2025 is very nearly over, and it’s the perfect time to look back on what has been a very busy year for UNISON in the region.
For many workers, it’s been a year of turbulence and stress, including staff at the National Coal Mining Museum, who have been on strike for well over 100 days. Despite the hostility they’ve faced from their employer, there has been an outpouring of public support. As well as MPs backing their fight, Wakefield Council voted unanimously to remove funding for the museum. The leader of the council Denise Jeffery was one of the key political speakers at a solidarity rally in support of the striking workers earlier this month too. You have the support, you have the strength, and you will win.
They’re not the only workers striking in the run-up to Christmas. Theatre assistants at Leeds Teaching Hospitals are walking out in a dispute over rebanding and back pay, while workers at West Yorkshire Combined Authority are also striking over pay.
There has also been significant uncertainty in the higher education sector across the region, causing significant levels of stress for staff.
But 2025 has provided lots of reasons to celebrate, too. Healthcare assistants in Hull, East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire secured a significant regrading and back pay win, benefitting more than 1,500 members of staff. Another rebanding win too, for healthcare assistants in theatres and maternity departments in Calderdale and Huddersfield. All that after maternity support workers in Grimsby secured a deal at the start of the year, after strike action in 2024.
This year also saw Outwood Grange Academies Trust commit to working with UNISON by signing our learning agreement, meaning support staff will be supported by the employer to engage in union learning. A delegation from UNISON Sheffield Teaching Hospitals branch also headed to Ghana, to help support young people with education opportunities.
We also saw the conclusion of the region’s first Women’s Leadership Programme, which wrapped up on International Women’s Day, as well as hundreds of members completing UNISON education – including at our branch officer training weekend in May.
So as 2025 comes to a close and we look ahead to what will no doubt be another busy year, let’s pause for a moment to say a big thank you for all you’ve done for UNISON this year. The members make the union, and you have all played your part over the past 12 months.
Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
Wendy Nichols & Karen Loughlin
Regional convenor & regional secretary
