UNISON provides negotiating and bargaining support for our 850,000 members who work in local government. This includes people working for local councils, schools, voluntary organisations, housing associations, the probation service and private companies.

(26/08/10) The National Housing Forum will be hosting a seminar in York on 7 April 2011. Full details and registration information will be dispatched to branches in the autumn.

As a student studying for qualifications in youth and community work, you can join UNISON at a special student rate for just £10 per year. UNISON has its own young members' section, ensuring that young members' issues are at the heart of our agenda.

(2/8/10) This circular outlines the reasons why the NJC trade unions have registered a formal dispute with the employers. It highlights what this means and the issues branches should now raise with their councillors and managers. >> Download the circular in PDF format

(26/7/10) UNISON, GMB and UNITE have registered a formal dispute with the Local Government Employers (LGE) over three measures which will have a detrimental impact on our members providing local services - the pay freeze, the refusal of the employers to pay the £250 announced by the Chancellor to those earning less than £21,000 and the issuing to councils of the document "Reducing Workforce Costs".

(26/7/10) A focus meeting will be held on Monday, 6 September 2010 commencing at 2pm at UNISON, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ. All youth and community worker stewards/contacts are invited to attend.

The JNC for Youth and Community Workers has agreed to delete points 11 and 12 from the Professional Range, with effect from 1 September 2010.

(12/7/10) Circular LG/43/2010 details the Employers’ response to the claim. The Employers rejected all elements of the claim, apart from an offer to introduce good practice guidance on handling redundancies. In concluding that any pay increase would not be affordable, the Employers that they recognised members would be disappointed but that it would help protect vital council services and reduce the risk of job losses. Download the full circular (PDF format)

Includes: UNISON condemns Coalition for scrapping housing targets / Government cuts will impact on housing / MPs back call for regulation of private rented sector / Housing benefit reforms / Housing PFI schemes are costly / UNISON branch organisation / First service group conference – 2 November, Telford.

(23/6/10) UNISON today called on the employers to answer the question – will low paid workers get a £250 pay rise this year?