TUC: Workers “cheated” out of £2bn of holiday pay last year under Tories
New TUC analysis reveals that workers across the UK are being “cheated” out £2 billion worth of holiday pay.
Category: news releases
TUC proposes Public Sector Workforce Commission as new poll reveals huge concern over state of frontline services
The TUC is calleing for a “fresh start” for public services with a new Public Services Workforce Commission.
Conference highlights impact of COVID on Black health workers
UNISON and the TUC held a joint conference yesterday evening to explore the experience of Black health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held at Doughty Street Chambers – a barristers’ chambers particularly known for its work on human rights and civil liberties – the aim of the event was to discuss the current UK-wide public inquiry into the pandemic and to ensure that the experience of Black workers in the healthcare sector is heard and acted upon.
Surveys and research have shown how people working in the NHS encountered huge pressures and anxiety during the pandemic – and that Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers often faced additional risk that was not adequately addressed by employers and the government.
Barristers representing the TUC at the UK COVID-19 inquiry talked about the TUC’s work in the inquiry so far and how the TUC and its affiliated unions can shed light on the experiences of Black healthcare workers within the inquiry.
Key issues affecting Black healthcare workers that the TUC and UNISON have highlighted in the inquiry so far include:
- A higher risk of infection and severe disease for Black healthcare workers
- A potential (although the subject of ongoing research) higher risk of suffering Long COVID
- Higher proportions of Black healthcare staff being redeployed into frontline roles and roles that involved a higher risk of COVID-19 infection – for instance, in ‘red zones’
- A more significant mental health impact for Black people during the pandemic
- A failure to undertake appropriate, meaningful risk assessments of Black healthcare workers
- Poor working terms and conditions for outsourced workers, amongst whom Black workers are overrepresented, including low rates of pay and a lack of adequate sick pay
- The government’s pursuit of a policy making vaccination a mandatory condition of being employed within the NHS, despite the disproportionate impact this would have had upon Black workers
- Black workers being at greater risk of working in hazardous situations with inadequate PPE.
The conference also heard from Black healthcare workers about their experiences. These included problems with inadequate PPE – particularly in the opening weeks of the crisis – and even being disciplined for taking their own PPE to work.
The event was also addressed by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, who then took part in a ‘fireside chat’ with Gloria Mills, UNISON’s national secretary for equalities.
The article Conference highlights impact of COVID on Black health workers first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Conference highlights impact of COVID on Black health workers
UNISON and the TUC held a joint conference yesterday evening to explore the experience of Black health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held at Doughty Street Chambers – a barristers’ chambers particularly known for its work on human rights and civil liberties – the aim of the event was to discuss the current UK-wide public inquiry into the pandemic and to ensure that the experience of Black workers in the healthcare sector is heard and acted upon.
Surveys and research have shown how people working in the NHS encountered huge pressures and anxiety during the pandemic – and that Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers often faced additional risk that was not adequately addressed by employers and the government.
Barristers representing the TUC at the UK COVID-19 inquiry talked about the TUC’s work in the inquiry so far and how the TUC and its affiliated unions can shed light on the experiences of Black healthcare workers within the inquiry.
Key issues affecting Black healthcare workers that the TUC and UNISON have highlighted in the inquiry so far include:
- A higher risk of infection and severe disease for Black healthcare workers
- A potential (although the subject of ongoing research) higher risk of suffering Long COVID
- Higher proportions of Black healthcare staff being redeployed into frontline roles and roles that involved a higher risk of COVID-19 infection – for instance, in ‘red zones’
- A more significant mental health impact for Black people during the pandemic
- A failure to undertake appropriate, meaningful risk assessments of Black healthcare workers
- Poor working terms and conditions for outsourced workers, amongst whom Black workers are overrepresented, including low rates of pay and a lack of adequate sick pay
- The government’s pursuit of a policy making vaccination a mandatory condition of being employed within the NHS, despite the disproportionate impact this would have had upon Black workers
- Black workers being at greater risk of working in hazardous situations with inadequate PPE.
The conference also heard from Black healthcare workers about their experiences. These included problems with inadequate PPE – particularly in the opening weeks of the crisis – and even being disciplined for taking their own PPE to work.
The event was also addressed by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, who then took part in a ‘fireside chat’ with Gloria Mills, UNISON’s national secretary for equalities.
The article Conference highlights impact of COVID on Black health workers first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Action on Grenfell recommendations needed immediately
Commenting on the report of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire published today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“No words can ever fully capture the horror of that night and the years of pain for everyone touched by the tragedy.
“This report, and the harrowing testimony it contains, makes for excruciating reading. It shows the awful cost of slashing public services and cutting corners.
“Lessons need to be learned immediately and that means removing all unsafe cladding from every tower block in the country. No one should be forced to live in a home in which they don’t feel safe.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are still living and working in dangerous properties, many of them public sector workers who’ve bought their first homes under key worker schemes. Many don’t earn much, but they’re now trapped and unable to sell.
“The government must give everyone peace of mind by acting immediately on all the report’s recommendations.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
The article Action on Grenfell recommendations needed immediately first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Local government employers must improve pay offer to avoid strike threat
More than 360,000 council and school support staff across England and Wales will begin voting today (Wednesday) on whether to take strike action over pay, says UNISON.
The 2024/25 flat rate pay offer of £1,290 from local government employers falls short of what council employees need and has also been superseded by the deals achieved by some other public sector workers, says the union.
This year’s pay deal was due from April, but the disappointing offer has delayed the process, UNISON says. When the union consulted workers, more than four-fifths (81%) of those who took part opted to reject the sum.
Now social workers, teaching assistants, refuse collectors, caretakers, planning officers and other staff at more than 4,000 organisations will be asked if they’re prepared to strike.
The six-week ballot will begin today (Wednesday) and closes on Wednesday 16 October.
Meanwhile, the union is urging employers to improve their offer and is calling for central government to help fund an improved deal and look at the longer-term investment it gives to councils.
UNISON head of local government Mike Short said: “Local government finances are in a dire state, but that doesn’t mean staff should be denied a fair pay rise after 14 years of austerity and low wages. Employers still have time to come back with a better offer.
“Central government also needs to assist employers by providing stable, long-term funding settlements that allow councils and schools to retain expert staff and protect the vital services on which our communities rely.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Local government employers must improve pay offer to avoid strike threat first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Colchester Hospital support staff vow to keep striking against outsourcing
Health members on the Colchester picket, 19 August. Image: James Rodie
Hundreds of cleaners, porters, housekeepers and other Colchester Hospital support staff are to continue their strike action this month, in what has become a tense battle to keep their jobs within the NHS.
The UNISON members first staged a week-long strike between 19-23 August. The action also hit several community sites run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), whose senior managers are planning to sell off soft facilities management services such as cleaning, catering, portering, housekeeping and security.
The next round of action is from 10-14 September. The region is asking members throughout the union to support some of the NHS’s lowest-paid staff, by contributing to a strike fund (details below).
Facilities at Ipswich Hospital, the trust’s other major acute care site, are already run by private company OCS. UNISON argues that when the OCS contract comes to an end next April, all services should be brought back in-house. Instead, the trust has decided to outsource all services as a single contract.?
Colchester staff, who voted 99% in favour of strikes, fear the sell-off will threaten their pay and conditions and pose a serious risk to patient safety. ?Outsourced staff in Ipswich get fewer days of annual leave and less sick pay than their colleagues directly employed by the NHS. They also missed out on the extra one-off payment of £1,655 that NHS staff received in the last financial year.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said that the September strike will take place if ESNEFT chief executive Nick Hulme and his team refuse to listen to staff concerns.
He added: “Strike action is a last resort for our members. They want to be with their patients, but took the hard decision to take five days of action in August to protect the future of their services.
“There’s overwhelming evidence that outsourcing leads to dirtier hospitals and higher infection rates, but trust bosses are ploughing on regardless. Nick Hulme and the trust board can easily stop this disruption and protect patients by keeping these essential staff in the NHS where they belong.”
Colchester hospital porter John Franklin said: “We give our hearts and souls into working for the NHS and supporting patients, but we will not accept being sold off like a piece of equipment to a private company to make money.
“The trust can fool itself into thinking this would be better value for money or improve services, but staff know this is simply not the truth.
“We will continue to fight for our jobs, for the public and for the best service possible — and that means staying in-house.”
How to support the Colchester members
Please send messages of solidarity to branch@ciah-unison.co.uk.
And if you’re able to send financial support to the strikers, please send it to:
UNISON Colchester & Ipswich Area Health
UNITY Bank
Sort code: 60-83-01;
Account number: 20403881
Reference: STRIKE
It is also possible to show support by signing the UNISON petition. Any members who are local to the trust can also write to their MP asking them to act.
The article Colchester Hospital support staff vow to keep striking against outsourcing first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Colchester Hospital support staff vow to keep striking against outsourcing
Health members on the Colchester picket, 19 August. Image: James Rodie
Hundreds of cleaners, porters, housekeepers and other Colchester Hospital support staff are to continue their strike action this month, in what has become a tense battle to keep their jobs within the NHS.
The UNISON members first staged a week-long strike between 19-23 August. The action also hit several community sites run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), whose senior managers are planning to sell off soft facilities management services such as cleaning, catering, portering, housekeeping and security.
The next round of action is from 10-14 September. The region is asking members throughout the union to support some of the NHS’s lowest-paid staff, by contributing to a strike fund (details below).
Facilities at Ipswich Hospital, the trust’s other major acute care site, are already run by private company OCS. UNISON argues that when the OCS contract comes to an end next April, all services should be brought back in-house. Instead, the trust has decided to outsource all services as a single contract.?
Colchester staff, who voted 99% in favour of strikes, fear the sell-off will threaten their pay and conditions and pose a serious risk to patient safety. ?Outsourced staff in Ipswich get fewer days of annual leave and less sick pay than their colleagues directly employed by the NHS. They also missed out on the extra one-off payment of £1,655 that NHS staff received in the last financial year.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said that the September strike will take place if ESNEFT chief executive Nick Hulme and his team refuse to listen to staff concerns.
He added: “Strike action is a last resort for our members. They want to be with their patients, but took the hard decision to take five days of action in August to protect the future of their services.
“There’s overwhelming evidence that outsourcing leads to dirtier hospitals and higher infection rates, but trust bosses are ploughing on regardless. Nick Hulme and the trust board can easily stop this disruption and protect patients by keeping these essential staff in the NHS where they belong.”
Colchester hospital porter John Franklin said: “We give our hearts and souls into working for the NHS and supporting patients, but we will not accept being sold off like a piece of equipment to a private company to make money.
“The trust can fool itself into thinking this would be better value for money or improve services, but staff know this is simply not the truth.
“We will continue to fight for our jobs, for the public and for the best service possible — and that means staying in-house.”
How to support the Colchester members
Please send messages of solidarity to branch@ciah-unison.co.uk.
And if you’re able to send financial support to the strikers, please send it to:
UNISON Colchester & Ipswich Area Health
UNITY Bank
Sort code: 60-83-01;
Account number: 20403881
Reference: STRIKE
It is also possible to show support by signing the UNISON petition. Any members who are local to the trust can also write to their MP asking them to act.
The article Colchester Hospital support staff vow to keep striking against outsourcing first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Council and school staff industrial action ballot opens
UNISON’s industrial action (IA) ballot for council and school staff over the 2024 pay offer opens today, Wednesday 4 September.
UNISON’s council and schools committee of leading activists are recommending that members vote ‘YES‘ for strike action and are urging them to return their ballots as soon as possible.
Members who are eligible to vote should receive a purple envelope (see below) in the post over the coming weeks. It will contain your ballot papers and a free-post envelope to return your vote.
Ballots must be returned before 10am on Wednesday 16 October.
Be on the lookout for this envelope – it contains your ballot papers
The IA ballot comes after an online consultation of members on the pay offer from the employers which saw an overwhelming vote to reject.
The offer of £1,290 fell far short of our reasonable and affordable pay claim.
Speaking on the opening of the ballot, general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Our ballot on the NJC pay offer begins today, Wednesday 4 September, and this is your chance to have a say on whether you are prepared to take strike action.
“I fully support council and school workers being balloted. You are the backbone of our communities, delivering the essential services that keep us together, yet your pay has stagnated severely for more than a decade.
“In real terms, your pay is down by almost a third since 2010. UNISON is asking you to vote ‘Yes’ in favour of action because the pay offer from local government employers falls far short of what you need and deserve.
“The idea of taking industrial action can be daunting, but I’m here to reassure you you’re not alone. You have the backing of 1.3 million fellow UNISON members behind you. We’re with you in solidarity and support every step of the way.
“You will be receiving a purple envelope in the post over the next week which must be returned by 16 October.
“It’s crucial we gather the views of all 375,000 members being balloted. This is your chance to make your voice heard, and your vote is your voice. So please ensure you use your vote. A big turnout will help us fight for a better pay rise for all of our members in councils and schools.”
Watch and share Jon Richard’s message to members
The article Council and school staff industrial action ballot opens first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Over 8 in 10 zero-hours contract workers want regular hours – TUC poll reveals
A new TUC poll reveals the majority of workers on zero-hours contracts want regular hours.