UNISON welcomes the announcement to award students £2,000 for their contribution during this pandemic. Our students are the future of the health service, they have stepped up during this time, they have faced many challenges on the front line and some have had to give up their part time jobs in line with government guidance.
The Regional Health Trade Unions acknowledge the Health Minister's wish to recognise the fantastic role staff played and continue to play across the health family. They have been relentless in trying to ensure the population of Northern Ireland have received the best possible care under the worst of circumstances.
Whilst we acknowledge this announcement and what it stands for in good faith, we also note the Minister’s commitment that this proposed payment will have no bearing on any pay deal for Agenda for Change (AfC) staff.
First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me.
Your UNISON Health team has been working with Health employers to ensure there is support and clear arrangements for staff who may redeploy across the service.
UNISON is deeply saddened by the death of our member Alan Henry, a dedicated member of the Dementia Team in the Northern Trust, who died from Covid 19 last week.
UNISON recognises that our members in education are playing a very strong and vital role in fighting back against the current surge in the covid pandemic. We applaud their courage and determination.
The UNISON Education negotiating team has continued to engage with the Education system on the major issues of concern for our members working in special schools and in schools remaining open for children of essential and key workers .
UNISON, the largest trade union representing workers in the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland is calling for sustained and continued funding to be secured by the Communities Minister to assist the sector with the long term effects of the covid pandemic
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey today announced a further £2.75 million for councils under the Covid-19 Community Support Fund to allow them to support the voluntary and community sector response to the continuing hardship created by the pandemic.
Football pundit Gary Lineker, comedian Jo Brand and Hollywood star David Oyelowo are among celebrities backing a fair pay campaign launched on Monday 11th January by health unions.
To mark International Thank You Day, the 14 unions are urging the public to use social media to champion the vital work of all health staff by supporting a decent pay rise.
UNISON welcomes the announcement by the Chief Social Worker that domiciliary care workers working for private sector providers will be able to be vaccinated at one of the Trust vaccination centres, following representations made by UNISON. This recognises the vital role that these workers play in caring for vulnerable people in the community and is an important step to ensure that both those they care for and workers themselves will be protected. Employers must ensure there is paid time for workers who are getting vaccinated so they are not left out of pocket for doing the right thing.
