Members vote no confidence HR Director, CIO and HR Consultant!

A demonstration of collective strength was on display at the USU “stop work” members’ meeting held on Thursday 3rd October 2019 at No:1 Sportsground. USU members resolved a unanimous vote of ‘No Confidence’ in the Director People and Culture Fiona Leatham, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Paul Dickson and Human Resources Consultant Amy Smith.

The details of this motion are as follows:

  1. The shambolic nature to resolve the IT restructure process and associated redeployment processes
  2. The dramatic effects these processes have had on USU members due to the lack of regard of the abovementioned Managers and Human Resource Consultant
  3. The perceived underhanded and disingenuous approach of, and undertaken by, the aforementioned as highlighted in the recent email exchanges
  4. The approach of not wanting to resolve matters with our USU representatives within appropriate timeframes.
  5. The trend of Council not acting in accordance with the EA and looking to deny members basic EA entitlements against the overall intent of the EA.
  6. The dramatic low level of morale across of the organisation, especially within the current IT Department which has developed since the arrival of the Chief Information Officer.
  7. The continual punitive approach taken against USU members of the IT Department
  8. The lack of transparent engagement and lack of respectful industrial relationship being prompted by the Director of People and Culture based on the rightful place of the Union (USU) within Newcastle City Council.

A second motion regarding the inequitable industrial arrangements at the Civic Theatre was also passed unanimously at USU Members’ Meeting:

The collective USU membership demand significant progress is made in the next ensuring period until the next USU member meetings scheduled for 21st November 2019 on resolving equitable industrial arrangements for the workers of the Civic Theatre, if no progress is achieved, the USU members meeting arranged for 21st November will discuss what further action is required to ultimately resolve these issues appropriately.

The USU, on behalf of the united membership has now provided these concerns to the CEO and have requested these matters be addressed in collaboration with your USU representatives. Any relevant updates will be provided to the united membership in the near future.

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Do you know a colleague who is not a USU member? The best way to ensure you are protected is to join the USU and become part of the movement dedicated to the improvement of your pay and your working conditions.

The Union Services Union, your Union will protect your jobs and ensure that Newcastle Council is held accountable to the EA. This is another great example of how being collective gets results!