Can your members afford to lose up to £50 a week?

If they qualify, low-paid workers need to claim in-work tax credits before universal credit arrives in their area.

Across the country, a million people in low-paid jobs have yet to apply for tax credits. This will include low-income UNISON members. But they need to hurry up and apply before it’s too late and universal credit arrives in their area.

If people don’t claim tax credits by the time the full universal credit service arrives in their town or city, they could end up much worse off. This is because, while chancellor George Osborne backed down over cuts to tax credits in his Budget last July, cuts to universal credit work allowances remain and came in this week.

If members leave it until universal credit comes in to claim support they’re entitled to, they will lose out. But if they claim tax credits before, this will be protected.

So UNISON, in partnership with benefit experts Entitledto, has launched an online calculator as part of a campaign to encourage people to take up the benefits they are due. Members can find it at unison-takeup.entitledto.co.uk.

Use the UNISON/Entitledto tax credit (take up) calculator

Your chance to win big and make UNISON stronger – read more

Commenting on the debate in the Commons that has seen the government accept many of the Trade Union Bill amendments made last week in the Lords, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“Without these significant changes, unions representing working people across the UK would have found it hard to continue doing what they do best – speaking up for those being treated badly at work and campaigning for a fairer society.

“Of course we’d rather the Bill had never existed, and there is much that is still wrong with it. Even with today’s amendments it still places unnecessary burdens on working people and their unions.

Continue reading UNISON WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S CHANGE OF HEART ON TRADE UNION BILL PROPOSALS →

If we want to try and improve the workplace and feedback members concerns we need stewards across all parts of the University.

 THE ROLE OF A STEWARD INVOLVES:

• supporting and advising members on workplace issues
• representing members
• be the first and main point of contact for members with the union
• recruit new members
• work with members to establish an organised workplace
• support and advise members on workplace issues
• act as a spokesperson for the members they represent and for
• the branch
• represent members with the employer, dependent on their
• experience and confidence
• represent members within the branch committee
• be answerable to the members they represent

The benefits of becoming a steward include:

To help you with this role you will receive training and support, and will be part of a group of Officers and Stewards who support members at The University of Sheffield.

• opportunity to improve your communication and negotiation skills
• helping fellow members
• getting to know members from across the University
• being more informed, and involved in your union

If you are interested in becoming a steward please contact unison@sheffield.ac.uk. 

With rising fuel costs and another cold winter looming many members on low income are worried about how they’re going to pay their winter fuel bills.

Help is on hand

‘There for You’ has set up a limited fund to help UNISON members on low income by way of a one-off payment of £40.

To apply visit unison.org.uk/thereforyou.  Alternatively, call UNISONdirect on 0800 0857 857 or simply contact your UNISON branch office.  Everyone that applies will receive a booklet giving information about other help that may be available and how to reduce your fuel costs in the future. The attached Q&A  also provides further information.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23 February 2016.

Dave Prentis has today been re-elected as General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union.

Continue reading DAVE PRENTIS RE-ELECTED AS UNISON GENERAL SECRETARY →

You’ll have great fun, make new friends, visit fantastic places

and see some amazing scenery.

 Down load application form.  Closing date for applications 31 January 2016

 “I really don’t know what I would have done without your help.  It is really appreciated and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  P.S.  I am so proud to be a member of UNISON”.

Registered charity no. 1023553/SCO38305

This year’s chosen local charity was the Cavendish Cancer Care.  Members raised £52.20 from the raffle.

Cavendish Cancer Care 25th anniversary read more

Social Media:  Be careful what you say, do and upload, on Facebook and Twitter

UNISON are concerned that the rise in the use of “social media” such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc., and these being readily available on computers, tablets, smartphones,   has lead to a rise in disciplinary issues and tensions.  The time spent on social media during working hours aside,  problems arise when one colleague “de-friends” another, or comments are made that others may find offensive, insulting, bullying, or disrespectful (rather than humorous), or when derogatory comments are made about a manager or the institution.  This can lead to disciplinary action ranging from a warning right up to dismissal, if the conduct is serious enough to undermine the employment relationship beyond repair.

Continue reading FREE SPEECH OR INSUBORDINATION →