You can also call our national helpline, UNISONdirect, on 0845 355 0845.
Useful links
Welcome to UNISON NI’s links section. Here you will find a wealth of online resources organised alphabetically by subject with full descriptions of what each site offers. You can either browse the list in its entirety or jump straight to your preferred section by clicking on one of the links below.UNISON
www.unison.org.uk
The main online resource for all things UNISON ICTU
www.ictu.ie / www.ictuni.org
Online resources for Congress and the NI Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI Government and Public Sector Links
www.publicsecta.com
Comprehensive links to government, public bodies, political parties and other sites of interest in NI
Links by Subject
- Community and voluntary sector
- Disability
- Economics and public spending
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- Europe
- Government and politics
- Health and safety
- Health care
- Housing
- Human rights and civil liberties
- Industry
- Information resource centres and directories
- International
- Labour link
- Lesbian and gay
- Libraries
- Local government
- Nursing
- Pay and conditions
- Police
- Racism
- Social policy and research
- Social security and welfare reform
- Social services
- Transport
- Unions
- Water
- Women
Community and voluntary sector
Charities Direct
www.caritasdata.co.uk
Utilises the information on the National Charities Database, the largest charities database of its type in the UK
Charitynet
www.charitynet.org
Online resource bringing together the websites of non-profit organisations and their service providers across the world
Directory of Social Change
www.dsc.org.uk
Independent voice for social change
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
www.jrf.org.uk
UK's largest independent social research and development charity. Supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy
Media Trust
www.mediatrust.org
Works to meet the communications needs of the voluntary sector
National Council of Voluntary Organisations
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
Umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England and includes a wide range of links to member organisations
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
www.scvo.org.uk
Umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland
Voicing Our Issues & Struggles
www.vois.org.uk
Taking positive action on social issues which might otherwise not be addressed
Disability
DisabledGo
disabledgo.info
DisabledGo's mission is to empower hearing impaired, mobility impaired and vision impaired people, all carers, and those who are temporarily incapacitated, elderly and infirm as well as parents with pushchairs by providing detailed access information for public venues from art-galleries to swimming pools, from theatres to zoos
Disability Rights Commission
www.drc-gb.org/drc
Educating public opinion, promoting good practice and enforcement of disability law. The Commission aims to work in partnership with employers and service providers, adopting a non-confrontational approach
Government Disability Unit
www.disability.gov.uk
Managed by the Disability Unit in the Department for Work and Pensions. Find out about your rights as a disabled person and learn more about the legislation that exists to help establish fully comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people
Youreable.com
www.disabilitynet.co.uk
Youreable is the one-stop Internet site for disabled people, their carers, family and friends. The UK's biggest disability website includes jobs, discussions, features, chatrooms and advice
Economics and public spending
HM Treasury
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
The Treasury is the department responsible for formulating and putting into effect the UK Government's financial and economic policy
Treasury Spending Reviews
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Spending_Review/spend_index.cfm
Spending Reviews set out the key improvements in public services that the public can expect over a three-year period
Virtual Economy
ve.ifs.org.uk
Includes sophisticated computer models similar to those the Chancellor and his advisors use to prepare the Budget and to keep the economy on track
Education
Ask Eric
ericir.syr.edu
Personalised web-based service providing education information to teachers, librarians, counselors, administrators, parents and others throughout the United States and the world
Association of Colleges
aoc.egsgroup.com/home.php
The Association was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of the 485 colleges in England and Wales. Membership of the association includes tertiary, agricultural, general, specialist designated, art and design, performing arts and sixth form colleges.
Association of University Teachers (AUT)
www.aut.org.uk
Trade union and professional association representing academic and related staff in the universities, higher education colleges and research institutions of the UK
The Campaign for State Education (CASE)
www.casenet.org.uk
Campaigns for the right of all to the highest quality state education, regardless of race, gender, home circumstances, ability or disability
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
www.dfes.gov.uk
Government website providing info for and about adult education, parents, school governors, HE, teachers and jobseekers
Further Education National Training Organisation (FENTO)
www.fento.ac.uk
One of 71 UK-wide National Training Organisations (NTOs) established to promote competitiveness by raising education and training standards in the industries and occupations they represent
The Higher Education Funding Council For England
www.hefce.ac.uk
Distributes funds provided by the DfEE. Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the Council and current policy in England
The Higher Education Funding Council For Scotland
www.shefc.ac.uk
Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the council and current policy in Scotland
The Higher Education Funding Council For Wales
www.niss.ac.uk/education/hefcw
Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the council and current policy for Wales
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
www.hesa.ac.uk
Set up by UK universities and higher education colleges to collect, analyse and report on Higher Education statistics
Institute of Education
www.ioe.ac.uk
This University of London department offers a huge range of part-time, full-time and distance postgraduate courses for professionals from a wide range of background
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
www.lsc.gov.uk
Responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England
Lifelong Learning
www.lifelonglearning.co.uk
Leading web site for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. Supported by the Department for Education and Skills
National Association of Teachers in Further & Higher Education (NATFHE)
www.natfhe.org.uk
The largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, trainers, researchers and managers working in further and higher education throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
www.ofsted.gov.uk
Non-ministerial government department whose remit is to improve education through regular independent inspection, public reporting and informed independent advice
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
www.qaa.ac.uk
The Agency's mission is to promote public confidence that quality of provision and standards of awards in higher education are being safeguarded and enhanced
Sixth Form Colleges Employers Forum (SFCEF)
www.sfcef.org.uk
Advises colleges as employers and conducts national negotiations on pay and conditions with unions representing both teaching and support staff in colleges.
Times Education Supplement (TES)
www.tes.co.uk
UK's foremost weekly publication for education, covering the world of primary, secondary and further education. It is also the market leader for UK and international teaching jobs
Trade Union Congress
www.tuc.org.uk
With more than 70 member unions representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, the TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad
Universities UK
www.cvcp.ac.uk
Consists of the executive heads of all UK universities
The Universities and Employers Association (UCEA)
www.ucea.ac.uk
You can also access the Higher Education Role Analysis (HERA) website from here
Employment
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
www.acas.org.uk
The employment relations experts. ACAS helps people work together effectively, including setting up the right structures and systems to finding a way of settling disputes when things go wrong
DTI Employment Relations
www.dti.gov.uk/er
Useful documents, consultations, case studies and points of law covered on this government website
Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT)
www.employmentappeals.gov.uk
A Superior Court of Record dealing with appeals from the decisions of the Employment Tribunals and Certification Officer
EU labour law
europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/index_en.htm
European Commission employment and social affairs website includes key documents, legal explanations and news
Incorporated Council of Law Reporting
www.lawreports.co.uk
Includes ICR Express which are free previews of key emplyment law cases to be published in The Industrial Cases Reports
Information Commissioner
www.dataprotection.gov.uk
Enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. A UK independent supervisory authority reporting directly to the UK Parliament and has an international role as well as a national one
International Labour Organisation
www.ilo.org
Homepage for this cross-border employment alliance
Public Concern At Work
www.pcaw.co.uk
PCAW is an independent authority seeking to ensure that concerns about malpractice are properly raised and addressed in the workplace
Energy
Electricity Association
www.electricity.org.uk
The EA is the collective voice of the major electricity companies in the UK
European Union energy policies
europa.eu.int/pol/ener/index_en.htm
Overview of European law, implementation of legislation and general information
Office of Gas and Electricty Markets (OFGEM)
www.ofgem.gov.uk
Regulates gas and electricity industries in Great Britain. Aims is to bring choice and value to all gas and electricity customers by promoting competition and regulating monopolies
Utilities Act 2000
www.dti.gov.uk/urt
Explanation of this legislation that had and continues to have important repercussions for the energy industry
Environment
Environment Agency
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The leading public organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales, including regulating industry, maintaining flood defences and water resources and improving wildlife habitats
Environmental News Network
www.enn.com
US-based resource working to educate the world about environmental issues facing our Earth
Friends of the Earth
www.foe.co.uk
The largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in 68 countries and one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK
Future Forests
www.futureforests.com
Offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of companies and individuals through the planting of permanent wooded areas
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
www.odpm.gov.uk
The ODPM takes responsibility for policy areas from both the old Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Cabinet Office. It brings together regional and local government, housing, planning and regeneration along with the social exclusion unit and neighbourhood renewal
Sustain
www.sustainweb.org
Advocating food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity
Europe
Council of Europe
www.coe.int
Intergovernmental organisation protecting human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law and promoting awareness and development of Europe's cultural identity and diversity
European Commission
europa.eu.int
Portal site of the European Union provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration
EUR-Lex
europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en
Comprehensive picture of EU legislation and the decision-making procedures from their concept to their conclusion
Government and politics
Cabinet Office
www.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Fastest and fullest access to information published by the Cabinet Office
Central Office of Information
www.coi.gov.uk
COI Communications is the government's communication expert. They work in partnership with client departments and agencies to provide effective communications solutions
Committee on Standards in Public Life
www.public-standards.gov.uk
Examines current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life
National Statistics
www.statistics.gov.uk
Contains a vast range of official UK statistics and information about statistics, which can be accessed and downloaded free
No 10 Downing Street
www.number-10.gov.uk
Briefings and latest policy from the heart of government
UK Online
www.ukonline.gov.uk
The easy way to government information and services online
Health and safety
American Safety and Health Institute
www.ashinstitute.com
The institute is a partnering association dedicated to designing and delivering superior instructional programs with a cost and service advantage. Reaching worldwide, these programs foster a learning process that advances the well being of organisations and individuals
Hazards
www.hazards.org
The UK's leading health and safety magazine offers practical, up-to-date information for health and safety reps and others
Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
Press releases, statistics, publications and many of its free leaflets which can be downloaded and printed. UNISON members and safety reps can also access the site from the user-friendly entrance (www.hse.gov.uk/workers)
Risks
www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/register.cfm
Subscribe to the TUC's weekly emailed newsletter
Trade Union Congress
www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s
Includes the complete updated version of the TUC's guide to health and safety, Hazards at Work, plus links to many other useful health and safety websites
Health care
The Health Professions Council
www.hpcuk.org
A new independent, UK-wide regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct of the 12 healthcare professions that it regulates
Jill Rogers Associates
www.jillrogersassociates.co.uk
JRA work primarily in health and social services education and write, edit, design and publish open learning materials; work with subject experts to develop support materials; develop, design and publish newsletters, annual reports and strategic plan; and organise national workshops, conferences and other events
National Care Standards Commission
www.carestandards.org.uk
The NCSC is a new, independent public body set up under the Care Standards Act 2000, to regulate social care and private and voluntary health care services throughout England. From 1 April 2002 the NCSC took responsibility for the registration and inspection of services - replacing the existing system of inspection by local authority and health authority inspection units.
NHS Exposed
www.nhs-exposed.com
NHS Exposed is an organisation set up to inform persons who find themselves
damaged or injured as a result of any misfeasance on the part of any
healthcare professional or organisation. NHS Exposed endeavours to either assist, or provide to, such persons opinions or advice on medical matters as may be within its expertise.
Overseas Nurses' Network
www.unison-scotland.org.uk/nhs/overseas/
Based in Glasgow, the ONN provides an opportunity to meet and get to know other nurses from overseas. It also provides information and support.
PJ Online
www.pharmj.com
Website of The Pharmaceutical Journal, official journal of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Scotland's health on the web (NHSScotland)
www.show.scot.nhs.uk
Full details of the development in Scotland's NHS, including publications.
Housing
Centre for Housing Policy
www.york.ac.uk/inst/chp
Established in 1990 at the University of York with the aim of being a centre of excellence in policy relevant housing research. The Centre undertakes studies that involve the collection of primary data using a wide range of methodologies
Housing Today
www.housingtoday.org.uk
Housing Today's authoritative coverage of the latest news and views in social housing is read by more than 70,000 readers every week
Housingnet
www.housingnet.co.uk/social/tbp.htm
For all things housing. Includes a UK-wide guide to social housing organisations
Inside Housing
www.insidehousing.co.uk
Social housing news and information
International Union of Tenants
www.iut.nu
Non-governmental organisation, founded in 1926 in Zurich, Switzerland, with the purpose of safeguarding the interests of tenants. IUT is a non-party political organisation, working along democratic lines
National Housing Federation
www.housing.org.uk
Body representing the independent social housing sector. Around 1400 non-profit housing organisations currently in membership, owning or managing around 1.7 million homes
National Training Organisation for Housing
www.housingpotential.com
Housing Potential and its partners provide strategic guidance on how to deliver education and training to the rented housing sector
Shelter
www.shelter.org.uk
National organisation working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people
Human rights and civil liberties
Campaign for Freedom of Information
www.cfoi.org.uk
Campaigns against unnecessary secrecy and for a Freedom of Information Act. Monitors existing access rights and provides practical guides to help people use them
European Commission Humanitarian Aid
europa.eu.int/comm/echo/en/index_en.html
Information on the EU's response to humanitarian disasters worldwide
European Court of Human Rights
www.echr.coe.int
Homepage for the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Home Office
www.homeoffice.gov.uk
The Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. Works with individuals and communities to build a safe, just and tolerant society enhancing opportunities for all
Statewatch
www.statewatch.org
Non-profit-making voluntary group comprised of lawyers, academics, journalists, researchers and community activists. Encourages the publication of investigative journalism and critical research in the fields of the state, civil liberties and openness
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
www.unhchr.ch
Plays the leading role on human rights issues and emphasises the importance of human rights at the international and national levels
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
www1.umn.edu/humanrts
Massive international human rights database
Industry
The Competition Commission
www.competition-commission.org.uk
Independent public body which replaced the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 1 April 1999
Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
www.oft.gov.uk
As an independent professional organisation, the OFT plays a leading role in promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive
Information resource centres and directories
Advice Guide
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Gives basic advice and information on your rights. It gives you a broad outline of where you stand and what you can do
British Library
www.bl.uk
The British Library's collection of over 150 million items covers every age and place of written civilisation, from unique historical documents to the latest information sources for business, industry and research
House of Commons Library Research Papers
www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rpintro.htm
Access to the text of Research Papers compiled for the benefit of British MPs by the staff of the House of Commons Library. Usually deal with topics of current parliamentary interest and aim to be politically impartial
London Business School
www.lbs.ac.uk
All sorts of business, finance and management education programmes offered
National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaus
www.nacab.org.uk
Details of your nearest CAB office, breakdowns of social policy issues and latest CAB news
2001 World Factbook
www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Produced by the CIA
UK Online
www.ukonline.gov.uk
The easy way to government information and services online
International
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
www.afscme.org
AFSCME has over 1.3 million members - mainly public service and health care workers. Members have built the most active and powerful union in the Labor movement, and for one single purpose: to make sure that each and every member of AFSCME gets a fair deal from the boss and from the politicians.
Arena's Irish Trade Union Network
www.iol.ie/arena/webpages/labour/
Useful links to trade union orgainisations in Ireland.
Australia's Community and Public Sector Union
www.cpsu.org/index.html
CPSU represents 250,000 telecommunications, broadcasting and public sector workers in Australia and is at the forefront in defending the public sector and the essential services it provides to the community.
Australian Congress Trade Unions
www.actu.asn.au/
The ACTU is the peak union council and national union centre representing 1,900,000 workers. The ACTU provides a strong voice for working peopleÊand their families in politics, the economy and the community.
The Australian Services Union
www.asuservices.labor.net.au
More than 100 000 Australians are members of the ASU. They are working men and women who have joined together in the ASU to win a better life at work. They do important work in the public, private and community sectors.
California Nurses Association
www.califnurses.org
The CNA promotes the professional and educational advancement of nurses, and promotes the welfare of nurses to the end that all people may have better health care services.
The Canadian Power Workers' Union
www.pwu.ca
Members work throughout Ontario and make up a large majority of the Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One, Electrical Safety Authority as well as the IMO. The union also represents workers at a number of municipal utilities throughout the province, as well as at a number of local cable and telephone companies and operators at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
www.cupw-sttp.org
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers represents 49,000 workers at Canada Post and 15 bargaining units in the postal, transportation and communications sectors.
Canadian Union of Public Employees Manitoba
www.cupe.mb.ca
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada's largest union. Public service employees formed CUPE to protect rights, to gain the wages and working conditions that are needed and deserved, and to achieve dignity in the workplace.
Fabian Global Forum
www.fabianglobalforum.net
The FGF is developing a progressive political response to globalisation. The site aims to help social democrats and their allies challenge the inequality and injustice which blight the potential for good in globalisation. The emphasis throughout is on developing new ideas and building consensus.
FIET
www.fiet.org
The global trade union federation for private services, the professions and industry, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and is one of the fastest growing of the International Trade Secretariats.
Funzione Pubblica CGIL
www.cgil.it/fp
The CGIL, Italy's largest union centre, with five million members, and its public sector union.
Global Workplace
www.globalworkplace.org
A trade union study tool for many of the issues that War on Want is concerned with. These topics include, globalisation, workers rights on cruise ships, ethical investment of pension funds and anti-child labour campaigns and how such issues relate to UK based trade unions.
Hard Miles Music
sunsite.unc.edu/hardmile
Music and union art from various campaigns, hosted by an activist in the US Unions of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile employees.
IMPACT
www.impact.ie
UNISON's sister union in the Republic of Ireland.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
www.iamaw.org
Over 730,000 IAM members in the United States and Canada have won higher wages and better benefits as IAM members.
The International Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers' Federation
www.icem.org
The International Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers' Federation united more than 400 representing 20 million workers in 115 countries, including those in electric power utilities or oil and gas companies - 75% of them state or municipality-owned.
International Congress of Free Trade Unions
www.icftu.org
The ICFTU was set up in 1949 and has 225 affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories on all five continents, with a membership of 157 million. It also maintains close links with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Global Union Federations.
Labor Council of New South Wales
labor.org.au
Well designed portal for Australian trade union issues and news.
LOMWU
www.capecod.net/mba/lomwu
The Licensed officers and Maritime Workers Union at Cape Cod is Massachussets.
National Union of Government and Federeated Workers
nugfw.org.tt/
With over 20,000 members, the NUGFW is the largest union in Trinidad and Tobago. Although largely based in the public sector, the Union has a substantial and growing private sector membership.
New Zealand Congress Trade Union
www.union.org.nz
The CTU is the national centre of trade unions in New Zealand. It has 33 affiliated unions representing over 250,000 workers.
The 1998 International Conference on Trade Unions, Homosexuality and Work
utopia.knoware.nl/users/modijk
The 1998 conference gathered people from all over the world, with a positive interest in the role trade unions (can) play in fighting for human rights and trade union rights for lesbians and gay men or people with same-sex relationships or love.
Nurse Active
www3.ns.sympatico.ca/nurse.active
A California based site for nurses dedicated to trade unionism, social justice and political action.
Ontario's Secondary Schools Teachers Federation
www.osstf.on.ca
For over 80 years, members of OSSTF have promoted and defended quality education in Ontario. With a membership of more than 50,000 caring individuals, that commitment is stronger than ever.
Overseas Nurses' Network
www.unison-scotland.org.uk/nhs/overseas/
Based in Glasgow, the ONN provides an opportunity to meet and get to know other nurses from overseas. It also provides information and support.
Palestinian General Delegation to the UK
www.palestinianuk.org/
Office of representation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to the Holy See.
Service Employees International UNION
www.seiu.org
the online home to 1.5 million union members, united to improve the lives of working families.
Sindicatos do Brazil
www.sindicato.com.br
United Nations Association
www.una-uk.org/
The UNA works for global peace and justice through the UN by seeking to ensure that the UN is central to the UK's foreign policy and campaigning in support of the UN particularly through its current priorities, which include conflict prevention, peacekeeping, sustainable development and human rights
US National Treasury Employees Union
www.nteu.org
Representing workers in the US Department of the Treasury as well as 11 other American federal agencies.
War on Want
www.waronwant.org
War on Want fights poverty in developing countries in partnership and solidarity with people across the world. It campaigns for workers' rights to counter the causes of poverty, inequality and injustice.
Please note that UNISON is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. The opinions expressed on these websites are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNISON.
