UNISON votes for further school strikes in Scotland
UNISON, Scotland’s largest local government union, has today (Monday) announced a rolling programme of strike action in schools across the country in the coming weeks.
It comes after UNISON members voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s pay offer, with nine in ten workers (89.92 %) voting against the offer in a consultative ballot.
UNISON will now move to a rolling programme of action in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools, from Shetland to Stranraer. Dates will be announced in the coming days.
UNISON’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: “No one takes industrial action lightly. It...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 16, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Fatima Ayad Tags: News Cosla Lilian Macer Scotland Source Type: news
Winter flu and COVID-19 vaccine programme 2023/24 – tell us what’s happening.
We want to hear from branches working jointly with employers to support this year’s Winter flu and COVID-19 vaccine programme.
Unlike last year, these vaccinations are voluntary. UNISON supports vaccination in health and social care. The vaccines are safe, and we encourage all members who do not have a medical exemption to get their jab because, for some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant illnesses. However, for many, they can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Frontline healthcare professionals are more likely to be exposed to the viruses, which can then be passed on to those who are at greater risk of serious i...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 12, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Hassan Govia Tags: Article Source Type: news
UNISON condemns violence in Israel and Gaza and calls for international law to be upheld
UNISON joins the international trade union movement, including the International Trade Union Confederation, in condemning the appalling violence against civilians in Israel and Gaza. We send our condolences to all those who mourn the loss of loved ones and call for the immediate safe release of those who have been kidnapped.
Israel has been devastated by a brutal and heinous attack that has claimed the lives of many hundreds of innocent civilians. Gaza is being subjected to an intensification of the 16-year blockade, with access to water, electricity, medication and food being denied by the Israeli government. The resumpt...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 11, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Simon Jackson Tags: Article international Source Type: news
Numeracy commitment will mean investment in staff
Commenting on shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson’s proposals to boost maths skills in younger children, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Tuesday):
“Numeracy is a skill for life. Ensuring children feel comfortable with numbers from an early age will reap dividends throughout their education and beyond.
“Delivering these practical plans will mean much-needed investment in a well-trained early-years workforce, which deserves both decent pay and career opportunities.
“Labour’s commitments would improve children’s prospects in the crucial early years, unlike the Conservatives who&...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 11, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Anthony Barnes Tags: News Press release early years primary schools Source Type: news
Addiction to ultra-processed food affects 14% of adults globally, experts say
Report ’s authors also estimate about 12% of children hooked and call for further research into problemOne in seven adults and one in eight children may be hooked on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), experts have said, prompting calls for some products to be labelled as addictive.Recent studies have linked UPFs such as ice-cream, fizzy drinks and ready meals to poor health, including an increased risk of cancer, weight gain and heart disease. Global consumption of the products is soaring and UPFs now make up more than half the average diet in the UK and US.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 9, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Gregory Health editor Tags: Medical research Food Science World news Health & wellbeing Source Type: news
Addiction to ultra-processed food affects 14% of adults, global study shows
Report ’s authors also estimate about 12% of children hooked and call for further research into problemOne in seven adults and one in eight children may be hooked on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), experts have said, prompting calls for some products to be labelled as addictive.Recent studies have linked UPFs such as ice-cream, fizzy drinks and ready meals to poor health, including an increased risk of cancer, weight gain and heart disease. Global consumption of the products is soaring and UPFs now make up more than half the average diet in the UK and US.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 9, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Gregory Health editor Tags: Medical research Food Science World news Health & wellbeing Source Type: news
Social care would be transformed under a Labour government
A national care service would transform the lives of millions of people, as well as dramatically improving the careers and fortunes of workers delivering vital support, says UNISON today (Monday).
Labour’s proposed overhaul of the sector would herald fairer pay and reverse the growing job vacancy trend that means thousands of people are currently unable to get the social care packages they desperately need, the union says.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool today, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“In Boris Johnson’s final departing insult to the country, he had the cheek to claim t...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 9, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Anthony Barnes Tags: News Press release national care service Source Type: news
UNISON condemns water firms ’ attempt to increase household bills
UNISON has condemned calls from private water companies in England and Wales to increase bills to customers in order to invest in infrastructure and has reiterated its call for the industry to be renationalised.
The water industry has faced widespread criticism in recent years over the high volume of raw sewage discharges and the environmental impact on the rivers and seas – after paying huge dividends to shareholders instead of investing.
Despite funding of £56bn announced last year by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to tackle storm overflows – and topped up to £60bn in September this ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 4, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Amanda Kendal Tags: Article News water water industry water ownership Source Type: news
Supreme Court ruling is a victory for underpaid workers
Many UK workers could be entitled to thousands of pounds unfairly taken from their pay following a landmark Supreme Court ruling today (Wednesday) in a successful challenge brought by UNISON.
Prior to this, workers who consistently received incorrect pay could only make a claim at an employment tribunal for the most recent underpayment. They could also include similar underpayments on previous occasions, but not if there was a gap of three or more months between them.
Today’s ruling means many workers will now be able to challenge ongoing linked underpayments in their wages.
They will be able to do this even if there ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 4, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Anthony Barnes Tags: News Press release supreme court unlawful deduction of wages Source Type: news
Follow the science: ultra-processed foods aren ’t all unhealthy | Letter
Scientists work with food companies to try to improve the health impacts of foods, saysProf Peter WildeI am writing in response to your article as one of the scientists named in it (Scientists on panel defending ultra-processed foods linked to food firms, 28 September). I am a researcher at Quadram Institute Bioscience with almost 40 years ’ research experience. My research focuses on the mechanisms by which food and its composition underpin health benefits or harms.As a government-supported institute, we are encouraged to engage with industry to maximise the impact of our publicly funded research, to translate the findi...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 3, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Guardian Staff Tags: Food science Nutrition & drink industry Health Fast food Source Type: news
Blog: To preserve our safety, we must protect police staff
UNISON members working in the police and justice sector are spearheading a new ‘We Are Police Staff’ campaign.
The campaign will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to promote and defend the rights of police staff, who are tirelessly working in police forces across England, Scotland and Wales.
This will be no fleeting effort, but a long-term initiative that aims to make a profound impact over time.
We’re launching it officially this week, at the police and justice service group conference in Edinburgh, where I’ll also be pleased to address our members, to talk about how we can make the most of our campaig...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - October 3, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Christina McAnea Tags: General Secretary's blog News police staff Source Type: news
Scientists on panel defending ultra-processed foods linked to food firms
Exclusive: three out of five at briefing playing down concerns over UPFs have ties to makers of such foodsThree out of five scientists on an expert panel that suggested ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are being unfairly demonised have ties to the world ’s largest manufacturers of the products, the Guardian can reveal.Recent studies have linked UPFs such as ice-cream, fizzy drinks and ready meals to poor health, including an increased risk of cancer, weight gain and heart disease. Global consumption of the products is soaring and UPFs now make up more than half the average diet in the UK and US.Continue reading... (Source: G...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 28, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Gregory Health editor Tags: Food science Nutrition Fast food Health Society Source Type: news
UNISON condemns ‘disgraceful’ approval for North Sea oil field
© Bill Kasman
UNISON today joined environmental campaigners and others in condemning the “disgraceful” go-ahead for a new oil and gas field off the coast of Shetland.
The UK’s oil and gas regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority, has granted permission to Oslo-listed Equinor and the British firm Ithaca Energy to develop the Rosebank field.
The Guardian reported that green campaigners, including Greta Thunberg, had called on the UK gove...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - September 27, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Demetrios Matheou Tags: Article News Energy green unison Source Type: news
Tony Braisby
, a long-serving and highly respected and valued member of UNISON’s editorial team, sadly died recently after a series of health battles. He was 63.
Tony had been a stalwart of the editorial team and the wider communications department since he joined UNISON from the Morning Star in 1996.
A plain-speaking, proud Yorkshireman and legendary Castleford Tigers fan, Tony was dedicated to the union and the wider trade union movement and worked on everything from Activist (previously known as InFocus) emails and magazines, together with U magazine and the launch of the UNISON website.
Diligent, professional and a marvellous c...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - September 26, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Simon Jackson Tags: Article News Source Type: news
Eat yoghurt to ward off garlic breath, say scientists
Researchers find the fat and protein in yoghurt bind the odour-producing compounds in garlic if eaten directly afterwardsIf you ’ve ever skipped the garlic for fear of romantic rejection, take note: You can have your date and eat garlic – provided you follow up with a spoonful of yoghurt. Research suggests that the fat and protein that yoghurt contains prevents almost all of the smelly volatile compounds in garlic from e scaping into the air.Manpreet Kaur and Prof Sheryl Barringer at the Ohio State University in Columbus, US, tested the capacity of yoghurt – and the water, fat and protein in it – to neutralise the ...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 25, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Science correspondent Tags: Food science US news World news Source Type: news
