,■holds■up■a■mini-Olympic■torch■to■highlight■the■Playfair■2012■campaign■ensuring■■this■summer’s■games■respect■workers’■rights■
■■ Video■highlights■of■2011■were■shown■at■the■campaign■workshop,■
courtesy■of■Graham■Stewart■and■ProspectTV■–■http://bit.ly/KGtkTa
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better engage with young members. Jenny Simms, director of Unions 21,
introduced her organisation’s research paper, ‘Delivering for young workers’.
The difficulties of recruiting young workers and how to overcome them were shared by three young Prospect reps – Mike Cassidy and John Freeman,
BT Newcastle & Middlesbrough branch, and Ryan Clay, Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory branch.
Speakers from the floor discussed how Prospect headquarters and branches could secure the union’s future, with suggestions including a course aimed at young reps, making it easier for young people to have their say, and encouraging them
to become reps, with appropriate mentoring.
A packed fringe meeting on the economy heard from Deborah Hargreaves, chair of the High Pay
Commission; Mathew Whittaker, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation; and Duncan Weldon, senior policy officer at the TUC.
Hargreaves outlined her organisa-tion’s work in tackling top executive pay – in particular making the pay of those at the top more transparent and open to challenge.
Whittaker showed how the pay of those in the bottom 50 per cent of wage earners has stagnated from 2002 onwards, while pay raced ahead for those at the top.
Bringing these strands together, Weldon argued that the coalition government’s austerity programme had failed to promote growth and it was time for an alternative.
All three organisations will be developing this alternative at the ‘After Austerity Conference’ on June 26 at TUC Congress House, London, he said.
DELEGATES FILLED three other lunchtime fringe meetings to discuss:
● the forthcoming Rio+20 climate change summit
● delivering for young workers ● a new and fairer economy.
At the Rio 20 meeting discus-sion centred on eradicating poverty and achieving prosperity
for all within the planet’s limited natural resources.
Phil Brown, Met Office, gave a scien-tific overview of why
international action is necessary. Frances O’Grady, TUC deputy
general secretary, called for a rights-based approach to participation in discussions and decision-making. Financial reforms, such as
a Robin Hood tax, were needed to pay for the necessary adaptations, she said. Eighty per cent of world resources were used by just 25 per cent of the world’s population.
Hannah Stoddart, head of Oxfam’s economic justice policy team, used a visual framework in the shape of a doughnut to illustrate the need to do the right thing for a sustainable planet without jeopardising social equality.
Climate talks could not succeed without changes to human behaviour and consumption, she said. The drive for wealth had fuelled global poverty and placed pressure on natural resources.
Delegates of all ages attended a meeting run by Prospect’s Young Professionals’ Network and trade union thinktank Unions 21. The session debated how Prospect could increase its recruitment of young workers and
Communicate, share, delegate – it all helps!NEW CAMPAIGN techniques and ways to involve members were all the rage at the campaign workshop held on the first day of conference.
A packed meeting watched a video showing highlights of the past year’s Prospect campaigns and took part in a lively debate with campaigns officer Parmjit Dhanda, former Forensic Science Service rep Helen Kenny and deputy general secretary Leslie Manasseh.
Manasseh stressed the importance of involving members in campaign activities, especially to apply pressure on MPs in their constituencies. Winning the argument was all very well, he said. But “fine words have to be turned into concrete actions.”
Explaining the new ‘Before It’s Too Late’ campaign message for MPs (story, page 5), Parmjit Dhanda pointed to recent research for the TUC which showed that the public wanted to hear positive messages about real things like skills, jobs and training, not a relentless focus on the fight against ‘deficit cuts.’
Helen Kenny’s experi-ence was that members were key. Communicate and feed back to them, share tasks and delegate – “It all helps!” Although FSS had since been
abolished by the coalition, her branch’s original campaign against privatisation in 2003-06 had succeeded and had won important safeguards on terms and conditions, including pensions.
Delegates came up with plenty of views and ideas of their own. From Serco, one member described how it was vital to target MPs with letters – hundreds of them had had a real impact on his former branch’s campaign for pension rights.
An Insolvency Service rep said MPs were impressed by first-hand accounts of the impact of government policies on staff. From the Met Office came the suggestion that members should canvas their organisation’s customers for support. A Sellafield delegate reported on how his branch had won the support of the local community by working with trade councils and outside groups.
Other speakers urged branches to create campaign reps as a point of contact for all members; realise the potential of social media; work together with other Prospect branches; and build a relationship with parliamentary select committees.
‘Eighty per cent of world
resources were used by just 25 per cent
of the world’s population’
FRINGES
New frontiers for ProspectRio+20, young people, economic growth – this year’s fringe meetings at Bournemouth tackled the big issues
Bournemouth2012
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“AT EVERY level I have always seen my role as being the same – to do the very best I can to work for members, individually and collectively.”
With those words Paul Noon signed off as general secretary in his valedic-tory address to national conference before his retirement at the end of the year.
The outgoing GS was able to point to a host of achievements and an even longer list of challenges facing his successor, Mike Clancy, when he takes over in January 2013.
Since he was elected leader of predecessor union IPMS in 1998, Paul has overseen a rise in the union’s membership from 73,000 to 120,000, “a remarkable achievement for Prospect in view of the cuts, closures and job losses we have been through.”
Growth was the result of attracting a combination of members and organi-sations large and small to merge with Prospect. They all “shared our vision as a modern, effective and influen-tial union representing professionals and specialists across all areas of the economy.”
The general secretary put that growth down to Prospect’s delegated structure of decision-making, and its focus on reps and full-time staff working closely to deliver the best results for members.
“Our watchwords are impact, influence and results, not just protest and posturing.”
Paul said conference was meeting at a time of huge uncertainty over the economic position facing the UK and Europe, the future of many organisa-tions where members worked, and for members and their families.
Given all these dangers he had
Bournemouth2012
FOR GROWTH?General secretary:Where’s the strategy
found listening to the recent Queen’s Speech “a fundamentally depressing and dispiriting experience.
“Where were the measures to stimulate green and sustainable growth, to build the kind of highly skilled, knowledge-based modern economy to meet the challenges we face? Where was the investment in the future, in the people and skills we will need to compete internationally? And most of all, where was the vision to move beyond austerity to opportunity?
“The only plan for growth was to make employment less secure, as if making it easier to sack people and removing employment rights encour-ages growth. Of course, it never will.”
Over time, any government had to ensure that the books were balanced. But “simply cutting your way to growth never has worked and is not working this time,” said Paul.
Important public bodies like the Forensic Science Service, the Audit Commission and the Central Office of Information had been shut down or cut back. In the private sector, cuts to public procurement had hit hard in telecoms and defence.
Instead, Prospect’s agenda for its 2012 conference pointed the way towards a positive strategy for growth, said Paul, citing the conference theme ’people + skills = growth’. Or, as the Scottish TUC slogan put it, ‘There is a better way.’
In a hostile environment like today’s, the challenge for Prospect the union was one of relevance, he said. “After all, why would anyone want to join or belong to an organisation that simply sits on the sidelines and moans about how terrible things are?”
Prospect did make a difference – in thousands of personal cases handled every year, and in major negotia-tions like pensions and redundancy compensation.
“We get good results, often in challenging circumstances. A key message must always be that the power of the individual acting alone can never match that of the employer. You need Prospect on your side.”
It is now more than 38 years since Paul started work with the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. Before that he worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence, was a member of the CPSA and then the Society of Civil Servants.
“Prospect faces many challenges, but we do so from a position of strength with excellent lay reps, committed and effective staff, a good level of reserves and a strong reputa-tion with employers and MPs as influ-ential, engaged and representative.
“So, despite the hostile environ-ment I know that Prospect will go from strength to strength,” he concluded.
‘A key message must always be that the power of the individual acting alone can never match that of the employer. You need Prospect on your side’
After 12 years delivering growth for the union, Paul Noon last month challenged the government to invest in growing the UK economy
PAUL NOON told delegates: “ I have never been as proud of this union as I was on November 30 when we had such a magnificent turnout on the TUC-led strike. Thanks to so many of you who played such a prominent part in delivering that outcome.
“But I was just as proud when
I heard that we had a better than 50 per cent turnout in the pensions ballot – the best of any union in these circumstances.
“Except of course, that we then had a 51 per cent turnout in the BT pay ballot, again a great outcome by modern standards.”
■■ Above,■delegates■give■Paul■Noon■a■standing■ovation■to■mark■his■retirement
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Heart-searching as subs rise for 2013 is agreedSUBSCRIPTIONS FOR members covered by Prospect’s banded structure will rise next year by 2.5 per cent, conference decided after an animated debate.
Several speakers pointed to the current squeeze on members’ living standards and argued that a freeze on subscriptions was the most many could afford.
David Smith, Devonport Royal Dockyard, opposed any increase as it would have a negative effect on recruitment, while David Olajide, MOD Central, said it was “out of step with the reality of members who are facing pay freezes and cuts.”
But support came from Allan Wales, Scottish Power, who said the rising costs affecting members were also impacting on the union. However, he was disappointed that a new band was not being added to the subs structure for higher paid members. This would bring the top rate closer to that paid by energy sector members covered by the 0.55 per cent of earnings formula.
The first NEC motion, proposing a 2.5 per cent increase in 2013, also called for new subscription bands for the lowest-paid members and those with no earned income.
Vice-president Alan Grey said the NEC was acutely aware of the difficult financial circumstances facing members, which was why the increase for 2012 – also 2.5 per cent – had been half that allowed by the formula used between conference years.
He argued that change was needed at the bottom of the structure because of the growing number of self-employed and part-time workers,
who currently pay a special rate of £14 a year.
These should pay a new rate of less than £40 a year in line with their income, leaving the £14 rate for members earning nothing.
But several branches were reluctant to increase subs for anyone currently on the special rate, and the NEC motion was lost.
A second NEC motion called for a straightforward 2.5 per cent subs increase. Again the negative effect on recruitment and retention was stressed by Martin Macintyre, Association of Guernsey Civil Servants, and Marcus Swift, Sellafield, who said some other unions charged less.
But Tom James, BAE Surface Ships, supported. He cited a member who had left to join Unite and re-joined Prospect four months later. He argued that union membership was a bargain compared to the cost of running a smartphone contract.
Russell Brown, Efra, said the increase was only £2–£5 extra a year while Paul Farr, Home Office, said opposition would be hypocritical given the union’s attacks on employers who expected greater output with fewer resources.
For the NEC, Alan Grey rejected the view that Prospect could step up recruitment initiatives without increasing subscriptions as tantamount to seeking “growth without invest-ment.” The motion was carried.
■ Delegates backed a 94p increase in the annual subs rate for retired members, to £39.72 a year.
■ Freezing subs for individual sectors of the union would be unfair and unworkable, delegates decided.
Not box-ticking but judgement
DELEGATES INSTRUCTED the union to “engage with government on its regula-tory agenda, to present the case for good
regulation and to promote regulation by skilled, public sector employees as representing good value for money.”
Alex Sutherland, Environment Agency, said “deregulation means no regulation.” Slamming the prime minister’s attack on the ‘health and safety monster,’ he gave examples of perverse results produced by inade-
quate regulation – in finance, NHS hospitals and private care homes which were allowed to self audit. Relying on a patient dignity policy “doesn’t stop people dying in a swamp of their own faeces,” he observed. He believed the key to economic health was a properly regulated society.
“Who gets the blame when things go wrong?” asked Sally Mounter, Department of Health. Reflecting on the intense media spotlight her colleagues were under during the breast implant scandal, she said they were struggling
under 12 per cent staff cuts and ever decreasing resources.
John Crookes, Health and Safety Executive, reported on the large sectors of the economy being removed from health and safety inspection. Just as supervision of the banking and financial sectors was ‘woefully weak’, policy
was being shaped by ideology not evidence. For the national executive,
Heather Phillips said deregu-lation was central to the coali-tion’s programme. But “what looks like red tape to business is the vital regulatory work of our members.” They were being criticised for wanting to
get on with their jobs.“Inspection is part of what we do”– not ticking
boxes but making judgements, said Steven Frain, HSE, arguing that members looked to Prospect to defend the importance of professional judgement against the many critics of regulation.
Drawing on his department’s work on non-indigenous plant diseases, Ben Pye, Efra, pointed to the value of willing co-operation between the public and industry, combined with the professional discretion of inspectors and regulators.
The ability to apply rules and laws in a proportionate way called for high levels of professional judgement and all Prospect members’ reserves of skill, agreed Tasos Zodiates for the executive.
CARRIED
7475
PROSPECT SUBSCRIPTIONS
REGULATION
Bournemouth2012
■■ Wales■–■new■band■needed
■■ Smith■–■recruitment
■■ James■–■bargain
■■ Macintyre – retention
■■ Alan■Grey,■Prospect’s■new■president,■makes■the■winning■case■for■next■year’s■subs■rates
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Bournemouth2012
‘Our work is invaluable to developing unions’
DELEGATES PLEDGED to build on Prospect’s programme of inter-national work and to expand its
network of development advocates.Craig Marshall,
NEC, said in 2012 the union was celebrating 25 years of partnership with Oxfam and thanked members for their contri-bution to alleviating poverty in countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
Achievements by Prospect included employers who had recognised the union as an official stakeholder in their corporate social responsibility programmes; procure-ment policies being changed to reflect ethical aspirations; and – via Justice for Colombia – the release of political prisoner Liliany Obando.
“We have set an example and built models that other branches can follow,” said Marshall. “Prospect’s resource and expertise across all sectors is invaluable to trade unions in the developing world.”
Colleagues overseas were often under-resourced and faced oppression defending
members against a backdrop of poverty. They lacked social protection or the capacity to deal with the global impact of unfair trade, climate change and western demand for resource.
“Having been in Kenya, training with my friends from KETAWU, I can honestly state it’s the same jobs, the same industry, the same change pressure, the same challenge to ensure that their voice is heard within a wider society. Please let us continue to help them help themselves.”
Alan Bennie, EDF Energy, moved a successful motion saying the union’s international work should continue, even in times of austerity. “Britain is going through a double-dip recession,” he said. “But as trade unionists we have to look after each other, when times are good and especially when they are bad.”
David Olijade, MOD Central, urged all branches to adopt a project. “International development is an important part of the global union agenda,” he said. “The world is getting to be a smaller village and the problems we face require global solutions.”
CARRIED
53 51
GRASSLAND IS TOO PRECIOUS FOR ANIMAL FEEDAIDAN DRYDEN, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urged
Prospect to use its international influence to oppose the clearing of Brazilian rainforest and grasslands
to cultivate animal feed.The World Wildlife Fund had
warned that the rising global appetite for meat is contributing to their destruction, he said.
For the NEC, Emily Boase said
this was a complex issue but she was proud to work for an organisa-tion whose members made people, including herself, think about animal feeding habits and their own everyday choices. The motion was carried.
Funding cut ‘insult’PROSPECT WILL press the govern-ment to restore
financial support for the International Labour Organisation.
The action was decided in a motion from the Health and Safety Executive branch. Mover David King said cutting funding for the ILO was one of the first actions taken by the coalition.
This was a unique UN agency that had looked after workers internation-ally for over 100 years, with involvement from govern-ments, managers and workers. “The ILO collects data about workers’ rights. It represents 148 countries and looks at health and safety, tries to prevent child labour, stops discrimination and ensures equal pay.”
The Department for International Development was now focusing on private sector participation in devel-
opment, opening up “a real risk of rampant profiteering”, said King.
The ILO’s role included assisting infrastructure in places like Africa – water, sanitation, energy, transport, education, building dams. Major construction projects like these could be dangerous and 6,300 people died around the world at work every day. The ILO was vital in holding multina-tionals to account.
Graeme Henderson, NEC, said the government was consistent in its attitude to workers’ rights – “They don’t believe in them, in the UK or the rest of the world.”
The ILO’s key function was to promote a decent work agenda, but the government seemed more concerned to turn the clock back 100 years with its policy of tying aid to trade, said Henderson.
DfID’s withdrawal of funding was a ‘disgrace’, not least to the memory of the late Bill Brett, former IPMS general secretary, who had been the ILO workers’ representative.
MESSAGE FROM KENYAN SISTER UNION PROSPECT NATIONAL secretary Anne Douglas, right, read a speech from David Songok, national chair of the Kenya Electrical Trades and Allied Workers Union.
David and KETAWU’s women’s leader, Agnes Githumbi, had been invited to speak at the conference but were denied visas by the UK government (story, page 3).
David’s message expressed KETAWU’s “utmost appreciation to Prospect for the invaluable support we have received since 2009 when our collaboration began.”
Prospect had helped KETAWU engage management and government in order to introduce worker-friendly
policies and build alliances with like-minded organisa-tions, including Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions. The union had achieved improved terms and
conditions for permanent, contract and casual employees.
It was campaigning vigor-ously on climate change and in favour of renewable energy. Encouraged by Prospect, it had developed a reforestation policy and improved the representation of women.
“But we still face many challenges,” said David. These included campaigning against corruption, continued exploitation of casual and contract employees by employers, and limited resources.
CARRIED
85
CARRIED
52
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST
GLOBAL POVERTY CHALLENGE
Dryden – WWF warning
Boase – hard choices
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Sovereign defence capability will be lost for ever if the UK loses its industrial base, delegates hear
CARRIED
56 CONFERENCE PLEDGED to step up the union’s support for a coherent defence
industrial policy and its campaign against staffing cuts in the Ministry of Defence.
Delegates attacked the govern-ment’s strategic defence and security review, which has already seen the loss of thousands of MOD jobs since 2010, with a serious knock-on effect in private defence companies and further erosion of the UK’s industrial base.
They carried calls for Prospect to press for a defence skills audit; to campaign against funding cuts and the loss of MOD’s intelligent customer role; and to reinstate the
cuts to defence R&D. For the executive,
general secretary designate Mike Clancy said the economic recession and the
government’s debt reduction plan provided the backdrop to the crisis in the defence industry: “We are united in the belief that the armed forces should have the best equipment and should get what they need. But that requires investment in the UK’s science and industrial base.”
He criticised the SDSR for being neither long-term nor a strategy, citing the loss of sovereign capability and onshore manufacturing within MOD and industry. He warned: “It is a myth that buying military equipment offshore is cheaper.”
Thousands of people were leaving the department, said Clancy. “By 2020, 39 per cent of staff will have left but without any cut to outputs.”
Delegates went on to carry calls from the Defence Acquisition and Maritime (South) branch for Prospect
that reversing cuts to defence research or diverting extra funding to defence would mean less funding for other parts of government.
And Diane Harding, AGCS, said it was important to balance investment in defence
against the need for peace.
Alan Atherton, Defence Acquisition and Maritime (South),
urged the union to argue for a coherent strategy for the defence industry because contractors were increas-ingly diversifying abroad. He warned of a range of threats to the UK – the Olympics, turmoil in the Middle East, long-range missiles being launched from hostile states and concerted cyber attacks. “We need a coherent policy in order to counter all of this.”
Replying, Mike Clancy praised the different views voiced in the debate. “It’s good to have a diversity of opinion. Independent scrutiny is crucial and Prospect is well placed to influence this process.”
PLEA TO HELP SHIP ORDER BOOKSHIPBUILDING
CARRIED
60 DELEGATES CARRIED a call from BAE
Surface Ships to promote shipbuilding within the UK. Mover, Tom James said although the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers were being built in the UK, the industry
was totally dependent on orders for military vessels.
But even MOD was now awarding shipbuilding contracts to offshore companies, he said, citing the contract for the UK’s new Fleet Auxiliary tankers.
“We need the support of the government to encourage shipbuilding in the UK. We have the people and the skills but there is no growth. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Bournemouth2012
Clancy: UK’s best strategy is an industrial defence strategy
DEFENCE
to press for full and proper funding to ensure “the long-term security of this sovereign nation.”
Gerry Wright, QinetiQ, called for the UK’s needs to be reassessed. In particular, he said, defence indus-trial policy should challenge the reduction in UK military capability.
With only 19 warships left in the Royal Navy, he expressed doubts over the UK’s ability ever to mount a military campaign like the Falklands again.
But Emily Yerby, Association of Guernsey Civil Servants, told delegates that social justice should be part of any debate
about funding and the way the UK projects its military force.
Ben Pye, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, cautioned
DATA PLAUDITS FOR UNIONTHE UNION was congratulated by Don Campbell, Ordnance Survey, and backed up by Philip Brown, Met Office, for its lobbying in support of the Public Data Corporation. Maurice Walshe, Connect South – “a potential customer of the data set” – added his support.
■■ It’s■dark■out■there:■David■Avery■at■the■podium■in■the■Scottish■defence■debate
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OVERHEARD AT CONFERENCE
“Is that bloke rather small or is he just wearing a large tie?”
“Eric Pickles: the man who ate all your pensions.”
“This is not the thin end of the wedge. It’s halfway up the wedge,” Chiman Patel, commenting on QinetiQ’s decision to derecognise trade unions.
“Chair, conference, Robbie Ridoutt, retired members’ group, moving motion 78, and I can definitely tell you this is not my first conference, which I also believe makes me not a virgin.”
“This isn’t my first conference but it’s my last as a single man because I’m getting married on Saturday,” Rob Phillips, Wales Heritage.
SHEEP SHOT
In response to one delegate’s enquiry: “Why do they need broadband in the wild uplands – is it for the sheep?” Prospect responded on Twitter: “Yes, for EweTube.” Mick Upfield added: “And Fleecebook if their RAM is upgraded.” Further tweets on conference can be found at #prospectconf12
LET’S HAVE A HEATED DEBATE
National conference reigns supreme as the policy-making body of the union. The rules of debate are the oil that smoothes discussion. And then there is the standing orders committee: gatekeepers and arbiters, the very hub of the event. So here’s a question: should a conference motion be subject to remission or remittance? For many years a motion that needed clarification, for example, would be subject to remission. A debate on remission would ensue. But this year speakers decided time and again to hold debates on ‘remittance’. The Oxford English Dictionary is clear: remittance is the act of remitting money, not referring something to a higher authority. Maybe a return to the Latin root, remittere is in order.
SHORT BUT NOT SWEET
Having a pop at a sister union about their Twitter hashtag seems a bit unnecessary: “Once again, @pcs_union shows Prospect how it’s done...their conference hashtag is way too long... #prospectconf12 #pcsadc”. But what if they’re right? ‘Prospect – longer and stronger’ does have a certain ring to it.
SECRET WEAPON
Psst... don’t tell anyone, but the big secret of national conference is out. Moving a motion on behalf of the enigmatic J124 branch, delegate David Rawlings conceded that one of the biggest questions of the day – “who are the mysterious J124 branch?” – had already been answered when a colleague
earlier declared themselves as representing the Atomic Weapons Establishment. But, he told the hall: “It’s our secret.” So you didn’t hear it here, ok?
FRANKLY, MR CAMERON...
Conference stalwart Irene Danks (Scottish Regional branch) hasn’t lost her touch. Supporting the call for an all-Scotland members’ forum in preparation for the autumn 2014 independence vote, she observed: “Mr Cameron – that well known Smiths afficionado – has not taken the views of his party in Scotland or its recently elected leader into account.” Danks said the referendum was the most important question members would face “IMHO (for
the PM’s info this stands for In My Humble Opinion, not Is My Horse Outside?)”
Recalling guitarist Johnny Marr’s joke that he would only reform the Smiths if the government stepped down, she issued a plea to the prime minister:
“The Smiths will only reform when your government falls on its sword, so please,
please let us get what we want.”
GEN SEC ROLLS ON THE FLOOR
There were laughs all round during a fictional exchange between David Cameron and Paul Noon in the vote of thanks at conference by John Streeter. After seeing a Twitter conversation depicted on screen, made up of text message and internet slang and acronyms, Paul Noon tweeted afterwards from his account, @PaulNoonGS: “Fantastic vote of thanks by John Streeter...ROFL [Rolling On Floor Laughing].” That’s one up on the PM, LOL.
LOW HANGING FRUIT Thanks to Research Fortnight for this gem... Labour’s shadow science minister Chi Onwurah is exercised about how some BBC presenters report science and engineering. He took umbrage at Andrew Marr’s on-air joke that the Start the Week website was down for weeks because no one could find a “man with a screwdriver”. Being a woman, I thought a screwdriver was an alcohol-based cocktail. And God knows the damage I could do if you let me loose on a website with a handle of wood, plastic, etc, and a steel shank with a flattened square-cut tip that fits into a slot in the head of the screw. Onwurah also likened Melvyn Bragg’s treatment of science to the sound of “labouring to pass a particularly troublesome stool.” Prune cocktail anyone?
UNiON
MEMBERS TO DECIDE ON INDEPENDENCESCOTLAND
REMITTED
59 CUTBACKS AND austerity are destroying
thousands of Scottish defence jobs. But delegates remitted a call from Rosyth Royal Dockyard branch for Prospect to argue that an independent Scotland would make the economic situation worse.
Mover, Garry Ritchie called for the union to highlight the impact of the government’s austerity measures, the dangers to the Scottish defence industry and its incompatibility with an independent Scotland. “Prospect must have an
input into the independ-ence debate.”
But David Avery (Scottish
Government) argued that delegates should look at a later conference motion concerning Scottish devolu-
tion before deciding a view. He feared delegates could
not vote in favour of the motion because Scotland did not yet know what the refer-endum question would be; the Scottish government did not have a separate defence policy; and the motion would compel Prospect to take a political stance on the question of Scottish independence.
Irene Danks (Scottish Regional) told delegates that although there had been years of decline in the Scottish defence industry the motion did indeed instruct Prospect to back a ‘No to independence’ campaign.
“Prospect should put this defence policy question to all Scottish political parties, and allow members to make their own minds up.”
Delegates concurred, calling for membership infor-mation in advance of the referendum, and remitted the motion.
Profile
24 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
Bournemouth2012
Professionalism key to reform of public service says Prospect
A POSITIVE strategy for reforming public
services can only be built on enhanced professionalism, said David Pelly, (below), highlighting the importance of specialists within the public sector.
“Having initially blamed the previous Labour admin-istration, the coalition govern-ment are now blaming eurozone countries for the UK’s economic problems,” he added, moving an executive motion. “In fact they seem to blame everyone but themselves.”
But sticking to their strategy of austerity was making ministers more isolated. First, Obama in the US and now Hollande in France were shifting the focus to promoting growth.
Meanwhile the UK government strategy was damaging key civil and public services, with 700,000 jobs being axed, including 80,000 from the civil service by the end of 2012.
Pelly said: “This is not a question of efficiency savings but of taking an axe to key functions, such as the Audit Commission, forensic science, COI and others.”
Members had lost their jobs and others faced an uncertain future in both the public and private sectors.
Prospect feared the civil service was losing its capability as an intelligent customer because of the loss of professionals and specialists of all disciplines. Since 1992 the pool of
qualified technolo-gists working for government had fallen 78 per cent from 36,000 to just over 8,000.
“However, we cannot just sit back and criticise
government policy. We believe there is an alter-native and we need to communicate this vision more widely, ” he said.
This year Prospect had published Government That Can, setting out 11 key policies for achieving that vision, with examples of work done by members.
The NEC motion called for a genuine committment to reform and pledged to:
● campaign and support branches in lobbying MPs
● set out and promote Prospect’s positive vision for the civil service
● continue to monitor and publicise the impact of public sector cuts on private sector jobs.
Scientists warn of threat to expertise and economy
GOVERNMENT POLICY of moving research out of its own laboratories and into
universities was criticised by Fusion Energy branch. It called on the NEC to lobby government and the research councils about the benefits of doing full-time research in government labs.
Among arguments cited by mover Julian Hawes were “a critical mass of expertise at a single site, and staff with both the time and the expertise – unlike a university where only the student has the time and the professor the expertise.”
Ged Kerins, Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs, said that Defra’s chief scientific adviser had recently stated that apart from a few ‘niche areas,’ he did
not understand why universities could not take over the department’s research.
Luckily he had been set straight by senior managers about the trans-lational science carried out by Defra specialists to implement work done by academia. “But he’s leaving soon and
he will be replaced by somebody else who will probably also need educating.”
Helen Snaith, Natural Environment Research Council, said moving research funding to universities presented big problems of conti-nuity as such funding was “packaged into nice little three-year parcels”. Climate science could not be packaged like that as long-term monitoring was needed.
Martin Aylett, BT Adastral Park, said the motion was vital because if no research was done in universities, and government laboratories were closed down “that is the future of our economy going down the drain.” The motion was carried.
Conference also urged Prospect to lobby the government for more funding for higher education without resort to increasing student tuition fees.
Jenny Upton, Efra, moved a motion warning that future genera-tions of students faced fee rises of up to 60 per cent. She said that any increase would discourage youth from becoming scientists. “It would affect the UK as we need more scientists to cope with the challenges of climate change and food security. These factors affect us all.”
REFORM AND REGULATION ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT ANOTHER CRISISPROSPECT WAS urged to press the government
to reform and regulate the banking industry to avert another banking crisis, in a successful motion moved by David Sim, Scottish Research Establishments.
He was supported by Philip O’Rawe for the executive, who said it was
wrong that three quarters of a million ordinary bank workers worldwide had lost their jobs, but only a small handful of chief executives.
He said a host of measures was needed to sort out the industry, including a financial transaction tax.
Lynne Burbage, London and South East Regional, cautioned that credit unions
and organisations like the Co-Op should not be subject to the same level of regula-tion as banks as they lacked the resources to cope.
Mike Aistrop, Sellafield, said the motion should be more specific.
Some banks that had caused the crisis were “too big to fail and too powerful to jail.”
CARRIED
71-2
CARRIED
69
CARRIED
73
SPECIALISTS
GOVERNMENT LABS
BANKS
Sim – reform needed to stop anothr crisis
O’Rawe – financial transac-tion tax needed
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 25
XXX
■■ Apologies■to■Mike■Chambers■(British■Library,■left)■and■Peter■Tandy■(Natural■History■Museum,■right)■whose■photographs■showing■them■receiving■their■Long■Service■Awards■were■transposed■in■the■last■issue■of■Profile.
Members mark Workers’ Memorial DayPROSPECT MEMBERS throughout the UK joined in TUC activities or organised their own ceremony to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day in April.
At Devonport Royal Dockyard, unions and Babcock management came together to restate both sides’ commitment to a health and safety culture where every employee can return home safe every day.
The Plymouth yard came to a standstill while workers lined up to watch an apprentice and graduate place a wreath (above) in the River Tamar, paying respect to the victims of accidents at work.
Inside Albert Gate a memorial bench (inset picture) was unveiled, and a second wreath was laid by Prospect branch secretary Del Northcott, Devonport naval base commander Steve Dearden, Babcock’s Devonport managing director Phil Jones and industrial union chair Peter Smith.
In Northern Ireland, National Trust members Craig Somerville and Anne Gillan planted a tree at the Trust’s Belfast property, Minnowburn.
In Manchester, Health and Safety Executive and national executive member Neil Hope-Collins was among those addressing a rally attended by workers and families who had lost relatives through accidents at work. Hope-Collins said he was grieving over government attempts to kill off the HSE.
Grief’s first stage was denial, he said, and the government was denying the detrimental impact of its cuts. The second stage was anger – and many were angry at inspectors being misrepresented and trivialised. Third was depression – and government figures showed fatalities were already rising this year, compared to 2011.
Next came bargaining – “you don’t bargain with people’s lives” – and finally, acceptance. The view that “these things happen” suggested death at work was acceptable. “I can’t live with that,” said Hope-Collins. “We have to stay angry.”
TRAVEL GRANTS FOR WW I I VETERANSVETERANS OF World War II may not be aware that the Big Lottery Fund makes financial grants to enable them to visit the theatre of war they were involved in.
Male or female, widows and widowers of veterans, can all apply to Heroes Return II. The offer extends to merchant seamen, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
Grants have been extended to December 31, 2012 and range from £150 to cover travel and accom-modation for each veteran, spouse and carer within the UK, to £1,300 for northern Europe and £5,500 to the Far East.
■ Visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ heroesreturn or call the advice line on 0845 0000 121.
SCOTTISH TUC’S FIRST LGBT CONFERENCEPROSPECT IS planning to send a delegation to the first ever lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender confer-ence organised by the Scottish TUC. The conference will be held on September 8–9, at the STUC Centre,
333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow. Any members who who would like to be part of the delegation are invited to express their interest by emailing [email protected] in the union’s Scottish office.
‘You don’t
bargain with
people’s lives.
We have to
stay angry’PICTURES: DRD LTD
Thorp closure, Mike Clancy interview, civil service pensions, defence jobsJOB LOSSES affecting members dominated media coverage of Prospect during May and June, including the news that Sellafield’s Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant will close by 2018.
Peter Clements, Sellafield branch president, was interviewed by BBC■Radio■Cumbria,■Five■Live■and Border■TV■in June.■The■Independent,■Mirror,■FT,■Press■Association and papers in Yorkshire and Scotland quoted national secretary Mike Graham on the disappoint-ment of members “who believe firmly that the plant has a future.”
Prospect general secretary designate Mike Clancy was interviewed on■the■Guardian’s■Public■Leaders■Network■website about his election to replace Paul Noon next January. Clancy said the union must be a “constructive friend but a challenging enemy” and there was no point standing on the sidelines heckling.
In April, the site carried the first regular blog by head of research Sue Ferns, where she challenged govern-ment plans for regional pay in the civil service.
National coverage of members’ vote for the civil service pensions deal featured deputy general secretary Dai Hudd saying he believed Prospect had “achieved significant improvements from the government’s opening position.” The BBC■website,■Radio■4,■Radio■Wales,■PA,■Professional■Pensions,■Civil■Service■World and many regionals covered the story.
Calls in the Telegraph for a jobs cull of poorly performing civil servants were condemned by Hudd and reported by PA,■the■Independent■and■Mirror.
Defence cuts returned to the fore, including the campaign against job
losses at Longtown munitions depot near Carlisle. When workers visited London to confront defence minister Peter Luff, rep Neil Scott was quoted on the BBC■website■and BBC■Radio■Cumbria.
The■Guardian■and PA■cited national secretary Steve Jary’s criticism of the Ministry of Defence’s ‘blinkered approach’ after the public accounts
committee criticised short-term cost cutting. Jary later described the defence secretary’s claim that MOD had balanced its books as ‘smoke and mirrors’ in the Independent,■PA and Guardian.
In the Newcastle■Chronicle, negotiator Tony Hammond accused BAE of trying to ‘bury bad news’ by announcing the sale of its local site, losing 330 jobs, on the eve of the jubilee celebrations.
A potential strike at Dundee airport over harmonisation, and the dispute’s resolution, were widely reported in the
Scottish press and TV. Prospect’s conference in
Bournemouth in May generated coverage of the ‘shameful decision’ by the Border Agency to refuse visas to two Kenyan trade union guests – Paul Noon’s reaction was reported in Student■Times,■Morning■Star,■Independent■diary and on Union■News.
Union■News■also quoted Mike Clancy’s pledge during the QinetiQ conference debate that “we will not end our campaign until we have achieved our objective of reinstating union recognition.”
On Workers Memorial Day the Ulster■Star■pictured National Trust members planting a tree and the Plymouth Herald ran an article and photo of wreath-laying at Devonport dockyard.
Mike Weiler is a negotiator on the heritage, law and energy pitch at Prospect’s headquarters, LondonDescribe yourself in four words.Mostly harmless (I am not good with numbers!).What do you like or dislike about members?
I am fascinated by the weird and wonderful jobs Prospect members do.Which aspects of trade unionism particularly appeal to you?I started my union life in the farmworkers’ union and have always valued the principle of using collective strength to represent the underdog.Would the grass be greener for you somewhere else?On our allotment.Do you have any hidden talents?I play the tuba in a brass band.What is your most embarrassing moment?I have a poor memory, so I quickly forget my frequent mishaps.What or who gets you rattled?Poor standards of management.What’s on your iPod?I have not caught up with iPod technology, but I’m currently listening to Norma Waterson, Richard Thompson and June Tabor.What’s your favourite book?Winnie the Pooh – I associate with the hero being a bear of little brain.Prada or Primark, Monsoon or M&S?I have a weakness for charity shops.How are you beating 20 per cent VAT?We produce most of our own fruit and veg on the allotment.What would you like to change most about the world?With so many hungry people in the world, it would be good if we didn’t throw away so much food.What would you do if you were invisible for the day?It would be good to catch up with galleries and the like in London that are usually too crowded.
MEET
TEAM
■ The official opening last month of the new Central Electricity Research Laboratories at Leatherhead
by the Minister of Power was quite an occasion. Indeed the elegant striped bunting of the stands and the aquatic elevation of the speakers in a pavilion across a moat would have done credit to a film producer. But the ‘El Cid’ setting of the day’s ceremonies did not conceal the reality of the most advanced research organisation set up so far in the history of British electricity supply.Electrical Power Engineer, June 1962
■ In 1962, 27 applications for legal aid were brought successfully to a conclusion. One such case: a member
performing certain experiments had a chemical mixture explode in his face and was blinded in both eyes. The cause, or causes of the explosion were obscure and establishing negligence on some other person’s part, which is the basis on which a claim can be made at common law, seemed extremely difficult. The university in which the experiments were being carried out denied any liability. The member’s department also denied liability. The Institution appointed an outside expert to enquire into the matter and report his findings. In addition, a prominent member of the Institution played a major part in solving what might otherwise have remained a complete mystery. The Institution’s potential liability in fighting this case on behalf of the member was £15,000. Shortly before the court hearing, proposals came from the other side for a settlement and a settlement was finally reached for £8,000, plus costs.State Service, June 1962
1962LONDON NEW
S PICTURES / REX FEATURES
■■ Prospect’s■conference■in■May■generated■coverage■of■the■‘shameful■decision’■by■the■Border■Agency■to■refuse■visas■to■two■Kenyan■trade■union■guests■of■the■union
Prospect stories that
have appeared in media
across the country in
recent weeks
Profile
26 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
ROUND-UP
Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 27
LAW AT WORK
Continued from page 3MR JUSTICE Warren said that although the Urenco claim only affected a few individuals, the case was “relevant to a large number of other employees in the nuclear industry.”
Urenco went to the High Court in 2010 to clarify the meaning of the protections in the Energy Act 2004. It had two particular questions governing the pensions of transferred employees:
● First, how far was Urenco constrained by the Energy Act 2004 in varying future service pension benefits?
The judge ruled: “The protection afforded to the transferred employees pursuant to part 4 is such that, so far as they are concerned, the power
of amendment in the [Urenco] scheme may not be exercised so as to vary detrimentally their future service benefits.”
● Second, how far was Urenco constrained by the specific promises in the sale and purchase agreement it had given in relation to the rights of transferring employees?
The judge ruled: “The effect of the SPA and the undertaking is such that, so far as the trans-ferred employees are concerned, the power of amendment in the scheme may not be exercised so as to vary detrimentally their future service benefits.”
He concluded: “Accordingly, the proposed changes are not permissible. ” The protection
provided by the Energy Act 2004 was intended to be (and was on the facts of this case) of an enduring nature.
The wider impact will be to require the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to ensure pensions of protected persons formerly in BNFL and UKAEA are given enduring protection by new employers in all past and future sale and purchase documents.
Failure to comply could lay the NDA and Secretary of State open to a claim for breach of statutory duty for any financial losses on the part of affected employees.
● full judgment: http://bit.ly/mossop ● briefing for members: http://library.prospect.
org.uk/id/2012/00934
Urenco pensions case: the judgment
CONNECT SECTOR members who used to be telecoms engineers should contact Prospect if they are suffering hearing loss and/or tinnitus as they may have a claim against BT for an industrial injury.
In 2010 BT admitted that some of its engineers may have been exposed to excessive levels of noise through the use of certain tone sets to test telephone lines. The sets in question were the so-called ‘green’ and ‘unmod-ified yellow’ oscillators and amplifiers.
BT accepts there were problems with some of the green and yellow tone sets, and that in some cases the noise was amplified into the earpiece at such a volume and pitch that it exceeded health and safety regula-tions, causing hearing loss to some engineers. The tone sets were predom-inantly used during the 1960s through to the 1980s.
Engineers rightfully assumed that this equipment was safe and carried out their work in a trusting fashion; meaning that they were innocently exposed to excessive noise. Because noise exposure affects individuals to varying degrees, even irregular use of the tone sets may have left a residual effect on the person’s hearing.
Noise damage affects the high frequency range of hearing and manifests in the inner ear, harming the minute hairs contained within the cochlear, which are responsible for transferring sound to the nerve
Time runs out for BT hearing claimsBT engineers have until the end of the year to lodge their claims for hearing loss, Prospect’s solicitors have warned
endings. It is typically referred to as sensori-neural hearing loss.
It may be difficult for individuals to tell if they are suffering from hearing loss at high frequencies as opposed to other frequencies. However, noise-induced hearing loss generally produces a typical pattern on an audiogram – a graph showing the decibel level at which you hear a frequency. So it is always worthwhile checking for a diagnosis.
Some engineers also suffer with tinnitus. This generally manifests as a constant or intermittent noise in one or both ears, like a whistle or buzzing sound. Tinnitus varies in severity but unfortunately there is no cure; treatment often comes in the form of distraction techniques. Tinnitus can be a naturally occurring phenomenon,
although where noise-induced hearing loss is present, the condition may be associated with noise exposure.
Common problems include: ● having TV on at a level which is uncomfortable for other members of the family
● regularly having to ask people to repeat what they are saying
● difficulty following conversation in a social setting
● noises in the ear such as ringing or buzzing
● finding loud sounds very uncomfortable.The noise exposure through the use
of these tone sets was unwitting. But the result is that some engineers have been left with permanent and irrepa-rable hearing loss/tinnitus.
Aids are available on the NHS. However, these are cosmetically inferior to private hearing aids, which may be paid for through an industrial injury claim. In relation to tinnitus, other hearing technologies may also be funded as well as therapy.
BT is making payments where it can be established that any hearing loss/tinnitus is attributable to negligent exposure in respect of the green/yellow tone sets. But there is a three-year time limit, which runs from the date of knowledge that any harm may have been caused by work.
From January 2013, BT is withdrawing the amnesty in relation to the limitation period so it is vital for any potential claim to be investigated without delay, or it may be out of time.
If you feel you may have a claim, you should contact Prospect legal services. A simple hearing test along with a basic work and noise exposure history is usually enough for Prospect’s solicitors to determine whether there is a potential claim.
■■ Trevor■Sterling■and■Sarah■Patten■work■in■the■BT■hearing■loss■unit■at■the■union’s■solicitors,■Russell■Jones■&■Walker,■part■of■Slater■&■Gordon■Lawyers
■■ Potential■claims■by■members■should■be■investigated■without■delay
Contact RJW on 0808 1757757
Profile
28 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
RETIRED MEMBERS
SCOTLAND NORTHNext meeting Friday July 13, Royal Highland Hotel, 18 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LG. Committee meeting 12.00 pm; general meeting at 2.30 pm. For members in postcodes ZE, KW, IV, AB, PH, DD, FK (postcode 7 et seq), PA (postcode 20 et seq) and KY.
SOUTH-EAST ENGLANDNext meeting Thursday July 12, 1.00 pm, Patcham Community Centre, Ladies Mile Road, Brighton BN1 8TA. Refreshments and speaker. To assist catering, contact Derick Jackson (secretary) on 01474 814541 or
email [email protected]. For members in postcodes BN, TN, CT, DA, ME and RH.
SOUTH-WEST MIDLANDSAnnual general meeting 2:00 pm, Wednesday June 27, Sun Inn, Hook Norton, OX15 5NH. Lunch/snacks available to purchase from 1:00 pm. For a nominal charge, there is an opportunity to visit Hook Norton Brewery at 11.00 am but numbers must be known in advance. For further details contact Terry Clift (secretary) on 01235 526042. For members in OX and GL postcodes, members from other areas welcome.
MEETINGS
APRIL 7–MAY 31Prospect regrets to announce the deaths of the following members, notified to headquarters between April 7 and May 31, 2012:
Dr I Anderson 24/04/12 Defence Science and Technology LaboratoryMr B P Anderson 30/04/12 Transport for LondonMr R Aspinall 02/05/12 E.On UKMr V W Baker 30/04/12 West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr H G S Banks 09/05/12 South East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr I Barge 16/05/12 Lloyds Register EMEAMr J Barker 24/05/12 InnogyMr R S Beech 13/04/12 London UndergroundMr A L Bradley 21/05/12 Eastern GroupMr S R Bridge 09/05/12 Ministry of DefenceMr J R Castle 18/05/12 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupMr V E Chisnell 31/05/12 Southern Retired Members GroupMr L G Cooper 11/04/12 South East England Retired Members GroupMr R Crane 27/04/12 United UtilitiesReverend E S Dale 01/05/12 Yorkshire Retired Members GroupMr J P Darlington 09/05/12 Western Power DistributionMr W A C Davies 01/05/12 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupDr J G Davison 26/04/12 South West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr C Dean 18/05/12 Serco Technical ServicesMr A M Edwards 30/04/12 Thames Valley Retired Members GroupMr B H Edwards 16/05/12 Central Networks – EastMr J Ellis 23/05/12 East Anglia Retired Members GroupMr D M Hair 11/05/12 Health and Safety ExecutiveMr I G Hay 08/05/12 Scotland South Retired Members GroupMr J Hayes 16/05/12 Central Networks – WestMr D F Heaps 13/04/12 East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr R G Hewitt 31/05/12 Hyder UtilitiesMr P G S Hill 31/05/12 Midlands Regional BranchMr D F Hine 16/05/12 Eastern GroupDr R J Holmes 19/04/12 Defence Science and Technology LaboratoryMr J E Holmes 19/04/12 E.On UKMr N K Homewood 31/05/12 Eastern GroupMr T Honeyman 25/04/12 Scottish PowerMr C M Hornsby 16/05/12 North East Retired Members GroupMr D R Hunt 30/04/12 East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr T R Jenkins 17/05/12 Thames Valley Retired Members GroupMr N L Jennings 30/04/12 South East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr L J T Jones 04/05/12 South West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr P C Kearney 08/05/12 National GridMr J Kell 02/05/12 Yorkshire Retired Members GroupMr H Leah 11/05/12 National GridMr G H Lee 01/05/12 South East England Retired Members GroupMr L S Lindsay 08/05/12 British EnergyMr M G Lowery 08/05/12 Norwich International AirportMr A D Madle 17/05/12 E.On UKMr J Mcateer 01/05/12 West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr E M Melrose 29/05/12 Defence Acquisition and Maritime (South)Mr A S Merriweather 30/04/12 London Central Retired Members GroupMr A Mitchell 24/05/12 InnogyMr F J Mockett 01/05/12 North West Retired Members GroupMr F W Montgomery 11/04/12 Northern Ireland ElectricityMr B S G Neighbour 15/05/12 CMMDI Retired Members GroupMr P W Newland 22/05/12 InnogyMr R S Opie 23/04/12 South West Retired Members GroupMr D V Oxtoby 17/05/12 Isle of Man GovernmentMr J Parker 08/05/12 National GridMr C Parsons 01/05/12 InnogyMr T H Pegg 16/05/12 National GridMr B J Penney 29/05/12 EDF SeeboardMr D H Phillips 24/05/12 InnogyMr C Pipes 10/05/12 E.On UKMr P Probert 08/05/12 CMMDI Retired Members GroupMr M J Reardon 23/04/12 Wales Retired Members GroupMiss E Reeks 17/04/12 LGCMrs U E Roberts 16/05/12 Office for National StatisticsMr J A Sadler 21/05/12 National GridMr D L Salmon 30/05/12 Scottish and Southern Energy GroupMr V H Saunders 09/05/12 National GridMr J H Scott 29/05/12 North West Retired Members GroupMr E F Sibley 30/04/12 Central Southern Retired Members GroupMrs J E Singleton 01/05/12 SellafieldMr M Slater 18/04/12 Environment, Food and Rural AffairsMrs P J Stamp 11/05/12 Office for National StatisticsDr A R Tabor 10/05/12 North West/North Wales Regional BranchMr L Thomas 15/05/12 East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr F T Underwood 22/05/12 London Central Retired Members GroupMr A Wilcock 01/05/12 Scottish PowerMr E A Young 21/05/12 National Grid
‘Our homes are not a commodity’WORKERS HAVE a right to expect to retire with “a reasonable standard of living and a comfort-able place to call home,” national conference heard last month.
Retired members’ group delegate Robbie Ridoutt (left) was moving a motion opposing the inclusion of the investment value of
homes in the bundle of goods that sets the consumer prices index.
Warning delegates that they already faced longer careers and
smaller pensions, he said your home is “not a commodity that should
be hawked around.” He feared that would be the next step if the government included the cost of housing in the CPI basket as part of its austerity agenda.
Any move to include invest-ment value would distort the inflation index and further mask the true cost of living, said the union’s former vice-president.
But Tony Cox, Connect
Greater London, East and Essex (below), asked for the RMG motion to be remitted. While sympa-thising, he feared it could tie the union’s hands if its position was determined prior to an imminent public consultation.
Owner-occupier housing is not currently included in either the CPI or retail prices index. But Cox said the compilers, who seek to exclude the value of homes but include running costs, often faced difficulties separating the two.
David Simpson, for the national executive, echoed his call and the motion was remitted.
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PLEASECOMMUNICATIONS WITH working and retired members by Prospect are increasingly electronic.
Although Prospect still sends hard copy publications and documents to members where requested, the number of members not using email is falling fast.
Email is rapid and saves the union substantial amounts on paper and postage, so the retired members group has appealed to RMG members to let Prospect know their email address.
“At present Profile is the only way of communicating direct with members,” said group president Gerald Perks (left). “We could soon have enough email addresses to be able to alert people to meetings, issues and campaigns at no cost to the union.
“We could also investigate whether an electronic RMG newsletter is a viable option. A hard copy newsletter is simply too expensive.”
To notify Prospect of your email address, just call 020 7902 6600 or email [email protected]
INFLATION INDEX
Bournemouth2012
REMITTED
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CLASSIFIED Profile
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Classified_JuneJuly_Layout 1 01/06/2012 15:58 Page 29
LETTERSProfile
30 ■ Jun-Jul 3/12
CPI APPEAL: A DECISION THAT DEVALUES JUSTICEHaving stumbled at the second hurdle in the RPI-CPI stakes, the
unions dismount and run up the white flag, leaving Messrs Cameron, Osborne and Clegg to trot to the winning post smirking at their good luck!
Reading the Court of Appeal’s judgment, one is struck by the fact that the only ‘evidence’ considered by the judges is from the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions, and the statements of government ministers. It would appear that no independent evidence was considered at all. Not the views of the Royal Statistical Society or the UK Statistics Authority, which have both expressed reservations about CPI indexation and are more authoritative than two
civil servants acting on behalf of their political masters.
Furthermore, the judges seem not to have considered the solemn undertakings given by (Conservative) ministers in parliament, at the time of passing the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971, that the only reason the RPI index wasn’t enshrined in the legislation was that “it may be that at some future date an index will become available that reflects more nearly the circumstances of public service pensioners,” and the need to bring certainty to pensioners (Lords Hansard July 9, 1971, Commons Hansard May 25, 1971). Clearly, the change from RPI to CPI strikes against both of these undertakings. A minister’s word in parliament is, it would seem, now totally worthless.
During the course of the CPI case the judges were themselves negotiating with the government on their own pension scheme,. Were they going to rock the boat? I think not. A satisfactory outcome was always unlikely in the UK courts and the matter would have to go to Europe for a fair determination.
Good luck with trying to get housing costs included in CPI. Now the government has won this battle they’ll be back for more, not less. George Osborne has already been mulling the idea of averaging CPI over the year.
I do hope that the interests of current pensioners and those with frozen pensions have not been sacrificed to facilitate a deal for those still in employment.
■ Chris Hewitt, Ceredigion
Vested interests at workIn response to Barrie Skelcher (ViewPoint 2/12) and his view that the 1974 Health and Safety Act legislation is out of hand, I remember rejoicing when it became law. Yes, there has been an active campaign by vested interests to ridicule the Act, mostly by employers who want to bring back the ‘good old days’ when deaths and accidents at work were commonplace. Any ridiculous examples of health and safety prohibitions, usually by local authorities, should be challenged by a simple request for a copy of their ‘risk assessment’ – that usually shuts them up.
■ Dennis Franklin, Ramsgate, Kent
Time to restore public ownershipGeneral secretary designate Mike Clancy has raised serious concerns regarding the withdrawal by two energy companies from the Horizon project (Profile 2/12). Their action highlights the folly of privatising everything that moves. I would like to suggest the formation of a
generators are totally unable to do this, but nuclear generators are. Load factor is entirely irrelevant.
Take the private car as an illustration. Most of its life the car stands immobile. It is in use for only a small percentage of its life, its load factor is low, probably only a few per cent. But it is ready, at any time, for any demand to be made upon it, up to its design capacity.
The average load factor for nuclear plant throughout the world is the high 80s or 90 per cent. Our ageing reactors have in general have been downgraded, load factors quoted are possibly based on the original capacity. Certainly 60 per cent is not typical. During the winter of 1962-63, when temperatures did not rise above zero for six weeks, and coal arriving at power stations contained so much ice that the furnaces had trouble, our nuclear plant averaged a load factor of 98.5 per cent, and saved the day.
Whatever solution is adopted for meeting the challenge of incorporating variable sources into the grid, at present levels the only method of dealing with
new British Nuclear Energy Board, fully owned by the public, for investment and development of nuclear power.
Private companies provide products and services, but publicly-owned and accountable utilities are essential to provide secure basic services. They can consider long-term strategic needs rather than a drive for short-term profit.
A new national coal board could also be established to exploit our vast reserves of coal for power generation, using the latest advances in emission control. We cannot rely on novel or foreign energy sources.
■ John Maryon, Stowmarket
Wind power: it’s not fit for purposeDonald Swift-Hook (ViewPoint 2/12) confuses load factor (defined as actual power output per year, divided by design power output) with ability to meet the demand for power. For a generator to be viable, it has to able to adjust its power output, at any time, to meet demand up to its maximum design output. Wind
ACROSS1 It may be used by speakers at station (8)6 Global field of activity (6)9 Plan the man took into South Carolina and Maine (6)10 In all with this being just and impartial (8)11 Getting others to do the fighting? (10)14 Privately-owned pit? (4)15 A profession or hobby (9)18 Needing to put another quire inside circle (9)21 Lady had some cannabis (4)22 The French speaker taken in by research
establishment (10)25 Following public service having lack of
usefulness (8)26 Gradual increase for this industry which is
expected to develop faster than others (6)27 Amused oneself on piano? (6)28 Again capturing monarch after rate revision (8)DOWN2 Resin essential for valet (6)3 People in general accept alternative supposition (6)4 Order fifty-one daggers (5)5 Covering isn’t uniform (5)
CrossJun-Jul2012
6 Rock music (5)7 Lady servant who does manicure? (8)8 Resounding sort Anne replaced (8)12 Raven fluttering in soldiers’ place of
accommodation (7)13 I am unable to perform on cod, an
operation (2,3,2)16 From square, hurried with Queensland’s
openers and the Italian being calm (8)17 Quietly with a movement for parity (8)19 Duo in old ship operating (2,4)20 Weight for leading elementary particle (6)22 One taken in by fat landowner (5)23 One expecting to be charged (5)24 Correct side (5)
■ Solution to appear in the next issue
Answers Apr-May 2012 – ACROSS: 7 Front-line 8 Vroom 10 Paltry 11 Swan Lake 12 Quango 14 Lie low 16 Port 17 Exist 18 Jack 19 Plight 21 Micron 24 Striking 26 Loathe 27 Booze 28 Climb down.
DOWN: 1 Break 2 Instruct 3 Play on 4 Onus 5 Grille 6 Workforce 9 Ballet 13 Odium 15 Coalition 17 Entail 18 Jeopardy 20 Glitzy 22 Column 23 Showy 25 Gold.
Letters should be sent by email to profile@prospect.
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New Prospect House, 8 Leake Street, London SE1
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LETTERS Profile
Jun-Jul 3/12 ■ 31
ProfileINDEX – Jun-Jul 20125 Before it’s too late campaign
27 BT hearing loss claims
6 CSMA
26 Fifty years ago
26 In the News
3 Kenyan visitors
25 Long Service Awards
26 Meet Mike Weiler
3 MOD TUPE victory
4 Prospect’s new executive
5 QinetiQ
28 Retired members
25 Scottish TUC LGBT conference
5 Thorp closure
23 UnionEyes
3 Urenco pensions victory
25 Workers’ Memorial Day
25 WW2 veteran grants
BIENNIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE14 All Scotland forum
21 Animal feed
14 Aviation group
24 Bank reform
10 Broadband investment
11 Child benefit anomalies
12 Children’s services
28 CPI index
7 Debates round-up
22 Defence industrial policy
16-17 Employment law
13 Energy policy
13 Environment
12 Equality networks, legislation
8 Frances O’Grady speech
18 Fringe meetings
24 Government laboratories
17 Health and safety
9 Home workers
16 Industrial action ballots
28 Inflation index
21 International Labour Organisation
21 International work
21 Kenyan union thanks
11 Local government pensions
8 Mike Clancy speech
19 Paul Noon speech
9 Pay cuts
9 Pay progression
11 Pensions auto-enrolment
10 Pensions campaign
10 Pensions documents
9 Performance management
11 Personal contracts
14-15 Political fund
8 Presidential team
13 Prospect appointments
20 Prospect subscriptions 2013
24 Public service reform
20 Regulation standards
23 Scottish defence industry
22 Shipbuilding
14 Skills strategy
11 Young people’s pensions
wild weather output from wind farms has been to disconnect them, at costs of up to twenty times the value of power rejected. Experienced grid controllers have expressed the opinion that 8-12 per cent of wind power is the maximum that could be properly incorporated in the grid before major difficulties would be encountered.
No, Donald, wind power may be a toy for very remote places, but it is quite simply not fit for purpose in our country-wide system.
■ Richard Phillips, Newbury
Thousands of turbines are equal to one coal-fired stationStrange how advocates of wind power for generated electricity always quote misleading statistics. Donald Swift-Hook (ViewPoint 2/12) states that nuclear has a typical load factor of 60 per cent. What he should quote is ‘availability’, which is totally different to ‘load factor’. I do not have a figure for nuclear, but I do know that the old CEGB ran ‘availability competitions’ during high demand in the winter and figures up to 100 per cent available were regularly recorded, ie their output was 100 per cent of their installed capacity when required.
By comparison, I understand that wind power has 20-30 per cent availability, and that for three months during the cold winter of 2010-11 wind power achieved just three per cent of installed capacity due to there being little or no wind, and this was repeated over most of Europe.
A body like Ofgem should be made responsible for supply in the same way that the CEGB was. Until someone invents a system that can store at least three months of electricity use, we will require reliable generating capacity equal to maximum demand and use it to generate only when the wind drops. All this when demand will probably double to recharge the batteries in our electric-powered cars!
■ Philip Trow, Stafford
Public opinion may be on the turnSeveral pieces in Profile 2/12 came together for me – the sad news of the loss of Bill Brett, the article ‘Government that Can’, and the ‘In the News’ run-down of publicity given to Prospect activities.
I attended several meetings where Bill was present in my time as an IPMS rep in the Guildford office of the old MAFF. I agree with everything written about him – he was a lovely guy and an energetic debater – but one who could be convinced of a view opposed to his own if it were presented logically and with conviction. I would have loved to hear his comments on the plight of the country, the government’s view of the civil service, and its general attack on the vulnerable in society (be they disabled, unemployed, pensioners or
just low-paid).I am certain that Bill would bring to our
attention that, if we wish to influence the public view of the civil service against the attacks made on it by the coalition, we will not do it by articles in the Guardian (whose readers already know the value of civil servants to society), nor through the other outlets mentioned by In the News.
In the light of the somewhat tender reputation of some right-wing papers as a result of the Leveson enquiry, perhaps they might respond favourably to an alternative view to that presented to them by a government which is itself falling into disrepute?
Through these papers the coalition (admittedly, mostly the Conservative element) has always sought to denigrate those who serve the public in general and the government in particular.
It would be easy to point to the claimed potential savings that were completely unrealistic and never materialised; the losses and failures which happened
because the advice of specialists had been ignored; and the suffering caused to the poor and vulnerable by the coalition’s decisions. I would love to see a headline on the front pages of The Times, Telegraph or Daily Mail, on the lines of ‘Government lies on value of civil servants exposed!’
■ John Davis, Aberystwyth
Bill’s good ideaThe tributes to Bill Brett in Profile 2/12 are thoroughly deserved but, for me, miss one very important point.
One of the first things he did on becoming general secretary was to open the regional offices. It is difficult now to see how the union could have survived and expanded without this ground-breaking development. It was, I suggest, a practical example of his commitment to the lay officials and the ordinary members, who felt that their union reps were on their doorsteps.
■ John Lowe, Edinburgh
Recycled plastic flakes!I recently came across an old Prospect wrapper which was turning into those irritating flakes common to old plastic bags. Lesson – never use plastics bags for wrapping things to put away – once degraded they get/float/penetrate everywhere as tiny lightweight flakes.
Another tip I discovered in a hot climate some years ago, after some rigid plastic drawing instruments fell to bits: never wrap them in softened plastics bags – the softener in the plastic will degrade the instruments.
■ John Gray, Warks
Which side are you on, Robert Halfon?I was surprised and disappointed to see an article from a Tory MP in Profile 2/12. Is he serious when he suggests reviving the ‘Conservative trade unionist’ – a contradiction in terms? I presume he is leading the fight on Prospect’s behalf against this anti-union government despite its plans for a swathe of attacks on workers, as summarised in the box, (Escalating attacks) on page 19 of the same issue.
As for the offer of free membership, this seems a timely invitation aimed at swelling their ranks given the polls which show Tories at 29 points and Labour at 40. However, I recently left the Labour party because they failed to show sufficient support for trade unions and workers under the assaults made by this government. I would indulge in DIY trepanning (making holes in one’s head) before reaching the state of mind to join that party.
The reason for their plummeting ratings is that they are an oppressive government which has seen the rich
prosper at the expense of honest workers in both the public and private sectors in these times of ‘austerity’.
I would like to ask Prospect at what point a member should declare a fundamental conflict of interest? To Robert Halfon I would ask a question originally posed by Billy Bragg: “Which side are you on?”
■ Lee Jones, Warrington, Cheshire
MindMazeSolution Apr-May12Solution: DEFECTIVE
Mind Jun-Jul12Which word is the odd one out?BACK, BELLY, BILL, BUSH, FIN, FISH, GLASS, LEAF, ROD, SIDE, SMITH, SPOT, TRAIL, TIP, TOP, WARE, WEED, WOOD, WORK■ Solution to appear in the next issue
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