Welcome to UNISON Caerphilly
We are the largest Trade Union in Caerphilly, supporting public service employees
"You're strong and we're standing strong with you."
Caerphilly UNISON, Tredomen Business and Technology Centre
Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7FN
Telephone: 01443 863279
LATEST STORIES:
ACTION
NOW:
We recognise that unity is our strength and work tirelessly to promote truth, justice and equality. Our purpose is not just to be a voice for the voiceless but to give them a voice of their own.
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
September 2025
Closing date 
ARTIST CALL OUT
Allech chi greu dyluniad poster beiddgar sy'n cipio ysbryd UNISON Cymru?
Could you create a bold poster design which captures the spirit of UNISON Cymru?
UNISON invites artists in Wales to design commemorative artwork for landmark change. Now Welsh-based artists, or those with a connection to Wales, are being offered the chance to create a work celebrating the new devolved identity. The final choice of best design will be left to a poll of the 90,000-strong membership. The winning artwork will be turned into a poster to be displayed at the union’s 50-plus branch offices across Wales and on social media.
There is also a £450 prize. The deadline for artists to submit designs is noon on Friday 26 September 2025. The union is not seeking a new or redesigned logo #ArtPrize #ArtAndDesign #Artists More information link click here
September 2025
to
START PLANNING FOR UNISON GREEN WEEK
Green UNISON Week, in September, is an ideal opportunity to lay the seeds for the union’s 2026 Year of Green Activity. UNISON is urging its members, particularly its environmental activists, to start planning for the union’s green week, which takes place on 19-26 September. More information link click here
UNISON Green Week, in September, is an ideal opportunity to lay the seeds for the union’s 2026 Year of Green Activity #GreenWeek #UNISONGreenWeek More information link click here
September 2025
MARCH AGAINST FASCISM
Thank you for your support. UNISON Cymru has made a donation to support transport to Saturday’s Stand Up to Racism protest in London & any members wishing to travel can do so free of charge on this south Wales coach. Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) has called this show of unity as a counter protest to the far-right protest in London on the same day. More information link click here
September 2025
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
A time to raise awareness, break stigma, and remind everyone that help is always available. In Wales, 350 people died by suspected suicide between April 2023 and March 2024, a rate of 12.4 per 100,000 people. Men accounted for 76% of these deaths, with the highest rates among those aged 35–44. Suicide is preventable, and talking about it can save lives. Let’s check in with each other and share support.
Key Support Numbers in Wales include:
NHS Mental Health 111 (Option 2): 24/7 urgent mental health support – Call 111 and press 2
Samaritans: Free, confidential, 24/7 – Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline: Emotional support and signposting – 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066
HOPELINE247 (Papyrus): For those under 35 or concerned about a young person – 0800 068 4141, text 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Shout: 24/7 text support – Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
August 2025
WARM HOME DISCOUNT
In England and Wales, households receiving Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit will qualify. #Winter #WinterBills #WinterDiscount More information link click here
August 2025
SAD NEWS
We have received the sad news that Hefin David, MS has passed away.
We at Caerphilly Unison would like to express our sadness at this tragic news and offer our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. More information link click here
August 2025
SUMMER LEARNING FOR MEMBERS AND ACTIVISTS
UNISON College’s learning and training programmes continue through the summer. Here are some highlights for both members and activists: More information link click here
July 2025
NJC IMPORTANT UPDATE
Yesterday a joint Trade Union position was reached to settle the NJC pay for 2025. The NJC has written to the National Employers this morning informing them of this.
When writing to the Employers, the trade unions made it clear that we remained disappointed by the offer, and we also stressed that we will be working on the 2026 pay claim very soon and we will want to engage in full and meaningful negotiations on 2026/27 pay, and the pay spine review, as soon as possible.
Once all the formalities have been undertaken, which shouldn’t take too long, the 3.2% pay increase will be applied to all pay points and backpay from April 1st 2025 paid as soon as possible.
July 2025
TRAINING AND EVENTS
July, August and September upcoming training and events for members. A list of course types can be found here #Activists #BranchOfficers #HealthAndSafety More information link click here
July 2025
MARCH FOR OUR LIBRARY
We need your full support to March For Our Library on Saturday 19th July. Assemble at Senghenydd Square at 12 noon. Come as a character from a book, film or comic to win a Kids' Costume prize for age categories, There will be music, banners and fun activities throughout the march. An extra £5 million was 'Found' in the Budget so we need some to keep our libraries open. Supported by #CaerphillyTraders #UNISONCymru #BlackwoodTownCouncil #TheIslwynVoice
July 2025
LOCAL SUMMER HOLIDAY EVENTS
School holiday activities for family and friends to enjoy this summer #SummerHolidays #LocalEvents #LocalActivities #ThingsToDo #OutAndAbout Full listing link click here
June / July 2025
HEATWAVE WARNINGS
Extreme Heat at Work: A Critical Health and Safety Issue. Climate change is significantly impacting worker safety and health, exposing them to higher daily temperatures and more frequent, severe heatwaves. #Heatwave #WeatherWarning #HighTemperatures #WorkingEnvironment More information link click here
June 2025
to 
LIVERPOOL CONFERENCE
UNISON National Delegate Conference. Delegation is primed and ready. Looking forward to some fantastic debates this week! UNISON proving once again that it's members will never walk alone.
Motions on the Disability Employment Charter, Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Local Government Workers, NJC Bargaining, and Severe Weather Events.
#UNDC25 #CaerphillyUnison #UnisonCymruWales
More information link 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
June 2025
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
2026 will be the UNISON Year of Green Activity, an opportunity for all branches and members to engage on climate change in their workplace in any way they can, to support branches and enable them to bargain and negotiate proactively on green workplace issues. Together we can make a green difference #WorldEnvironmentDay Read full article click here
May 2025
SAVE OUR LEISURE CENTRES
An update from Branch Secretary Lianne Dallimore:
Today we have just witnessed some of the worst decisions made by Caerphilly Cabinet for our communities and council staff:
- 10 Libraries will close from 31st August 2025.
- 1 Leisure centre (Bedwas) will close in March 2027;
- 2 Leisure centres (New Tredegar and Cefn Fforest) will be given, what can only be described as a ‘stay of execution’, with vastly reduced opening hours from 31st August 2025.
As a branch we are devasted to what this will mean for our hard working staff and to the wider community. We will continue to support our members through what will be a very difficult time and will actively work with each and every community prepared not to give up the fight!
#SaveOurLeisureCentres #CaerphillyUnison #UnisonCymruWales #TheIslwynVoice
May 2025
NEC ELECTIONS
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
UNISON MATTERS
Pay Campaign latest news and what it means for you! TEAMS Meeting 15th May at 12 noon. Scan the poster to join or contact the branch.
May 2025
PDF link here:
SPRING NEWSLETTER 2025
Here's our Spring newsletter featuring:
- more cuts ahead
- the latest on the Council and Schools 2025 Pay Campaign!
- meet our new Team for 2025 / 2026.
April / May 2025
COUNCIL AND SCHOOL PAY CAMPAIGN 2025
As you’ll be aware the 2025 Pay Offer is in from the Employer. Do you want to know more and how it affects you? Why not join our special ‘UNISON Matters' Teams meeting on May 15th at midday to find out more? If you want to have the meeting go straight into your calendar then please email the Branch. More on the employers offer and the original NJC Pay Claim (Plus a link to contact your elected representatives asking them to support a fair pay rise from Central Government) can be found here.
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 full offer please 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
UNISON EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA
Members, We’ll be over Ty Penallta Hive Restaurant from midday on Wednesday April 16th with a stall offering our usual freebies and workplace advice.
If you update your details and provide a valid contact email address for us then you can take part in our special Easter egg hunt to try and win a prize!
#JoinUNISON #UnisonCymruWales #HappyEaster
April 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
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
JOIN UNISON
At Hive Restaurant, Ty Penallta for a New Social Workers event- come and say hi. Join Unison and grab some freebies!
#CaerphillyUnison # Caerphilly #Unison #JoinUnison
March 2025
PRIZE WINNER
Presenting the Caerphilly Unison AGM attendee prize draw tablet to a chuffed Darren Mazurczak, Refuse Driver from Tir-y-berth Depot.
#CaerphillyUnison # Caerphilly #CaerphillyUnisonAGM # AGM
March 2025
to 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday 10th March 2025 at 12.30pm – Virtual Meeting
Tuesday 11th March 2025 at 12.45pm – Tir y berth Depot, B3 Canteen
Tuesday 11th March 2025 at 5.00pm – Virtual Meeting
Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 1.00pm – Virtual Meeting
Thursday 13th March 2025 at 12.30pm – Rhymney Room, Ty Penallta
Friday 14th March 2025 at 8.30am – Virtual Meeting
Should you wish to attend please email us on caerphillyunison@caerphilly.gov.uk or call us on 01443 863279 and we can send you the joining details. Every attendee to one of our AGM meetings will be entered on to our Summer and Christmas Shopping Trip Priority List AND have the chance to win an Amazon Fire tablet.
March 2025
SAVE OUR LEISURE CENTRES
Great turnout at the public demonstration at Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre last night against Council proposals to shut Cefn Fforest, New Tredegar and Bedwas Leisure Centres. We encourage EVERYONE there to have your say on the proposals before the consultation deadline of WEDNESDAY 12th MARCH.
The fight continues #TheIslwynVoice #SaveCefnFforest #SavePontllanfraithLeisureCentre #UnisonCaerphilly #UnisonCymruWales
March 2025
SAVE CEFN FFOREST LEISURE CENTRE
Caerphilly Unison will be there at the demonstration - and offering input around the proposed leisure centre closures at the drop-in session at Cefn Fforest. Please come and show your support. Demonstration 6-8pm, Wednesday 5th March, 2025.
The Islwyn Voice Facebook link click here
Save Cefn Fforest and Pontllanfraith Leisure Centres from closure Facebook link click here
Unison Cymru Wales Facebook 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
CAERPHILLY UNISON SUPPORT
Look what's live in Pengam, Fairview on a digital billboard!
With proposed cuts to services and jobs at risk for our members Caerphilly UNISON is still standing strong with you #JoinUNISON #UNISONCymruWales #UNISON
Join UNISON click here
February 2025
WOMEN'S CONFERENCE EDINBURGH
Message from Branch Women's Officers Vikki & Lucy:
''We would like to begin by introducing ourselves, we are Vikki Giles and Lucy McDonald of the Cymru\Wales region, Caerphilly Branch, we work in the only specialist SEN school within our borough we have both worked there for over 20 years, almost half a century between us! That is long enough to have watched some children travel through their learning journey starting at the age of 3 and leaving at the age of 19, we are extremely proud and honoured to work in such a wonderful school where we became workplace stewards during the COVID pandemic. Read their full article on our Facebook post click here
February 2025
HEART UNISON
Caerphilly Unison will be over in Ty Penallta from 10am on Tuesday 11th February.
Come along and help us celebrate #heartunions week and try your hand at our Employment Rights quiz which shows what YOUR Union is doing for YOU! Every member who tries the quiz will get a freebie of their choice, a Valentine’s card (aww, sweet!) and new members who join on the day get a ‘joining goodie bag’. #JoinUNISON #UnisonCymruWales #HeartUNISON
February 2025
JOB VACANCIES
Call our UNISON Caerphilly Branch now for all the latest details on our current job positions. Thank you.
We have several vacant Officer roles available including Education, Equalities and Young Members posts.
If this is something that interests you contact the branch at caerphillyunison@caerphilly.gov.uk or call 01443 863279.
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
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF REPORT
There will be a session for school support staff to give feedback for UNISON Cymru/Wales’s response to the UK government inquiry on Covid. We want to hear from school support staff members regarding their experience of working in schools during Covid.
There will be two online sessions on Saturday 18 January 2025: 10am-1.30pm & 2pm-3.30pm.
#UnisonCymruWales #UnisonWalesSchoolSupportStaff #SchoolSupportStaff
Registration can be completed 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
Ongoing Campaign 2024 - 2025
UP TO 600 COUNCIL JOBS COULD GO IN CAERPHILLY
Up to 600 jobs could be lost at a council whose leader described the current financial climate as "austerity on steroids".
Caerphilly council leader Sean Morgan said the authority must save a "huge sum" of money and told colleagues the budget outlook made for "sombre viewing".
He anticipates £45m will need to be saved over the next two years – including £33m this year – to balance the budget.
Full BBC 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 Caerphilly Branch