'No More Dirty Money' campaign

Oxford City Branch of UNISON is inviting staff to vote in the 'No More Dirty Money' campaign. Should we divest our pension scheme from fossil fuels? Ballots in the kitchen areas at St Aldate's Chambers.

Universal Credit scams

Citizens Advice Oxford and Oxford City Council are warning Oxford residents against Universal Credit scams that could leave them seriously out of pocket.

If someone asks for your personal details and says they can get you a government grant or a cheap loan for a fee, it's a scam - and you could end up on Universal Credit as a result. For more info, see our joint release with

@OxfordCAB:(link: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1132/citizens_advice_oxford_and_oxford_city_council_say_beware_of_universal_credit_scams)

oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1…
#scamaware

UNISON is proud to be unique among unions in having a dedicated charity, There for You, which supports our members when life gets tough

All UNISON members are eligible for complimentary financial reviews which can take place at home, over the phone or at work so don't take the risk without seeking advice from us if you need our help we are just a click away. 

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whatever the circumstances, There for You can offer you support.

To get help and support just click one of the links below or Check our easy to use benefits calculator to find out if you could be entitled to claim additional benefits.

Financial assistance

Universal credit and other benefits

General advice

Debtline support

Credit unions

Welfare reform

Lighthouse Financial Advise

Support There for You

UNISON will never be too big or busy to care and support you when ever you need us all you need to do is ask

There for You give vital assistance to people in need in the form of debt advice, listening and support, financial assistance, breaks and holidays, and personal advice.

Stop Climate Change

Don't forget to use your vote this Thursday

Nigel Farage wants you to think he's on the side of working people. He isn't. Don't forget to use your vote this Thursday

European Elections being held in the UK on 23rd May

Important Information on European Elections being held in the UK on 23^rd May

EU citizens from the following countries will have to complete a separate form if they wish to vote in European elections being held in the UK on 23^rd May: -

If you are an EU citizen from one of the above countries and want to vote in the UK elections on 23^rd May, you will need to complete the form available from the following link:-

https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/255197/EU-citizen-European-Parliament-voter-registration-form-English.pdf

The deadline for receipt of this form by your local council is Tuesday 7^th May.

If you’re not yet registered to vote at all then go to: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote .

It’s quick and simple, taking only five minutes. You’ll need your National Insurance number to hand. The deadline for registering itself is midnight on Tuesday 7^th May.

Win your family holiday this summer – plus more brilliant, exclusive money-saving offers

As a member of the UK’s biggest and brightest union you could win a holiday for you and your family –THIS SUMMER! Just from being in UNISON.

You could win a five-night holiday to UNISON’s beautiful Croyde Bay Resort in Devon, this summer, for up to six people, with breakfast included. The prize draw is open to all new and existing members of UNISON. The holiday needs to be taken anytime before October 2019.

But that's not all – our money-saving deals and offers are back. Just in time for you to make the most of your summer. Apart from holidays, days out and trips to the theatre, our UNISON Living partners – including Vision Express, Shepherds Friendly and UIA – are improving their offers to members during May as the union goes for growth.

 

Find out more about the prize draw and all the offers

UNISON – bigger for a reason, better for everyone.

Still need us over Easter break?

We are still here for you just click here

Workers’ Memorial Day 2019

Workers' Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, all over the world workers and their reps conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day.

The theme for this year is “dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace”. The focus will mainly be on carcinogens but you can adapt the theme to whatever is most relevant in your workplace or area, as many substances can also cause illnesses such as asthma or dermatitis.

Find out about events in your area

One in four UK employers would not hire someone with a disability

More than seven in 10 disabled workers in the UK have stopped working due to a disability or health condition, new research from charity Leonard Cheshire has found. 

According to a ComRes survey of more than 1,600 disabled adults in the UK, carried out between June and July 2018, 73 per cent had dropped out of work because of their condition. 

In addition, almost one in five (17 per cent) of those that had applied for a job in the past five years reported their job offer was withdrawn by their employer as a result of their disability. 

Attitudinal barriers proved a significant obstacle in preventing the progression of disabled people, the research found. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of UK employers said they would be less likely to hire someone with a disability, and six in 10 (60 per cent) of those reported concerns that a disabled person would not be able to do the job.

Click here for the full story

UNISON PREPAID PLUS CASHBACK CARD

Introducing the UNISON Prepaid Plus Cashback card – the contactless plastic with added ‘fantastic’

Whether you shop online or in-store, you’ll get the most from your everyday shopping with the UNISON Prepaid Plus Cashback card. You’ll earn between 2.5% and 6% cashback at over 50 major retailers°. Plus, the cashback is unlimited, so there’s no minimum or maximum spend requirement nor any restriction on how much cashback you can earn.

It’s not a credit or debit card – it’s a prepaid card. It works just like a pay-as-you-go card – you top it up with money and you can only spend what you’ve loaded to your prepaid card, so there’s less chance of getting carried away. It’s a handy budgeting tool.

No credit checks – just a small £2.95 monthly admin fee*.

Update on the Equal Pay Deal in Glasgow

UNISON Scotland is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement in principle to a package of payments to resolve the historic claims of equal pay with Glasgow City Council. General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Women working for Glasgow City Council are a step closer to equal pay. Some have been owed substantial amounts for more than a decade. Having been to court and out on strike, it looks like the end is now in sight." While the agreement finalises the principles and structure of any payout to thousands of women across Glasgow, it is part of an ongoing negotiation and it will still be many months before individual cases are settled.

Read more about the dispute and the progress made

UNISON in numbers

• UNISON has more than 1.3 million members and activists, making us one of Europe’s largest unions
• More than 70% of our members are women.
• UNISON is spread over 12 UK regions.
• There are more than 1,000 UNISON branches around the UK

Out of hours help

UNISON have an online KNOWLEDGE BASE which has a great deal of information about your rights at work and commonly asked questions.

You can also call our national helpline, UNISONdirect, on 0800 0 857 857.

Lines are open from 6am to midnight on Monday to Friday and from 9 am till 4pm on Saturday. 

There is also a textphone number for members with hearing difficulties – 0800 0 967 968.

Because mental health does not disappear over Christmas

15% off any holiday or short break for UNISON members

UNISON owned and operated Croyde Bay Resort, in North Devon, offers 15% off any holiday or short break for UNISON members, rising to a huge 50% off for low paid UNISON members.

The resort features a modern 56 bedroom hotel as well as self catering cottages and summer chalet b&b rooms.

The brilliant location next to the fabulous Croyde Beach, matched with top quality 4* rated accommodation, lots of free facilities and a super friendly welcome, have all contributed to Croyde Bay Holiday Resort winning a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the last 3 years!

This popular surfing mecca has a well-earned reputation with all age groups and makes a great base for exploring all that beautiful North Devon has to offer, on land and sea.

Check out the holiday possibilities 

Six signs of a pension scam

Pension scams are on the increase in the UK and if you are taken in by a scam you could lose all of any defined contribution pensions you have and it would be very hard to get it back. We explain what to watch out for.

Usually, a pension scam begins with an unexpected phone call, email or text from someone claiming to represent a financial services firm or Government body. The tactics used are increasingly sophisticated, but there are a few simple signs that can help you avoid being ripped off:

1. You are contacted out of the blue

If you receive unsolicited cold calls, texts and emails from an individual or firm about your pension they are unlikely to be legitimate. You should be suspicious of anyone who contacts you to discuss your pension planning and claims to work for a Government body, such as Pension Wise or The Money Advice Service.

You should only discuss any defined contribution pensions with a pension provider, a regulated financial adviser or a Government body, contacting them using the details on their website. For the latest guidance on pensions visit www.pensionwise.gov.uk or www.moneyadviceservice.co.uk.

2. You receive an offer that’s too good to be true

Schemes that offer exceptionally high rates of returns are usually very high-risk, and fully guaranteed returns are rare. Treat such offers with caution. You should be wary and suspicious about language such as ‘pension liberation’, ‘loophole’, ‘limited time offer’ or ‘one-off investment’ as this kind of language is rarely used by legitimate advisers. Such offers are unlikely to be genuine.

3. Access to your pension before you turn 55

Only in very specific circumstances will you be able to access any defined contribution pension before you reach the age of 55. Participating in a scheme that provides access to any defined contribution pension before then is likely to result in severe tax penalties and possibly losing your funds.

4. You are asked to invest in an unusual asset

These types of pensions are usually linked to funds that invest in shares, fixed interest securities and cash. The assets in which your money is invested should be familiar and it should be easy to find information about them.

If you are told you must invest in an unusual asset – perhaps an offshore hotel development – to take advantage of a pension “opportunity”, you may be being scammed.

5. You’re asked to withdraw money first

Beware if you are asked to withdraw money from your defined contribution pension for an investment opportunity. It is important that your money remains within a pension wrapper until you decide to start drawing retirement income. Your defined contribution pension is likely to be already invested in a range of funds or investments that your pension provider makes available. This ensures your returns are tax-free and well protected. Furthermore, withdrawing money early could result in tax penalties.

6. You are told to act quickly for the best deal

Decisions about your defined contribution retirement fund should not be rushed and any offers of immediate investment for a one-time offer can be risky. You should take your time and obtain suitable advice and guidance about managing any such pension properly. If you are contacted about an opportunity, research the scheme and its promoters thoroughly. Being pressured to reach a decision before the offer closes could indicate that it is a scam.

Find out more

If you have any concerns about your pension savings get in touch now. 

Call 08000 85 85 90 or email appointments@lighthousefa.co.uk.

The value of your investments, and the income you receive from them, can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you put in. A pension is a long-term investment and inflation will reduce how much your income is worth over the years. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.

We need your help

We need UNISON members to talk about their experiences of low pay in Local Government, if you can help please email communicationsteam@unison.co.uk

Young workers need trade unions more than ever now.

What have the Trade Unions done for us?

Helping with the cost of school uniforms

There for You has once again got a limited fund to help members deal with the costs of school uniforms

UNISON is once more launching a scheme to help members on low incomes deal with the cost of buying school uniforms.

Families living on low income with children struggle constantly to make ends meet – and this can be particularly acute before the new school year begins when the extra costs hit hard.

The union’s welfare charity There for You has once again got a limited fund to help members deal with the costs of school uniforms.

Download the applications form Here

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 20 July.