National media team
These numbers are for media use only, not for queries about membership or general enquiries about the union. If you email outside office hours, please do follow up with a call, text or WhatsApp message so you can be sure that we’ve seen.
Liz Chinchen E: press@unison.co.uk M: 07778 158175
Anthony Barnes E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk M: 07834 864794
Fatima Ayad E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk M: 07508 080383
Rodney Bickerstaffe – former General Secretary of both UNISON and NUPE – died today (Tuesday). UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Rodney, or Bick as he was known to many, was a great personal friend to many of us and a dedicated champion of all the union members he proudly represented throughout his career. He […]
Over 100,000 people have now signed UNISON’s petition on the parliamentary website calling for an end to the public sector pay cap, making a debate in Westminster look increasingly likely, says the union. The petition urges the government to lift the one per cent cap, and give everyone who works in the UK’s schools, hospitals, […]
Care workers and those they look after are suffering because standards are routinely being breached
‘Penalties are needed to make sure unscrupulous bosses abide by the law’
Commenting on the Leader’s speech to the Labour conference in Brighton, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Today we heard a defining speech from Jeremy Corbyn, full of hope. “Labour is a government in waiting – and the next election can’t come soon enough.” Media contact: Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: media@unison.co.uk
Commenting on the announcement from Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell that a Labour government would bring existing public finance initiative (PFI) contracts back in-house, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “It’s good news that Labour plans to tackle the beleaguered private finance initiative. “Since PFI started, UNISON warned it would lead to long-term debt problems, a […]
Opening the debate on public sector pay today (Monday) at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “For millions of public service workers struggling to survive, there is no more pressing issue than lifting the pay cap. “They’ve suffered years of brutal austerity and vicious attacks on public services, overseen […]
Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) that energy company E.ON is to phase out standard variable tariffs for its customers, UNISON national energy officer Matt Lay said: “This could be a game-changer, and is good news for E.ON customers and employees alike. It should mean cheaper bills for households, and greater stability for the workforce, at a time of much […]
Care workers in the London borough of Haringey are to be given the time and support they need to do their work, through a new ethical charter. Haringey Council has signed up to UNISON’s ethical care charter, which sets out a series of commitments to protect the rights of home care workers’ and give them […]
UNISON has today (Wednesday) expressed disappointment at the pay offer put forward by the Association of Colleges. The union believes the offer of a one per cent increase or £250, whichever is greater, will plunge college staff further into poverty. UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “This offer is hugely disappointing. It will do […]
NHS unions are today (Friday) breaking with tradition and submitting a pay claim directly to the government on behalf of more than one million health workers across the UK. In a letter to the Chancellor, 14 health unions including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, […]
Commenting on the news that the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) could support a Labour motion calling for an end to the public sector pay cap in the NHS, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This is even more evidence that the Conservatives have lost the argument on public sector pay. Ministers must know they’re in […]
Commenting on Jeremy Corbyn’s speech to the 149th TUC in Brighton, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Jeremy Corbyn delivered a powerful speech that showed why he is such a great friend of working people. He is right to say that all public sector workers need a real pay rise. It’s time for Theresa May […]
Commenting on the news of pay awards for police and prison officers today (Tuesday) UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “It’s a tiny step in the right direction but not nearly enough. “For seven long years the government’s harsh pay cap has been hurting public sector workers, their families and the services they provide. “There […]
Opening the public sector pay debate at the 149th Trades Union Congress in Brighton, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “For millions of public service workers struggling to survive, there is no more pressing issue than lifting the pay cap. “We’ve seen years of brutal austerity and vicious attacks on public services, overseen by an […]
