Update on unitary bid 2018

The Government has announced that it will not be making a decision on the proposals for a single unitary council for Oxfordshire for the foreseeable future – and that it “would be wrong” to commit to a timetable to consider them.

The Minister for Local Government provided the update in a letter to the Leaders of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, which the two councils made public yesterday.

In his letter, Rishi Sunak MP said: “It would be wrong for Government to commit now to any particular timetable for considering the unitary proposal, although we remain open to considering the views of any Oxfordshire council about unitary proposals.”

He cited as reasons for the decision the new partnership arrangements between Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council following the restructuring of local government in Northamptonshire, and the successful joint working between all six of Oxfordshire’s councils with the Growth Board.

Mr Sunak said: “The evidence of the progress all Oxfordshire councils together are making on the Housing and Growth Deal clearly demonstrates that the absence of any announcement on the unitary proposal is no impediment to continued partnership working.”

Pride Parade in Cymru, all are welcome!

Don’t suffer in silence, we are there for you 24/7

National Table Tennis Day on 18/7/2018

As part of the celebration of National Table Tennis Day on 18/7/2018, you can attend Cowley Table Tennis for free !

Cowley Table Tennis is located at Temple Cowley Reform Church, Oxford Road, Cowley (opposite

Cowley Police Station) OX4 2ES, between 7pm and 10.00 pm.

5 tables, equipment provided.

Take on the club robot with Robo Pong’s four bat challenge-and win

a free entry to Ping ! Oxford All-comers summer competition.

For further details, contact Anne Borrowdale . e-mail ; anne@anneborrowdale.co.uk

mobile ; 07729 999958

Fighting for fairness and equality

Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. The ability to live and work without prejudice is a fundamental right, regardless of your background, colour or sexual orientation.

One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does.

Besides the right not to be discriminated against or bullied, fair treatment also includes equal working conditions and pay.

📝UNISON members! Take this year's Equality Survey and you could WIN three nights for two people at Croyde Bay Holiday Resort. Look, isn't it lovely! 😎 ☀️ Click here today to take part

Young workers need trade unions more than ever now.

NHS 70: Won't let go (National Health Singers)

official video National Health Singers

LGBT survey

You guys are amazing! We aimed to get 200 responses to our LGBT Staff Survey and we are currently a cat's whisker away from hitting 400.

Thank you very much to you all, and if you would still like to take part, there is just one week left.

The link to the survey is https://survey.yas.nhs.uk/s/LGBTStaffSurvey18/.

Find out what’s going on at this years National delegate conference

Click here to read all the latest news

Dave Prentis Speech Full NDC 2018

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis marks the start of the union's 25th anniversary year with a speech recalling some of the battles and successes of the past. 

And he had a message for the Prime Minister: "Fund our NHS and all our public services. Or call an election and we'll elect a government that will." 

What is Anxiety?

#Our NHS is 70 - National celebration & demonstration

June 30
Organised by: The People's Assembly, HCT, TUC, Unison, Unite, GMB, RCN, RCM, BMA & BDA

Book free seat on Oxford transport @ ouh.org.uk/bookings/June30.html
or call 07503169657

Say yes to:
● A publicly owned NHS that is free for all
● Proper funding and proper staffing
● Support for our wonderful NHS workers
● World class services for every community

#OurNHS70 - Free, for all, forever

The NHS belongs to us. Access to healthcare is a human right. Our post-war generation created a National Health Service that delivered world class care to all on the basis of need. For 70 years #ourNHS has set a shining example to the world of what can be achieved when we make the choice to look after the collective good.
But #ourNHS is under attack. A decade of austerity, underfunding and top down reforms have stretched our health service to breaking point. Services are being cut and cancelled, hospitals and wards are closing, there are staffing shortages across every part of the system and increasing parts of our health service are being outsourced to private companies.

Never has there been a more urgent time in her 70 year history to stand up and defend what is yours. For what the last generation built. You have paid for it. You deserve it.

#OurNHS is a loved and cherished part of every community. Come out to defend it on June 9th in Oxford and on 30th June in London. Bring your family, your friends, your loved ones and anyone who cares about the future of healthcare in this country.

Why join UNISON ?

Why unions and UNISON are important. 

Join UNISON: http://www.joinunison.org

What have the Trade Unions done for us?

Dress codes and sex discrimination guidance

New guidance on Dress Codes and Sex Discrimination has been published by the Government Equalities Offices.

The guidance reminds employers that dress policies for men and women do not have to be identical, but standards imposed should be equivalent.

It also warns that requiring any gender-specific items, such as high heels, make up or have manicured nails, is likely to be unlawful.

GOV.UK- Dress codes and sex discrimination – what you need to know (pdf)

TUC WorkSmart app

The TUC has launched a pilot version of a new app – WorkSmart – that helps young people to progress at work, build relationships with co-workers, and learn about their rights. 

A thousand workers have already signed up. TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Joining together in a trade union is still the best way to get a better deal at work. But unions need to reach out to the young workers in workplaces where there isn’t a union. “That’s why today we’ve launched a new pilot, WorkSmart – to find a way to get the benefits of trade unions to the young workers who need us most.”

Click here to download the WorkSmart App

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.

Survey about cuts to local council budgets and your working lives

We have recently launched a survey of our members about the impact of local government cuts on services, and the impact on their working lives – including workplace stress, use of food banks, and undertaking unpaid overtime. This forms part of our campaigning and lobbying strategy to secure more money for local government in the Autumn Budget. It is essential that we receive as many responses as possible from members, so that we have results for all branches that can be used for campaigning. Please share this survey with your colleagues and encourage them to fill it in. The deadline is 11th June.

CLICK HERE TO START SURVEY

Check out www.ambulanceLGBT.org

There's lots to get involved with this summer... Pride events, a photo competition and the first ever LGBT staff survey!

Check out www.ambulanceLGBT.org for all the latest

Discrimination and protected characteristics at work

Religion Or Belief? Free advise from acas. It’s not rocket science.

Here when you need help.

Remember, if you are stressed or not feeling well, there is help available. Check out the Mental Health Foundation page for advice. Don't stay silent.