UNISON is backing a petition calling on the government to keep universal free schools for infants in English schools read more
UNISON WELCOMES NEW LIVING WAGE RATES
The Living Wage Foundation announced the new living wage rates of £9.40 an hour in London, and £8.25 elsewhere in the UK read more
CUTS TO OPEN UNIVERSITY
Open University staff will get full support in their campaign against plans to close seven regional offices and axe 500 jobs read more
THE CASE AGAINST AUSTERITY
UNISON GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTIONS
UNISON has confirmed the candidates for the general secretary election which will start on 9 November.
The four candidates who have been nominated are:
- Roger Bannister, Knowsley branch, nominated by 25 branches.
- John Burgess, Barnet local government branch, nominated by 62 branches and 1 regional council.
- Dave Prentis, general secretary, nominated by 204 branches, 8 regional councils, 6 service groups and the national executive council.
- Heather Wakefield, UNISON national (staff) branch, nominated by 81 branches, 1 regional council and 1 service group.
Ballot papers will be sent to members’ homes or other notified address, starting on 9 November. The ballot closes on 4 December.
Election procedures and notification
RECLAIM YOUR LUNCH
Continuing on our theme of wellbeing, we are hosting another lunchtime event. This time we will be holding our “picnic” indoors on Wednesday the 9th December between12-1pm in room 1023 in the Owen Building.
We are excited to be able to offer all UNISON members an opportunity to take part in a wellbeing session during the event. Dal Takhar will be running a “no sweat” exercise session and discussing how to stay fit and prevent stress and injury from being sat all day at a desk. It’s a fun activity that everyone can join in (you don’t need to be fit or sporty). Dal has run these sessions before and received great feedback.
Please come along to the event to catch up with colleagues and join in the session. If any of your colleagues who are not yet UNISON members would like to come along and take advantage of the session they can do so by joining up on the day.
We are running this event at City campus as a pilot. If you are based at Collegiate and would like the opportunity to take part in this kind of wellness event, please let us know and we will look to arrange for Dal to run a further session there.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TRADE UNION BILL
Protect the rights of working people and their unions
The Trade Union Bill currently before Parliament is unfair, unnecessary and undemocratic. MPs need to focus on the real problems the country faces and talk to us about how we can work together for a better future. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis is calling on all members to get involved. Here are 3 ways you can support our campaign:
CAMPAIGN AGAINST TTIP GAINS MOMENTUM
Councils sign up to support campaign against transatlantic trade deal that threatens democracy.
RECLAIM YOUR LUNCH
As part of our on-going wellbeing campaign, we will be running another “picnic” lunch event.
We are looking to run this to coincide with mental health awareness day which is 10th October 2015. Due to the time of year, we’ll be booking some inside space at Collegiate and City to share lunch and we are hoping to have some activities and information available on the day as well as an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and take a break – watch this space for more information.
THE BIG RIDE
In May our International Officer proposed a motion on the big ride campaign which was raising funds and awareness of the plight of children in the area MECA.
The Big Ride took place between 1-9 August with riders cycling from Edinburgh to London. Redspokes sponsored the event which was supported by the TUC, Trade union branches and various community groups.
Ciaran Wakefield participated in the ride and collected sponsorship of which our branch donated £100.
.Read Ciaran’s journey.
