Articles

Run to rebuild – our key workers need a voice that matters

Over the past few months it’s become increasingly obvious that key workers are absolutely essential in keeping the country running. But the way they’re treated shows how little they’re involved in actually running the country. Trade unions were founded to give working people a greater say in their working lives. And unions founded the Labour […]

UNISON staff Step Up this September

UNISON Eastern’s members have been running themselves ragged this year, so our staff are going to lace up their running shoes to do the same for you. All our regional organisers have signed up for Step Up September, a month-long challenge raising money in aid of There for You, UNISON’s welfare charity. They’ll be walking, […]

Suffolk County Council hasn’t listened to children’s centre staff

Despite months of campaigning by Suffolk children’s centre staff, the county council’s cabinet today voted through its closure programme. It has approved cuts to services at 21 of the remaining 38 centres. Eleven would have their hours cut while the other 10 will shut completely. A service redesign was first suggested last year but shelved […]

Lowest paid protected from University of East Anglia Covid-19 cuts

The University of East Anglia’s lower-paid staff will be protected from planned cuts under a new deal struck with unions, UNISON reveals today. UEA faces a £35m financial shortfall because of Covid-19 and has already asked staff to take voluntary pay cuts through reduced hours and voluntary redundancies. University bosses also wanted to impose a […]

Work in social care? We want to hear from you!

Despite the gradual return to normal, Covid-19 is still a real and present danger in care homes. Staff have been deeply affected by the virus and will continue to face significant challenges as the rest of the country opens back up. The government has announced a £600m infection control fund to help stop the spread […]

It’s time to turn claps into action

In his latest regional secretary’s blog, Tim Roberts urges us to raise our voices loud for an NHS pay rise

Celebrate International Youth Day by joining UNISON!

12 August is International Youth Day, the day the UN has picked to encourage young people to get involved in the world around them and shape the things that affect their lives. There’s not much that affects your life more than how things are at work, whether it’s low pay, long hours, unrealistic workloads, bullying […]

By standing together we can celebrate our diversity

West Norfolk Local Government’s Fabia Pollard looks forward to marking Pride this year, even if it won’t be on the streets

‘We were there every minute to support your loved ones’ – NHS workers speak out on pay

NHS workers have been lauded as heroes during the pandemic, with government ministers proudly standing on their doorsteps to clap our keyworkers. But when UNISON and our sister health unions asked them to turn claps into cash and give NHS staff a long overdue pay rise, there was rather less support. We’re fighting to change […]

It’s been all hands on deck – how we’re keeping police support staff safe

It’s not just in the NHS or local councils that UNISON members have been keeping our public services above water during the pandemic. In police forces across the UK, police community support officers (PCSOs), control room staff, scene of crime officers and many other support workers are proud to be in UNISON. Carol Johnson is one of […]

Outsourced Luton & Dunstable Hospital cleaners claim NHS pay victory

Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s outsourced cleaners have won the same pay as their NHS colleagues after a months-long fight for justice, unions UNISON can reveal today. When a new cleaning, catering and housekeeping contract begins in November, the workers, many paid the minimum wage, will enjoy full NHS pay of at least £9.21 an hour, […]

UNISON takes the heat off

As the mercuries rise again many of us will be struggling to work through the heat. But, wherever health and safety is a concern, workers can sort them out through their unions. Staff at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital are reaping the rewards of this, thanks to new hot weather measures agreed with UNISON and […]

Public want NHS staff to get early and significant pay rise, polls shows

A majority of the public (69%) think all NHS staff should get an early pay rise before the end of this year, according to a UNISON/Savanta ComRes poll published today. The findings also highlight how two-thirds (66%) believe a wage increase for employees — including healthcare assistants, nurses, hospital porters, midwives, paramedics and cleaners — should be significant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. […]

How is coronavirus affecting your housing?

Chance to win £100 of shopping vouchers for taking part in our 2020 housing survey

Ask your councillor to save Suffolk’s children’s centres

Suffolk’s children’s centres are vital for hundreds of families, providing valuable services for children and parents. Suffolk County Council had to hastily withdraw its paper cutting children’s centres after spotting an ‘error’ in its documents, so we’ve got another month to halt these closures. Thanks to everyone lobbying their MPs, we saved one children’s centre, […]