Secretary's Corner
January 2010
Welcome back to another New Year, in fact a new decade. Has it really been 10 years since all the millennium fuss when the world as we know it was to come to an end due to the change of year date.
As we enter 2010 I would like to take this opportunity to do something that does not happen nearly enough and that it to say a huge and sincere thank you to all the unsung heroes of this Trust, those that come in, do a fantastic job, but hardly get a mention let alone the recognition they deserve. So to all those Secretaries, Receptionists, PA’s, HR and Finance departments, vehicle mechanics, car drivers, Medicom, Scheduling staff and anyone else that fall into that category – Thank you and well done, this UNISON Branch appreciates and values the contribution you make.
Following on from our recent discussions and managements commitment to improving partnership working and industrial relations, things have moved on a pace since our last newsletter. We have held a couple of workshops to consider ways of improving the relationship and the way we do business. We have put together a proposal and some draft terms of reference which will go before the Branch Committee and the Trusts Executive Team, hopefully for signoff, so that we can move to the next stage. We have also been invited to attend the newly formed Senior Leadership Team, which we have accepted. This group consists of all the Associate Directors and Heads of departments who are tasked with the day to day running of the organisation. Our position on that group has the same equal status as anyone else around the table, with full engagement and voting rights, I have attended a couple of these meetings now and they have so far proven positive. We have re-established the informal Monthly meetings between myself and Hayden Newton and we are considering ways that we can link in more closely with the operations team so that the views and needs of the staff are taken into consideration when decisions need to be made.
I am hopeful that if management continue with this commitment, we may once again be in a position whereby the staff and the recognised Trades Union will have a genuine input into the direction that the Trust will take in the future, as opposed to the unacceptable situation that we have had to endue for the past few years.
Most of you will be aware by now of the somewhat sudden announcement of the departure from the Trust of Director of HR Seamus Elliott. Having worked with Seamus for about 7 years now, there have been times when we have worked together very well and equally as many times that we have been in disagreement over certain issues. However, my experience of working with Seamus was that he always conducted himself as a professional, a gentleman and someone truly committed to engaging with staffside in the day to day running of the Trust. Although never shy in putting forward his point of view I never once saw him lose his temper and he always managed the staff in his own department in a proper and supportive manner. I believe he will be a loss to the Trust, and on behalf of myself and the Branch Committee I would like to wish him good health and every success for the future.
Don’t forget a date for your UNISON diary – Branch AGM Tuesday 9th February 2010 Cambridgeshire Professional Development Centre – All members will be most welcome. 
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