 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
United Against Racism
The rally was organised by Calderdale Trades Union Council and was one of many rallies held across the country to draw attention to this worrying development in local authority elections. As well as the local unions there were community organisations and about 150 people turned out to show their opposition to the election of the BNP in the area. The rally began at one ošclock at Peoplešs Park and then moved down through the centre of Halifax before arriving at the Townhall where speakers addressed the gathered crowd. Spirits were high and there was an overall sense that the rally had been a positive move against the BNP as it had attracted support from all social and economic groups within the surrounding area.
The Union has been raising this issue in joint discussions with the Company for years now - and we have had successes! As well as supporting many individual members who were suffering from stress, the establishment of the new Employee Assistance Programme owes much to Union persistence. The Work/Life balance week, held at the end of last year - though not always as well supported regionally as we would have liked - was also a a Company initiative which would have been unlikely to see the light of day without the Union highlighting the issue. At the Union's Biennial Delegate Conference last April, Work/Life Balance was the theme and delegates set out a full agenda for the Union's officers to carry out over the next year to help all members achieve a healthier work/life balance. Members needing more information about coping with stress can obviously contact Headquarters for specific advice. But there are also some useful booklets produced by the Health and Safety Executive and the Labour Research Dept on these issues. A list of LRD booklets available free of charge to members is available under 'General News' in the Members' Only Section of the site - log in now for details of how to order. Recruitment, Recruitment, Recruitment! The Union team is always out and about, visiting the various sections of the Company and encouraging new members to join by telling them what we can do for you! We've made some great progress over the past year, most notably in Halifax Estate Agencies, where we have always experience resistance when we've been recruiting. Recently, however, the Union met with the Head of HR Halifax Estate Agents to discuss how recognition in the Estate Agencies could be taken forward and how the business could assist the Union to recruit more members. The Company explained that a new pay and grading structure was being implemented early in the New Year and the suggestion was that recognition should follow as a consequence of this. The Company is now very positive about Union recognition and is encouraging staff to join. Similarly, recruitment has been growing steadily in the new businesses. ACCORD has continued to recruit new members and support individuals in Card Services with problems at work, including those affected by the various organisational restructures that have taken place. We are planning a big recruitment push in the next few months so that we can finally sign a formal recognition agreement with the Company. Once we are fully recognised, the Union will be involved in discussions about all your terms and conditions, including pay, so it is important that we sign an agreement as soon as possible. Recruitment In Intelligent Finance is also looking healthy and our Scotland-based Organiser will be visiting the various IF sites regularly to talk to members and encourage non-members to join. If you are a member and would like help with recruitment contact Headquarters. If you have not joined ACCORD yet but would like to, simply click onto the 'Join Us' button at the top right hand corner of the Home page. |
On Saturday 28th June members from ACCORD joined other unions at the Halifax Unity Rally to campaign against the recent election of a BNP councillor.
Work/Life Balance