Since 2010, under the direction of international organisations and most economists, governments across the world have cut spending in order to restore public finances to health. OECD figures show this strategy has failed. Cuts have greatly damaged economic growth – to a far greater extent than…Read more…
Unite Policy Conference 2016 – Tuesday’s business
The biggest debate of the day was around local government cuts. An Executive Statement strengthened Unite’s policy, but didn’t go as far as the motions which fell as a result of it passing.
Composite 1 (Motions 1 & 2): Campaigning Against Privatis…Read more…
Devastating impact
A campaign to stop lethal cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has been launched by Unite and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS). Last autumn the Tories…Read more…
Standing up to the “easycouncil”
Our members in Barnet have been at the sharp end, with the council outsourcing anything it can. The spirit shown by our library workers today is a tremendous example to us all – and we will stand by…Read more…
How can you run a campaign to defend a service?
Neath Port Talbot branch fought a successful campaign against library closures – so just how did they do it?
The article How can you run a campaign to defend a service? first appeared on the UNISON…Read more…
Maths of the impossible
The government’s convoluted maths outlining NHS spending is beginning to unravel, as fresh revelations show the health service achieved only £1bn of its £22bn in planned efficiency savings scheduled…Read more…
Compulsory redundancies at British Gas will be hard to avoid, says UNISON
Commenting on the news that 700 British Gas jobs are to go in the West Midlands, with the closure of the Oldbury service/call centre near Birmingham, UNISON national energy officer Matt Lay said:…Read more…
Foyle Haven in Derry handed life line as UNISON backs campaign
Service helps those with addiction problems handed rescue package that also saves 11 jobs
The article Foyle Haven in Derry handed life line as UNISON backs campaign first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Hundreds of Co Durham teaching assistants protest at pay cut plans
County council’s plans could see vital school staff lose £1,000 to £5,000 a year
The article Hundreds of Co Durham teaching assistants protest at pay cut plans first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
A balanced workforce for policing that delivers
Since the establishment of Police Scotland police staff have borne the brunt of a process of centralisation, budget cuts and politically driven targets. This process has been bad for policing, bad for communities and bad for staff. UNISON Scotland calls for policing in Scotland to be properly resourced with a balanced workforce responsive to locally determined priorities.
The new ChiefRead more…
Police staff cuts and crime rises – the correlation is clear
For a government intent on slashing police spending, their chickens are coming home to roost. And with the Police and Crime Commissioner elections less than two months away, there has never been a…Read more…
#Budget2016: TUC reaction roundup
The Chancellor, George Osborne delivered the 2016 budget yesterday, here is a quick round up of reactions from our TUC bloggers: Public Service cuts £3.5bn worth of cuts to public services by 2020. The spending cuts will be identified through an ‘efficiency review’. Cuts and increased pressures on…Read more…
March Scotland in UNISON out now
Council job cuts: Yes it is thousands; Fundamental review of council funding needed; Winning no compulsory redundancy pledges;£1m won for personal injuries; Keeping up the fight against the Anti-Union Bill; COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS 2016 Standard of entries ‘absolutely tremendous’; Changing everything – climate film and more; Young members launch award winning anti-bullying guide; UNISON’s RazaRead more…
UNISON response to Scottish Government council tax announcement today (2 March)
2 March 2016
Dave Watson, UNISON head of policy and public affairs said,
‘UNISON welcomes any progress on the council tax freeze. However after 8 years we had expected more than tinkering with the present system. This will not ensure that local government is properly funded, nor will it ensure a fair funding for local government. Scotland needs a fundamental review local tax funding for localRead more…
Not listening
Unite Scotland says the Scottish Government is ‘not listening’ to local government workers, who will descend on the Scottish Parliament again tomorrow (February 24) in protest against a £600…Read more…
UNISON lobbying Scottish Parliament for fair funding for local services
Scotland’s largest trade union will lobby the Scottish Parliament on budget day (1pm, Wednesday 24 February 2016) to call for a fair funding settlement for local services.Local government has taken the brunt of cuts in Scotland. Scottish Government funding is down by 0.8%. Yet funding for local government is down by 4.5%. This is a £500m cut from local services this year. The cumulative costRead more…
English college review risks jobs and closures, warns union
‘Area-based reviews’ part of restructuring plans for post-16 education prompted by ‘the need to cut public expenditure’
The article English college review risks jobs and closures, warns union first…Read more…
Proof council cuts hit poorest areas hardest
Hat tip Ravi. “In recent days there has been a storm about the recently announced 2016/17 local government grant settlement from central government. The creation of a new £300m relief fund will mainly be used to help Tory-run councils, like David Cameron’s Oxordshire County Council, with…Read more…
Unravelling the myths about austerity
There are many myths about the cuts and the need for austerity – here, we’ve picked out five of the main ones
The article Unravelling the myths about austerity first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Government plans to attack redundancy agreements
The government is launching a new attack on redundancy terms, which could affect workers with a long-service record
The article Government plans to attack redundancy agreements first appeared on the…Read more…