Preparing for Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place every year on 27 January. This year, the theme is the power of words.

Words, whether spoken or written, whether from individuals, corporations, community organisations or the state can have a huge impact. And that impact can be positive or it can be negative.

This year, people are being encouraged to consider how language has been used in the past – and how it is being used today.

The Holocaust Memorial Trust has produced free guides and resources to help your workplace or UNISON branch organise events and activities around this theme.

The trust has also created guides to getting involved that feature tailored advice to support trade unions and workplaces organising activities to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Organisations that have previously marked the day with staff have found the experience to be beneficial, helping employees connect with contemporary issues such as valuing diversity and respecting difference.

To find out more, access a wide range of resources and order free activity packs, visit the trust’s website at hmd.org.uk

No matter the scale of your event or activity, the trust would love to learn more about how your workplace or UNISON branch commemorates the day. Whether your activity is private or open to the public, you can let them know at hmd.org.uk/node/add/events.

For more information about how your workplace or UNISON branch can get involved with Holocaust Memorial Day 2018, please email enquiries@hmd.org.uk or call 020 7785 7029.

The article Preparing for Holocaust Memorial Day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

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UNISON launches campaign to divest pensions from carbon

A campaign to encourage local government pension funds to divest from carbon will be launched today (Wednesday) by UNISON.

UNISON’s step-by-step guide is designed to help members of local government pension schemes push for changes in the investment of their funds. The aim is to explore alternative investment opportunities, allowing schemes to sell their shares and bonds in fossil fuels and to go carbon-free.

Chair of UNISON’s policy committee James Anthony said: “Pensions are meant to safeguard our future, but that future is threatened by the burning of carbon in fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

“This campaign empowers people to hold their pension funds to account. If you contribute to a pension then it’s your money that’s being invested, and so it’s only right that you should have a say in where it’s invested.”

Figures published last year revealed that £16 billion was invested in the fossil fuel industry by local government pension funds*. At its annual conference last year, UNISON made the decision to campaign for divestment from these companies because of the devastating consequences that a changing climate will have on people, societies and ecosystems.

In addition to the threat of climate change, the UNISON campaign highlights other reasons why continued investment in carbon threatens the value of pension funds. For example, new government regulations for fossil fuels have raised the costs of high-polluting industries and reduced their investment appeal. Equally, emerging clean and green technology has created new and lucrative business opportunities for funds.

With five million members of local government pension schemes, and over 13,000 different employers paying into them, UNISON believes its campaign will resonate with a wide audience and is in a strong position to influence the pensions agenda.

Notes to editors:
– *Councils: Fuelling the Fire report from 350.org, Community Reinvest, Friends of the Earth England Wales and Northern Ireland, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Platform. The calculation is based on investments in the top 100 oil and gas and top 100 coal companies according to the Carbon Underground 200 index 2016.
– Local Government Pension Funds – Divest From Carbon Campaign: A UNISON Guide is available here. It was written in collaboration with ShareAction – a registered charity that promotes responsible investment practices by pension providers and fund managers.

UNISON media contacts:
Clare Santry T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07944 191479 E: c.santry@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad T: 0207 121 5255 M:07908 377215 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

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Norfolk councillors’ pay decision branded ‘disgusting’ by UNISON

UNISON has labelled Norfolk county councillors’ decision yesterday to give themselves an 11% pay rise at a time of cuts to services and a cap on council staff pay as “disgusting”.

An independent panel reviewed councillors’ allowances and recommended that they stay the same, with a review next year. But the council voted on Monday to press ahead with a decision that will see their allowances rise from £9,401 to £10,500, backdated to May 2017.

UNISON Eastern regional secretary Chris Jenkinson said the move “highlights how far removed councillors are from what’s happening to local communities across Norfolk.

“As the government has cut council budgets relentlessly year on year, county council staff – those who haven’t lost their jobs as a result of funding squeezes – have been doing all they can to help services keep going against the austerity odds.”

He added that hardworking county council workers such as library assistants, home care workers and school catering staff – “many of whom don’t earn very much” – will feel let down by councillors “who are thinking more of themselves, than local residents and the council’s workforce.

“It’s astonishing that councillors see fit to line their own pockets at a time when £125m worth of cuts need to be made to services across the county.”

The council is dealing with budget cuts of £125m over the next years, including £31m removed from adult social services.

The article Norfolk councillors’ pay decision branded ‘disgusting’ by UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

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Blog: The Tories have nothing new to offer

Today the Prime Minister reshuffled her Cabinet. This was meant to be a game changer for the PM, but it has been an utter non-event. A few names of departments and ministers may have changed, but the grim reality of this government remains the same.

This was meant to be about showing the fresh and modern face of British Conservatism – yet all it has done is show that there is no such thing.

Hammond. Johnson. Davis. Fox. Hunt. That was the reality of the Conservative government this morning and it remains the same now.

Theresa May is too politically damaged to leave things as they are and yet too weak to do anything that might make a meaningful difference. She is the titular head of a zombie government that shuffled onwards not through its own free will, but through a shared determination to avoid the inevitable.

The Prime Minister and her party have shown once again today that they have nothing new to offer. Her new year’s resolution should be to move aside, and give Labour a chance to govern in the interests of the many, not a dwindling Tory few.

This piece was first published at LabourList

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2018 service group executive elections – nominations

Elections will take place this year for seats on  union’s seven service group executives, covering a two-year term to 2020.

The nomination period for the elections will open on Monday 29 January 2018. The nomination period closes at 5pm on Friday 2 March.

Please note that these will be the first national UNISON elections where members will have the option to vote online or by post. Instructions on how to vote online will be provided to members nearer the time.

The election procedures and forms are available to download on the UNISON website at: www.unison.org.uk/elections

For any other election enquiries, contact the member liaison unit at the UNISON Centre. Telephone 020 7121 5399, email elections@unison.co.uk

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UNISON members’ work on flood prevention and relief recognised

Two UNISON members have had their vital work protecting the country from floods – and helping communities deal with them when they do happen – recognised in the New Year Honours.

Carol Holt and Peter Spencer work for the Environment Agency – and each received an MBE in the awards announced at the weekend. But both praised the colleagues and teams they work with.

Carol, who is based in north west England, is deputy director for flood incident management and has worked for the agency since 1991.

Responding to the award, she told the agency: “It’s great to be part of a team delivering public services that matter to people’s lives and to work with colleagues who care.

“I have been privileged to be part of teams delivering environmental improvements all my career – from my early days working on river rehabilitation projects in East Lancashire and Merseyside to, more recently, how we prepare for, respond to and recover from major flood incidents.

“So, what I enjoy is working with fantastic people who are doing great things that make a lasting difference.”

Supporting our members: Find out more about UNISON’s water, environment and transport service group

Flood hydrologist Peter, also from the North West, advises the agency on forecasting floods and modelling their impact. He has worked in the sector since 1974.

He declared himself “humbled” to receive the honour, out of “the many people in the organisation.

“It reflects on the importance of the Environment Agency’s technical capabilities and our great teams of dedicated people.”

Andrew Dobbie, UNISON national officer for the union’s water, environment and transport service group, congratulated the members on their awards, which were “richly deserved recognition for their many years of public service keeping our people safe from floods.

“As they say, this has been a team effort with great colleagues also contributing, and the award in part recognises them too, but their individual contribution is rightly recognised this week.”

UNISON’s Public Service Champions campaign

He added that their honours “reflect the unsung work done day in and day out by workers at the Environment Agency, but we see the same selfless commitment  across UNISON’s membership, in hospitals, councils, schools and elsewhere.

“These are the real heroes who make this a decent country for us all and it’s wonderful to see this recognised in the New Year’s Honours.”

 

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Happy Christmas – and thank you for all you do

The time of year has come when most people take time off work, spend time with loved ones, relax and recharge their batteries for the year ahead.

Yet for many UNISON members and other public servants, Christmas is a continuation of the working year. Instead of eating turkey or Quality Street, many of you will be providing vital public services that allow the rest of the country to have Christmas off.

While the politicians who have denied UNISON members the real pay rises they deserve are relaxing at home, you’re driving the ambulance on Christmas Day.

While the tax avoiders are heading off for some winter sun, you’re heading into work to make sure the services we rely on are being delivered all through the holidays.

So whether you’re a hospital cleaner, porter, police staff, nurse, receptionist, care worker or any of the other public servants that keep the country functioning at Christmas and all year round– your dedication and sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed.

Your communities appreciate the efforts you make. Everyone in your union knows the sacrifices you make. And so do I. I am so proud to have those who go above and beyond for our loved ones as an integral part of our union.

In the year ahead, we have so much to fight for. But I know that we can win, because of our union’s greatest strength – the strength of our people.

Merry Christmas, and thanks for being a part of our union.

The article Happy Christmas – and thank you for all you do first appeared on the UNISON National site.

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