Show support for ‘amazing’ NHS staff risking their lives on front line, says UNISON

Everyone across the country is being urged to join a mass round of applause later today (Thursday) for NHS and care staff in a campaign backed by UNISON. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “The Clap for Our Carers initiative is a chance to thank all employees who are working around the clock to treat people affected by […]

Thank you to our Guardian Angels, our Public Service Champions

Local papers launch #FrontLineThankYouFund in Andover and Basingstoke to support NHS workers

Covid-19: Advice for branches

Updated 31 March 10:30am The impact of Covid-19 is a fast moving national, and international, situation with implications for all areas of our society – including with UNISON’s internal structures. The region’s priorities right now are to protect the health and wellbeing of our members, their colleagues and families, and to support our members working […]

UNISON cancels annual health conference

NHS needs put before annual gathering UNISON has cancelled its annual health conference that was due to take place in Brighton from 6-8 April. The decision has been taken in light of the escalation of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The safety of participants and their families was also at the forefront of the […]

Together in UNISON – a love story*

Lisa Hambrook and Jon Griffiths were newly elected stewards when their eyes met across a UNISON training room, back in 2016. Lisa has worked for Hampshire Police for 30 years, Jon works in the control room for South Coast Ambulance Services. “Jon worked for South East Coast Ambulance and was based in Worthing when we […]

Then and now, International Women’s Day

Women trade unionists in New York. Photo: The Kheel Center On March 8, 1857, women garment workers in New York City demonstrated against their inhumane working conditions and low wages. They were attacked by the police and dispersed. Two years later, the first female trade union in the US was formed by these women to […]

Thinking about fair pay this International Women’s Day

Sunday 8 March is International Womens Day. With a million women members, International Women’s Day is an event that UNISON are proud to celebrate. This year’s event takes place against the backdrop of UNISON negotiating with local government employers around the 2020-2021 NJC pay claim – which disproportionately impacts on women workers. That’s why in the […]

A decade on, we’re still looking out for you

Since 2010, local government hasn’t always been the easiest place to work. UNISON have played an important role in standing with those caught up in the realities of austerity. It’s against this backdrop that at East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), the local UNISON branch held a drop-in event for staff so that they could get […]

Oxford University signs up to living wage

Thousands of staff benefit – now UNISON urges colleges to follow suit Almost 2,000 employees at the University of Oxford will get a pay rise as the university becomes the largest employer in the city to sign up to the Oxford Living Wage (OLW). Staff will see their wages go up to at least £10.21 […]

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women past and present and this year will be particularly important as it marks 100 years since the day was honoured for the first time. For more info: www.internationalwomensday.com Women’s history has been long overlooked. During the month […]

A Million Women in UNISON – 2020 National Women’s Conference

With the UK having just started its first full year under a Boris Johnson government, one of the dominant themes at conference was continuing austerity – because, aside from the announcement of a rise in the national minimum wage to come in the spring, election campaign promises to end austerity have yet to be realized. […]

Coronavirus – your rights at work

Updated: 1 April 2020 at 15:45 As the COVID-19 virus spreads, find out what your rights at work are. Government guidance released on 23 March advises that everyone should stay at home and only go to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home. Many of our members can’t work from home due to […]

Portsmouth Health UNISON supports EU Citizens

Portsmouth Health UNISON have been working closely with our partners at Settled, the charitable arm of campaign group the3million, to raise awareness of the rights of EU Citizens post-Brexit. The government has introduced a new immigration scheme – known as ‘Settled Status’ – for people who wish to stay in Britain after our EU membership […]

Covid-19 guidance for NHS trusts and health staff published

Advice published to reassure staff and public but alert them on need for vigilance

Covid-19 deep-clean advice for members working in schools

UNISON has been made aware that some schools have been closed as a precaution due to potential risk of exposure to Covid-19, commonly known as Coronavirus. In some instances school cleaners were subsequently instructed to do a deep-clean of the schools. UNISON branches and regions have rightly intervened to stop our members being put at […]