Articles

John Toomey and Rob Turner hold the new banner

New banner raised in Cambridgeshire

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 […]

Eastern activists at the Police and Justice conference

Police and justice branches showing us how to build the union

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 […]

Five questions for Black History Month: Hetty Okonji

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 […]

Five questions for Black History Month: Josette Kennington

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 […]

A photo of Louis Lewis

‘I would have loved to be on the bus with Rosa Parks’

We talk to Basildon Council branch secretary Louisa Lewis about what Black History Month means to her

Bin strikes back off in Huntingdonshire

Industrial action in Huntingdonshire has been called off after the council agreed to implement the pay day UNISON settled last month. UNISON members were due to strike tomorrow, Friday 6 October. A joint release with the employer can be read on the Huntingdonshire District Council website. The background to the dispute can be read in […]

Huntingdonshire strikes suspended after improved offer

Huntingdonshire District Council workers have suspended strikes scheduled to start next week to consider an improved pay offer, UNISON announced today. Staff had been due to walk out for two weeks after months of pay talks ended with an offer that UNISON said would leave workers struggling to make ends meet. The council had offered […]

Huntingdonshire Council staff to strike over poor pay

Staff at Huntingdonshire District Council are threatening to take a week of strike action later this month as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, says their union UNISON today. Earlier this year, the council gave its employees a pay rise of 4% plus a one-off payment of £1,000. Then last month, council managers made […]

The Eastern delegation to Labour Link 2023 pose for a photo on the platform

Preparing for a government that fights for our services

Liz Davidson reports back from UNISON’s national Labour Link Forum

Eleesha with her award

Inspiring Eleesha is Eastern young activist of the year

Eleesha Kyriazis was “completely taken aback” when she heard she’d won the award as Young Activist of the Year at the 2023 UNISON Eastern One Weekend. “I had no idea I had even been nominated until a few days before and even that was a massive shock,” she tells us. “It’s quite heart-warming to be […]

Great Yarmouth social housing maintenance ‘to be run for residents, not shareholders’, says UNISON

UNISON has welcomed Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s decision to take maintenance of its social housing stock back under direct control. The newly formed cabinet announced this week that repairs and refurbishment work for its 5,000 homes would be transferred from Norse to a council-owned company by September 2024. The agreement with Great Yarmouth Norse, which […]

East of England librarian recognised as a ‘local service champion’

A Norwich librarian has gained national recognition for her exceptional work in delivering council services, UNISON has announced today. Jo Foster-Murdoch is one of two runners-up for the union’s local service champions awards, which celebrate the incredible difference council staff make to the lives of people in their area. Jo was chosen for the support […]

‘Nothing is gonna change unless you get involved’ – how to tackle racism in the workplace

As we celebrate Year of the Black Worker, it’s fitting that the One Weekend equalities gong should go to someone who’s done an enormous to combat racism in her workplace and contributed so heavily to UNISON Eastern’s work for racial equality. Josette Kennington has helped revolutionise anti-racism at Cambridgeshire County Council. She’s been active in […]

Chris Swain on the left receives his award from branch comms officer James Chrisp

Environment Agency reps shines at One Weekend

We speak to Chris Swain about becoming UNISON Eastern’s Activist of the Year

Three cheers for the branches and activists that make UNISON Eastern great

Meet the award winners from the UNISON Eastern One Weekend