30 June 2008

Call for action

(30/06/08) Branches and members will have by now received the results of the ballot over the NJC pay offer.

As a result of the 'Yes' vote, the industrial action committee has given the go ahead for all-out strike action on 16 and 17 July.

  THE WEEK

Council strikes confirmed
(27/06/08) Union gives green light to 48-hour walkout on 16 and 17 July

Key role for equality reps
(24/06/08) Helping people get a fair deal at work

  PAY MATTERS

Further Education - final pay offer update
The UNISON FE national committee will meet to discuss the AoC final pay offer of 3.2% on Wednesday 2 July.

  ORGANISING

Why we need to build a successful strike
Striking isn't easy for our members, but a good turnout can make the sacrifice worthwhile

Breathing fresh life into equalities agenda
New bill will spotlight discrimination that is swept under the carpet

  IN UNISON

Urgent appeal
Return our simple survey by 14 July and help UNISON win a fair deal for apprentices

Opposing academy schools
UNISON joins forces with Anti-Academies Alliance (England)

Making it work
UNISON launches guide to flexible working

Online catalogue
It's back to business as usual

Coming events
including UNISON's healthcare assistants conference on 22 July

Training
Activists' training in your region and nationally

  KEY CAMPAIGNS

Positively Public
Equal pay
Make local services count

 23 June 2008

Local government members vote for action

(23/06/08) UNISON members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of sustained strike action over a 2.45% pay offer.

The union's negotiating team, the National Joint Council committee, will now meet tomorrow to decide what action to recommend.

(Heavy traffic on the UNISON website may affect access to the site. If you are experiencing difficulties, please try again later.)

  THE WEEK

Nurse elected to top lay post
(20/06/08) Sue Highton elected new president after close of UNISON conference

UNISON calls for tighter regulations on use of teaching assistants
(19/06/2008) Call aims to protect teaching assistants and pupils

UNISON learning rep awarded MBE
(17/06/2008) Newcastle learning rep recognised for contribution to skills training

  PAY MATTERS

Final pay offer for further education workers
Association of Colleges (AoC) makes an improved pay offer of 3.2%, or £550 - whichever is higher - from 1 October 2008

Ballot on final pay offer for Environment Agency
UNISON members to vote in a consultative ballot on this year's final pay offer

Hold tight as Ofsted steps up the pressure
Advice to help members hold tight and stand firm as action escalates in pay dispute

NHS pay ballot update
Unions representing the majority of health workers have voted to accept the three-year pay deal

  ORGANISING

Legal advice on employment
The union has specific arrangements for the provision of advice and assistance by lawyers in employment cases

Aphasia - busting the barriers
For UNISON member Pat Gallagher, the development of aphasia creates many challenges - for her and those around her

  IN UNISON

Top honours for Conwy Council back care adviser
Award acknowledges importance of the role of trainer within the home care service

A picture of health
Healthcare assistants in tomorrow's NHS, a UNISON conference on 22 July

Coming events
including UNISON's healthcare assistants conference on 22 July

Training
Activists' training in your region and nationally

  KEY CAMPAIGNS

Positively Public
Equal pay
Make local services count

 20 June 2008

'The conscience of our nation'
(20/06/08)The Equality and Human Rights commission will not shirk from protecting fundamental principles of equality and justice

The UK faces two great challenges, Commission chair Trevor Phillips told conference today: "How we live with our planet, and how we live with each other."

More conference news:

'Act now to stem this human tragedy'
(20/06/08) Conference calls for common action to tackle gun and knife crime - and its underlying causes

Union withdraws funds from RISE festival
(20/06/08) London mayor's censorship of festival message condemned

Our money, our jobs
(20/06/08) Union adopts 'responsible contractor' policy for pension funds

Zimabwean unions discuss support
(20/06/08) 'We have seen Zimbabwe at its best, and its worst. We want to see it at its best again.'

Protecting workers from privatisation
(19/06/08) Conference condemns failure to end two-tier workforce

Old threat in new Eurospeak
(19/06/2008) UNISON reaffirms defence of public services

 19 June 2008

'Public services make us civilised'

(19/06/08) Trade unions need to think globally to protect ideal of humane communities, guest speaker James Clancy told delegates this morning.

"Public services are critical to ensure that, as globalisation rolls out in this century, average folks, ordinary working men and women have a chance," said the president of Canada's National Union of Public and General Employees.

More conference news:

Use your liberty to promote ours
(19/06/08) Conference urges support for Burmese people

Solidarity with southern Africa
(19/06/08) The struggle continues, and trade unionists still need our solidarity, conference hears

Gaza siege condemned
(19/06/08) UNISON commits itself to programme of 'practical solidarity with Palestinians

The most dangerous place
(19/06/08) Union to prioritise work on Colombia, where 26 trade unionists have been killed this year

Conference warns of marketisation threat
(18/06/2008) UNISON reaffirms defence of public services

Support promised to defend in-house services
(18/06/08) Conference vows to strengthen local democracy and services

Let's celebrate the NHS - and defend it
(18/06/2008) Delegates vote to continue opposing privatisation of the health service

 18 June 2008

Racism shown red card

(18/06/08) Leroy Rosenior tells of racism experienced as a footballer and the 'immeasurable value' of promoting multiculturalism.

More conference news:

Diversity 'is not the problem'
(18/06/08) Racism, discrimination and poverty are the issues that need to be tackled, year round, conference delcares

Equal pay funding agreed
(18/06/08) Delegates agree formula to fund fight for equal pay

More would be even better
(17/06/2008) Delegates vow to celebrate, defend and improve minimum wage on it's 19th anniversary

Widening wealth gap triggers anger
(18/06/08) Need for sustained investment in public services highlighted

A worrying experience
(17/06/08) Conference hears privatised reality of 'shared services'

Delegates pledge support for vulnerable workers
(17/06/08) Conference stresses need for positive trade union rights

 17 June 2008

Prentis issues battle warning

(17/06/08) "Class still divides. Geography still divides. Working people - our people - are taking the hit. It's immoral - and it's got to change."

Addressing UNISON's national delegate conference this afternoon, general secretary Dave Prentis rallied members to prepare for strikes across the public sector.

More conference news:

Important work, important debates
(17/06/08) President opens conference by highlighting anti-racism

The value of doing 'ordinary things well'
(17/06/2008) Annual report shows breadth of UNISON's activities

Stop the violence
(17/06/08) 'It's not part of the job'

 16 June 2008

Public service workers speak out

Delegates representing more than 1.3m public service workers are meeting in Bournemouth this week to decide the union's agenda for the coming year.

Read the latest reports from the service group conferences.

  THE WEEK

Where workers' rights cost lives
(16/06/08) Conferences hear of high price paid by Colombian trade unionists

Minding the health gap
(12/06/08) Cutting poverty is key to tackling health inequalities, says UNISON

Action urged on equal pay
(11/06/08) "It is essential that the government is bold, brave and decisive"

UNISON welcomes government guidance on procurement
(11/06/08) "Buying in should not mean selling out", says Prentis

  PAY MATTERS

Local government workers demand fair car rates
With the price of petrol skyrocketing, UNISON is calling on employers to reopen talks on car allowances

Advice on Ofsted action starting today
Workers withdrawing the use of personal cars for Ofsted business

  ORGANISING

Brothers and sisters in UNISON
Encouraging migrant workers to become activists helps them - and the rest of the union

Happy birthday, state pension
Is anything being done to mark the centenary of the old age pension this year?

  IN UNISON

A picture of health
UNISON's Healthcare Assistants Conference is on 22 July 2008. Speakers include Dave Prentis

2008 LGBT health summit
UNISON-supported event to raise awareness of the health inequalities present within LGBT communities

Equal pay update
Recent decisions from the Employment Appeal Tribunal

UNISON Welfare annual report
The annual report of UNISON's own welfare charity is now available online

Election results
Who has been elected following the service group executive ballots and the NEC by-election?

Membership cards
Union moves to centralised system for issuing new and replacement cards

Coming events
including the LGBT health summit; employment law courses

Training
Activists' training in your region and nationally

  KEY CAMPAIGNS

Positively Public
Equal pay
Make local services count

 9 June 2008

Problems in the production process of this week's eFocus, yesterday's mailing contained a number of links which did not work.
We are sending it out again with those links fixed.

Members speak up for public services

Trade unionists from across the public services lobbied MPs this afternoon to speak up for public services - and the workers who provide them.

Today's Speak Up for Public Services lobby unites all 26 TUC trade unions to call for fair pay for public service workers.

  THE WEEK

Voters back fair pay for public servants
(06/06/08) Poll shows wide public support for principles at heart of union pay campaign

UNISON condemns proposed cuts to care home inspections
(06/06/08) Vulnerable residents left to "suffer in silence"

Opportunity to help build a stronger union
(04/06/08) Union creates 60 new jobs to support members

NEC stresses importance of recruitment
(04/06/08) Executive says membership density must be boosted

  PAY MATTERS

UNISON members say yes to NHS pay offer
65% say Yes to three-year offer but union warns about future inflation

Further education unions reject pay offer
Employers fail to bring any new money to the table

Strike ballot hotline opens
UNISON is standing by to answer your questions about the local government ballot

Probation members back action over pay
94% back industrial action over unpaid increments

  ORGANISING

60 and still going strong
In July, the NHS will be 60 - UNISON knows there's plenty to celebrate

Happy birthday, minimum wage
I read somewhere that it's the 10th anniversary of the minimum wage - has it made a difference?

  IN UNISON

NEC agree policy on motions and amendments for NDC
Branches asked to pass on information to national conference delegates

eFocus at conference
Daily bulletin will keep you up to date with key debates and decisions

NHS at 60
Order your campaign materials for 5 July

NEC by-election nomination deadline
Reminder of by-election for health general seat

LGBT caucus meetings
National network meetings for members ahead of LGBT conference

Branch employed staff
UNISON has negotiated a scheme to help branches who employ staff ensure they are good employers

Coming events
including the Compass Robin Cook memorial conference 'Born free and equal' on 14 June

Training
Activists' training in your region and nationally

  KEY CAMPAIGNS

Positively Public
Equal pay
Make local services count