Union Mail – January 2014: Union Representatives, Westfield Healthcare
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Union Representatives
We’ve had a great response to our call for members to stand as Union Representatives for our 2014/2015 term of office. We now have over 140 Reps in place across the branch network and administration centres.
Our Representatives play an important part in the communication chain between the Union and members. They are available to talk to members about general workplace issues or individual issues and can direct members to further help from the Union. Over the course of the next two years, Reps will also play an increasingly important part in the consultation process with Nationwide by participating in the local Employee Involvement Committees (EICs) and Business Committees.
We still have a number of Representative vacancies, particularly in some of the North Areas of the branch Network and in Swindon. I am therefore calling a further period of nomination for these remaining vacancies. Members wishing to be Reps must have been a NGSU member for a year and be nominated and seconded by members from the constituency they wish to represent.
For current vacancies and details of how to apply please see District Reps (Branch Network) and Department Reps (Administration Centres). Nominations must be received at the Union’s office in Middleton Cheney by 5pm on 7 February 2014.
If you would like more information, please call Kerry Wagg (Rep Support Officer) on 01295 710767.
Tim Poil
General Secretary
Westfield Healthcare – Special Offer for January 2014
NGSU members are eligible to apply for the Westfield Advantage Health Cash Plan at a discounted corporate rate. And as a special offer, members who join in January 2014 will have the added benefit of qualifying being waived1 – so they can start claiming as soon as their cover starts.
Money Back for Your Essential Health Costs
Ensuring you and your family are kept in tip top condition can be increasingly expensive – routine dental examinations can cost up to £45 and sight tests up to £19.202.
The Advantage Health Cash Plan, available through Nationwide Group Staff Union, could help you budget for these costs and more!
From just £4.853 a month, you’ll have access to up to 20 different healthcare benefits and services, including money back towards everyday healthcare expenses such as:
- Optical treatments – glasses, contact lenses and sight tests
- Dental services – check-ups, fillings and treatment
- Therapy treatments – physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic consultations, and much more…
In addition to this excellent cover, your partner and dependent children are eligible to enjoy many of the benefits – at no extra cost.
For more information about the plan or to apply for cover simply visit www.westfieldhealth.com/advantage and enter “NGSU” when prompted for the joining code.
Alternatively, call NGSU on 01295 710767 and ask for an application pack.
Notes:
With the exception of Maternity/Paternity benefit which remains subject to a 10 month qualifying period
British Dental Health Foundation 2008 and Mintel 2007
£4.85 refers to Level 1 cover
For Terms and conditions or to apply visit www.westfieldhealth.com/advantage for full details.
NGSU Partner Affinity Leasing
Q: Affinity Leasing – what’s that then?
A: Affinity Leasing Ltd is a partner of NGSU who offer discounts of up to 45% off brand new cars and vans with some manufacturers when taken on finance.
Q: How can they offer up to 45% off?
A: They buy hundreds of vehicles every year and make volume commitments to the manufacturers, so they get the normal discount that you would get if you went into a dealership, plus another discount from the manufacture, and these can add up to 45% with some makes and models.
Q: What is a lease?
A: A lease is a financial agreement whereby you drive a brand new vehicle for a set period of time and pay monthly. There are three types available: the first is a straightforward lease and hand back at the end, the second is the option to buy the car at the end but no obligation to do so, and the third is a traditional hire purchase agreement where the car or van is yours outright at the end of the period.
Q: What can they supply?
A: Every make and model can be supplied and they are all brand new!
Q: Can only members apply?
A: No, your friends and family can apply too, and those with poor credit history or financial problems in the last 5 years can use specialist funders, but they do all that for you.
Q: Is it expensive?
A: Prices depend on mileage (from 5,000 miles a year), model, deposit level (from £0) and duration (2, 3 or 4 years) and whether a maintenance package is included or not. One popular example is a Vauxhall Corsa 3 door 1.2 Limited Edition manual, (5,000 miles a year for 4 years with a £1500 deposit and no maintenance package) at £95 a month, or 10,000 miles a year for £115 per month!
Q: Is it complicated?
A: No! Affinity staff will deal with everything over the phone, and by email or post. They will help every step of the way and answer any questions you may have.
Q: How soon can I take delivery?
A: All vehicles come direct from the manufacturer so if it is in stock, you can have it within a fortnight normally. Alternatively, March sees the release of the new “14” registration plates, and you can place your order now and take delivery in March.
Q: How can I find out more?
A: By calling 01299 266610, emailing sales@affinityvehicleleasing.com or visiting http://www.affinityvehicleleasing.com/Nationwide-Group-Staff-Union.html. Enter these codes where prompted: username: Union and password: Benefit.
Union Regional Council Meetings
NGSU Reps will be attending Regional Council meetings during February and March 2014. Please contact your local Rep if you have any issues you’d like them to raise at the Council. The meeting dates are:
Retail North 1 – 26th February
Retail North 2 – 7th February
Retail North 3 – 13th February
Retail South 1 – 10th February
Retail South 2 – 11th February
Retail South 3 – 14th February
Northampton – 17th February
Bournemouth – 21st February
Caledonia House – 25th February
Swindon – 10th March
January Draw Winners
First Prize : £11,244
114564 : Simon Evans of Distribution Change
Second Prize : £5,000
125075 : Kristina Darby of Lisburn
Third Prize : £2,000
101254 : Carole Barrett of Pension Fund Members
Fourth Prizes : £500
094552 : Morag McColm of Analytics
087242 : Pamela White of Pension Fund Members
125329 : James Campbell of HR Operations
Join NGSU today!
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