Does your union know where to find you?

UNISON is a democratic organisation and branch annual general meetings are one way to make sure as a member that your voice is heard. But in the run up to their 2019 AGM, UNISON Hampshire Health branch had a problem. The branch posted out written invites to their members. But many of these letters were […]

How UNISON went for growth in Hampshire

Despite all the election talk, you will have noticed that across UNISON, November (and spilling on into December!) was a hugely busy time. As part of the Go For Growth initiative, branches across all the sections of our union were reminding their colleagues of the benefits of being part of the UK’s largest trade union. […]

Let’s get Equalities on the Agenda!

UNISON has a proud track record on tackling equalities issues and ensuring that equality is at the heart of our union. In order to do so, we need to ensure that equalities is discussed in our branches and our committees. We know that in each of our workplaces, and in each of our service groups, […]

’Tis the season to be voting!

Are you ready to make a difference? Because you can! By using your vote on 12 December you can save our NHS, help our schools, protect our communities and make a real difference to the people you care about. The future of our public services is at stake – please use your vote If you […]

It takes one to know one… meet our people – Emma

Emma Nand Union Learning Rep, Branch Communications Officer,  Southampton District Branch Branch based secondment, Union Learning Fund How long have you been active in the union and what roles do you hold? I’ve been a member of UNISON for 17 years, since I started work. I am 3 months into a 6 month secondment working one […]

It takes one to know one… meet our people – Rosita

Rosita Ellis Branch Chair, Oxfordshire Health Committee Chair, Regional Black Members Committee How long have you been active in the union and what roles do you hold? I have been a member of UNISON for around 15 years and have become more active in the last 10 years. I started as Black members officer in […]

Frimley strike postponed as trust agrees not to continue with privatisation plans, says UNISON

Eleventh hour agreement to discuss alternative options Strike action due to take place tomorrow (Monday) involving porters, security guards, cleaners and catering staff employed at Frimley Health Foundation Trust has been postponed following last-minute talks today (Sunday) between their employer and union UNISON. The UNISON members had planned to walk out for 48 hours this week – […]

Support the Frimley Strikers Hardship Fund

In August 2019, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust declared their intention to create a “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” company. This would mean transferring over 950 staff from Wexham Park, Frimley Park, and Heatherwood Hospitals, working in Portering, Estates, Security, Housekeeping, and Catering services to the subsidiary, stripping staff of their NHS status. The creation of subsidiary […]

Unsung heroes keep the NHS working on the Isle of Wight

The UNISON Isle of Wight Health Branch have been extremely privileged to sponsor the inaugural ‘Unsung Heroes Awards’ recognising the unfaltering work staff within the NHS undertake 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year! Come rain or shine, hail and snow, these staff work tirelessly to care for the […]

It takes one to know one…recruit a rep this November

UNISON South East has gone from strength to strength over the last few months and is one of the top recruiting regions in the union. We’ve smashed every recruitment target going this year! That’s thanks to you, our activists, working in partnership with regional colleagues to spread the word about why UNISON is not only […]

NHS workers to strike at Frimley and Wexham Park Hospitals

Facilities staff at Wexham Park, Frimley Park and Heatherwood Hospitals have voted in huge numbers to take strike action in an escalation of their campaign to stay in the NHS. The hospital trust plans to privatise up to 1,000 NHS cleaners, caterers, porters, security and estates staff to a new ‘wholly owned subsidiary’ company early […]

Movers and shakers: meet the award winners at Strategy Weekend 2019

Branches across the region descended on the Penta Hotel in Reading at the weekend for the annual Strategy Weekend. After supporting the school climate strikers at lunchtime, delegates kicked off the weekend in style with a gala dinner and awards ceremony. We welcomed UNISON’s President, Josie Bird, and Assistant General Secretary, Roger McKenzie, to present […]

In pictures: UNISON at the school strike for climate

On Friday 20 September, thousands of children and adults walked out of their schools and workplaces across the UK to join the global climate strike. UNISON branches across the region helped mobilise members and co-ordinate local demonstrations – here’s a flavour of the day’s activities.          

Meet the new Lifelong Learning team in Southampton District Branch

Helen Capstick, ULR at Solent University I have been a member of UNISON since 2011 but have become more active in recent years when I took on the role of Union Learning Representative (ULR) at Solent University. I became a ULR as I wanted to use my skills to develop more informal learning sessions for […]

We can’t let no-deal Brexit wreck our NHS

At TUC Congress in Brighton, UNISON warns that the health service could be brought to its knees without a deal