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
LATEST
STORIES:
ACTION
NOW:
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.
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
Social Media Links:
June 2025
to 
LIVERPOOL CONFERENCE
Another jam packed day of debates at Local Government Conference in Liverpool. Motions on the Disability Employment Charter, Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Local Government Workers, NJC Bargaining, and Severe Weather Events.
June 2025
Voting closes
PLEASE VOTE NOW
Vote in the Council and School Pay Consultation 2025. UNISON asked local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a pay increase of £3,000. We have received an offer of 3.2% on all pay points, along with the deletion of the lowest pay point. We are consulting members on this offer now and want you to have your say. We recommend that you vote to reject the offer.
Voting closes on Friday 20 June at midday. To vote please click here
June 2025
to 
CARERS WEEK
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. More information please click here
May 2025
NEC ELECTIONS 2025
You decide! No ballot pack?
Call 0800 0857 857
“The NEC make decisions about how the union uses your subscriptions to protect jobs and pay, so please vote.” UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea urges all members to vote in the ballot for the union’s National Executive Council. #NEC NECElections #PleaseVote #UNISON
May 2025
FAIR PAY
Schools and council workers have been offered a pay increase of 3.2% from 1 April 2025 by the NJC employers. The offer also includes a proposal to delete the bottom pay point (SCP2) from the national pay spine on 1st April 2026. UNISON’s head of local government, Mike Short, said: ‘With household bills still rising, council and school staff need a decent pay award after years of below-inflation deals and deep cuts to local government services.
‘It's vital central government also plays its part through sustained investment in local authorities. UNISON will meet to discuss the employers’ offer in early May and decide next steps.’ Keep an eye on your inboxes for more information. Read the full offer please click here
April / May 2025
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) ELECTIONS
Shortly, you will receive a ballot paper from Unison asking you to vote in the National Executive Council (NEC) Elections 2025-2027. The NEC is the executive body of the union, and it is important for you to vote and have your say in which members should be part of the ruling council. Unison is a lay member-led Union.
Your local executive branch recently held a meeting and decided to support the following candidate(s):
Wales/Cymru Region General Seat - Glenn Pappys
Wales/Cymru Region General Seat - Libby Nolan
Wales/Cymru Region General Seat - Michelle Edwards
National Seats
Black Members Female - Tansaim Hussain - Gul
Community Service Group - Denise Thomas
Your branch cannot state how important the election is and kindly asks for you to complete and return your ballot form. We need a strong NEC; we need a strong ruling body. Please vote.
April / May 2025
NOMINATE A CHAMPION
As part of this year’s Champions in Our Colleges celebration day (taking place on Friday 2 May 2025) – we are running a prize draw called Nominate a Champion. This prize draw is all about recognising the fantastic contributions of support staff in colleges. These staff members work so hard to keep colleges running smoothly and support learners with their education. More information link click here
April 2025
to 
SAVE OUR SERVICES
We're organising a week of collective campaigning on council funding. From Tuesday 22 April to Friday 25 April, we will be piling the pressure onto the Government to urgently address the funding crisis in local government. We are asking members, branches and activists to generate as much noise as possible, pressuring ministers to pay attention and fund local government properly. #SaveOurServices
Hit this link to see how you can help.
April 2025
CALLING ALL CARE WORKERS
You should be paid a minimum of £12.60 an hour, the Real Living Wage, from 1st April this year. If you are paid below this rate, let us know as soon as possible so we can work to correct it. Send the UNISON Cymru care team an email careworkcymru@unison.co.uk
April 2025
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ON WELFARE REFORM
A message from your Cymru Convenor, Jan Tomlinson, and Cymru Secretary, Jess Turner:
“This afternoon, there will be an emergency debate in the Senedd on the impact of the Chancellor’s welfare reform in Wales. So far, Welsh Government has said the impact of the cuts in Wales is unknown. “UNISON Cymru wants to build a picture explaining the impact of these cuts on public sector workers in Wales and how our members who are reliant on the benefits system feel about their future financial security.
We are asking UNISON members in Wales who may be impacted by the reforms to help us understand your reality. “If you have any feedback you would like to share, please follow the link to complete a short form. Your personal details will be kept in confidence.”
More information link click here
March 2025
to 
CELEBRATING NEURODIVERSITY WEEK
Let's take a moment to recognise and embrace the incredible diversity of human minds. Neurodiversity acknowledges that neurological differences are to be respected and valued just like any other form of human diversity. Join us in celebrating the unique strengths, perspectives, and talents of neurodiverse individuals. Together, we can foster a more inclusive and understanding world.
Let's break stereotypes, raise awareness, and show support.
#NeurodiversityWeek #EmbraceDifference #InclusionMatters
More information link click here
March 2025
WOMEN'S CELEBRATORY DAY
With International Women’s Day on the 8th March, Unison Blaenau Gwent and its partners are delighted to host an event celebrating Women working for the Authority. The event is being held at the General Offices, Ebbw Vale on 5th March 2025 and is open to all Women employed by Blaenau Gwent not just Unison members.
Activities:
• Claire Newell taking a Body Balance and Breathing session at 11am
• Abergavenny Tang Soo Do providing Ladies Self-Awareness and Self-Defence demonstrations at 12noon
• Monica Kralj facilitating a Moonpause Women’s Circle at 1pm
• Louise Holden leading a Guided Meditation and Sound Bath session at 2pm
• Emma Scott from Leisure Trust with their body composition machine
• Nail Painting, Reiki, Crystal Healing
Stands:
• Joanne Murphy - Women’s Empowerment Tarot
• Emma Morales -Wellbeing Coaching
• Kathryn Day and Rosalin Williams - NHS Women’s Health
• Emma Jones -Period Poverty
• Vikki Alexander - Welsh Language
• Will Powell - Adult Learning Wales
• Donna Mason - SEWAS
• Sally Tinelli - Unison
• Keith Thorne - Citizens Advice Bureau
• Catherine Davies - Flying Start
• Leanne Morgan - Blaenau Gwent Hub
We hope to see you there.
March 2025
SCHOOL SHOES COST SUPPORT
For lots of people, the cost-of-living crisis leaves little left over after food shopping and bills have been paid. Yet many children have grown out of the school shoes that were bought for the new school year, and parents are forced to make them last the final term of the year to try and save on costs. Adults are also putting away their winter shoes as the days get longer and the weather improves. UNISON’s charity for members has a limited fund available to assist with the cost of spring footwear.
More information link click here
March 2025
DYDD GWYL DEWI HAPUS
Happy Saint David's Day. Saint David's Day, or the Feast of Saint David, is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David's death in 589 AD.
February 2025
AGM 2025
Blaenau Gwent Unison - AGM 2025. Tuesday 25 February 2025 at 12.00 GMT. Online event.
Thank you everyone for attending AGM - It was another great turnout and we're grateful for everyone who gave up their time to join us. We would like to say an extra special thank you to our brilliant guest speaker, Noel Mooney, for his inspiring words. If there's anything you would like to discuss further, or if there's something that wasn't raised at today's meeting, please ring 01495 369504.
February 2025
to 
HEART UNISON
Heart Unions Week is all about building a stronger union movement – telling positive stories of change and sharing the many benefits of union membership. This year, as well as celebrating local wins and putting members at the heart of our communications, a great focus for UNISON is our campaign around the Employment Rights Bill. We’ve branded it ‘A better life at work’ and you can find all the latest news here #JoinUNISON #UnisonCymruWales #HeartUNISON More information link click here
February 2025
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WORKERS
UNISON has submitted a pay claim for council and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We are asking for a wage increase of £3,000 on all pay points. This would be pro rata'd for part time and term time only staff.
In addition, the claim asks for:
• A clear plan to reach a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour
• One extra day of annual leave for all staff
• A reduction in the working week by two hours, with no loss of pay
• The ability for school staff to take (at least) one day of their annual leave during term time, with no loss of pay
Workers like you deliver vital services in our communities, yet your pay has lost 25% of its value since 2010. At a time when the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite and workers are leaving for less stressful and better paid work, a decent pay offer is essential to save our services. Demand more funding for local councils More information link click here
February 2025
UNISON COLLEGE IN CYMRU / WALES
All UNISON Members across the UK can access exclusive courses, bursaries, financial support, special events and e-learning platforms from UNISON College.
Find out what you can do today!
Full courses click here
January 2025
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
NEVER FORGET, NEVER AGAIN
At 8pm on 27 January, people will light candles and place them safely in their windows to remember those who were murdered for who they were and stand against prejudice and hatred today.
January 2025
Lucky winner announced by May
DENTAL PLAN OFFER
We wanted to invite you to enter our UNISON Free Prize Draw to Win £250 Shopping Vouchers which will be delivered to the winner by 7th May 2025.
Enter competition click here
January 2025
Nominations close at 16:00 on Friday 17 January 2025
LOCAL SERVICE CHAMPIONS
UNISON celebrates and defends local government workers for the everyday heroes they are.
Without great people running our local services, our communities would suffer. Nominations for the 2025 awards are now open – take 5 minutes to nominate someone that has gone above and beyond this year.
To nominate click here
January 2025
SCHOOL BUDGETS
School budgets need protecting, says UNISON in response to Institute of Fiscal Studies funding report. Delivering the education all children and young people deserve cannot be achieved without proper funding.
Full article click here
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