UNISON

We know that the Employment Rights Act (ERA) is delivering important improvements to workers’ rights and that is a testament to the persistence of our movement. So I think it’s important to recognise that this autumn we will have: rights of workplace access; facility time for equality reps; a two tier workforce prevention code in public procurement; worker detriment banned after strikes; Employment Tribunal time limits moving to six months to try and get local not legal solutions.

UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan has written a strongly worded letter to home secretary Yvette Cooper, urging government action to defend health workers and health services in Palestine. The general secretary wants Westminster to intervene on two fronts: to compel the Israeli government to release more than 80 health workers who are currently in detention, and to halt its attacks on health facilities in Gaza.

UNISON this week launched significant new research that shows that the legal system governing equal pay in the UK is “broken” and in desperate need of reform. The independent research, commissioned by the union and conducted by Professor Catherine Barnard of Cambridge University, outlines the failure of legislation to deal with continuing and systemic pay inequality, and sets out realistic measures to improve it.

The collective voice and power of unions is needed as much as ever if the UK is to become fairer, the leader of UNISON will tell tens of thousands of people at this year’s miners' gala in Durham tomorrow (Saturday). The union’s general secretary Andrea Egan will be among speakers at 140th annual gala, the largest labour and union event in Europe, and a well-known fixture in the North East of England.

Around 200,000 council and school workers at more than 500 employers across England and Wales begin voting today (Thursday) on whether to strike over pay, says UNISON. The ballot follows the union's rejection of a 3.3% pay offer from local government employers, which UNISON says falls well short of restoring the value of staff pay after years of decline.

UNISON has commented on NHS England figures released today (Thursday) that show warm weather is fuelling record demand for healthcare. National ambulance officer Sharan Bandesha said: “Heatwaves are piling even more pressure on already stretched ambulance services. “Crews are spending hours caring for patients in the back of boiling hot ambulances while waiting to hand them over to busy hospitals. Many patients in dire need are likely to be treated in a car park.

Members at Ash Field Academy are taking strike action in defence of their rep, Tom Barker who was suspended after members at the school voted to strike on a previous dispute. The employer has allowed an investigation to be elongated, failed to provide detailed allegations and sought to undermine the collective strength of the union. The members did not choose this fight — it was forced upon them — and they are showing remarkable courage in standing up for what is right.

Around 200,000 council and school workers at more than 500 employers across England and Wales begin voting today (Thursday) on whether to strike over pay, says UNISON. The ballot follows the union's rejection of a 3.3% pay offer from local government employers, which UNISON says falls well short of restoring the value of staff pay after years of decline.

Commenting on NHS England figures released today (Thursday) showing warm weather is fuelling record demand for healthcare, UNISON national ambulance officer Sharan Bandesha said: “Heatwaves are piling even more pressure on already stretched ambulance services. “Crews are spending hours caring for patients in the back of boiling hot ambulances while waiting to hand them over to busy hospitals. Many patients in dire need are likely to be treated in a car park.

UNISON has launched its new website, complete with an upgraded member‑only area designed to give members easier access to information relevant to their work, region, interests as well as learning, resources and support. The enhanced platform is now live here, and members will need to activate their account to use the new features.