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ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE - OCTOBER 2013

E&I Restructure Latest

Strategic Director Trevor Pugh confirmed in September that E&I is heading for yet another restructure early in 2014. As a first step the number of services in E&I is being cut from three to two with Economy, Transport and Planning being merged with Highways. That means the three current Assistant Directors will be competing for two posts. If everything goes to timetable, once the two directors have been chosen, senior managers will then get down to the serious business of looking at the structure of the directorate in mid to late November with the formal process starting in the new year. But it doesnt help that, as yet, no one knows the full extent of how much the directorate needs to save because of more Tory cuts and what that means in terms of jobs. However, UNISON has already begun discussions with Trevor Pugh about protecting jobs in the directorate. We have already asked if a voluntary redundancy programme will be put in place and whether management have considered a moratorium on filling vacancies. Our view is that it is better for staff who want to leave, and indeed those who dont, that they are given the chance to say so at the earliest possible stage. This means that any potential savings can be factored in at the outset. Although leaving vacancies unfilled undoubtedly heaps more pressure on remaining staff, we feel this is the lesser of two evils when management are looking for job savings down the line.
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The answers we have been given are:

That E&I will ask for staff interested in taking voluntary redundancy to come forward, though each request will need a sound business case. This will depend on the detail of the proposed changes which will not be developed until after the two Assistant Directors have been confirmed in mid November. A system has been introduced whereby each vacancy has to be approved by DMT before being filled. These vacancies are looked at weekly and no posts will be filled permanently where there is a possibility of changes. This process will be kept under review and tightened if necessary as more detail of the restructure is developed.

UNISON Branch Secretary, Paul Couchman said: As the restructure progresses I will be working closely with the E&I stewards and reps to ensure members get the support they need most in difficult times. Well do our best to ensure the whole process is fair and will continue asking relevant questions and making suggestions on the best way forward. I know that management value our input and we will work hard with them to mitigate any potential loss of posts. At this time I would encourage anyone who has been thinking about joining UNISON to come forward. The more numbers we have the more the restructure process will benefit from our involvement. Any members who would like to become more active within the union would also be warmly welcomed. Our newest activist in the directorate is Helen Treasure, UNISON Steward for E&I at County Hall. Do you work at Merrow? The Merrow depot has the largest concentration of E&I staff but at the moment we dont have anyone who acts as a point of contact for UNISON. Its not a big commitment. We simply need someone who we can send posters, leaflets and newsletters to and contact from time to time about branch activities. Put simply you chose your own level of commitment! If you can help, please contact E&I Steward Adrian Creek on 01483 519541 or email Adrian Creek/EAI/SCC. Contact us: Surrey County Branch UNISON Office, Room G17 County Hall Penrhyn Road Kingston Surrey KT1 2DN Tel: 020 8541 9091/7954 Email: unison@surreycc.gov.uk Website: www.surreycountyunison.org.uk