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Nationalising the retail arms of the big six energy firms would significantly boost the UK’s bid to become carbon neutral by 2050, says UNISON in a report published today (Monday). Power to the People calls on a future government to bring into public ownership the parts of British Gas (Centrica), SSE, E.ON, EDF Energy, Npower (Innogy) […]
Staff and students have suffered serious injuries as a result of offensive weapons being brought into colleges, according to a UNISON survey published today (Tuesday). Machetes, hammers, metal bars and even a gun are among the items either recovered or that have been used in pupil-on-pupil assaults, gang attacks or in violent incidents against staff, […]
NHS workers who do overtime on a regular basis or frequently work beyond their normal shifts should now have these extra hours taken into account when their holiday pay is calculated, as a result of a landmark court victory by UNISON today (Monday). The Court of Appeal judgment found in favour of a paramedic and […]
Commenting on the announcement from Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson that he would cut taxes for higher earners, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Boris Johnson has confirmed he cares about the wealthy few, rather than everyone who relies on public services. A cash giveaway for the richest earners is absurd after 10 years of brutal austerity that […]
Domestic cleaners at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow have today (Wednesday) called off six days of planned strikes after their employer dropped plans to outsource their jobs. The Trust had been market testing its cleaning and catering services with the aim of putting them out to tender, claiming just last week that it would wait […]
Reacting to Donald Trump’s supposed NHS U-turn, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Donald Trump has shown he is willing to play games with the future of the NHS and the government’s weakness means he thinks he can call the shots. “The UK desperately needs strong government that will stand up for the NHS […]
Move would undermine efforts to roll back health service marketisation
Private companies employing tens of thousands of staff in the NHS across England are coming under pressure to give their employees a wage rise as UNISON’s campaign for fair pay in the health service escalates. Workers at contracting giants – including Compass Medirest, Serco, Mitie and ISS – are today (Tuesday) calling on company chief executives […]
Commenting on the release today (Monday) of the Interim NHS People Plan, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Working for the NHS can be challenging so it’s good to see those at the top are finally focusing on the needs of their employees. A supportive workplace is vital to retain experienced, hardworking staff. “However voices from across […]
Commenting on the Institute for Fiscal Studies report on council funding and tonight’s BBC1 Panorama programme on social care, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “After years of relentless cuts, council budgets are stripped to the bone. This is starkly illustrated by the perilous state of social care, not to mention a fall of more […]
Important points detailed in long-awaited Augar Review of education
Labour must find clearer Brexit line and end ambiguity
‘Theresa May will go down in history as one of the worst prime ministers’
Fewer loos means a public inconvenience
‘The collapse of British Steel and the threat of thousands of job losses is devastating news’