International Women’s Day 2024

To mark International Women’s Day, here’s a joint message from UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary Karen Loughlin, and regional convenor Wendy Nichols: “International Women’s Day is a significant date in the UNISON calendar. The union has more than 1.3 million members across the country, and over 70% of them are women. “They make vital […]

UNISON organises anti-racism event for Sheffield City Council as part of Year of Black Workers campaign

An event to help Sheffield City Council eliminate racism has been organised by the UNISON City of Sheffield branch. The council was assessed to be “institutionally racist” by the Race Equality Commission and a three-year improvement plan introduced in an effort to change culture, structures, processes, policies and systems. Both the chief executive and new […]

Support staff to walk out after Barnsley College refuse pay talks, says UNISON

Workers at Barnsley College will strike on Monday 11 September due to the college’s repeated refusal to engage in pay discussions, says UNISON. Staff voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, with more than 90% of votes cast in favour. The college, which maintains it does not negotiate pay locally, implemented a 2% pay increase in January […]

Workers at Kirklees Council considering strike

Staff at Kirklees Council are being consulted over potential strike action in response to plans to cut 250 jobs to address a £20 million overspend, UNISON says. An indicative ballot is now open to workers – after UNISON called on the council earlier this month to reconsider its plans. No agreed redundancy policy is in […]

Staff at Kirklees College to strike in September over pay

Workers at Kirklees College will walk out for four days once the new term starts in September in a dispute over pay. The strikes – which are set to take place on Monday 11, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September – are a result of the college’s refusal to enter pay negotiations. UNISON, […]

Rotherham gravediggers put strike on hold, says UNISON

Planned strike action by cemetery maintenance staff in Rotherham, including gravediggers, has been put on hold after a pay offer from their employer, UNISON says today. The workers involved in the dispute are predominantly paid at, or close to, the national minimum wage level. They have lost out significantly on pay since being transferred out […]

Calderdale protests as part of ‘pay fair for patient care’ campaign

Healthcare assistants working in the A&E departments at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have staged another peaceful protest as part of UNISON’s ‘pay fair for patient care’ campaign. Band 2 workers protested outside Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax as part of a push to see some healthcare support staff rebanded, as they are carrying […]

Coal mining museum strikes suspended, says UNISON

Planned strike action by almost 100 workers at the National Coal Mining Museum for England (NCMME) have been put on hold, UNISON says today. Workers at the museum include ex-miners who keep the heritage of the coal industry alive for a new generation by giving talks and tours of the underground tunnels at Wakefield’s former […]

Workers must not pay the price for financial pressures at Kirklees Council, warns UNISON

Around 250 workers at Kirklees Council are set to lose their jobs because of a £20 million overspend, UNISON says. The union was notified of the proposed redundancies earlier this month, which are scheduled for between October and March this year. UNISON says the council must think again about its plans, which will deprive the […]