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ARCHIVE 2019 - 2021 STORIES


December 2021

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU

UNISON staff have made a film, sending a festive message to all of our brilliant members.

Watch the film link here

Christmas Members Thank You

December 2021

VOTE YES

Ballot Papers have started to arrive, have you had yours yet?

#EnoughIsEnough #VoteYES

Vote Yes

November 2021

RADICAL HISTORY - 3D SCAN WALKTHROUGH

First look at the photos from our exhibition launch yesterday - UNISON and the Welsh labour movement. #RadicalHistory

3D Scan Walkthrough link to website

Photo credit: Natasha Hirst

Mark Drakeford and Unison Members
Mark Drakeford and Unison Members

November 2021

closing date 6th November

MARCH WITH US - COP26

March with UNISON on the Cardiff COP26 Day of Action: 6 Nov. Assemble 12pm in front of the City Hall (by Brodies Coffee, Gorsedd Gardens, Cardiff, CF10 3NP).

Bring flags, banners and friends on this family-friendly march #WeMakeTomorrow

COP 26 Cardiff Day Of Action March

Closing Date
November 2021

closing date 30th November

STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS 2021

Stars in Our Schools 2021 is fast approaching and we've just opened up our 'nominate a star' prize draw.

This is your chance to let a member of school support staff know how much you value the fantastic work they do. Anyone can nominate a school support staff worker for entry into a prize draw to win a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher. (And if your nominee wins, you'll receive a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher too).

Stars In Our Schools

October 2021

date 21st October

SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD

UNISON is proud supporter of Show Racism the Red Card and we are backing THIS FRIDAY'S awareness raising Wear Red Day. The need for all of us to actively challenge racism has never been greater with an increase in race hate crime during the pandemic.

Read more info here. Link to Wear Red Card October 21

Wear Red Day 21

October 2021

date 10th October

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

If we all do one thing, we can change everything.
#Mind #MindCymru

World Mental Health Day

October 2021

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Wales will be first UK nation to make teaching of black histories compulsory #BlackHistoryMonth

A MONUMENT of Wales' first black headteacher and #BlackHistoryMonth campaigner was unveiled in Cardiff.

Betty Campbell, who died in 2017 at the age of 82, defied her doubters after being told as a child that her dream to become a head teacher was "insurmountable".

Link to the statue unveiling

Cardiff and Swansea Right To Strike Rally

September 2021

date 17th September

BLACK LGBT+ NETWORK

Last chance to sign up for UNISON's Black LGBT+ network meeting on 17 September. 1:30am-2:00pm.

This meeting gives you the opportunity to find out about the work that UNISON does for LGBT+ equality for Black LGBT+ members in the workplace and wider community. You'll have the opportunity to talk to and question your reps on the national committee and also influence the work that UNISON does on LGBT+ equality. For more information please message us, or email out@unison.co.uk

LGBT+ Black Network

September 2021

date 17th September

DISABLED LGBT+ NETWORK

Last chance to sign up for UNISON's Disabled LGBT+ network meeting on 17 September. 4:00pm-6:30pm.

This meeting gives you the opportunity to find out about the work that UNISON does for LGBT+ equality for Black LGBT+ members in the workplace and wider community. You'll have the opportunity to talk to and question your reps on the national committee and also influence UNISON LGBT+ policy. For more information please message us, or email out@unison.co.uk

LGBT+ Disabled Network

September 2021

REJECT VOTE

Despite your courage and sacrifice throughout COVID-19, council and school workers have been offered 1.75%. With inflation at 3.8%, that's a real terms pay cut. UNISON is launching a consultation and strongly recommends members vote to reject such an unfair offer.

Read more info here. Link to Council and school pay reject vote

Reject Unfair Pay

August 2021

CLAPPING DOESN'T PAY THE BILLS

Public service workers deserve a decent pay increase.

Staff in the NHS, in social care, in schools, in councils, in the police and elsewhere, have provided vital services to our communities during the pandemic.

Pay has been cut in real terms over a decade of being frozen or capped. Follow UNISON Cymru Wales campaign. Campaign details along with our consultation on unfair pay offers

Fair Pay Advert

August 2021

TIME TO UPDATE YOUR DETAILS

Where do you work now? You can change your details online at this link:  Online membership update here.

To update your details via telephone, please ring your regional office and ask for the membership department. You can then let them know what needs changing.

Update your details

July 2021

LET'S TALK - TALKING THERAPIES

UNISON Monmouthshire are launching a brand new service for its members! Any Monmouthshire member can now refer themselves to our online counselling support service. All you need to do is complete a short referral form.

Full details will be sent to all our members soon, or you can watch our short Facebook video here. This video is a short explanation of Talking Therapies for our members.

Referral forms can be requested by email at unisonmon@btconnect.com or by calling 01291 675502.

Remember- it's always good to talk #itsokaytonotbeokay Apply for Talking Therapies.

Talking Therapies

July 2021

Read the PDF report link here:
CERD Shadow Report For Wales

RACE EQUALITY FIRST - REPORT FOR WALES

UNISON Cymru/Wales Black Members' Group has been working with Race Equality First on its report on the scale of racial inequality in Wales and how Westminster and Welsh governments must do a lot more to tackle racism. Chair of UNISON Black members, Kebba Manneh, said:

"This report is hard-hitting and the scale of the racism revealed may be shocking to some, but this is the reality for Black people every day. Our governments are failing to effectively tackle racism and address ethnic disparities in all areas of life. We want a Wales free of racial discrimination and Welsh government must take this report seriously and act on the recommendations. We need action! Well done to Race Equality First and UNISON Cymru Wales for all the work you have done on the report."

The report identifies: -
• Police-recorded hate crimes rising by a third since 2016/17
• Ethnic minorities disproportionately stop-searched by the police across all four of Wales' force areas
• Ethnic minorities remain substantially underrepresented in senior jobs in the public sector
• Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poorer quality housing or work in precarious jobs, and face racial bullying in school and into their adult lives

The report has been submitted to the Committee of the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.


June 2021

THERE FOR YOU - FINANCIAL SUPPORT

There for You School Uniform Grants 2021

There for You has once again set up a fund to help members on low incomes struggling with the cost of school uniforms. Grants of £50 per child are available, up to a maximum of £150 per family.

Applications are by downloadable form and will be available from Thursday 1 July at the link below. As always, this is a limited fund and once it's gone, it's gone.

Please ring 01495 355252 if you require a hard copy of the application form.

Link here for financial support.

School Uniform Help

June 2021

UNISON WALES SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF

Feedback on rapid COVID-19 testing using Lateral Flow Devices (LFD's) - your experience.

Welsh Government are keen to hear feedback from school staff and learners about their experience of the COVID rapid testing programme to help plan for the future, improve the service and understand the impact of testing in Wales.

You can take the survey via these links:
Survey link in English
Survey link in Welsh

Welsh Government

June 2021

GREEN UNISON

Climate change: 'there will be no jobs on a dead planet'.

UNISON's special delegate conference gets serious about the scale of the climate challenge

Link here to Climate Change conference details

Green UNISON

June 2021

MANDATORY COVID VACCINATION

The Westminster Government has today confirmed that they will make it mandatory for care workers to be vaccinated against covid, which is a huge disappointment to UNISON.

UNISON supports and encourages members in health and social care to take up the offer of a vaccine. But we have resisted moves from some employers to introduce changes to contracts to allow them to dismiss workers for failing to have be vaccinated and we have also opposed the Tory Government in Westminster's suggestions that they may make it mandatory. We have argued that it is counterproductive and may reinforce some in their reluctance to have the jab. We have added again today that, in a low paid, high turnover sector, the impact of making vaccination mandatory could be a flight of workers from the sector, placing our most vulnerable at risk in a new recruitment crisis.

Cymru Wales members should be reassured that Welsh Government has consistently stated that they have no intention of following the Westminster route and that there is no need to consider it in Wales because of the high take up of vaccination amongst health and social care staff. Also, in the Social Care Fair Work Forum, the Social Care Wales representative confirmed that they do not see the failure to be vaccinated as a fitness to practice issue. We are not expecting this stance to change, though obviously, if there are any new developments, we will share this information with Branches. I'm sure that we will also be seeking fresh commitments following today's troubling England only announcement.

Mark Turner
Regional Organiser
Lead for Social Care
UNISON Cymru Wales


June 2021

WORKPLACE DISPUTES

Employers can no longer mistreat staff who take part in industrial action, says UNISON. Christina McAnea hails important victory for staff involved in strikes or disputes

Employers will no longer be able to get away with mistreating any employees who take part in union-organised workplace disputes following an important legal decision, says UNISON.

Read more here about workplace disputes.

Unison Support

May 2021

date 27th May

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

UNISON's National Executive Council elections close on 27 May. Make sure you don't miss out on having a say in how your union is run.

Be heard

May 2021

date 25th May

RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE

Now that lockdowns are easing and infection rates are falling, restrictions are slowly being lifted in Wales. However, we shouldn't get too comfortable or complacent in the workplace and risk slipping back into the 'old normal'.

UNISON is recruiting safety reps across Wales to help make work safe for our members. We have recruited and trained 70 reps since September, and we are looking to train more.

This short webinar will cover the principles behind Covid H&S risk assessments and the role of the H&S rep in making work safe again. Tuesday 25th May, 12:30pm - 1pm (30min).

Register here: You don't have to be a H&S rep to attend.

Click here to register


May 2021

date 12th May

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2021

Happy #InternationalNursesDay2021 #NursingTheNation21

It's incredible to think of what you've all achieved over the last year. Stuart Tuckwood, UNISON's National Officer for nursing has recorded the message below to mark this year's event.

Why not join Stuart and other leaders at tonight's live event to celebrate IND and discuss the challenges ahead and how we can empower nurses to lead us through them.

Click here to view video

Nurses Day 2021

April 2021

NHS PAY DAY

NHS Pay Day: Show us your windows!

Instead of the pay rise they're due, our fantastic NHS staff are being rewarded with delays and a potential real-terms pay cut.

We're asking people to put a poster in their window to support a proper NHS pay rise. Let's brighten up our streets and show NHS staff they are valued.

Download one of our designs below to colour in, or get creative and make your own. Then share a picture of your window on social media using hashtags #NHSPayDay and #WithNHSStaff.

Click here for poster collection

NHS-Poster-2

March 2021

date 15th March

CALLING ALL UNISON CYMRU WALES MEMBERS!

Join us for the virtual launch of the UNISON Senedd elections manifesto 2021 and hear about the priorities we want for public service workers. Monday 15 March, 2.45pm - 3.15pm - Click here to register

Senedd Manifesto 2021

March 2021

date 11th March

ONE TEAM 2K

What is UNISON's pay claim?
UNISON submitted a pay claim to the UK government seeking an increase of least £2,000 by the end of this year for every NHS employee.
Any pay increase awarded in England would lead to an increase in funding to the Welsh government and we believe this money should be ring-fenced for pay in Wales.
Read more click here

1% is not acceptable and it's not a done deal. Help us get ready?
Read more click here

Join UNISON
Update your details
Ask your colleagues to join UNISON

Stand up - ask friends and family to support NHS workers Thursday 11 March at 8pm

One Team
One Team

March 2021

date 8th March

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

UNISON proud to celebrate International Women's Day 2021
Read more click here

International Womens Day

February 2021

date 23rd February

HEALTH AND SAFETY ROLE?

Come to our 30 minute Health and Safety taster session.

Tuesday, February 23rd 6pm on Teams.

Health and Safety Meetings

February 2021

date 8th February date 14th February

HEART UNISON 2021

Heart UNISON is part of Heart Unions Week, the TUC's annual event to celebrate unions, to make sure everyone knows why we're vital at work, and to encourage everyone to join one. Read more click here

Heart week

February 2021

HAPPY LGBT+

Here at Unison Blaenau Gwent, we're proud to be a welcoming, inclusive Union for all.

Happy LGBT+ History Month #LGBTHM21

LGBT History Month

February 2021

date 3rd February

PAY FAIR FOR CARE

The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on the best and worst in our society. Nowhere more so than care.

COVID-19 has forced care workers into life-threatening working conditions and untold mental strain. Exhausted, dedicated; they have been applauded as national heroes.

Yet three out of four care workers do not earn a living wage. They cannot comfortably feed their families or pay the rent. Their pedestal is made of sand.

UNISON is leading the fight and asking all members to join care workers, celebrities, politicians, unions, charities and employers - show care workers the support they need, to win what is fair.

Pay fair for care

On Wednesday 3 February at 12:30pm, UNISON is hosting a carers' rally as part of the Pay Fair for Care national day of action.

Join the event to hear from care workers, celebrities and politicians. Wednesday, 3 February 2021 from 12:30-14:00 UTC, online with Facebook Live.


January 2021

UNISON CENTRE PRESS RELEASE

Christina McAnea elected to lead UNISON, the UK's largest union. She replaces Dave Prentis, who is retiring after 20 years as general secretary.

Voting in the ballot was as follows (in alphabetical order):

Paul Holmes 45, 220 (33.76%)
Christina McAnea 63, 900 (47.7%)
Roger McKenzie 14, 450 (10.79%)
Hugo Pierre 10, 382 (7.75%)

Christina McAnea

January 2021

VACCINE INFORMATION

The following information has been released by Public Health Wales.

Vaccine information

January 2021

date 7th January School Members

SCHOOL SUPPORT MEMBERS

UNISON Cymru Wales has written to school support members today (7.1.21). UNISON believes schools should not reopen for face-to-face lessons until after the half-term break and we are calling for a series of measures to be in place before schools return to face-to-face lessons. Read the letter via the attachment.

Covid School Advice

December 2020

JOINING FORCES

Nine health unions issue plea in desperate bid to protect NHS.

With widespread community transmission of Covid-19 across Wales leading to there being more Covid-19 patients in hospital than at any other time this year, nine unions representing frontline healthcare workers have joined forces to highlight the impact the rise in cases is having on the staff providing care, and to urge the public to do all they can to protect the NHS.

Read more click here

unison speaking up for publis services photograph

December 2020

2021 UNISON DIARIES

We're all glad that 2020 is nearly over. So now it's time to start planning for a new, more hopeful year with UNISON's 2021 diaries.

10p from every purchase will go to our charity, There For You. You will be helping members who are experiencing financial and emotional difficulties.

There for You has been vital for so many people this year. So get your calendar today and support other UNISON members.

Read more click here

UNISON 2021 Diaries

October - November 2020

THE BIG VOTE: GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION 2020

The general secretary election is your chance to vote to elect the most senior person in the union. Being a member, or retired member, of UNISON entitles you to a vote if you were a member on 28 July 2020. Make sure you post your completed ballot in plenty of time to CES by 5pm on November 27. It will be freepost, so don't worry about a stamp.

Your election pack will include the ballot paper, and the pre-paid return envelope. There will also be information about the candidates who are standing to be general secretary.

If anything is missing from your election pack, or you lose your ballot paper please call our ballot helpline free on 0800 0 857 857 or on textphone 0800 0 967 968. The helpline opens on 10 November and closes on 20 November.

Read more click here

Make Your Vote Count
the big vote

October 2020

PROTECT THE RIGHT TO STRIKE

Our right to strike is under attack.

Rishi Sunak has just detailed his anti-union legislation and plans to introduce new laws in the coming weeks.

It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal.

These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions.

Dave Prentis

September 2020

NO GOING BACK TO NORMAL

Back to normal shouldn't mean back to underpaid.

Challenge the government to rebuild public services and show real support to the people who provide them by signing our open letter.

Read more click here #NoGoingBackToNormal

No Going Back

September 2020

date 14th September

KEEP WALES SAFE

- Only six people can neet indoors.
- Face coverings compulsory in indoor public places
- New powers for local authorities
- Work from home whenever possible
#KeepWalesSafe

Keep Wales Safe

September 2020

HOMEWORKING VERSUS OFFICE

When homeworking versus the office isn't a straightforward choice. Read more click here

Homeworking versus office

WALES UNISON LEARNING FUND

Dear Colleague,

- Do you work in schools, health or social care?
- Do you want to learn something new?
- Or are you keen to develop your career?

Please find attached information and application forms for the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) £200 Qualification Grant.

Please can you distribute this information as widely as possible to ensure exposure?

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at cymruwaleswulf@unison.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you.


December 2019

date 18th December 2019Neurodiversity In The Workplace

FREE NEURODIVERSITY COURSE FOR UNISON MEMBERS

This introductory session is aimed at all staff with an interest in Neurodiversity - an umbrella term for autism, dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia.


October 2019

UNISON members

UNISON IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

"UNISON is going from strength to strength," the union's national executive council heard at its meeting in London today. "We are continuing to grow, with membership increasing by 8,413 so far this year," general secretary Dave Prentis told the meeting. He noted that the biggest growth occurred during the week of the Labour Party conference - Read more click here

Public Sector Workers

September 2019

IN PICTURES: UNISON BACKING THE SCHOOL CLIMATE STRIKE

As part of Green UNISON Week, members across the regions supported the school climate strikes and took action themselves - Read more click here

Green UNISON

September 2019

BLOG: CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE GREATEST SINGLE THREAT HUMANITY FACES

The NEC declared this week Green UNISON Week and up and down the country our branches have responded. From canteen stalls, solidarity selfies, new volunteers for branch green reps, tree planting and using lunch hours to join climate strike rallies - Read more click here

Green UNISON

August 2019

UNISON saving you money

LEGAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT

If you have been injured at work or a loved one has been injured outside of work you can claim with confidence using the UNISON legal service. UNISON Cymru Wales' lawyers, Thompsons, won £169,800 for members in personal injury settlements in July 2019 alone. Legal support didn't cost these UNISON members a penny. Advice, support and help when you need it - Read more click here


July 2019

New Member Learning Programmes

MEMBER LEARNING PROGRAMME - NEW COURSES AND DATES

Please find attached the current Member Learning Programme for 2019. We have added 4 new courses and dates until the end of the year.

Online Courses

July 2019

COLLECTIVES BARGAINING WILL TRANSFORM LIVES OF THOUSANDS

UNISON Cymru Wales has warmly welcomed the First Minister's pledge to legislate to make the country a 'fair work nation' in his statement to the Senedd - Read more click here

Welsh Government

June 2019

UNISON LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS

A new campaign highlighting the contribution council staff make to public life is being launched at UNISON's local government conference in Liverpool.

New film will kickstart recognition of overlooked council staff - Click here to view

Welsh Government

June 2019

UNISON saving you money

UNISON FREE WILLS SERVICE

UNISON offers a free standard wills service for members and their partners (if doing a mirror will). We also offer reduced rates for members' complex wills.

The simplest way to obtain your will is to use our bespoke on-line wills service. This, and other legal support for members on non-work related issues can be accessed by clicking the link below:

UNISON Legal Services

UNISON's online wills service is very straightforward to use, just complete the online questionnaire. The questionnaire with its online guidance will carefully take you through the process.

We have also negotiated a low-cost wills service for members and their families.

Unison Balloons

May 2019 Survey

Show Racism The Red Card English SurveyEnglish SurveyShow Racism The Red Card Welsh SurveyWelsh Survey

SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF SURVEY - SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD

Calling all school support staff - please find English / Welsh survey for you to complete from Show Racism The Red Card on tackling racism in schools.

Racism Red Card

April 2019

ONE WAGES FOR ALL AGES

UNISON launches #OneWageAnyWage campaign is it celebrates 20 years of the national minimum wage. Read more click here

Living Wages

April 2019

CUTS INCREASE RISK TO PUBLIC IN ENGLAND AND WALES

UNISON report shows how austerity is damaging the environmental health service provided by councils - Read more click here

Greener Workplace

April 2019

UNISON CELEBRATES THE "UNSUNG HEROES" OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A new campaign will raise the profile of the union's 600,000 local government members - Read more click here

Our Future Together

February 2019

Proving Disability And Reasonable Adjustment

DISABILITY AND REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

Overview of Equality Act / Definition of Disability / Reasonable Adjustment / Disability-related sickness absence / Creating a supportive environment / Tribunal Claim / The Public Sector Equality Duty / Communication and Language / Directory of Impairments

Together We Rise In Unison
UNISON Helped Improved Safety In Schools
UNISON Secure Safer PPE
UNSION Saved Our Services

email uscall us

Contact Your Local UNISON IN GWENT Branch


UNISON
Blaenau Gwent
County Branch
UNISON Office
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Municipal Offices
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6XB
Telephone: 01495 355252

UNISON
Caerphilly
County Branch
UNISON Office
Tredomen Business & Technology Centre
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
CF82 7FN
Telephone: 01443 863279

UNISON Monmouthshire
County Branch
UNISON Office
1st Floor Community Education Centre
18 Maryport Street
Usk
Monmouthshire
NP15 8AE
Telephone: 01291 675502

UNISON
Torfaen
County Branch
UNISON Office
Civic Centre
Pontypool
NP4 6YB
Telephone: 01495 766356

Contact Your Local UNISON Branch for latest news, campaigns. meetings and offers.

UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.
Telephone: 0800 0 857 857
UNISON Cymru/Wales, UNISON House, Custom House Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AP. Telephone 0800 0 857 857