South East Campaigner
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Billed as “only National Awards For Non-medical, Non clinical NHS Staff & Volunteers”, the Unsung Hero Awards pay tribute to the people who keep our health service moving – but don’t always get the attention they deserve. On Friday 16 February 2024 during #HeartUnions week, our Isle of Wight Health Branch held a special Unsung Hero […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sunday 12 November 2024 is Diwali, a festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and followers of Jainism throughout the world, including here in the South East. For Hindus, Diwali symbolizes the return of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshman, from exile and a war in which Prince Rama stood victorious. It’s […]
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 Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 October, cleaners, technicians, librarians and other members of higher education staff across England and Scotland took strike action.
UNISON South East Black members committee co-chair Skip Bawa writes about his experience of Black History Month