News

UNISON has successfully challenged employers who were paying staff Statuatory Sick Pay during the Covid-19 outbreak to move them on to the Furlough Scheme.

UNISON representatives argued that the members working in higher education employed a by private contractor were only placed on sick leave due to the pandemic and it was not a normal case of sickness absence. The employers agreed that staff could be moved to the furlough scheme and receive 80% of their wage rather than the SSP rate of pay.

Following intensive negotiation Health Service Trade Unions have secured agreement on the protection of terms and conditions for health service staff volunteering to support their colleagues in the independent sector at this time of great need.

Our aim has been to protect residents and staff alike.

On the key issues of testing and PPE, all residents and staff in the Covid 19 homes will now be tested and the full range of appropriate PPE will be available to the workforce.

UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland and the Royal College of Midwives Northern Ireland are today launching a joint campaign calling on people across Northern Ireland to observe a minute’s silence next Tuesday (28 April) to remember all the health, care and other key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus across the UK and Ireland.

Workers Memorial Day 2020 is like no other, as frontline workers face unprecedented risks in carrying out their jobs.

Heartbreakingly, we also know that many workers have already lost their lives and we know that there will be others.

This year, to mark Workers Memorial Day, UNISON will be leading a National Minutes Silence with our colleagues in RCN and RCM. The minutes silence will be held at 11am on Tuesday 28th April 2020.