Robin Hood Tax

If you do one thing this week, UNISON is asking that you add your support to demands for the Robin Hood tax at:

www.robinhoodtax.org.uk

A tax on banking transactions is a key element of UNISON's motion to the Labour Party Conference next week and was the basis for a lively debate at our own National Delegate Conference earlier this year.

Formation Of Reading Trades Union Council

On Saturday 18 September the inaugural meeting of the Reading Trades Union Council (RTUC) was held at UNISON's regional offices on church street.

Over 30 activists from a dozen different unions working in the private, public and voluntary sectors across Reading came together to elect an executive group and begin developing a programme to build a united voice for working people and communities in our town.

Representatives from the branch attended the event because we feel there is an urgent need for a united trades union movement to defend members and promote an alternative to a cuts agenda which could devastate our community.

The next RTUC meeting will be held on Thursday 7 October, and the group will be building towards an AGM next February.We will bring you more news as things develop.

To find out about the RTUC and its history visit readingtuc.blogspot.com

UNISON's Award For Outstanding Social Work

Do you know a social worker who has done outstanding work, supporting adults, families and children, and who deserves special recognition?

Why not nominate them for UNISON's award for outstanding social work, which has been set up to highlight the huge difference that social workers make to people in the UK.

UNISON represents more than 40,000 social workers who work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society, often under enormous pressure from underfunding, understaffing, and excessive paperwork.

Despite this, social workers are constantly facing bad press and so UNISON is attempting to redress the balance by highlighting some of the positive contributions made everyday.

The deadline for entries is 1 December 2010 and there will be a prize for the winning social worker in each region.

Visit UNISON Social Work Award to download a
nomination form

Pakistan Flood Appeal

On 23 August UNISON nationally donated £10,000 to the Pakistan Flood Appeal and urged branches to follow suit. UNISON president Angela Lynes commented:

"The recent floods in Pakistan are probably the worst humanitarian disaster in the UN's history because so many millions of people are affected. The international community must respond faster and more generously if more lives are not to be lost ... thousands are dying needlessly from preventable diseases and millions more are without food or shelter."

The Reading Borough UNISON Executive Committee this week approved a motion for our branch to donate £500 to the same Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help alleviate the awful human tragedy caused by the flooding.

To find out more about the DEC and the Pakistan flood appeal, or if you would like to make a personal donation, please visit: www.dec.org.uk/

Save NHS Direct!

An online petition has been launched as part of a campaign to save NHS Direct after the coalition government revealed plans to replace it with a cut-price service staffed by non-medical workers.

The coalition plan to roll out the non-emergency "111" service nationally once trials had been completed in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Luton.

Around 11,600 have signed the petition so far. Cameron has previously promised a Commons debate on any petition that receives 100,000 signatures.

Please sign the petition and encourage others to do so at: www.savenhsdirect.co.uk/

Introducing Moneyway: Unison’s new Personal Loan provider!

When members enquire about taking out a personal loan with Moneyway, you’ll be met by a friendly, experienced team who will offer advice that is specific to your needs explaining your options clearly and carefully. This ensures that no only do they lend responsibly but any loan offered is at a level that you can comfortably afford to repay.

Moneyway offer an unsecured lending facility for almost any purpose, ranging from home improvements to holidays, that once in a lifetime special occasion to consolidating any other lending. Members can apply for personal loans to £500 to £15,000 with each loan tailored to your individual circumstances to ensure you are offered the best rate available with Moneyway.

· Loans available from £500 - £15,000*
· Term 1 – 5 years
· Unsecured lending only (i.e. your home is not used as security)
· We don’t borrow from other banks
· Same day decisions in most cases

So why not give them a call now on 08451 117 113** (opening hours 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday) or for further information visit our website at www.moneyway.co.uk/unison.

* Terms & conditions apply. Loans subject to status. Available to UK residents 18 years and over.

** Calls may be recorded and monitored for quality and training purposes.

Loans provided by Secure Trust Bank plc.