Author: Stirling Websites

The animated film charts how a public service worker can develop and progress as a trade union activist within UNISON. read more…

Follow Ruby, a public service worker and UNISON member, on just one path she might take as a trade union activist: from health and safety rep to one of her branch’s representatives on its regional council, from first-time speaker at national delegate conference to member of the union’s main policy-making body, the NEC.

And all the while, she’s “learning so much about the union, her workmates and herself.”

Collectively our workers across every sector are key stakeholders in the transformations necessary to meet the UK’s commitment challenge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Public services are vital to this agenda – that means we can use our influence to act, and to support our members’ actions, in addressing this emergency situation.

Our members are often at the frontline of managing the affects on our health and our environment. All our jobs are, or will be, affected in one way or another. And, of course, our energy workers are at the forefront of delivering the new renewable technologies and infrastructure that reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

This year, July saw the three highest global temperatures ever recorded and a new study showed that pollution alone now accounts for more deaths globally than war, disease and drugs combined.

Heatwaves are now estimated to kill 30 times more people a year than tropical cyclones. Yet, despite pollution and heatwaves causing such devastation, they are unseen catastrophes. Unlike floods, hurricanes and wildfires, they don’t leave a trail of physical destruction or striking images in the news.

And we know that, both at home and abroad, pollution and extreme heat prey on the poorest and most disadvantaged people. And it is public services, and our members, who have to pick up the pieces of these impacts in the UK.

We can’t afford to bury our head in the sand and hope this goes away.

While initial signs are very encouraging, we wait to see if this new Labour government will be ambitious enough to do what’s needed, both fairly and in time. The UK must urgently get back on track with its commitments and continue to lead and encourage others to do the same.

As a public service union, we are clear that the money we are not investing now, up-front, on meeting those vital carbon reduction targets will end up being spent 10 or a hundred times over on attempting to adapt to whatever comes next. That’s money that could and should be saved to strengthen the public services we all rely on.

read more…

It’s clear the government has inherited a mess from the Tories, but cutting winter fuel allowance to pensioners is a mistake.

By Senior National Officer for Equalities Josie Irwin

Clearly, the Labour government has inherited a mess from the Tories and that tough decisions must be taken to get the economy back on track.

However, the proposal to withdraw the winter fuel payment from all except those pensioners receiving pension credit is deeply concerning. Older people, who have budgeted for the allowance, have had the rug pulled from under them just as winter approaches.

UNISON knows that, while some wealthier pensioners don’t need the help and would readily say so, restricting eligibility to those receiving pension credit means that too many pensioners living in poverty will fall between the cracks.
read more…

The UNISON Migrant Worker Network is a new, informal network of UNISON members with a first-generation immigrant background including overseas and migrant workers, EU settled status workers and workers who have
subsequently naturalised as British citizens or who have indefinite leave to remain. Members can now identify and update their membership record as a migrant worker by scanning the QR code, which will enable UNISON to target
advice, support and information more effectively.

Free Immigration Advice

UNISON Migrant Worker Members can access expert migrant rights advice and
support for themselves and their families via a UNISON funded partnership with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI). Members can access the advice service via UNISONdirect who can then arrange an appointment for the member with a JCWI advisor.

Call UNISONdirect on 0800 0857 857.

Not in UNISON?
Join today at joinunison.org or call 0800 171 2193 or ask a UNISON rep for an application form.

Return your Postal Ballot Today – Vote to Reject in the e ballot

As you will be aware, UNISON is currently consulting on the latest pay offer from COSLA the organisation who Negotiate Pay on the Employer side.

UNISON have been working towards a decent pay deal for all Local Government staff. To get the best deal possible, we are running a Strike ballot in Education. This ballot closes on the 29^th August 2024. And we are in the process of reminding members who work in Education to return their postal ballots as soon as possible. All Local Government members are being consulted online with a recommendation to reject the latest offer.

These two processes are currently running in tandem, because UNISON do not believe COSLA will move any further on pay without the threat of Industrial Action. 

Years of below inflation pay rises have left Local Government Workers worse off, and higher offers to other Public Sector Staff while Local Government Continues to be cut back leaves UNISON with no choice other than Pay Disputes Year on Year.

UNISON does not think the current offer worth 4.27% reflects the true value of our members in comparison with other public sector workers who are being offered better pay rises. 

By Comparison:

NHS staff 5.5%

Independent pay review bodies recommending 5.5% for teachers and likely to be implemented

MP’s pay rise 5.5%

MSP’s pay rise 6.7%

Recommended pay up lift for councillors 13-18%

We are worth more than 4.27% and at least equal to other public sector workers, have your voice heard, so we are not the Cinderella Service of the Public Sector every year.

What’s the difference between a Social Worker in the NHS and Local Government? Nothing, other than 1.9% in a pay offer.

And an Admin worker? Nothing, other than at least 1%.

Does that make you angry?

What’s the difference between a Social Worker in the NHS and Local Government? Nothing, other than 1.9% in a pay offer.

And an Admin worker? Nothing, other than at least 1%.

Does that make you angry?

Return your Postal Ballot Today and Vote to Reject in the e ballot

If you work in education and need a replacement paper ballot paper, call 08000 587 857 before midday on 22^nd August.

UNISON Scotland’s Local Government Committee have elected to take the decision to suspend the planned action for the 14th- 22nd of August, to consult members on the recent revised offer. All Local Government members will receive a digital consultative ballot via their e-mail in the coming days. Unison Scotland’s recommendation to members is to REJECT the offer. All members must use their vote. It is crucial that members ensure that we have an up-to-date e-mail address for them and can also ensure this by calling UNISON direct on 0800 0857 857.

The committee noted whilst the financial package included in the revised offer represents an improvement compared to previous proposals, it was felt this was insufficient to address the significant drop in the value of pay experienced by local government workers over the past 14 years.

• Emails have been sent to members due to take action, advise of the suspension and plan to consult

• Emails will be sent to all local government members, advising of the decision  to consult, highlighting the committee’s recommendation to reject  

• Please see the press release Bin strikes in Scotland suspended – UNISON Scotland (unison-scotland.org) 

Whilst a decision was taken to suspend industrial action in and around waste, it was agreed to continue with the Industrial Action ballot within education, early years and family centres and to that end we would urge all members that have been balloted to complete and return your postal ballot asap. The stronger the return on this ballot the stronger our position is for negotiating an improved offer.