NEWS
Prospect makes its mark in Union Week
More than 900 new members joined Prospect during its very first Union Week from 3-7 October.
From Thurso in the north of Scotland to Jersey in the south, the Isle of Man in the west to Lowestoft in the east, more than 500 recruitment and organising events were held at workplaces across the UK, and promoted via social media using the #talkprospect hashtag.
See how it all unfolded in our storify summarising high points and watch a video where new members explain why they joined.
Mike Clancy re-elected unopposed
General secretary Mike Clancy is looking forward to forging a vibrant new union, with the addition of media and entertainment union BECTU, after being re-elected unopposed to serve a further five-year term from March 2017.
Civil service redundancy changes – your vote matters
Prospect is balloting all public service members covered by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme on a final offer from the Cabinet Office. The union shares members’ anger that the government has reneged on promises made in 2010 but believes the deal is the best achievable by negotiation.
A “no” vote could result in the government imposing worse terms than those agreed by Prospect and other unions during negotiations. The ballot closes on 31 October.
More info:
Civil service seminar 8 November
A seminar for members in the public sector at New Prospect House, London, on 8 November will focus on pay, reward and performance management.
No redundancy cap for nuclear workers
Prospect is campaigning to remove nuclear sector companies from the scope of a cap on redundancy compensation for public sector workers. It has produced a briefing for MPs, asked for a meeting with the minister and filmed a short video.
Wear red to show Racism the Red Card
21 October is Wear Red Day, organised by Show Racism the Red Card, which uses top footballers to educate against racism.
Show your support by wearing red to work and donating at least £1 online.
Call for new post-Brexit defence industrial strategy
A new defence industrial strategy is key to helping the UK meet its strategic needs post-Brexit, Prospect has said in written evidence to the Commons defence committee inquiry into the Ministry of Defence’s acquisition and procurement policy.
Ballot on AWE’s “insulting” pension plan
Prospect is to ballot members at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on industrial action over plans to close its defined benefit pension scheme to all staff and replace it with a defined contribution alternative.
Prospect wins concessions on NTS job losses
The National Trust for Scotland’s final restructuring plans leave 90 staff at risk of redundancy, after Prospect secured concessions during consultations. In the original proposals, 142 staff were at risk of compulsory redundancy. But at least 50 of those posts are now safe, with 25-90 people still at risk of compulsory redundancy, depending on staff appetite and abilities to fulfil newly-created roles.
BLOG POSTS
High profile, proud and effective
Sue Ferns, deputy general secretary, comments on the launch of a new strategy for the Government Science and Engineering profession and the importance of safeguarding its future.
A longer version of the Profile interview with chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport is on the website.
Impact of Brexit on STEM
Sue Ferns calls on members in science, engineering, engineering and maths to share their stories from the frontline on how Brexit will affect them – share your story by emailing [email protected]
TTIP, CETA and workers’ rights
Campaigners are warning that CETA – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement being negotiated between Canada and the EU – could be a model for a post-Brexit future EU-UK deal. Research officer Beverley Hall looks at the implications for workers’ rights.
ALSO NEW THIS MONTH
Help us reach £1m for Oxfam
Prospect members have contributed £911,622 to Oxfam in a 30-year partnership celebrated in July. Our next target is to reach £1m. You can donate online or text 70070 with the code PFUN88 and how much you wish to give (written as £1, £3, £5 or £10).
Prospect VOA member’s diversity award
The Valuation Office Agency has recognised efforts by statistician Gill Atkinson to make her workplace more diverse and inclusive, including participating in a focus group on disability and using her skills to help gather data on diversity characteristics in performance markings.
Influence Ofcom on digital communications
Prospect is urging members to lobby their MPs and other opinion formers about the potentially detrimental effects on members of recommendations in Ofcom’s Digital Communications Review.
OTHER RESOURCES
Profile October 2016
Download a PDF of October’s Profile and share the link with non-members. Tablet and smartphone readers may prefer the page-turner version.
WiseEye for retired members
Download a PDF of the latest WiseEye.
Prospect Legal – Working for you
The legal team has updated its report Working for You, which reflects the views of members and activists on the government attacks on workers’ rights.
October’s LegalEye reports on recent legal successes and celebrates our first year with solicitors Pattison Brewer.
EVENTS
Young professionals’ forum
Members aged 30 and under: have you signed up for our young professionals’ forum at the People’s History Museum, Manchester, on 12-13 November?
PRACTICALITIES
New log-in feature on our website
Next time you log into our website you’ll see that we’ve added a “remember me” option. This can make it easier for you to access standard members-only content without having to log in every time you visit the site.
It’s your choice whether to use this option (and you shouldn’t do so on a shared computer, eg in a library or internet café). To access more sensitive content, such as updating your details, you’ll be asked to re-enter your password.
Our website routinely checks how robust your password is. If you see a warning message on screen when you log in, look out for an email with a link which enables you to create a new password. You won’t be able to log in again until you’ve done so.
Please send any questions to Prospect's website team – email [email protected]
Great savings from Prospect Extra
The Prospect Extra money-saving website has saved more than 17,000 members thousands of pounds in its first year.
Create a free account or sign in
Email any questions to Prospect's membership services team at [email protected]
Your union for life
You can stay with Prospect even if you are changing jobs or retiring in the near future.
Do we have your latest details?
If you have moved home or changed your email address or other contact details, please contact Prospect's membership team. You can also amend your details via your member welcome page if you have registered on our website.
Recruit a colleague
For every member you recruit to Prospect, you can claim a £10 voucher or ask Prospect to donate to a charity.