News
NIASW (BASW) Information Being Circulated in HSC Trusts
14/09/2011
It is my understanding that within a number of Trusts at least NIASW (BASW) have been given the facility of sending their information through the Trusts formal communication network and they have accessed staff by sending their information to a number of Social Work Trust Forums.
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To: SW Directors x 5 Trusts
HR Directors x 5 Trusts
5 September 2011
Dear Director
NIASW (BASW) INFORMATION BEING CIRCULATED IN HSC TRUSTS
It is my understanding that within a number of Trusts at least NIASW (BASW) have been given the facility of sending their information through the Trusts formal communication network and they have accessed staff by sending their information to a number of Social Work Trust Forums. This is completely unacceptable and NIPSA demands it is stopped immediately. It is also our understanding that such information circulated by NIASW included an invitation to join their new Social Work Union – which is not even recognised in Northern Ireland.
Setting aside whether NIPSA or any other recognised Trade Union would have enjoyed such preferential treatment, this is a situation whereby ‘bad faith’ has occurred and we would urge Employers/Trusts to take the following immediate action:
(a) Cease this practice immediately if it has occurred in your Trust;
(b) Provide NIPSA with an explanation as to who within your Trust sanctioned such action and gave a platform for unrecognised trade unions to circulate recruitment material.
(c) Provide some indication as to how this can be redressed with the other Trade Unions (including NIPSA) and other Staff Side Organisations.
Finally, having met with the SW Director’s Forum back in August NIPSA is extremely concerned that no mention was made of such a scenario being considered by that Group and reinforces our view that individuals within Trusts have acted in bad faith in this manner.
I am also copying this to the Trust HR Directors given it’s potential impact on the industrial relations arrangements.
An urgent response would be appreciated.
Yours sincerely
KEVIN McCABE
Assistant Secretary
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