Press releases

Conwy demonstration for public services – Monday 6 September

CALLING NOTICE UNISON Cymru Wales has called a #SaveOurServices rally in the constituency seat of Guto Bebb, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, on Monday 6 November, assembling at 12pm Lancaster Square, Conwy. Hundreds of public service workers will gather to hear Margaret Thomas UNISON regional secretary argue Guto Bebb is not standing up […]

Mass rally in Barry – Saturday 4 November

CALLING NOTICE MASS RALLY IN BARRY – SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER UNISON Cymru Wales has called an all-Wales #SaveOurServices rally in the constituency seat of the Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, on Saturday 4 November, assembling at 12pm King’s Square, Barry. Hundreds of people are expected for a loud and colourful demonstration. Confirmed speakers […]

UNISON comment on supply teaching project

Commenting on the announcement of a £2.7m supply teacher project, Jess Turner, UNISON Cymru Wales lead on schools said,   “It’s sensible for the Welsh government to consider the implications of teacher absence on learning but it’s disappointing there is no mention of the vital role of support staff.   “Support staff make up fifty […]

Save our services lobby of Welsh government

Public service workers from across the country gather at the Senedd tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12pm to tell politicians that local public services will disappear completely without a serious injection of cash from the Welsh government.   UNISON’s mass lobby comes ahead of Welsh Government’s announcement of its draft 2018-19 budget proposals later in the afternoon. […]

‘Budget fails to protect local services’, says UNISON

UNISON has today criticised the Welsh government’s budget for local authority spending as wholly inadequate. The trade union has warned thousands of jobs will be lost and local public services will be reduced or disappear completely because councils are under severe financial pressure. UNISON also blasted Welsh government’s failure to fund the implement of the […]

UNISON: ‘WALES NEEDS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES’

Campaigning public services union, UNISON Cymru Wales, will today (Tuesday), convene a landmark conference to discuss what mental health services in Wales should look like in the future and how employers can work with trades unions to better support affected employees. The first conference of its kind ever held by a trades union in Wales, […]

All NHS staff need a pay rise that’s above inflation, say health unions

  NHS unions are today (Friday) breaking with tradition and submitting a pay claim directly to the government on behalf of more than one million health workers across the UK. In a letter to the Chancellor, 14 health unions including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives, the Chartered Society of […]

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 […]