Ambulance members condemn Trust’s lack of action over excessive working hours

  Members working for the East of England Ambulance Trust have reacted with fury after the chief executive set out changes to their working conditions that he described as  ‘controversial, unpalatable and even draconian.’ Branch secretary Fraer Stevenson said the Trust had spent 10 months promising to reduce enforced overtime for ambulance crews. “We have crews […]

Major setbacks for the government on the Trade Union Bill

The Trade Union Bill is now in its report stage in the Lords. We need to keep the pressure on before it returns to the Commons. UNISON members have made a huge difference already – speaking to employers, councillors, MPs, peers and government ministers to tell their stories, making compelling arguments and keeping up the […]

UNISON and Queen Elizabeth Hospital sign apprenticeship agreement

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King’s Lynn has signed a formal apprenticeship agreement with the local UNISON branch. The agreement is a declaration of intent between the Trust and trade unions to work together in partnership around apprentices. The agreement sets out the Employer’s processes around designing structured apprentice job roles, apprentice pay and conditions, […]

Trade Union Bill – where are we now?

The Trade Union Bill is now making its way through the House of Lords. As a result of the lobbying of peers a large number of amendments have been put forward for debate. As well as support from Labour peers a large number of Conservatives have also expressed their opposition to parts of the Bill, […]

Help us keep in touch with you – update your contact details

You know how to contact UNISON*, but do we know how to contact you? To make sure we have your up-to-date contact details or to check that the information we hold is correct and to be in with a chance to win £10,000 just click on this link below and enter our prize draw. ENTER THE PRIZE […]

UCU and UNISON back strike action by further education college staff

24 February 2016 Thousands of staff at further education colleges across the east of England are set to walk out today (Wednesday) causing major disruption to lessons. Lecturers, librarians, technicians, cleaners and caretakers who belong to UNISON and the University and College Union (UCU) are among those taking part in the one-day strike over pay. […]

Winter Fuel Payment and UNISON’s Winter Fuel Grant

You could get between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay your heating bills if you were born on or before 5 January 1953. This is known as the ‘Winter Fuel Payment’ and is a statutory benefit. Most payments are made automatically between November and December. You should get your money by Christmas. You usually get […]

Trade Union Bill – Week of action

The government’s Trade Union Bill is now in the House of Lords and UNISON is fully backing the TUC-organised #heartunions week of action from 8 to 14 February 2016. The week will celebrate the great work done by union reps and members in workplaces and in society at large. We’re proud of our unions and […]

Louise Fountain tells us why she decided on an apprenticeship in the NHS

I started working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in May 2015 and am due to finish in May 2016. I had been working in retail, but I was working unsocial hours and I really wanted to find an office job. I saw this position advertised on the NHS jobs page and thought it looked really […]

Do something epic in 2016

Challenge yourself to raise money for the charity that’s exclusively for UNISON members You’ll have great fun, make new friends, visit fantastic places and see some amazing scenery There for You 2016 Pyrenean charity challenge 30 miles in three days walking in the stunning Pyrenees 22 – 26 September 2016 We will be based throughout the event at […]

General Secretary election – A statement by the Regional Convenor Team

The Eastern Region are pleased to announce that it has nominated Dave Prentis for re-election as General Secretary. The region backed Dave based on his impressive record of standing up for all of our members across the entire union.

How to join the campaign against the Trade Union Bill

As part of our campaign to stop the government’s Trade Union Bill the TUC is organising a lobby of parliament on 2 November 2015. We want MPs to hear directly from their constituents that: The Bill threatens the right to strike Employers will be able to break strikes by bringing in agency workers to cover for […]

Why we oppose the Trade Union Bill

This autumn, MPs and peers will discuss the trade union bill – which threatens the basic right to strike. For the first time, employers will be able to break strikes by bringing in agency workers to cover for strikers. This could have big safety implications, lead to worse public services, and will undermine the right […]

November is TUC young workers’ month

This year’s UNISON national delegate conference called on all branches to commit to running at least one activity during November to raise the profile of young workers and young union members. UNISON’s national young members forum has come up with a range of suggested activities that branches can run – but stress that it’s just as […]

Apprenticeships and UNISON – why the two go together

If you’re thinking about being an apprentice or are already an apprentice and are thinking about joining us take a look at our two new videos. In the first members with apprenticeships talk about what’s good about being an apprentice and in the second why they decided to join UNISON. Branches may find these videos useful […]