NEWS
Civil service lacks resources to handle Brexit
In the week that Article 50 was triggered, Prospect has been speaking up for thousands of members who will be affected. Our recent survey found that only 23% of the skilled workers who will be involved in negotiating and implementing the UK’s exit from the European Union believe their organisation has the necessary skills or resources. A National Audit Office report on civil service capability also echoed our own evidence on increasing workloads.
- Prospect specialists share their stories online and in a new booklet, The implications of Brexit for STEM – Experiences from the frontline
Magnox contract debacle a wake-up call
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s termination of the contract for Cavendish Fluor Partnership to clean up 12 Magnox reactor sites is “extraordinary”, says Prospect. The NDA will also pay nearly £100m to two companies that failed in the original tender process. General secretary Mike Clancy’s concerns for affected workers got widespread media coverage, including in the Guardian.
Prospect wins sex discrimination and unfair dismissal case
Prospect has won a case for Ann Downie, a successful human resources manager who was dismissed for being unable to work full-time due to childcare responsibilities. The Glasgow employment tribunal found Coherent Scotland, a laser solutions supplier, guilty of unfair dismissal and unlawful sex discrimination and instructed the company to pay compensation and reinstate her.
Flight delays: the real story
A Prospect campaign is rebutting claims by airlines that industrial action by air traffic controllers is to blame for flight delays. This has led to some influential European politicians proposing EU legislation to restrict the right to strike. Watch an animated video that sets the facts straight.
Why unions can’t stand still
Speakers at a packed Unions 21 conference in London debated “new economies, new workers”, good work and devolution, how unions can be digitally successful and “are we ready for Brexit?” Reflecting on the event, Prospect’s Sue Ferns blogs about how unions are most effective when they have a common goal
- Download Union 21’s new pamphlet The Changing World of Work
Progress in nuclear pension talks
Members will be balloted during April and May on an improved offer to reform the pensions of more than 11,000 people in the nuclear industry. Prospect’s Dai Hudd says the offer is “the best that can be achieved through negotiations”.
He also thanked MPs who supported our members’ case in a Westminster debate.
Young workers pack Devonport event
More than 70 young workers at Devonport dockyard came to an event to hear about the benefits of Prospect membership and listen to talks about career progression and confidence and self-belief.
Prospect secures Ericsson holiday pay deal
Prospect has negotiated enhanced holiday pay, which will reflect overtime worked, for members in Ericsson field operations services.
Value of H&S fines triples
New sentencing guidelines have tripled the value of fines collected for health and safety breaches in the past year, a change that Prospect welcomes.
Apprenticeship levy
The apprenticeship levy comes into force in England in April. Find out more via our webpages. We also want to build a picture of what public sector employers are doing. We would be very grateful if reps in these branches could complete our short survey.
MARCH BLOGS
Garry Graham says running down the civil service is no way to run Brexit
Education journalist Warwick Mansell highlights a case that throws up big questions about financial oversight in academy schools
Abigail Rumsey, a delegate to the TUC young workers’ conference, believes innovation and embracing technology are key to winning young members
Phil McEvoy expresses doubts about some proposals in a Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association paper considering options for merging defined benefit pension schemes
Mike Clancy spoke at a Demos/Conservative workers and trade unionists conference. Mike’s blog before the event says while Prospect is politically independent, it has a duty to engage and negotiate with politicians from parties across the spectrum for the benefit of members. Graham Stewart blogs about the event.
Anna Kessel, chair of Women in Football, talks about tackling discrimination in the sport and why joining Prospect can help
Graham Stewart reports back on an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the British Safety Council
ALSO NEW THIS MONTH
Newsletters to download
EducationEye
For members in education and children’s services
WiseEye
For retired members
Briefing note on state pension age
Our pensions officers summarise two separate reviews of the state pension age for the Department for Work and Pensions – one by John Cridland and the other from the Government Actuary’s Department.
Your legal rights at work
This factcard outlines your minimum legal rights at work from 1 January 2017 in England, Wales and Scotland. Many contracts of employment will offer better terms. Log in as a member to download. We also have a legal rights guide for our members in Northern Ireland.
EVENTS
Women in Football: unconscious bias
Prospect is hosting a free workshop on unconscious bias for Women in Football on 10 April from 6pm-8.30pm at at New Prospect House, London. Order tickets here.
IET conference: #9PercentIsNotEnough
Getting more women into engineering is the theme of an Institution of Engineering and Technology conference in Birmingham on Friday 23 June. See the programme and buy tickets on the IET website.
BAME development programme
Prospect’s development programme for black, Asian and minority ethnic reps will hold its next event on 23-24 June at The People’s History Museum in Manchester. Further information is available from [email protected].
PRACTICALITIES
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