Library news

• 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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• Opinion: ‘The past is gloomy, but the future doesn’t have to be’

  28-05-2024 11:26 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  It’s hard to believe that, less than a week ago, a rain-soaked prime minister rolled the dice in front of the nation. It’s been a hapless campaign start for Rishi Sunak, but at least he put us out of our misery and called the general election. In his own words, we can now decide between “the past and the future”.
  Calling the election is just about all we can thank him for. He may try to distance himself from his party’s r
  
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• National election called: public librarians know which way they will be voting

  27-05-2024 15:33 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialSo, an election has been called. The British public can now decide on who they think is best to govern them. On hearing the news, I immediately ran a poll to see which political party the nice people on Twitter who follow me think should win. The result wasn’t really open to interpretation. I could be wrong but I think a 87.3% vote for Labour would mean they take government. Out of 142 votes, the Conservatives and Lib Dems tied on five or six votes each, with Reform getting none.
  
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• Beleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’

  26-05-2024 14:38 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on Conservative proposals that would see 18-year-olds either join the military or do ‘volunteer’ work for a year, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday):
  “This is a desperate attempt to distract from the issues that matter to voters and suggests Rishi Sunak has completely lost the plot.
  “It shows how quickly the government is prepared to abandon the communities it promised to ‘level up’.
  “The cost of this hare-brain
  
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• Fairer work will be good news for millions, says UNISON

  25-05-2024 15:43 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on the Labour Party’s plan to make work pay, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Saturday):
  “There will be a clear choice in July. A vote for a party that understands the huge struggles employees and their families have been facing. Or one that’s persistently let working people down these past 14 years.
  “Labour’s new deal best illustrates that choice. It will make work fairer and boost the economy too.
  “That’s why its measure
  
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• Tory attacks on employment rights show how little they understand what working people want

  24-05-2024 23:00 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on Tory attacks on Labour’s proposed new deal for workers, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This is scaremongering at its very worst.
  “These figures bear absolutely no relation to reality and are quite frankly bonkers. It’s no small wonder the economy’s in such a mess if similarly farcical figures are informing the government’s economic strategy.
  “Yet again, the Tories are showing how little they understand the lives of ordinar
  
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• NEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’

  24-05-2024 10:08 via unison.org.uk
  
  In her report to UNISON’s national executive council meeting today, general secretary Christina McAnea thanked those who helped campaigning for the local elections earlier in May.
  And speaking less than 24 hours after Rishi Sunak called a general election she noted that, in England and Wales on 4 July, “if you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories. We want to see as many Labour MPs returned as possible”.
  “We have seen, as trade unionists, the r
  
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• Workers in councils and schools should reject low pay offer, says UNISON

  23-05-2024 15:50 via unison.org.uk
  
  Council and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are worth far more than the “disappointing” pay increase they’ve been offered by employers, says UNISON today (Thursday).
  The union is to consult hundreds of thousands of workers in local government over the £1,290 offer made last week, with a recommendation they vote to reject it.
  UNISON is calling for an improvement to pay that fairly rewards council and school staff, many of whom are in low-wage roles, for
  
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• Statement in solidarity with student protests for Gaza

  23-05-2024 15:38 via unison.org.uk
  
  UNISON sends its solidarity to all those who are peacefully protesting on university campuses here in the UK and around the world, in support of a ceasefire in Gaza and justice and rights for the Palestinian people.
  UNISON supports these calls and has consistently campaigned for an end to the occupation and for a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.
  Peaceful protests, encampments and occupations on university campuses have played an important role in many struggles against injustices in th
  
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• UNISON raises concerns over UK energy security

  23-05-2024 14:53 via unison.org.uk
  
  UNISON has raised concerns with energy company National Grid over its announcement to sell the Grain Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, located in Kent.
  National Grid is a private energy company operating in the UK and US and the largest electricity transmission and distribution business in the UK. 
  The Grain LNG terminal is the UK and Europe’s largest terminal importing LNG to the country. UNISON is concerned that the decision to sell it could have a negative impact on the UK&rsqu
  
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• Election can’t come soon enough, says UNISON

  22-05-2024 18:29 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on the Prime Minister’s decision to call a general election on 4 July, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “Election day can’t come soon enough. Working people and their families are crying out for a new government in Westminster.
  “One that values public services, can revitalise the economy and has a vision for the future.
  “Anyone who has struggled to make ends meet, tried to get an NHS appointment, seen council services savaged or wrangled wi
  
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• Skills boot camps for the unemployed a desperate attempt to distract voters from government care failings

  21-05-2024 12:53 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on a speech today (Tuesday) by work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, in which he announced a ministerial taskforce to tackle recruitment in hard-to-fill sectors like social care, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
  “There’s nothing wrong with promoting social care as a career and offering proper training to try to attract new recruits to the crisis-stricken sector.
  “But forcing the unemployed off benefits and into caring roles,&n
  
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• Skills boot camps for the unemployed a desperate attempt to distract from government failings

  21-05-2024 12:53 via unison.org.uk
  
  Commenting on a speech today (Tuesday) by work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, in which he announced a ministerial taskforce to tackle recruitment in hard-to-fill sectors like social care, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
  “There’s nothing wrong with promoting social care as a career and offering proper training to try to attract new recruits to the crisis-stricken sector.
  “But forcing the unemployed off benefits and into caring roles,&n
  
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• Opinion: The water industry is a national scandal

  20-05-2024 16:21 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON’s head of environment, Donna Rowe-Merriman
  The current ownership and operating model for the water industry in England is in the news almost every day – and almost always for the wrong reasons.
  Privatisation of the water industry has failed. Disastrously. It was a Tory government gamble that has not paid off – unless you are a water company chief executive or shareholder.
  Consumers have not seen better outcomes. In fact, we are seeing profits being extracted for share
  
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• Welsh libraries are aiming to have real presence

  19-05-2024 17:09 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialThe move by Wales towards the ambition of having one library card to be able to be used in all library services in the nation is highly laudable. Public libraries should be about reducing barriers to access and this is an obvious one – you’d need 22 library cards at the moment to get the full Welsh set. And some of these services would be big enough to justify a mere single library in a lot of England:Merthyr Tydfil has a population of 43,000, Caerphilly 41,000. But the nati
  
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• UNISON opinion: Supporting our LGBT+ members is crucial

  17-05-2024 10:30 via unison.org.uk
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  Today is the international day against homophobia, bi+phobia (IDAHOBIT) and transphobia. It’s always been an important date for UNISON since its creation in 2004. Each year since then, we’ve reflected on how we can combat LGBT+-phobic discrimination and harassment.
  Of course, some progress has been made over the last couple of decades, but I’m saddened to say that in some ways, LGBT+ equality is going backwards in the UK.
  The 2024 I
  
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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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• 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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