A group of people pose to celebrate signing UNISON's Anti-Racism Charter

St Albans pledges to become an anti-racist council

St Albans City and District Council is celebrating Black History Month by signing a charter aimed at combatting racism in the public sector, the council and UNISON announce today. UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter commits the organisation and its leaders to a range of pledges designed to prevent racial bias. It includes championing a racially diverse workforce, […]

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 […]

Anglia Ruskin becomes first university to sign Anti-Racism Charter

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has become the first university in the country to sign a landmark pledge against racism at a ceremony in Cambridge. UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter commits ARU and its leaders to a range of pledges designed to prevent racial bias. It includes championing a racially diverse workforce, having a clear programme of anti-racist […]

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

Public must speak out against ‘damaging’ cuts to NHS prescription service

Members of the public should make their voices heard over “damaging” cuts to the NHS Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) service in Norfolk and Waveney, UNISON says today. Residents are being urged to take part in a public engagement launched this week over plans to withdraw the service. POD provides a dedicated telephone service for patients […]

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 […]

Limited time savings offer for UNISON members

UNISON Living’s saving provider Shepherds Friendly are running a limited time offer for UNISON members. Get up to a £105* Love2shop voucher when you open a Shepherds Friendly stocks and shares ISA or five-tear fixed-rate bond. This offer runs from 1 to 31 October 2023. Stocks and shares ISA Save tax-efficiently for your future from […]

Eastern councils face ‘dire’ financial crisis totalling more than £330m

Councils across the Eastern region have a hole in their finances of £332m collectively for the coming financial year, making it extremely likely they will have to make huge cuts in essential services and jobs, says a report published today by UNISON. The figures, based on financial information gathered from local authorities across the region […]

Huntingdonshire bin strikes back on as council refuses to implement agreed pay rise

Refuse, housing and customer service workers at Huntingdonshire Council will strike as bosses continue to refuse to implement an agreed pay deal, UNISON announces today. UNISON tried to end a long-running pay dispute earlier this month when its members voted to accept a 5% pay rise — one of three offers made by the council. […]

Ipswich Borough Council signs UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter

Ipswich Borough Council has signed UNISON’s Anti-Racism Charter at an event held at Grafton House this week. The charter commits the council to: Recognising the need and benefit in championing a racially diverse workforce. Challenging racism internally and externally wherever it arises in relation to the organisation. Recognising the impact of racism upon staff members’ […]

University of Bedfordshire staff join coordinated strike action over pay

Support staff at the University of Bedfordshire will join workers at 20 universities in England and Scotland in coordinated strikes for a decent pay rise, says UNISON today. More than 5,000 staff across the country could take part as they escalate their demand for a fair wage rise after many years of below-inflation increases. Staff […]

Would-be Huntingdonshire Council strikers accept improved pay deal

Strikes are off at Huntingdonshire District Council after workers accepted an improved pay offer, UNISON said today. Staff including refuse workers had been due to down tools last month, but suspended action to consult on a range of new offers from council bosses. They have now accepted a rise of 5%, backdated to April and […]

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 […]