MRS and Redundancy Pay

Some colleagues are coming under pressure to process appeal information in their own time. It is company policy that all work relating to MRS is conducted in work time. Claim it as flex or time off in lieu. UNISON will support you in this. Contact us if you are having problems in this regard.

Our branch has sent out ballot papers about action to oppose the cut in our redundancy pay. I strongly recommend that you vote yes to industrial action, including strike action, because the alternative is that the employer walks all over us. They have told the union that this is not negotiable. There is clearly a massive wave of cuts coming. Connexions is only the start. The fight over redundancy pay is part of the fight to defend jobs and services. The pay we lose going on strike will be small compared to the loss of our jobs. Big cuts are central to the policies of this government, they go far beyond the '1% efficiency savings' which they spoke of in their election campaign.

Now is the time to ask colleagues to join UNISON. Many new members have joined up in the last few weeks because of the threat we are under. You may wish to consider becoming a steward for your own section. If you would like a workplace meeting to discuss the proposed changes to redundancy pay more fully, please contact the UNISON office or the senior steward in your area.

Don't forget UNISON and the PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) have called a public meeting to oppose cuts. This meeting will be held at Norwich City Hall, Wednesday September 8th at 7pm.

I always value your feedback.

- Ed Bober, UNISON Steward