This week the Trade Union Bill went back to the House of Commons. We didn’t manage to defeat the entire bill, but we did manage to remove several elements of it that would have irrevocably damaged the trade union movement.
WORKING CLASS MOVEMENTS LIBRARY
One of the most unusual libraries in the world. Discover the stories of working people’s struggles to be heard. Explore the past, change the future… see what’s on.
HIGHER EDUCATION: PAY SURVEY
Are you struggling to make ends meet?
UNISON, the largest trade union for support staff workers in higher education, improves the lives of members, both at work and at home.
In order to make this year’s campaign for decent pay as successful as possible, and to represent you at work we need a clearer picture of what is happening in your workplace.
Take part in our survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HEPAY2016 to keep us informed.
DIARY DATE: PARENTAL RETURNERS WORKSHOP
A drop in session is scheduled for Wednesday 29th June in Charles Street between 12-2pm with refreshments provided. Further details to follow.
UNISON RESPONDING TO THE ANNOUCEMENT OF THE HILLSBOROUGH INQUEST VERDICT
Responding to the announcement of the Hillsborough inquest verdict, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said:
“After 27 years of lies and cover-ups, the families of the 96 finally have justice. This has been a struggle that united a city and then a nation behind the battle for truth and accountability.
“For too long, smears in the media and by the authorities meant that justice was denied. UNISON has been proud to stand with the families and the campaign from the outset. We shared their desire for justice because many of our members saw what really happened on that terrible afternoon.
“This has always been a cause that is close to my heart. Like so many people, I will be thinking of friends and family today, and those who were taken from us all those years ago.”
UNISON CAMPAIGN FOR THE UK TO STAY IN EUROPE
UNISON is to campaign for the UK to stay part of the European Union, and will be encouraging its 1.3 million members to vote remain on 23 June.
The decision was taken today (Wednesday) at a meeting of the union’s governing NEC, and follows an extensive UK-wide consultation and survey across UNISON’s branches.
The fear that Brexit would mean the loss of the many workplace rights – parental leave, paid holiday, protection for part-timers and limits on excessive hours – that UK employees have come to take for granted is the most important issue in the coming referendum, according to UNISON’s overwhelmingly female membership.
Concern over what might happen to those employment rights should the UK vote to leave the EU was closely followed by worries about the plight of the country’s public services if Britain opted to go it alone.
UNISON – MORE THAN 73,000 PEOPLE CALL ON MPS TO DEBATE LGPS PLANS
Please sign and pass on – we need 100,000!
Sign the UNISON promoted petition urging Parliament to debate plans giving ministers power to tell members pension funds where to invest their money:
Click here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125475
73,000+ people signed the UNISON’s parliamentary petition calling for MPs to debate government plans to tell local government pension funds that they have to invest members’ money in infrastructure projects.
MAKE SURE YOU DON’T LOSE OUT ON TAX CREDITS
Can your members afford to lose up to £50 a week?
Across the country, a million people in low-paid jobs have yet to apply for tax credits. This will include low-income UNISON members. But they need to hurry up and apply before it’s too late and universal credit arrives in their area.
If people don’t claim tax credits by the time the full universal credit service arrives in their town or city, they could end up much worse off. This is because, while chancellor George Osborne backed down over cuts to tax credits in his Budget last July, cuts to universal credit work allowances remain and came in this week.
If members leave it until universal credit comes in to claim support they’re entitled to, they will lose out. But if they claim tax credits before, this will be protected.
So UNISON, in partnership with benefit experts Entitledto, has launched an online calculator as part of a campaign to encourage people to take up the benefits they are due. Members can find it at unison-takeup.entitledto.co.uk.
Use the UNISON/Entitledto tax credit (take up) calculator
EDUCATION IN CRISIS PUBLIC MEETING
“KILL THE HOUSING AND PLANNING BILL!”
PUBLIC MEETING
1pm til 3pm, Saturday 23rd April
Quakers Meeting House, 10 St James Street S1 2EW