News

MEMBERS OF UNISON WORKING IN EDUCATION INFORM THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY OF STRIKE ACTION!

Thursday 24 August 2023

UNISON members have told us they are not prepared to be fobbed off and will vote in an industrial action ballot.

Our members in education have been landed in this disastrous situation because of the absence of an Assembly and no devolved government being in place. There is a reality that education services have been underfunded for years. A local Minister could at least begin steps to tackle the issue of low pay for education workers and bring in the badly needed pay and grading review that has been delayed for far too long.

UNISON MEMBERS PROTEST PROPOSED CUTS TO THE CONCESSIONARY FARES SCHEME

Wednesday 16 August 2023

UNISON’s Retired Members’ Forum, alongside members from across Northern Ireland, will gather for a demonstration at 12.30pm on Wednesday 16^th August outside the Department for Infrastructure on Adelaide Street, Belfast.

The Department for Infrastructure is considering making cuts to the SmartPass (Concessionary Fares Scheme).

Thursday 3 August 2023

The Department for Infrastructure is considering making cuts to the SmartPass (Concessionary Fares Scheme).

This could mean:

Pay Justice Now

Monday 24 July 2023

UNISON Northern Ireland have joined with other health unions in sending a strong message to Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris demanding pay justice.

We said “Health staff in Northern Ireland are, of course, now fully aware that the 2023-2024 pay uplift has been implemented in England and Wales. They are expecting you to use your economic governance authority, as demonstrated in the recent budget allocation you implemented for the current financial year, to address and resolve their outstanding pay claim."

Update on Working Time Directive Sleep-in Legal Cases

Friday 21 July 2023

A large number of claims were lodged some time ago with the Industrial Tribunal on behalf of UNISON members by our solicitors, Thompsons’ NI, against 5 Health Trusts on rates of pay for staff undertaking sleep-in shifts in residential facilities.

Permanent Secretary announces closure of Muckamore Abbey Hospital – UNISON warn alternatives must be adequately resourced.

Friday 7 July 2023

Permanent Secretary announces closure of Muckamore Abbey Hospital – UNISON warn alternatives must be adequately resourced.

UNISON, the largest trade union for health care workers in Northern Ireland is calling on the Department of Health to secure the necessary resources for alternative treatments and care in the community following yesterday’s announcement by Peter May, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, to close Muckamore Abbey Hospital by June 2024.

UNISON give evidence to the Low Pay Commission on minimum wage rates for 2024

Wednesday 5 July 2023

UNISON give evidence to the Low Pay Commission on minimum wage rates for 2024

As part of a UK wide consultation on minimum wage rates for 2024, the Low Pay Commission (LPC), is meeting with trade unions in Northern Ireland on Thursday 6^th July. Forming part of the trade union delegation, UNISON will be meeting with the LPC to recommend among other things:

· A ‘national living wage’ of at least two-thirds of average earnings in 2024

UNISON HEALTH MEMBERS DELIVER WARNING THAT STRIKE ACTION WILL FOLLOW IF NO PAY OFFER IS MADE

Tuesday 27 June 2023

UNISON health reps from a number of workplaces will gather to protest at 12.30 on Wednesday June 28^th outside the NIO, Erskine House, Belfast

As NHS workers in England and Wales this week will have more money in their pay packets, health staff in Northern Ireland are once more being left behind.

Stephanie Greenwood, UNISON Convenor for Health reps will tell the protestors :

UNISON raises serious concerns on the developments in EA cleaning services

Friday 23 June 2023

UNISON has written to the Education Authority setting out serious concerns on media stories on developments in EA cleaning services.

The release of invoices to schools which indicate increase in the cost of provision of these cleaning services comes at a time of budget cuts for schools.

UNISON has raised several questions on this development and has warned that any detrimental effects on job security or terms and conditions will be resisted.

We have also written to teaching trade unions urging their support for sustainable EA cleaning services.

Information for UNISON members working in Education

Friday 9 June 2023

UNISON members on EA contracts in EDUCATION will be asked before the new school year to consider forms of industrial action to secure movement on the long promised pay and grading review. Watch out for contact from UNISON.

In the meantime, we are aware that Unite union have notified the EA of industrial action by their membership on Thursday June 15th.

Along with other unions representing staff in EA support services, Nipsa and the GMB, we in UNISON believe that all unions should step out together.