Higher Education pay campaign and strike ballot 2022.

Have your say on Higher Education pay. The University and Colleges Employers Association have made their final pay offer: a below-inflation pay rise of 3% for most Higher Education staff and between 9% and 3% for those on pay points 3 to 19. They didn’t offer any more during the dispute process and will now impose this pay increase on 1 August 2022.

With RPI inflation at 11.8% and your pay only set to go up by 3% this pay rise is a pay cut. The higher increases on the lower spinal points are partly being proposed to keep pay at legal rates – we think you’re worth more than that.

Huge win for UK workers! All workers will now receive the same minimum level of paid annual holiday leave, regardless of how many hours they work, thanks to a case brought by UNISON in the UK Supreme Court.

The judgment will particularly affect agency, part-time and term-time workers including thousands of school support staff.

Now it will no longer be possible for employers to argue staff who don’t work all year are only entitled to holiday based on the hours they work.

Today’s decision is also good news for anyone working irregular hours or on zero-hours contracts.

Health and social care in Wales is facing its biggest ever challenge.

The NHS across the UK is celebrating 74 years since its creation and this is even more poignant in Wales.

UNISON representatives also attended the annual Bevan Festival in Tredegar on Saturday July 5 this year to celebrate NHS founder Nye Bevan’s enduring legacy.

25th May is UNISON’s day of action for NHS pay to keep hardworking, dedicated staff in the NHS. We need you to speak up for your pay https://unison.org.uk/nhspay #PutNHSPayRight

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UNISON members and reps talk about the debilitating aftermath of coronavirus.

Though the UK government is adamant that we must now “live with COVID”, for an estimated 1.7m people – as much as 5% of the UK’s workforce – this actually means living with long COVID.

In March 2022, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus published a report declaring that the impact of long COVID on the UK workforce is “likely to become endemic alongside COVID-19 itself.”

LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS - 5th May 2022 16-year-olds will be voting for the first time in a local election in Wales. Unison Wales has heard from first time voter Julia who told us public services are vital to her. She said:
"Voting is vital for me because without doing so, people may not see the change that they would like to see, in the government, and in their day-to-day lives.
"By voting everyone has a say in their future and positive change will be implemented.
"It is extremely important for me as it reminds me that as a community we have a say and in turn change will take place."
Let us know if you are voting for the first time and why public services are important for you. #localelections2022 #LocalElections
#LocalElectionsMatter UNISON Unison in Local Government

FAIR FUNDING FOR COUNCIL SERVICES
LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS - The local council elections in May are a great opportunity for UNISON Cymru Wales to talk about why it’s so important to invest in public services and in public service workers. We want to influence politicians and public opinion to address the needs of working people and Welsh communities. We’re asking council candidates to pledge their support for UNISON’s priorities and work with us to deliver them. #UNISONpriorities

28th April is International Workers’ Memorial Day and it is our day to remember those who have died and fight for the living. Up to 50,000 people die each year in the UK from work-related ill health and accidents. Although few UNISON members die in workplace incidents, many suffer injuries and work-related ill health.

Health workers in Wales who rely on their car could soon be forced off the road in the face of sky-rocketing fuel prices unless crucial support is provided say union leaders.

Today is #WorldSocialWorkDay #WSWD2022

As the biggest union for social workers in the UK, representing over 40,000 people working in the sector, UNISON is recognising the day by launching a Social Work Manifesto.

UNISON is working with the international trade union movement to mobilise support for those affected by the war in Ukraine – and branches and members can help too.

This online consultation ballot allows you to vote on whether to accept or reject the Local Government Employers' NJC pay offer. It is being run so that the UNISON NJC Committee can get a clear picture of members' views on the offer.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE YOUR VOTE.

By clicking on the PDF link below you'll be able to read the offer and then vote, voting closes at midday on the 22nd September 2021.

Despite their courage and sacrifice throughout COVID-19, council and school workers have been offered 1.75%. With inflation at 3.9%, that’s a real terms pay cut. UNISON is launching a consultation and strongly recommend members vote to reject such an unfair offer.

Care workers, refuse collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, street cleaners and so many more have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. They kept communities safe, cared for the most vulnerable, and ensured schools remained open throughout successive lockdowns.

The pandemic has seen a devastating increase in hate crime, domestic abuse, homelessness and mental health issues for LGBT+ people.

Delegates look to building a better future when the pandemic is finally over.

UNISON’s special delegate conference gets serious about the scale of the climate challenge.

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.

Important information.
For 2022 we will be processing our Winter Fuel Grants using an on-line application form*. Before applying, please read the following important information which should answer all your questions and explains the supporting documents you’ll need to include on applying.

The fund will offer grants of up to £200 and is designed to help the union’s most vulnerable low-income members.

It was announced today that inflation rose to 5.4% in the 12 months to December. With the cost of living rising at the fastest rate for 30 years, UNISON understands the financial hardship many members face whether it be due to rising living costs, the removal of universal credit uplift or other inflationary pressures.

In addition, the possibility of added pressure on low-income households looms as gas and electricity costs look set to increase even further in the near future.

Even a small change in circumstances can turn a manageable situation into a debt problem that may threaten your home or your family’s wellbeing. UNISON Debtline is a free, confidential debt advice service that can help you deal with all sorts of debt.

Tuesday 22nd June was Windrush Day. But instead of enjoying a day of celebration, the Windrush generation are still fighting for.

Christina McAnea hails important victory for staff involved in strikes or disputes. Employers will no longer be able to get away with mistreating any employees who take part in union-organised workplace disputes following an important legal decision, says UNISON.

The world has changed a lot in the last 6 months. People are working in ways and under conditions we never thought possible.
Health and safety at work is more important than ever.
UNISON Cymru Wales is at the forefront of negotiations with Welsh Government about keeping public sector workers safe. We have been part of all discussion from risk assessments to PPE.

Many low paid, mainly female public service workers in Wales, including school support staff, have been left hundreds of pounds worse off because of the costs of working from home, according to UNISON Cymru Wales.

Covid is the greatest challenge for generations and public services have never been more important. May’s Senedd elections will shape how our society looks for years to come, so what are the policies UNISON’s promoting?

Health workers across Wales are appealing to the public this week to back their campaign so NHS staff can receive a proper pay rise before the summer.