UNISON the public service union

Primary and Community Care Report - UNISON Reaction

(04/07/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, raised concerns over the consequences of introducing individual budgets outlined in today’s “Primary and Community Care” report.

MPS TAKE TIME OUT FROM PAY DEBATE TO SIGN-UP TO FAIR DEAL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS

(03/07/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today called on MPs take time out from their own pay debate and sign-up to fair pay for local government workers.

Local Government Staff Lobby LGA Conference

(02/07/2008) UNISON members working in local government today (2 July) lobbied delegates at the Local Government Association (LGA) conference in Bournemouth. In the latest stage of the dispute over pay, conference delegates were given peanuts and bananas to show how little the 2.45% pay offer means.

Sheffield Nurse Is New UNISON President

(02/07/2008) Sue Highton, a 55 year old nurse from Sheffield, has been elected President of UNISON – the highest lay position in the union. She was previously vice president and has been a member of UNISON for thirty two years. She will hold the position for one year.

My 'Council', What About 'My Pay' Say's UNISON

(02/07/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today attacked the Local Government Association (LGA) for launching a “My Council” PR exercise, as 600,000 local government workers prepare to take strike action.

Holidays a Distant Memory for Local Government Workers

(30/06/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector trade union, today (30 June) called for fair pay for local government workers in light of recent research showing thousands of families will miss out on a summer holiday this year. This is the result of years of below inflation pay awards and the spiralling cost of basics like fuel, food and housing.

Local Government Strike Dates Confirmed

(27/06/2008) UNISON’s industrial action committee today (27 June) confirmed that local government strikes will go ahead on 16 and 17 of July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Equality Bill - UNISON Reaction

(26/06/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union with nearly one million women in membership, has called for action to fund equal pay as the Government publishes its Equality Bill tomorrow (Thursday).

UNISON Wins Compensation For Asbestos Victim Family

(26/06/2008) The family of a former UNISON member has received more than £140,000 in compensation following his death from mesothelioma - a lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Jim Crowe, from Wood Green in London, died aged 79, in June 2007 after developing the deadly disease.

NMC Report - Joint Union Reaction

(24/06/2008) Health Unions respond to the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s reorganisation The following statement is issued jointly by the Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing and UNISON: “The Council for Regulation of Health Professionals (CHRE) report is very thorough and highlights a number of serious failings in the operation and organisation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). A key concern is the fact that that relationships within the council appear to have broken down to such an extent that it reported inappropriate behaviour by and amongst members.

Tory Plans for NHS - UNISON Reaction

(24/06/2008) Commenting on David Cameron’s plans for the NHS, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

Local Government Strike Dates

(24/06/2008) UNISON negotiators are recommending to the union’s industrial action committee that its 600,000 local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland kick off their strike action with a 48-hour walk out on July 16 and 17. The union’s industrial action committee meets on Friday (27 June) to make the final decision.

Local Government Workers Vote For Sustained Strike Action Over Pay

(23/06/2008) UNISON’s local government members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of sustained strike action over a 2.45% pay offer.

UNISON Withdraws Rise Festival Funding

(20/06/2008) Delegates at UNISON’s national conference in Bournemouth today (20 June) voted to withdraw funding from the Rise festival, after the newly elected Tory Mayor of London decided to take anti-racist campaigning out of the annual event.

UNISON Calls for Tighter Regualtions To Protect Teaching Assistants And Pupils

(19/06/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union representing over 200,000 schools support staff is calling for tighter regulations on the use of teaching assistants in schools.

Labour's Traditional Supporters Deserting the Party

(19/06/2008) Labour’s traditional supporters look to be deserting the Party in their droves, according to an Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by UNISON. Almost half (47%) of those who have regularly voted Labour at past elections now say they are less likely to vote Labour than they were in 2005.

Health Workers Agree Three Year Pay Deal

(18/06/2008) Twelve* health unions representing 1.3m health workers have today agreed to sign off the proposed multi-year pay deal, but warned that the built-in re-opener clause would be triggered if inflation continues to rise.

UNISON Launches Migrant Workers Charter

(18/06/2008) Delegates at UNISON’s national conference voted today (17 June) to intensify a campaign to protect the rights of migrant workers in the UK. The move is the latest in a union wide campaign to end exploitation of this vulnerable group of staff.

Local Government Strike Threat Over Fuel Costs

(17/06/2008) Delegates at UNISON’s local government conference have threatened strike action if employers do not increase mileage rates.

Cancer Drug Treatment Review - UNISON Reaction

(17/06/2008) UNISON Head of Health, Karen Jennings, said: “Cancer drug treatment is a uniquely difficult area and it is worthy of a review. Nobody should suffer or live in fear of not having access to life-saving or life-prolonging drugs.

Casey Review - UNISON Reaction

(16/06/2008) UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union, today welcomed the findings of the Casey review, and called for them to be incorporated into the up and coming NPIA review.

Ofsted Staff In Second Round Of Action

(16/06/2008) 1000 members of UNISON and PCS working in Ofsted will today (16 June) begin a second round of action in a dispute over pay. Staff will begin a three month work to rule, banning overtime and the use of personal cars for business. The move is the latest in a series of action over a below inflation three year pay deal and a divisive new pay structure. The action will disrupt the tight schedule of inspections for children's homes, nurseries, boarding schools and child minding services.

Healthcare Commission Report into Hospital Hygeine Standards

(16/06/2008) Commenting on the Healthcare Commission’s public warning over failures in hospital hygiene, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

Seaside Postcard Delivers Health Warning

(16/06/2008) UNISON's campaign to keep NHS sterile-services in-house was given a boost today (16 June) by Dave Prentis, General Secretary, when he unveiled a giant postcard with a health warning at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Local Government Workers Demand Fair Car Rates

(14/06/2008) UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, is today (12 June) demanding that local government employers reopen talks on car allowances given recent hikes in the cost of petrol and diesel.

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