“After a well deserved payrise, the trust are trying to claw back the money with a blanket 5% cost increase on parking, catering and childcare to all its staff. We at UNISON call on the trust to reverse this cynical move! Care about the carers that make this NHS trust work!”“This was a cynical move, released on a bank holiday weekend to hide the obvious uncosted price hike, hits the lowest paid trust employees the hardest. Support your hard working NHS staff! Don’t give with one hand and take back with the other!”Sign the petition here: Sheffield Teaching Hospital petition
Category Archives: News & Comment
NDC Report from Dan Grace
The National Delegate Conference (NDC) is Unison’s highest democratic decision-making body working alongside the General Secretary, the President and the National Executive Council to run our union. It’s an annual meeting of delegates from all Unison branches where motions and rule changes are passed that change the way our union functions. I was put forward as our branches delegate for this year’s meeting in Brighton between 14th and 17th of June. Spread across four days at the Brighton Centre, it consisted of the main delegate sessions, where we voted on motions put forward by branches across the UK, along with a variety of fringe events at lunch time and in the evening.
Highlights among the decisions made include Unison’s decision to back proportional representation, support for trans equality, to tackle climate change through support for public ownership of energy companies and decarbonising public services, and a renewed commitment to be an organising union giving its members the power to organise in their workplaces. Full details of all the motions passed and rule changes made can be found here: https://www.unison.org.uk/policy-motions/page/2/?filter-decision=13962%2C13953&filter-year=2022
Fringe events I made it along to included a talk from Labour MP John McDonnell on the importance of the links between trade unions and our parliamentary representatives, a presentation from the Cuban Ambassador to the UK alongside the Cuba Solidarity campaign group on the ongoing injustice of the US blockade of that socialist country and a discussion of the state of climate policy in public services post-COP26.
It was a fascinating four days. I had the opportunity to meet many other reps and members from across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK and feel part of a broader movement. I would recommend the experience to anyone interested in becoming more involved in the democratic decision making processes of our trade union.
Introducing… Dan Grace, Communications Officer and Workplace Rep
What is your role in the branch?
I am a workplace rep for Library and Student Services and the branch communications officer. This means I do casework helping members with issues in Library and Student Support and also oversee communications for the branch, such as email, social media and this newsletter. Members should feel free to contact me in either of these capacities.
How and why did you become involved in UNISON?
I’ve been a UNISON member since 2008. I was a workplace rep in my previous job in Sheffield’s public library service. I decided to become a rep around the time of the implementation of the coalition governments austerity program which saw huge cuts to public library services. I was already involved in campaigning around the cuts and closures and saw becoming a trade union rep as the obvious next step in that fight. I took a break from being a rep when I first moved to Sheffield Hallam due to having a young family and studying commitments but volunteered again last November. Since then I have become the branch communications officer and travelled to Brighton as our branch delegate for the National Delegates Convention.
What issues do you feel trade unions should be focussing on?
In addition to the day-to-day help we provide supporting members, the current cost of living crisis is clearly the most pressing issue for trade unions. Securing an above inflation pay increase is vital as we all face rising bills. In addition to this I think climate change is in urgent need of addressing from a trade union perspective. The two issues are linked of course. Spiralling energy bills show how our system has become incapable of managing a transition to affordable and abundant green energy sources. Any such transition would have to be a fair one for workers, which is why I believe that trade unions have to lead on building a Green New Deal that creates climate jobs for the future. As well as considering what this means for those of us working at Sheffield Hallam, our university should be training the next generation of workers necessary for a green industrial revolution. UNISON and other trade unions need to be leading the way on this, supporting where things are done right, challenging where not enough is being done.
UNISON: Sheffield Climate Justice march Saturday 6th November & SCCUG COP26 Coalition Calendar of Events
CALLING ALL TRADE UNION MEMBERS AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY!
Please get involved in the campaign for Climate Change, and join the Sheffield march;
Saturday 6 November.
Assemble at Devonshire Green at 12pm
Climate Change IS a Trade union issue! Workers and their families are all affected by global warming. “There’s no jobs on a dead planet” said Sharron Burrow ITUC Gen Secretary. We have to fight for real action to combat climate change. That means public investment in 1 Million Climate Jobs. We know you can’t achieve that by leaving it the free market as the Tories are doing! We can rebuild our economy so that it’s greener AND fairer, and improves the livelihoods of ordinary working people. Here are some examples of what we can and should be doing NOW:
- I million new zero-emission council homes – help to solve the housing crisis and reduce heating bills AND help the climate. House building creates jobs for construction workers but also making the furnishings and fittings that make a home
- a World Class public transport system with new zero emission buses and electric trains – good green jobs for transport workers, bus and train manufacturers, AND lower fares and better connectivity, plus we reduce emissions and pollution
- Publicly owned energy companies to generate clean green electricity – end fossil fuels and create zero carbon energy and end fuel poverty. We can’t rely on the private companies to do this
- Insulate our homes and offices. A massive public investment programme will create good green jobs to retrofit our leaky homes – Britain’s housing stock is the least efficient in Europe!
YOUR UNION BRANCH IS SUPPORTING THE MARCH ON 6th NOVEMBER.
WE NEED MEMBERS THERE, TO STAND WITH US AND SHOW THE TRADE UNIONS ARE DEMANDING REAL CHANGE!
WE NEED MEMBERS THERE, TO STAND WITH US AND SHOW THE TRADE UNIONS ARE DEMANDING REAL CHANGE!
Please email l.m.wakefield@shu.ac.uk to let us know that you are interested and will be attending the event on the 6th November in Sheffield.
Here is a timetable of some of the events coming up in Sheffield in the run-up to 6th November.
Everyone is welcome
The planet is on fire! It’s clear that we are facing a global catastrophe that is already impacting on everyone across the world. The COP26 ‘talks’ will no doubt prove as inadequate as the past 25 talks.
The COP26 Coalition is organising on an international, national and local level. We aim to highlight the common interest we have, the innovative solutions available and to use our collective power to compel governments here and around the world to act!!
Friday 22nd October: Film showing – ‘The Ants & the Grasshopper’
‘The Ants and The Grasshopper’ 2021 Director – Raj Patel
Sheffield Climate Coalition Umbrella Group (SCCUG) COP26 Coalition are delighted to bring back to Sheffield the film, ‘The Ants And The Grasshopper’ which received its International Debut here at DocFest 2021, as part of the lead up to COP26 being held in Glasgow this November.
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/WO8vc0f6DFY
The film will launch the Sheffield Global Climate Justice Summit (this summit will be held on Sat 23rd October – details to follow) which will be looking at how we can urge the world leaders, meeting at COP26 in Glasgow, to ‘centre’ the experience and needs of those most affected by the climate and ecological emergencies, in their solutions for addressing them.
Available to watch in person:
Date Friday 22nd October 7.30pm
Venue: Sheffield Quaker Meeting House St James Street Sheffield S1 2EW
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-the-ants-and-the-grasshopper-in-person-tickets-179739173707
Available to watch online:
Anytime between 22nd and 24th October
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-the-ants-and-the-grasshopper-online-screening-tickets-180010776077
We want this important film to be seen by as many people as possible and so we are making it free to view with a suggested ticket price of £3.50. If you are unable to afford this, please feel free to pay less, or nothing at all. Pay as you feel.
About the Film:
The documentary weaves together the most urgent themes – climate change, gender and racial equality, increasing inequality between rich and poor – with ideas that can be used to save the planet. It follows a Malawian woman, Anital Chitaya, whose gifts are to bring abundant food from dead soil, make men fight for gender equality, and ending child hunger in her village. When needing to save her village from extreme weather, she faces her greatest challenge: persuading Americans that climate change is real and persuading us that we are all in this together.
The film makers reflected on this story for 10 years and through it came to a very different understanding of the world:
“Our reflection on patriarchy, privilege and power, is one that is raw, but a vital part of the transition away from a colonial world to a decolonised one… and point(s) to the way we’ll all have to confront our culpability for a world undergoing catastrophic climate change”
To follow the road to actions around COP26, please go to our Facebook page at @SCCUGCOP26Coalition
Friday 29th October – ‘Walk with Amal’ – ‘Staying Afloat’
Little Amal, a young refugee, has embarked on a remarkable journey – an epic voyage that is taking her across Turkey, across Europe. To find her mother. To get back to school. To start a new life. Will the world let her? Can she achieve what now seems more impossible than ever?
- Amal enters Sheffield the traditional way, on a barge. As she floats into Victoria Quays, communities are out in force to greet her in the city.
- As the day unfolds Amal discovers giant washing lines hung with messages of welcome across Tudor Square and a traditional Sheffield brass band with a twist, playing all the cities favourite songs.
- This will be an opportunity for the Coalition to welcome Amal at the docks and to publicise November the 6th
1st November – National Banner Drop Day – Global Day of Action
On Monday 1st Nov, we invite you to Raise the Banners for Climate Justice! This is the day that World Leaders will meet in Glasgow for COP26.
After 26 years of UN climate talks (COPs), the climate crisis is escalating around the world. Justice won’t easily be handed to us by world leaders. We are the ones who have to demand it.
This action is for everyone – and a perfect way to get communities, schools, faith groups and neighbourhoods talking about climate change and to have their voices heard. Simply hang one outside of your front window of your house.
If you are coming to the demonstration on the 6th, you could bring the banners with you.
The aim is to cover the streets of Sheffield on November 1st – the beginning of the climate talks – with banners that have YOUR messages of climate justice!
Read the national COP26 Coalition’s short overview of their vision and plans for the day here.
Please add your name/organisation and where you will be dropping your banner to the document 1st Nov – Banner Drop Sheffield/S. Yorks – Areas Covered:
Take a picture and send it into our Facebook page @SCCUGCOP26Coalitiion on the day.
7th – 10th November – National People’s Summit for Climate Justice
The COP26 Coalition is hosting the People’s Summit as an alternative to business as usual of false solutions and inaction at the COP negotiations. The Summit will be held both in-person in Glasgow and online.
Join us in imaging our future, combining our knowledge and building the movement for climate justice from the ground up. You can now explore the initial programme and register at: www.cop26coalition.org/ps
LET’S HELP SAVE THE PLANET
From 18_26 September branches across the UK are organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.
On Wednesday September 22, take part in the biggest global conversation about our future by joining Global Day of Action to Climate and Employment Proof our Work. Sign up to the ITUC Day of Action to Climate and Employment Proof Our Work.
On Thursday 23 September, join the UNISON Green Network webinar. Sign up to our network to receive green updates here and you will automatically receive a link to the webinar. You will also be able to access UNISON resources, including guidance on green bargaining and being a green workplace rep.
Find out more about the Fridays for Future youth climate strike on Friday 24 September here and, for Scotland, here.
Find out how your branch can take part in the UK Big Green week here, and in Scotland, at Stop Climate Chaos here.
To find out what is happening at the November UN Cop26 in Glasgow and how branches can take part, visit the Cop26 Coalition website, which also provides details of Cop26 Glasgow events from 31 October to 12 November, including UK-wide demonstrations on 6 November.
You have the chance to take in our green survey next week. More news to come.
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD CLEANERS CAMPAIGN
Cleaners employed by the University of Sheffield are calling on the university’s management to deliver an hourly wage of £10 an hour.
Unite representatives have handed over a pledge to senior management. The pledge from the cleaners is a clear commitment that they are prepared to ‘take action for better pay and conditions’.
Most cleaners work a 20 hour week, which means it would take them almost 30 years to earn vice chancellor Koen Lambert’s annual £285,000 salary. The workers’ currently earn just £9.52 an hour and most take home just £9,900 a year. The University employs around 300 cleaners who are overwhelmingly women.
The campaign is being backed by local Labour MPs Paul Blomfield MP (Sheffield Central), Olivia Blake MP (Sheffield Hallam) and Louise Haigh MP (Sheffield Heeley).
Please sign and support the petition
CONSULTATION ON 2021/2022 HIGHER EDUCATION PAY OFFER
A few days ago the Vice Chancellor sent an email to all staff to inform us that negotiations in the 2021/2022 pay round had concluded with UCEA – the employers’ organisation for Higher Education – making a final offer of 1.5% for the majority of staff (with more, on a sliding scale, for those lower on the pay scale). The University intends to impose this offer in August.
UNISON’s position is that this offer falls far short of the pay claim that the joint trade unions submitted. Last year (2020/2021) the employers imposed a pay freeze (UNISON is still in dispute about this) as a ‘reward’ for the exceptional hard work HE staff put in during the first year of the pandemic, which itself came after a decade of derisory pay awards.
UNISON is now asking members to say whether they accept or reject the 2021/2022 pay offer.
UNISON’s Higher Education Service Group Executive is recommending that members reject the 2021/2022 pay offer. If you vote to reject the offer, you need to be prepared to take part in sustained strike action in order to improve the offer.
To emphasise: this is a consultation exercise, not an industrial action ballot. The result of the consultation will be considered by the Service Group Executive. If industrial action is to be taken, a formal postal ballot of members would then take place, with a 50% turnout required for a valid vote for action.
The 2021/2022 pay offer consultation will begin on Monday 24th May, closing on Friday 18 June.
All eligible members will receive an email with a link enabling you to vote in the consultation anonymously. It will also be possible to vote online even if you don’t get an email (perhaps because you have not given UNISON permission to contact you in this way). Any new members joining before 4th June will be sent a voting link by email.
Remember that you can update some of your personal details in the UNISON membership system here: https://my.unison.org.uk/.
For more information see: https://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/education-services/about/higher-education/fair-pay-for-he/
UNISON NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2021:VOTE NOW!
From Tuesday 4th May, ballot papers began to appear through UNISON members’ letter boxes for the elections to the UNISON National Executive Council, the body which makes the decisions on how the Union is run at a national level.
These are very important elections and we would urge you to read the material that you will receive and to use your vote.
Note that you are entitled to vote in all the elections for seats listed on your ballot paper, regardless of seat type.
The ballot closes on the 27th May so you should aim to get your ballot paper in the post by the 24th May to ensure it arrives on time.
If you haven’t received your ballot paper by the 13th May, then you should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect, on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.
More information regarding the elections can be read here (https://www.unison.org.uk/about/our-organisation/lay-structure-democracy-and-elections/current-elections/national-executive-council-elections-2021/)
 On this page you can find out everything you need to know about the vote to elect UNISON’s new National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC is made up of representatives elected from all of UNISON’s regions and service groups, as well as seats for four Black members, two young members and two …
www.unison.org.uk
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SHU UNISON BRANCH NOMINATIONS:
SHU Branch nominated the following candidates who have a track record of leadership and fighting for members. They stand for transforming UNISON by:
Creating real change to win for members.
- Redirecting Union resources to branches, to better support you at work.
- Coordinating serious national action on pay and to defend pensions.
- Fighing employers’ ‘fire and re-hire’ tactics, worsening our terms & conditions
- A greater focus on Covid-19, to better support members’ safety.
- Fighting against the scourges of racism, and all forms of discrimination.
- Prioritising UNISON’s role in fighting the climate emergency
| Greta Holmes | Female seat |
| Sarah Littlewood | Female seat |
| Theresa Rollinson | Reserved seat |
| Tony Wright | Male seat |
| Sandy Nicoll | Higher Education – general seat |
| Kath Owen | Higher Education – female seat |
| Julia Mwaluke | Black members’ seats – reserved seat |
| Nimisha Trivedi | Black members’ seats – female seat |
| Paula Carlyle | Disabled members’ seats – female seat |
| Sharron Nicoll | Disabled members’ seats – general seat |
| Lilly Boulby | Young members’ – female seat |
| Kiera Hilder | Young members’ – general seat |
Please use your vote!
COULD YOU FILL A UNISON BRANCH OFFICER VACANCY? (you definitely could!)
At our AGM earlier this year, the following were elected to Branch Officer positions:
Dan J Bye – Branch Secretary
Tracey Holland – Branch Chair
Blodwen Grayhurst – Treasurer
Lucinda Wakefield – International Officer / Acting Health & Safety Officer
Anna Wiggins – Women’s Officer
Ana Yousaf – Equality Officer
But a number of Officer positions remain unfilled and are empty posts. They are:
Vice Chair
Communication Officer
Membership Officer
Welfare Officer
Education Officer
Young Persons’ Officer
The more posts we can fill, the more the Branch can achieve, so we are keen to hear from members who are interested in taking up these opportunities. They are a great way of developing your own skills and experience, as well as making a contribution to the union’s collective strength. Each Officer role has a particular specialism, but Officers can also get involved in case work and negotiation more generally.
Remember, paid time off is allowed to carry out union duties, and training and support is available for the roles from UNISON and the Branch.
To find out more about the purpose of the roles, see: https://www.unison.org.uk/about/our-organisation/activists/branch-roles/.
Between AGMs, the Branch Committee can co-opt any member who is eligible to most of the vacant posts. So if you are interested please get in touch with Dan Bye, Branch Secretary, or another Branch Officer, for a chat!
WOMEN’S ISSUES
Hi there, as women’s officer, I would like to take some time for each newsletter to focus on a subject regarding issues relating to women, either directly or indirectly related to our working lives.
The pandemic has been hard on us all, yet it has been especially difficult for those living and working within the home, surrounded by the threat of domestic abuse.
Support organisations have seen an escalation of users accessing their services. They are still there, and ready to help.
For those seeking it, there are several ways in which to gain support and help in less obvious ways than a phone call in a compromised location.
The Bright Sky app – https://www.hestia.org/brightsky – looks like a weather app and has info both for those experiencing domestic abuse, and people who might be concerned about someone else. It has a directory of services available nearby.
Please consider if the mobile phone is being monitored before downloading.
‘Silent Solution’. If you are in danger, but unable to talk, or disclose you are talking to emergency services, you can dial 999 in the normal way, then press ‘55’ instead of talking. You will be transferred to the police, who will guide you through either yes and no answers or asking you to type your response.
Iphones have a SOS feature, where you can share your location with police. The article below gives instructions – https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/emergency-iphone-sos-police-b1815887.html
Ask for Ani (Action Needed Immediately) is a government scheme, where support can be sought in a pharmacy by asking Ani. Participating pharmacies should have posters advertising the service.
Anna Wiggins