Water customers will be outraged that bills are rising again
Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) by Ofwat of new water charges that mean typical bills will rise by an average of £86 next year, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:...
View ArticleCultural change is needed to protect women from abuse
Commenting on the French rape trial that has led to almost 50 men being sentenced today (Thursday) to more than 400 years in prison, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “People everywhere...
View ArticleOpinion: Water under pressure – the case for renationalisation
By UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman Water is life – a basic human need and a critical public service. Yet across England, this precious resource has been in the hands of private companies...
View ArticleUNISON welcomes new appointments to the House of Lords
Commenting on the appointment of long-standing UNISON activist Wendy Nichols to the House of Lords today (Friday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The appointment of Wendy Nichols as...
View ArticleStaff call off industrial action at Transport for Greater Manchester, says...
Around 300 workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have today (Monday) called off industrial action after agreeing an improved pay deal, says their union UNISON. The employees, who...
View ArticleNational care service and fair pay must be priority for new commission, says...
Commenting on the government’s announcement today (Friday) that an independent commission on social care will begin in April headed up by Baroness Louise Casey, UNISON head of care Gavin Edwards said:...
View ArticleGetting pay right for demoralised staff is key to turning NHS around, says...
Commenting on the prime minister’s new measures announced today (Monday) to tackle hospital backlogs, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “Staff are the bedrock of the NHS and key to turning around...
View ArticleTougher laws needed to protect ambulance staff against violence and abuse
Commenting on new figures published by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives today (Tuesday) highlighting the levels of physical and verbal abuse directed at UK ambulance staff, UNISON deputy...
View ArticleSchool budgets need protecting, says UNISON in response to IFS funding report
Commenting on a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies released today (Wednesday) that warns of tight budgets for schools in England, UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Ministers inherited...
View ArticleHealth workers are key to plans to get the NHS back on its feet
Commenting on the latest NHS England figures published today (Thursday) showing unprecedented demand on the health service , UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “NHS staff are stretched to breaking...
View ArticleNEC election candidate applications now open
The candidate application and nomination period opens today (Monday 13 January) for UNISON’s NEC elections 2025, which take place over the next five months. It will remain open until 5pm 14 February....
View ArticleAI must be used to enhance public services, not replace workers, says UNISON
Commenting on the launch of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan today (Monday), UNISON policy officer Kate Jones said: “Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to revolutionise the world...
View ArticleOpinion: ‘I am determined and optimistic’ for the year ahead
By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea The start of 2025 brings into focus not only the scale of challenges that lie ahead, but more importantly, the many opportunities awaiting us too. The...
View ArticleSharon Foster wins UNISON’s Nelson Mandela Award 2025
Long-term UNISON activist Sharon Foster (pictured) has won the 2025 Nelson Mandela Award. The award is given to those who exemplify Nelson Mandela’s values of ‘determination, a desire for unity, and...
View ArticleInternational community must help make ceasefire work, says UNISON
Commenting on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal announced today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This is a moment we all have long hoped for. An end to the 15-month...
View ArticleCouncil-owned firms creating a two-tier workforce, says UNISON
Thousands of workers employed by council-owned trading companies are paid less and receive inferior pensions than town hall staff, says UNISON today (Monday). Exclusive research by the union reveals...
View ArticleThousands of UNISON members write to MPs over NHS pay
UNISON is escalating its campaign for the government to open talks on NHS pay in England. The move comes after the government reneged on its promise to sit down with unions and employers and fix the...
View ArticleNHS staff urge local MPs to kickstart talks as government stalls on pay...
NHS staff are to ask English MPs to help kickstart promised, but recently postponed, pay talks to boost the morale of health workers battling at the heart of the winter health crisis, says UNISON today...
View ArticleHolocaust Memorial Day: for a better future
Every year UNISON marks Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on 27 January. This day is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and death camp, which took...
View ArticleEmergency NHS pay top-up shows why prompt wage talks are needed, says UNISON
Commenting on the announcement today (Friday) of a salary increase for the lowest-paid NHS workers in England to prevent them from falling below the national minimum wage when it rises in April*,...
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