The probation branch celebrates winning an award

Let’s hear it for the One Weekend award winners!

Every year, we take a moment to step back and celebrate what we’ve achieved in the region. And although every UNISON Eastern activist deserves an award for all they do making public services better places to work, we pay a special tribute to some of the branches and activists that have really stood out over […]

Strikers hold placards calling for fair pay for patient care

Bedfordshire healthcare assistants win more pay after strikes

Healthcare support workers at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust have won higher wages and backpay after recent strikes, UNISON announces today. ​Hundreds of healthcare assistants, maternity care workers, theatre support assistants and other clinical support workers have agreed a deal that they believe properly recognises their work. The staff had been on band 2 of the […]

Become a pay champion in your council or school

Care workers, refuse collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, community workers, street cleaners and so many others go above and beyond every single day. Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, yet there is often little or no recognition for your hard work. With the cost-of-living skyrocketing to new highs every day, it’s time […]

People pose outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn with signs saying 'Stop parking charges'

King’s Lynn hospital staff protest against parking charges

NHS staff are holding protests this week calling on Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn Foundation Trust to reverse the reintroduction of staff parking charges, says UNISON today. The fees had been scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic but were brought back on 1 April, the same day staff should have received their annual pay rise. UNISON […]

Privatisation threatened at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has told hundreds of cleaners, porters and caterers today their jobs could be moved out of the NHS, says UNISON. In a letter to staff, chief executive Nick Hulme says the trust is to privatise housekeeping, security and other services related to the running of Colchester […]

Parking charges return for King’s Lynn hospital staff

Hard-pressed Queen Elizabeth Hospital workers are being hit with a fresh financial challenge with the return of staff parking charges this week, UNISON warns today. NHS trusts in England stopped charging staff to park during the Covid-19 pandemic and many have kept parking free since then. Free parking is also available for hospital staff in […]

‘Ripped off’ Essex healthcare support staff deserve fair pay

Healthcare support staff are handing in more than 400 open letters to the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) board today asking for fair pay for the clinical duties they undertake, says UNISON. A delegation of healthcare assistants, maternity support workers, theatre assistants and other clinical support staff are to present the letters […]

Five Questions for LGBT+ History Month: Peter Oates

We’re marking LGBT+ History Month by getting some of our activists to take the Five Questions challenge. Next up is Peter Oates, co-chair of the Eastern region LGBT+ committee and a health worker. Here’s what he had to say. Who are you? I am Peter, a UNISON activist in the Eastern region As a member […]

Lily Martin

Five Questions for LGBT+ History Month: Lily Martin

February is LGBT+ History Month and this year’s is extra special as it takes place in Year of LGBT+ Workers. To mark the occasion we’re speaking to some of the LGBT+ identifying activists across Eastern. Here’s health worker Lily taking the Five Questions challenge. Who are you? I’m Lily Martin (she/they) and I am a […]

Harnessing UNISON’s green energy

Herts Constabulary green rep Katie Dickson reports back from the We Make Tomorrow conference organised by the Climate Justice Coalition’s trade union caucus

Five Questions for LGBT+ History Month: Ben Edwards

Throughout LGBT+ History Month, we’re asking some of our inspirational LGBT+ activists to tell us a bit about themselves. Next up to take the Five Question challenge Norfolk County’s Ben Edwards. Here’s what he had to say. Who are you? Hello, I am Ben. I am a UNISON steward, health and safety rep, LGBT+ branch […]

Activists join Labour’s New Deal for Working People campaign weekend

UNISON Eastern members pounded pavements across the region at the weekend to garner support for Labour’s New Deal for Working People ahead of the general election. Activists turned out for Unions Together-organised events in the east of England, including, Watford, Peterborough, Great Yarmouth, Welwyn and Hatfield and Ipswich. On Saturday, members of UNISON and shopworkers’ […]

Alex Montgomory

Five Questions for LGBT+ History Month: Alex Montgomery

This LGBT+ History Month is extra special as we’re also celebrating UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers. To mark the occasion we’re asking some of our LGBT+ activists to take the five-question challenge. First up is NHS worker Alex Montgomery. Who are you? I’m Alex (he/him). I’m a queer, disabled transman from Eastern region. I’m also […]

Are you registered to vote?

The general election expected this year will be hugely important for UNISON members and everyone working in public services. It’s essential that public services workers use their voices. The first step towards that is to get on the electoral register. Here’s a handy guide to registering to vote and what you’ll need to take with […]

Norfolk County Council-owned care company trying to shortchange staff

A care company fully owned by Norfolk County Council wants to shortchange its staff by over £500, UNISON said today. Arm-length firm Independence Matters is refusing to pass on the full nationally agreed local government pay rise for the first time since it was set up in 2013, says the union. The company provides support […]