Library news

• Speaking up for schools

  23-01-2019 15:10 via unison.org.uk
  UNISON has launched a consultative ballot of school support staff members in England as part of its Speak up for schools campaign.
  UNISON represents around 250,000 school support staff across the UK and those members do fantastic work helping children learn, keeping them safe and healthy and schools running smoothly.
  But life is getting harder in our schools so the union is running a consultative ballot of members in England about their pay, terms and condition and workload.
  We want to know what
  
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• Councils need proper funding not further efficiency savings

  16-05-2024 19:00 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on a letter to counclis today (Thursday) from local government minister Simon Hoare calling for greater productivity, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said:
  “The best way for councils to run efficient services is for them to be adequately resourced and staffed.
  “Local authority budgets have been cut to the bone after 14 years of slashed budgets, and that’s had a serious impact on communities.
  “With so many councils teetering on the brink, the gov
  
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• Council and school staff pay offer falls short

  16-05-2024 15:15 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) by local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of a pay offer of at least £1,290 for council and school staff, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said:
  “Council and school staff deserve a decent pay rise for the vital support they provide to communities. But this offer falls short of the union’s reasonable claim.
  “Many workers will feel let down because their household bills continue to rise. UN
  
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• Investment not wishful thinking is key to fixing the NHS

  15-05-2024 01:28 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on government plans intended to improve patient choice, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said today (Wednesday):
  “Small-scale pilot schemes and wishful thinking are no solution to the huge problems facing the NHS.
  “It’s not possible to magic up the extra trained staff and equipment needed to plug the gaping holes in the healthcare system caused by more than a decade of under-investment.
  “Giving the illusion of more choice is cold comfort to patients who’v
  
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• Government failure to fix NHS buildings puts patients and staff at risk

  15-05-2024 01:01 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on an NHS Providers report that shows delays to the government’s new hospitals programme are harming patients, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:
  “Government cuts have left NHS premises in a dire state, while badly ageing equipment can’t be replaced. The repair backlog keeps growing too.
  “This sorry state of affairs has put patients and staff at risk, closed wards, delayed treatment, and worsened the crisis across the health se
  
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• UNISON opinion: Your vote matters

  14-05-2024 11:57 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  It’s the final countdown to the close of UNISON’s important service group executive elections.
  It’s because UNISON members are at the heart of all our work, that we put power into members’ hands. That’s why your votes in these elections matter.
  The ballot closes this Friday 17 May at 5pm, so if you’re planning to vote by post, don’t delay in returning your paper ballot. You can also vote using the link sent to
  
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• Do you feel more Irish than Australian?

  12-05-2024 19:43 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialThe big news for me this week was the spreading of the idea that councils can decide what books libraries should have on their shelves to that normal paragon of library-ness, Australia. In descriptions that sound almost identical to similar debates in the USA, one said it was a matter of following their religion. Meanwhile, in Ireland, such challenges are being met with a strengthening in the power of libraries in being able to oppose those who wish to direct what others are allowed to
  
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• Raising pay is crucial step in ending social care crisis

  12-05-2024 01:09 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on a Policy Exchange report that argues against plans to raise care worker pay, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday):
  “Social care is an essential public service. But the government has treated care as an optional extra, starved the sector of funding and done nothing to end poverty pay for care workers.
  “That’s why care companies are really struggling to recruit and keep staff. Social care is in a desperate state and minis
  
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• Service group elections – don’t miss the chance to vote

  09-05-2024 12:30 via unison.org.uk
  
  There are just a few days left to vote in this year’s service group executive elections. The ballots opened on 22 April and will close on Friday 17 May.
  If you have not yet received a ballot pack, the latest that you can request one is by 12pm noon tomorrow, Friday 10 May. To do so, you need to call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
  UNISONdirect operational hours are Monday to Friday 6am to midnight and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0
  
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• UNISON opinion: PM should call an immediate general election

  07-05-2024 12:46 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  The Westminster government’s plummeting popularity was made clear in almost every ballot box last Thursday.
  Divisive politics were rejected in our cities and towns, and voters in council elections deserted the Conservatives over their party’s failure to properly fund local services.
  Labour achieved some stunning victories, but has also acknowledged there’s plenty of work to do to ahead of the general election.The prime minister did g
  
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• The reason for it

  06-05-2024 16:28 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  Editorial
  One of the strange things about covering public libraries since 2010 is seeing how things could have gone with more funding. The Library of Birmingham was one such. Opened in the years of coalition government but planned before, this was seen as a big shining symbol of the city and for the future of libraries generally. But the money ran out. Now it is open only 40 hours per week, areas of it hired out and many other libraries in the city under threat of closure. In an alternate world,
  
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• Christina McAnea stresses how vital school support staff are

  02-05-2024 17:08 via unison.org.uk
  
  The annual UNISON school support staff seminar took place yesterday in Cardiff, providing the chance for activists in schools to develop their skills and knowledge in the sector, through a combination of speaker presentations and workshops.
  General secretary Christina McAnea told those attending: “You are a really important group within our union. About one in five of our members are school support staff – that’s how big a group you are in our union.
  “And that’s rea
  
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• Take the chance to learn at work

  02-05-2024 16:17 via unison.org.uk
  
  Explore the power of learning during this year’s national Learning at Work Week, which runs from 13-17 May this year.
  Learning at Work Week is an annual event that highlights the importance and benefits of learning and development – and this year’s programme is no exception.
  It’s a great chance to try out short versions of some of UNISON College’s courses and workshops, and find out more information about where to go next with your learning journey.
  All the sessions
  
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• Government’s hostile policies are worsening already dire staffing shortages in care, says UNISON

  30-04-2024 15:03 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on new Home Office figures showing applications for care worker visas have fallen by a quarter in six months, UNISON head of care Gavin Edwards said today (Tuesday):
  “The staffing crisis in care was already bad, but the government has just made things a whole lot worse.
  “Ministers have made it clear migrant care workers aren’t welcome. This is the stark result. No one could blame overseas staff for taking their skills to countries where they’ll be more welcome.
  
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• UNISON opinion: Make sure that you use your vote this Thursday

  29-04-2024 16:13 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  Up for election in England and Wales this Thursday are 41 police and crime commissioners, thousands of councillors, 10 metro mayors and all 25 London Assembly members.
  This election is about putting your trust in the right people to deliver local services in your town or city, and about who you want to be responsible for your local police force. It’s also the last set of local results we will get before the general election.
  The prime minister i
  
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• Stop violence at work: Please take the campaign survey

  29-04-2024 11:49 via unison.org.uk
  
  UNISON is calling on members to participate in a survey about violence at work.
  Your input is invaluable in helping the union understand the prevalence and nature of workplace violence and harassment. By completing this survey, you contribute to shaping UNISON campaigns and initiatives that will support members working in public services.
  By sharing your experiences, you will shed light on this serious issue. Your voice helps the union to understand the scope of the problem, which then helps gui
  
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• Irish Libraries Are Smiling

  28-04-2024 10:09 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  Editorial
  A few news pieces catch my eye today. The first is an ex-magistrate sating in the Mail – where else – that libraries could be turned into court venues as they are under-used public buildings. Words fail me sometimes. Sadly, they don’t fail the Mail. Then we have the normal US madness of censorship, with 17 states now considering imprisoning librarians for their stock choices. There’s also a heart-rending story from that torn country about a child, are regular vi
  
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• Struggling schools forced to rely on teaching assistants as cheap cover for teachers

  26-04-2024 21:30 via unison.org.uk
  
  Pupils are missing out on essential support as teaching assistants increasingly provide cover for absent teachers, without lesson plans or help from other colleagues, according to a report released by UNISON today (Saturday).
  The report Teaching on the Cheap? is based on survey responses from almost 6,000 teaching assistants covering classes in England and Wales. It suggests ongoing teacher shortages mean support staff are increasingly having to lead lessons and manage whole classes by
  
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• Government’s failure to implement Windrush decisions is unlawful

  23-04-2024 13:05 via unison.org.uk
  
  The government’s decision to scrap recommendations made by an independent review into the Windrush scandal was unlawful, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
  Over the next two days at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, the union will be putting forward legal arguments to support the case brought by Windrush scandal victim Trevor Donald.
  Mr Donald is challenging the decision taken in early 2023 by the then home secretary Suella Braverman to scrap three of the recommendations hailing from th
  
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• Government should be ashamed of trading lives for votes over Rwanda

  23-04-2024 11:00 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on the Rwanda bill clearing its final parliamentary hurdle, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Tuesday):
  “Nothing more clearly demonstrates the cruelty and moral bankruptcy of this government than the ghastly Rwanda law it has finally pushed through parliament.
  “For ministers to be gleeful at the export of vulnerable people, including children and victims of modern slavery, is a disgrace.
  “The UK is trading away its humanitarian duties and turning
  
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• UNISON opinion: Who wins? You decide

  23-04-2024 10:50 via unison.org.uk
  
  Ballot papers for the service group executive (SGE) elections should have arrived in your email inboxes. You’ll also receive a postal ballot paper to your home address very soon.
  Now is the time to use your vote and choose who represents you on your service group executive committee.
  The SGEs are made up of UNISON members who decide what campaigns to run on your pay, terms, conditions, and funding for public services. They can also take decisions on pay consultations, strike ballots, days
  
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• Opinion: Who wins? You decide

  23-04-2024 10:50 via unison.org.uk
  
  Ballot papers for the service group executive (SGE) elections should have arrived in your email inboxes. You’ll also receive a postal ballot paper to your home address very soon.
  Now is the time to use your vote and choose who represents you on your service group executive committee.
  The SGEs are made up of UNISON members who decide what campaigns to run on your pay, terms, conditions, and funding for public services. They can also take decisions on pay consultations, strike ballots, days
  
  Read more

• Not a ban

  21-04-2024 17:59 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialNot a big week for news with, sadly, the main theme being the continued issue of difficulties in American libraries. There’s continued pressure in many states to make librarians accountable for the books that children can access, up to an including fines and prison sentences. Not that this is apparently banning books according a large comment free-to-access piece in the pay-to-view Telegraph this week, which is perhaps an unsurprising indication of how that newspaper feels about t
  
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• Prime Minister should focus on the NHS, not demonise those too sick to work

  19-04-2024 13:47 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on the Prime Minister’s proposals on welfare reform today (Friday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “The Prime Minister has promised and failed to cut NHS waiting lists.“Worse still, his government has damaged the public services people were once able to rely upon to get better and stay healthy.
  “Lengthy waits for NHS operations and treatment have left people languishing at home, too sick or injured to work. That’s a personal tragedy for t
  
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• NEC hears of another Supreme Court win for UNISON

  18-04-2024 12:13 via unison.org.uk
  
  UNISON’s national executive council, meeting yesterday, heard that the union had just won the case of Fiona Mercer in the Supreme Court. General secretary Christina McAnea said that it means that, “today, the court has agreed that the (UK) law is incompatible with international law, because it does not protect workers from ongoing victimisation by employers if they have taken legal industrial action”.
  The case had been won in the employment appeal tribunal, but the then busines
  
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• Supreme Court judgment stops bad bosses from punishing striking workers

  17-04-2024 11:11 via unison.org.uk
  
  Judges have told employers they’ll no longer be able to discipline their staff for taking part in legal strike action in a UK Supreme Court ruling today (Wednesday), says UNISON.
  The union, which took the case on behalf of care worker Fiona Mercer, says the government must now act quickly to change the law and ensure no other employees are treated unfairly.
  Today’s judgment follows a two-day hearing in December. UNISON took the case to the Supreme Court to overturn an earlier Co
  
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• Libraries turning into drug-infested sex dens

  14-04-2024 11:33 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  Editorial
  wow is this true pic.twitter.com/vPA0sv5aZa— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) April 11, 2024
  In a shocking expose from the ever-balanced and fair Fox News, we discover that American public libraries are drug-infested sex dens. This must come as something of a surprise to their users. Also, to their library staff too, it seems, as many have taken to Twitter to ask where these libraries are (including, suspiciously, wanting their precise addresses, presumably for private research
  
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• Pay is key to persuading staff to stay in the NHS

  11-04-2024 01:12 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on new analysis analysis by researchers at the University of Bath published today (Thursday) showing the extent to which NHS are looking for work outside the health service, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:
  “When some NHS workers are earning just a penny more than the minimum wage, it’s little wonder many don’t feel like staying.
  “Supermarkets are paying higher rates and can offer staff discounts and much less stressful jobs.
  “But a p
  
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• Why insourcing isn’t always a win

  10-04-2024 17:37 via unison.org.uk
  
  On the final day of UNISON’s health conference, delegates heard a series of debates on defending the NHS against privatisation.
  Tam Hiddleston for the service group executive warned that, while “we invariably think of insourcing as a positive,” some insourcing “is about private operators being brought into the NHS.”
  UNISON needs to be very careful to monitor “any wider implications for Agenda for Change pay and conditions,” he continued.
  Chris from Londo
  
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• Delegates support calls on wellbeing and health and safety

  10-04-2024 11:31 via unison.org.uk
  
  Delegates to UNISON’s health conference debated a series of motions under the collective heading of health, safety and wellbeing, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
  “Let’s commit to fostering a workplace where every woman feels valued,” said Susan Parkinson (pictured above).
  Moving a motion on women’s mental health at work for the national women’s committee, she explained that women experience higher levels of mental health problems than men.
  Karen Buckley from
  
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