It is with great sadness that we write of the passing of Colin Seabrook Colin was a union member for 33 years, first in NALGO then UNISON and he soon became an active steward in the IT Department for HCC. Unfortunately, he had to retire early due to poor health, but this did not stop […]
Dear Alan Whitehead MP, For millions of people across the country, access to physical cash is a vital lifeline. From budgeting to buying groceries, to those who don’t have bank accounts or access to digital services, cash is essential. In particular, it is the elderly and the most vulnerable in our society who depend on […]
In March last year most of the Retired Members Section Committee attended the Hampshire Branch AGM held at the Discovery Centre in Winchester. Little did we know the devastating year that lay ahead of us, caused by a combination of the Corona virus pandemic and the ongoing effects of ten years austerity. The RMS committee […]
Watch it here, report by Hampshire UNISON member Diana Barnes below: Amnesty International UK’s shock report ‘As If Expendable: The UK Government’s Failure to Protect Older People in Care Homes during the COV-ID-19 Pandemic,’ laid bare how older people were often pushed to the back of the queue as the authorities worked to deal with […]
The Maternity Acton website can be found here “We kick off our campaigning this year by renewing our calls for urgent action in the face of the pandemic’s devastating impact on pregnant women and new mothers. It has taken nine months but the Government has finally released guidance on managing pregnant women at work. We […]
Amnesty International have published a report ‘As if Expendable’, which in our view could alternatively be called Slaughter of the Innocents. It tells of what happened to residents and staff in English care homes between 2 March and 12 June 2020, with specific references to Hampshire. The report’s conclusion is that the human rights of staff and residents in care homes […]
It is with sadness that we must report the passing of Mike Perkins, lifelong trade unionist and member of the branch. Chris O’Neill, Chair of the Retired Members Section, writes: “For many years he was a Unison steward and amongst other positions he was Secretary of Southampton and SW Hants Trades Council, a Branch Committee member of Hampshire […]
Diana Barnes, Unison Retired Members’ Section, attended The Old People’s Day online event – Goodbye Cinderella: Time for A New Settlement for Care Services, a National Pensioners’ Convention Webinar Report: Jan Shortt, NPC General Secretary was, as ever, an efficient Chair, cutting off one speaker when she exceeded her 5 minutes! We first watched a video showing what it was like for care workers during the worst […]
I was curious about the process locally, regionally and nationally, leading to the election of a new Unison General Secretary. Some of you are probably familiar with the procedure; for the rest, I invite you to share the information I have gathered. Dave Prentis, our current General Secretary, announced his retirement last July. Later that […]
“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it” Bob Hope An increase of 2.5% on the state pension has been announced to commence in April 2021. Those on the new state pension will receive an increase of £4.40 per week to £179.60. The increase on the old state pension […]