Unions at the University of Bath have responded to yesterday’s statement from senior management on Bath university governance reforms. UNISON, UCU and Unite issued the following statement: “The measures announced by University of Bath management to fend off growing anger over inequality and poor governance are largely worthless. The measures are: a review of the […]
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Two periods of the RD&E porters strike will go ahead at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital after Trust representatives declined the opportunity to take proposed 12 hour shifts off the table. Portering staff in UNISON voted to strike for 24 hours from 06:00 on 20 October. They will follow this with an eight hour action from […]
Public service union UNISON has told management at the Royal Devon and Exeter (RD&E) hospital that a two-day porters strike can be averted if plans for porters 12 hour shifts are scrapped. Portering staff in UNISON currently plan to strike for 24 hours from 6:00 on 20 October. They will follow this with an eight […]
Signing up to a charter on social care would prevent more “inadequate” ratings for Plymouth’s care homes, public service union UNISON has told councillors. UNISON aims to set the bar higher with a Plymouth Residential Care Charter after five residential care centres were told to improve by Care Quality Commission inspections. The Charter lays out […]
After a series of “inadequate” ratings, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has placed the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in special measures. UNISON South West regional organiser Siobhan Brown said: “People in Cornwall deserve good healthcare, but the CQC report is a damning and sad reflection that they aren’t receiving it. The NHS is under […]
A consultative ballot of UNISON members in Somerset’s Learning Disability Service has returned a 99% “reject” response to Discovery’s cuts. Almost all Learning Disability staff are UNISON members and 70% participated in the vote. Staff voted following Discovery’s decision to unilaterally end the consultation process without addressing their concerns. After Somerset County Council outsourced the Learning […]
Working people need the economy to benefit all of us, not just a lucky few. Politicians will miss the opportunities provided by devolved powers, unless we fix the West of England growth strategy. Last week, we set out five problems in WECA’s growth strategy. Trade unions are about practical solutions, so here are five options […]
With his election in May overshadowed by the General Election, you’d be forgiven for having missed what the West of England’s Conservative metro-mayor has been up to. Now’s the time to pay attention, as the West of England growth strategy has been published by the Combined Authority (WECA), and local people can comment until 27 […]
Commenting on the proposed merger of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trusts, UNISON South West regional manager Tanya Palmer said: “Health staff will understandably feel nervous at today’s announcement. Experience suggests mergers often mean serious disruption to staff, and job losses too. For that reason we’ll be doing everything we […]
A motion calling for fair pay for public service workers will be debated by Gloucestershire councillors this Wednesday (13 September 2017). The motion would commit Gloucestershire council to support ending the public sector pay cap, which has meant average pay for public employees decreased in value by £3,875 since 2010. Labour councillors proposing the public […]
UNISON have welcomed the decision of Sirona to extend their terms and conditions consultation exercise UNISON organiser Lewis Carson said: “Although we are yet to reach agreement with Sirona on the outcome of their proposals to make over £200000 of savings, following their reduction in funding from B&NES council, we are heartened that they have […]
UNISON calls for action following a government report by Dame Glenys Stacey criticising the parts of the probation service in Gloucestershire run by Working Links, a Community Rehabilitation Company. The report stated: “The National Probation Service was performing reasonably well, and the public can be reassured that those people who pose a higher risk are […]
Delegates from UNISON South West took part in the Labour Link forum 2017, debating policy, hearing from Labour MPs, and reviewing UNISON’s political fund arrangements in light of the Trade Union Act. Held on 6 and 7 July in Liverpool, the forum brought together representatives of UNISON members who pay into the Affiliated Political Fund, […]
Care workers at Somerset’s Learning Disability Service will this week step up their action over pay cuts ranging from £1800 to £12000 per-year proposed by Discovery, the organisation now handed control. A “pay-slip-protest” has been organised by public service union UNISON, illustrating how much staff wages would drop by under Discovery’s plan and the damage […]
The General Election on June 8 saw Labour gain ground in our region and across the country. As a UNISON member who pays into our political fund, I wanted to write to you on behalf of the South West Labour Link committee to report on our work and say thank you to everyone who contributed […]
