Welcome to UNISON Blaenau Gwent
Blaenau Gwent is a county borough in Wales, sharing its name with a parliamentary constituency.
Branch latest news, archive news and branch representatives
UNISON Office, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,
Municipal Offices, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6XB
Telephone: 01495 369504
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Blaenau Gwent borders the unitary authority areas of Monmouthshire and Torfaen to the east, Caerphilly to the west and Powys to the north. Its main towns are Abertillery, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar. Its highest point is Coity Mountain at 1,896 feet.
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March 2026
STEP INTO SPRING GRANT
UNISON’s Step into Spring grant opens at 12 noon on Thursday 19 March and is available for 24 hours. Eligible members can get a £30 voucher towards the cost of essentials. Find out how to apply
More information click here
March 2026
IMPACT ON UNISON MEMBERS
Scarcely a week goes by without us learning more about how a Reform UK Government would negatively impact UNISON members. Last week, the party announced its plan to scrap the Employment Rights Act and Renters Rights Acts and reduce the value of public sector pensions. More Information link click here
March 2026
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 6th 2026. The day will include a one-hour immersive breath work session, followed by ceremonial cacao around a fire pit; a calm, grounding space to connect, reflect, and celebrate the day together.
A buffet will be included, so you can relax, unwind, and enjoy some delicious food after the session.
Event Details:
Friday, March 6th, 2026
Time: [TBC]
Location: Blaina ICC
This event is open to all, and we’d love for you to be part of this special gathering. #InternationalWomensDay #WomensDay
March 2026
SAINT DAVID'S DAY
UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, actively celebrates St David’s Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi) on March 1st, marking the national day of Wales and the patron saint. We thank all our members for the celebration messages promoting Welsh culture, language, and community.
February 2026
BLAENAU GWENT UNISON AGM 2026
Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 12.00 GMT
An online event via TEAMS and Abraham Derby Room General Offices Ebbw Vale. Guest Speakers: Jamie Carragher and Shannon Britton
February 2026
UNIONS AT THE HEART
Heart Unions week is about what unions mean for workers today. At work, people face pressure on pay, workloads and conditions, with decisions often made without workers’ voices being heard. On your own, it can feel hard to challenge that. A trade union brings workers together so they can support each other, raise concerns collectively and negotiate for better pay, safer workplaces and fair treatment.Unions work because they are made up of ordinary workers choosing to stand together and take action when something needs to change. If you want a stronger voice at work, joining a union is the first step. Find your union and join today: #CaruUndebau #HeartUnions More Information link click here
February 2026
MAY ELECTIONS
In response to last year’s local election results, UNISON has seen a surge in new union joiners who are worried about the impact that a Reform-run council might have on their community. In the areas where Reform performed strongly in local elections, the number of new union joiners has shot up by 272%.
In response to UNISON members’ concerns, the union has produced a guide on how to counter Reform in May’s elections. These include England’s local elections, Scottish Parliament elections, and Senedd elections in Cymru/Wales. PDF document link click here
February 2026
LGBT+ MONTH
LGBT+ History Month, observed in February each year, is a chance to end invisibility and celebrate the lives and achievements of the diverse LGBT+ community. UNISON looks back on our own LGBT+ history to see how far we have come, remind us of what we have achieved and recommit to the campaigns ahead. More Information link click here
January 2026
SENEDD ELECTIONS
With the crucial Senedd Election on 7 May approaching, UNISON Cymru is working on lots of ways that you can get active in the campaign through your union. I would also like to invite you to join us for a pilot of the “Use your vote in Wales” citizenship webinar on Friday 6 February, 12.00-13.00 (Register at link here.
This short non-partisan session for members and non-members will run on lunchtimes and early evenings throughout March, April and early May.
The aim is to raise awareness of the issues at stake in the election, build knowledge of how the new voting system works, and encourage workers to register to vote and get involved in the campaign. You can help shape final version by attending the pilot, asking questions in the comments, and giving feedback on what could be improved before it is rolled out more widely.
We look forward to seeing you there. More information click here
January 2026
NEW GENERAL SECRETARY
Andrea Egan begins her five-year term as UNISON general secretary. ‘We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or cabinet minister who acts against our interests’ 'We can be an incredible force for change' - UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan. Watch video click here
January 2026
FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS
Healthcare support workers across Wales have won a major victory after years of being underpaid for the vital clinical work they do. Together, members put pressure on their health boards and the Welsh government to fix an injustice that saw thousands of staff stuck on Band 2 pay while regularly carrying out Band 3 duties. More information link click here
January 2026
2026 UNISON YEAR OF GREEN ACTIVITY
Welcome to our 2026 Year of Green Activity hub! The direct impacts on public finances, on public health, the cost-of-living crisis (food and energy costs) and all other areas of public policy are plain to see. All experts now agree that the costs – both financial and ecological – of doing nothing far outweigh the costs of action. More information link click here
December 2025
BECOME ACTIVE IN UNISON
There are many different ways to be involved in UNISON. Some people are quite happy just to pay their subscriptions every month and leave it at that. Others become contacts or take on a role as workplace rep (steward), health and safety rep, or union learning rep (ULR). Still others get involved as a member of a self-organised group, or volunteer to take on a branch officer role. More information link click here
December 2025
CHRISTMAS PARTY
UNISON Blaenau Gwent Annual Christmas Bash is on Friday December 19th at 4pm till late. The venue this year is The Welfare Club, Ebbw Vale. Tickets: Members £2.00 and non-members £5.00.
Tickets on sale from the UNISON office from Monday December 1st. Contact 01495 369504 or email unison@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
December 2025
LOCAL SERVICE CHAMPIONS
The Local Service Champions Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contributions of local government staff who go above and beyond in their role. Those unsung heroes who always go the extra mile to give ongoing support to our communities. To take part you must be a UNISON member, and the person you are nominating must be a member too. More information link click here
December 2025
WINTER HELP
Winter is tough enough. UNISON's Winter Essentials Grant is here to help members with £200 food shopping vouchers. Open 24 hours on 10 December. Check Eligibility link click here
December 2025
WELFARE REFORM REPORT
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UNISON reaffirms its commitment to driving change and shaping welfare reform that helps our members stay well and thrive at work.
Read our Welfare Reform report and more from our members on this key issue: #IDPD #DisabilityEquality #Disability Welfare Reform Report link click here
December 2025
NEW: PLEASE SHARE
NEW: School support staff across Wales are being pushed into poverty because the current system for setting pay isn’t working. A major new Labour Research Department report, commissioned by UNISON Cymru, shows staff are routinely graded incorrectly, working above their contracted hours and rarely paid for the extra responsibilities they take on. The findings make a strong case for establishing a Wales School Support Staff Negotiating Body to end the postcode lottery in pay, address long-standing problems and ensure job roles reflect the work staff actually do. Please read and share the report today
December 2025
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS SUPPORT
School support staff across Wales have been pushing for a fair way to decide their pay and conditions. Low wages and the injustice of term-time only pay cannot be fixed without a dedicated national system that works for Wales. UNISON has commissioned an independent report setting out how a Wales-only school support staff negotiating body could work in practice. The findings will be launched at the Senedd this December. Creating a Wales SSSNB is one of UNISON’s key priorities ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections.
It is time for a system that values the staff who make our schools work. Unison Cymru School Support Staff: Facebook link click here
November 2025
MASSIVE WIN
More than 6,000 healthcare support workers across Wales will now receive pay rises and back pay after an all-Wales agreement was reached between UNISON Cymru, NHS employers and the Welsh government.
This is the culmination of years of organising. Encouraged and supported by UNISON, healthcare support workers in every health board submitted collective grievances and took action together.
A resounding vote for strike action in Swansea Bay led to an early settlement there. Today’s national agreement finally recognises the clinical duties healthcare support workers have carried out above their banding for years. Band 2 staff will now move to Band 3, with a recognition payment for the work already done. This is what happens when healthcare support workers stand together.
More information link click here
November 2025
GENERAL SECRETARY
The election for the next general secretary of UNISON is now OPEN.
This is a paper ballot, and your vote must be returned via post. Election packs are now being posted and will start to arrive in the next few days. Don't worry if yours doesn't arrive straight away.
The general secretary is the public face of the union. They represent you in the media and on TV, in meetings with politicians and in discussions with employers. It’s a very important job and this is an important vote. Don’t miss out on your chance to choose your general secretary.
UNISON POD CAST 2025
The UNISON Local Government podcast is out now. All-member email was sent to local government members advising them of the podcast. After evaluating series 1, we’ve changed the podcast's name to ‘Behind the Service: a UNISON insight into Local Government’.
In this podcast, Ruth Levin and Paul Bell chat with Tony Wright and Abi Coombs from UNISON’s charity, There For You.
This episode of the UNISON Podcast covers:
- What ‘There For You’ is, and how it works
- The sheer range of support available
- Quantifying the charity’s massive impact across the year
- How UNISON members can access support and get involved with the charity
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform via the links below! Please promote the podcast within your branch and regional networks.
Listen Online click here
Listen on Spotify click here
Listen on Apple click here
Listen on Amazon click here
CHECK YOUR BENEFITS
It can often be tricky to figure out which benefits you are eligible for and how to claim.
Check your support now with the UNISON Benefits Calculator.
BUDGET PLANNER
The first vital step in taking control of your finances is to create your own personal budget plan. Our user friendly budget planner is free to use and should only take minutes to complete if you have all your financial information to hand.
> Budget planner link here
WELLBEING MATTERS
Wellbeing breaks can provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances – this can include assisting with recovery from illness to help prepare for a return to work.
Contact Blaenau Gwent Branch