UNISON represents people employed in all areas of local government.
We make sure the needs and rights of workers in this sector and related public services in our service group are recognised and defended. By working together within UNISON, local government workers can achieve more.
About
Local government service group members include employees from councils, schools, further education and the Food Standards Agency. Find out how the service group works, the issues we face and some of our achievements.
Key issues
This section is about the key issues affecting people employed in all areas of local government. Each key issue explains the facts behind the issue, what UNISON is doing and how you can get involved. You’ll also find news articles, useful resources and events.
Resources
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Stand up for youth services – postcard
16 January 2019
noneA postcard format to help recruit and organise youth service workers.
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NJC pay branch checklist for academies
10 January 2019
noneChecklist to help branches ensure academy staff get their NJC 2018-19 pay rise in full.
Available as a PDF download only. -
UNISON the union for housing workers – leaflet
9 November 2018
noneUse this leaflet to recruit and organise housing workers.
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Save libraries, museums and culture. Poster
15 October 2018
nonePut this poster up to let people know we’re marching to end cuts to libraries, museums and culture on 3rd November in London. PDF for download only.
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Save libraries, museums and culture. Leaflet
12 October 2018
noneOrder the leaflet and let people know we’re marching to end cuts to libraries, museums and culture on 3rd November in London.
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Local Govt Craft & Associated Employers pay scales 2018/20 (England, Wales )
11 October 2018
none -
NJC pay branch checklist for councils and schools
10 August 2018
noneChecklist to help branches ensure council and school staff get their NJC 2018-19 pay rise in full.
Available as a PDF download only. -
Local Government NJC staff pay scales
21 June 2018
noneThis handy pocket sized leaflet outlines the pay scales for those staff working in local government. It shows the scales and annual and equivalent hourly rates from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2020. England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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NAAS social work postcard
1 March 2018
noneThis postcard encourages social workers to join UNISON and get involved in Stand up for Social Work, the campaign calling for the government to scrap their accreditation plans.
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Residential Care Charter Bilingual: Welsh & English
16 January 2018
noneUNISON’s charter for residential care workers (Welsh & English) – to be used when recruiting and organising care workers
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LGpay17_letter_11Dec
12 December 2017
none11.12.17: Joint letter from UNISON, Unite and GMB to Chancellor Philip Hammond calling on him to fund ‘a decent pay award’ in the local government settlement
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Our school and council workers deserve fair pay – bilingual English Welsh leaflet
6 November 2017
noneA joint union leaflet (UNISON, GMB, Unite) aimed at the general public making the case for local government and school workers to get a decent pay rise. Bilingual Welsh/English
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Government Hand in the Local Government Till Nov 2017
6 November 2017
none -
SOS day ‘I joined my library’ sticker
15 September 2017
noneNew sticker saying ‘I joined my library’
50mm diameter – 15 on a sheet
ORDER BY THE SHEET -
Save our local services – Libraries leaflet
14 September 2017
none -
Securing Equality – A guide to using the Public Sector Equality Duty to fight local cuts
8 September 2017
noneA guide to using the Public Sector Equality Duty to fight cuts, attacks on pay and conditions and discrimination by public service employers. It explains what the duty is and how you can use it, drawing on successful campaigns to date.
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Fair pay now! – Women’s leaflet
6 September 2017
noneFair pay now campaign leaflet aimed at women working in local government.
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Keeping Pay Equal – Trade Union side guide to local government pay and grading reviews – 2017 edition
28 July 2017
noneThis guide for trade union negotiators handles the issues likely to arise in dealing with local authority grading and pay reviews. Revised in 2017
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Tips for organising in schools
21 July 2017
noneHandy guide to organising in schools: for reps and organisers
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Under pressure, underfunded and undervalued: UNISON members keeping communities together – summary and key findings. Local Government survey 2016.
21 July 2017
noneSummary and key findings of the 2016 survey of local government membersin councils and schools produced for UNISON by Incomes Data Research.
Available as a pdf for downloading only . -
Are you a homecare worker? – Leaflet
31 March 2017
noneCampaign leaflet targeting care workers working for major care companies and asking them to join UNISON today. Leaflet only for branches in North West and Yorkshire & Humberside regions.
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Exit Payments – Update March
27 March 2017
none -
UNISON’s Residential Care Charter
24 March 2017
noneUNISON’s charter for residential care workers – to be used when recruiting and organising care workers
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Glasgow-banner
20 January 2017
none -
Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth and Community Workers 2016-17
16 January 2017
nonePay scale
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Save Our Local Services – campaign pen
3 October 2016
noneBranded pen to be used when campaigning around local gov cuts.
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Save our local services – tin badge
28 September 2016
noneBranded tin badge to be used when campaigning around local gov cuts.
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Local Government Pension Scheme Funds Guide
8 September 2016
noneThis 12-page newsletter explains the complex world of money and investment relating to the Local Government Pensions Scheme funds. It is detailed and aimed at those who are interested in the complex world of pension funds rather than all members. Max order 30 – or email stockorders@unison.co.uk
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The Employment of Black Workers in Local Government and Schools in Wales and England
5 September 2016
noneResearch report using survey results looking at the employment of Black workers in local government
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Under pressure, underfunded and undervalue: UNISON members keeping communities together. Local Government survey 2016.
22 June 2016
noneResearch report on the 2016 survey of local government members in councils and schools produced for UNISON by Incomes Data Research.
Available as a pdf for downloading only . -
Local Government annual report 2015/16
3 May 2016
noneLocal Government annual report 2015/16
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LGA Pay Offer: Members’ Frequently Asked Questions
1 February 2016
noneMembers’ frequently asked questions
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Have your say on local government pay. Pay justice members briefing, bilingual leaflet
22 January 2016
noneWelsh and English briefing outlining the latest on the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign including pay claim details, offer and news on branch consultation.
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NJC pay offer consultation powerpoint presentation
21 January 2016
nonePowerpoint presentation
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Have your say on Local Government pay. Outer London. Members briefing 2016
21 January 2016
noneBriefing for members in outer London outlining the latest on the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign including pay claim details, offer and news on branch consultation. Includes outer London pay scales
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Have your say on Local Government pay. Members briefing. Inner London
21 January 2016
noneBriefing for members in inner london outlining the latest on the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign including pay claim details, offer and news on branch consultation. Includes inner London pay scales
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Have your say on local government pay. Pay and Justice members briefing. January 2016
18 January 2016
noneBriefing outlining the latest on the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign including pay claim details, offer and news on branch consultation.
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Proud to be a social worker – sticker
7 December 2015
noneCampaign sticker to be used as part of the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign. Part of a series of proud to be & job title stickers. 16 per sheet
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Proud to be a school support worker – sticker
7 December 2015
none -
Proud to be a housing worker – sticker
7 December 2015
noneCampaign sticker to be used as part of the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign. Part of a series of proud to be & job title stickers. 16 per sheet
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Proud to be a youth worker – sticker
7 December 2015
noneCampaign sticker to be used as part of the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign. Part of a series of proud to be & job title stickers. 16 per sheet
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proud to be a library worker – sticker
7 December 2015
noneCampaign sticker to be used as part of the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign. Part of a series of proud to be & job title stickers. 16 per sheet
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Proud to be a care worker – sticker
7 December 2015
noneCampaign sticker to be used as part of the Pay Justice for school and council workers campaign. Part of a series of proud to be & job title stickers. 16 per sheet
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Postcard to Osborne on Pay justice for schools and local government. (English/Welsh version)
30 October 2015
noneBilingual English/Welsh postcard that can be sent to George Osborne, asking for pay justice for school and local government workers.
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PowerPoint presentation on Pay justice for school and council workers
30 October 2015
nonePowerpoint presentation on pay justice for school and council workers. For use by branches and regions, with speaker’s notes.
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Leaflet on Pay justice for school and council workers (bilingual Welsh version)
30 October 2015
noneBilingual English/Welsh leaflet outlining the Pay Justice for school and local government workers.
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Postcard to George Osborne on Pay justice for schools and local government
19 October 2015
noneA postcard that can be sent to George Osborne, asking for pay justice for school and local government workers.
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Leaflet on Pay justice for school and council workers
19 October 2015
noneLeaflet outlining the Pay Justice for school and local government workers.
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15 minutes of shame – stories from Britain’s Homecare Frontline
30 June 2015
nonePart of the Save Care Now! campaign – a briefing outlining the real stories of homecare workers and the families of care users. A powerful and moving read.
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Social Work, the Courts and the Consequences of Transparency
24 June 2015
noneReport of a UNISON survey of social work practitioners
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2015 local government conference: decisions
24 June 2015
noneThis document sets out the motions and amendments carried at conference. It also includes motions admitted onto the agenda but not debated.
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Use of surveillance in health and care settings: Guidance for UNISON representatives
2 March 2015
noneThis guidance covers what to do if cameras are installed by providers, or worried relatives, to monitor care
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Greater London Provincial Council pay settlement for 2014-2016
16 February 2015
noneGreater London Provincial Council pay settlement for 2014-2016
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Stress guidance for chief officers and senior managers
14 January 2015
noneGuide for chief officers and senior managers in local authorities deals with stress at work, examining the potential causes and outlining what you can do about it
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Local government craft & associated employees pay scales from 1 Jan 2015 (England, Wales )
18 December 2014
nonePay scales for local government craft & associated employees
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Local government pay rates 1 January 2015 – 1 April 2016 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
18 December 2014
nonePay scales
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Facing redundancy in local government
23 October 2014
noneBranch guide outlining key information about redundancy in local government, your rights and what you can do if you think you are being treated unfairly
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UNISON fighting redundancies in local government: a branch guide
22 October 2014
noneGuidance in facing redundancy in local government – PDF download only
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Up to standard? Your guide to using the standards for employers of social workers in England Revised Oct 14
7 October 2014
noneUp to standard? Your guide to using the standards for employers of social workers in England Revised Oct 14
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NJC model letter for MPs Aug 2014
18 August 2014
noneUpdated NJC model letter for MPs Aug 2014
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NJC model letter for councillors Aug 2014
18 August 2014
noneUpdated NJC model letter for councillors Aug2014
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Key issue image for youth and community pay
14 August 2014
noneBig Stock
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Save our local services key issue thumbnail
18 July 2014
noneMarcus Rose
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NJC pay myths and the alternative to cuts in pay, jobs and services – briefing for activists
26 June 2014
noneNJC Pay campaign factsheet outlining the 5 top myths around local government pay and the UNISON alternative to the cuts.
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NJC pay strike sticker
24 June 2014
noneSticker sheets to be used at any future NJC pay strikes. 15 stickers on a sheet
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Apprenticeships in local government
19 June 2014
noneGuidance for UNISON’s local government branches on apprenticeships
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UNISON in Housing Associations newsletter south
3 June 2014
noneUNISON in Housing Associations newsletter 1, Summer 2014, SOUTH
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UNISON in Housing Associations newsletter north
3 June 2014
noneUNISON in Housing Associations newsletter 1, Summer 2014, NORTH
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Local government vote yes graphic
12 May 2014
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Local government NJC vote yes graphic
12 May 2014
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The new LGPS – briefing for branches
8 May 2014
noneBriefing outlining the new LGPS regulations including new scheme benefits and main protections.
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Credit union promo leaflet
14 April 2014
noneFor use in branches working with credit unions
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Promoting credit unions and campaigning around high cost credit – branch guide
14 April 2014
noneAdvice for branches about how they can promote credit unions and campaign on high cost credit.
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Apprentices – how to recruit
25 November 2013
noneGuide to recruiting apprentices including preparation and conversation points.
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Young workers – your wages your rights
22 October 2013
noneYoung workers and the minimum wage. A5 leaflet with information on the basic employment rights. Of particular use to UNISON members working with young people in schools, colleges, careers services, youth services, leisure centres and through social services. Updated October 2013.
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Youth & community part-time working – time to know your rights at work factsheet
1 August 2013
noneThis factsheet explains how part-time youth and community workers have the same statutory employment rights as any other employee
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A guide to equality in UNISON
13 June 2013
noneUNISON’s equalities agenda: how UNISON works to build equality into everything we do
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Income Data Services Pay Premium Summary
10 June 2013
noneBargaining Support Factsheet
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The public service library under attack – report by Steve Davies
6 June 2013
noneA UNISON report by Steve Davies at the University of Warwick which looks at how cuts are affecting the public library service.
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The Damage – cuts in environmental health services survey summary
6 June 2013
noneA4 8 page booklet part of the Damage series in local government looking at the impact of the cuts in environmental health includes survey findings.
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The Damage – cuts in trading standards survey summary
6 June 2013
noneA4 8pp summary of the survey carried out among members working in trading standards highlighting the damage the cuts will do to individuals and communities.
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Branch guide to securing in-house services
6 June 2013
noneThis guide covers Fending off procurement. When privatisation is under consideration How to cast doubt on privatisation How to rally support for in-house services
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Branch guide to Shared Services
6 June 2013
noneA4 branch guidance which sets out to highlight the key aspects of shared services and sets out actions that branches should take.
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Branch guide to negotiating a procurement agreement
6 June 2013
noneBranches need to have a good understanding of the procurement process which leads to services being privatised. Covers Basic information on procurement . What a good procurement agreement should cover. A model agreement. Links to other sources.
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Working with local communities to fight cuts and privatisation
6 June 2013
noneThe attack on public services gives us a chance to build links with community allies to counteract the divisions that keep people from acting together.
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Council finances – guide for negotiators
6 June 2013
noneA4 branch guidance to help activists understand councils finances in Wales and why council tax freezes and cuts are a bad idea Available only as a pdf for downloading
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Council finances – guide for negotiators
6 June 2013
noneA4 branch guidance to help activists understand councils finances and why council tax freezes and cuts are a bad idea
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Personalisation toolkit
6 June 2013
nonePersonalisation in social care and the expansion of
the social care workforce provide both challenges and
opportunities for UNISON. This toolkit aims to help branches deal with personalisation in social care. -
Branch guide to Best value
5 June 2013
noneThis A4 guide for branches looks at Best Value in England and Wales taking account of changes since 2010.
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Branch guide to council finances and privatisation
4 June 2013
noneThis A4 guide looks at how branches should examine council finances when faced with privatisation proposals.
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Council decision-making: a branch guide
4 June 2013
noneThis guide will help branches understand how councils make decisions.
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Factsheet 36 – The cost of Privatisation
4 June 2013
noneAll this is coming at a time when trusts are already making cuts to staff and services to find efficiency savings.
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UNISONs 10 point plan for adult social work
4 June 2013
noneThis leaflet outlines UNISONs vision for a 10 point plan for improving adult social work services including a planned programme of investment and national standards on acceptable caseloads
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Libraries at the heart of learning manifesto / leaflet
4 June 2013
noneA4 full colour 4 sides manifesto promoting the valuable work of professional librarians in educational settings It sets out the value of libraries; the professionals who run them; and the support UNISON pledges to give them in their work
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Think Twice commissioning leaflet
4 June 2013
nonejoint UNISON, APSE & LGIU document looking at the role of elected members in commissioning
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From Commissioning to contract evaluation
4 June 2013
noneA handbook to help those UNISON members involved in the procurement process which offers help in developing a strategy and in accessing resources An order limit of 5 copies has been placed on this publication
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What are Shared Services
4 June 2013
noneShared services are when a number of organisations agree to share the cost and delivery of service between them.
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Duty of Care handbook
noneThis handbook outlines duty of care and how to raise concerns