Welcome to UNISON Torfaen
Branch latest news, campaigns and UNISON member offers.
The area has a population of around 91,000.
UNISON Office, Civic Centre
Pontypool, NP4 6YB
Telephone: 01495 766356
ARCHIVE 2024 STORIES
December 2024
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS
As we come to the end of 2024, it’s a time to reflect on a year that has brought significant challenges but also shown the power of our collective strength. Across every sector—whether in the NHS, local government, education, social care, or beyond—we’ve faced immense pressures, yet together we have stood firm.
This year has been marked by relentless budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the rising cost of living, all of which have placed unprecedented strain on public services and those who deliver them. We’ve also faced challenges to workers’ rights, including attempts to curtail the right to strike and limit collective bargaining.
Despite this, UNISON members have continued to deliver vital services to our communities with resilience and dedication. In 2024, we stood shoulder to shoulder to:
• Win improvements to unfair pay offers, ensuring thousands of workers received better terms.
• Take action to highlight the critical need for properly funded public services.
• Campaign for safe staffing levels, putting your safety and that of the public first.
• Protect pensions from harmful proposals that risked your future security.
These achievements remind us of the power of unity and determination. None of this would have been possible without you—your courage, commitment, and unwavering belief in standing up for what is right.
As we approach 2025, we know the fight for fair pay, safe workplaces, and well-funded public services is far from over. But for now, let’s take this time to rest, reflect, and recharge. You have given so much to your workplaces, communities, and colleagues, and you deserve to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished.
On behalf of everyone at Torfaen UNISON, thank you for your incredible efforts this year. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful Christmas and a bright New Year.
In solidarity,
CANGEN TORFAEN UNISON BRANCH
December 2024
MORE THAN JUST A TRADE UNION
At UNISON, we’re a community of people who stand together to make workplaces better, fairer, and safer. Whether you’re facing challenges at work, need advice, or want to ensure your voice is heard, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Whether you’re in healthcare, local government, education, or another sector, UNISON is here to make sure your voice is heard and your rights are protected. Together, we’re stronger.
Join us today and be part of something bigger!
#UNISON #TradeUnion #WorkersRights #StrongerTogether
So, what do we do?
- Protect Your Rights – We ensure fair treatment at work and fight for better pay, conditions, and respect.
- Provide Support – Need advice? Facing a workplace issue? We’re here to offer expert guidance and representation.
- Campaign for Change – We champion public services and advocate for the issues that matter most to you.
- Offer Training and Development – Access a range of courses to help you develop skills and grow your confidence.
December 2024
WINTER GRANT OPENS
Great news for UNISON members! UNISON’s Winter Essentials Grant offers £200 vouchers for food shopping. Open on 11 December. Check eligibility now #ThereForYou #WinterEssentials
Full article click here
December 2024
CHAMPIONS DAY
Champions Day is back on Thursday 5 December. In workplaces across the country, we’ll be celebrating the incredible contributions that local government workers make to our communities. Contact your branch today to find out about #ChampionsDay where you work.
Full article click here
November 2024
STORM BERT
All council resources are deployed across the borough as we work with partners to deal with river and surface flooding. As always, our priority is the safety of the public.
Advice on how to report flooding Full information click here
Gwent Police has advised people to only travel if necessary. By going through road closures or flooded areas, you're putting yourself and others at risk.
Thank you to members of our communities who are supporting each other.
November 2024
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
UNISON Cymru Wales School Support Staff Seminar 2024 on 21st November 2024 - Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff.
Did you know that the training offered at this FREE seminar can count towards your continued professional development?
You are entitled to receive training within your working hours in school where possible in the same way other education professionals access training and development opportunities.
By being registered as a professional with the EWC there is an expectation that you have access to ongoing training to support your professional journey.
The day will comprise of a conference address from Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales. Along with speakers including Andrew Jenkins from the Traitors on his journey discussing mental health and wellbeing and Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership discussing managing challenging behaviour in schools.
There will also be CPD workshops to include, mindfulness, wellbeing and core numeracy skills.
UNISON is running this Seminar during the time that our members are employed to be at work in the same way Teachers and Head Teachers have opportunities for training and development during the term.
We feel that our members have the right to access training and engage with colleagues across Wales in the same way other educational professionals do.
We are sure that your Head Teacher will recognise the importance and benefits of you attending this FREE seminar. Please make the request to attend. Your branch will be able to support you if you have any difficulty in getting released to attend.
All delegates will receive attendance certificates for each workshop attended. We look forward to seeing you there!
The UNISON Cymru Wales Schools Team
Full article click here
November 2024
to 
UNISON COLLEGE FINANCIAL WELLBEING FORTNIGHT
It is designed to help increase confidence with money management, understand debt and improve financial literacy. UNISON College’s Financial Wellbeing Fortnight 2024 runs from Monday 11 November – Friday 22 November. It is a two-week series of sessions designed to help increase confidence with money management, understand debt and improve financial literacy. These are free online events for UNISON members. The sessions will help develop your financial management skills and knowledge, which can be applied to your personal and professional life.
You can sign up for as many sessions as you like by completing the online registration form. All sessions will be delivered online via MS Teams or Zoom #Finance #FinancialWellbeing #Money #UNISONCollege
October / November 2024
NJC PAY AWARD LATEST NEWS
As you will be aware, the NJC Pay Award for 2024/25 has now been agreed. The Local Authority has confirmed that they will be paying the backpay as follows:
End of month 002 payroll - Nov 2024
Mid-month 001 payroll - Dec 2024
The Foundation Living Wage rate has also now been agreed and will be processed as above.
November 2024
WINTER ESSENTIALS GRANT
Winter is tough enough. UNISON's Winter Essentials Grant is here to help members with £200 food shopping vouchers. Open 24 hours on 11 December.
Check eligibility here
October / November 2024
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS
As part of #StarsInOurSchools and #EarlyYearsStars – we’ve just opened nominate a star. This prize draw is all about recognising the wonderful contribution of support staff in schools and early years settings.
Find out more click here
October 2024
COMPENSATION WIN
School workers have been awarded compensation after it was discovered they were not given their full leave entitlement. A UNISON investigation revealed term time only workers including teaching assistants, cooks and cleaners at schools across Torfaen who had worked for more than five years were not receiving the additional leave owed to them.
Since discovering the error, UNISON has worked with Torfaen County Borough Council to ensure long serving staff at 33 schools across the area have been paid compensation.
The staff will also receive the extra leave due to them in the future.
#Torfaen #UNISONWales #TUC #CymruUNISON
Full article click here
October 2024
COUNCIL CUTS - TORFAEN
Torfaen - Wales
£14,072,000 funding gap.
That’s funding needed for refuse collection, local parks, recreation and public health facilities, care for the elderly, and so much more. Without funding, services you and your community rely on could soon disappear.
Full listing click here
UNISON POD CAST 2024
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
September 2024
BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE COURSES
Introduction to British Sign Language. September 17th from 12 noon to 1:30pm. Now is your chance to learn for free an important skill. Course is online via MS Teams
September 2024
Closes October 
VOTING BALLOT REMINDER
Members,
Look out for a purple envelope containing your ballot paper and send it back in the freepost envelope provided ASAP! UNISON recommends you vote yes for Industrial Action to get the pay award YOU deserve!
Ballot closes on October 16th
#UnisonCymru #UnisonWales
September 2024
AN EVENT BY TORFAEN UNISON
Public: Anyone on or off Facebook
Get Ballot Ready for the upcoming union election.
Check your details are up to date on MyUNISON, get your colleagues involved (new members who join by 3 October will get a bonus say), and find out more at:
Full article click here
BALLOT OPENS 4th SEPTEMBER. You will receive this via the post.
August 2024
UNITY IS OUR STRENGTH
Opinion: UNISON will stand up to the politics of hate.
Christina McAnea says: “We will work with other unions across the country to call for an end to violence, intimidation and discrimination. Unity is our strength”
August 2024
UNISON MEMBERS WIN SHOPPING VOUCHERS
We're excited to share an exclusive opportunity with you to 'Win £250 in Shopping Vouchers'. This is a Free Prize Draw exclusively available to UNISON members and their families in partnership with the UNISON NHS Dental Plan. The draw is open to enter until 31st August 2024 and it's completely free, there are no strings attached and you don’t need to take out a plan to enter the draw.
July 2024
UNISON MEMBERS 20% OFF NOW
That's right, UNISON Members are entitled to 20% discount.
Only valid for direct bookings through Croyde Bay Resort at croydeunison.co.uk or 01271 890 890.
More information on the Croyde Bay holiday resort, click here
July 2024
BEVAN DAY
Health workers in Wales and across the UK will be honoured at the birthplace of NHS founder Nye Bevan this weekend. The annual Bevan Day event in Tredegar will take place on Sunday July 7 and mark 76 years of the national health service.
- 10:30 assemble at Charles Street, Tredegar
- 11:00 march to Bedwellty Park, Tredegar
- 12:00 speeches at Bedwellty Park
The event featured speakers including UNISON Cymru/Wales regional secretary Jess Turner, Wales TUC general secretary Shavanah Taj, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, Unite lead health officer in Wales Richard Munn and Alun Davies MS.
June 2024
to
2024 NATIONAL DELEGATE CONFERENCE
18 – 21 June 2024
The Brighton Centre Kings Road Brighton East Sussex BN1 2GR
We have now opened the Online Conference System (OCS) to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements. Please note the deadline to submit motions on OCS is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 27th February 2024.
More information link here
June 2024
KEY GENERAL ELECTION DATES
- Register to vote: 18 June
- Apply for a postal vote: 19 June
- Apply for Voter ID: 26 June
- Apply for a proxy vote: 26 June
ELECTION DATE: 4th July, 2024
May 2024
SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANT
Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to the bottom of this webpage when the grant is live.
The grant will open on 29 May 2024 for 750 applications at 8.30am and again for another 750 applications at 5pm. You will not be able to apply before these times.
May 2024
BALLOT PAPERS - VOTE
The Service Group Executive Elections 2024 are just around the corner, have you received your ballot yet? If Not, please give our office a call on (01495 355252) so that we can ensure one is sent out to you.
To all those who have received a ballot, you can either return them via post or online.
Voting closes at 5PM on 17 May, 2024.
April / May 2024
SOLIDARITY WITH TATA STEEL WORKERS
Caerphilly Trades Council is with Swansea Trades Council. May Day march and rally organised by Cardiff Trades Council. Assemble 12 noon, top of Churchill Way at Queen Street CF10 2GR. Bring your banners!
Speakers include Unite Port Talbot Tata; Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC, Solidarity with Gaza #TUC #TUCWales #MayDay #Gaza
April 2024
COUNCIL AND SCHOOL PAY
We've submitted our local government pay claim for 2024. We've asked for:
- £3,000 or 10%, whichever is greater
- Review of equality pay gaps
- Reduction of the working week
- Additional annual leave
More information link click here
March 2024
PLEASE SIGN SIGN SIGN
Together with the education unions we have formulated a petition on the reform of the school year. If we collect more than 10,000 signatures the petitions committee will consider referring to a debate in the Senedd. The reform of the school year is not only relevant to those who work in schools but to parents, carers, and other interested parties.
March 2024
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Welcome everyone to our seminar for school support workers being run today in Cardiff.
#WalesTUC #CymruUNISON
March 2024
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Celebrating International Women's Day 2024 and standing strong with some of the wonderful women of Caerphilly County Borough Council.
#IWD2024 #StrongWomen #UnisonWales
March 2024
HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY / DYDD GWYL DEWI HAPUS
Happy Saint David's Day.
February 2024
March 2024
AGM 2024
Torfaen UNISON Annual General Meeting 2024. You are warmly invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of your UNISON branch which will take place on the set out dates. The AGM will elect your Branch Officers, Representatives and ratify the election of Workplace Stewarts for the forthcoming year.
Tuesday 27th February 2024 at 4:30pm via teams. Please email jack.johnston@torfaen.gov.uk to receive the link via email.
Thursday 29th February 2024 at 12:30pm Committee Room 1, Civic Centre, Pontypool, NP4 6YB. (Buffet provided).
Tuesday 5th March 2024 at 1:00pm Mount Pleasant Inn, NP44 3LX. (Buffet provided).
February 2024
UNISON COLLEGE
There's still time to book on to our Borrowing: Dealing with Debt session on Tues 6 February 12.30 - 1.30pm. We know money is a tough subject, but it’s always good to get as much control as possible. Whatever you do for a living, this session is aimed at those with questions about borrowing money - past, present and future.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Feb 7 - UNISON Learning Cafe
Feb 14 - Introduction to Excel
Feb 14 - Budgeting in 2024
Feb 15 - Getting started with Mentoring Skills
Feb 28 - Disabled Members Branch Officer Training.
For more information and to register, please click the link
February 2024
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF SEMINAR
Save the date for an insightful School Support Staff Seminar on the 23rd of February 2024 - an event designed exclusively for our valued UNISON School Support Staff. The Seminar will be held at the Radisson Blu in Cardiff.
Join us for insightful discussions and workshops covering crucial topics like Menopause awareness, an update on reviewing TA Job Descriptions, understanding the ALN Act, and be inspired by our special guest speaker, Libby Nolan, UNISON’s President. Excitingly, we'll soon be announcing additional influential speakers!
Stay tuned for registration details, which will be shared soon through email and this Facebook page. To ensure you don't miss out, take a moment to verify that your details are up to date.
Let's kick off the year with knowledge and empowerment.
We can't wait to see you there.
January 2024
KEEP WARM THIS WINTER
UNISON's charity, There for You, is again helping members stay warm this winter with grants of up to £200 towards your fuel bills.
Set a reminder for Wednesday 24 January, as grants go live at 8.30am and 5pm and they go fast.
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 Torfaen Branch