NIPSA NEWS A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members
Court staff devastated at closures The newspaper of the leading public sector trade union
NIPSA has warned that the closures of up to a further eight courts across Northern Ireland will have a devastating impact on courthouse staff, on rural areas and particularly on the worst off in society. Despite the recent announcement that Newtownards Court will remain open and Enniskillen Courthouse will continue as a hearing centre, the union has vowed to fight the overall recommendations. And NIPSA HQ Official Ryan McKinney claimed the proposals, if put into operation, would make it harder for working class people to access justice and insisted that they “fly in the face of the [Justice] Department’s ‘Faster, Fairer, Justice’ mantra”. Earlier this year the union responded to the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) consultation paper on proposals to ‘rationalise’ the court estate. As this edition of NIPSA News goes to print, the Justice Committee were being briefed on the outcome of the consultation process and on a series of recommendations currently under consideration by the Justice Minister. Since April 2014, NICTS fund-
ing has been reduced by £4.5m or 10.8% and in addition income from civil fees reduced by £2.9m or 10%. During this time 77 posts were removed from the NICTS. The NICTS expect that their funding will continue to reduce in the forthcoming years and they have already been asked to model for between 5% and 10% cuts in the 2016/17 Financial Year. Management argue that when faced with this challenge they have had to review the number of courthouses required. The original consultation paper proposed the closure of up to another eight courthouses, which would see the number of courthouses in this jurisdiction drop from 22 to 10, a reduction of 55% since 2013. Although the proposals have altered slightly the suggested level of closures still compares very unfavourably with other jurisdictions facing similar austerity cuts. For example, in England and Wales the estate has been reduced by 28% since 2010 while at the same time, some £713 million was also invested in new IT. The impact of ‘rationalising’ the Court Estate has not been lost on Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan who gave evidence to the
December 2015
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Justice Committee. He told the Committee: “It is important to be clear about the fact that, if these proposals are implemented in full, it will change the shape of the delivery of court services in Northern Ireland to the detriment of many vulnerable adults and children seeking to vindicate their rights. “The Department has a statutory duty under Section 68A of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 to provide an efficient and effective system to support the courts and to provide appropriate services to do this. This statutory obligation is designed to reflect one of the basic governance principles in a democratic society, which is the right of access to justice. “Failure to provide sufficient funding for the courts to be accessible would clearly put the Department in a position where it was not fulfilling its statutory duty.” Further problems arise when moving the business of Ballymena courthouse (pictured, above) to Antrim as this will mean people living in Larne and throughout the north east will find it virtually impossible to reach a courthouse by the 10am start
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time if they are relying on public transport. The same can be predicted for court users living in parts of Armagh. NIPSA News asked HQ Official, Ryan McKinney, to explain what will happen next. He said: “We will be using this time to put pressure on the Justice Minister to reject these proposals and to reflect on the consultation responses from the many organisations which have highlighted the range of detrimental effects these closures will have. “We will consult with our members about how they want to resist the court closures and we will lobby and campaign alongside other interested groups.” Mr McKinney continued: “What we are witnessing here is another nail in the coffin of public services. The impact will be greatest on rural areas and particularly on the worst off. “These proposals make it harder for working class people to access justice and they fly in the face of the Department’s ‘Faster, Fairer, Justice’ mantra. We need to unite our members with the public to force the Minister to back off.” l The economic impact on the court closures - see page 2
Minister announces reprieve for statutory residential homes
AS REPORTED in the last issue of NIPSA News, NIPSA has been involved in a campaign to keep a number of statutory residential homes open. This has been part of a two-year battle waged by the union against successive Health Ministers. These Ministers have used the wider austerity agenda to put pressure on Trusts to cut budgets and by stealth over a number of years to remove statutory provision for our elderly population as a choice for them in the latter years of their lives. The union has previously reported that across most, if not all,
the Trusts there is a policy of non-admission of permanent residents. This is the ‘closure by stealth’ approach NIPSA has warned about for years. General Secretary Designate Alison Millar told NIPSA News: “The reprieve for the 10 statutory residential homes came not because Minister Hamilton has seen the folly of his policy. It was reversed by the decision of the private sector provider Four Seasons to close nine of its homes because they were no longer profitable. HOMES REPRIEVE: continued on page 2
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A united union that can meet the challenges ahead EDITORIAL
AS WE approach the end of another year, it is time for many of us to reflect what has happened over the past 12 months. In the Northern Ireland context we are in reality on the cusp of major changes to our public services brought about by a number of factors including political difficulties encountered – or being manufactured – by our devolved institution. The end result after many months of political wrangling and posturing is that we have been left with a ‘Fresh Start’ deal which is anything but a fresh start for Northern Ireland public services. The alleged new document still has within it the borrowed £700m to reduce public services in Northern Ireland by more than 20,000 jobs. Nowhere have we heard that the public servants who remain will have
their workloads reduced correspondingly. What we do hear instead are the words ‘efficiency’ and ‘doing less with more’. However, those who spout such words are not the people on the front line of our public services delivering to the many needy and vulnerable citizens in our society. The continuing mantra of cutting public services goes unnoticed and unheeded by the media and most of our politicians. This is set against the private sector which has also faced thousands of job losses in the IT industry, Dunnes Stores, JTI Gallaher and Michelin, to name but a few. The difference is that when these announcements of job losses are made, those same politicians call for extra investment to shore-up and develop the private sector. The reality, however, is that
the majority of jobs which we hear are being created in the private sector are lowpaid which will do little to stimulate the NI economy. There are many other aspects of the Fresh Start deal which members can read about in this edition of NIPSA News which does nothing for our members or the citizens of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, on a more positive note, this time last year the NI Water workers were entering a period of industrial action. This action demonstrates that when unions unite together in a common cause with commitment and determination and bring to bear their industrial muscle, members can get a fair deal. As we enter 2016 there will be many challenges ahead but I am confident that if our members and representa-
tives stand together we can fight the real enemy – the enemy of the cuts, the enemy of Government austerity, the enemy of further threats of privatisation so that members see the purpose of belonging to NIPSA. This is because in NIPSA we are strong enough to set aside the many differences we have in the interests of a better, united union. Finally, as the newlyelected General Secretary, I want to thank those who voted for me. I also what to assure those who did not that I am determined to work in the interests of all members so that we have a strong union that will be there when members need it. United, we will build a stronger union which can and will deliver.
Alison Millar, General Secretary
The economic impact of court closures NIPSA looks at the economic impact the courthouse closures will have on the areas affected. The multiplier effect refers to the idea that an initial injection of (government) spending into an economy results in an economic benefit greater than the level of the initial investment. The Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) and its partner, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), have led the field in researching the multiplier effect of public expenditure on local economies. In the examples studied each pound spent resulted in an increased aggregate output of £1.64. In this case the multiplier is 0.64. This means that for every pound invested, an additional 64p is reinvested in the local economy. The private and third sectors play a significant role in the delivery of public services and these organisations potentially have much to lose from a cut in the number of courthouses. In the context of the proposed courthouse closures this will include the fairly immediate effect on the legal profession which is largely located close to the courthouse in regional towns. Secondly will be the decline in footfall in local shops and cafes which will have courtrelated trade. The closure of courthouses will, therefore, directly affect the number of jobs in the local economy. Court staff: Unsurprisingly of course those most af-
NIPSA NEWS
NIPSA Harkin House, 54 Wellington Park, Belfast BT9 6DP, Tel: 028 90661831 Fax 028 90665847 or email: alison.millar@nipsa.org.uk Editorial contact details: Bob Miller email: bob.miller@nipsa.org.uk Correspondence should be sent to the above address. Unless otherwise stated, the views contained in NIPSA NEWS do not necessarily reflect the policy of the trade union NIPSA.
fected will be those staff currently based in courthouses. The continuing NICS recruitment freeze, the Voluntary Exit scheme, departmental restructuring and the cuts to departmental budgets will have a major impact on redeployment opportunities. Staff permanently based in Lisburn, Armagh and Ballymena will be most concerned though the closure of Limavady, Magherafelt and Strabane hearing centres will have an impact. Re-designating Enniskillen as a hearing centre is likely to mean permanently relocating staff in Omagh and this will have major detrimental consequences for staff currently based in Enniskillen. Recommendations: The Senior Management Team have now presented a paper outlining a series of recommendations to the Agency Board, the Board have accepted the paper and will discuss them with the Justice Committee. The recommendations include: l The Old Townhall Building should remain closed at this time and the potential to develop it as a Family Justice Centre should be considered as an option in the context of the DOJ Estate Strategy; l Lisburn should close and the business transfer to Laganside Courts. However, as this recommendation is a variation on that contained in the consultation paper, consultees will be invited to submit any further views they may have before a final decision is taken by the Minister;
HOMES REPRIEVE – page 1 story continues: “It now appears that the Minister will seek to shift many of the residents of Four Seasons to the homes that were earmarked for closure. This is a disgraceful way to treat our older folk. It is also a disgrace that the almost 400 staff who work in the Four Seasons homes which are earmarked for closure are likely to lose their jobs.” According to the union, it is clear there is obviously something critically wrong in the whole system – a system that was supposed
l Newtownards should be retained at this time and as a result the Administrative Court Divisions will be reconfigured; l Ballymena should close. Following a further review of court business levels all business will be transferred to Antrim rather than being split between Antrim and Coleraine; l Armagh should close and all business transferred to Newry; l Enniskillen should be retained at this time but that it should be designated as a hearing centre and opened only on those days when a court is sitting; l Strabane should close and business should be transferred to Omagh; l The earlier decision to close Magherafelt should be implemented, but business should be transferred to Dungannon; and l The earlier decision to close Limavady should be implemented and business transferred to Coleraine. Although Management have guaranteed that “no member of staff will lose his or her job as a result of any court closures that take place”, they have acknowledged it will be necessary to transfer staff to different locations if the Court in which they are working closes though this will not be in the current financial year. Management have also made it clear that this is not a final decision as the Minister will need to reflect on the recommendations and that will take up to at least January.
to care for people from the cradle to the grave. It is not the Health Service envisaged by Nye Bevan all those years ago when it became a cornerstone of society. While the Minister has announced a period of reflection, NIPSA is determined to continue the fight to protect elderly and statutory residential provision. A union source described the Four Seasons fiasco as “nothing short of a disgrace” and “proves that we should not leave the care of our elderly or any public service to the vagaries of the markets”.
Jobs protest
NIPSA’s vow on pay for Planning Service transferees
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Civil servants stage demos across NI against cuts to jobs and services on Thursday, Nov 26. Pictured here are members protesting outside Stormont.
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IN April 2015, almost 400 planning service staff transferred from the Northern Ireland Civil Service to local government as part of the Review of Public Administration. As it is a completely new environment for this group of staff, there are significant issues that need to be dealt with as transfers bed in – one major issue being pay. A number of Councils have already agreed that members will receive their contractual element from August 1. NIPSA has insisted that the union will vigorously pursue the issue for those members who have not received their increment. On the wider issue of a cost-ofliving pay increase, General Secretary (Designate) Alison Millar told NIPSA News: “The issue of an annual pay uplift is not contractual and therefore NIPSA has been considering how best to deal with this to ensure that members are not disadvantaged, because of the transfer to local government, which was not something over which they had
any control. “Having given this detailed consideration and having taken advice, the best way to progress this issue is to seek to have local government employers pay the same cost-of-living increase as for NICS staff.” She added: “At this point in time there is no agreement on NICS pay for 2015, but negotiations are continuing.” Ms Millar pointed out that if local government employers refused to implement the 2015 NICS agreement, the union would pursue the issue through the Staff Transfer Scheme. This stated that no member would suffer a detriment as a result of the transfer and would ultimately result in a determination by an Independent Appeal Panel set up to deal with RPA issues under the Labour Relations Agency. NIPSA has written to the Chief Executives lodging this claim on behalf of transferred civil servants so that when an agreement is reached for NICS staff, the issue can be pursued speedily within local government.
in service have yet to be provided with details of where work is to be shed in order to live within the reduced staffing levels.” Mr Bannon claimed that management right across NICS departments had to date failed to show a proper duty of care to staff by not providing the information sought by Departmental Trade Union Sides. He insisted: “With these additional pressures coupled with all that is associated with the restructuring of NICS departments, members expect to be treated fairly when it comes to the 2015 pay settlement.” A further issue to be addressed is the growing number of staff now on the maxima of their pay scale, currently sitting at 52%. In the absence of a consolidated pay increase, more than half the staff would receive no uplift in pay. This figure would, of course, rise further as those on lower points of the pay scale receive their incremental progression. With the private sector experiencing the fastest pay increase acceleration in 14 years, outstretching the increase in public sector pay and even the CBI encouraging an easement in pay re-
straint, there is little justification in denying NICS staff a proper costof-living increase. Even the Prime Minister earlier this year, in hailing the claimed economic recovery, told bosses, in his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce, to give staff a pay rise. David Cameron said: “Now that our long-term economic plan is truly working, together we’ve got to make sure it works for everyone in our country.” Surely he does not intend to exclude civil and public servants – a line the NI Executive and Finance Minister should adopt! Trade Union Side and NICS management are aware of the need to remain engaged in negotiations to reach a conclusion as soon as possible and for an offer to be available to facilitate a NIPSA branch consultation exercise. Further bi-lateral discussions are to be scheduled over the coming weeks. Trade Union Side has also indicated that in the event of difficulties in negotiations they will want to meet the Minister to make representations at that level.
Civil servants ‘should not be denied proper cost-of-living pay rise’ A BRANCH Secretary Circular issued on November 9 advised Branches that pay negotiations had just started. Of course members by now would have expected negotiations on their 2015 pay settlement to have concluded, not least as the effective pay date is August 1. The fact that pay in 2014 was imposed by then-Finance Minister Simon Hamilton when negotiations were under way was particularly controversial. Indeed that was the first time that pay had been imposed in circumstances where: l negotiations had not concluded, l an offer had not been extended for members to have their say, and l an opportunity denied to NIPSA in making representations at Ministerial level. At the start of the 2015 pay negotiations, Trade Union Side repeated its concern about 2014 pay being imposed and encouraged NICS management to make the current Minister aware that NIPSA did not expect a repetition of the 2014 events. Members are acutely aware of why the delay in pay negotiations
has taken place which has angered many. The Trade Union Side has been engaged in two bilateral pay discussions following the CWC Pay, Grading and Allowances meeting held on November 5. It has been impressed on NICS management that in addition to the application of increments (the process of progression to the full rate of pay for the job), a consolidated increase to all pay points on all pay scales is also essential. This was set at 2.5% in the claim lodged by NIPSA in July 2015. Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon told NIPSA News: “Members are entitled to their pay progression and achieving the rate of pay for the job. In addition they expect and deserve a costof-living increase as their pay for some years has decreased in real terms through the lack of inflation linked increases and higher pension contributions. They also face the impending changes to national insurance contributions.” He continued: “With the poor morale around the system and the impact of the VES scheme taking greater effect in the coming months, those staff remaining
Osborne’s U-turn a rebuff for ‘shrink the state’ ideologues NEWS
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CHANCELLOR George Osborne’s U-turn on tax credits is evidence that “fighting back collectively” can defeat “shrink-thestate ideologues”, NIPSA has claimed. NIPSA General Secretary Designate Alison Millar made the comments in reaction to Osborne’s November 25 Autumn Statement to Parliament. However she cautioned: “While the headline postponement of the hit to tax credits is welcome, how this looks after welfare reform’s Universal Credit is implemented may be a different matter. “What is clear is that this U-turn is the result of the efforts of all of those – including the wider trade union movement – who publicised and opposed the injustice of
Jobless 16- to 24-year-olds condemned to poverty
A LACK of well-paid jobs and affordable homes is throwing young people into poverty, a damning report published in late November finds. Young people aged 16 to 24 are four times more likely to be unemployed than the working-age population as a whole, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation study found. And 400,000 more young people are living in poverty than a decade ago, according to the foundation’s annual state-of-the-nation report. Foundation head Julia Unwin said: “The next generation is being condemned to a worse set of circumstances in which to live, work and raise a family. “This year’s report reveals that a large proportion of young people are being locked out of the opportunities they need to build a secure future — a secure home, a job that pays the bills and the chance to get on in life.” A government spokesman snarked: “Work is the best route out of poverty.”
this affront to working people. “This demonstrates that only by fighting back collectively as a society will we achieve anything against the ‘shrink the state’ ideologues in charge at Westminster.” Ms Millar pointed out that the plan to cut welfare spending by £12bn – including a market-oriented “solution” to housing policy – was reaffirmed by Osborne, which she said showed “the social class that is driving this agenda”. She continued: “Locally, within the devolved settlement, we are well used to recycled UK-wide money spun as ‘extras’ for Northern Ireland. Initially, while the forecast figures look as if there is no real terms
increase in the Block Grant, ‘little change’ in an existing crisis across our public services – of pay freezes/cuts, job losses and reduced services – is no cause for relief.” Ms Millar insisted that NIPSA would continue to argue that only the state had the “breadth and the reach” to provide free-atthe-point-of-use public services Northern Ireland people deserved. “Nothing in this Statement, nor the gift to Corporations – in a promised Corporation Tax rate reduction – offered within the socalled ‘fresh start’ from Stormont demonstrates the vision that is required to address the major problems that face our members and their families.”
Stormont House Agreement not good for NIPSA members and their families
FOLLOWING 10 weeks of intensive negotiations by the main political parties, the Irish and British Governments, a deal entitled “A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan” was published. It will not come as a shock to NIPSA members and their families that the union believes this is not a good deal for its members, their families or the citizens of Northern Ireland. The key elements within the deal mean that 3,000 civil servants will still leave under the voluntary exit scheme and more public servants will also leave under other exit schemes. This on top of a recruitment freeze in the NICS and other areas of the public sector will mean that the public service is set to loose 20,000 public sector jobs. This cannot be good for the local economy of Northern Ireland as the salaries from these lost jobs will not be there to spend in the economy. Young people will face further difficulties in finding a job and many of them will leave Northern Ireland…never to return. As highlighted elsewhere in this edition of NIPSA News – we have seen further announcements of job losses in the private sector – so much for the mantra of growing the private sector to get Northern Ireland working. This is a false promise and is not sustainable. As well as the continued borrowing of the £700m to shed 20,000 public sector jobs there is the well-trailed issue of a reduction in Corporation Tax to 12.5%, which is supposed to attract jobs to Northern Ireland. There are numerous studies, which confirm that this is unlikely to be the case. What is certain is that for the first four years the NI Executive will have to pay direct costs of reduction in UK revenue. Conservative estimates are that
this will amount to £200m per annum, which will be taken from the NI budget – ie a further cut of £200m per annum – how does this make economic sense? NIPSA will continue to oppose the introduction of the reduced Corporation Tax and will push hard for the get out clause to be implemented as the Fresh Start Agreement states that this will be subject to the NI Executive showing that its finances are on a steady footing. On the issue of welfare cutbacks, NIPSA has and remains opposed to the introduction of the NI Welfare Reform Bill, however our elected politicians have handed over the legislative process to Westminster and we have witnesses the break-neck speed it was rushed through both Houses. Alison Millar, General Secretary Designate said: “It beggars belief that after 10 weeks of negotiations that we are left with large scale job losses, a welfare system that will mean many out of work families will fall further and further into debt and despair. “The mitigation, which has been promised will be short term and appears to be little different than the Stormont House Agreement of 2014.” Ms Millar added: “Professor Eileen Evason and her panel have now been left to come up with a formula or proposals regarding the mitigation, so the politicians have again handed over this complex work to a group of experts who, while I am sure will do a reasonable job – they cannot make the money stretch to ensure that noone would be worst off, which was the reason given by Sinn Fein for pulling out of the first deal. “This is not a good deal and members should be aware of this. NIPSA will continue to lobby and hold our politicians to account.”
Why Northern Ireland needs a real fresh economic start NEWS
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Deal done: First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, announce the Fresh Start programme after their parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, agree to opt out of taking responsibility for cuts to welfare in NI
While economic recovery is evident in both jurisdictions there has been a worrying acceleration in job losses in Northern Ireland with some very significant losses expected in JTI Galagher and Michelin Tyres, both in Ballymena as well as 100 job losses in the US Engineering company, Caterpillar. Reflecting trends elsewhere in the retail sector, Dunnes Stores have announced a closure of part of a store in Belfast. In recent weeks, Bombardier has announced 20% cost reductions next year which will have significant implications for staff including agency workers employed by them. HM Revenue and Customs have announced office closures in Craigavon, Derry, Enniskillen, Lisburn and Newry while services will be centralised in one of its Belfast offices. Taken together, the continuing haemorrhaging of jobs in manufacturing, the pressure from low-cost stores and online business as well as the tightening noose on public sector employment will impact on the Northern Ireland economy more than other areas of the UK. Moreover, areas outside Belfast such as Ballymena are likely to take a disproportionate hit with implications for local demand and business. The absence of a coherent strategy to develop local manufacturing enterprise is not helping. Finally, UK fiscal austerity policies and withdrawal of tax credits and welfare reform will impact adversely on the North. While the unemployment rate, in Northern Ireland fell to 5.9% in the quarter ending September of this year, the employment rate decreased to 67.9% compared to 68.5% a year previous (the latest UK estimate is 73.7%). The youth unemployment rate in the North was 18.1% compared to 13.3% for the UK as a whole. Data on gross hourly earnings in Northern Ireland were released in mid-November. They show a very significant recovery in wages for the year ending April 2015 in Northern Ireland. Average weekly earnings rose by 5.4% over the 12 month period with an increase of 6.7% in the private sector and 1.6% in the public sector. All of these developments are positive but still far short of what is needed to reverse the
By Tom Healy, Director of NERI
impact of the recession over recent years. Moreover, there has been a significant increase in precarious work as well as a longterm trend towards wage inequality well documented by researchers. The indication or agreement to cut the headline corporation tax from its current level of 20% to 12.5% in the case of Northern Ireland is not as clear or certain as might be thought. To start with, the document (A Fresh Start – The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan https://www.gov.uk/government/news/afresh-start-for-northern-ireland) is vague on a number of key issues including the following: 1. The amount of revenue lost as a direct consequence of cutting the headline rate is not known. It could be anywhere in the region of £200-£300 million per annum in a full year once the rate has been cut. 2. The timing of the cut is not entirely clear – the document seems to indicate a one-off cut in April 2018. However, this could be phased in over a number of years (see below). 3. The cut in the tax rate is conditional on the Executive taking ‘all the actions necessary to demonstrate that its finances are on a sustainable footing for the long term including successfully implementing measures in the Stormont House Agreement, this Agreement and subsequent reform measures’ (paragraph 1.18 of the ‘Fresh Start’). Paragraph 1.18 could, therefore, be interpreted as a ‘get out’ clause if the UK government considered Northern Ireland’s public finances to be not in order. 4. It is clear that any loss in corporation tax (for example by £200-£300 million per annum) has to be made good by means of an equivalent reduction in the UK ‘Block grant’ (this is the money that Westminster transfers to Northern Ireland to cover day-to-day and capital spending by NI departments). This is to ensure compliance with the ‘Azores criteria’ – that governments cannot give direct state aid to regions. 5. The so-called ‘second round’ effects of changing corporation tax via additional income tax, national insurance and VAT and excise
duties will not be retained within Northern Ireland (see paragraph 6.2 of ‘Fresh Start’). 6. The so-called ‘behavioural costs’ of reducing the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland (the loss in UK government revenue as a result of companies relocating from Britain to Northern Ireland as a result of a lower tax rate in Northern Ireland) will be reviewed in 2022. In other words, there is no guarantee that this particular potential gain for Northern Ireland will be retained for use in Northern Ireland by the Executive. 7. A report in the Irish Independent (‘Scotland and Wales push to be allowed compete on tax’) suggests that, not surprisingly, Scottish and Welsh politicians will press for similar tax devolution in their jurisdictions. Taken together with corporate tax competition across Europe and the world Northern Ireland is at risk of joining a slow race to the bottom with implications for local public services and this against a background of self-defeating competitive advantage as others get in on the act. 8. Finally, the administrative and compliance costs of implementing a differential tax regime for corporations in Northern Ireland have not been considered or quantified. Given that analysts do not know the extent of corporation tax actually paid at the present time in Northern Ireland how easy will it be to separate out profits earned on trading activities in Northern Ireland in the case of companies operating across jurisdictions? Identifying company profits at national level is already extremely challenging for tax authorities and government statisticians alike never mind at regional level. In summary, the proposal to cut the headline corporation tax rate is unclear with respect to its timing and implementation and the claimed benefits to Northern Ireland including the implications for Northern Ireland public finances leave more questions than answers. This is why it is time for fresh thinking on a new departure for public policy and enterprise policy in Northern Ireland with a long-term strategy to invest in skills, management, research and capacity building. The NERI will be devoting attention to these areas in 2016.
We need to fight safety conferenc Page 6
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THE health, safety and welfare of N members must remain a top priority the union was the clear message co from delegates who attended the si nual Health and Safety Conference City Hotel in Derry/Londonderry in ber. The theme of this year’s conference w ‘Austerity and its impact on the Hea Safety and Welfare of Workers’. In his opening address, General Sec Brian Campfield warned delegates tha health and safety of members would n vive another five years “if we don’t figh reclaim the health and safety agenda, cate, organise and agitate to make wo safe.” He continued: “If we don’t there will health, no safety, and no justice at wo us, our children and their children. An five years of draconian cuts risks setti stone the rowing back of all that was h won by generations of workers and the unions fighting together for the good o workers.” Commenting on the scale of job cuts public sector, he said: “These job loss not only damaging public services and economy, but are putting untold press the staff left behind. Clearly it is not p to continue to deliver the same level o ity of service with fewer staff.” Mr Campfield said it was essential th maining staff were not forced into a po of taking on unacceptable workloads.
“He insisted the union would be pres for the “fullest consultation” with Mana ment Side “in each employment area” sure staff “not placed in an intolerable situation”. Flagging up “potentially significant th to health” of remaining members of sta added: “The prospect of increased lev stress is self-evident. It is probable th incidence of sick absence, a matter w already giving management cause for
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cern, will increase and this in turn could have a negative impact on morale and the delivery of services.” Mr Campfield called on NIPSA Health and Safety representatives to ensure they monitor developments with a view to making sure that the health and safety of members is not jeopardised. Keynote speaker Hugh Robertson, of the TUC, gave a brief overview of the health and safety situation in Britain since the May election. He told delegates: “The Conservative Manifesto said that they would cut a further £10 billion of ‘red tape’. What does this mean in practice? It is unclear where else they can actually cut. “Certainly there have already been a series of deregulatory measures such as removing some self-employed from the Health and Safety at Work Act. Were more changes proposed or would they instead continue to remove Approved Codes of Practice and cut back on guidance?” Turning to the issue of HSE and Local Authority funding, Mr Robertson pointed out that all government departments had been asked to make plans for up to 40% cuts. He warned that there was “no way” the HSE could continue to function as it had done in the past if it had to implement cuts of that scale and outlined for delegates what some of the scenarios if the cuts were introduced. Mr Robertson flagged up how local authority inspections had already fallen by more than 95% in the past five years. He expressed concern over the lack of an occupational health agenda on issues such as stress and musculoskeletal disorders and noted that though this was partly due to the cuts, there was much the HSE could still do but did not. The level of interaction with unions and employers’ bodies had also fallen drastically, he added, with many joint bodies being wound down. Europe was, he told delegates, crucial to health and safety provision given attempts by the UK to change the current treaty as well as staging a referendum on continued EU membership in 2016 or 2017. “A review of all [EU] directives starts in 2016 and some proposed directives have already been scrapped. However, an evaluation of the current directives has just been completed and it had been very positive.” Mr Robertson also spoke about proposals to cut £12 billion from the welfare budget. “Industrial Injuries Benefits have already being reviewed,” he noted, “and there is a fear the SSP could also be looked at – there is already increasing pressure on occupational health schemes run by employers.” Concluding, he spoke about the implications of the Trade Union Bill making it more difficult for workers to take industrial action as well as for unions to recruit, retain and
support members. Noting in particular proposals that would restrict the time available to health and safety reps carrying out their duties, he vowed: “Fighting this Bill is a top priority for the TUC and we will defend the right of health and safety representatives at every stage.” Tommy Wright, from the Labour Relations Agency, delivered one workshop session on sickness absence and employee rights and identified the main issues union representatives could hope to influence in the workplace. The various forms of absence allowable under legislation and contractual provision were set out. Mr Wright then spoke about the management of sickness absence as a conduct issue and explained that this tended to relate to frequent short-term absences which was usually of most concern to employers. He suggested that reps emphasise successful advocacy for members facing disciplinary problems which would focus on separating the idea of short-term absence from a disciplinary context to a corrective context. The other principal area was the management of sickness absence as a capability issue – more likely to be an issue involving a long-term medical context. Mr Wright explained that union representatives have multiple opportunities to influence members’ interests in this context including at the points of employee consultation, medical opinion, access to medical records, alternative employment options, reasonable adjustments, and rehabilitation arrangements. All of these issues were indicated as areas through which union reps could influence members’ best interests and each one was explained as an opportunity to defend or protect a member. Patricia Coulter, also from the Labour Relations Agency, delivered a workshop session dealing with bullying and harassment in the workplace. This sensitive and complex issue was explained against the impact austerity measures have had on employment relationships. The presentation began with the definitions of bullying and harassment, acknowledging both their similarities and differences from a practical and legal perspective. What lay behind poor behavour was outlined, with a particular emphasis on the impact staffing cuts and increased workloads had on relations within working environments. The session concluded with a focus on policy and procedure and the key role played by trade unions in both influencing policy and in supporting members. Internal resolution of issues, where possible, was recommended as best practice. Throughout the sessions, there were frequent references to the NIPSA booklet ‘A
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Guide to Dignity at Work’ which provides valuable advice. (Copies are available at www.nipsa.org.uk/nipsa-in-action/equalopportunities/dignity-at-work) Hilda Palmer, of Greater Manchester Hazards, presented the workshop session on poverty and health. She looked at the causes of poverty and its impact on health before turning to what union reps could do to confront the issue both in the workplace and outside of work, at branch level and in the wider community. Each workshop came up with a slightly different perspective but overall delegates agreed on the political construction that lay behind poverty – low wages, neoliberal austerity policies, the dismantling of the welfare state and the social security net as well as the assault on public services. Emphasis was placed on challenging the ideas that the poor are responsible for their own poverty and ill-health with the simple point that “austerity kills and makes us sick”. Looking at the impact poverty had on health produced an alarming list of damaging effects – ranging from prenatal to old age – caused by poor diet, poor housing, air and other environmental pollution, unequal work exposures, effects on education and prospects. The impact of the “toxic soup” of chemicals in which we live and work has on our current and future health and the fact that it falls most heavily on the poor was also highlighted in the session. Discussions centred on the major work causes of ill-health, such as dust, chemicals, stress due to long hours, excessive workloads, bullying and harassment as well as punitive sickness absence schemes and musculoskeletal disorders. It was agreed among delegates the NIPSA should campaign loudly and effectively against low pay, for a living wage, against austerity and other neoliberal policies (such as deregulation of health and safety laws), that make us, and keep us, poor, and unhealthy. Delegates also called on the union to use members’ stories and evidence to win the argument with the public about the need for better protection at work. And it was agreed that wellbeing and resilience programmes should be rejected in favour of legally required collective preventative actions. The conference understood the importance of making the link between good jobs and decent lives. And there was general agreement of the need to work with other unions, other organisations and campaigns, in making common cause and acting in solidarity for the better world we want and know is possible. For further information: www.nipsa.org.uk/nipsa-in-action/healthand-safety/latest-news-events/sixth-annual-nipsa-health-and-safety-conference
Anger and concern as HSCB dissolved NEWS
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NIPSA members have expressed extreme disappointment and disillusionment at the action – or rather inaction – of HSC management in the wake of the November 4 announcement by Health Minister Simon Hamilton that the Heath and Social Care Board (HSCB) would be dissolved. Assistant Secretary Kevin McCabe described members’ concerns as “totally legitimate” and pointed out that on the day of the announcement, NIPSA had challenged the move through the media, flagging up both the lack of consultation and lack of engagement. The union also accused the Minister of heaping more restructuring and organisational change on to its members and on to a HSC that was already “over-burdened and overstressed”. NIPSA also claimed the Minister had failed to deal with workforce planning issues and reminded him that staff had not yet received a pay rise for 2014/15 or for 2015/16. Mr McCabe told NIPSA News: “The union fully acknowledges members’ concerns on this issue. NIPSA and other staff side organisations will look at this in terms of the impact on staff. “Driving this agenda forward will be of paramount importance and dealing with the practicalities of TUPE, location, part-time staff etc as well as developing a communications strategy for members. These are fundamentals that need to be put in place.” NIPSA members are to be consulted at grassroots meetings in Belfast, Ballymena, Armagh and Derry The union has also framed a number of questions directly to the BSO in relation to the Minister’s announcement. These points are set out below…
involved in all decisions from the outset? Answer: Decisions on this are made by DHSSPS so the BSO has advised that we should refer this question to the DHSSPS. HSCB is fully committed to keeping the staff and their representatives fully engaged when and wherever possible. l A communication strategy needs to be developed to keep staff informed. Answer: BSO agree and HSCB will do so also. DHSSPS has been advised of the need for good communications on these matters. l There will be a freeze on recruitment across all HSC organisations including Trusts? Answer: HSCB has no authority in this matter and BSO has raised this issue with DHSSPS. NIPSA may also wish to make this suggestion as well. l Staff to be TUPE’d across to the other organisations, with locations and bandings protected instead of another RPA situation where staff had to complete for their posts? Answer: At this stage you will be aware of the Permanent Secretary’s commitment that compulsory redundancies are not expected. HSCB will operate in accordance with the protocols issued by DHSSPS which BSO would fully expect will comply with the legislation be it TUPE or Transfer of Services Regulations l The forthcoming decisions will have an impact on pensions? Answer: BSO not sure on this point. Our understanding is they would not envisage a detriment to anyone’s pension arrangements. If that does become an issue, however, BSO would expect the DHSSPS to advise us and we would keep staff fully advised and engaged. l There will be no compulsory redundancies? Answer: BSO would refer to the answer given at point 4 in relation to the comments made by the Permanent Secretary regarding commit-
ments to no compulsory redundancy. l Is there a timetable for closure of HSCB? Answer: BSO has not been advised of any firm timetable to date. The HSCB is not aware of any defined timetable.
l When will proposed structures be available and who is leading on a mapping exercise across organisations? Answer: When a timetable and programme plan is available, the unions will be advised accordingly. l How do you plan to deal with staff out on secondment? Answer: Staff on secondment will be treated and engaged in the process as any other employee. Some may find secondments not being renewed but this will be on a case-bycase basis. When we get clarification on the HR principles to be used we will keep NIPSA and other staff-side organisations advised. NIPSA requested and has recently received a Review of HSC Commissioning Arrangements – the final report, dated October 2015, which apparently was the genesis for the decision taken by the Minister to scrap the HSCB. Mr McCabe commented: “This is a detailed document and will be given full and due consideration and its content will be shared with members as part of the briefing sessions that NIPSA has set up.” Meanwhile, members have called on the union to challenge the “deplorable” depiction of HSCB staff in both the media and in the Assembly, in particular statements claiming a “lack of innovation” within the body and criticisms about waiting lists. Mr McCabe pointed out that waiting lists were the responsibility of the Trusts, adding that this depiction of poor performance seemed to be “politically convenient to attribute to the HSCB”.
Storey decision on transfer function is welcomed
l Will all HSCB staff, NIPSA and other staff side organisations and their members be fully
FOR some time, in the run up to the re-organisation of Local Government, it was the Northern Ireland Executive’s intention to transfer the work – currently being done by staff in the Department for Social Development (DSD) on urban regeneration and community development – to local councils. When this was originally raised, it looked as if staff would be transferred along with the work and the function, but this was changed some time later so that only the function and the necessary finance would transfer from DSD to District Councils. That had originally been
scheduled to take place in April 2015 when the 11 new ‘Super Councils’ in Northern Ireland were created. However, as issues relating to the Regeneration Bill had still not been sorted, it was decided that the transfer of the function would not take place until April 2016. This has caused considerable anxiety and stress to the staff, who provide a wonderful service to communities. On November 25, Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey announced in the Northern Ireland Assembly that it had been decided not to proceed with the Regeneration Bill at this time.
Mr Storey (pictured right), while claiming that he still believed it was important to have local councils delivering local solutions, indicated that he wanted to consider the policy afresh. Tony McMullan, the NIPSA HQ Official with responsibility for DSD, described the move as “a welcome decision by the NI Executive”, which he said meant that staff would “at last know what is to happen to the regeneration work”. He told NIPSA News: “It is frustrating that the amount of work that has gone into the proposed transfer of the function, the Regeneration Bill and the unnecessary expenditure
incurred has been wasted at a time when the public sector is increasingly under attack due to funding cuts.” Mr McMullan added that NIPSA members in DSD would at last be “content to know that their futures – for the time being – are going to remain as civil servants in DSD doing the great work that they have been renowned for. Hopefully, this will continue for many years to come”.
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General Secretary results...Scrutineer’s report
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Eliminate the scourge of violence against women
Alison Millar received 56% of the votes cast and Patrick Mulholland received 44%. The scrutineer has reported in the following terms:Number of ballot papers despatched: 44,742
TRADE union confederations across the EU have marked November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – with a pledge to combat violence against women, whether at the workplace, in society or at home. And the ICTU marked the day by calling on the NI Executive, employers, trade unions and civic society to work together to put an end the scourge of violence against women. Congress further called on the NI Executive to deliver the longawaited Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy and to pledge to fully resource organisations working to prevent gender-based violence and support and protect victims. The shocking facts are that across Europe: l One in three women has been a victim of physical and/or sexual violence. l Just over one in 10 of those
Number of ballot papers returned: 11,339 Number of papers found to be invalid (blank/spoilt): 29 Thus, total number of valid papers to be counted: 11,310
women was assaulted by someone from work – a supervisor, colleague or customer. l Up to half of women in European Union countries experience unwanted sexual advances, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at their workplace. Describing these EU-wide statistics as “shocking”, ICTU Equality Officer Clare Moore pointed out results from a survey conducted by ICTU flagged up how domestic violence had a “huge impact on the workplace in Northern Ireland”. She told NIPSA News: “A third of survey respondents had experienced domestic violence with more than 40% of those reporting that it affected their ability to get into work for reasons including threats, physical injury and restraint. “They also reported that the abuse continued at their workplace including being harassed through phone calls and emails,
RESULT: MILLAR, Alison......................................6,352 ELECTED MULHOLLAND, Patrick.....................................................4,958
Pictured (l-r): Bridgeen Rutherford (Equality Officer Branch 734); Janice Walsh (ULR); Eileen Webster (Chair branch 734); Ann McConnell (Director of HR WHSCT); Deirdre Mahon (Western Area Domestic Violence Partnership) and Marie Brown (Foyle Women’s Aid)
many people said that their partner physically turned up to their workplace.” Trade unions have a track record of action against violence against women – both in the
workplace and at home – including working with employers to develop collective agreements and workplace policies that offer action and support for victims of violence.
Historic vote as majority of MLAs support Equal Marriage
NORTHERN Ireland is the only region in the UK and Ireland not to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Many couples from the North are travelling across the border to the Republic of Ireland, where same-sex civil marriages became legal on November 16, 2015, to fulfil, what should be in Northern Ireland for same-sex couples, a fundamental civil right of marriage. Following four previous failed attempts to introduce equal marriage in Northern Ireland, Monday, November 2, 2015, saw the majority of MLAs vote in favour, marking another key moment and bittersweet victory for the LGB&T communities and their allies. Unfortunately, the DUP tabled a Petition of Concern that doomed the equal marriage motion to failure and yet again highlighted the continued abuse of this facility by political parties. Although the motion failed, the symbolism of the majority of MLAs voting in favour is historic in its nature as they have come to acknowledge and accept the views of the majority of citizens and they recognise that attitudes are slowly changing. A recent poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI found that 68% of adults in Northern Ireland support the right for same-sex couples to marry. This is an increase from 57% in a similar poll conducted in 2013. Human and civil rights are one of many areas at the core of NIPSA’s raison d’être. NIPSA delegates at the 2013 NIPSA Annual Delegates Conference voted in favour for the
By Dáire Toner
introduction of same-sex civil marriage in Northern Ireland, enshrining it as NIPSA policy. NIPSA’s stance on Marriage Equality is unequivocal. A position reiterated by the newly elected NIPSA General Secretary, Alison Millar. The Marriage Equality Campaign in Northern Ireland has been reinvigorated following the momentous victory to legalise same-sex civil marriage in the Republic of Ireland and the 20,000 citizens who came on to the streets in Belfast on June 13, 2015 calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to follow suit. The trade union movement, through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, has joined forces with the LGB&T sector organisations and Amnesty International as part of a consortium in an effort to bring about same-sex civil marriage to Northern Ireland. Members of the NIPSA LGB&T Group are key players within this consortium. NIPSA LGB&T Chair, Dáire Toner, recently attended meetings in Dublin, as part of the consortium, with various groups from the Yes Equality Campaign in the South. Dáire Toner told NIPSA News: “The campaign for legalisation of same-sex marriage in the North is more important now than it has ever been. “In order to achieve this fundamental civil right for same-sex couples, the focus of our campaign must shift from one of constant neg-
ative attacks on the fundamental far-right naysayers to one that is positive based around humanity, love, equality and values. “The current campaign has a multi-layered strategy involving legislation in the Assembly, addressing the Petition of Concern and its abuse, supporting the legal cases currently being heard in the courts, engagement within the LGB&T communities and winning the hearts and minds of the wider general public through a programme of education.” He continued: “It has to be said that there must be a clear separation between Church and State in the formation of legislation. We must remind our politicians of this fact and to act on the majority views of the citizens of Northern Ireland. “I have confidence that we will achieve the legalisation of same-sex civil marriage and I have every confidence in the NIPSA LGB&T Group, on behalf of NIPSA, to lead the charge within our union. “Through our campaign strategy we will aim to reach all our members through various communication platforms and though events and specific campaign action. The NIPSA LGB&T Group will continue to play an active role within the NI Marriage Equality Consortium.” The NIPSA LGB&T Group is open to all NIPSA members and if you would like to join our group or if you would like to receive information, please email lgbt.group@nipsa.org.uk stating your preference.
NIPSA secures over £1 Page 10
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL NEWS
NIPSA members in 2015 have once again passed the milestone of £1.25 million in compensation for personal injury cases brought by members of the union and their families. These cases were supported by the NIPSA Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme which can be accessed by NIPSA members and their families, who have been injured due to the negligence or breach of statutory duty of their employer or another party. The scheme has been a big success story for NIPSA members. Every year members – who would not normally be able to afford to take the risks of bringing legal proceedings as they would
not qualify for Legal Aid – have the peace of mind to do so, due to this legal funding. NIPSA’s solicitors – McCartan Turkington Breen – have great deal of experience in acting on behalf of members of the union. It is a partnership which continues to bring a welcome relief to NIPSA members at a time of continued pillaging of the Legal Aid budget which restricts access to justice to only those who can afford to pay for it. NIPSA is proud of its defence of access to justice by its continued funding of the Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme. A union source said: “The Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme covers members and
family members of those with NIPSA membership. It covers all of the legal costs, subject to approval, in pursuing their case and, as such, gives members peace of mind knowing that NIPSA will pay for all costs, which can run into thousands of pounds, to pay for items such as medical assessments, engineer’s reports and barrister’s opinions if the case is unsuccessful or is withdrawn.” Viv Harty, Partner at McCartan Turkington Breen, told NIPSA News: “The level of compensation we have been able to recover for NIPSA members, who have made use of the free Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme over the last number of years and in particular the past 12
The Small Claims Court in NI
THE Small Claims Court is a part of the County Court and sits throughout Northern Ireland. It deals with certain civil disputes between parties with a maximum value of £3,000. The types of cases that the Small Claims Court generally deals with are vast and include simple debt actions: (Mr A gives Mr B a loan of £1,500 and wants this repaid); claims for faulty goods (Mrs C purchases a new washing machine from Mrs D that breaks down and she wants it fixed or replaced or a refund); property damage (Mrs E knocks over Mrs F’s grandfather clock causing damage and she wants money to fix it); and claims for faulty workmanship (Mr G gets Mr H to paint his house but says it hasn’t be painted properly and he wants his money back or the money for the issue to be rectified). These are just common examples and the list is endless. There are, however, numerous types of cases that are excluded from being brought in the Small Claims Court regardless of their value being within the limit of £3,000; for example road traffic accidents, personal injury claims, defamation matters and property titles disputes. These are only some of the exceptions given that this article is just a general oversight on small claims. The Small Claims Court is not dissimilar to the other Civil Courts in Northern Ireland but it is generally more informal and individuals quite often represent themselves as opposed to instructing solicitors. The main reason for this most often is that regardless of the outcome of the case; each party will have to pay their own
Chancery House, 88 Victoria Street, Belfast BT1 3GN Tel: 029 9032 9801 www.mtb-law.co.uk
legal costs and expenses which on many occasions can outweigh the amount in dispute. The Courts and Tribunal Service of Northern Ireland for this reason have made the Small Claims Court process more user-friendly and allow for claims to be submitted online via its website (http://www.courtsni.gov.uk/engb/a boutus/usefulforms/smallclaims/P ages/SmallClaims.aspx). Applications can also be made by hard copy. Before anyone lodges a small claim; they should satisfy themselves that if they are successful in their claim; that the other party will be in a position to satisfy any award that is made against them. If they are not, the person who is taking the claim would have to go down the route of enforcing Judgement via the Enforcement of Judgements office which can add to further expenses and delays in settling the matter in full. As this is a whole different topic I will not go into any further detail in this regard. Suffice to say that sometimes monies may not be recovered even though you have won the case. Depending on the amount in dispute a small claim can be lodged by completing a small
@nipsa
By James Fay
claim application and by paying the court fee (this ranges between £30 and £100 depending on the amount in dispute.) The party who initiates the claim is referred to as the Applicant. The small claim application will have to be accompanied with a formal outline of what your dispute is about and include supporting evidence if possible. The Applicant is also able to claim for interest. Upon accepting the small claim application, the Court will then send a copy of the claim to the other party who will be known as the Respondent. The Respondent will then have a specified time to deal with the small claim that has been served on him/her. The options available are to settle the claim in full, admit liability but dispute the figures involved, dispute liability in full, enter a counter claim or totally ignore the claim. Given the variables involved; this article will just focus on the scenario in which the Respondent disputes liability in full. When this happens the Respondent formally confirms to the Court that they do not accept the case before it as set out in the small claim application. The mat-
ter is generally then listed before the Judge sitting in the Small Claims Court. Both parties will be advised of the court date and will be required to appear in Court and give evidence before the Judge. Again I must remind you that solicitors rarely deal with these matters before a Court. However, if either party wished to instruct a legal representative they are entitled to do so at their own cost. After the Judge listens to all of the facts and evidence as given by both parties (to include witnesses in many cases) and a decision has been reached, the Judge will either make a decree in favour of the Applicant (stating that the Applicant has been successful and is owed whatever amount of money the Judge has decided upon, this award will also include the amount of the Court fee incurred by the Applicant to bring the small claim) or the Judge will dismiss the case (meaning that the Applicant hasn’t been successful in convincing the Judge that they are entitled to any award.) Depending on the decision of the Judge, either party has a right to appeal. However, this is a very limited right of appeal and can only proceed by way of appeal if there is some issue regarding the Judge’s application of the law, as opposed to the Judge just not agreeing with one party over the other. Given the wide scope of the small claims process it is impossible to give a full and comprehensive guide to the Small Claims Court and this article should only be used as a general guide to same.
Visit the union’s website for all the latest updates at: http://www.nipsa.org.uk
m for union members FINANCIAL AND LEGAL NEWS
months, is a vindication of the members’ rights and of NIPSA.” She added: “The fact that the scheme is free to NIPSA members provides them with an invaluable benefit should they find that they are injured in an incident that was not their fault.” The Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme is not limited to work-related injuries and covers any personal injury suffered as a consequence of the fault of another, and includes hearing loss cases, medical negligence, industrial disease, slipping accidents as well as road traffic accidents etc. The Legal Assistance (Personal Injury) Scheme
is easy to access and requires the completion of a Form LS2, application form which is available on the Membership Services section at www.nipsa.org.uk Once the form is completed, it should be sent to the Executive Officer (Membership & Legal Services) at NIPSA Headquarters. A free consultation will then be arranged with a solicitor at McCartan Turkington Breen who will assess the merits of any case and advise NIPSA accordingly for appropriate authority to pursue a case for compensation. Claims for personal injury must be pursued within three years of the incident arising.
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A union source told NIPSA News: “The benefit of an experienced solicitor, who is knowledgeable of claims against NIPSA members by employers, cannot be understated. For zero cost, NIPSA members have access to justice and the protection of the law that with NIPSA membership is not reserved to the question of whether you can afford it. “NIPSA membership guarantees the right to access to justice and it is strongly recommended that members of the union make use of this benefit which is clearly evident from the recovery over £1.25 million in compensation.”
Be ‘winter ready’ with Abbey Insurance! WHILE the first half of November was the second warmest since records began, recently we have seen temperatures plunging throughout the UK and the first snowfall of the season for some parts of the country. With the colder weather also brings the threat of frozen pipes. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average claim for a burst water pipe is between £6,500 and £7,500. In the last big freeze during the winter of 201011, where December was the coldest on record, there were over 100,000 claims for burst pipes at a cost of £680 million. Now is a good time to make sure that you have taken steps to ensure that your home is as protected as much as possible against any damage that could be caused by the cold weather so that you don’t have to make a claim. The ABI said: “Every winter, freezing temperatures catch people out. Prevention is better than cure and now is the time to take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of facing the trauma of frozen or burst pipes this winter.” Abbey suggest some useful hints to ensure you don’t get caught out this winter:
Cold weather code…
l Check that the heating in your property is in good working order, and if you have an open fire, whether the chimney should be swept. l Check your loft insulation is the recommended dimensions and still in good condition. l Repair any dripping taps and leaking radiator valves. l Repair loose roof tiles and slates to reduce the risk of them falling off and check and clear your gutters. l Check windows and window frames are firmly fixed and with no possible gaps for rain to penetrate.
ble. Look at lagging pipes to conserve heat too and take care if they’re outside or in the loft. l Make sure you know where your stop tap is so that you can quickly switch the water off if a pipe bursts.
Holiday and weekend breaks…
l If you’re away visiting family or friends or off on holiday, we recommend keeping your heating on low, just in case the temperature should drop. l If you do leave your heating on, open your loft hatch so that warm air can get to your pipes. l If you don’t want to leave your heating on, drain the whole system and turn water off at the mains. l Get a friend, relative or neighbour to keep an eye on your property every day.
What to do if you have an escape of water…
There are a number of steps you can take before calling in professional help. Turn the main stopcock off immediately – familiarise yourself with where it is situated – it’s often under your kitchen sink. Open cold taps and flush toilets to empty water from the system, switch off the central heating and don’t touch any wiring or switches that you think may have been affected.
If in doubt, turn off your electricity at the mains. If you’re affected by escape of water and need help and advice on making a claim with us, we’re here to help. Before calling, please have your policy and as many details of the damage as possible to hand, as this will speed up your claim. You can call us on 08000 66 55 44 and our claims service is open 24 hours 365 days a year. Home owners should always be cautious when undertaking any DIY task that they aren’t familiar with as they could injure themselves or anyone around them. Seek professional help where required. Policyholders should be aware that it is a condition of all house insurance policies that they must try to prevent loss or damage occurring and keep their property in sound condition and good repair.
Home emergency cover…
Our Home Emergency policy is an additional level of cover which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and there will always be a member of our team ready and waiting to provide assistance to you whenever you need it most. This great value product provides assistance to repair damage or prevent further damage to your home, making sure your home is safe and secure. The policy covers up to £500 per incident, to cover call-out charges, parts and labour, there is no excess to pay and using it will not affect your no claims bonus on your home insurance policy. From as little as £30, Abbey Insurance will provide assistance for: boiler breakdown*; plumbing and drainage failure; burst pipes; roof damage; home security problems; power supply failure; lost home keys; and toilet damage To get a competitive home insurance quote, or to add this additional level of cover to your home insurance policy, call us today on 08000 66 55 44 and quote your NIPSA membership number. mExclusions and Terms and Conditions apply.
Bullying is costing UK £18bn a year How to prevent damage from burst pipes…
l Insulate water tank and pipes wherever possi-
HUGE numbers of people are being bullied at work, costing Britain’s economy £18 billion, damning findings show. Women, ethnic minorities, LGBT people, those aged 40 to 59 and disabled people are the most likely targets to suffer abuse at work, two separate studies into workplace bullying revealed. Conciliation service Acas said its helpline has been swamped with
20,000 calls related to bullying and harassment in the past year. Some callers said they were considering suicide because the bullying was so bad, the service said. Others feared going to work or said their home life had been tarnished, while fearing retribution if they spoke out. Managers often just move staff around rather than deal with bullies, according to the research.
Acas is urging businesses to take action, saying the problem costs the economy £18bn every year in absences, staff turnover and lost productivity. “Our analysis reveals that bullying is on the rise in Britain and it is more likely to be found in organisations that have poor workplace climates where this type of behaviour can become institutionalised,” said Acas chairman Brendan Barber.
“Callers to our helpline have experienced some horrific incidents around bullying that have included humiliation, ostracism, verbal and physical abuse. “But managers sometimes dismiss accusations around bullying as simply personality or management-style clashes, while others may recognise the problem but lack the confidence or skills to deal with it.”
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Join NIPSA LGB&T Group Ref A4_0027
IF you are interested in joining our LGB&T Group, please complete the application form below or join confidentially by calling our direct line on 028 90686566 or email lgbt.group@nipsa.org.uk. NIPSA’s LGB&T Group is open to both LGB&T members and non-LGB&T members. The objectives
Don’t funnel extra funding to private sector NEWS
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of the Group have been formulated around the principles of equality, inclusiveness, raising awareness, enabling activism, holding employers to account, ensuring confidentiality and a safe environment for the Group. Strict confidentiality procedures have been put in place.
NIPSA, while welcoming the announcement that £48m in additional funding will be used to cut NHS waiting lists, has cautioned that the extra money should not go to the private sector. NIPSA General Secretary (Designate) Alison Millar said: “I am very concerned that such monies would be channeled through to private sector firms such as 352 and/or private consultants – with a view to getting a short-term remedy, whereas any additional funding should be targeted wholly within the NHS to improve the infrastructure and the necessary improvements required within the service.”
These comments were echoed by NIPSA Assistant Secretary Kevin McCabe who pointed out that the extra allocation of funds fell well below what is needed to fix the problem. He said that the HSCB had calculated that an estimated £89m “was needed to put things back on schedule”, adding: “This is further evidence of how budget restraints are crippling much-needed cash investment within the NHS to deliver a basic standard of care.” Some 9,000 NIPSA members work in the Health and Social Care sector.
SOCIAL care faces a shortfall of workers growing to almost a million people in 20 years’ time, a charity has warned. Independent Age (IA) said that, even by the end of this parliament, 200,000 extra care workers would be needed — around twice the vacancy rate of Britain as a whole. The charity blamed both immigration curbs and a failure to attract British workers to the industry, saying that the figure would grow if efforts were not made to recruit more overseas staff and retain those already
working in the sector. “Without action, there is a real risk of care services worsening as providers fail to fill job vacancies and staff struggle to cope with increasing demand,” said IA policy director Simon Bottery. Almost one in five adult social care workers (18.4 per cent) in England was born outside Britain. Non-EU citizens account for the largest percentage of migrants working in adult social care — around one in seven care workers.
Shortage of workers threatens quality of social care in UK
Union learning at BMC
NIPSA’s Union Learning Project Co-ordinator Roisin Graham and BHSCT ULR Charlotte Pollock, pictured with members attending the Essential Skills courses at Belfast Metropolitan College. If you are interested in joining one of the courses available then contact Roisin at roisin.graham@nipsa.org.uk or phone the BMC.