Oxfordshire County UNISON Branch
Janie Slaymaker Branch Secretary – AGM Report February 2015
Hello friends/UNISON members.
I am proud and honoured that you have elected me as your Branch Secretary, my
role is sometimes difficult to achieve by this I mean when some of you remain silent,
my role is to listen and act upon to your words, your voice. We all know it has been
hard times for UNISON members, as your Branch Secretary I fight on your behalf to
save as many cuts to jobs, services, terms and conditions as possible.
We need to all join together to achieve the best possible outcome for you all,
UNISON needs you, this is your union, I need to hear your voice so I can carry it
forward on your behalf. Tell UNISON what is happening in your workplace and let us
support you to protect your jobs, also please let us know anything you notice that is
happening to your work colleagues as this will always be vital information UNISON
need. Please call 01865 815990 email unison@oxfordshire.gov.uk write, face book
your branch anytime you can.
UNISON wish to thank every UNISON member, without you there wouldn’t be a
union, especially those of you that have tried to give us as much information (as you
can) about the concerns in your workplace. I would like to especially thank your
active Stewards, Self-organised groups (SOG’s), Health and Safety representatives,
Activists and workplace representatives as they support you on site and deliver your
concerns to the Branch.
I am proud to confirm again that Unison member’s cases this year (by of course,
members and their colleagues providing me with great evidence for their mitigation)
have been either withdrawn before the hearing, no action imposed, reduced in order
to support the staff concerned with performance improvement or received the
minimum sentence possible. Apologies, I can't be more specific as you know all our
members’ cases are confidential and unless the individual/group concerned give
UNISON written permission UNISON will never disclose anything other than the
above. I can say though that due to UNISON Oxfordshire County Branch
involvement members feel fully supported and are proud there union is there for
them, I understand for some of you, that have not needed individual/group
representation you may think (as I used to many years ago) well what does my union
do for me?
Without going into immense detail UNISON Oxfordshire County Branch protect your
rights at work and fight to keep as many jobs in place as possible.
A few examples of what this entails;
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We voice your concerns in every meeting we are invited to or that you need
us to attend.
We protect your Health & Safety at work.
We represent your voice on Job Evaluation panels (Protect Equal Pay),
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We lobby Councillor’s, MP’s, senior management, Directors, Companies,
Oxfordshire County Council in your best interests to protect your jobs, terms
and conditions.
UNISON protect your Pension, we amend your employers policies to ensure
compliance with equalities legislation and UNISON’s best practice,
We monitor, give advice and minimise all measures at Transfer of
Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006" as amended,
We check/monitor/raise concerns regarding all re-organisations and
restructures,
This is alongside representing members at Grievance, Disciplinary and
Capability Hearings.
As your Branch Secretary I am responsible for all of the above, I am also responsible
for ensuring your Branch runs effectively, a few examples are;
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Staffing,
Finance,
UNISON National and Regional policies,
Updates in legislation,
Branch Rules/Service Standards,
Branch assessment,
Organising, Campaigning,
Media (including social media) and recruitment.
To conclude my report I am deeply proud off and want to thank an AMAZING team I
have the pleasure to work with every day at your branch and mine, Oxfordshire
County UNISON Branch. Without them I could never be equipped to protect your
rights at work and fight to keep as many jobs in place as possible for us all or be able
to carry out my elected role;
Special thanks to Mandy Bristow, Anya Greig, Dominic Kingsmill –Stocker,
Barbara Harper, Philip Wilde, Peter Fryer, also Caroline Villiers (Regional
Officer), Caroline Raine, Duncan Hall (Treasurer) Debbie Hollingsworth
(Women’s Officer) SOG’s and members of UNISON Oxfordshire County Branch
Executive for their help, time, wisdom, support and guidance.
Thank you for taking the time to read this 
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