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 & Technology Centre,
Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7FN
Telephone: 01443 863279
Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7FN
Telephone: 01443 863279
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.
This app will provide our members with the latest branch news and communications for all UNISON Caerphilly members. You will receive alerts with the latest updates from UNISON Caerphilly and UNISON Cymru/Wales.
To download the app click this link here.
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
Social Media Links:
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.
June 2022
DEMAND ACTION DEMONSTRATION
All public sector workers are being forced to deal with a toxic mix of a decade of cuts combined with low wages and sky high fuel and energy bills as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
On Saturday June 18, the trade union movement will be taking to the streets of London to demand action and UNISON Cymru/Wales is providing three buses to get our members to this vital demonstration.
Find out how to book your place on the buses here: Complete bus transport details link here
Wales TUC Cymru Trades Union Congress / (TUC) UNISON / Unison Swansea Bay Health Branch / Members Group NPT Unison / Unison Carms / Cangen Unsain Gwynedd / UNISON North Wales / Health Branch UNISON Velindre and PHW Branch Unison / Bridgend Unison / Powys Local Government Branch / Unison Cardiff Branch
Bus Details For South West Wales
Pick-ups: Haverfordwest (train station) at 6.00am; Llanelli (train station) at 7.30am and Swansea Moto services M4 Junction 47 at 7.45am
Bus Details For South Wales
Pick-ups: Merthyr Tydfil (Civic Building) at 7.00am; Pontypridd (bus station) at 7.25am; Cardiff (Museum steps) at 8.00am and Newport (train station) at 8.30am
To book your branches place on these buses, please email Helen Dunn-Jones h.dunn-jones@unison.co.uk with the name, email, mobile number and pick up point for each traveller.
Return journey will be picking back up near Parliament Square at 3pm.
May 2022
URDD
Mae’n amser deffro.
Mae pobl ifanc Cymru yn galw ar bawb ar draws y byd i beidio gohirio’r agenda #ArgyfwngHinsawdd.
We cannot ignore the #ClimateEmergency. It’s time to wake up and take action.
#Heddwch100
View full Facebook video here with English and Welsh sub titles
May 2022
THANK YOU UNISON
Thank you Unison for your kind donation of £500 for our LGBTQ group #GGNP to help cover transport costs for young people to group sessions throughout Caerphilly Borough.
#GwasanaethIeuentidCaerffili #caerphillyyouthservice #LGBTQ
May 2022
YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE YOUR SAY
Today 16-year-olds are voting for the first time in #LocalElections across Wales.
We spoke to 16-year-old Kenny Thomas who will be voting for the first time today.
Kenny told us why voting is so important to him, if you are voting for the first time today then get in touch and let us know why it matters to you by commenting below or emailing r.denholm-hall@unison.co.uk
#LocalElections2022 #LocalElectionsMatter UNISON Unison in Local Government
Image quote states: Being able to vote this year means so much to me. I think it's so important for young people to be able to have a say in what happens in the future. UNISON Cymru Wales.
May 2022
UNISON TOP PRIORITIES
UNISON Cymru/Wales launches top priorities for council candidates.
Lianne Dallimore, UNISON Cymru/Wales local government chair, attended the launch and said: “We are delighted council candidates have already started to demonstrate they put the priorities of working people first by pledging their support to our top priorities.
“This election is vitally important to ensure we protect our incredible public services and the working conditions of those who provide them.”
Great to see Caerphilly Council candidate Peter Thomas sign up and support #unisonpriorities!
Read more link here
April 2022
COMMUNICATION FORUM
Calling all comms officers! Next meeting of the Cymru Wales Communications Forum will be held in our Cardiff office on Friday 29 April at 10.15am. It will be followed by a 3-hour training course: Effective newsletters, with tutor, Simon Williams. To register and for further details contact Alastair Gittins a.gittins@unison.co.uk
April 2022
ENERGY SEMINAR
Energy workers from across Wales will be joining industry experts and key politicians for the first ever energy seminar run by UNISON Cymru/Wales.
Welsh Government Climate Change Minister Julie James MS will be among the speakers at the event on Wednesday April 27 at the Radisson Hotel in the centre of Cardiff.
April 2022
LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Fantastic to launch our official #UNISONpriorities for candidates at the #LocalElections coming up in May at the fab Venue Cymru in #Llandudno .
We are calling on everyone standing for election to back our key priorities to protect vital public services and the working conditions of those who provide them.
#LocalElectionsMatter #localelections2022 UNISON NPT Unison Caerphilly Unison Unison Wales School Support Staff Unison Cwm.
March 2022
NO TO RACISM
Caerphilly Unison at the Anti-Racism march today!
Branch Officers Lianne, Juan-Antonio and Eve supporting Unison Wales in Cardiff in the sunshine!
#NoToRacism
#StandUpToRacism
March 2022
AGM TODAY
Members,
AGMs start today at 12:30! Join us to be in with a chance to win A Samsung tablet!
Every attendee receives a £10 'Love2Shop' gift voucher!
There's lots happening in your Branch this year!
Email Caerphilly Caerphillyunison@caerphilly.gov.uk for the link.
Tuesday March 15th -12:30pm
Wednesday March 16th - 1:30pm
Thursday March 17th - 5:30pm
WE NEED YOU!
March 2022
CALLING ALL CARE WORKERS
The way care workers are registered is changing.
Tell UNISON what you think here.
March 2022
UKRAINE SUPPORT
UNISON is working with the international trade union movement to mobilise support for those affected by the war in Ukraine – and branches and members can help too.
February 2022
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Join us on Saturday (19/2) for The People's Assembly Against Austerity march against the #costoflivingcrisis in the centre of Cardiff.
Energy bills are rising. Food prices are rising. Rent is rising....We Must Rise.
Meet at 2pm by the Betty Campbell Statue on Wood Street.
February 2022
PEOPLE'S BUDGET PUBLIC MEETING
This year Caerphilly Council is receiving an additional £25.1m. Where do you think the additional money should be spent? This is the first time in twelve years that no cuts are proposed - but this year, also for the first time, the Consultation process is so low key that you wouldn't even know it's happening.
This meeting is your chance make your voice heard. Come join in and help draw up a People's Budget.
Friday Feb 11, 2022 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
People's budget public meeting join here
You can also dial in using your phone.
United Kingdom: +44 20 3713 5028
Access Code: 465-941-645
If you want to join the meeting on your phone, you can get the app:
Get the app here
February 2022
WINTER FUEL GRANT
Worried about the relentless increase in fuel costs? Unison's charity There For You has set up a limited fund to help those on low incomes. You can apply for a grant of up to £200 towards your winter fuel bills.
January 2022
A CUT AFTER TAX
For Ceredigion social worker Michael, the latest 1.75% pay offer is effectively a cut after tax. Have your voice heard and #voteyes in our ballot for strike action which closes this Friday. Unison in Local Government #fairpayinLG #EnoughIsEnough
January 2022
March 2022
MARCH PUB QUIZ
Members who fancies a pub quiz on March 25th ??
Details in your inbox soon....
January 2022
Summer 2022
SUMMER SHOPPING
Summer shopping trip to Bath?
Member, check your inbox soon - places will go quick!
December 2021
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Our wonderful Branch Secretary Lianne Dallimore on why 'Enough Is Enough' on LG Pay.
Members, you'll be getting a ballot paper through the post shortly - UNISON recommends voting 'Yes' for industrial action to get the pay rise that YOU DESERVE!
December 2021
ART COMPETITION WINNERS
Here are our winners and runners up for the children's art competition!
Some fantastic entries and the judging was tough!
Congratulations to the overall winners - Ella, Maxwell and Chloe - the children/grandchildren of Laura Bates, Claire Sullivan and Lisa Jennings! Some great prizes to be collected just in time for Christmas!
More competitions in the New Year!
December - January 2021
DO YOU WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT?
UNISON is sending out ballot papers for strike action from today #VoteYes! for action on pay because #enoughisenough
Return your ballot by 14 January. Find out more about our campaign here.
November 2021
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!)
November 2021
CARDIFF COP26 CLIMATE DEMO
March with Unison on the Cardiff Cop26 Day of Action on November 6th. Assemble 12pm in front of City Hall. Bring Flags, banners and friends on this family-friendly march.
November 2021
Read PDF prize link here. Closes 30th November:
RECRUIT A FRIEND TO UNISON
Dear Member,
Recruit a Friend to UNISON and Win a Prize!
During the month of November if you recruit a friend to join UNISON we’ll enter you in to our fantastic prize draw to win £100 of Mark and Spencer’s Gift vouchers.
October 2021
THANK YOU
To our wonderful officers/stewards at Caerphilly Unison this award from the Unison Wales Region is for all your hard work and dedication over the last 18 months. We know that the Branch is NOTHING without the support of its members who have kept working during exceptional circumstances. We will never forget that.
You'll never walk alone.
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”.
October 2021
Read PDF update link here:
BLACK HISTORY MONTH - UNISON NEWSLETTER
Colleagues,
On the eve of Black History Month please find the link to a ''Black Members in UNISON'' PDF newsletter.
August - December 2021
Read PDF update link here:
CHILDREN'S ART COMPETITION - Deadline extended to December 1st
Public Sector Parents – Children’s Art Competition. Do you have any Picassos in your family? Caerphilly Branch brilliant Members children's art competition is now open.
Fantastic prizes to be won!
The age categories for entry are: Ages 3-6; 7-11 and 12-16.
The prizes in each category are:
1st: Laptop, Microsoft Office, printer, headphones and art-set
2nd : Tablet & art-set
3rd : Art-set
The competition is open to all UNISON Caerphilly Members children and/or grandchildren.
The closing date is Wednesday 1st December and winners will be winners notified by Friday December 10th.
September 2021
GREENING YOUR WORKPLACE @ ADULT LEARNERS WEEK
As #COP26 approaches & the impact of #ClimateCrisis become clear, join our FREE monthly session to find out about...
- the promise of the #JustTransition
- the idea of social partnership in Wales
- why public service jobs are #greenjobs
- the role of Green Reps
Book now for our 23rd September course, or reserve your place for October or November today
September 2021
PENSION TRAINING COURSES
Have you seen the 2021 UNISON Wales Local Government Pension Scheme newsletter? Download it here and find out about our extensive pensions training courses. It features an article from the Branches own Pensions Officer Bob Campbell.
September 2021
VOTE REJECT
Come and hear why UNISON is strongly recommending members #VoteReject on the unfair Local Government pay offer.
Join our webinar at 12:30pm on 7 September.
September 2021
CONSULTATIVE PAY BALLOT - REMINDER TO VOTE
Local Government and school members,
By now you would’ve had either an email or a letter outlining the Local Government Employers NJC Pay Offer for 2021/22 and the corresponding consultative ballot paper.
To have a strong mandate for any action it is VITAL you return the completed ballot to us by 5pm on Wednesday 22nd September.
If you have not had a ballot paper please contact us ASAP to request a replacement.
Also, if you are experiencing any problems with returning your ballot paper to us, or know someone who is, please get in touch and we can resolve this.
REMEMBER – YOUR PAY MATTERS!
August 2021
Read PDF link here:
URGENT - PAY CONSULTATION MEETINGS
Dear member,
Despite your courage and sacrifice throughout COVID-19, council and school workers have been offered 1.75%. With inflation at 3.9%, that’s a real terms pay cut. UNISON is launching a consultative ballot and are strongly recommending that members vote to reject such an unfair offer.
August 2021
COMPETITION NOW ENDED -
MEMBERS HALF PRICE THEATRE TICKET BALLOT COMPETITION
Click here to enter the members ticket ballot for a pair of reduced theatre tickets at £50 a pair (RRP £100) for ‘’We Will Rock You’’ on Saturday April 22nd 2022.
You must be a UNISON Caerphilly Branch Member to enter. One entry form per member, closing date 13th August and winners will be contacted week beginning 20th August.
July 2021
FAIR PAY
UNISON believe that council and school workers deserve a decent pay rise. Read more about the ongoing campaign below and look out for these images on Caerphilly buses soon!
July 2021
NHS WORKERS SUPPORT
Come and join NHS Workers, Caerphilly Trades Council and other TUs outside Cardiff Central Station on Saturday at midday on July 3rd.
Remember: Clapping doesn't pay the bills.
July 2021
WALES SURVEY - DECLINE IN HEALTH
Wales survey shows health declined for third of home workers
The mental and physical health of a third of people working from home in Wales has deteriorated because of the new ways of working.
There is also a comment from Lianne Dallimore - Branch Secretary and Cymru/Wales LG Committee Chair.
June 2021
LET'S TALK
Caerphilly UNISON are now able to offer members a new Talking Therapies initiative, which is accessed by completing a simple referral form. We can then put you in touch with a counsellor who can offer online or telephone support for issues such as work-related stress, anxiety and depression.
Sessions can be accessed quickly and arranged at a time to suit you. This support is offered free to all Blaenau Gwent UNISON members.
This initiative is being administered by Monmouthshire Branch, therefore if you would like to take up this opportunity, please email unisonmon@btconnect.com and a referral form will be sent to you. If you would like then to complete the form for you over the phone, please call 01291 675502 leaving your name, number and best time to call, and they will call you back to go through this with you. You can now apply online by clicking the link below.
Remember- it’s always good to talk #itsokaytonotbeokay Apply for Talking Therapies.
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.
Contact Caerphilly Branch