UNISON signs Recognition agreement with Outward

A good news story.  Joint UNISON convenors, Adam Zadaane and Wendy Lavington are seen in photo with Outward CEO Peter Little (centre) about to sign a trade union recognition agreement with my UNISON branch.

In my personal view any employer that refuses to recognise trade unions and therefore does not respect basic United Nations Charter human rights is unfit for running any publicly funded social care or housing service (or anything else in the private sector for that matter). 

Well done to Outward for wanting to work in partnership with their staff and their union representatives. 

Also, great work by Outward UNISON reps and our branch staff.

UNISON Press release "The trade union UNISON has signed a recognition agreement with care services provider Outward, who provide care and support services to vulnerable people across ten London boroughs.

UNISON members working for Outward will now be able to negotiate and bargain with their employer over their pay, terms and conditions, and all other important aspects of their working lives.

Housing Associations Branch Manager/Organiser Josephine Grahl said: “We’re delighted that UNISON members at Outward will now benefit from formal recognition in their workplace.”

“Care and Support workers do an extremely important job and, thanks to the government’s austerity agenda, come under constant pressure to work harder for less. They need a strong union who is prepared to defend their rights at work.”

Outward CEO Peter Little said: “We’ve always valued good communications with our staff and this agreement will strengthen our working relationship with UNISON. We look forward to working in partnership with them.”

UNISON convenor Wendy Lavington said: “The recognition agreement has come about because of the hard work and organisation of our members at Outward. Membership has doubled over two years and there is a real groundswell of enthusiasm.”

For more information contact Josephine Grahl, UNISON Housing Associations Branch Manager/Organiser, on 020 7697 4030/4031 or info@unisonhablondon.org

Notes for editors

UNISON represents 1.3 million workers employed in the public sector, by private contractors and in the not-for-profit sector, including over 20,000 members in housing associations. The UNISON Housing Associations Branch represents over 3,000 workers in social and supported housing across Greater London.