TUC March For The Alternative

The coalition's cuts to vital public services are not inevitable – they are a political choice, and they’re the wrong choice for the economy.

That's the message UNISON will be putting forward when we March For Public Services on 26 March

Alongside other trade unions, community groups and services users on a TUC organised national demonstration in London, UNISON will be spreading this message as widely as possible.

When times are tough, people need good local services more than ever: they help support communities; help people back into work; help give our children the best start in life; help care for our sick and elderly.

And by putting money into local services, we help to kick-start economic growth and recover from the recession caused by irresponsible banks.

There is an alternative: (Click here to read UNISON's Alternative Budget)

• fair taxation
• investment in our local communities, health and education
• a more equal and just society

This is the message UNISON is determined to get out to wider public and to our own members – and this is why we need as many people as possible marching in March.

To find out more or register your interest in taking part in the event contact the branch office

Happy New Year!

A very happy New Year to all our members and best wishes for 2011

Attempt To Rush Through Tutition Fees Rise

The vote on whether to raise university fees is set to be put before Parliament on Thursday 9 December in an apparent move to by the government to hurry through unpopular plans. Unions and students have confirmed protests will take place in the run up to, and on, the day of the vote.

National Union of Students (NUS) president Aaron Porter said: "MPs can be left in no doubt as to the widespread public opposition to these plans or of the consequences of steamrollering them through parliament. For the third time in less than a month thousands of students have taken to the streets to protest against the government's attacks on further and higher education.

He added: "Despite repeated dismissals by Nick Clegg that these are uninformed protesters, students are intelligent, articulate people who are not being listened to by those in whom they placed their hope for a different politics."

University & College Union (UCU) general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "We will be lobbying hard with protests organised up to, and on, the day of the vote. If the government thinks it can hurry through these deeply unpopular and fundamentally flawed plans without a fight it is utterly mistaken.

'We do not think penalising families by trebling the cost of a degree is fair or progressive. Every MP should think hard about what these proposals will really mean for their constituents. The widespread opposition to the plans has become clear in the past few weeks and it is rather cowardly of the government to now try and rush the vote through."

Click here to read Aaron Porter's letter to Nick Clegg

Health & Wellbeing Amongst Older Workers

UNISON has have been approached by Middlesex University Business School about a research project on older workers.

It's a one year study commissioned by the EU to look at the impact of organisational restructuring on older workers’ health and well being. The other countries involved are Italy, Germany, Austria, and Finland.

The survey will look at the causal factors which lead to declining health (such as loss of job control, deteriorating working conditions, etc) which can have both theoretical implications (eg which models are best for describing the experiences of older workers) as well as practical ones (identifying the best approaches to supporting older workers).

If you are aged 50 or over, please take a few moments to complete the questionnaire.
The results will be immensely useful to UNISON in gathering evidence on any health effects on older workers identified. The deadline for responses is 15th December.

Click here to take part in the survey

Cuts Calculator

We all know that the coalition government's spending cuts will hit us and our communities. Use the calculator below to work out just how much it will impact on you personally.

In Remembrance

It was with great sadness that we learned Debbie McKenzie, Branch Secretary of Reading Borough UNISON, passed away on Sunday 7th November. Our deepest sympathies are with Debbie’s family, friends, and colleagues at this most difficult time.

Debbie had been involved with UNISON, and before that NALGO, for many years as a member and workplace representative. In recent times Debbie was elected first as assistant secretary and then as branch secretary of Reading Borough UNISON. Throughout she worked tirelessly and selflessly for the benefit of all our members.

A funeral service will be held at 9.30am on Wednesday 17th November at English Martyrs Church on Liebenrood Road (in West Reading near Prospect Park.) All Debbie’s friends and colleagues are welcome to attend and are asked to please wear at least one brightly coloured item of clothing.

There will be a Memory Book in the UNISON office on level 14 of the Civic Centre from Monday 15th November for two weeks. If you would like to sign, or add a personal message or recollection, please come up to the office at any stage during the fortnight between 9am and 4pm.

Memories and tributes have already been flooding into the branch office, all of which will be passed on to Debbie’s family, and in the coming days our executive committee will be discussing an appropriate way to properly commemorate the vast contribution Debbie made to this branch during the past decade.

In the meantime, UNISON has started a collection for a donation to be made to charity Cancer Research UK in Debbie’s name. If you would like to contribute please speak to your UNISON workplace representative or contact the branch office. 

Debbie’s fierce determination to protect the rights of members, both individually and collectively, showcased the very best of the trade union movement. Her dedication, integrity, and constructive and positive approach won the respect not only of UNISON members, but of RBC managers, her colleagues, and fellow trade unionists.

Lifelong learning was something Debbie believed in passionately and one of her proudest achievements was negotiating a workplace learning agreement between Reading Borough Council and its recognised trades unions.

Debbie was an inspiration to those lucky enough to have worked with her. Her energy and enthusiasm touched us all and she will be greatly missed.