Government should listen to the independent scientists and pull back from 1 June start date, says UNISON

Commenting on the report on school safety from the committee of independent scientists chaired by Sir David King published today (Friday), UNISON regional secretary, Clare Williams said: “This is the evidence school staff and parents have been waiting for. Not only do these scientists say the government’s plans for schools in England are premature, they also suggest […]

Support staff have little confidence in government school safety plans, says UNISON

An overwhelming majority of school support staff don’t feel reassured by government claims that English schools are safe to open to more pupils from the beginning of June, according to a UNISON survey published today (Friday). Only 2% of employees felt reassured by the Prime Minister saying it was safe to open schools more widely from 1 June. Almost all staff (96%) felt ministers hadn’t put […]

Three UNISON nurses stranded in Philippines

COVID-19 has left three nurses, and UNISON members, stranded in the Philippines desperate to return to help their colleagues fight the pandemic. The union is trying to get them back home

Give an extra clap for operating theatre staff working on the Covid-19 frontline, says UNISON

To mark annual National ODP Day today, the union and the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) are encouraging everyone to give an extra clap at 8pm this evening

Education unions’ agree statement on the safe reopening of schools

Ministers should step back from 1 June target and put safety first

Blog: International Nurses’ Day – Guest post by Linda Hobson a Nurse and UNISON Deputy Regional Convenor

This year, 2020 has also been designated the ‘International Year of the Nurse’ to mark the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth

Blog: Clapping for our carers and protectors? Clap for better pay and PPE too – Guest post by Jamie Dickinson

This pandemic has been incredibly tough on our communities and has exposed the true damage of the past decade of ideologically driven austerity and relentless privatisation. Many who were already in poverty are being pushed further into deprivation.    Communities are having to adapt to social distancing measures, including being without so many of our loved […]

Frightened workers self-isolating to protect vulnerable loved ones shouldn’t be punished

Extend furlough and sick pay for those protecting loves ones

Care home death figures are shameful, says UNISON

Responding to new figures released that show a steep rise in coronavirus deaths due to the inclusion of those in care homes, UNISON regional secretary Clare Williams said: “Care workers have been crying out for essential safety equipment, clear guidance and widespread virus testing for weeks. The risks have been plain to see and these […]

Public asked to observe minute’s silence tomorrow to honour all workers who have died from coronavirus

Everyone around the UK is urged to take a moment tomorrow (Tuesday) to remember with a minute’s silence the health, care and other key workers who have died as a result of coronavirus.