Do you deserve a pat on the back?

A new UNISON film, featuring former Dynasty actor Stephanie Beacham, takes a tongue-in-cheek look at why the government should give teaching assistants, paramedics, refuse collectors and other public service workers a pay rise.  The two-minute satirical Pat on the Back film highlights the government’s hypocritical attitude to public servants – commending their dedication and hard work, yet refusing […]

Save South Tyneside Hospital march

Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign Update

On Saturday October 14, 2017 South Shields saw hundreds of South Tyneside and Sunderland residents take to the streets against the downgrading of acute services at South Tyneside District Hospital

Durham teaching assistants accept new pay offer

Teaching assistants in Durham represented by UNISON, have today (Monday) overwhelmingly voted to accept the final offer made by the County Council to end the long-running dispute. The improved offer, put forward last month, is the result of lengthy negotiations with the Council, which involved teaching assistants themselves. It is significantly different from the initial […]

Rodney Bickerstaffe, former General Secretary of UNISON and NUPE has died

Clare Williams, Northern Regional Secretary of UNISON said today: “Rodney was a trade union leader who spent his life campaigning tirelessly to better the working lives of everyone. He was a champion of the low paid and fought for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage against a campaign of fear by the Government and […]

Leading multi-academy trust signs recognition agreement with UNISON

A LEADING multi-academy trust has signed an agreement with UNISON representatvies to ensure its ongoing commitment to its teaching and support staff. Representatives from UNISON put their names to a Trade Union Recognition Agreement following five months of discussions with the Hartlepool-based Extol Academy Trust. Extol Academy Trust oversees the governance of Eldon Grove Academy, […]

New offer aims to end long-running Durham dispute

Durham County Council has today (Wednesday) approved a revised offer that UNISON will now put to teaching assistants across the county. The proposals are the result of lengthy negotiations – involving UNISON, teaching assistants, head teachers and council officers – aimed at bringing to an end the long-running dispute. The offer sees the introduction of […]

Clare William sspeaking at Miners' Gala 2017

Blog: Durham Miners Gala

It was a huge honour to be invited by the  Durham Miners Association to address the Big Meeting on Saturday, especially when that meant sharing the platform with so many great speakers and representatives of our movement. In particular, it was a pleasure to be alongside Angela Rayner and Jeremy Corbyn – two great UNISON […]

UNISON launches e petition against police cuts

Following on from the announcement by Northumbria Police on 26th June that they will close three police stations and radically alter the opening times of others within the Force, UNISON has launched an e petition to encourage the public to become involved.

Miners Gala March

Public Sector Workers March at Miners’ Gala

The General Election has mobilised hundreds of thousands of people who want to see real change in society.  The disastrous Conservative government policies of austerity which were about making some of the most vulnerable people pay for an economic crisis not of their making have been exposed as not delivering for the majority of people.  […]

Northumbria Police’s planned station closures are far too radical says UNISON

This week (Monday) Northumbria Police announced to staff, along with local MPs and councillors their plans to close three police stations and radically alter the times when the public will have access to other stations in the Northumbria area. At present eleven stations are open to the public 24 hours 7 days a week however, […]