News

Fear over future over West Midlands NHS 111

Mon, 07/09/2015 - 09:37

The NHS 111 Service is the non emergency helpline used by people across the West Midlands and today UNISON are raising concerns over the future of the service.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) have run the service since 2013 when it took over providing non emergency telephone advice from NHS Direct. The service is commissioned by Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG for the whole of the West Midlands and earlier this year put out to tender a temporary contract to run the service until the full 5 year contract is awarded early next year.

UNISON's Fight Against Tribunal Fees

Thu, 03/09/2015 - 12:09

For immediate release
UNISON to continue fight over Employment Tribunal fees in Supreme Court
UNISON has today (Wednesday) vowed to take its battle to the SupremeCourt after the Court of Appeal rejected its appeal against the government’s introduction of employment tribunal fees.
Describing this case as ‘troubling’, the Court of Appeal expressed a ‘strong suspicion that so large a decline [in claims] is unlikely to be accounted for entirely by cases of ‘won’t pay’ and [that] it must also reflect at least some cases of ‘can’t pay’.

MP's Pay Rise

Tue, 21/07/2015 - 14:49

If pay austerity is over MPs, it should end for other public sector workers too, says UNISON

Commenting on the confirmation last week that MPs are to receive a 10 per cent pay rise, Ravi Subramanian, UNISON West Midlands Regional Secretary said:

"Pay austerity might be over for MPs, but it goes on and on for everyone else in the public sector.

If pay restraint is at an end for politicians – who are public servants too – it should also be over for nurses, teaching assistants, hospital cleaners, council staff and other public sector workers.

Trade Union Bill proves the government is not on the side of working people, says UNISON

Tue, 21/07/2015 - 09:55

Trade Union Bill proves the government is not on the side of working people, says UNISON

Commenting on the publication of the Trade Union Bill yesterday, Ravi Subramanian, UNISON West Midlands Regional Secretary said:

“The Bill proves that the government is not on the side of working people. These unfair changes will make it much harder for nurses, teaching assistants, midwives and other public sector workers to ever strike for a pay rise or challenge the behaviour of bad employers.

Barnet Council Strike Action

Thu, 02/07/2015 - 07:37

Dear Colleagues

Today UNISON issued the strike notification to Barnet Council for a 24 hour strike on Wednesday 8 July 2015.

We have chosen this date as it is the day that Osborne unleashes his £12 billion cuts on the disabled, low paid workers. It is also the day that he confirms the ending of Council funding by 2020.

I am proud that we are carrying on the fighting spirit shown at our UNISON conference by the Glasgow Homeless case workers and the Glasgow UNISON branches campaign to reinstate Rab O’Donnell.

END Austerity Demonstration - 20th June 2015 - London

Wed, 03/06/2015 - 08:45

END AUSTERITY NOW
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SATURDAY 20TH JUNE

Saturday 20 June 2015
Assemble 12pm, Bank of England (Queen Victoria St) City of London
Nearest tube: Bank
Organised by The People's Assembly
Free Transport is being arranged.  Coach pick up points are 7am at The Abbey, Shrewsbury and 7.30am at Telford Bus Station. 

Please email unison@telford.gov.uk to book your seat, or call 01952 567111.

5.4% Campaign

Tue, 26/05/2015 - 11:37

Dear Member,

                                                                                                                  Shropshire UNISON 5.4% Campaign

Stop the NHS sell-off of £1.2 billion Cancer Care in Staffordshire

Wed, 20/05/2015 - 13:19

Stop the NHS sell-off of £1.2 billion Cancer Care in Staffordshire: Petition Presentation Thursday 4th June 13:30 – 16:30

The 38 Degrees petition directed at the four CCGs involved in the process has been signed by over 60,000 people (please see link and sign/circulate if you haven’t done so already)

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-nhs-sell-off-of-1-2-bill...

Attack On Trade Unions

Wed, 13/05/2015 - 08:20

Tuesday 12th May 2015

For Immediate release

Following the comments from newly appointed Business Secretary, Sajid Javid regarding significant changes to strike laws, Ravi Subramanian, UNISON West Midlands Regional Secretary said:

“This government has only been in power for a few days and already they are attacking workers,

Mr Javid’s whose government was elected on just 36.9% of the vote is introducing second class democracy for workers

West Midlands Fire Service to become a Living Wage employer

Mon, 13/04/2015 - 12:41

West Midlands Fire Service to become a Living Wage employer

Members at West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) look set to be paid at least ‘The Living Wage’, if the move is approved by members of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA).

UNISON began negotiations with the brigade in late 2014 and a report is being presented at a meeting of the WMFRA on Monday 13 April recommending that the service adopt the living wage from 1 April 2015.   

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