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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April 2026
EARTH DAY 2026
Earth Day is a global movement uniting 192 countries to take action for our planet - #OurPowerOurPlanet We can all mark #EarthDay – from joining an event to taking simple everyday actions
Visit the Earth Hub More information click here Get involved in UNISON’s Year of Green Activity. More information click here
April 2026
Senedd Election May 
SENEDD ELECTIONS 2026 POSTAL VOTE
- Get ready for the elections on 7 May
- Register to vote by 20 April
- Apply for a postal vote by 20 April
- Apply for Voter ID by 28 April - if you don't have a passport or driving licence (England only)
April 2026
Senedd Election May
SENEDD ELECTIONS 2026
The Senedd elections on 7 May are about public services in Wales. The parties that control the Welsh Parliament will decide the future of your job and those of your colleagues. If you’re uncertain about what the Welsh Government does, what the election is actually about or how it will work, it can stop you from making your voice heard. And when you don’t vote, decisions about public services are made without you. That’s why UNISON Cymru is running regular lunchtime and early evening online ‘Use your vote in Wales’ sessions in the run-up to the election. They are designed to be non-partisan and factual, and to help you understand more about devolution and the new electoral system. Book a place now click here
April 2026
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 2025
Stronger rights for workers and trade unions are introduced as further provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025 come into force on 6 April 2026. These long awaited rights will mean low paid workers become entitled to sick pay which will also be payable to other workers from day one.
These changes are explained in a new blog from our Professional Support Lawyer, Jo Seery, breaking down what the Employment Rights Act 2025 means in practice for workers and trade unions. Read the full article click here
Follow along for updates and key insights on the Employment Rights Act by visiting our ERA Hub: Read the full article click here #ERA2025 #ThompsonsSolicitors #TradeUnions #WorkplaceRights #EmploymentRights #UKEmploymentLaw
THE NEW LAWS
The latest raft of changes to workers’ rights, created by the Employment Rights Act, come into force in Great Britain. The New Laws click here
April 2026
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE
National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage from 1st April 2026.
Age: 21 and over - was £12.21 per hour now £12.71 per hour
Age: 18-20 - was £10.00 per hour now £10.85 per hour
Age: 16-17 and apprentices - was £7.55 per hour now £8.00 per hour.
#NationalLivingWage #NationalMinimumWage #Wages
March 2026
MARCH TOGETHER
UNISON Local Government SGE members standing #Together to support the march for love, hope and unity, in London on 28 March. Together Alliance UNISON in Local Government To Join click here More information click here
Half a million people marched for love, hope, unity and against ALL forms of discrimination - together we're stronger and hate will not win #Together #TogetherAlliance
March 2026
MAJOR VICTORY
Teaching assistants across Wales have won a major victory. The Welsh government is scrapping level one roles after sustained campaigning by staff and UNISON. There’s more to do on pay, workload and career progression but this is real progress. More information click here
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
UNISON POD CAST
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