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Notice to Company
Following formal notification of the results to the Company on Thursday 15th September we have formally requested that the Company give serious consideration to their last pay offer with a view to making improvements. The full text of the letters is as follows….
15th September 2005
To Neil Kennedy
Unison Industrial
Action Ballot
The results of the ballot of Unison members in SAIC over pay have been notified to the Company this morning and show a large majority in support of industrial action, both short of and including strike action. In case the results have not reached you the details are:
Ballot Papers Issued 134
Ballot Papers Returned 89 (66.4%)
Industrial Action in the form of action short of a
strike?
Yes = 60 (67.4%)
No = 29 (32.6%)
Spoilt = 0
Industrial Action in the form of strike action?
Yes = 54 (60.7%)
No = 35 (39.3%)
Spoilt = 0
This very clear result confirms the views expressed by the Trade Unions in SAIC that further erosion of pay is unacceptable to members. It demonstrates that contrary to Company opinion the Trade Unions are very much in touch with the views and feelings of staff and that members are serious in their determination to defend pay from further cuts.
Unison stewards have met with full time officials to discuss the outcome of the ballot. In light of the results we are now concluding arrangements with Unison’s National Industrial Action Committee for implementation of a course of industrial action and expect this part of the process to be concluded during next week.
This does nevertheless provide a window of opportunity for the Company to reflect on the current situation and listen to the views of staff as expressed now in two consecutive ballots, the latter even more clearly and firmly than the former. We note that the CJC is scheduled for next Wednesday and believe that this is an ideal opportunity for discussions to start around an improved offer.
Given that we are likely to have agreed arrangements for industrial action with Unison’s Industrial Action Committee by that date, and in light of the 28 day time limit Unison has to start any action, we would see next Wednesday as a key date in our decision-making process. A genuine and meaningful improvement in the current proposals by close of play Wednesday is likely to allow deferment of notice of action for a short time. The alternative is almost certainly likely to result in an escalation of the dispute with notice of formal action being given.
As our preferred course is still resolution by joint negotiation we therefore sincerely request that you give your most urgent attention to this matter.
Graham Carswell 708 5678 David Read 811 3076
Elaine Duffy 708 5048 Tom Gibbons 811 3055
Morag Palmer 708 5055 Howell Watson 811 3133
Mike McCallum 708 5529
SAIC Trade Union Statement 02/08/05
Collective Bargaining Pay
Further to our last statement dated 14th July, we are now pleased
to advise that both Scotland and North West regions in UNISON have given full
backing and support for our industrial action ballot on pay.
Meetings have taken place with SAIC lay reps and UNISON management
representatives and full time officers to ensure that we have followed due
process in ensuring that our members are fully protected at all stages of the
dispute.
The ballot is presently being organised and we will let all members know of
the timetable as soon as possible.
In the meantime, please notify any of the TU reps if you have recently moved
house to ensure that your ballot paper is delivered correctly.
We will be arranging members’ meetings shortly with
further information.
Unison reps
Graham Carswell 708 5678 David Read 811 3076
Elaine Duffy 708 5048 Tom Gibbons 811 3055
Morag Palmer 708 5055 Howell Watson 811 3133
Mike McCallum 708 5529
To all UNISON/Prospect members