Activist – your weekly update
UNISON joins in the schools ‘carnival against the cuts’
Becky Everett, Jill Goodale and Jon Richards with UNISON flag
Westminster demonstration hears the human side from members
Derby teaching assistants Becky Everett and Jill Goodale were just two of the UNISON members who joined thousands of trade unionists, school staff and parents to demonstrate against school cuts in London’s Parliament Square at the weekend.
“Jill and Becky showed the human side of the cuts,” said UNISON national secretary Jon Richards, at the demonstration organised by Save our Schools and parents’ group Fair Funding for All Schools.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s government announcement that more money would go to schools from elsewhere in the education budget, he warned the government to “put serious money into the education system, as we aren’t going to drop our campaign.”
Education unions warned that schools are already cutting curriculum choices, activities for pupils and teaching and support staff posts, and said yesterday’s announcement is not enough to protect all schools and avoid damaging cuts to children’s education
- Joint press release: School funding announcement disappoints
- Read the report from Sunday’s ‘carnival against the cuts’ demo
- schoolcuts.org.uk: how the cuts affect your local school
The general secretary’s blog
‘We must stop the government removing your rights without oversight, debate or a vote’The government’s ‘Great Repeal Bill’, which outlines how EU legislation will be converted into EU law, could see rights fought for and won over decades eliminated by the stroke of a pen in Whitehall.
This isn’t taking back control – this is a blatant power grab by a weakened prime minister.
News highlights from your union
PAY UP NOW: Government ‘out of step’ with public mood on pay
“With inflation much higher than wages, nurses, teaching assistants and care staff are getting poorer,” says UNISON general secretary.
PUBLIC SERVICE PAY: Chancellor ‘out of touch’
After seven years of a punishing pay cap, all public sector employees need a pay rise.
POLICE AND JUSTICE: Pay claim submitted for more than 30,000 police staff
UNISON, Unite and GMB have put in a claim for a 5% or £1,000 increase – whichever is greater.
NHS: Apprentices protected by new pay guidance
UNISON will support branches with new guidance ‘to make it stick’ in the workplace following agreement at NHS staff council.
Coming up
6 AUG: Hiroshima Day
9 AUG: Nagasaki Day
12 AUG: International Youth Day
10-13 SEP: TUC Congress
14 SEP: National Black LGBT members’ meeting
National network meeting for Black LGBT members – all welcome
15 SEP: National disabled LGBT members’ meeting
National network meeting for disabled LGBT members – all welcome
24-27 SEP: Labour Party conference
For more events, see unison.org.uk/events
Support and information for UNISON reps and branches
SURVEY: Help UNISON campaign for equality
Take the UNISON equality survey and encourage your members to take it too. You could win three nights for two people at Croyde Bay Holiday Resort, and help inform UNISON’s campaigning work for equality.
PRIVATISATION: Help stop the sale of NHS Professionals
UNISON backs We Own It campaign against sell-off – you can help by signing the petition and urging your MP to back the Early Day Motion 152.
Find out more, sign the petition and email your MP
COMMUNITY: West Midlands regional games 2017
After last year’s successful inaugural UNSION West Midlands regional games, this year’s event will take place at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, on 5 August.
All UNISON members, staff, family, friends and the wider community from all regions are invited to take part and get to know your fellow unions members!
Find out more and register for spectator tickets
Want to work for your union?
Check out our latest job opportunities in organising andmuch more.
Find out more
UNISON Organising Space
Share experiences with colleagues in our online home for activists.
Find out more