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International Day of Persons with Disabilities: UNISON Calls on Northern Ireland Executive to Act

Today (3rd December) marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities. UNESCO’s theme on this day is: “Leadership and participation of persons with a disability towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world.” Today also sees the first ever sitting of the NI Assembly’s Disabled People’s Parliament.

UNISON, the largest public sector trade union in Northern Ireland is calling on all governments and the Northern Ireland Executive for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in society, including covid-19 response and recovery.

HEALTH SERVICE PAY UPDATE

UNISON Northern Ireland is soon to launch a consultation with our members in the HSC. Following a report back from recent meetings with the Health Minister and Department of Health Workforce Directorate officials, our health committee has decided to inform and consult members.

Without an opportunity for collective bargaining denied by the Westminster Government on Agenda for Change Pay for NHS staff, all health unions were left with a recommendation from the Pay Review Body of 3%. This falls short of the UNISON claim of ONE Team 2k.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SOCIAL CARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT ASSURANCES NEEDED THAT IT WILL BENEFIT THE WORKFORCE

Commenting today (25th November) on the announcement by the Health Minister Robin Swann MLA that he is to offer up to £23 million in funding for domiciliary care and the wider social care sector to improve rates of pay, 

UNISON Northern Ireland Head of Bargaining and Representation Anne Speed said: 
‘‘This is a step in the right direction by the Minister but we require urgent engagement via the Social Care Fair Work Forum with him, his officials and employers to gain assurances that this extra funding will genuinely benefit the workforce.

UNISON NURSES FORUM PLEDGES TO SPEAK OUT AND SUPPORT THE NURSING FAMILY

The UNISON Northern Ireland Nursing Forum at its most recent meeting has pledged to continue to speak out and support our nursing family members.  Forum Chair Nurse Alan Philson stressed "members are not only coping with immediate pressures from the latest covid surge but we are also bearing the brunt of underfunding mismanagement and absence of workforce, palling over a number of years".

NEW EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS GUIDE LAUNCHED

A comprehensive guide to Equality and Human Rights in Northern Ireland under the Protocol was launched today by the Social Change Initiative in collaboration with the Human Rights Centres and Queens and the University of Michigan.

UNISON contributed to the case studies and we are encouraging our union reps to use it as needed.

We will be organising practical workshops on its use as a tool to secure our members' rights.

UNISON Calls on South Eastern Health Trust to Halt Plans for Emergency Department ‘Phone First’ Service at Lagan Valley Hospital

UNISON, the largest trade union representing healthcare workers in Northern Ireland, can reveal that the South Eastern Health Trust is planning to introduce a ‘Phone First’ system in early October for patients to access A&E services at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn. UNISON is calling on the South Eastern Trust to halt its plans to introduce a ‘Phone First’ system.

UPDATE FOR MEMBERS WORKING IN EDUCATION

UNISON NI has written to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, insisting the concerns of the 37,000 support workers in Education have to be heard.

School restart in the latest Covid surge has raised many challenges for our members. We are raising these issues at schools and with the Education Authority.

We are expecting revised guidance from the Department and there is no doubt that there will be have to a review to identify what the actual needs of schools and the workforce are.

We will post updates as soon as we have further information.

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