UNISON Safety inspection in Leeds Housing office

 

Today I travelled up to Leeds to support a new UNISON safety representative, Wayne, on his first trade union safety inspection of his local housing office and workshop. Wayne is a repairs operative, currently repairing void (empty) properties and has worked for the organisation for 30 years. 

The inspection was done in conjunction with Facilities management who were very helpful and reactive to problems identified. We also discussed safety issues and violence at work with the estate housing officer present. 

Our employer has 48 offices across England and we are planning to inspect all of them (eventually!). 

Homes at the Heart

An excellent campaign for a social housing led response to Covid-19 launched by the National Housing Federation supported by over 60 organisations (including the biggest UK Housing union UNISON)

1. No return to rough sleeping ● In the short term, we need to find permanent homes and support for those who are temporarily housed. ● In the longer term, our ambition is to end homelessness in all its forms. This can only be achieved by building more social homes and ensuring support services are properly funded – as we set out below.

2. A new generation of affordable homes ● In the short term, housing associations need certainty to keep building during challenging times. The government should earmark up to £3bn of the new £12.2bn affordable homes budget to support the short-term recovery, with more flexibility on the tenure of new homes and when they are delivered. ● In the long term, the government should use this year’s spending review to invest in a new generation of social and affordable homes to rent and buy. To kick-start this, the government should commit an additional £20bn in grant funding for 2022-32, creating a ten-year affordable housing fund.

3. Helping people to thrive at home ● Supported housing can transform lives – it can help people carry on living independently, improve life chances and help people manage through a crisis. It helps avoid costly hospital stays, prevents homelessness and supports employment. ● That’s why we’re calling for the government to ringfence housing-related support funding and allocate £1.4bn a year to local authorities. ● Supply of supported housing is reducing, when demand is increasing. So we’re calling for supported housing to be part of a new generation of social homes.

4. A new drive to decarbonise social housing ● Decarbonising Britain’s homes is an essential part of tackling climate change, and also saves residents money, boosts the economy and creates jobs. ● Housing associations want to be at the forefront of decarbonisation, but face challenges such as lack of finance and skills shortages. ● We’re working with our members to explore how we can work with partners to drive forward the decarbonisation of social housing at scale – and are calling on the government to provide policy certainty, set ambitious standards and targets, and deliver a Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

5. Change for communities across the country ● During this unprecedented time, people’s local communities have been more important than ever and housing associations will continue to work in and with their communities to help them bounce back. But the coronavirus crisis has highlighted the inequality that communities across England have faced for many years. ● We’re calling on the government to hold firm to its commitment to level up the economy with a new, long-term, £1bn-a-year investment in regeneration, targeting funding where need is greatest. ● The government can also empower local stakeholders to kick-start recovery, and should support housing and employment services to work together to boost employment.

UNISON Living - Membership services

UNISON Living - Services for our 1.3 members checked by our union as trusted partners offering best deals. I signed up to a news Gas/Electrics supplier via Union energy yesterday saving me loads.

Union Energy

Winter's here, so check out whether you're getting the best deal for your energy supply. It only takes a few minutes to find out how much you could save. You could give yourself an early Christmas present! visit www.unionenergy.co.uk or call 0800 094 9039 quoting Unison.

Good value and great values from a trusted insurer LV=

UNISON members have been enjoying exclusive discounts on LV= Car and Breakdown insurance for many years.  LV=, the UK's largest friendly society with over five million members and customers, has been awarded Which? Insurance Provider of the Year 2017. 

The UNISON approved Car insurance as well as the comprehensive and deluxe levels of Breakdown cover are all Defaqto five star rated to give you peace of mind.

To make the most of your membership give us a call or go online. Call 0800 756 8161 or visit www.LV.com/UNISON

Lines are open Mon- Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Calls may be recorded.  For Text Phone: first dial 18001

UNISON Health & Dental Plans

‘Free Prize Draw for UNISON members’ : win choice of flat screen LED TV, Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop or Games Console up to the value of £299!

Get your NHS dental bills repaid in full up to £500 per year. Join today to get your money back each time you visit your NHS dentist.

To find out more about the UNISON NHS Dental Plan and to enter the Free Prize Draw Click Here  

Prefer to get your money back on everyday health expenses like trips to the opticians as well as the dentists? You can with the UNISON Health Plan.

To find out more and to enter the Free Prize Draw Click Here

UNISON Croyde Bay Holiday Resort
Brand new development of 28 luxury 3 & 4 bedroom lodges - ready mid 2018
15% off for UNISON Members
Hotel, Self Catering and soon Lodges in Croyde, North Devon
www.croydeunison.co.uk

UIA

Unison members - our great value Home Insurance just got even better. When you buy a Home Insurance policy from us online, you’ll be eligible to receive a £50 Love2shop Reward. Love2shop Rewards are accepted online at many restaurants, attractions and shops such as John Lewis and Argos. Visit www.unisoninsurance.co.uk to get a quote

UIB

UNISONProtect is kicking off the countdown to the festive season with a chance to win a £250 gift card to spend at either John Lewis, Amazon or M&S!

Don’t miss out - visit www.unisonprotect.com/xmas17 now for your chance to win.

Credit Union

Why not think about a Christmas Club savings account ready for next year?

London Capital Credit Union offers secure savings accounts and low cost loans to Unison members anywhere in Greater London.

Join here> http://www.credit-union.coop/content.asp?section=250

UNISON Prepaid Plus Cashback Card

Make this year a merry Cashback Christmas

Christmas can be expensive and it’s easy for spending to spiral out of control. That’s why with up to 6% cashback savings at retail partners, the UNISON Prepaid Plus Cashback card is one great little helper for this festive season.

Shopping online or in-store, you’ll earn cashback at big-name retailers, including Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Boots. There’s no minimum or maximum spend, nor any limit on how much cashback you can earn! You can only spend what you’ve loaded on the card, making it a great way to organise your finances. Set a shopping budget beforehand and you won’t be tempted to splurge as you might with a credit or debit card.

So don’t miss out on unlimited cashback on your Christmas shopping! Sign up for your card today - visit www.UNISONprepaid.com

The UNISON Prepaid Plus Cashback Card is arranged by Union Income Ltd, a membership benefits partner of UNISON.

Vauxhall

VAUXHALL PARTNERS BENEFITS FOR YOU

DIAL UP THE FUN

CORSA ENERGY 

with OnStar*, Park Assist§, Apple Car Play™ and Android Auto™¥ and up to £3,037.04 Customer Saving‡

‡ Saving includes Vauxhall Deposit Contribution.

How do we give you this great saving? 

You get £1,237.04 from Vauxhall Associate Partners. Plus £1,800 if you choose Vauxhall Finance. 

To find out more visit: www.partnersprogramme.co.uk/offer Call 0344 875 2448 or visit your local Vauxhall Retailer.