 |
Suffolk County Branch |
|
UNISON Your Friend at Work |
|
|
Suffolk County Branch |
|
UNISON Your Friend at Work |
|
Branch ResourcesPolicy ConsultationProblem or Need Help?Retired MembersReports to MembersUnison Rep Training |
Hi everyone and welcome to the UNISON CSD Webpage. The photo to the left is of yours truly Robert (Rob) Grimley, CSD Workplace Steward, Branch Communications Officer and Webmaster.
I've been employed by Suffolk County Council since early 1998 and seconded to CSD since it all began back in 2004. I work in ICT as a Technical Author but get involved in a range of project work and some operational duties.
You’ll see me travelling around Constantine and Endeavour House on a regular basis so please stop me and introduce yourself. I’m always keen to find out what’s going on in CSD and what member’s current concerns are.
One of my strongest beliefs is that staff want to be kept informed of what’s really going on and to that end I can ask the questions you want answered (so you don’t have to ask them directly if your not happy doing so). So please contact me if I can help you out or if you would like some information on joining Unison.
The branch has been negotiating with the employers concerning the implementation of project matrix. This will have a major impact on any member of staff working for Suffolk County Council or Mid Suffolk District Council who deal with finance or purchasing.
The branch is aware that there have been several workshops for staff to attend and 1-2-1 training sessions are taking place with those who are directly impacted.
We would welcome your views on any negative (or positive) impact on the changes so that we can raise these matters with management.
Craig Anderson and senior management have agreed to work closely with UNISON and involve our members in shaping the new service. This commitment includes actively working together with all interested parties in the construction of the process maps that will become the blueprints for how the new ICT service functions.
Any UNISON members who have concerns about the ICT reorganisation are encouraged to contact me as your local CSD rep or Helen at the Branch Office (01473 584333).
If you have ideas or suggestions for the new ICT service, feed them up through your line managers. Use this early opportunity to get your views on how the ICT service should look and operate up the line.
Detailed organisational structures will be communicated to ICT staff in the next few days (many will now have seen team lists). UNISON will keep you posted on any further developments as information becomes available.
Unison highlighted the essential requirement for detailed consultation and engagement on this matter. This was fully accepted by CSD management who acknowledged that consultation and staff briefings to date had not been adequate and made a commitment to working much more closely with UNISON from now on.
CSD management have committed to issuing a prompt and detailed communications to ICT staff on key aspects of the reorganisation beginning from Monday 4 February 2008. This will include a full explanation of the rationale for the reorganisation and their vision for developing the service.
CSD management have agreed to fully support staff during the reorganisation process using the procedures laid out in Suffolk County Council's Organisational Change Management Policy.
UNISON highlighted the importance of involving staff in the reshaping of the service and in valuing the experience and expertise of our members. We also sought clarification of the selection and matching process and CSD management agreed to meet with us again at the end of next week to agree a way forward.
Following the circulation of the proposals, 1 to 1 meetings will be held with all staff to give them opportunities to discuss their options and flag up particular areas of personal interest (e.g. desire for project or operations based work). You are entitled to be accompanied by a UNISON Representative if you wish.
Craig Anderson reassured UNISON that no planned staff losses are envisaged as a result of this reorganisation.
UNISON and CSD management are keen to hear the views of staff and would encourage feedback from you all following the circulation of information on Monday.
Please email Helen at unison@unison.suffolkcc.gov.uk or telephone/email Robert Grimley 01473 265693 (5693).
UNISON CSD colleague and
Retained Crew Manager at Suffolk
Fire and Rescue Service, Pat Guy has recently
won two prestigious awards for
providing excellent customer service.
Pat initially received a Customer Service Excellence Award under CSD's Staff
Recognition Scheme for providing excellent customer service.
His colleague Anne Walley and his line manager Craig Embleton, both
long-standing UNISON members, nominated Pat for this award. Both nominated Pat
for working "tirelessly on the Mid Suffolk District Council task force" and for
"accommodating everyone regardless of his workload". The fact that he has "built
excellent customer relations" with MSDC's planning team was also noted.
Following on from his first award Pat went on to win a cash prize for being CSD's Customer Service Champion during Suffolk County Council's recent Customer Service Week.
Pat's line manager nominated
him with the following text:
"Pat is highly respected, dedicated and reliable. He continuously builds strong
customer relationships and has an excellent rapport with people across SCC, MSDC
and CSD. Pat is always the first member of staff in the office but never the
first to leave. He solves IT application problems quickly and helps anyone,
customers and colleagues alike that need it. Pat volunteered to support MSDC
application and rapidly built great relationships with the customers, resolving
long-standing problems. Pat has an excellent reputation for completing all tasks
promptly and effectively. He sets the standard and is a model for others."
Pat said "I am only one of a number of CSD ICT staff who have also put a lot of time and effort into this MSDC Project and continue to do so. Colleagues in my own Team have temporarily taken on extra responsibilities in order to free up my time to focus on this Project. Good progress has been made but there is still a lot to be done."
Well done Pat from all of your colleagues.
UNISON CSD
colleague Julian Laughlin is taking part in the
BUPA Great South Run,
in Portsmouth on 28 October 2007 to raise money for
Guide Dogs
and would really welcome your support.
Please take a moment to sponsor him. It's really easy - you can donate online by
credit or debit card at
Justgiving.
All donations are secure and sent electronically to Guide Dogs. If you are
a UK taxpayer,
Justgiving
will automatically reclaim 28% Gift Aid on your behalf, so your donation is
worth even more. Please join us in supporting Guide Dogs and a fabulous
cause.
Donating takes a matter of minutes and is totally secure. You can leave a message with your donation too. If you pay UK tax, Justgiving will automatically reclaim and add 28% Gift Aid to your donation at no cost to you, so it's even better for the charity.