UNISON South East Launches Year of LGBT+ Workers!

On Saturday 24 February 2024, UNISON South East held a launch event to celebrate the Year of LGBT+ Workers at UNISON Centre. The day began with Bev Miller, UNISON National Black Committee member, delivering a quiz on Black LGBT+ history. Lucy Power, Regional and National LGBT+ Committee member, and Mitch Coe, UNISON National Officer, highlighted […]

International Women’s Day guest blog: Inspiring inclusion as a Black woman trade unionist

Another International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme is ‘inspire inclusion’. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women. To inspire inclusion […]

Inspiring inclusion, igniting change: International Women’s Day 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) has always been a key date in the trade union calendar, and women have long played a leading role in the labour movement. In fact, IWD was originally known as International Working Women’s Day, and was held to honour a strike by women garment workers in the USA. Subsequently the day […]

“An essential part of the NHS team…”: Outsourced staff at Prospect Park Hospital strike

Some of the lowest-paid staff at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading are taking strike action in a dispute about pay. The strike is over their employer ISS’s refusal to pay the workers a lump sum worth at least £1,655, which has already been given to hundreds of thousands of people employed directly by the NHS. […]

Regional Council AGM 2024 marks the start of an exciting year for the region

On Saturday 10 February 2024, UNISON South East held its Regional Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2024, the most important date in the calendar for our regional democracy. Nearly 100 dedicated delegates gathered at UNISON Centre to debate policy and elect representatives, exemplifying our commitment to members shaping the future of the union. We […]

Send us a #HeartUnions message this Valentine’s Day

From winning the minimum wage to fighting racial discrimination in the workplace, there are many reasons to love unions in general and UNISON in particular, and we want to find out yours. This year we’ll be celebrating #HeartUnions Week a little differently: we want to amplify your stories on social media. This way, we can […]

Season’s greetings from UNISON South East!

The festive season can be a difficult time for many, not least public service workers. It’s often one of the busiest periods of the year, particularly in the health sector. But the core values of trade unionism – solidarity, fairness, equality – always resonate at Christmas. Wherever you are – and however you celebrate, if at all […]

Equal work, equal pay: Brighton social workers take strike action

Social workers employed by Brighton and Hove Council took strike action over pay on Tuesday 7 November, with UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards joining the lively picket line led by young women workers. Over a hundred adult social workers walked out for 24 hours after voting for industrial action in September. UNISON says staff […]

Equality Conference 2023 shows we’re stronger when we’re organised

Trade unionism is all about getting organised, and organising around equality is a vital way for underrepresented groups to increase their voice both at work and within the union. On Friday 13 October 2023, our Equality Conference was an opportunity for activists and members from across the region to come together and equip themselves with […]

“On strike – can’t pay the rent!”

On Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 October, cleaners, technicians, librarians and other members of higher education staff across England and Scotland took strike action.

Black History Month UNISON logo

Black History Month 2023 events

Get involved with activities and events to celebrate Black History Month 2023

Black History Month UNISON logo

Guest blog: Black History Month 2023

UNISON South East Black members committee co-chair Skip Bawa writes about his experience of Black History Month

International seminar 2023 sends message of solidarity to Colombia

In September 2023, activists from three UNISON regions gathered in London to learn, share and develop our joint international campaigning work.

University staff to hold coordinated strikes over pay, says UNISON

Five Universities in the South East taking strike action on 2 and 3 October 2023.

Striking workers by a sign for the University of Sussex

We’re not paid Kenough! University of Sussex strike (day 2)

Thursday 17 August saw day 2 of the strike by professional services staff at the University of Sussex. Here’s what happened.