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The sharp end of the Curve
EditorialSome weird news from Slough, where the Curve, which only opened in 2016 at a cost of £22m, that the council may be considering closing it cut costs. If so, this shows the weird current financial logic forced upon councils by reduced funding from central government combined with increasing social care costs where costs are more important than value or previous investment. There’s a hardening of attitudes towards library budgets in some councils. For instance, more news this w -
Dudley MP raises Mitie strikers’ struggle in the Commons
via unison.org.ukUNISON members employed by private contractor Mitie at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, in the West Midlands, received support yesterday from local MP Marco Longhi, in their fight to receive a government mandated COVID-19 bonus payment that has been paid to non-medical staff who are directly employed by the NHS.
Having already taken three days of strike action, they will be striking again on 25 and 27 March.
Conservative MP Mr Longhi asked the leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, whe -
UNISON ‘unequivocally condemns’ Tory donor’s ‘horrific abuse’
via unison.org.ukUNISON considers comments made by Frank Hester, the Tory Party’s biggest donor, that looking at Diane Abbott MP makes you “want to hate all black women” and the MP “should be shot”, to be racist and sexist, unacceptable and dangerous.
Diane Abbott MP has been a significant public figure since 1987, the first to open doors into political leadership for Black women. No woman in public life should have to accept this kind of abuse and intimidation. Black women all over -
Care has gone into a tailspin under this government
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the Social Care 360 report, published today (Wednesday) by the King’s Fund, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
“Care has gone into a tailspin on this government’s watch. A litany of broken promises and a complete absence of action best sums up ministers’ appalling neglect of the sector.
“Cash-strapped local authorities have been pushed ever closer to the edge by spiralling care costs.
“The blame for the crisis in care lies entirely wi -
Proposals that seek to limit the right to peaceful protest must be rejected, says UNISON
via unison.org.ukUNISON is extremely concerned at recent reports that Lord Walney, the government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, has proposed that MPs, councillors and Labour-affiliated unions cut ties and no longer engage with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
UNISON completely opposes these proposals and limits on the right to peaceful protest, and urges the government and opposition parties to reject them.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign does not support protests out -
Fragmented and under-funded
via unison.org.ukTwo fundamental themes came out of UNISON’s national community seminar and conference in Chester last weekend – organising and funding. Each is an issue which presents particular challenges to the community sector.
Funding
On funding, activists at the seminar on Friday heard a detailed presentation from Rebecca Young, head of policy, research and campaigns at The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
Ms Young detailed the organisation’s recent research into the c -
Community conference told: ‘You are the stewards of the New Deal’
via unison.org.ukUNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards opened the union’s national community conference in Chester on Saturday before introducing shadow deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, who gave a speech to delegates before taking questions.
Mr Richards took aim at the recent Conservative government budget calling it “fantasy policy making, and a low piece of political theatre”.
“What did it offer to support the work that you or our members do? What about housing – an -
A “material threat”
EditorialIt’s probably safe to say that the last budget of this government’s term was not met with unfettered joy by the public library sector. The expected focus on tax (well, OK, National Insurance) cuts means that there will be very little money left for councils, already facing perhaps the most serious budgetary pressures in their history. CILIP didn’t mince words in their response, saying that the budget represented a “material threat” to the sector.And what th -
Ramadan 2024: Your rights at work
via unison.org.ukThe holy Muslim month of Ramadan is due to begin on the evening of Sunday 10 March, with the first fast from sunrise to sunset on Monday 11 March.Eid-al-Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall on Tuesday 9 April.
During this important holy period for Muslims, UNISON reminds both workers and employers that it is within the Equality Act 2010 for all employers to ensure flexible working and provide reasonable adjustments for workers wishing to observe Ramadan, -
Violence in schools is no laughing matter
via unison.org.ukCommenting on remarks made by education secretary Gillian Keegan today (Friday) about ‘punching’ Ofsted inspectors, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:
“Clearly there’s much that can and should be improved about the way Ofsted inspections are carried out. But to suggest punching people is an appropriate reaction is not becoming of a government minister.
“Making light of violence when staff in schools are increasingly likely to face assaults is in very poor tas -
Urgent action needed to avert school technician recruitment crisis
via unison.org.ukSchools and colleges will face a shortage of skilled support staff unless urgent action is taken to address low pay and morale among technicians, warns a new report released today by UNISON.
A survey of more than 3,000 school and college technicians found the majority are over 50, earn below the national average wage and do not think the public or politicians understand what they do.
The survey by Preproom, which provides science resources for schools, found over half of technicians (51%) are 51 -
UNISON opinion: This is what community looks like
via unison.org.ukBy UNISON’s assistant national officer for community, Haifa Rashed
I often get asked, what is the community service group? It seems a simple question, but even as an officer in the sector, it’s not simple to answer.
I can tell you who we represent. UNISON has 85,000 members in community, they are: housing officers, care workers, support workers, admin workers, project workers, children’s services workers and more.
I can tell you who those members work for. They work for ch -
Harassment, abuse and discrimination have no place in a 21st century NHS
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the annual NHS staff survey published today (Thursday), UNISON acting deputy head of health Alan Lofthouse said:
“Harassment or ill-treatment of any kind is simply wrong. NHS staff must be able to get on with their jobs without the fear of abuse, assault, or ill-treatment from bigots, racists and sexual predators.
“The number of sexually motivated incidents is shocking. Health and emergency workers caring for people and saving lives shouldn’t ever have t -
What does the budget really mean for you?
via unison.org.ukby Anna Birley from UNISON’s policy unit
While goings on in Westminster can feel a long way from normal day-to-day life, the decisions made at the budget by the chancellor have a huge impact on everybody’s work, household finances and the public services we all rely on.
This week’s budget was no different, so let’s break down what the budget means for you and the services you rely on, along with some helpful myth-busting on the way.
What’s happening with my taxes?
T -
UNISON opinion: Let’s talk about flex
via unison.org.ukBy UNISON acting head of health and chair of the NHS Staff Council, Helga Pile
The right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
Every request considered fairly – whatever the role, whatever the reason.
These were the rights secured by the NHS Staff Council back in 2021 for everyone employed by the NHS.
There was huge willingness around the table to get them in place, because unions, employers and members all know what a positive difference flexible working can make. F -
Chancellor is living in a fantasy world
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the spring budget today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This is the stuff of fantasy. The public won’t be fooled. Taxes overall remain at a record high and the promised growth is nowhere to be seen, despite what the chancellor would have everyone believe.
“There’s no budget giveaway for the lowest paid. They’ll be substantially worse off. And persistently punching public services i -
Energy firm OVO release must halt job cut plans and find another solution
via unison.org.ukResponding to an announcement to staff today (Tuesday) that a further 250 jobs are at risk at energy firm OVO, UNISON head of business Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
“This is another cruel blow and staff are understandably worried about the future.
“OVO has completely failed to explain why more redundancies are even necessary. There may be many other ways to secure the future of the firm.
“Job cuts and restructuring have been coming thick and fast at the company, -
Energy firm OVO must halt job cut plans and find another solution
via unison.org.ukResponding to an announcement to staff today (Tuesday) that a further 250 jobs are at risk at energy firm OVO, UNISON head of business Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
“This is another cruel blow and staff are understandably worried about the future.
“OVO has completely failed to explain why more redundancies are even necessary. There may be many other ways to secure the future of the firm.
“Job cuts and restructuring have been coming thick and fast at the company, -
UNISON opinion: The budget will deliver more cuts and more pain
via unison.org.ukBy UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
Working people are bearing a triple burden. The cost of living crisis is still here, taxes are weighing heavy on workers, and in return, we’re getting broken public services that can’t guarantee support for everyone.
It’s even more galling for public service workers – they spend their working lives propping up essential services, only to be undermined at every turn by the Westminster government.
Underfunding services and underv -
Fire sales, trusts and irony
EditorialCentral Government is allowing councils to sell assets directly in order to maintain services. Normally, it would only be able to do this for new initiatives. While of course the Government has doubtless far more nobler ideals for this than simply keeping spending and thus taxes down before the General Election, CILIP has warned it could result in a fire sale of buildings, including libraries, which could have costly consequences further down the line.
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UNISON opinion: Why councils are on the brink – and how they can be pulled back
via unison.org.ukBy UNISON’s head of local government Mike Short
Local government is in the news. But not for the right reasons.
The Daily Mail asks “Is your council about to go bust?”, the Mirror tells us that every single local authority, bar one, is experiencing cuts to funding and the Guardian reports that councils are resorting to crowdfunding to maintain their schools.
We hear about the youth clubs that have closed and the Christmas lights that won’t be switched on. Each day there&r -
Care sector couldn’t function without its migrant workforce, says UNISON
via unison.org.ukCommenting on new figures from the Home Office that show an increase in the number of health and care visas issued, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“The government has let social care get into such a dire state that the sector can no longer function without overseas workers to fill the huge gaps in staffing.
“Instead of grappling with the real problems by funding social care properly and tackling the exploitation of migrant staff, ministers no -
NHS pay key to cutting waiting lists, says UNISON
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the publication of the government’s evidence to the NHS pay review body, UNISON acting head of health Helga Pile said:
“NHS workers should be getting this year’s wage rise in a matter of weeks. But because ministers were so late getting the pay review body process started and didn’t get their own evidence in on time, staff will now have to wait months. This simply isn’t good enough.
“Unless the government gets a handle on pay and gives -
A significant pay rise is essential for local government and school staff, say unions
via unison.org.ukThe three local government unions, representing 1.4m council and school employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, have called for a significant wage rise as they submitted their annual pay claim today (Thursday).
UNISON, GMB and Unite say a decent pay award is essential as staff continue to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis, while the value of their wages has plummeted for more than a decade.
Unless councils and schools can pay competitive rates, employees will find better-paid, le -
MPs pledge to support a national care service
via unison.org.ukImages: Marcus Rose
Over 40 MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates signed pledges in support of a national care service at a UNISON Westminster event, last night (Wednesday).
Coming the day after UNISON hosted the Fabian Society’s National Care Service Summit, which brought together over 80 leading industry stakeholders to examine and debate the detail and practicalities of how to bring about a national care service, the parliamentary event sought to ignite the political will in West -
Mitie must pay healthcare workers what they are owed or strikes will continue, say UNISON and Unite
via unison.org.ukMitie chief executive Phil Bentley must pay healthcare workers in the West Midlands the lump sum they are owed, say UNISON and Unite today (Thursday).
The general secretaries of the UK’s two largest unions have written to Mr Bentley to say strikes* planned for today (Thursday) from 5am and next Friday (8 March) will go ahead unless hospital staff get a one-off £1,655 payment** that other NHS staff have already received.
Cleaners, porters and catering employees are among around 370 wo -
UNISON opinion: Why could tribunal fees be on the way back?
via unison.org.ukby UNISON’s head of legal services Shantha David
The government is consulting on reintroducing fees in the employment tribunals (ETs). If this becomes law, employees and workers will have to pay a single fee of £55 – whether they are bringing the case by themselves or as part of a group – when seeking to enforce their employment rights against their employer.
An appeal to the employment appeal tribunal (EAT) by the party challenging an ET decision will also attract a fee -
Making a national care service – from roadmap to reality
via unison.org.ukImages: Marcus Rose
Industry leaders, care workers, service users and politicians came together yesterday to examine what it will take to make a national care service a reality in England.
The Fabian Society’s National Care Service Summit, hosted at UNISON Centre, gave nearly 80 care sector stakeholders the opportunity to discuss and debate the questions of what a national care service should look like and how to get there?
The event took the Fabian’s report, Support Guaranteed: A Ro -
Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia
via unison.org.ukUNISON has produced a new guide to help members and activists understand antisemitism and Islamophobia.
As both antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise and regularly discussed in the media, the briefing has been produced with Hope not hate to help activists better understand specifically how racism manifests itself in the context of the current conflict in Gaza.Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia guideUNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “We all have a responsibili -
Different stories: UK, Ireland and the USA
Editorial
CILIP have produced a “Public Libraries At Risk” monitor due to the number of cuts happening, or likely to happen, to British libraries in the current local government funding crisis. I remember doing the same thing back more than a decade ago. Back then, CILIP were remarkably quiet over library cuts, due to a belief that it was more productive to work behind the scenes. Clearly, the time since 2010 has changed viewpoints. I wonder if 2024 will change governments.
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The NHS workers in a Mitie fight for fair pay
via unison.org.ukIt’s a classic case of David v Goliath, with part-time hospital cleaner ‘Dudley Denise’ facing up to Mitie CEO ‘Miami Phil’. But in Denise’s corner, she and her colleagues have UNISON.
And when a group of them visited UNISON Centre on Wednesday, general secretary Christina McAnea (pictured above) made sure they knew the union is proud of them and that they’ll get all the support they need.
The members, who are employed by private contractor Mitie at Russ -
Hundreds of Mitie staff striking today at Dudley Group hospitals
via unison.org.ukAround 300 of the lowest-paid staff working at hospitals in Dudley will take strike action today (Friday) over their employer’s refusal to pay them a lump sum worth at least £1,655 that has already been given to hundreds of thousands of people employed by the NHS, says UNISON.
The health staff, who work at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (DGFT) but are employed by private contractor Mitie, began their 24-hour walkout at 5am. Another strike lasting 24 hours is lined up for next Thur -
Good employers must do the right thing for menopausal women
via unison.org.ukCommenting on new guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to employers about their legal obligations to women undergoing the menopause, UNISON head of equality Josie Irwin said today (Thursday):
“The emotional and physical changes of the menopause can be overwhelming. As can their effect on women’s ability to do their jobs.
“All good employers must ensure the best possible working environment for all their staff. Women should be able to -
UNISON opinion: A better way is possible for social care
via unison.org.ukBy UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
Social care is broken. Despite it being an essential service that should be the cornerstone of a compassionate society, the Westminster government has washed its hands of it.
It has been allowed to deteriorate into a fragmented, underfunded and privatised system that’s unfit to meet the needs of social care users. The inadequate pay and conditions for the workers propping up the system, fail to recognise their value and contributions.
UNISON kno -
Prospective MPs urged to back new national care service
via unison.org.ukGeneral election candidates from all parties are being asked to support the creation of a new national care service in England.
UNISON says too many people across the country cannot access the social care they desperately need because the current system is broken.
The union wants to see a new service based on high quality care and a fairly rewarded workforce. Although these changes wouldn’t happen overnight, the union believes the reforms would put an end to 15-minute home care visits, lon -
The government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies is wide of the mark
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies announced today (Tuesday), UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
“It’s encouraging to see the government recognise the challenges Environment Agency staff face, but ministers’ plan is still well wide of the mark.
“Despite the best efforts of the workforce, spills have caused irreversible harm to coasts and rivers. Adding a handful of inspectors will make little difference.
“ -
Women’s health at work is a UNISON priority says conference
via unison.org.ukWomen’s health at work was a key focus of UNISON’s national women’s conference, held in Brighton last week.
Delegates passed motions with a specific focus on reproductive health, including one that called on the union to investigate and report on the needs of women workers in relation to endometriosis, menopause and menstruation.
Another motion called on the union to campaign for paid leave for pregnancy loss. During the debate, several speakers shared their experiences at work -
Blog: Celebrating our LGBT+ members and history
via unison.org.ukThis month, UNISON has been celebrating LGBT+ History Month. It was founded in 2004, as an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness of the history, lives and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
UNISON has taken a look back at the positive contribution activists and members have made to the struggle for equality. Meanwhile, across the union, events continue to celebrate the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers.
The theme for the 2024 LGBT+ History Month is medicine &n -
A promise that government makes to its citizens
EditorialSome huge budgetary reductions have been announced or elaborated upon this week, with consultations either in progress or about to be. It looks like Nottingham, fresh from opening a new central library, now has no money to pay for many of the others, meaning that up to 12 out of its 15 can no longer be afforded. Two Welsh councils have announced cuts: Conwy a 25% reduction in opening hours and Ceredigion a halving of its fleet of four mobiles, ending its service to schools and co-locati -
UNISON women pass emergency motion on Gaza
via unison.org.ukOn the second day of UNISON’s women’s conference, delegates passed an emergency motion on solidarity with women in Gaza.
The motion calls on the union to condemn the recent statement made by Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that the Israeli army must shoot anyone approaching the border, including women and children.
In a cabinet meeting earlier this week, he said: “We cannot have women and children getting close to the border … anyone who gets near must -
Christina McAnea lauds women who helped win NI peace
via unison.org.ukGeneral secretary Christina McAnea was met with a standing ovation after she delivered the keynote speech on the second day of UNISON’s 2024 women’s conference in Brighton.
Smiling as she greeted the hall of delegates, Ms McAnea gave a tribute to the first female regional secretary of UNISON, Inez McCormack.
Ms McAnea described how she was in her early twenties when she first heard Ms McCormack speak at a trade union conference, saying that Ms McCormack – then Northern Ireland& -
Yoga instructors pose a strike problem for unbending council
via unison.org.ukYoga, Pilates and aerobics instructors employed by Colchester City Council are to take strike action later this month after nearly a decade without a pay rise, UNISON announced today.The fitness instructors will walk out for seven days from Wednesday 28 February until Tuesday 5 March. Although the Leisure World and Northern Gateway Leisure Park trainers are directly employed by the council, they are not part of the same pay scheme as other staff.UNISON says unbending bosses a -
‘As a woman, my rights are not reduced by my LGBT+ comrades’
via unison.org.ukThe first day of UNISON’s women’s conference, chaired by Sharon Foster, passed several motions relating to LGBT+ rights, flexible working and female representation in the union.
The day began with an impassioned speech from the union’s president Libby Nolan, who paid particular reference to Labour’s new deal for workers and the ongoing crisis in Palestine, describing it as a ‘war on women’.
First, Ms Nolan said she was “determined that 2024, the year of -
UNISON urges Ofgem to act on customer bills
via unison.org.ukBritain’s energy regulator Ofgem must act to lower customer bills and secure a just transition for energy workers, following record rises in energy company profits, UNISON said today.
The union is calling on the regulator to intervene and reduce high energy prices for consumers. It said that the scale of energy company profits is indicative of an imbalance in the market, and immediate action must be taken to rectify the situation.
UNISON national secretary for energy Donna Rowe-Merriman sa -
Government must double maternity pay so mothers can afford to eat and heat their homes, say UNISON and Maternity Action
via unison.org.ukThe government must increase statutory maternity pay to £364.70 a week so new mothers are not forced back to work too early, say UNISON and Maternity Action today (Friday).
Both organisations are concerned some women are cutting short their maternity leave, skipping meals and making other drastic choices because they cannot afford to live on the current statutory weekly amount of £172.48*.
UNISON and Maternity Action are urg -
Government must double maternity pay so mothers can afford to eat and heat homes, says UNISON
via unison.org.ukThe government must increase statutory maternity pay to £364.70 a week so new mothers are not forced back to work too early, say UNISON and Maternity Action today (Friday).
Both organisations are concerned some women are cutting short their maternity leave, skipping meals and making other drastic choices because they cannot afford to live on the current statutory weekly amount of £172.48*.
UNISON and Maternity Action are urg -
Government must double maternity pay so mothers can afford to eat and heat homes
via unison.org.ukThe government must increase statutory maternity pay to £364.70 a week so new mothers are not forced back to work too early, say UNISON and Maternity Action today (Friday).
Both organisations are concerned some women are cutting short their maternity leave, skipping meals and making other drastic choices because they cannot afford to live on the current statutory weekly amount of £172.48*.
UNISON and Maternity Action are urg -
Women in the UK’s public services repeatedly denied flexible-work requests
via unison.org.ukThree in ten (30%) women working in schools, hospitals, care homes, town halls, police stations and other key services who have asked to work flexibly have had requests denied, according to a UNISON survey released today (Thursday).
The findings – based on responses from just over 44,000 women working in the public sector – suggest employers are being ‘inconsistent, rigid and unimaginative’ by denying individuals the flexibility needed, says UNISON.
The survey is released -
Ambulance workplace culture needs to change
via unison.org.ukCommenting on the findings of the independent review of the culture in ambulance services published today (Thursday), UNISON acting head of health Helga Pile said:
“All too often ambulance workers are expected to be superhuman and put up with whatever is thrown at them.
“But the reality is that there’s a huge personal cost if employees are mistreated at work. Stress and burnout are rife, which prompts experienced staff to leave, worsening the situation for the co -
NEC plans for the coming year
via unison.org.ukUNISON’s national executive council (NEC) met yesterday, for the first time this year, to discuss a substantial agenda, including the motions the council will be taking to national delegate conference in June.
In her report opening the meeting, general secretary Christina McAnea applauded the achievements of 2023’s Year of Black Workers – not least in building a legacy for going forward.
She noted that this year is the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers, adding that she would
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