Donate to medical charities leading the emergency response in Gaza
The United Nations has stated that Palestinians in Gaza are now facing a major humanitarian crisis. UNISON is urging branches to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Red Cross.
Gaza’s fragile health system was close to collapse long before Israel’s military assault began on 7 October, due to the tight land sea and air blockade on the strip and years of chronic underfunding.
Now, 115 days into the conflict, healthcare has been decimated, with just 14 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially functioning and essential medicines and equipment in short supply.
Save the Children estimates that 10 children ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 30, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article News Gaza international aid Palestine Source Type: news
UNISON joins Cheltenham rally to defend the right to strike
On Saturday 27 January, around 5,000 people took to the streets of Cheltenham against the Tories’ new anti-strike laws.
The date marked the 40th anniversary of GCHQ’s ban on trade unions, when Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government attacked trade union rights in 1984.
UNISON, along with other unions, say there are parallels between this historical event and the new Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.
The Minimum Service Levels Act could restrict the right to strike for over five million workers. The new law stipulates that, when workers in certain public sectors vote to strike, they could be f...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 29, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article minimum service levels right to strike Source Type: news
Remembering all those killed by the Nazis
Every year UNISON marks Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and death camp.
We remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, LGBT+ people, Black people, trade unionists and political opponents of the Nazis.
We also remember and commemorate the victims of more recent genocides. This year is the 30thanniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 26, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Amanda Kendal Tags: Article News holocaust memorial day Source Type: news
Council bailout cash not even a short-term fix, says UNISON
Commenting on government plans to provide councils with emergency bailout money announced today (Wednesday), UNISON head of local government Mike Short said:
“Such is the desperate state of most councils’ finances that this cash injection merely staves off the immediate threat of bankruptcy for some. But others could still go under in the coming months.
“Sadly, ministers have yet to understand councils need proper and sustained funding, not panicked quick fixes to keep the wolf from the door in an election year.
“Under-pressure local authorities will jump at the chance of extra money, but emergency bailouts won...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 24, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Dan Ashley Tags: News Press release council cuts council funding Source Type: news
Black members ’ conference vows to continue the legacy of the Year of Black Workers
Photo: Rod Leon
Delegates convened in Brighton at the weekend for UNISON’s national Black members’ conference, passing motions that will underpin the achievements of 2023’s Year of Black Workers.
These included motions on the mental health of young Black members and children, the fight against microaggressions in the workplace and the appropriate treatment of Black patients and service users.
Much of the agenda’s importance comes in the light...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 23, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article News black members Source Type: news
UNISON given go-ahead to join judicial review of government inaction over Windrush
UNISON has been given the go-ahead to join a legal challenge of former home secretary Suella Braverman’s decision to renege on three key recommendations made by the Windrush scandal inquiry.
In December, a High Court judge granted a private individual, Trevor Donald, permission to lodge a judicial review of Ms Braverman’s actions, in a hearing that is likely be heard some time between March and May this year.
At the same time, both UNISON and civil rights group the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) were granted permission to ‘intervene’, or join the case. Each will be able to give evidence and argue their position w...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 22, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Demetrios Matheou Tags: News black members Legal unison legal Windrush Source Type: news
Protect the right to strike as the Tories act to axe workers ’ rights
Forty years ago, GCHQ workers were banned from joining a trade union. Twenty-seven years ago they won back that right. Today, the Conservative government is attempting to restrict the right to strike for over five million workers.
Last year, it introduced the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which stipulates that when workers in certain sectors vote to take legal strike action, they could be forced back to work and sacked if they do not comply.
The TUC is organising a march and rally to celebrate union history, protest against this government and stand up for the right to strike.
UNISON is supporting the rally, which ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 8, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Amanda Kendal Tags: Article News Protect the right to strike TUC Source Type: news
Are newly registered nurses still ‘ thrown in at the deep end ’ ?
Nursing Times, in partnership with UNISON and the nursing charity the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF), is repeating a survey on preceptorship, which was first conducted two years ago.
A preceptorship is a structured programme of support that newly registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates should receive as they start their first roles in practice.
The union is encouraging members to respond and share their views.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council states that a new registrant on a preceptorship programme should have learning time protected in their first year of qualified practice and access to a preceptor ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 8, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Demetrios Matheou Tags: Article News Midwives nursing associates student nurses Source Type: news
Blog: Let ’ s make 2024 a success
Happy New Year to everyone in UNISON and here’s to a successful year for you and your families.
I have high hopes for 2024 – 12 months of campaigning for UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ workers and for a national care service, securing pay deals across all public services and a general election that will push the chaotic Tories out of Westminster and bring in a new government.
A new government is a must for our members and for our public services. Our NHS, schools, local councils and emergency services are on their knees and stuck in a state of crisis. The current government’s legacy is one of slashing jobs, squeezing budge...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - January 2, 2024 Category: Food Science Authors: Christina McAnea Tags: Article General Secretary's blog News 2024 service group elections general election LGBT Year of LGBT Workers Source Type: news
Government must ditch ‘catastrophic’ plans for migrant care workers
The government must scrap ‘catastrophic’ new visa rules aimed at migrant care workers, say UNISON and the National Care Forum (NCF).
In a letter to health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins, the two organisations warn of the ‘devastating impact’ of the ban on overseas care staff bringing dependents to the UK, as announced by the government earlier this month.
UNISON has written the letter jointly with the NCF – which represents thousands of not-for-profit care and support services – to highlight how the policy will undermine essential care services for millions of families.
The letter says: “These ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 22, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Dan Ashley Tags: News Press release care visas health secretary migrant care workers national care forum victoria atkins Source Type: news
UNISON joins thousands in Brussels to protest austerity
On Tuesday 12 December, a delegation of UNISON representatives joined thousands of people at a rally in Brussels to demand an end to austerity, better public services and fairer working conditions.
The Europe-wide mobilisation, On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers, was organised by The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). It took place during EU negotiations over the new Stability and Growth Pact, which aims to limit debt and deficits for member countries.
The ETUC, which represents 45 million members, claims that under the current draft proposal for a reform, 14 member states will be forced to cut a combined 45 b...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 13, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article News ETUC EU Source Type: news
Blog: the clock ticks to the next general election
I remember the feeling of horror, four years ago today, as I watched the disaster of Boris Johnson re-entering Downing Street with a big majority.
The cold and wet winter general election campaign was centred around his many slogans that promised a lot but would deliver very little.
“We will put you first” was the biggest joke of all. I could never reconcile these words with what I saw from the self-centred politician on the screen in front of me. Johnson’s chaotic handling of the pandemic proved this to be a lie.
Had that really been his guiding principle throughout the pandemic, the UK wouldn’t have ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 12, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Christina McAnea Tags: Article General Secretary's blog News Source Type: news
Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts
Commenting on the move by South East Water to pay out £2.3m in dividends to investors despite huge losses, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
“Failing and polluting water companies are jeopardising water quality, killing wildlife and causing untold damage to the environment.
“It beggars belief these firms are prioritising shareholder payouts over investment in services to their customers.
“The regulator must step in to force them to focus on providing safe water supplies and maintaining cleaner rivers, not generating vast profits.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 7, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Fatima Ayad Tags: News Press release Donna Rowe-Merriman water Source Type: news
UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire
UNISON condemns the end of the humanitarian pause between the Israeli government and Hamas and the resumption of ground operations and bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli state.
For seven days the artillery and missiles largely fell silent, allowing just a fraction of the humanitarian assistance that is so desperately needed into the strip. Since then, hundreds more Palestinian civilians have been killed and homes destroyed.
Gaza’s healthcare system is only partially functioning, due to bomb damage, the killing of almost 200 health workers, and a shortage of medical supplies, electricity and clean water.
Health workers co...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 6, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Demetrios Matheou Tags: Article News international Israel Palestine working internationally Source Type: news
LV= announced as exclusive home, travel and pet insurance provider
LV= will extend its insurance offering to UNISON members by providing home, travel and pet insurance.
The partnership marks a significant expansion of LV=’s services, it having been the exclusive provider of car insurance to UNISON members for several years. With a relationship that dates back decades, LV= is proud to continue supporting UNISON and its members.
Find out more about LV=
The article LV= announced as exclusive home, travel and pet insurance provider first appeared on the UNISON National site. (Source: UNISON meat hygiene)
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 6, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article Source Type: news
