"Lost in UNISON" online courses

UNISON is of course the most wonderful organisation ever but it has 1.3 million members who work in a number of very different public services (public, voluntary and private) in all parts of the UK. 

So its structures and what you have to do to become more active in UNISON can appear (and is) daunting to even long-standing members. 

In Greater London Region (jargon check), for many years, we have been running a "Lost in Unison" course which have been really successful and received lots of positive feedback. 

I recommend that if you are a Greater London UNISON member and are interested in finding out more check out below (if you don't know which region you belong to but know your membership number use this link https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/ or ring via UNISONdirect https://www.unison.org.uk/about/contact/)

To all Branch Secretaries and Branch Education Co-Ordinators

"Dear colleague, you will be aware that that region has been running an online ‘Lost in UNISON’ stewards induction session for those new to the role, or anyone interested in finding out more before making the commitment, and feedback from the online course has been very positive.

I’m pleased to confirm extra dates have now been confirmed and more details regarding the course, dates and how to apply can be found below:-

LOST IN UNISON STEWARDS INDUCTION SESSION

 UNISON is committed to helping and developing you, our new stewards through this initial period while you’re still finding your feet. We’d like to invite you to attend a steward induction session which will give you some training in steward basics, allow you to explore your role, develop your skills and gain the experience and confidence to be an effective steward in your workplace.

You will also meet other new stewards and have an opportunity to become part of a new mentoring program designed to support new stewards in their workplace and the branch.

Thinking of becoming a steward? Then Lost In Unison is also open to you. It’s a great way to find out more about the role and what it involves before making a decision.

The course will run online (via MS Teams) and will be 2 short sessions each of 2 hours (10am -12pm). You do need to be able to attend both sessions.  To register please complete the relevant form for the date you would like to attend

Friday 10 & Friday 17 September (10am – 1pm)  Ref 04/21

To register please go to – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3x7C10HVpEmfWnc3gy1Cx1yHp08KtJ9AkacB8JqTEi1UOUQxSVVOOVVJQk9WODIxMUVZMUZMSUJaTi4u

Closing date for registration Noon on 1 September

Tuesday 12 & Tuesday 19 October (10am – 1pm) – Ref Lost 05/21

To register please go to – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3x7C10HVpEmfWnc3gy1Cx1yHp08KtJ9AkacB8JqTEi1UNUwxMVZFWEgwUzRUQ08zNk9OMFo0UkZEQi4u

Closing date for registration Noon on 1 October

Tuesday 7 & Tuesday 14 December (10am – 1pm) – Ref Lost 06/21

To register please go to – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3x7C10HVpEmfWnc3gy1Cx1yHp08KtJ9AkacB8JqTEi1UMThYSkhWMThVQkJMWFgwQ00yUTNENERCTy4u

Closing date for registration Noon on 1 December

A "thank you" to UNISON Community from their NEC Members

(This message sent today to the 82,000 UNISON members who work in the Housing Associations and Voluntary Sector. 

May I also pay a personal tribute to my NEC colleague, Denise, who as well as her trade union responsibilities is also a care worker in a home for residents with learning disabilities)

A message from your UNISON Community National Executive Council Members

Dear (first name inserted)

We hope you are keeping well in these most trying of times.

We appreciate the fantastic work that you are doing to maintain services in our communities.

As a UNISON member, you are part of a large movement that covers more than 1.3 million workers. We have lost some members and activists to the virus, which some will have contracted at work. This is exceptionally sad, but we will always be here for you if you have been affected. You can contact our charity, There for You, who can offer confidential support and advice during this time. We also have some guidance on our website to help with the emotional toll coronavirus may be having.

Many of you have been supporting your fellow members, by taking part in the weekly claps for carers, stopping to remember them in last month’s worker’s remembrance day, or remembering to thank them when you see them. This recognition of the vital contribution they make is so important to them.

On behalf of your trade union, thank you for supporting front-line workers. And thank you for taking the time to remember those who have died as a result of COVID-19.

If you need support, please contact your local branch or our helpline, UNISONDirect.

Thank you and keep safe.

Denise Thomas – NEC
John Gray – NEC

uCVS19 Conference speech 10. "Alexa did you takes our jobs The rising threat of Automation and computerisation in the Housing Sector"

This was my speech to UNISON Community Conference yesterday on Motion 10.

"John Gray, speaking on behalf of the Service Group Executive in favour of motion 10 as amended.

Conference,

This is all disturbing and challenging but negative changes in employment is nothing new. My first experience of significant industrial action took place 20 years ago this July when I was I was a housing officer working for a London council and was elected chair of a strike committee, we took all out strike for a month against setting up of a repairs call centre and closure of 12 local housing offices with the threat of compulsory redundancies.

It is also not just automation that threatens our jobs but the associated so called “gig or uber economy” employment practices. The rise of bogus self-employment, insecure contracts, no sickness pay, no decent holiday nor pension provision.

Undoubtedly there are threats from automatisation that this motion seeks to begin to address but also there are opportunities to organise. Remember the words of the famous song “Jerusalem” by William Blake? We have new versions of “dark satanic mills” in this 21st century  industrial age, even though there might appear to be shiny computer centres, and UNISON has to be there for workers - fighting, campaigning, persuading, influencing, defending workers by all means possible.

Unison needs to raise its game as well, recently a community member rang our free phone number unisondirect to advise us that she had left her job with a major charity and was now working “freelance” for two charities. As soon as she mentioned “freelance” she was told that she was no longer eligible to be a member! Of course, this is nonsense and Gavin our national officer was horrified when I told him and has taken up with issue with unisondirect, but this shows how we must change our union to reflect the reality of workers, here and now.

This member doesn’t just want traditional representation if things goes wrong she want help with chasing invoices, claiming tax back, basic pension advice and income protection if she is sick.

Finally, conference, 20 years ago we won that dispute against automatisation and managed to save a local housing office service and no one was forced out of a job.

What we must do now is to ensure that our union can adapt to our ever changing world and win future fights for all our members. Conference, please support this motion.

This motion was from the great nation of Cymru/Wales written by my good comrade Mark Jones. Hat tip picture to Mitsy. The motion was passed unanimously.

"Get help staying warm this winter" UNISON "there4you" fuel grants

Application forms for this years winter £50 fuel grants from UNISON charity arm "There for You" are now out. 

In  a welcome pilot this year UNISON members will be entitled to claim if they are in receipt of Housing benefit which should make it simpler to claim for many, especially if they live in high rent areas such as London. Otherwise you can claim if you have net household income of less than £18,000 and savings less than £800.

Download a one page claim form and check out FAQs here

Branches should encourage members to get the application forms in as soon  as possible since there is only a certain pot of money available. Applications have to be by Friday 17 February 2017. 

UNISON members facing other forms of financial and emotional difficulties can contact their branch welfare officer or "There for You" direct at https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/ or ring UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

If you’re worried about money you can talk to an adviser at UNISON Debtline on 0800 389 3302. Lines are open from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 3pm on Saturday.