UNISON’s 5 tests for government before school pupil numbers increase

The decision to increase pupil numbers on 1 June is premature and could put lives in danger, says UNISON

Show Racism the Red Card’s new film challenges racism towards NHS workers

Show Racism the Red Card has launched a new video which follows the stories of frontline NHS staff as they recount their experience of racial discrimination at work. The film has contributions from UNISON members and Roger McKenzie, Assistant General Secretary of UNISON, along with a number of high profile footballers from Show Racism the […]

Dave Prentis blog: Safety for all workers is UNISON’s bottom line

The past seven weeks have been difficult for all of us. For most of the country, there has been confinement at home, unable to see family and friends, and a deep anxiety about what the future will bring. For many UNISON members, there has been the entirely different pressure of going to work, with all […]

Education unions’ agree statement on the safe reopening of schools

Ministers should step back from 1 June target and put safety first

No slowdown in the devastation in our region’s care homes, says UNISON

Responding to new figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics showing care home deaths linked to coronavirus have increased in the South East Region by more than 480 in a week, UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance said: “There’s clearly no major slowdown in the devastation being caused in care homes, causing […]

New ways for members to get legal help

During the COVID-19 crisis, UNISON has changed its processes to make it easier for members to get legal support at no extra cost, as part of their union membership Here’s a simple guide for branches to help our members get the support they need, when they need it. Employment advice Members with issues relating directly […]

Nursing the nation today and every day

International Nurses Day is celebrated every year across the whole nursing family. But why today? May 12 is the birth date of the most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale, and 2020 marks 200 years since she was born. Learn more about Florence Nightingale Today, UNISON, the biggest union in healthcare, represents the whole nursing family, including registered […]

The world of work has changed irrevocably forever

Belated May Day greetings. A massive thank you to everyone supporting members through redeployment, dealing with furloughed staff and the urgent advice to members over safe working and access to appropriate PPE. I’d also like to extend my thanks to UNISON regional staff who are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to offer continuity and support, advice and assistance during these incredibly difficult times.   As the nation joined […]

I just hope we are not forgotten when everything calms down

We hear from one of #OurHeroes, a Probation Officer in Hampshire, about how the outbreak of Covid-19 has affected him. ‘I have been a Probation Officer for over 18 years, working in offender management for the majority of my career. My job involves working with people in custody and managing the risks of offenders on […]

Extend furlough and sick pay for those protecting loves ones

Frightened workers self-isolating to protect vulnerable loved ones shouldn’t be punished says UNISON in a letter to the Health Secretary

Supporting each other, laughing and sometimes, crying together

Pictured L-R: UNISON steward Toni Parker, Branch Secretary Debbie Miles, with members of the switchboard team at East Surrey Hospital The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted all the work that the frontline staff of the NHS and other key workers undertake. But if it wasn’t for the efforts and dedication of ‘behind the scenes’ departments such as […]

There for You launches COVID-19 response fund

New fund will help members facing particular need because of the pandemic

Elderly and vulnerable people still at risk from poor advice from some care homes

Clear guidance must be rigorously applied

COVID-19: Black and female workers – more impacted than the rest

Anyone can be infected by COVID-19. But it’s increasingly clear that that’s where the equality ends

“You are doing so much to protect us, we have to protect you” – UNISON’s May Day message

On International Worker’s Day 2020, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis has issued a message to all UNISON members and activists.