Hi nice to meet you all!!!
My name is Sam Aitkenhead and on 26th June at the BIOS conference AGM in sunny Brighton I started my 3 year term as your new BOSTU Advisor.
I have worked for East Sussex Healthcare in Eastbourne and Hastings since qualifying in 2008. Many of you may know me as you may have passed through our department as students under my care.
I have been a TU rep for several years attending staff side on a regular basis and I have also been involved in the job evaluation panel and the Policy officer group for the Allied Health Professional federation.
I am keen to promote and support the local rep role, so if there are any reps out there who would like the opportunity to sit on a committee representing BOSTU or anyone who needs support or guidance please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and I’ll see what I can do. There will be up-to-date training given to all reps in the up-coming year, keep an eye on the webpage for dates and venues.
As a BIOS member you have access to union representation or advice 7 days a week. Unionline take care of all our legal services. Unionline are a dedicated law firm that works for you, they can offer free legal advice covering a wide range of issues alongside expert employment law advice and representation. They also
offer other services to our members such as free wills, fixed rate conveyancing, free motor claims service and accident or injury cover for yourselves and your immediate family members if you find yourself in the situation where you have had an accident that wasn’t your fault – please call their dedicated help line on 0333 400 3539 for free legal advice.
As BOSTU we work diligently to be part of momentous decisions that are being made national such as the recently accepted pay deal for England, which you hopefully will have received communications regarding, and you will be able to read further information on in next month’s PV.
Congress is where the movement decides its priorities for the coming year, and what the TUC should do to achieve them. Each union sends delegates and raises issues for discussion and debate.
If you think this is something you would like to experience in the future look out for the call in PV next year asking for interested delegates
Please visit your BOSTU page on the website for more information on your union and contact details for myself, I look forward to working for you and your union for the next three years.
BOSTU will be attending the TUC congress in Manchester this September. The TUC or Trade union Congress was founded in 1868, and is made up of 48 member unions of which we are one. The TUC’s job is to:
Support trade unions to grow and thrive, helping them represent their members and keep pace with the changing world of work
Stand up for everyone who works for a living, by publishing research and evidence, and campaigning for changes to the law and in society
Advocate for collective bargaining, trade unionism and putting working people at the heart of our society, economy and politics
Help union members get on in life, through running and managing learning and skills programmes