East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has told hundreds of cleaners, porters and caterers today their jobs could be moved out of the NHS, says UNISON. In a letter to staff, chief executive Nick Hulme says the trust is to privatise housekeeping, security and other services related to the running of Colchester […]
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Hard-pressed Queen Elizabeth Hospital workers are being hit with a fresh financial challenge with the return of staff parking charges this week, UNISON warns today. NHS trusts in England stopped charging staff to park during the Covid-19 pandemic and many have kept parking free since then. Free parking is also available for hospital staff in […]
Healthcare support staff are handing in more than 400 open letters to the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) board today asking for fair pay for the clinical duties they undertake, says UNISON. A delegation of healthcare assistants, maternity support workers, theatre assistants and other clinical support staff are to present the letters […]
We’re marking LGBT+ History Month by getting some of our activists to take the Five Questions challenge. Next up is Peter Oates, co-chair of the Eastern region LGBT+ committee and a health worker. Here’s what he had to say. Who are you? I am Peter, a UNISON activist in the Eastern region As a member […]
February is LGBT+ History Month and this year’s is extra special as it takes place in Year of LGBT+ Workers. To mark the occasion we’re speaking to some of the LGBT+ identifying activists across Eastern. Here’s health worker Lily taking the Five Questions challenge. Who are you? I’m Lily Martin (she/they) and I am a […]
Throughout LGBT+ History Month, we’re asking some of our inspirational LGBT+ activists to tell us a bit about themselves. Next up to take the Five Question challenge Norfolk County’s Ben Edwards. Here’s what he had to say. Who are you? Hello, I am Ben. I am a UNISON steward, health and safety rep, LGBT+ branch […]
UNISON Eastern members pounded pavements across the region at the weekend to garner support for Labour’s New Deal for Working People ahead of the general election. Activists turned out for Unions Together-organised events in the east of England, including, Watford, Peterborough, Great Yarmouth, Welwyn and Hatfield and Ipswich. On Saturday, members of UNISON and shopworkers’ […]
This LGBT+ History Month is extra special as we’re also celebrating UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers. To mark the occasion we’re asking some of our LGBT+ activists to take the five-question challenge. First up is NHS worker Alex Montgomery. Who are you? I’m Alex (he/him). I’m a queer, disabled transman from Eastern region. I’m also […]
The general election expected this year will be hugely important for UNISON members and everyone working in public services. It’s essential that public services workers use their voices. The first step towards that is to get on the electoral register. Here’s a handy guide to registering to vote and what you’ll need to take with […]
Outsourced Norwich council workers are urging councillors to back a vote tomorrow exploring whether or not to bring their services back in house, UNISON says today. Norwich City Council contracts out housing maintenance, street sweeping and council office cleaning services to Norwich City Services Limited (NCSL), which is wholly owned by the council. Staff have […]
Yoga, aerobics and Pilates instructors at Colchester City Council are voting on strike action after nearly a decade without a pay rise, says UNISON today. The Leisure World instructors are all directly employed by the council but their pay is determined differently to the scales used for other staff at the local authority. UNISON says […]
Healthcare support workers at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust are voting on strike action after years of being “ripped off”, UNISON says today. Hundreds of healthcare assistants, maternity care workers, theatre support assistants and other clinical support workers are calling to be properly paid for their work. The staff are currently paid at band 2, but […]
UNISON Eastern’s One Weekend hosts our annual branch and activist award, a celebration of the fantastic work that goes on in the region. Of course anyone giving up their time and energy to make life better for their colleagues is an award-winner, but we like to pay a special tribute to the branches and activists […]
Essex residents will be hit hard by plans to slash nearly 100 council jobs, UNISON warns today. Redundancy notices were served at Thurrock Council today, with 19 jobs slated to go in the first round of cuts, a week after Southend Council revealed plans to lose 80 jobs. Thurrock is looking to make £18 million […]