News

UNISON CALL FOR STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE STAFF IMPACTED BY THE LATEST RESTRICTIONS

UNISON recognise the difficult situation the NI Executive find themselves in with mitigating the impact of the Covid pandemic on society.

However, UNISON has again asked the Department of Health to ensure that health workers are not at a financial loss if they need to take time off to care for children as a result of school closures. We have reminded the Department that our health workforce is predominantly female and thousands have caring responsibilities.

ANGER AS FOUR SEASONS ANNOUNCE PLANS TO SELL 42 RESIDENTIAL HOMES

Vulnerable residents in care homes across Northern Ireland are facing an uncertain future and possible disruption over the coming festive season.

GMB and UNISON have been told the Four Seasons Care Homes are preparing to sell off all of their 42 residential homes as part of an overall group restructuring.

UNISON ANGER AT FAILURE TO RESTORE DOWNE ED

UNISON, the largest union in the health and social care system, has grave concerns over the South Eastern Trust’s recent decision to open a consultant-led Urgent Care Centre at the Downe Hospital as opposed to their previous commitment to re-open the Downe Hospital Emergency Department on 19^th October.

UNISON LAUNCH FREE SCHOOL MEALS 4 ALL CAMPAIGN

Join our campaign for free, nutritious school meals for all.

UNISON is campaigning for the delivery of universal nutritious free school meals for all children. We know our members working in school catering do incredible work and we want to ensure they are both recognised and valued for the work they do.

UNISON MEMBERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND CALL ON THE UK GOVERNMENT TO SHOW ITS APPRECIATION FOR ALL NHS STAFF.

Our members – including nurses, paramedics, cleaners, domestics and porters – are beginning a campaign today (Thursday) seeking an early and significant pay rise of at least £2,000 to every worker in the NHS.

Staff in UNISON branches based in NHS hospitals, ambulance stations and clinics will be using social media and taking part in socially distanced events to press home the message that health workers deserve much more than applause for their efforts during the pandemic.

UNISON NORTHERN IRELAND NOMINATES CHRISTINA MCANEA AS NEXT UNISON GENERAL SECRETARY

UNISON NI nominates Assistant General Secretary, Christina McAnea to lead our 1.4 million members as our next General Secretary. She won the nomination for her outstanding record of service to the members, as a tough negotiator for the whole UK, as a champion for women's rights, pay equality, justice for low paid workers and a strong supporter of political devolution. Christina's stature in the UK and international trade union movement fits her to be the next UNISON leader and the first women to lead over 1 million women members.

UNISON CALLS ON ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION TO SAVE SERVICES & OUR MEMBERS’ JOBS

In advance of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Ulster University Students Union (UUSU) tomorrow (Thursday 10^th September), UNISON is deeply disappointed that the UUSU have entered a 30-day consultation process on redundancies for staff within their Jordanstown, Magee and Coleraine campuses. We are very concerned for our members’ jobs and we insist that UUSU must urgently take steps to protect their employment. Commenting on this development, UNISON Regional Organiser Marianne Buick said:

UNISON MEMBERS BEGIN ‘ONE TEAM 2K’ CAMPAIGN FOR A PAY RISE FOR ALL HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

On behalf of our members across the NHS in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, UNISON has now submitted a pay claim to the UK Government at Westminster calling for all workers on Agenda for Change to receive an increase of at least £2,000 before the end of the year. This is the equivalent of around £1 an hour for all staff. When we surveyed our members, over four fifths (84%) said that a £2,000 pay lift would make a ‘substantial difference’ to them.

Is Your School Safe?

The school term is starting and many of you will be already back to the workplace.

UNISON WARNS EDUCATION AUTHORITY NOT TO RISK OUR MEMBERS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY

Today (20^th August), UNISON is continuing to raise serious concerns with the Education Authority (EA) in relation to the measures that are required to protect our members health and safety as schools begin to reopen. UNISON Regional Organiser Marianne Buick said:

‘‘We are now only 5 days away from large numbers of children returning to school, but far too many questions in relation to the health and safety of our members remain unanswered, and measures promised to mitigate risks are not yet in place.