Regional pay and local government – UNISON reaction

UNISON, the UK

UNISON Conference Back Carillion Strikers

Anger boiled over today at UNISON

Budget Reaction – Regional Pay

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, said:

“While improved regional statistics are welcome to aid the case for pay supplements in high cost areas, we would not be happy with a move towards regional pay and will be watching developments closely. Extra pay in one part of the country cannot be at the expense of others.

Brown’s Poverty-Busting Budget puts People and Public Services First

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, reacting to the Budget, said:

“We are delighted the Chancellor has stuck to his guns and continued to put public services first. This budget will boost confidence in the Government’s ability to deliver the world class schools and hospitals they promised the electorate. And it will boost morale amongst workers.

UNISON’S Conference Decision on Agenda for Change

Delegates at UNISON’s National Health Conference in Harrogate, today voted overwhelmingly in favour of recommending that Agenda for Change be implemented in 12 development sites across England.

Pressure Mounts on Government Plans for Foundation Hospitals

UNISON, the UK’s biggest union representing over 450,000 health workers, today voted to pile pressure on the Government, over its controversial plans to bring in foundation trusts.

UNISON Calls for 50% Tax Rate to Fund Public Services

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today called on the Chancellor to introduce a tax rate of 50% on income above £100,000 to sustain investment in our public services and to tackle poverty pay and pensions.

“PFI Hospitals Fail Patients and Staff” – Speaking Out in UNISON Against PFI

“The hospital seems to be continually in a beds crisis” – stroke nurse, Norfolk “the doors cost as much as £1,000 each, and are an accident waiting to happen” – UNISON rep Worcester “this building is not going to last”; “it’s cheap and nasty” engineering services worker, Hereford; “whoever heard of a kitchen without windows?” Norfolk and Norwich catering worker; “the path lab flooded three times in 18 months, twice with raw sewerage” UNISON, convenor – Carlisle

Bands Line Up Against Racism

Alabama 3 heads the line up of bands at Manchester Apollo on 26 April supporting the UK’s largest union UNISON, in conjunction with the TUC, in its Unite Against Racism campaign. Tickets prices have been pegged at £6. Doors open 7pm, concert starts 8pm. The line up includes:

UNISON Gives MPs 7 Reasons to Oppose Foundation Trusts

As opposition to the setting up of foundation trusts mounts, UNISON the UK’s largest health union, is today giving MPs seven reasons why they should oppose them. 129 MPs have already signed an early day motion critical of government plans to introduce foundation hospitals, which would and introduce damaging competition and create a two-tier NHS.

National Audit Office Report on Violence in the NHS

UNISON, the union representing over 460,000 health workers, today called for more anti-violence measures, following the publication of a National Audit Office Report* into violence and aggression in the NHS.

“Foundation Trusts Sound Death Knell of NHS” Warns UNISON

“Foundation hospitals will lead to increased privatisation, higher costs and damaging competition in the NHS”. This is the hard hitting message that Dave Prentis General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, will deliver to a TUC Conference on Public Services in Nottingham Friday (21 March).

Commenting on the increase in the minimum wage Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary said:

Proposed Increase to Minimum Wage

“We welcome the above inflation rise but I defy anyone in Government to to try to make ends meet on £4.50 an hour. Because the increase comes from such a low base, it still falls far short of UNISON’s £6 an hour living wage target. This is the minimum that research shows you need just to buy the basics.

UNISON Chief Urges More MP’s to Rebel Against Foundation Hospitals

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today urged all Labour MPs to sign up to an Early Day Motion critical of Foundation Hospitals. So far 121MPs have signed the motion. He said: