HFI Hustings

On Thursday, the branch held its first formal hustings in HFI in Highbury House. 

This was a well attended meeting at which Jane outlined her track record and offered a fighting vision for the next twelve months.

In her annual report Jane says the following:

After months of speculation and meetings. The council in mid December formally decided to bring Homes for Islington (The ALMO) back in house. This is a move widely welcomed by UNISON and staff. Discussions are under way as to how the TUPE transfer of these staff will be carried out as seamlessly as possible. Some parts of HFI will just directly transfer to Housing and Adult Social Services. Although clearly at some point the council may need to consider how this growing department may need to be reorganised. Some sections of HFI e.g. HR and Finance will need to be integrated with LBI. I am leading on the transfer on behalf of the branch and being assisted by Fiona Monkman our Branch Chair.

As part of that process informal consultation around proposed structures is currently taking place and we are consulting affected members in HFI and LBI

Clearly the transfer of such a large staff group will have implications for the structure of our branch. This will need to be revisited after the transfer and this will need to come back to a Special General meeting of the branch later in the year.

In April 2012 and in 2013 we will also see the transfer of staff back in house from CEA. We have already seen staff from Kiers Cleaning contract brought back in house and it is hoped that following meetings between LBI and the trade unions the Enterprise contract will also come in.

 I have been representing UNISON at meetings with management from Environment and Regeneration to discuss bringing the Enterprise contract back in house. This is a positive step as I raised concerns with the Leader of the Council before Christmas regarding previous meetings where I felt there was a move to outsource some of the housing caretaking functions to this company and I pointed out that any attempt to do such a thing would meet fierce resistance from UNISON. Along with the GMB we are attending regular meetings on this issue.  It is looking fairly certain that this contract will be brought in house and there may be some implications for the Mechanised Services section based in HFI. I am currently consulting with those members.