Game-Changing Bill for Workers’ Rights

In a landmark move for UK workers, UNISON has welcomed a new bill that promises to bring significant improvements to working conditions and rights across the country. This bill, described as “game-changing” by UNISON, has the potential to reshape the working lives of millions by strengthening protections and enhancing job security.

At its core, the bill focuses on the fundamental rights of employees, particularly in the public sector, where UNISON has long been a key advocate for fair wages, decent working conditions, and respect for workers. The bill addresses several critical areas, including enhancing rights for part-time and temporary workers, improving health and safety standards, and ensuring that employers meet their obligations.

One of the most transformative aspects of this bill is its commitment to closing the loopholes that have allowed employers to exploit workers through insecure contracts and insufficient pay. This will ensure that workers are fairly compensated for their labor and have access to the same benefits and protections as their full-time counterparts.

The bill also highlights the importance of work-life balance, with provisions designed to protect employees from excessive workloads and unreasonable working hours. This reflects UNISON’s long-standing campaign to reduce workplace stress and improve mental health support for employees.

For trade unionists, this bill represents a massive victory in the fight for worker dignity and fairness. It’s a testament to the power of collective action and the persistent efforts of union members who have tirelessly campaigned for better working conditions. The introduction of this bill is not just a win for public sector workers but for everyone who believes in a fairer and more just working environment.

As the bill moves through Parliament, UNISON will continue to push for its successful passage, ensuring that these crucial improvements to workers’ rights become a reality. This is a pivotal moment for the labor movement and a step forward in achieving lasting change for workers across the UK.

Now more than ever, it’s important to stay informed and engaged with the progress of this bill. Together, we can build a future where all workers are respected, protected, and valued for their contributions.

For more information and updates, visit UNISON’s official site and stay tuned as we continue to support this vital legislative push.

Bill will make game-changing improvements to working life, says UNISON


Fire Safety Failures and Local Authority Shortcomings: A Union's Call to Action

The Grenfell Tower disaster was a tragic wake-up call that exposed critical shortcomings in the UK’s building and fire safety regulations. Since then, the government has introduced major reforms, including the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022, to address loopholes in fire prevention and safety oversight. Despite these efforts, local authority failures continue to compromise residents’ safety. According to recent reports, delayed fire risk assessments and poor regulatory enforcement are still prevalent, highlighting a continued vulnerability to fire risks.

A key issue remains the lack of comprehensive oversight from local authorities. The Grenfell inquiry showed that these institutions often failed to monitor buildings with high fire risks adequately. In many cases, outdated cladding, poorly maintained fire doors, and inadequate evacuation routes remain in place, leaving thousands of residents exposed to potential fire hazards. While these deficiencies are slowly being addressed, the pace of reform has been criticized as too slow, leaving many still living in unsafe conditions.

As a union representing public service workers and many of those impacted by these failures, UNISON is committed to advocating for enhanced fire safety standards. Our role as a union extends beyond workplaces and into the communities where our members live and work. That means ensuring local authorities and government bodies are held accountable for implementing and maintaining adequate fire safety measures in residential buildings.

What is particularly alarming is that Grenfell was not an isolated incident. Multiple reports have since shown that similar risks exist across various high-rise buildings throughout the UK. The recent focus on the Fire Safety and Building Safety Acts shows progress, but the reality on the ground suggests we are far from solving these deep-rooted problems. Without stringent enforcement and continuous investment in safety infrastructure, the possibility of future disasters remains all too real.

At UNISON, we believe that fire safety is a basic human right. Residents should not have to live in fear of a preventable tragedy. Our collective mission as a union is to ensure that the protections and regulations introduced are fully implemented and rigorously enforced. This requires continued pressure on local governments and regulatory bodies to act swiftly and decisively. We must push for the faster replacement of dangerous cladding, timely fire risk assessments, and a commitment to robust safety measures in all buildings where our members and their families live.

UNISON will continue to advocate for its members’ safety both in their workplaces and homes, ensuring that building owners and local authorities are fully accountable for adhering to fire safety regulations. We encourage our members to stay informed about ongoing fire safety reforms and to report any concerns related to their living conditions or workplaces.

We call on government bodies, local authorities, and building owners to prioritize the safety of all residents by making fire safety a non-negotiable standard. UNISON remains committed to supporting its members in this fight for safer homes and workplaces.

To learn more about the ongoing fire safety issues and what you can do as a UNISON member, read the following reports:


Together, we can ensure that the hard lessons learned from Grenfell lead to lasting change, and that everyone in the UK can live in safe and secure homes.

NHS Pay Ballot - Vote Now to Have Your Say!

NHS Pay Ballot - Vote Now to Have Your Say!

The NHS pay ballot is now live, and it’s time to make your voice heard. This is your chance to vote on the revised NHS Scotland pay offer.

UNISON is recommending that members ACCEPT this pay offer.

The NHS Scotland pay offer includes:

•A 5.5% pay rise on all Agenda for Change pay grades and allowances.
•The increase is effective from 1 April 2024.
•The pay uplift will also apply to those covered by the Two Tier Agreement.

Please check your email for your unique voting link. Remember, this link is for your use only and should not be forwarded to anyone else. If you or a colleague has not received your unique ballot email, check your spam folder or contact your local branch.

You can read the full offer here ➡️ https://bit.ly/NHSpaytalkingpoints which includes detailed pay scales.

Why is it important to vote?
Whatever your opinion, it’s vital that every member has their say. This is your opportunity to influence the outcome, so make sure your voice is heard.

Voting is open until midday on 20 September, but don’t wait until the last minute—vote NOW. It only takes a moment to register your vote.

If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to your local branch.

Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication.



Don’t Miss Out – Vote Electronically:

This is an electronic vote, so it is crucial that your contact information is up to date to ensure you receive your unique voting link. If you have not received the email with your voting link, please:

    1.    Check your spam or junk folder for an email from us.
    2.    Ensure your information is current by visiting My UNISON.
    3.    If you still haven’t received your voting link, contact your local steward or follow the links below to update your details or register:

    •    Update Your Details or Register for My UNISON

https://my.unison.org.uk

https://registration.unison.org.uk/registrationstep1.aspx

Remember, voting closes at midday on 20 September, so please don’t delay—vote now to ensure your voice is heard!

If you have any questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local branch.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued commitment to our NHS.

Best regards,

UNISON NHS Pay Team

STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST RACISM

To All Unison Health Members

Standing Together Against Racism

In light of recent events across the UK, it’s crucial that we address the issue of racism, including its impact on our members here in Scotland. While we may not be seeing the worst behaviors on our streets, casual racism is still on the rise, and it’s important that we don’t become complacent.

UNISON has always been committed to fighting racism in all its forms, and now more than ever, we need to stand together. We’ve attached a letter from Matt McLaughlin, our Lead Organiser for Health, along with an Anti-Racism Pack as a starting point. But remember, this is just the beginning. We want to ensure that every member feels supported and empowered to speak out.

What Can You Do?

•Advocate Locally: Push your employer to adopt and publicize a local version of our joint anti-racism statement.
•Listen and Act: Reach out to our Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) members. Ask how they’re feeling, what they need, and how they want to organize.
•Speak Out: We encourage all members to speak out against racism in the workplace. Your voice matters, and we’re here to support you.
•Get Active: Share the resources from our Anti-Racism Pack with your fellow members and activists, ensuring everyone is focused on tackling racism.

Let’s continue to stand in solidarity and work together to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

Link to anti racist safety pack

Latest News from the Ambulance Sector: July 2024 Update

Welcome from UNISON Health - Ambulance Occupational Group

Hello to all our members working in the ambulance sector! A lot has happened since we last updated you in March, so in this edition, we’re going to update you on:

  • The NQP 2024 survey
  • An update on the Section 2 and Annex 5 deal for same band movement
  • The 2024 UNISON Ambulance Seminar
  • Diversifying our network of stewards

If you have any questions, please get in touch at h.group@unison.co.uk or ambulance@unison.co.uk.



Complete the UNISON Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) 2024 Survey

If you’re a Newly Qualified Paramedic or have completed the NQP programme within the last five years, we want you to complete our ‘NQP survey 2024’ by clicking on this link

The survey should only take 5 minutes to complete and will be used to find out more about your experiences as an NQP and the issues you face at work. We will use the findings in our discussions with your employers to ensure the programme is being used as intended and identify areas for improvement.

The survey will close on 31 August. The more responses we get, the stronger our voice is when raising concerns on your behalf.

Please note, this survey is also open to non-members too, so feel free to forward the link to non-member colleagues and encourage them to join UNISON!



Ambulance Reps Come Together for 2024 Ambulance Seminar

From the 17th to the 19th of May, UNISON ambulance branches from across the UK attended our UNISON Health Ambulance Seminar 2024 at the University of Warwick.

Representatives took part in a series of engaging sessions to help shape the future work priorities of the Ambulance Occupational Group (AOG). These sessions focused on future policies impacting the NHS and the ambulance sector, race equality specific to the ambulance sector, sexual safety in the workplace, pensions and retirement age for ambulance staff, and lessons learnt from the ambulance industrial action in 2022/23.

All these sessions helped us shape the AOG workplan for the next year, which includes three main priorities:

  1. Retirement age and pensions campaign
  2. Addressing and improving race equality/representation in the ambulance sector
  3. Improving the NQP programme

We will continue to update you on any progress we make on these priority areas, as well as other relevant campaigns that will be of interest to you as a member working in the ambulance sector.



Diversifying Our Network of Ambulance Stewards

This summer, we have released an article jointly with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) in their Keeping P’AACE publication summer issue on ‘UNISON: RECOGNISING THE NEED TO DIVERSIFY’. You can read the article here.

We published this piece with the aim of raising awareness on how, why, and what the significance is for UNISON to champion the work of diversifying our ambulance stewards. This particularly aligns with our key priorities for the next year to focus on addressing the inequalities highlighted in the Race for Equality campaign in relation to the ambulance sector.

As well as black reps, we are also keen to recruit more women, disabled, and LGBT+ reps. If you’re interested in learning more about what these roles might entail, please contact your local UNISON branch or ambulance@unison.co.uk.

Remember, you are legally entitled to time off for your reps training and AACE is keen to support UNISON in diversifying our network of reps to better represent the ambulance workforce.



Ambulance Case Studies for Flexibilities in the NHS Pension Scheme

We want to progress our work on pensions and the retirement age by exploring different options of flexibilities within the NHS pension scheme including redeployment, stepping down, and applying for partial retirement.

We’re looking to build case studies exploring these options as we move to agree on our position as part of this campaign and ways to work with employers.

Would you, or do you know of any ambulance members who might be willing to work with us on developing a case study?

If you’re interested, please contact us by 15 August 2024!

Email us your case studies