Category Archives: Uncategorized

999 Answer the call for your NHS

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Planning is under way for the 999 – Answer the call for your NHS rally which will take place outside the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on Sunday 29th September.  UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis called on the TUC to organise this march at our annual conference in June.

UNISON believes that the Tory health act will result in longer waiting times, a shortage of staff in hospitals and a poorer service that needs more of your taxes.  The Tories are pushing the profit motive rather than your health to the heart of the NHS; key treatments are being restricted, services cut and jobs lost.

Our NHS remains the fairest and most cost-effective health service in the world.

Don’t let the Tories ruin it, join us in Manchester on 29th September.

SHU UNISON branch will be discussing whether to arrange transport to the rally (see motion to August branch committee), if you are interested in attending contact your local steward or officer to let us know!

Pay consultation – results

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Thank you to everyone who took part in our consultation over the 1% pay offer – the results are now in!

62% voted to reject the pay offer.  Comments included: “We’ve accepted below inflation rises for too long now” and “We need to fight this, I would strike”.

38% voted to accept the offer, with comments including “In the current climate, 1% sounds good”.

However the turnout was relatively low, with only about 10% of members taking part.

We’ll be submitting the results of our consultation to the Higher Education Service Group Executive, who will take a decision regarding any action in the light of feedback they received from around the sector.

Your Pay in Numbers web lr (2)

National Self-Organised Group Conferences

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Self-organisation is an essential part of UNISON’s work; it is one of the key ways in which we promote equality. Self-organisation brings together members from certain under-represented groups – women members, black members, disabled members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. These groups help the union identify and challenge discrimination and build equality.

Each Self-Organised Group (SOG) has a national conference every year to bring together members from across the country. Any member of one of our branch’s SOGs is entitled to go to the relevant National Conference and it’s very easy to become a member of a SOG: you just need to express an interest!

The following SOG National Conferences are coming up and it would be great to send delegates from our branch to each.

Disabled Members’ 2013, Sat 26 – Mon 28 October, Manchester Central – link http://www.unison.org.uk/conference/disabled.asp

LGBT 2013, Fri 22 – Sun 24 November, BT Centre, Liverpool – link http://www.unison.org.uk/conference/out2008.asp

Transport and accommodation are paid for by UNISON and delegates are also given a subsistence grant to cover food costs.

If you would be interested in attending either conference or would just like some additional information please feel free to get in touch with me at r.sadler@shu.ac.uk

School Uniform Grants

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Act quick closing date 5 July 2013.

Worried about back to school costs?

Are you struggling to cope with the rising cost of living? Finding that you’re having to economise in every area of expenditure?

Help is on hand

We have set up a limited fund to help UNISON members on low income with school uniform costs by way of a one-off payment of up to £120.

To apply or find out more about other help that is available visit UNISON’s welfare charity There For You to download an application form.  This part of the site is member-only, you will have to register on the site with your membership number to access it.  If you don’t know your membership number, contact Jo, UNISON Administrator.  Alternatively you can contact our Welfare Officer Chris Deakin for an application form.

PS. If you know of other members who may need our help, please pass this on!

The People’s Assembly Against Austerity – launch event 22nd June

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The People’s Assembly is a national initiative to bring together anti-cuts campaigners, trade unionists and community activists and create a forum for social justice.  It is supported by unions including UNISON, Unite, PCS and the NUT, as well as a range of well known activists including Tony Benn, Caroline Lucas, Ken Loach and Owen Jones.

The press launch for the People’s Assembly will be taking place on 22nd June in London.  If you would like to attend you can register for the event online, more than 2500 people have booked so far.  A coach for delegates is available from Sheffield (£15 waged, £5 unwaged) – to book a space on the coach email Carrie at carrie@burngreave.net or call her on 0751 079268.