Transport to the national demonstration on Sunday 2 October from Sheffield:
Coaches will depart at 9:30am from The Hubs, Paternoster Row, S1 2QQ
Tickets: £12 Waged / £6 Unwaged
To book please email: sheffieldpeoplesassembly@gmail.com or 07941 332 993
More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1122734321098375/
Joint statement from general secretary Dave Prentis and president Eric Roberts
With the publication of the Chilcot inquiry report on Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war, UNISON has commented with a joint statement by general secretary Dave Prentis and president Eric Roberts.
It reads:
“After seven long years, the Chilcot inquiry into the invasion of Iraq has published its report.
“UNISON opposed the invasion, believing that it was both based on the false premise of Iraq holding weapons of mass destruction and was illegal without a vote in the UN Security Council.
“After the invasion, it soon became apparent that neither the UK nor US governments had a post-invasion strategy; leading to years of instability, civil war and terrorism which continue today, 13 years later.
“More people died in the years after than during the invasion itself.
“UNISON expects that those who took the decision to invade, while failing to adequately plan for the future, should be held accountable for their actions.
“The families of British soldiers and the tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians deserve nothing less than justice.”
What’s the problem?
The government has announced plans to force individual Local Government Pension Scheme funds to invest in UK infrastructure projects. This is instead of direct government funding of important projects – even if it doesn’t give the best return for LGPS members’ pensions.
UNISON is not against LGPS funds investing in infrastructure, but we believe that investment decisions should be made by the fund managers and their members, not government ministers.
Such a significant change to your pension funds should be debated in parliament.
Our records show you are a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), so you might be interested to know that if we get 100,000 signatures by September we will have the opportunity for a debate in the House of Commons.
Five million people like you rely on the Local Government Pension Scheme to pay their pension.
This is why UNISON has launched the petition calling for a parliamentary debate and is asking you, as a scheme member, to add your name today.
Jon Richards
UNISON national secretary (pensions)
P.S. Find out more about UNISON and pensions and about your LGPS pension.
The people have spoken, and they have made a clear call for change – and a different relationship with Europe.
We will be working in the coming weeks and months to hold the leave campaigners to the promises they’ve made – that there will be more money for the NHS, and that our rights at work will remain intact.
But this also has to be a time for our country to heal. At its best the campaign has enabled genuine debate and discussion in our homes, workplaces and communities about the future of the economy and the kind of country we want to live in.
At its worst, the campaign has been typified by hatred, vitriol and misinformation that have done a huge disservice to our democracy and values.
Over the coming weeks and months, all political leaders must think about how to address the issues that people in our communities care most about – falling incomes, insecure jobs, unaffordable housing and the huge challenges facing our public services after more than half a decade of cuts.
Theresa May has said that the future for EU migrants living in the UK is uncertain and up for negotiation in Brexit talks.
The UNISON-supported HOPE not hate campaign is backing a call from the British Future think tank for every candidate to become Conservative Party leader to make a clear commitment that EU migrants currently living in the UK are welcome to stay here.
The union is urging members and others to sign a letter making this call, which will be delivered to all five Conservative leadership candidates read more>>
Rock Against RacismExhibition continues until 3 September 2016
However you voted last week, today the values of tolerance and optimism are more important than ever. Be inspired by Syd Shelton’s exhibition, charting the groundbreaking movement formed by musicians and political activists to fight racism through music.
Read more about the exhibition in interviews with Syd Shelton on BBC Arts and Creative Review, or hear more about Rock Against Racism every Saturday on BCB 106.6 fm, with a series of special programmes about the movement every week at 4pm. Click here to read more
Do you remember Rock Against Racism?
We are calling out for contributions to FLASHBACK, a collection of people’s stories, memories, photographs and memorabilia of the Rock Against Racism movement. We’ve already had some fantastic memorabilia submitted for our digital scrapbook and fast-expanding display in the gallery. Have you shared your memories yet?
Summer ballot will see members asked to vote for strike to improve university employers’ 1.1% offer read more
Wednesday
Defend HE Teach-In (free lunch provided) 12pm -1 in the University of Sheffield Students’ Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/275322069482033/
SHU PG Open Day leafleting 3.45 – 5 in Hallam Square (the amphitheatre outside Owen)
Thursday
Lobbying of the Vice Chancellor’s installation service 1.30 outside the Cathedral. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1736515149899981/
A personal view from SRD shop steward Phil Henshaw
The University makes it clear it wants to be a supportive employer and to provide staff with support, guidance and online resources to make sure their physical, mental and social wellbeing needs are met throughout their career at the university.
Most staff will not experience problems where they need the support of the employer, but recent cases taken up by UNISON suggest that when they do they can feel isolated and unsupported, almost as though they have to battle with the institution whilst they try to address their issues.