News

UNISON OPPOSES REDUCTION IN NURSING PLACES

UNISON notes media reports today (15^th May 2023) that the Department of Health intends to reduce the number of nursing student places in Northern Ireland by 300. Responding to this, UNISON Head of Bargaining and Representation Anne Speed, said:

‘‘UNISON will oppose a move to reduce nursing student places. Our members will be left deeply disappointed and frustrated by any reduction in graduate training places, when the clear message from them is that we need more nurses working within our health service to care for patients.

Workers to take strike action at Bryson Recycling

Workers at one of Northern Ireland’s largest providers of recycling services, Bryson Recycling, are to take strike action this coming Friday 5th May. Supported by their trade union, UNISON, Drivers and Kerbside Loaders are taking strike action in a dispute over pay.

UNISON Regional Organiser, Joe McCusker, says; “our members in Bryson Recycling are asking for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. They want their pay to reflect the value of the work they do. Bryson Recycling should be paying these workers a fair and decent wage.”

HEALTH WORKERS IN NI DEMANDING PAY JUSTICE WILL PUSH BACK

HEALTH WORKERS IN NI DEMANDING PAY JUSTICE WILL PUSH BACK

In response to the budget for Northern Ireland announcement, UNISON has warned that health workers will not be used as political leverage in the ongoing efforts to restore the Assembly and Executive.

"It is unconscionable that health staff in need of pay justice and protection against inflation can be used in this way", declared Anne Speed, UNISON Head of Bargaining and Representation in Northern Ireland.

UNISON TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING

UNISON Causeway Branch is holding a public meeting on Tuesday 2nd May 2023 in The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine at 7.00pm to demonstrate their opposition to the Northern Trust’s decision to move all births from the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine to Antrim Area Hospital. Speaking on this decision, UNISON Branch Secretary Kim Hall has said “we are really concerned about the impact this will have on our community. It is a very worrying time for local people and for our members.

UNISON MOURNS THE LOSS OF PAMELA DOOLEY

UNISON is in mourning at the death of our own Pamela Dooley - an inspirational and utterly determined trade union leader.

As our Head of Organising, Pamela helped UNISON to grow to the largest union in Northern Ireland. Along the way she touched the lives of thousands of workers and their families. We owe her a great debt.

UNISON EDUCATION WORKERS CONDEMN ACTION TO REMOVE THE BUDGET FOR THE EXTENDED SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

UNISON education workers meeting in emergency session have condemned action to remove the budget for the extended schools programme.

The Department of Education informed principals of the decision by letter this week. It said funding for the programme would not be available after June.

It follows the ending of Happy, Healthy Minds and Engage schemes, as well as the 'holiday hunger' allowance.

UNISON EDUCATION SECTOR

UNISON has launched a major consultation with thousands of members working in schools and the Education Authority.

Encouraging members to have their say on major issues and challenges, this is a big exercise in member participation.

Pay levels and resistance to cuts are key issues raised with members and we want to hear directly from them.

We already know members are determined not to be ignored. The continuing political stalemate will not be accepted for delays in resolving pay issues or cuts to funding for Education.

UNISON Health members vote to accept the NHS England pay offer

The results are in!

UNISON Health members have voted to accept the NHS England pay offer. 53% of members eligible to vote returned their votes,

74% of them voted for and 26% voted against.

Other unions will be closing their England ballots over the next two weeks. NHS staff council trade union side will then make a formal response to the government and employers.

UNISON HEALTH PAY CAMPAIGN MESSAGE TO MEMBERS.

Anne Speed, Head of Bargaining and Representation in UNISON leading a delegation of health trade unions delivered a strong message to the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris that Health workers in Northern Ireland need a pay rise, they need pay justice.

The meeting was also attended by the Department of Health, where the Secretary of State was told that workers won't accept the removal of pay parity (restored in 2019) by default.

He was also told that health workers will not wait until Stormont returns.

STRIKING HEALTH WORKERS BRING GOVERNMENT TO THE TABLE!

STRIKING HEALTH WORKERS BRING GOVERNMENT TO THE TABLE!

After 4 months of industrial action including 4 full-day strikes across the health and social services system, the determination of health workers has finally brought the government to the negotiating table. The Secretary of State, Department of Health and Health Trade Union Negotiators will now meet on Wednesday