Despite the ordeal of a frightening two weeks in hospital, committed steward, Peggy Byrom still managed to sign up nine new UNISON recruits

The Disability Discrimination Act has now been extended to cover provision of services, a move that will affect the public sector in big ways. It may also mean an end to the last form of acceptable discrimination

War On Want battles the root causes of poverty and inequality - here's how they are helping the disenfranchised throughout the developing world

Even in the most incongruous settings - such as the red carpet of an international film festival - unions are key players, as actor Saffron Burrows explains

Next time you ask for a pay rise, be glad you aren't living in the 1830s when it was a criminal offence. We tell the story of the pioneers who fought for our working rights

Same-sex couples can now get family status, thanks to the new Civil Partnership Act. UNISON's national officer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality explains what this means

Public sector workers are angry at government plans to slash pensions and raise the retirement age. UNISON and the TUC lobbied MPs - who recently voted themselves massive pension increases

The invaluable support staff who help make our education service run are finally being rewarded for their dedication

The US goes to the polls on 2 November to elect a new president. We look at the involvement of US unions - and the issues at stake for them - in the campaign

The people of the North East are about to vote on the future of their region. We explain why UNISON is backing the yes campaign in its bid for devolution

After the successes of the TUC congress earlier this month, UNISON now turns its attention to the Labour Party conference in Brighton

Awards for anti-racism work, opposing privatisation of public services, getting a fair deal for women in the workplace - it's been a busy week for UNISON

The conflict in the Middle East rages on but trade unions in the area are continuing to fight for the rights of working men and women

Eating chocolate need no longer be a guilty habit. We look at how Fairtrade products are becoming both best sellers and a lifetime committment

One of UNISON's main focuses earlier this summer was our campaign against racist politics. We look back at action around the country

Stress: from the ice age to today's workplace - it has played a huge part in our lives

Labour migration is a reality and a benefit - and a key issue for trade unions

One of the country's best arts and music festivals is also a celebration of trade union activisim. We look at how Dorset's Tolpuddle Festival celebrates the lives of six young men who stood up for their rights

Disabled people are unfairly blocked from using a huge number of websites, both private and public. The good news is some sites, especially union and local government ones, have started tackling the hidden issue of poor access

This year's prestigious Public Servants of the Year award featured amazing stories of teamwork, achievement and dedication on behalf of UNISON members. We tell the stories that led to our members' successes

UNISON has been at the forefront of developing the Schools Remodelling Agreement, introducing a new training and development strategy for school support staff. In a frank interview, Schools Minister David Miliband MP explains how the partnership approach with unions has been successful - and where there is still room for improvement

The world's best music festival - Glastonbury - takes place in June. And the union-run Left Field will bring anti-racist and fair trade issues to the partying masses

As athletes warm up for the Olympics, Oxfam is fresh out of the starting blocks with a campaign to ensure workers who provide the kit arenÕt abused

Hari Kunzru is the acclaimed young novelist who turned down one of Britain's oldest literary prizes in protest against the racism of the award's sponsor The Mail on Sunday (this article first appeared in Red Pepper www.redpepper.org.uk)

Post-war Britain was a land of rationing, smog and chilblains. Yet somehow from all this grew the National Health Service - a beacon lighting the way to the society we wished to create. Public service institutions like this would not exist without the hard work of the then migrant workers

Think slavery in Britain is a thing of the past? Think again. UNISON uncovers an underworld of human trade, and some powerful organisations rising up against it

A concrete barrier may physically separate the Israelis and Palestinians, but it will never stop the fear bubbling into hatred and spilling over both sides. A British-based organisation offers help and the hand of friendship to the people of the Middle East

Privatisation, having already taken over public services in the UK, is becoming a condition of loans, aid and debt relief in the developing world. Campaign group War on Want look at the undeniable link between privatisation, power and poverty

The fallout from the miners' strike of 1984/5 is still felt 20 years on. But two pit workers - now UNISON members - proved there is life beyond the coalface.

Thousands of call centre jobs are being transferred to India where workers are paid a fraction of Western wages. Critics say 200,000 UK jobs will go by 2008 - the social impact on British society could be devastating

The dedication of one person can transform a society. UNISON member Nicky Lee was so affected by a visit to an impoverished community in South Africa she stayed to co-found a self-help organisation enabling them to educate and feed themselves

Whether we shot out of school in a haze of rebellious glory at the tender age of 16, skulked away quietly terrified, or made a rational choice to start earning, all of us probably wish we'd stayed just a little bit longer. UNISON can help...

If you're unhappy with the way your local services are run, becoming a Labour councillor can empower you to make a difference. The Labour Party local government unit explains how you can get involved

Is the internet just for shopping? Campaigners using web communications technology would say not, showing how the left can make as much impact in cyberspace as big business