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 […]
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In a New Year message, regional secretary Tim Roberts says this year could be make or break for public service workers
Suffolk County Council has announced plans to make £65 million in spending cuts, including lopping £11m off the staffing budget, it revealed today. Responding to the news, UNISON Suffolk County branch secretary Neil Bland said: “Councils have spent the last decade slashing spending to the bone, cuts on this scale will take services in Suffolk past […]
Council workers in Colchester have accepted an improved pay deal and cancelled the threat of strikes by refuse collectors, UNISON says today. Staff at Colchester City Council and Colchester Borough Homes accepted a rise of £1,925 this week – almost double the council’s original offer. Workers overwhelmingly rejected the council’s initial £1,000 pay offer and […]
If you care about our public services and want to make sure the people that run them are treated fairly, then a job with UNISON could be for you. We’re on the lookout for two local organisers to join our fantastic Eastern region team. Adverts will be out shortly but in the meantime we’re running […]
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 […]
UNISON members from across Norfolk flocked to the County Hall Social Club at the end of October to celebrate Year of Black Workers. There were a range of speakers from Norfolk branches of UNISON and the regional Black members’ group, with special guest Ruth Pearson speaking about the Grunwick and Gate Gourmet disputes, two battles […]
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 […]