The crisis at a Cambridgeshire care company shows why the government must drop plans to cap overseas care staff numbers and act to stop employers exploiting those already working in the UK, says UNISON today. The union says proposals reportedly being drawn up by immigration minister Robert Jenrick to curb migration would be disastrous for […]
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Teaching assistants, caretakers, cleaners and other school support staff in Hertfordshire will no longer have their wages stopped when they go off sick, UNISON announces today. Staff in schools run by Hertfordshire County Council were having their pay stopped for two days when they were too ill to work after the council changed its contractual […]
Rounding off this year’s Black History Month 5 Questions challenge is Sophilia from University of Hertfordshire UNISON. Here’s what she has to say. Who are you? Sophilia Matengenzara, Black members officer and rep, University of Hertfordshire branch. Why is Black History Month important to you? It is important because it provides me with an opportunity […]
Brian Periera is one of our regional Black members group co-chairs. He’s the next Black activist to take part in our 5 Questions series this Black History Month. Who are you? I’m Brian Pereira. I’m communications officer, chair, Black members officer and Labour Link officer for UNISON Essex Police branch. Why is Black History Month […]
Ambulance worker Glenn Carrington holds the Eastern general seat on UNISON’s national executive council. He’s the next person to take the 5 Questions challenge for Black History Month. Who are you? Glenn Carrington, AKA The Bear. I was the first Black paramedic in Cambridgeshire Ambulance Service, now part of the East of England Ambulance Service, and […]
Workers in Colchester’s bin depots, leisure centres and crematoriums are voting on strikes over the city council’s refusal to offer a decent pay rise, UNISON warns today. Colchester staff had asked for an above-inflation pay rise to make up for years of wages failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living. But the […]
Firdos Finch fits being co-chair of our regional Black members group into her day job and a host of other UNISON duties. And she’s also found the time to take our 5 Questions challenge for Black History Month 2023. Who are you? I am Firdy Finch and I am branch secretary at UNISON Essex. I […]
Next up to take the five questions challenge for Black History Month is Lloyd Ledgister of the regional Black members committee. Who are you? My name is Lloyd Ledgister Cambridgeshire Constabulary Branch Why is Black History Month important to you? Black history generally is important to me. It’s an opportunity to recognise how Black people […]
Cambridgeshire County UNISON has unfurled a new branch banner for the first time in a demonstration outside the council offices. Emblazoned with the word “Solidarity,” it’s fitting that the banner’s first outing was at a Fire Brigades Union rally, with the branch showing UNISON’s support for a campaign against the dangerous watering down of safety […]
St Albans City and District Council is celebrating Black History Month by signing a charter aimed at combatting racism in the public sector, the council and UNISON announce today. UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter commits the organisation and its leaders to a range of pledges designed to prevent racial bias. It includes championing a racially diverse workforce, […]
Across UNISON, every branch is working towards an ambitious target: increase membership by 1% over 2023. Having more members isn’t about prestige, it’s about having more strength to fight for better pay, better workplaces and better public services. As a region, we’re making great progress to finish 2023 above 1%, but no-one’s getting complacent in […]
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has become the first university in the country to sign a landmark pledge against racism at a ceremony in Cambridge. UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter commits ARU and its leaders to a range of pledges designed to prevent racial bias. It includes championing a racially diverse workforce, having a clear programme of anti-racist […]
Next up in our Black History Month series is Hetty Okonji. Hetty works in the NHS in Bedfordshire and is Black members officer and health and safety officer for her branch. Who are you? Hetty Okonji — I’m an assistant service manager in the NHS and Bedfordshire Health branch Black members officer, health and safety […]
We’re celebrating Black History Month 2023 by asking our Black activists five questions. First up, Josette Kennington. She was UNISON Eastern’s equalities activist of the year and is Black members officer at Cambridgeshire County branch. Who are you? Josette Kennington, Cambridgeshire County branch. Why is Black History Month important to you? It is important to […]
We talk to Basildon Council branch secretary Louisa Lewis about what Black History Month means to her