Articles

‘If Cuba can offer its people so much with so little, why can we not do the same?’

Two young UNISON Eastern activists have just returned from a ‘life-changing’ trip to Cuba, witnessing first-hand the socialist island’s struggle to survive and its huge May Day celebrations

Four local government heroes hold action figure versions of themselves dressed in the same uniform: a lollipop lady, a care worker, a refuse worker and a librarian

Bedfordshire care worker turned into action figure

UNISON is recognising unsung heroes for their contribution to the community

Changes to There For You grants

There for You, UNISON’s welfare arm, is changing the way members can request financial help. You no longer apply for emergency grants using a separate form, now all applications are made using the Application for Assistance Form. Case managers will then triage the application and respond, hopefully within 48 hours. You can read the full […]

A large group of school workers and supporters pose outside Pot Kiln Primary School

Striking Suffolk school support staff take jobs fight to council

Striking Suffolk primary school staff will take their jobs fight directly to county councillors next week as they hand in a 600-strong petition at the council’s HQ. Hundreds of parents and Sudbury residents have signed the petition urging Pot Kiln Primary leaders and the council to abandon plans to sack classroom assistants and midday supervisors. […]

A large group of PCSOs and local dignitaries pose for the camera

Hertfordshire celebrates 20 years of PCSOs

Hertfordshire Constabulary and UNISON have held a joint celebration for community support officers to mark 20 years of the role. Hertfordshire welcomed its first PCSOs in 2003, when 10 officers joined the beat in Watford and another four hit the streets of Stevenage. More joined later that year. To mark the occasion Chief Constable Charlie […]

A group of ID Verde workers and UNISON officials poses outside Colchester City Council

Outsourced staff take fair pay fight to Colchester Council

Outsourced local government workers took their fight for fair pay to Colchester Council this week. Grounds maintenance staff working for contractor ID Verde lobbied a cabinet meeting in the city on Wednesday evening as they battle for a pay rise in line with their directly employed colleagues. UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older told councillors […]

A group of pickets illicit support from passing motorists

More bin strikes announced in Breckland and North Norfolk

Refuse and cleansing workers in Breckland and North Norfolk have announced another week of strikes for fair pay, says UNISON today. Staff working for contractor Serco will strike from 11 to 14 April. They previously walked out from 13 to 17 March after the company failed to come up with a decent pay offer during […]

NHS strikes paused after new pay offer

Planned East of England strikes for 20 March have been put on pause after the government made a new offer in the long-running dispute over NHS pay. After two weeks of frantic negotiations, ministers have offered an additional one-off lump sum for 2022/23 that rises in value up the NHS pay bands. This is worth […]

Delegates to UNISON Higher Education conference hold placards reading 'No cuts at UEA'

UNISON Higher Education conference stands behind cuts-threatened UEA staff

Higher Education workers from across the UK showed solidarity with staff at Norwich’s University of East Anglia today. They took time out from UNISON’s Higher Education conference to send a clear message to UEA bosses to stop cuts which could lop up to 20% off budgets. The university has been scant on the details of […]

Delegates to the 2022 young members' conference smile for the camera

Eastern young members make tackling sexual harassment a national priority

UNISON’s second-ever Young Members Conference was held last month in Bournemouth, with Eastern delegates once again playing a major part in making the gathering a success. Our regional motions, Affordable housing is a human right and Uncomfortable yet? Sexual harassment is never OK, were both adopted by conference. The latter was even selected by conference […]

New reps sit round a table and discuss their training course

Meet the people that make UNISON what it is

Without UNISON reps, there wouldn’t be a UNISON. Reps are the face of the union in the workplace and the first port of call when our members get in trouble. These volunteers make an immeasurable contribution to our union, often going far beyond the facility time available to make our public services better places to […]

Advice for UNISON members during NHS strikes

Unfortunately despite the massive strike votes at NHS trusts across the Eastern region, the most restrictive trade union legislation in Europe means UNISON members cannot currently take action. We wish to offer our solidarity with other union with a mandate for action, but members should be aware of some advice if there are strikes at […]

Pay victory in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

Workers at King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council will receive the full 2022/23 local government pay rise of £1,925 after a UNISON campaign. After staff rejected a 4-5% rise in a consultative ballot, further talks initiated by UNISON resulted in the improved offer, worth an average of 7.5%, with councillors and managers. The £1,925 rise […]

Fabia out leafletting

‘I want to be able to use my voice to make politicians understand’

First-time lobbyist Fabia Pollard is eager to get out and tell MPs why she’s demanding better

Refuse workers hold signs reading: 'Fair pay now'

East Suffolk refuse workers vote for strikes

Refuse workers in East Suffolk have voted overwhelmingly for strike action in their ongoing fight for a real living wage, UNISON says today. More than 96% of East Suffolk Norse staff voted to strike on an 88% turnout, the union said. UNISON said the ballot result should be a wake-up call for Norse and the […]