Welcome to UNISON Monmouthshire
Branch latest news, archive news, updates, stories, information and branch representatives
UNISON Office, 1st Floor Community Education Centre
18 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 8AE
Telephone: 01291 675502
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The largest town is Abergavenny. Other towns and large villages are Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth, Magor and Usk. The region boosts more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the UK. Nestled between the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s not just the stunning landscape that’ll take your breath away for it is known for its mountain walks, public houses, restaurants, fabulous food and company.
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
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February 2026
PDF AGM Document:
PDF Final Accounts:
MONMOUTHSHIRE UNISON AGM 2026
Monmouthshire UNISON will be hosting AGMs across three dates and times to share officer reports, approve the accounts, and to undertake the election of branch officers and stewards. This is your opportunity to hear about the work undertaken across the year, and plans for UNISON’s Year of Green Activism for 2026.
Tuesday 10th February at 10:00 to 11:00 GMT.
Wednesday 11th February at 12:30 to 13:30 GMT.
Thursday 12th February at 17.00 to 18:00 GMT.
All an online event. Links to each event will be provided in due course.
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
BREW MONDAY
On #BrewMonday 19 Jan, we’re encouraging everyone to take a moment to connect.
Hold a get-together in your workplace – coffee, tea, whatever works!
When someone’s carrying worries, it can feel lonely – but a brew, a biscuit, and a chat can go a long way.
#Samaritans #MentalHealth Find out more about #BrewMonday from the Samaritans
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
LOCAL SERVICES CUT TO THE BONE
We launched our important new report today, examining the true cost of 15 years of cuts to local services in Wales. The message from every speaker was the same: councils have been cut to the bone.
Jan Davies, chair of the UNISON Cymru Local Government Committee, opened the event by setting out how far funding has fallen. Our head of local government. Darron Dupre, described the scale of the damage, with tens of thousands of jobs lost, services stretched to breaking point and women bearing the brunt of the cuts. Gwawr Eilian from Gwynedd spoke about staff who live and work in their communities. Lianne Dallimore from Caerphilly reflected on growing up with strong public services and how far things have changed. Award-winning campaigner Molly Fenton spoke about the growing mental health crisis facing young people and the lack of integrated health and local services to support them.
Report author Andy Mudd set the findings in a wider context, explaining how decades of austerity, outsourcing and a supply-side approach to the welfare state have failed. The event closed with UNISON Cymru regional secretary Jess Turner, who spoke about members’ lived experience of cuts and called on politicians to make insourcing a priority so public money stays in communities and services can be rebuilt.
Full Report click link here
December 2025
UNISON DIRECT
UNISON member and need help? Call UNISON Direct on 0800 0 857 857 #UNISONDirect
Christmas Hours:
Wednesday 24 December 7am-2pm
Thursday 25 December Closed
Friday 26 December Closed
Saturday 27 December Closed
Sunday 28 December Closed
Monday 29 December 7am-11pm
Tuesday 30 December 7am-11pm
Wednesday 31 December 7am-2pm
Thursday 1 January Closed
Friday 2 January 7am-11pm
Saturday 3 January 9am-4pm
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. 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
CHRISTMAS REWARDS
Christmas Rewards! As a UNISON member you can save £££’s on discounted gift vouchers and shopping cards and get cashback from top retailers such as Argos, Currys, M&S, IKEA, Boots, and more. More information 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
TIME TO VALUE
Today we launched Time to value school support staff: The case for a Wales School Support Staff Negotiating Body, our major new report produced with the Labour Research Department.
We heard powerful testimony from UNISON members about their lives in schools. They spoke about overwhelming workloads, low pay and the reality of being pushed into in-work poverty despite their essential role supporting children’s education.
We also heard from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, who spoke about her commitment to tackling this social justice issue and ensuring the contribution of school support staff is properly recognised.
The report authors from the Labour Research Department set out the evidence in detail. From widespread grade mismatch and unpaid responsibilities to the urgent need for a dedicated Wales School Support Staff Negotiating Body to deliver fair pay, clear progression and national consistency.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the members who shared their experiences. Today showed why change is needed and why Wales must take this opportunity to build a fairer system for school support staff.
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
STORM CLAUDIA SUPPORT
If you have been affected by the recent flooding there is financial support available. Thanks to the generosity of Monmouth residents and businesses and people nationwide wanting to support the Monmouth community, the Mayor’s Fund has reached an amazing total of nearly £133,000. The fund is now open for applications and details of how to apply can be found on Monmouth Town Council’s dedicated "Storm Claudia Recovery Funding" webpage together with links to other financial assistance available. More information link click here
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The British Red Cross has a minimum of £100 in financial support available for people whose properties have been affected by the recent Storm Claudia flooding in Monmouthshire. Eligibility will be verified by Monmouthshire County Council. This support is only available to those who contact the British Red Cross before 12pm on Monday 24th November.
- Visit the Humanitarian Assistance Centre at Shire Hall in Monmouth
- Call the British Red British Red Cross National Support Line on 0808 196 3651
- Email supportline@redcross.org.uk
Information on financial support available from the Red Cross for any of our members who have been affected by Storm Claudia.
#StormClaudia #StormClaudiaFloodSupport #MonmouthshireFloodSupport #FloodSupport
Our Humanitarian Centre at the Shire Hall, Monmouth, is open and available 9am - 5pm every day. Please call in to speak with officers for support and to enquire about the supplies available to aid our response to Storm Claudia. We've also been overwhelmed with generous donations, for which we are incredibly grateful. If you need cleaning products, nappies, or toiletries, please call in to pick them up. More information link click here
November 2025
HEART WARMING
We receive lots of heart warming testimonials about school support staff each year. If you know a support staff member working in a school or early years who goes the extra mile, nominate them for a £50 voucher today #StarsInOurSchools #EarlyYearsStars #UNISONinSchools
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.
October 2025
Opens on 
VOTE FOR GENERAL SECRETARY
Every five years, UNISON members choose who will lead our union.
The general secretary represents UNISON to employers, Parliament and the public, the voice of over 1.3 million members. The ballot opens on 28 October.
October 2025
RATE OF PAY
This sets a clear benchmark for the rate of pay needed to keep workers out of poverty.
“Low-paid staff working for fair employers are the ones who’ll see the benefits of this rise. But for most workers in public services, it’s the government’s responsibility to make sure they’re on a decent rate.
October 2025
Event is on November
NOMINATE A STAR
UNISON members can now nominate a fellow school support staff colleague for Stars in Our Schools 2025. Let’s celebrate the unsung heroes of education.
This year the event will take place on Friday 28 November 2025
#StarsInOurSchools #UNISONCymru Nominate form link click here or More information link click here
October 2025
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF SURVEY
We are gathering information about changes to school support staff posts in schools over the past year, and whether you feel valued in school. Your responses will build a picture of staffing trends to help us in our campaigns. The survey is anonymous, and your answers will be kept confidential. Survey form link click here
October 2025
PENSION WEBINARS
Wednesday 15th October 2025 from 15:00-16:00 BST
Pensions Webinar / Online Event
Monmouthshire Branch has arranged two free webinars for members to help you understand how pensions work, including the state pension and workplace pensions. The webinars will be presented by one of Unison's expert financial advisers from Quilter Financial Advisers. The details and registration links for each of the webinars have been emailed to all members. You only need to attend one so chose the one that is most convenient for you.
October 2025
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
At UNISON, we know that mental health matters in every workplace, every union branch and every conversation.
Here's four ways we're supporting mental health across the UK.
#WorldMentalHealthDay #UNISON
1. Quality social care - older people face greater risk of depression and anxiety if living in care or alone. UNISON campaigns for properly funded, quality social care.
2. Resources in schools - depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of illness for younger people. UNISON fights for better mental health resources in schools, and support pupils and staff.
3. A fairer workplace - tackling poor working environments, low pay, insecure jobs, and discrimination. UNISON stands up for fair wages, safe conditions, and respect at work. Good jobs mean good mental health.
4. Emergency services - when disaster strikes, workers step up - pandemics, floods, accidents. But who supports them? UNISON campaigns for proper mental health support for emergency and health workers.
October 2025
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
October is the start of Black History Month with the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”
This year we honour resilience, strength and legacy. We recognise the Black trade unionists and community leaders who stood firm in the fight for fairness, equality and justice. It is time to celebrate our heroes, amplify our voices and continue building a future rooted in power and pride #BHM25 #BlackHistoryMonth More information link 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 Monmouthshire Branch