UNISON South West

Decorative graphic. Strike action, 5 - 6 November in white text overlay over an image of Cathedral Schools Trust staff holding placards which read 'UNISON, FAIR PAY NOW"

BREAKING 🚨 Support staff working for Cathedral Schools Trust will strike next month in a dispute over pay.

Workers will walk out at schools across Bristol and North Somerset on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 November.

The strike follows a ballot in which 92% of staff backed industrial action.

Text reads: longest strike in NHS history. Picture of striking Gloucester Phlebotomists. Text reads visits a picket at strikemap.org. Strike map logo.

Longest strike in NHS history 🪧

We back the incredible Gloucester Phlebotomists, who’ve taken over 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ days of action.

Back the @unisonsw.bsky.social strikers & sign this petition started by a local resident: megaphone.org.uk/petitions/say-no-to-bullying-of-nhs-staff

#StrikeMap

Migrant workers in the NHS | UNISON National Changes to government policy on international recruitment, visa rules and earnings thresholds have left NHS migrant workers feeling anxious and uncertain

NHS migrant workers are vital to our NHS, and communities.

Recent visa rule changes have left many of them feeling anxious and uncertain about their futures.

Visit our new webpage outlining our policy and the work we are doing: · www.unison.org.uk/nhs-migrant-...

Opinion: We all have to play our part and stop the hate | Article, General Secretary's blog | News | UNISON National 'In the face of such evil and hate, none of us should stand by and do nothing. That’s why HOPE not Hate’s weekend of action this Saturday and Sunday (18-19 October) is so important'

'We all have to play our part and stop the hate'

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea urges members to join Hope not Hate’s weekend of action this Saturday and Sunday.

Britain's weekend of hope ❤️ 18-19 October

Instead, Cathedral Schools Trust has delayed these payments until the start of the school term in September, leaving staff without several months’ worth of pay increases compared to colleagues in other schools.

The workers have been missing out on hundreds of pounds every year because of their employer’s failure to implement annual pay awards when they are announced in April.

More than 100 teaching assistants, administrators, librarians, finance officers, caretakers and caterers will take action at schools across Bristol and North Somerset.

Cathedral Schools Trust staff vote to strike over back pay - UNISON South West Support staff working for the Cathedral Schools Trust have voted overwhelmingly (92%) to strike in a dispute over pay.

92% vote for strike action at Cathedral Schools Trust ✊🏼

Support staff working for the Cathedral Schools Trust have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay.

Read more 👇🏼

Photo of striking Phlebotomists from Gloucester at Tolpuddle festival. Martyrs' blood flows in us today As we gather for the 2025 Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival, we are reminded of the power of solidarity in shaping our future. This year, our d celebration carries the echoes of struggles close to home, particularly the ongoing dispute by Unison Gloucestershire phlebotomists striking against a belligerent employer who refuses to pay them what they are worth. The "magnificent 37" have surpassed 110 days of strike action with no signs of stopping any time soon. Inspired by the vic- tories of healthcare assistants across the by Kerry Baigent Unison South West country, including those at Derriford Hospital who secured a well-deserved upbanding last year after their own successful strike action, Glouces- tershire's phlebotomists are demonstrating the strength of unity. Their battle for fair pay is a reminder that the fight for equality in the workplace is far from over and that the strug- gle is alive and kicking. Meanwhile, in Dorset, Unison members contin- ue to challenge propos- als that would see 1,700 staff transferred into a wholly owned subsidiary, or SubCo. This proposal threatens to undermine the terms and conditions of workers, shifting them into a structure that could erode their rights and protections and flies in the face of Labour's commitment for the big- gest wave of insourcing in a generation. The fight to defend their terms is crucial, as it represents a broader struggle against the erosion of public-sector services. Unison is also at the forefront of the fight for migrant workers' rights. We continue to cam- paign for the introduc- tion of a certificate of common sponsorship, which would allow mi- grant healthcare workers to change employers without jeopardising their visa status. At the same time, we are chal- lenging the government's proposed immigration white paper, which aims to double the qualify- ing period for indefinite leave to remain from five to…

Nice feature in @countrystandard.bsky.social by @unisonsw.bsky.social regional secretary Kerry Baigent on the legacy of Tolpuddle and the power of solidarity in shaping our future ✊

Phlebotomists with big balloons in the shape of the number one hundred.

The 37 phlebotomists have been on strike for over 100 days, marking the milestone on Friday.

Quote graphic: “Staff are exhausted and angry. After 105 days on strike, the hospital finally said the jobs panel would meet. But now it's been pushed back again."

Phlebotomists at Gloucestershire hospitals were promised a job review today. Now it’s pushed back another week.

They’ve been underpaid for years. They’ve waited long enough ⏳

They've now extended their strike action to Sunday 27 July ✊🏼

It’s time for fair pay decorative graphic.

Consultation on local government pay has started for school and council workers.

Check your inbox for your voting link 🗳️

Photo of health staff in scrubs. "NHS staff likely to be disappointed with this year’s pay rise, says UNISON"

NHS staff likely to be disappointed with this year’s pay rise, says UNISON

'A reliance on the slow, outdated and unnecessary pay review body process has once again failed to deliver,' UNISON head of health Helga Pile

Read full response www.unison.org.uk/news/press-r...

Nasim collects her award.

Congratulations to Nasim Dumont-Namin, winner of this year’s Learning Initiative Award at our Get Active event 🏆

Nasim has gone above and beyond as a Union Learning Rep, organising accessible online sessions on key workplace issues like flexible working, reasonable adjustments and more 👏🏼

'Unite for more rights!' | Article | News | UNISON National UNISON's women's conference opens with clear calls to champion trans rights, healthcare and childcare

Important point. Thanks for raising.

You’ll be pleased to hear that, at women’s conference, our women members back trans rights 👇🏼

www.unison.org.uk/news/article...

First step would be for you to raise it with your local branch, then get the motion written, agreed by the branch and submitted to NDC.

If you need help finding your local branch, let me know ☺️

That’s a different question.

If a motion were to be taken to our national delegate conference then that would have the ability to impact our position / policy.

If you’re a member of UNISON and you have a concern, issue at work or just want to speak to someone then your local branch is the first point of contact.

Alternatively feel free to email us (SW region) on southwest@unison.co.uk

Or you can call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857

Hi, to explain the article reference - UNISON members voted last year to retain the Labour Link fund. It’s a vote we have to have every 10 years.

Here’s our branch finder so you can get in touch with your local branch if you’d like to discuss this further: branches.unison.org.uk

Hi 👋 replies are actually off cause it’s a Saturday and our social media team (one person) is back on Monday.

But, of course the best way to challenge this, if you hold a different view, is to speak to your local UNISON branch.

We’re a member-led union, that was the point here.

UNISON votes to renew political fund | Article, News | News | UNISON National Ballot results show members voted overwhelmingly to renew support for Labour Link and the Campaign Fund

When signing up to join UNISON, members can choose to opt in to the Labour Link fund, or the campaign fund, neither, or both.

In 2024, members voted to renew both funds for a further 10 years.

More here 👇🏼
www.unison.org.uk/news/article...

UNISON votes to renew political fund | Article, News | News | UNISON National Ballot results show members voted overwhelmingly to renew support for Labour Link and the Campaign Fund

When signing up to join UNISON, members can choose to opt in to the Labour Link fund, or the campaign fund, neither, or both.

In 2024, members voted to renew both funds for a further 10 years.

More here 👇🏼
www.unison.org.uk/news/article...

UNISON stands against all forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

UNISON stands proudly against all forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

UNISON's policy is:
- Trans men are men.
- Trans women are women.
- Non-binary identities are valid.

If your employer is making changes to trans, non-binary or gender diverse policies, let us know.

Changes to PIPs – we need to hear from you | Article | News | UNISON National UNISON needs to hear from disabled members about how proposed changes to PIPs (Personal Independence Payments) will affect them

UNISON needs to hear from disabled members about how proposed changes to PIPs (Personal Independence Payments) will affect them.

Read more and get in touch 👇🏼

UNISON staff holding signs reading “ceasefire now”

Since the bombardment of Gaza resumed on 18 March thousands more Palestinians have been killed.

UNISON is supporting the TUC endorsed workplace day of action for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Helga Pile speaking to Phlebotomists on the picket line. An ambulance can be seen in the background turning into Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

UNISON's head of health Helga Pile joined Phlebotomists on the picket line in Gloucestershire today ✊🏼

Today is their 48th day of strike action, with the Trust still refusing to follow NHS rules and properly evaluate their pay and banding.

Derriford reps hold their award at UNISON's Get Active event.

Derriford health care support workers named Organising Reps of the Year at our Get Active awards 🏆

Grew UNISON membership from 125 to nearly 600 📈
Led 5 days of strike action following a 98% YES vote ✊🏽
Won up to £5,000 compensation each for over 1,600 staff 💷

Pick a side!

Christina McAnea sat with regional staff in the Exeter office kitchen enjoying afternoon tea.

A spread of afternoon tea. Two options for scones. Jam first then cream or cream first then jam.

Christina McAnea has made it to Exeter for afternoon tea with regional staff.

Of course, the question on everyone’s lips, jam first then cream or cream first then jam?

How do you eat yours @unison.org.uk?