Catering workers in Sheffield have this morning been told they have won sick pay from day one of absence. This means no one will be on statutory sick pay but on a full occupational sick pay scheme.

This has been won by the hard work of catering workers in Sheffield who were fed-up of being treated like they do not do a good job. Together with UNISON, they have been able to send a clear message to decision makers that this is not acceptable.

Together in Reading we can do the same and demand from Chartwells that they also pay full sick pay.

Next meeting February 26th at 1pm in Reading. Venue TBC.

Happy New Year to everyone who works for Chartwells in Reading. May 2011 bring everyone a prosperous year.

Workers from across Reading schools met in central Reading last night to hear Colin McIntosh talk about the new contract procurement process and hear concerns from workers over current practices in the Chartwells contract. Kit Kats, tea and coffee flowed as Colin spoke about the staff being front and centre in the contract negotiations and UNISON being on the Procurement Board. It was a great evening and as a result an urgent meeting was scheduled between the council and Chartwells re: some of the practices being dished out to our workers.

 Here is some of what we discussed:

- Cutlery & equipment
- Rummaging through bins
- Being told to 'make do'
- Chartwells training of mobile and agency staff
- Lack of consultation over new pay structure
- Micklands phone line issue
- Training time for e-learning
- Lack of office equipment, e.g. toner cartridges
- Communication...this is a real biggie
- The banking and liability insurance
- Trolleys and carrying of meals
- Halal policies and training
- Rish register
- Steamer replacements
- Managers and their differing practices
- And the Christmas Puddings!

And that was just in two hours!