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
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
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
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
to 
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
The official theme is ‘loneliness’ and, across the week, we encourage you to build meaningful connections with your friends, family, colleagues and communities.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
#LetsConnect
Poster states: Mental Health UK. Let;s Connect! From 9th to 15th May 2022. Let's connect during Mental Health Awareness Week, and together, we can. We're asking people and organisations alike to consider their 'unique contribution' in tackling loneliness, isolation and the barriers to connection. We need to, raise awareness, invire conversation, volunteer your time, ask others to act.
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
LOCAL ELECTIONS - HAVE YOUR SAY
16-year-olds will be voting for the first time in a local election in Wales.
Unison Wales has heard from first time voter Julia who told us public services are vital to her. She said: "Voting is vital for me because without doing so, people may not see the change that they would like to see, in the government, and in their day-to-day lives.
"By voting everyone has a say in their future and positive change will be implemented.
"It is extremely important for me as it reminds me that as a community we have a say and in turn change will take place."
Let us know if you are voting for the first time and why public services are important for you.
#localelections2022 #LocalElections #LocalElectionsMatter UNISON Unison in Local Government
Image quote states: By voting, everyone has a say in their future and positive change will be implemented. UNISON Cymru Wales
April 2022
LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
The local council elections in May are a great opportunity for UNISON Cymru Wales to talk about why it’s so important to invest in public services and in public service workers.
We want to influence politicians and public opinion to address the needs of working people and Welsh communities. We’re asking council candidates to pledge their support for UNISON’s priorities and work with us to deliver them.
Image poster states: Local elections 2022. Fair funding for council services. #UNISONPriorities
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
March 2022
NO TO RACISM
Support on the steps of Cardiff City civic centre took place this Sunday. Together we are stronger.
#NoToRacism
#StandUpToRacism
March 2022
BRANCH DEVELOPMENT WEEKEND
We had a brilliant time attending this years Branch Development weekend at the Bryn Meadows. We have taken lots of information to help us to encourage the employers we work with to reduce their carbon footprint, develop our skills in having difficult conversation and how to organise in the post covid world.
#UNISONfamily
Unison Monmouthshire is at Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel & Spa.
4 March at 10:25, Caerphilly .
Attending Branch Development training with UNISON colleagues from Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Coleg Gwent and ABUHB.
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
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.
February 2022
UNISON MONMOUTHSHIRE AGM
UNISON Monmouthshire will be holding AGMs online again this year, and to make it more convenient for our members, we are holding them across three days at various times:
Tuesday 8th February 2022
at 10am
Wednesday 9th February 2022 at 12:30pm
Thursday 10th February 2022 at 5pm
Papers and links to Microsoft Teams for the AGMs can be requested from unisonmon@btconnect.com .
Officers from the branch will be available to inform members what the branch have been doing over the past 12 months, and give any available updates on current campaigns. We hope that you will be able to join us!
The third and final AGM being hosted online via Microsoft Teams. Papers and links to the AGMs are being emailed to all members. If you have not yet received yours, please email unisonmon@btconnect.com and this can be sent out to you.
January 2022
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Thank you to all UNISON local government members who completed and returned their ballots over the last few weeks.
The ballot closes today, and we will provide an update as soon as we have the results.
#enoughisenough
December 2021
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
UNISON has sent ballot papers for strike action to council and school support workers.
Use your voice and Vote Yes for action on pay.
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.
December 2021
YOUNG WORKERS IN UNISON
Our first ever Young Workers in Unison Young Members Conference took place in #Cardiff at the weekend featuring guest speakers Angela Rayner, Shavanah Taj and Andrea Egan and chaired by Jess Mcguire #UnisonYM21
November / December 2021
LEGO BASED THERAPY
Dear Member,
We are lucky enough to be able to fund another Lego Based Therapy course, as we are aware that some members have not been able to get a place on the courses already advertised.
Therefore, the branch has arranged to facilitate a further course (3 x 45 minutes) using the same tutor. The details for this course are:
Tuesday 23rd November
@ 4pm – 4.45pm
Tuesday 30th November
@ 4pm – 4.45pm
Tuesday 7th December
@ 4pm – 4.45pm
via ZOOM
Please contact Karen on unisonmon@btconnect.com or call 07748 152707 to book a place.
This course has proved to be very popular and quickly becomes oversubscribed as places are limited, therefore if you want a place please get in touch as soon as possible.
Also be aware that you will need to complete all three sessions.
Kind regards
Monmouthshire Unison Branch
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”.
September 2021
LGBT+ BLACK AND DISABLED NETWORK
Last chance to sign up for UNISON's Black LGBT+ network meeting 11:30am–2:00pm and Disabled LGBT+ network meeting 4:00pm–6:30pm on 17 September.
This meeting gives you the opportunity to find out about the work that UNISON does for LGBT+ equality for Black and Disabled LGBT+ members in the workplace and wider community. You'll have the opportunity to talk to and question your reps on the national committee and also influence the work that UNISON does on LGBT+ equality. For more information please message us, or email out@unison.co.uk
September 2021
SAFETY REPS
#BeOneTheSafeSide Safety reps play a crucial role in workplace health and safety. They represent staff and work with management to identify new issues and find solutions that improve workplace safety. Covid has transformed workplace safety, but the old risks haven't gone away. We need to make work safe again. Sign up here and you will be contacted about the next course.
Link to information and sign up form for safety reps
August 2021
UNISON - FAIR PAY
Pay is coming to a head and we need all of our members and activists to take part in every ballot and every consultation. UNISON is fighting to get the fair pay rise you deserve. Link to fighting for pay across the union
July 2021
TALKING THERAPIES INITIATIVE
UNISON Monmouthshire are launching a brand new service for its members! Any Monmouthshire member can now refer themselves to our online counselling support service. All you need to do is complete a short referral form.
Full details will be sent to all our members soon, or you can watch our short Facebook video here. This video is a short explanation of Talking Therapies for our members.
Referral forms can be requested by email at unisonmon@btconnect.com or by calling 01291 675502.
Remember- it’s always good to talk #itsokaytonotbeokay Apply for Talking Therapies.
July 2021
NURSING EVENT
Come along to our FREE online learning event for Nurses! A full day of taster sessions covering Mindfulness, Maths for Nurses, Going Green, Online Lies & Misinformation and so much more!
Book onto one session, or book on them all – the choice is yours!! Just follow the web link below to register your place. The event is funded by UNISON & the UNISON WULF Project, so there is no fee to attend (although please note that some webinars are UNISON member specific). Book your Place now!
UNISON Nursing Event Tuesday 20th July - 12:00 - 12:30 H&S in the Workplace, 12:45 - 13:45 Online Lies and Misinformation, 14:00 - 15:00 Nurse Question Time, 15:15- 15:45 Dealing with Grief, 16:00 - 16:30 Student Nurse Watch Party, 16:45 - 17:45 Green Agenda, 18:00 - 20:00 Maths for Nurses, 20:15 - 21:15 Mindfulness. Register now closed at https://bit.ly/2TidAUY
July 2021
SMALL TALK NEW SESSION
Join us for Monmouthshire Unison’s first SMALL TALK session (MUST) on Wednesday 14th July 2021!!
We’ve really missed meeting and chatting to our members during the last year so we’re setting up a new regular virtual drop-in session (with its own natty acronym) that will give you the opportunity to get to know the branch committee, socialise with other members, find out more about what we’re up to and how you can get involved!
Each MUST session will have its own theme. At this first session we’ll be introducing you to our Health & Safety Officer, Richard Garner, who will be chatting about current priorities and issues including Changing Spaces.
After the 30 minute session there will be time for questions and private chats with branch officers.
We’re going to run the session at 12.30 and again at 6pm to help give everyone the opportunity come along.
We look forward to seeing you!
Email calendar invites will be sent out shortly, if you do not receive one and wish to attend please email unisonmon@btconnect.com
July 2021
WALES SURVEY - LONG COVID AT WORK
We’re interested in the experiences of people with Long Covid in work. Including people who have lost their jobs because of Long Covid. Long Covid is the term used to describe COVID-19 symptoms that extending beyond the initial infection. Evidence on Long Covid points to symptoms of COVID-19 lasting for weeks, months and possibly years after the infection.
This survey ask questions to better understand how workers with Long Covid have been treated in the workplace.
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.
May - June 2021
TALKING THERAPIES INITIATIVE
UNISON Monmouthshire are launching a brand new service for its members! Any Monmouthshire member can now refer themselves to our online counselling support service. All you need to do is complete a short referral form.
Full details will be sent to all our members soon, or you can watch the short video below which explains a little about why we have set up this for our members.
Referral forms can be requested by email at unisonmon@btconnect.com or by calling 01291 675502.
Remember- it’s always good to talk.
#itsokaytonotbeokay
Contact Monmouthshire Branch