Links
Welcome to UNISON’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.
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.
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Black members
1990 Trust
blink.org.uk
1990 Trusts Interactive website that includes the latest news and documents relating to black equality and racism.
Commission for Racial Equality
cre.gov.uk
Publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.
European Network Against Racism
enar-eu.org/en/
A network of European NGOs working to combat racism in all the EU member states.
Race, cohesion and faith
communities.gov.uk
Government website detailing initiatives on race equality
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
jcwi.org.uk
Independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy.
National Assembly Against Racism
naar.org.uk
Independent organisation campaigning against all aspects of racial inequality
Operation Black Vote
obv.org.uk
Independent organisation working to increase the levels of black representations in Parliament and in public life.
Runnymede Trust
runnymedetrust.org
Independent think tank on ethnicity and cultural diversity. Their mandate since inception has been to challenge racial discrimination, to influence related legislation and to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain.
Trades Union Congress
tuc.org.uk/equality/index.cfm?mins=14&minors=14
TUC website pages for black trade unionists.
UKREN
runnymedetrust.org/projects/europe/UKREN.html
UKREN is a UK wide network. It now represents 100 predominantly non-governmental and community-based organisations, involved in race relations and the fight against racism at local, national and European level.
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Community and voluntary sector
ACAS
acas.org.uk
Aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. Provides up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance
Charities Direct
caritasdata.co.uk
Utilises the information on the National Charities Database, the largest charities database of its type in the UK
Charitynet
charitynet.org
Online resource bringing together the websites of non-profit organisations and their service providers across the world
Directory of Social Change
dsc.org.uk
Independent voice for social change
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
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
mediatrust.org
Works to meet the communications needs of the voluntary sector
National Council of Voluntary Organisations
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
scvo.org.uk
Umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland
Voicing Our Issues & Struggles
vois.org.uk
Taking positive action on social issues which might otherwise not be addressed
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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
drc-gb.org
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
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
Ouch
bbc.co.uk/ouch/
Ouch is a website from the BBC. Its aim is to reflect the lives of disabled people right here and now in the third millennium.
Trade Union Disability Alliance
tuda.org.uk
An organisation of disabled trade union members. We are a campaigning group with individual members from more than two dozen different trade unions. TUDA aims to lobby Parliament for equal rights for disabled people, co-ordinate the perspective of disabled people in the trade union movement and bridge the gap between the trade union and disability movements.
Your Level Best
yourlevelbest.com
Helps visitors with mobility difficulties to find somewhere to go out to eat or drink. Provides information about places to eat and/or drink in the UK that have full disabled access. This means places with a doorway a wheelchair can get through plus the provision of a disabled toilet.
You're Able
youreable.com
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
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Economics and public spending
HM Treasury
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
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
bized.co.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
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Education
Ask Eric
eduref.org
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.co.uk
Promotes the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales. Membership of the association includes tertiary, agricultural, general, specialist designated, art and design, performing arts and sixth form colleges
The Campaign for State Education (CASE)
case.org.uk
Campaigns for the right of all to the highest quality state education, regardless of race, gender, home circumstances, ability or disability
Careconnect Learning
careconnectlearn.co.uk
Careconnect Learning offers courses and accreditation to people who work in the health and social care sector - for example in care homes, domiciliary care agencies
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
dfes.gov.uk
Government website providing info for and about adult education, parents, school governors, higher education, teachers and jobseekers
The Higher Education Funding Council For England
hefce.ac.uk
Promotes and funds teaching and research. Lists Council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the Council and current policy in England
The Higher Education Funding Council For Scotland
shefc.ac.uk
Distributes about £1.5 billion in funding each year for teaching and research in Scotland's colleges and universities. Established in 2005, the Council provides a strategic overview of tertiary education in Scotland
The Higher Education Funding Council For Wales
hefcw.ac.uk
Promotes and funds higher education in Wales
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
hesa.ac.uk
Central source for the collection, analysis and reporting of statistics about publicly-funded higher education in the UK
Institute of Education
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 backgrounds
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
lsc.gov.uk
Responsible for funding and planning education and training for all over-16s in England other than those in universities
Lifelong Learning
lifelonglearning.co.uk
Leading website for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. Supported by the Department for Education and Skills
Lifelong Learning UK
lifelonglearninguk.org
Sector Skills Council responsible for the professional development of all those working in community learning and development; further and higher education; libraries, archives and information services; and work-based learning
Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
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
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 Forum
sfcf.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.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
Trades Union Congress
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
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)
ucea.ac.uk
UCEA provides UK higher education institutions with a framework for discussion, advice and guidance on a range of pay and employment matters
Universities UK
universitiesuk.ac.uk
Consists of the executive heads of all UK universities
University and College Union (UCU)
ucu.org.uk
Trade union and professional association representing academic and related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK
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Employment
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
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 Matters
dti.gov.uk/employment
Useful documents, consultations, case studies and points of law covered on this government website
Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT)
employmentappeals.gov.uk
A Superior Court of Record dealing with appeals from decisions made by employment tribunals
EU labour law
europa.eu.int
European Commission employment and social affairs website includes key documents, legal explanations and news
Incorporated Council of Law Reporting
lawreports.co.uk
Prepares and publishes reports of judicial decisions in England and Wales, including free previews of key employment law cases
Information Commissioner's Office
dataprotection.gov.uk
Independent authority set up to promote access to official information and protect personal information
International Labour Organisation
ilo.org
Homepage for this cross-border employment alliance
Public Concern At Work
pcaw.co.uk
Independent authority seeking to aid whistleblowers and ensure that concerns about malpractice are properly raised and addressed in the workplace
Work Wise UK
workwiseuk.org
Union-backed initiative to encourage smarter working practices to the benefit of business, employees and the country as a whole
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Energy
Association of Electricity Producers
aepuk.com
Trade association for the UK electricity market, representing companies generating electricity using coal, gas and nuclear power as well as renewable sources such as wind, biomass and water
Energy Networks Association
energy-networks.org
Industry body funded by UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution licence holders to provide a strategic focus
Energy Retail Association
energy-retail.org
Collective voice of the UK's domestic gas and electricity suppliers
European Union energy policies
europa.eu.int
Overview of European law, implementation of legislation and general information
Office of Gas and Electricty Markets
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
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Environment
Communities and Local Government
communities.gov.uk
Government website looking at policies aimed at building better communities and creating a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all
Environment Agency
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
enn.com
US-based resource working to educate the world about environmental issues facing our Earth
Friends of the Earth
foe.co.uk
The largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in more than 70 countries and one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK
Future Forests
carbon-neutral.com
Offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of companies and individuals through the planting of permanent wooded areas
Sustain
sustainweb.org
Alliance for better food and farming. Advocates 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
Work Wise UK
workwiseuk.org
Union-backed initiative to encourage smarter working practices to the benefit of business, employees and the country as a whole
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Europe
Council of Europe
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
Comprehensive picture of EU legislation and the decision-making procedures from their concept to their conclusion
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Government and politics
Cabinet Office
cabinet-office.gov.uk
Fastest and fullest access to information published by the Cabinet Office
Central Office of Information
coi.gov.uk
COI is the government's marketing and communications centre, working with Whitehall departments and public bodies to produce information campaigns
Committee on Standards in Public Life
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
Directgov
directgov.uk
Public services all in one place - the easy way to government information and services online
National Statistics
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
number-10.gov.uk
Briefings and latest policy from the heart of government
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Health and safety
American Safety and Health Institute
ashinstitute.com
A partnering association dedicated to designing and delivering superior instructional programmes with a worldwide reach, and to fostering a learning process that advances the wellbeing of organisations and individuals
Hazards
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
hse.gov.uk
Press releases, statistics, publications and many free health and safety leaflets which can be downloaded and printed
Risks
tuc.org.uk/newsroom/register.cfm
Subscribe to the TUC's weekly emailed newsletter
Trades Union Congress
tuc.org.uk/healthandsafety
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
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Healthcare
Agenda for Change
unison.org/a4c
UNISON site dedicated to Agenda for Change, the national pay and grading system for the NHS. It was introduced in 2004 to harmonise pay, terms and conditions
The Health Professions Council
hpc-uk.org
UK-wide regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct across 13 allied health professions
Jill Rogers Associates
jillrogersassociates.co.uk
Conference organisers and publishers working primarily in health and social services education
Commission for Social Care Inspection
carestandards.org.uk
Independent public body charged with regulating social care services throughout England
NHS Exposed
nhs-exposed.com
Website that aims to highlight people's real-life experiences of the NHS, told from the perspective of both patients and staff
NHS Modernisation Agency
modern.nhs.uk
Support agency for NHS staff; the website features a wealth of information grouped into clinical, workforce and service themes
Overseas Nurses Network
unison-scotland.org.uk/healthcare/
Based in Glasgow, the network provides a forum for nurses and other care workers from overseas to meet and get to know each other, and gain information and support
PJ Online
pharmj.com
Website of The Pharmaceutical Journal, official journal of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and its family of publications
NHS Scotland
scot.nhs.uk
Scotland's health on the web, with details of health developments north of the border, including Scotland-specific information and publications
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Housing
Centre for Housing Policy
york.ac.uk/inst/chp
Leading centre for housing and social policy research in the UK, providing evidence for national and local government, voluntary and charitable organisations on research subjects including homelessness, home ownership and neighbourhoods
Housingnet
housingnet.co.uk
For all things housing. Includes general information, contact data & housing stock figures for every housing association and local authority in the UK
Inside Housing
insidehousing.co.uk
Social housing news and information
International Union of Tenants
iut.nu
Non-governmental organisation founded in Switzerland in 1926 to safeguard the interests of tenants
National Housing Federation
housing.org.uk
Body styling itself as the voice of affordable housing, representing 1300 independent social housing associations in England, which provide around 2 million homes for 5 million people
Shelter
shelter.org.uk
UK-wide charity working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people
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Human rights and civil liberties
Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoi.org.uk
Non-profit organisation working to improve public access to official information and ensure the Freedom of Information Act is implemented effectively
European Commission Humanitarian Aid
europa.eu.int
Information on the EU's response to humanitarian disasters worldwide
European Court of Human Rights
echr.coe.int
Homepage for the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Home Office
homeoffice.gov.uk
Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. It is charged with building a safe, just and tolerant society
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
ohchr.org
Plays a leading role on human rights issues and emphasises the importance of human rights at international and national levels
Statewatch
statewatch.org
Independent research and education trust dedicated to the preservation of civil liberties and democratic standards in Europe
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
www1.umn.edu/humanrts
Massive international human rights database
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Industry
The Competition Commission
competition-commission.org.uk
Independent public body which conducts in-depth inquiries into mergers, markets and the regulation of the major regulated industries
Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
oft.gov.uk
The OFT plays a leading role in promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive
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Information resource centres and directories
Advice Guide
adviceguide.org.uk
Online service from the Citizens Advice Bureau, providing practical, reliable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues
British Library
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
Citizens Advice Bureau
nacab.org.uk
Details of your nearest CAB office, breakdowns of social policy issues and latest CAB news
Directgov
directgov.uk
The easy way to government information and services online
House of Commons Library Research Papers
commonslibrary/research
Access to the text of research papers compiled for the benefit of British MPs. Usually deal with topics of current parliamentary interest and aim to be politically impartial
London Business School
london.edu
For all sorts of business, finance and management education programmes
World Factbook
cia.gov/factbook
Geo-political information and statistics produced by the CIA
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International
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
afscme.org
America's largest public service union, with more than 1.4 million members
Arena's Irish Trade Union Network
iol.ie/arena/webpages/labour/
Useful links to trade union organisations in Ireland
Community and Public Sector Union of Australia
cpsu.org
Representing aviation, telecommunications, broadcasting and public sector workers in Australia
Australian Council of Trade Unions
actu.asn.au/
Combined union body representing 2 million Australian workers and their families
Australian Services Union
asuservices.labor.net.au
Members do important work in the public, private and community sectors
California Nurses Association
calfnurse.org
Union representing registered nurses in California hospitals
The Canadian Power Workers' Union
pwu.ca
Represents Ontario's power production workers, as well as those at municipal utilities, cable and telephone companies throughout the province
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
cupw-sttp.org
Most of its 54,000 members work at Canada Post, but the union also represents private sector workers, including cleaners, warehouse workers, printers and bicycle couriers
Canadian Union of Public Employees Manitoba
cupe.mb.ca
This union for public service workers is Canada's largest
Fabian Global Forum
fabianglobalforum
Developing a progressive political response to globalisation
Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro
cgil.it
Italy's oldest labour organisation, with more than 5 million members
Global Workplace
globalworkplace.org
Study tool and networking forum for trade unions around the globe
Hard Miles Music
hardmilesmusic.com
Independent record label promoting the role of folk music and art in the union movement
IMPACT
impact.ie
UNISON's sister union in the Republic of Ireland.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
goiam.org
Over 730,000 workers in the United States and Canada have won higher wages and better benefits as IAM members
International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions
icem.org
Representing more than 20 million workers worldwide
International Trade Union Confederation
ituc-csi.org
Promotes and defends workers' rights around the world through international cooperation between trade unions. Formed in November 2006, membership comprises the affiliated organisations of the former International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour, together with eight other national trade union organisations that will for the first time affiliate to a global body
LaborNET
labor.org.au
Well designed portal for Australian trade union issues and news
National Union of Government and Federated Workers
nugfw.org.tt/
Representing public and private sector workers in Trinidad and Tobago
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
union.org.nz
The NZCTU is the united voice for New Zealand workers, bringing together 300,000 union members from 37 affiliated unions
Trade Unions, Homosexuality and Work
utopia.knoware.nl
News about international conferences on the role of trade unions in defending the rights of LGBT workers
Nurse Active
nurse.active
California-based site for nurses dedicated to trade unionism, social justice and political action
Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers' Federation
osstf.on.ca
Representing more than 60,000 English and French speaking teachers from elementary and secondary schools throughout the province
Overseas Nurses Network
unison-scotland.org.uk/healthcare/
Glasgow-based forum for nurses and other care workers from overseas to get to know each other and gain information and support
Service Employees International UNION
seiu.org
Representing more than 1.8 million members in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, working in hospital systems,Êlong-term care,Êproperty and public services
Sindicatos do Brasil
sindicato.com.br
Central union office for Brazil
United Nations Association
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
nteu.org
Representing workers in the US Department of the Treasury as well as 11 other American federal agencies.
War on Want
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.
