UNISON members are electing the union’s national executive council – here are some key reasons why you should use your vote and return the ballot paper read more
UNISON members are electing the union’s national executive council – here are some key reasons why you should use your vote and return the ballot paper read more
Pre-retirement workshops – spaces available
Are you retiring or considering retiring in the next 18 months? Join our workshop and prepare for the next stage of your life.
Learn how to
We have spaces available at the following pre-retirement workshops.
Friday, 8 December 2017
Workshop runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm in Leeds.
If you’re interested in attending, please email T.Shearer@unison.co.uk
Commenting on the Spring Budget UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:
On pay
“For almost a decade nurses, teaching assistants, town hall staff and others in the public sector have had their wages frozen or been given minuscule pay rises.
“These are the people keeping the NHS, schools and local communities afloat in tough times. The pay boost for Westminster politicians should’ve signalled a decent pay rise for the rest of the public sector, especially with inflation almost double the one per cent cap.
“But without a mention from the Chancellor, public service employees will be feeling they’re the forgotten part of the ‘jam’ generation. Most are not managing at all. read the full article
Outside the Sheffield Town Hall at 12:30
Every year, we mark International Workers’ Memorial Day by drawing attention to the horrendous number of workers killed or injured while doing their jobs. In the UK alone, around 50,000 people die every year from work-related illnesses and accidents, and many more suffer ill health and injuries. For many of our members, stress is the biggest concern, often caused by overwork. Others are at greater risk because of who they are: workplace equality can be as important as robust health and safety measures in ensuring the welfare of all. Everyone should take health and safety seriously, and look out for vulnerable colleagues.
Your Union is active in helping to keep everyone safe. We are represented on the University’s Health, Safety and Welfare committee, and stewards are trained to deal with health and safety issues locally. Advice and support is available from Will Tierney, our new Health and Safety Officer, but also from UNISON expertise at local and national level.
Mental Health is as important as physical health, and a Bill was passed in 2012 which set this in law, however it needs to be taken more seriously.
“According to the Centre for Mental Health, mental illnesses account for 28% of the burden of disease but only 13% of NHS spending.The government requires NHS England to treat mental health as importantly as physical – so-called ‘parity of esteem’. But this doesn’t seem to be happening in practice.
Data released by the NHS last October, and analysed by the Health Service Journal, showed that more than a fifth of commissioners are failing to raise mental health spending by as much as directed by NHS leaders. And what’s worse, eight are actually reporting cutting their budgets”
Statistically one in four can be diagnosed with a mental health condition at any time, and we need support.
Mental Health Matters campaign
Our new area organiser Lorraine Fitzsimons will be holding branch advisory surgeries every Tuesday at our branch.
If you wish to discuss any issues or concerns you may have please email unison@sheffield.ac.uk or call our branch administrator on 222829 to arrange an appointment.
Availability:
12:00 – 12:30
12:45 – 13:15
13:30 – 14:00
Appointments are booked on a first come first served basis.
*Please note* there are no branch surgeries on: 18 April, 25 April, 23 May, 13 June, 20 June, 4 July, 29 August, 12 September, 10 October
UNISON and sister university unions are urging employers to improve their pay offer for 2017-18 when the two sides meet again later this month.
Negotiations will continuing between the five unions and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association at the meeting on 27 April.
The latest information on the Higher Education pay offer can be found here: pay offer
Like all UK universities, at The University of Sheffield we have many members of staff from across the EU.
Since the referendum last year, there has been a great deal of uncertainty for EU citizens living and working in the UK. We don’t know what the outcomes of the Brexit negotiations will be, but UNISON will continue to campaign for the right of EU citizens to remain here.
In the meantime, we have created a booklet providing practical help to UNISON members whose right to live and work in the UK is dependent on their citizenship of another EU country.