University of Gloucestershire’s pension plan proposals challenged by UNISON

The University of Gloucestershire has proposed changes to the way it provides pensions for staff. The proposals would see cuts to the pensions of some of the university’s lowest paid staff.

Create colourful window displays to support NHS staff on pay rise due date, says UNISON South West

Artworks designed by children’s illustrators and writers are part of a growing collection of posters available to download from a campaign page designed by 14 unions, who between them represent more than a million health workers across the UK.

Show support for NHS pay rise with posters in windows, says UNISON

People across the country are being asked to put colourful posters in their windows in support of a proper NHS pay rise, in a campaign launched today by health unions representing more than a million health workers. Fourteen unions – including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives – are […]

Aspirations Academy Trust’s outsourcing blow to cleaning and catering staff is ‘appalling timing’, says UNISON

Cleaners and catering staff at two schools in Dorset are facing an uncertain future as Aspirations Academy Trust push through plans to outsource their employment to private contractors.   

Supreme Court sleep-in appeal decision is blow for ​everyone in social care, says UNISON

The judgment today (Friday) by the Supreme Court that social care staff are not entitled to the national minimum wage for every hour they work, including sleep-in shifts​, is a huge blow for thousands across the country, says UNISON. The union says the ruling is a major disappointment​, but that it increases pressure on the government to bring forward ​much needed reform of the crisis-ridden sector. Today’s […]

Bristol City Council signs UNISON’s ethical care charter in virtual ceremony

Bristol City Council is the latest local authority to sign up to UNISON’s ethical care charter today (Monday 15 March). Council leaders joined UNISON representatives to formally sign the charter in a virtual ceremony held this afternoon. The charter sets out a series of commitments to help protect the rights of homecare workers and ensure […]

School support staff fear ‘big bang’ return’ to school is a safety risk

Half of school support staff ​in England ​have been anxious about the return to classrooms ​this week, with many fearing measures to keep them safe are inadequate, according to a survey published today (Friday) by UNISON.

Let’s call the government out on pay with handclap protest, says UNISON South West

People are being asked to stand on their doorsteps and balconies tonight (Thursday) to slow handclap the government over its proposal for a 1% pay rise for NHS staff. The public action – backed by UNISON, health unions and the TUC – is the latest step in the campaign to achieve fair pay for health […]

Nothing for worn-out NHS staff who’ve kept us safe in the pandemic

Unions representing NHS staff across the UK say the chancellor has let down hard-working health workers by failing to announce a pay rise for them in the Budget. UNISON head of health Sara Gorton, who also chairs the NHS group of unions, said: “The chancellor had a golden opportunity to show the government values exhausted […]

Somerset County Council reaffirms commitment to care workers

Somerset County Council has reaffirmed their commitment to care workers, promising them full pay for COVID related absences. The announcement comes after negotiations between UNISON and the council and means that if care workers are required to self-isolate they can afford to do so. In August 2020, the council became the first in the South […]

NHS staff across the South West urge the chancellor to do the right thing and fund a pay rise

NHS workers ​in the South West have asked the chancellor to recognise the work they’ve done to protect lives and fund a decent pay rise in this week’s Budget, says UNISON today (Monday). More than 60,000 health care assistants, porters, operating theatre staff, nurses, caterers, ambulance staff, cleaners and members of the public across the UK have signed a letter to Rishi […]

Unions dismayed by delays on pay rise decision for ​council and school workers

Employers must speed up pay offer.

Women on South West frontline feeling pressures at work and home during pandemic

Women in key worker positions across the South West are losing sleep, spending more on household bills, and worrying about the pandemic’s impact on their children’s education and mental health, according to a survey published today (Wednesday) by UNISON. 

UNISON urges HSE to improve COVID guidance for employers

UNISON has written to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this week, calling for improved guidance for employers on how to protect their Black and other vulnerable workers during the pandemic.

Vaccine booking system now open to frontline care workers

UNISON welcomes announcement that care workers who haven’t had a dose yet can make an appointment.