Temporary change to death benefit for UNISON members announced
News

New Office of National Statistics (ONS) data highlights huge acceleration in number of deaths in the South East

UNISON is used to organising events that bring people together. But when Covid-19 means we need to show support for each other by keeping our distance, then the way that we bring people together looks very different. On Tuesday 28 April, our union was one of those that called for a minute’s silence in memory of […]

Jenny Ford, Branch Secretary at Portsmouth Health, has seen rapid changes in the hospitals in Solent NHS Trust. As Facilities manager for St James’ Hospital (a mental health hospital) and St Mary’s (a community hospital), Jenny divides her time between the two sites. Jenny spoke to us about the challenges her team have faced responding […]

First of all, I hope you, your families, your colleagues and your friends are all staying safe and keeping well. This week I have been speaking to branch secretaries across the South East, starting with our health branches, to make sure that we, as a region, offer the best support and assistance during this time. The stories I have heard from the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis have been truly harrowing. I have heard of large–scale redeployments, with many activists now working […]

Eastleigh UNISON are so proud of their members actions during this difficult time. Many staff working for Eastleigh Borough Council have been redeployed and are now undertaking different roles in order to support areas that are under pressure due to the current pandemic. Branch Secretary Karen Springham would especially like to thank staff for their […]

On 28th April, we mark Workers Memorial Day. For trade unions like UNISON across the world, this is the day when we remember those who have been killed, injured or made sick at work. And when we do so, we use it as a reminder that trade unions need to continue to fight for proper […]

Data published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics shows that more than a thousand deaths in care homes and in the community were registered up to 10 April. In the South East alone, there have been 170 deaths in care homes as a result of Covid-19 with the highest number in Surrey (36). Responding to […]

The latest #OurHeroes story from the frontline of the Covid-19 outbreak comes from Elaine Betteridge at Rosewood free school in Southampton

I want to thank you all for everything you are doing during this crisis. A special thank you to the NHS workers, the care workers, the school staff, the refuse collectors, all of the public service workers providing key services to keep the country going. To the public service staff being redeployed into frontline work, and to those […]

Isle of Wight Health Branch Secretary, Jay Chappell, has returned to the frontline during Covid-19. He told us a bit about his new ‘normal’ during the crisis. “Normally I have full time release as the chair of staff side and branch secretary. Since Covid-19 hit, normal business kind of stopped as you would expect. Social […]
UNISON South East sends deepest sympathies to family and colleagues of Lorna Cameron, Branch Secretary of Bracknell Forest UNISON, who sadly passed away as a result of Covid-19. Her branch have written the beautiful tribute below. As we mourn the recent sad loss of our dear friend and colleague Lorna, we give heartfelt thanks for […]