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
Much of the southern part of the county borough around the Cwmbran new town conurbation is now urbanised. The north of the county borough is greener and retains extensive areas of countryside, especially on the route to Blaenavon.
The administrative centre is Pontypool in the centre of the county borough. Most of the administration of Torfaen County Borough Council is conducted from the Civic Centre here.
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
UPDATE YOUR DETAILS
This is why it is so important that we have your up to date details to ensure we are able to reach you .
Calling all UNISON local government members! Please take a moment to check we have your current address. As you know, UNISON local government members rejected the pay offer and work has begun on preparing for an industrial ballot. It’s important to make your voice heard and for you to receive your paper ballot. You can check your address here via My UNISON, or speak to your local UNISON branch.
VIEW OUR FACEBOOK VIDEO
A little reminder why you should choose UNISON Torfaen. Here is a short Facebook video why you should become part of the UNISON family today.
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.
December 2023
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 M&S, Very, Comet, Thorntons and more.
#ChristmasRewards #SaveMoney View website detail link here
November 2023
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS
Stars in Our Schools is an annual celebration of school support staff. This year the event will take place on Friday 24 November 2023 – but we encourage schools to join in whenever suits them!
#StarsInOurSchools #EarlyYearsStars View Stars In Our Schools website link here
November 2023
PAY UP IMPORTANT UPDATE
Following our 2023 pay ballet results in the summer, UNISON’s NJC Committee made the decision not to pursue industrial action. UNISON met with the other local government unions, GMB and Unite, on Wednesday 1 November, and the joint decision is to accept the pay offer for 2023 of an increase of £1,925 on all NJC pay points {pro rata’d for part-time and term time only staff). The pay award will be backdated to 1 April 2023.
We want to thank you for your patience while we have worked to resolve this year's pay dispute. The local government employers have been informed and our immediate priority is to get the money into the pay packets of our hardworking members as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact your local branch.
The NJC Committee will be meeting in November, and we are starting preparations for the 2024 pay campaign as a matter of urgency, starting with consulting on and submitting a joint pay claim. The fight to restore local government pay will continue and we plan to be stronger than ever to get fair pay for councils and school workers.
November 2023
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS
One month to go until Stars in Our Schools and Early Years Stars celebration day. There are many ways you can get involved, plus lots of resources to download and don’t forget about our nominate a star prize draw to enter. #StarsInOurSchools #EarlyYearsStars
October 2023
CWMBRAN HOUSING
Cwmbran housing workers say no way to low pay.
Housing workers took to the streets of Cwmbran to protest against a below inflation pay award being imposed upon them.
Staff at Bron Afon Community Housing say they are now being forced to use foodbanks to survive while its chief executive could receive a £6,000 pay rise if the latest pay settlement is forced through.
October 2023
WEAR RED DAY 23
Show racism the red card. Proud to support #WRD23
Text 'RED' to 70470 to donate £1
Text 'RED5' to 70470 to donate £5
Text 'RED10' to 70470 to donate £10
Text 'RED20' to 70470 to donate £20
September 2023
BRON AFON SUPPORT
Housing workers in Cwmbran are being forced to use foodbanks to survive while bosses are receiving a £6,000 pay rise, says UNISON.
Staff at social enterprise Bron Afon Community Housing have had a below inflation pay rise imposed upon them and some say they are now relying on food banks to support their families.
UNISON and the GMB union are holding a demonstration over the pay dispute at Bron Afon on Thursday (September 28) outside the Bron Afon Housing Association on Llantarnum Way in Cwmbran from 4pm to 6pm.
Fantastic show of support here at Bron Afon.
September 2023
BRON AFON DEMONSTRATION
Join us on today between 4pm - 6pm outside Bron Afon at our demonstration against the immoral decision to award the already highly paid senior staff at Bron Afon more money than those who earn the least.
September 2023
TUC 2023 / 24 TRAINING COURSES
There is some fabulous learning available with the TUC coming soon.
Develop yourself and your skills and knowledge with some of our amazing Trade Union learning offers.
Further information and booking.
WALES: TUC Wales courses link here here
ALL: TUC courses link here here
September 2023
TAX OIL AND GAS GIANTS
Oil and gas companies that fuel climate change are making record profits and giving billions to their execs. Meanwhile, people like you and me get record (and wallet!) breaking energy bills.
All because Chancellor Jeremy Hunt isn't taxing oil and gas giants fairly.
Sign the petition and tell the Chancellor to make oil and gas giants - not ordinary households - pay the price.
September 2023
CABINET STATEMENT
Written Statement: Education update on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
August 2023
9/10 - More Plants - Simple, planet friendly #food swaps
23/10 - How to reduce your online climate footprint
6/11 - Climate Resilient #gardening
20/11 - Not Buying it - Detecting & Rejecting #greenwashing
27/11 - How to have great #climate conversations at work
AUTUMN COURSES
Unison Cymru Wales Learning is with Green Squirrel and Unison Wales.
Learn fun, practical and useful environmental skills on Monday lunchtimes this autumn with our new webinar series created and delivered by the wonderful people at Green Squirrel.
These sessions are the perfect build-up to #COP28 and great for anyone who wants to take the important actions - big and small, individual and collective - that will make a difference to the #ClimateChange and #Biodiversity emergencies.
August 2023
AUTUMN COURSES
Our exclusive UNISON member-only courses for schools staff this autumn will help you to deal with some of the most the challenging and rewarding parts of your job - working with children with autism, ADAD and low-level behaviour issues.
Tutors from expert provider 2Resolve will guide you though these important topics, with online sessions starting at 3pm in October and November.
August 2023
UNISON CYMRU WALES LEARNING
We're delighted to be able to offer UNISON members in Wales the opportunity to learn more about Autism with the wonderful Adjust Services - a provider we've trusted for many years.
The online session is a members-only event on Wednesday 22nd November 2023, starting at 12:45
July 2023
UNISON WALES SCHOOL STAFF SUPPORT
Please contact the branch if you wanted our wonderful BSOF organisers to visit your school.
BSOF Local Organisers for Wales are currently working along side the local branch, visiting schools in Torfaen. If we are not already booked in and you want us to visit your school please send us a message.
July 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS
Staff are the backbone of our NHS, with over 1.5 million people working as one team to deliver safe patient care.
From wards to walk-ins, corridors to communities, offices to operating theatres, labs to laundries and everywhere in between, UNISON celebrates the dedicated and diverse team of staff who have steered our health service to its 75th birthday.
Happy birthday NHS! #75Today #NHS
June 2023
NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE 2023
It’s that time of year once again when the gang gets together for National Delegates Conference 2023!
#UNDC23 #NationalCareService #ShowRacismTheRedCard #UnisonWales
National Delegates Conference information link here
June 2023
HAVE YOU VOTED?
Back at the wonderful city of Liverpool for Unison Local Government Conference 2023.
First on the agenda is making 2023 The Year of The Black Worker.
Here we go!
#ULGC23 #UnisonWales
Rise Up to Get Pay Up!
LG Members can vote in the Pay Ballot 2023 until July 4th!
#PAYUP2023 #ULGC23 #UnisonWales
May 2023
NJC STRIKE BALLOT
UNISON has been campaigning for a decent pay rise for council and school workers, who receive little recognition for their hard work.
Over the past 12 years, council and school staff have lost on average 25% from the value of their pay when measured against the Retail Price Index (RPI).
UNISON has called for a pay increase of inflation plus 2%, but employers are only offering a flat-rate increase. In a cost-of-living crisis, it's not good enough.
Find out more and don't forget to vote.
May 2023
to
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.
Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage.
Focusing on anxiety for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people's awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change - making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government and society as a whole.
May 2023
COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NEU
Joint GMB, UNISON and Unite statement on the outcome of their complaint against the NEU.
Late last year, having failed to reach an agreement informally, the GMB, UNISON and Unite submitted a formal complaint to the TUC about the NEU’s organising activities and recruitment of school support staff.
The complaint alleged that the NEU had actively sought to recruit school support staff and had intervened in pay negotiations (known as the NJC) between the three recognised unions and the local government employers, which cover school support staff.
This undermined a previous agreement between all four unions around two fundamental TUC principles: which essentially require unions not to recruit nor organise in areas already covered by other recognised TUC unions.
Following a TUC disputes panel hearing the TUC issued its judgement the end of March 2023, which has now been presented to the TUC General Council. This upheld all the complaints against the NEU. The judgement reaffirmed that the NJC unions (GMB, UNISON and Unite) have exclusive bargaining rights for school support staff. It also explicitly stated that in future the NEU should take no action that could be regarded as organising activity among these workers.
April 2023
MAY DAY RALLY
The working class is standing up and fighting for a better future, pay, conditions and our services and to stop Tory attempts to attack our right to strike.
Great chance to show the strength of our movement and let's all turnout with our banners to march together for Mayday.
Here are the details of our march and rally in Cardiff on Saturday 29th April.
#WalesTUCCymru #ToriesOut #ProtectTheRightToStrike
April 2023
PAY UP 2023
As we get closer to the opening of UNISON's industrial action ballot for council and school workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it's so important to make sure that you and your colleagues are ballot ready.
To make the local government employers see that you are serious about demanding a decent pay rise, every eligible member must post their ballot paper back to us with a YES vote when the time comes. The ballot opens in May.
#payup2023
March 2023
PAY UP 2023
UNISON prepares to ballot local government and schools workers for strike action over pay.
The government's offer of £1,925 amounts to roughly 9% for the lowest paid, but only around 4% for other staff.
More details on the ballot will be shared in the coming weeks.
March 2023
CELEBRATING WORKING WOMEN: UNISON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Celebrating working women: UNISON prepares for IWD 2023. The union will celebrate International Women’s Day with an event in Glasgow in March 2023.
UNISON is organising an International Women’s Day event in Glasgow on 8 March next year to celebrate the contributions of care workers, cleaners, school workers, librarians, and administrators to their workplaces, communities and the union.
March 2023
BRANCH DEVELOPMENT
Branch Development Weekend for UNISON in Gwent Branches at Bryn Meadows Hotel and Golf Club.
Fantastic morning session with Esther, Stuart and Tony from Sight Cymru delivering Sight Loss Awareness Training to representatives from Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Newport & Blaenau Gwent.
March 2023
TORFAEN AGM
Dear Member,
You are warmly invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of your UNISON branch which will take place on the dates listed. The AGM will elect your Branch Officers, Representatives and ratify the election of Workplace Stewards for the forthcoming year. The aggregate AGM's will be held in person and virtually this year. Please contact the branch at jack.johnson@torfaen.gov.uk
You should be able to access Team's on most devices. You only need to attend the one meeting that best suits you.
Wednesday 1st March 2023 at 16:30pm via Teams
OR
Thursday 2nd March 2023 at 12.00pm, Civic Centre, Glantorfaen Road, Pontypool, NP4 6YB
OR
Tuesday 7th March 2023 at 13.00pm, Mount Pleasent Inn, Wesley Street, Old Cwmbran, NP44 3LX
February 2023
JOIN A UNION
Heart Unions - there's power in a union. When workers act and speak together, their employer has to listen. That’s how unions make things better at work.
Together, we’re stronger. So join a union today.
https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union
#HeartUnions #CaruUndebau #HeartUnionsWeek #UnisonWales #JoinAUnion
February 2023
RIGHT TO STRIKE RALLY
Torfaen UNISON branch Secretary and Caseworker attended the event held in Cardiff! What a turn out of people from lots of Unions’.
Hundreds of trade unionists gathered for major rallies to protect the right to strike in Cardiff and Swansea.
The events took place on Wednesday February 1 as thousands of public sector workers including teachers took part in industrial action over pay and conditions in Wales and across the UK.
January 2023
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS
NEU members have voted to take industrial action over pay, as you may have seen reported in the media or heard being discussed in your school.
Schools support staff have already agreed their pay claim for 2022 which you will have received in your pay in either November or December last year. This included back pay to 1st April 2022.
The ONLY unions able to negotiate School Support Staff pay, (namely UNISON, Unite and GMB), have already met to discuss the pay claim for 2023 and you will be consulted on this in the next few months.
You are not eligible or required to go on strike on the days that the NEU announce as we have not balloted you for this. It is only for those members who are a part of the National Education Union.
Your school should remain open to enable you to go to work, if it is closed then you should be paid in full for the day, but you may be asked to do some work from home in that case.
What is really important is that you should not be asked to cover the work of striking staff on that day, whether that is a Teacher or a Support Staff colleague. Some TA’s may cover classes as part of their normal responsibilities, but this would only be under the supervision of a Teacher who has prepared work for you to deliver. When a teacher is on strike it means they do not prepare work for that day, therefore you must not provide cover on that day if the Teacher or support staff colleague you are covering for is on strike. It is really important that you do not agree to do this or to do any work of a striking member of staff.
Your Head Teacher will know this but if you feel under any pressure to do so or you need support from UNISON in relation to this, then your branch should be able to assist. Their contact details can be found here.
January 2023
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF SEMINAR
Save the date for the Unison Wales Schools Seminar on Friday January 20, 2023. 9:00 - 16:30. Radisson Blu, Bute Terrace, Cardiff CF10 2FL.
This is a free event available to all UNISON members working in a schools support staff role in Wales.
We are really looking forward to welcoming as many schools support staff as possible at this very important event. This is an opportunity for you to raise issues affecting you and your school with the First Minister and the Minister for Education and Welsh Language as well as receive training in our afternoon workshops.
Spaces are limited so if you would like to attend this event please e-mail d.rees@unison.co.uk before Thursday December 15.
- Welcome from First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford MS
- Keynote speech from Minister For Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles MS
- Workshops include: Appropriate deployment of teaching assistants in Wales / Social prescribing / Violence and sexual harrassment in schools / Managing challenging behavior / Education Workforce Council and how we can support your professional development
- Sessions on violence towards school staff, whether the teaching assistant job description is fit for purpose, and making schools more LGBTQ+ friendly
- Exhibitor visits
November 2022
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS
Wales Cymru Regional Secretary, Dominic MacAskill, Regional Organiser and Schools Lead for Wales, Rosie Lewis and Branch Caseworker, Jack Johnson visited Crownbridge School in Torfaen and were invited for a special assembly dedicated to the amazing support staff who work there. UNISON Torfaen delivered celebrations chocolates and some goodies to the school alongside other schools in the borough.
Following the assembly we have a tour of the school, finishing off in their amazing Cafe Gouran.
Dominic and Rosie presented a card made by the children to all of the support staff as a big thank you for everything that they do.
Here are some pictures from the day including some of our amazing stars in Crownbridge School.
November 2022
SURVEY FINDINGS
Stars in our Schools, UNISON's annual celebration of YOU – the amazing support staff who keep schools running in good times and bad. But times are hugely tough and that's why we're also using the day to highlight the impact the cost-of-living crisis and insufficient school funding is having on you, pupils and school communities. Thanks to everyone who took part in our recent survey about this which you can read about in today's news.
School support staff are dipping into their own pockets to help pay for food, stationery and uniforms for needy pupils, while skipping meals and taking on multiple jobs to pay their own bills, a union survey has found.
November 2022
ENERGY SUPPORT FUND
UNISON Welfare’s Energy Support Fund is open at 10am on Wednesday 16 November to help eligible members with rising fuel costs.
Please be advised that phase 2 will be closed once the first 4000 applications have been received. The Energy Support Fund is a one-off, non-repayable grant of £200.
November 2022
JOIN US
We went to lobby Parliment around the issues that are facing our members in this awful cost of living crises. We had some good conversations with the MP for Blaenau Gwent Nick Smith. We will be doing lots more of these over the next few month, if your interested in coming along - please get in touch.
November 2022
COST OF LIVING SURVIVAL EVENT - SESSIONS
Here are the edited versions of the talks, workshops and webinars that made up the Unison Cymru/Wales Cost of Living Survival Event on 20 October 2022.
Cost of Living Survival - Sessions | Cost of Living Crisis Survival | UNISON Cymru/Wales
November 2022
NJC PAY UPDATE
Dear Member,
We are pleased to inform you that the NJC Pay award for 2022 has been settled and it has been agreed to accept the 2022 pay offer.
The Employers’ Side has been informed and we have had confirmation that Torfaen will pay the increase and the back pay in the November pay run.
Discussions have already started on the 2023 pay claim and there is agreement that all Trade Unions need to act quickly and submit a claim in January. We will of course keep you updated as this work progresses.
Thank you for having your say, on your pay. As always, if there is anything we can help you with, please contact us on 01495 766356.
Kind Regards
Diane Morley
Branch Secretary
November 2022
WESTMINSTER RALLY
Fantastic evening and superb speakers at the #CostOfLivingCrisis rally in Cardiff. We will not be silent any longer.
Westminster next stop on 2nd November to lobby our MPs.
#WeRise #EnoughIsEnough #Solidarity #UnisonWales
October 2022
SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD
At Unison Wales we are supporting Show Racism the Red Card.
There is no place in our society for racism! Donate to fund anti-racism education across the UK.
UNISON Wales / TUC Cymru
October 2022
NO MORE VIOLENCE
Today The Guardian has published a news article about the devastating violence experienced by teaching assistants from pupils, based on research led by Dr Amanda Holt from the University of Roehampton. Many thanks to the UNISON TAs who bravely shared their stories to bring this issue to the fore.
Mike Short, Head of Education at UNISON said:
“Low pay and high stress are already fuelling an exodus of teaching assistants. Expecting them to put up with attacks and assaults will force more out of the door, and that's bad for pupils and schools alike.”
UNISON will be sharing a template survey for branches to carry out with members and a new model policy for schools to help end this culture.
October 2022
COST OF LIVING SURVIVAL
You are invited to join us for an important online event on 20th October aimed at providing you with the information you need to survive in these challenging times.
September / October 2022
NJC PAY BALLOT - UNISON RESULTS
BREAKING: UNISON members in councils and schools have voted to ACCEPT the national pay offer.
There are three recognised unions involved in the local government pay talks: UNISON, GMB and Unite.
We now await the results of GMB’s and Unite’s consultations on 2022 pay, both of which will end in October.
September / October 2022
UNISON GREEN WEEK
Here's a newsletter from our new Green Rep, Emma Saunders to coincide with UNISON Green Week from September 23rd to October 1st. Look out for more hints and tips across our social media platforms to ‘go green’ throughout the week!
September 2022
GET HELP WITH THE COST OF LIVING
We understand that the rising cost of living can be especially worrying if you have difficulty paying your bills and/or your rent. Here are the latest links from the Welsh Government website for help and advice available.
August 2022
Runs till September
VOTE TODAY,
DECIDE YOUR PAY
NJC Pay ballot opens today runs until 19th September - If we have an email address you will be emailed a link soon to vote. Please check all email address and your spam/junk email folders.
If we don't have an email address for you or you haven't received the email then please let your Unison Branch know ASAP so we can include you in the ballot.
Please send a message and USE YOUR VOTE!!
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