UNISON South East

After an historic year, where UNISON Labour Link played a vital part in securing a Labour government, the South East Labour Link Committee held its final meeting of the year in Westminster. southeast.unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

📢 REMINDER: UNISON South East AGM 2025 is here! 📅 8 Feb 2025 | 📍 London Register, nominate, and submit motions by 11 Jan! 🔗 Learn more: southeast.unison.org.uk/events/regiona… #UNISON #UnionPower

🌟 Last week, Bracknell MP Peter Swallow (@PDJSwallow) helped to celebrate the unsung heroes in our schools at a special event organised by Bracknell & District UNISON. southeast.unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

👋 Pat and Tim are at Woking Voluntary Fair today, alongside 90 voluntary organisations working to make Surrey a better place. If you're around Woking Leisure Centre, you have until 2:00pm to pop in, say hello, find out a more about UNISON (... and grab some goodies).

When we organise around equality, underrepresented groups can increase their voice in the union and in their workplaces. ✊🏿 📅 Most of our regional self organised groups are having their AGMs in December. Getting involved is a key way to set the agenda! southeast.unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

Every year, Diwali is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Sikhs and followers of Jainism throughout the world, including right here in the South East. We're wishing everyone a joyful Diwali filled with light! 🪔

Yesterday, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (DGT) became the first health employer in the region to sign our anti-racism charter! 🖋️ Unions must play a key role in the fight against racism, and the charter is a important tool to build anti-racist workplaces. 📸 DGT Comms Team.

Not long to go 'til we're celebrating the unsung heroes of the NHS team! What's your branch planning? 🙌🎉 Plus look out for your chance to nominate an amazing non-clinical colleague for a One Team Award and prize voucher 🏆 #OneTeamNHS unison.org.uk/our.../one-tea…

Last week, sixty delegates representing council and school members from across the South East gathered in Southampton to discuss organising, campaigning and best practice. 🙌 Thanks to @TanDhesi and @LabourSatvir for joining us! 🌹 southeast.unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

We're proud to support #ShowRacismTheRedCard (@SRTRC_England)! This year's regional local government AGM happened to fall on the same day as Wear Red Day, so we had to get a photo... #WRD24 🟥

Think you could be one of these legends? 👇 Do you have what it takes to represent your workmates, help win better pay and conditions, and stand up for equality? 👀 Join our lunchtime webinar next Wednesday to find out more about becoming a steward: tinyurl.com/ywnvk3dh

🚨 URGENT - ACTION REQUIRED! Over 360,000 school and council workers in England and Wales are voting on whether to strike over pay. Have you voted? ✅ Vote YES to action 📮 Return your vote ☎️ No ballot paper? 0800 0857 857 💜 Not in UNISON? Join now and get a vote! join.unison.org.uk

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE  There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been at the top of UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today? Listen now wherever you get your podcasts: unsn.uk/3OESnys

🚨 LAST CHANCE: Join us on Thursday 3 October from 10am for a special webinar on Neurodiversity & the Equality Act with @ThompsonsLaw. ✉️ To find out more, please email educationse@unison.co.uk with the course code: 08-24-0102!

🚨Council and schools workers in England and Wales🚨 Your ballot paper is in the post to you. UNISON general secretary @cmcanea urges members to vote 'YES' to taking strike action on your pay.

🏆 At this year’s regional local government conference, we’ll be honouring the hard work of our members and activists with a special awards dinner. But we need your nominations first. Know a local government legend? We want to hear about them 👉 southeast.unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

🚨School and Council workers in England and Wales. Look out for your ballot papers in the post 👀 “The work you do is vital to supporting our communities and our schools” Assistant general secretary Jon Richards urges UNISON members to vote ‘YES’ to action on pay. #PayUp2024

More than 360,000 council and school support staff across England and Wales begin voting today on whether to take strike action over pay UNISON has warned local government employers must improve the pay offer to avoid the strike threat. UNISON head of local government Mike Short: “Local government finances are in a dire state, but that doesn’t mean staff should be denied a fair pay rise after 14 years of austerity and low wages. Employers still have time to come back with a better offer. “Central government also needs to assist employers by providing stable, long-term funding settlements that allow councils and schools to retain expert staff and protect the vital services on which our communities rely.” The 2024/25 flat rate pay offer of £1,290 from local government employers falls short of what council employees need and has also been superseded by the deals achieved by some other public sector workers. This year’s pay deal was due from April, but the disappointing offer has delayed the process, UNISON says. When the union consulted workers, more than four-fifths (81%) of those who took part opted to reject the sum. Now social workers, teaching assistants, refuse collectors, caretakers, planning officers and other staff at more than 4,000 organisations will be asked if they’re prepared to strike. The six-week ballot will begin today and close on Wednesday 16 October. We are urging employers to improve their offer and calling for central government to help fund an improved deal and look at the longer-term investment it gives to councils.

Amazing to see all the Healthcare Assistants in Southampton coming together!

Yesterday afternoon, healthcare assistants employed by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust submitted their #PayFairForPatientCare grievance to trust bosses, demanding recognition, respect and reward for the work they do. ✊ They also had cakes for NHS staff! 🧁