Public services in Neath Port Talbot at crisis point

High profile Neath Port Talbot politicians will gather at the council’s offices tomorrow (Friday) for a ‘Question Time’ style event with all the employees of the local authority.  UNISON’s local branch has organised the session and the trade union said focus will be on the damage being wrought by severe UK government spending cuts on […]

Robin Hood Tax would deliver millions for Welsh councils

An innovative tax on business financial transactions could deliver millions of pounds for cash-strapped Welsh councils, according to UNISON Cymru Wales. The trade union is today (Wednesday) urging local authorities to join the campaign for a Robin Hood Tax, which could provide much-needed funds for vital community services. UNISON says that public services such as […]

UNISON responds to Darren Millar NHS criticism

  Responding to Darren Millar’s comments about the Betsi Cadwaladr health board, Donna Hutton, UNISON Cymru Wales head of health said, “Darren Millar would do well to pause for thought before firing of a press release rubbishing Betsi Cadwaladr health board yet again. His words are insulting to every single member of staff in the […]

Robin Hood tax would deliver millions for Welsh councils

An innovative tax on business financial transactions could deliver millions of pounds for cash-strapped Welsh councils. Public services such as libraries, youth services, parks and leisure services and environmental and food hygiene services have been damaged by UK Conservative government austerity and are in danger of withering away completely unless urgent investment is found. The […]

UNISON comment on Powys care situation

Responding to the news that Powys council is considering legal action against BUPA after discovering it is transferring the running of care homes to a third party, Carmen Bezzina, UNISON organiser said, “This news will leave many vulnerable residents in Powys sick with worry that the level of care they receive is at risk. We know […]

Jeremy Corbyn backs striking Torfaen workers

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP has intervened in the long-running Bron Afon housing association industrial dispute, telling the workforce they have his personal support. He has praised the professionalism of housing support workers and commended the valuable role they perform in Torfaen. Jeremy Corbyn’s involvement comes as support workers organised by UNISON embark on a […]

UNISON open letter to Bron Afon board members

As UNISON members in the Supported Living Team begin their seventh day of strike action, the trade union has issued an open letter to all Bron Afon board members. Dear Bron Afon board member, Support Living Staff employed by Bron Afon have so far taken six days’ of strike action owing to salary cuts of […]

Housing support workers: ‘Bron Afon stripped us of £15,000’

  Support workers at Bron Afon housing association will tomorrow (Thursday), escalate their industrial action by striking for a five-day period. Members of staff who help vulnerable Torfaen residents, will each lose more than £15,000 over the course of the five–year contract after the employer slashed wages by more than £3,000 per year. UNISON has […]

UNISON comment on staff shortages at Singleton hospital

Responding to news a shortage of staff may lead to the temporary closure of a ward at Singleton hospital, Donna Hutton, UNISON Cymru head of health said, “We need to know more about the reasons behind the shortage of nurses in this case but it’s clearly worrying when a hospital says it doesn’t have the […]

‘Gaping holes’ in government mental health plan

Reacting to the UK health secretary’s announcement on mental health services today, UNISON Cymru/Wales accused the government of pursuing an unrealistic strategy. The trade union also said Jeremy Hunt MP was blind to the fact that the Conservative government’s own policies have had a detrimental effect on many people’s mental health. Carmen Bezzina, UNISON organiser […]

Further strike action at Bron Afon

  Support workers at Bron Afon housing association today (Friday) begin their second period of industrial action in protest at their wages being slashed by more than £3,000 per year. The Supported Living Team will form a picket line outside the organisation’s Cwmbran office from 7am until 10am. At emergency talks convened by UNISON on […]

Bron Afon wage cut: staff desperate

  UNISON Cymru Wales representatives will meet with Bron Afon housing association today in a bid to resolve the increasingly bitter industrial dispute. Support workers walked out on Thursday (13 July) last week because the employer slashed their wages by more than £3,000. Discussions will be convened at the request of the trade union, ahead […]

First Minister: “No’ to compulsory redundancies’ at Bangor university

  Trade union representatives of staff at Bangor university have welcomed the support of the First Minister in their campaign to oppose compulsory redundancies to meet a budget shortfall. Carwyn Jones AM, met with the trades unions in north Wales on Friday last week to hear their concerns about the proposed job losses at Bangor […]

Strike action at Bron Afon housing association

  Support workers at Bron Afon housing association in Cwmbran will go on strike tomorrow (Thursday), in protest at the decision to reduce annual salaries by more than £3,000. UNISON has said three, twenty-four hour stoppages are planned in response to the move which has slashed annual wages for the overwhelming majority of staff in […]

UNISON Cymru comment on NHS pay cap

Donna Hutton UNISON Cymru/Wales head of health said, “Healthcare workers in Wales have suffered seven years of poor pay awards as a direct result of UK Conservative government austerity policies. All public sector workers have experienced a real term drop in wages since 2009. “There’s no doubt that the cuts are hurting and it’s disgraceful […]