Union Mail – August 2015: National Conference 2015, Rep of the Year, Representation at Hearings

National Conference 2015

As announced last month, I am calling on members to submit their ideas for motions to be debated at our National Conference in October.  A motion which is passed by a two-thirds majority by Conference delegates will become Union policy and will set our agenda of items for discussion with Nationwide.

This is your opportunity to tell us about the issues that are important to you and what you want the Union to pursue on your behalf.  Motions can cover issues relating to work, Union activity or the role the Union plays in the wider community.  We have already received a number of motions covering a number of issues relating to pay, performance management, use of the Customer Service Tracker, and loyalty awards.

There is no requirement on members who submit ideas to attend Conference.  All ideas we receive from members are passed to their Union Regional Council, and delegates from that Council will propose the motion to Conference.

All motions must be received by 5pm on Friday 21st August 2015.  Please talk to your local Union Rep, email your ideas to ngsu@ngsu.org.uk or submit them online at www.ngsu.org.uk/about-us/conference.

Rep of the Year 2015

We are also asking members to submit nominations for NGSU Rep of the Year to recognise the work Representatives do on behalf of the Union members in their business area.  The award will be presented to the winner at the National Conference.

If you’d like to nominate your local Rep please send an email to ngsu@ngsu.org.uk telling us who you’d like to nominate and why, or submit your nomination online at www.ngsu.org.uk/about-us/conference.

Tim Poil
General Secretary

Emergency Contact Details

We’ve issued a couple of reminders to members about updating their emergency contact details on HR PeopleSoft – I make no apologies for doing so again!  I’m pleased to say that many employees have responded to this request but there are still some who haven’t.  Please make time to do so – it only takes a few minutes and it is so important that your nominated family member or friend can be contacted quickly in the event of an emergency.

We are also supporting Nationwide’s initiative to improve its diversity data so it can better understand the needs of the workforce.  If you do not want to share your personal details then you can select the ‘Prefer Not to Say’ option.

Visit the My Details section of HR Peoplesoft to update your contact and diversity information.

Tim Poil
General Secretary

Union Representation at Hearings

We’d like to remind members that they have the right to be represented at a Formal Hearing by the Union.  Our team of trained Individual Cases Officers and Disciplinary Officers will support you at every stage of the hearing process.

If you are required to attend a formal hearing it is important that you contact us immediately to arrange representation.  Please call us on 01295 710767.

The Benefits of Representation

• We will support you before, during and after the hearing.  We will explain the process to you and tell you what to expect and how to prepare in the most effective way.
• We have a detailed knowledge of the Fair Treatment At Work procedures and can ensure that the hearing is run properly and that you are being treated fairly.
• We can speak on your behalf and help to make sure that you’ve covered all the important issues.  We can also ask questions and challenge the manager and Human Resources representative to ensure that they have considered everything fairly.
• We have a good knowledge of Nationwide’s other procedures and understanding of employment law.  This can be useful in making sure that the person chairing the hearing has all the information they need to make a fair decision.
• We cannot guarantee what the outcome of the hearing will be but we can make sure that any decision takes all the relevant circumstances into account.
• After the hearing we can advise you of any further action you may need to take, for example, how to make an appeal.
• In some circumstances we may consult with the Union’s solicitors if we feel that a legal view would be beneficial to your case.
• Finally, we will provide moral support throughout the process.  Sometimes it can be helpful to chat to someone in confidence and talk things through. Everything you tell us will be in confidence.

Eligibility for Representation

If you’ve paid three months’ subscriptions (or one month’s subscription if joining in your probationary period) you’ll be entitled to full representation rights – including legal support if necessary.  If you’ve just joined we can still give you advice and talk you through the process – so it’s still important that you call us for help.

NGSU Affinity Leasing

September is a busy time in the motor trade with the release of the next new registration plate – this time it is 65.  As usual, Affinity Leasing have been working hard finding deals on cars which will appeal to members of the NGSU.  Affinity offer deals with no deposit, cars available for delivery immediately from stock or vehicles to fit within prescribed insurance brackets where needed.

With something for everyone, from small three door models to large 4x4s, and finance products to suit most credit histories, NGSU members can take delivery of a brand new car, on the new registration plate, from just £99 per month.  The benefit is available to family members also, and Benefit In Kind tax is not payable on personal leases.

Exceptional discounts are available from a variety of manufacturers including VW, Honda, Nissan, SEAT, Vauxhall, Mitsubishi, Audi, Renault, and deals of particular note include immediate availability and no deposit on the Ibiza 3 door SportCoupe 1.4 Toca which includes air conditioning, Bluetooth, alloys and sat nav from just £139.99 per month or the 5 door version for just £149.99 per month, both with no deposit on a three year lease.  Golf GTD starts at £199 per month with a £1795 deposit.

Affinity Leasing buy direct from vehicle manufacturers, and in return for buying in volume, receive discounts from both the manufacturers and the dealers, all of which is passed on to NGSU members.  All cars are brand new, are delivered direct from the manufacturer to you and include the full manufacturer’s warranty.  A maintenance plan can be included, which just leaves you with insurance and fuel, and Road fund license is included for at least the first year so you don’t even have to worry about taxing the car!

Three finance types are available to NGSU members: straightforward lease and hand back; lease with the option to buy at the end; and traditional hire purchase.  All finance types have the same high level of discounts applied to them.  Obtaining a new car in this way really does have attractive benefits – clearly the cost is spread and therefore no lump sum is needed, but additionally the discounts negotiated on behalf of union members mean that brand new cars often cost less than used models.

Special offers come and go, but if you are flexible in your choice of manufacturer or model, you will always be able to get a great deal on a car which suits your needs, often for a price which is surprisingly low.  Popular current offers include the Honda Civic, available on short 12 month leases or from between £150 to £175 per month depending on your choice of petrol or diesel, mileage and chosen deposit.  The sporty Golf R has been the biggest seller recently and new stock has just been ordered with prices starting at £279 per month, or perhaps an Audi A6 2.0 diesel saloon SE Ultra would suit you at £299 per month?

Whatever you need, contact Affinity Leasing to discuss your requirements, and come to meet with them at our member roadshows around the country.

For more details: call free from a landline 0800 060 70 70, cheaper from a mobile 01299 266610, e-mail sales@affinityvehicleleasing.com, text 2Lease to 88802 and we will call back or visit www.affinityvehicleleasing.com using the NGSU unique code ‘Union’.

August Draw Winners

First Prize  :  £12,289
096758  :  Garry Stran – Associate Member

Second Prize  :  £5,000
128483  :  Matthew King – Customer Operations (NAC)

Third Prize  :  £2,000
125124  :  Charles Mellor – Bromley branch

Fourth Prizes  :  £500
099298  :  June Gibson – Clapham Common branch
096528  :  Samantha Bennett – Welwyn Garden City branch
127037  :  Sarah Robinson – Collections & Recoveries (NAC)