Think you have Covid-19?

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you need to get tested. 

Book your free test here: nhs.uk/coronavirus 

Let’s say thank you to all our key workers

UNISON has become a partner in the /together coalition, which this weekend will unite the country to celebrate the NHS’ birthday and commemorate all those who have died from the coronavirus.

Click HERE for the full story from UNISON 

The trades union congress (TUC) needs your help

Help us keep workers safe when they return to work after lockdown by testing our new website. We need your help to ensure employers are acting responsibly and keeping their employees safe by conducting COVID-Secure risk assessments.

Employers should publish their risk asseements on their websites. But so far, very few employers are publishing them, and we fear many are ignoring their duties altogether. 

We want you to help us report employers that are neglecting their responsibility. So please spare some time to check out our new reporting website https://covidsecurecheck.uk/ 

The website lets workers:

• Add a risk assessment they’ve found, or flag an employer that hasn’t published.
• Join a survey panel to help crowdsource safety data on workplaces as more return.
• Get advice on how to address safety concerns in the workplace.

Your thoughts and help will be hugely useful in building this new resource.

If you’ve got time, please

• Check out the website https://covidsecurecheck.uk/, let us know what you think at info@covidsecurecheck.uk
• Add a record for your employer or another in your sector
• Become a COVID-Secure Monitor, and join our survey panel

 Thanks for your help in making our workplaces safer as members go back to work.

http://www.tuc.org.uk

Lets all stay safe out there

The Government’s new slogan, but the message is still the same.

But the message is still the same.

1. Stay at home whenever possible 
2. Work from home if you can
3. Limit contact with others 
4. Stay 2 meters apart
5. Wash you hands regularly 

If not rocket science Stay home - Protect the NHS - Save lives 

VE Day 2020 team work video

Video showing the Great work by our Health and Safety officer and team to make this happen during these challenging times.

COVID-19 response fund launched

There for You is UNISON’s unique charity, set up to help members in difficulties – and this year, the COVID-19 crisis is making life harder for many of our already-stretched members.

The welfare charity has set up a special fund to respond to calls for help because of the pandemic, with £250,000 set aside for members in need. Our members can only apply for a grant if they know about it so please share as widely as you can.

For full story just click Here or for application form Click Here

UNISON members will never forget

UNISON members from Oxford City Branch of UNISON remember comrades we have lost in Oxford Town Hall

We will observe a minute's silence tomorrow at 11am, to honour those key workers who have lost their lives to Covid-19

#neverforgotten #iwmd2020

Coronavirus: Disinfectant firm issues warning after Trump comments

A leading disinfectant producer has issued a strong warning not to use its products on the human body after Donald Trump suggested they could potentially be used to treat coronavirus.

Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Lysol and Dettol, said "under no circumstance" should its products be injected or ingested.

President Trump faces a backlash over his comments at a briefing on Thursday.

Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested.

Even external exposure can be dangerous to the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

Mr Trump's comments have been heavily criticised by doctors and have generated a huge online response. They have provoked hundreds of thousands of comments and caused well-known cleaning brands to trend on social media.

Reckitt Benckiser, which also owns the brands Vanish and Cillit Bang, said its products should not be administered "through injection, ingestion or any other route".

"Our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information," the company said in a statement.

The full story can be found at  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52411706

Thank you from ODS

ODS workers thanked

Refuse collectors at ODS have been receiving thanks from our residents for their continued delivery of the collection service. We sent out our filmmaker, Sharon Woodward, to film the collectors’ appreciation. Please take a look at the resulting video 

What to think about before you forward that message

We're all worried about the spread of the coronavirus and sharing information on social media can help us feel like we're supporting our family and friends.

But the threat of misinformation is real.

The BBC's Zeinab Badawi explains how to check whether what you're about to forward is real or fake, and how to slow the online spread of falsehoods which can put lives at risk.

Click here to see more

Time to listen STAY AT HOME

Dear all

We would like to reassure you all, that UNISON will be here for you during these difficult times ahead. The office will still be open but at reduced times and days, if you do need us the best option is to call or email first to save you a wasted trip, but your first point of contact should always be your local steward. Their contact details can be found at www.oxfordcityunison.com if for some reason they are not available then please contact one of us listed below.

There are going to be many challenges ahead of us all and you may be asked to do things differently from your normal daily tasks. We know that you all will rise to the challenge’s that will come. If you are asked to support another roll or support another area and are or unhappy or concerned about it then please talk to your manager in the first instance, if you still have concerns please contact us and we will do our best to help.

Oxford City Council staff are well known for great public service in times of need never has there been a time when  we all need to pull together and support each other.

Lastly, We just want to say stay safe all of you.

Caroline

office@oxfordcityunison.com

David

chair@oxfordcityunison.com

UNISON Direct

0800 0 857 857

In Solidarity

On Behalf of Oxford City Branch of UNISON