News

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.

UNISON questions the Southern Trust about future services in Daisy Hill Hospital

Thursday 25 May 2023

UNISON, the largest health union in the Southern Trust, outlines their major concerns at the Southern Trust Board meeting today regarding the crisis in services in Daisy Hill Hospital.

Today, Thursday 25th May 2023 a delegation from UNISON, the health union and the largest union in the Southern Trust, addressed the Southern Trust Board at it’s meeting in Newry.

There will be no industrial peace without political action to restore devolution.

Tuesday 23 May 2023

Speaking today after a meeting of trade unions from all sectors of our economy, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy said:

“Every single day brings the announcement of another salami slice of misery from government departments or a public body for the people of Northern Ireland.

UNISON nursing and health staff continue industrial action

Thursday 18 May 2023

While RCN nurse members protest at an absent Stormont executive, nurse members of UNISON continue on industrial action short of strike.

Since December thousands of other health staff have been joined by nursing staff in the union's ongoing campaign to win pay justice.

UNISON OPPOSES REDUCTION IN NURSING PLACES

Monday 15 May 2023

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

Wednesday 3 May 2023

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

Friday 28 April 2023

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.