Remember simple precautions after rise in COVID cases during June

People in Oxfordshire are being reminded to remember simple COVID precautions in response to the county, and country as a whole, currently going through another phase of rising cases.

During the last two to three weeks case numbers in the county have doubled, with a new sub-variant of Omicron thought to be one of the chief drivers of the rises being seen in Oxfordshire and elsewhere.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “It’s been great for everyone to relax after the difficult last couple of years we’ve had with rules of varying kinds meaning restrictions on our lives.

“Currently there are no restrictions but there is still good, solid guidance that people are advised to observe to protect themselves and their families, particularly vulnerable and elderly people.

“The main bit of advice is to stay at home if you feel unwell – but it’s also worth reminding people of all those things that we learned during the height of the pandemic to reduce the risk of COVID spreading.

“This includes ventilating indoor spaces and washing your hands. During periods of good weather being outdoors rather than indoors also helps reduce risks.

“We expect to see fluctuations in cases and it remains the case we need to learn to live with COVID, but we need to strike a sensible balance and I would ask people to take precautions while cases are on the rise. Let’s enjoy the summer and our regained freedoms but keep in mind that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and we all need to play our part to live safely.”

How UNISON can help

UNISON’s member welfare charity, There for You, has a wide array of support services that can help members cope with the cost of living crisis.

UNISON is unique in the trade union movement in that it has its own member welfare charity, There for You, which provides a wide array of support services. Here are some that could be valuable right now.

UNISON Help with energy costs guide

This information guide contains details of organisations and schemes that can provide support and assistance, along with charities – including There for You – that may be able to give financial help towards heating bills, useful contacts and money-saving tips.

UNISON Debt Line

UNISON’s debt line, run by PayPlan, can help you deal with debt, from credit cards to mortgage arrears. It offers free, confidential advice with no hidden charges and a personal case officer to advise, with the aim to create a manageable debt plan to suit your circumstances.

Contact the UNISON debt line on Freephone: 0800 389 3302

Other financial assistance

Grants to address specific needs for members who are facing unexpected hardships can be considered.  Perhaps there’s been a recent change in your financial circumstances and help is needed, for example, with living costs, essential household bills, replacing a broken appliance or funding disability aids.

Temperature at work to hot?

As the  sun comes out and the air temperature rises the perennial issue of workplace  temperatures is a common questions asked of UNISON health and safety reps.

Here HOT off the press is our revised quick guide on Temperature at Work for H&S reps. http://ow.ly/EAij50JA95B

South East Equality Conference

You are invited to the UNISON South East Equality Conference which will help to equip your branch with the tools and resources to raise awareness of equality issues in the workplace.

After 2 years of Covid-19 putting live events on hold, we are delighted to be able to invite you back to London for the SE Equality Conference 2022, which will now take place on Friday 8 July at UNISON Centre.

With a mixture of guest speakers and workshops, we’re really looking forward to getting together again, and have a great programme planned for the day.

Equality Pay Gap Workshop

The aim of this workshop is to increase awareness of equality pay gaps, to understand that there are many ways in which workers experience a financial detriment at work, to consider the impact of equality pay gaps on workers in 2022 and beyond, work with others to identify possible areas of concern in your workplace and consider how UNISON can help to rectify this issue.

Examining Bias in Formal HR Procedures Workshop

How to use a data driven approach to establish whether there are patterns in members in HR processes, and what to do about it.

This workshop will explore the disproportionate number of branch level cases involving members with protected characteristics; what questions to ask your employer and how to use employer data to challenge bias.

How to book:

SE Equality conference is open to all activists who have in interest in equality issues in the workplace. 

Please download an application form today and seek approval from your branch.

Completed forms can to be sent to equalitySE@unison.co.uk 

The conference will run from 9:30am – 4:30pm and lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please ensure you let us know of any dietary requirements when booking your place.

Closing date for applications: 24 June 2022

There for you when you need support

 

TUC demo: Seven bonus reasons to enjoy a day out in London

Doing the right thing doesn’t have to be angst-ridden. You can argue for a change in how the government copes with the cost of living crisis and have some fun with your friends and family.

You can demand better and have a good time too.

1. Take in the sights. Let’s face it, all the marches through the centres of the UK’s great capitals have some great views. Closed off roads at the start of summer, doing some sightseeing, what’s not to like?And for those going on the London march, treat it as your own tour of those infamous partygate venues. Spot the Tesco!
2. Get some sun. Overseas travel is opening up again, but the cost of living crisis means that no-one can afford to go on holiday. So … get some vitamin D here at home – and do something useful at the same time. It’s June, in the UK, honestly, what could possibly go wrong …?
3. Get physical. It’s approaching summer. No carbs till Marbs. Come on, after two years of working at home and binge-watching box sets the opportunity to get out and about and remind your legs what they were invented for is not to be missed.‘Step up’ for public services, as we once famously said.
4. Just do it! What a great message to send to the children of today, taking pictures of their food and doing TikToks – let’s remember the almost forgotten art of the protest. Great things have been achieved by people giving a damn, getting off their sofas and marching.You want a better response to the cost of living from this government – do something about it. Stop being a keyboard warrior and be an actual warrior.
5. Swipe right. Fighting the good fight can have some positive unintended consequences on your love life. If you’re looking for love (or even just a change?!) there’ll be thousands of other people there who, in all likelihood share your own view on the world.So go along and 18 June will be a memorable day for lots of reasons.
6. “We wanna be together …” Variation on a theme – come along and meet some fellow UNISON members. Two years of a pandemic tends to play havoc with that sense of togetherness that being in a union offers. There’s a clue in the name. We are a union. In unison.
7. You wear it well. Much like the much-missed, diminutive pop legend Prince, we love rocking the purples (and the greens). Such a difficult colour to pull off. But use it as an opportunity to get dressed up (or down, see 2 and 5 above) and brand it up in UNISON’s legendary ‘sea of purple and green’.

See you on the streets on 18 June.

To book a coach click HERE

Disabled members equality

 

UNISON’s priorities on disability are led by the union’s own disabled members. We help disabled members by fighting discrimination and campaigning and organising at workplace, regional and national levels.

There are more than 10 million disabled people in the UK. Cuts to public services and benefits have a disproportionate effect on disabled people, especially as over one and a half million of them live in relative poverty because of low benefit levels and the lack of suitable accessible jobs.

There for You (UNISON Welfare)

Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants.

Are you suffering financially as a result of coronavirus? Apply to our COVID-19 response fund for a grant to help you during this difficult time.

We have received generous grants from UNISON and the CHSA (COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal) which enable us to support members who are struggling.

Worried about rising energy costs and keeping warm?

Help is available. This information guide contains details of organisations and schemes that can provide support and assistance, charities – including UNISON’s own charity – that may be able to give financial help towards heating bills, useful contacts and money saving tips.

 https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/02/26687_fuelcosts.pdf

Webinar: Protecting workers' mental health

            

Event details

Date

Wed, 18 May 2022 - 14:00 to 15:00

Cost

Free

Register here

YOUR UNION - HAVE YOUR SAY

 

Now is the time for you to have your say on who represents you on your service group executive committee.

The committees' jobs are to make decisions that will help the union improve your pay and conditions and protect your interests at work. They are made up of ordinary members across the country doing similar jobs to you; or working for similar sorts of employers. It's important that your union represents every member, so please use your vote.

Voting is open from 28 April 2022 and closes at 5pm on 25 May 2022, so there's plenty of time for you to have your say. It only takes a few minutes.

Civica Election Services (formerly Electoral Reform Services) is administering the election on behalf of UNISON. As well as a postal pack, this year you are receiving voting instructions by email, to enable you to cast your vote online. Voting online is quick and very straightforward and, importantly, saves the union money.

Please click here to vote and view information on the candidates. This link is unique to you and should not be forwarded on to anyone else.

This is your union - so have your say.

New Stewards and Officers for 2022/23

 

Following our AGM on Thursday 31 March 2022 the new stewards and officers for 2022/23 can be found here

Pension Dashboards Government Consultation until 13 March 2022

The government is planning to introduce an electronic communications service for individuals to access information about pensions.

A consultation on the draft regulations seeking views on a range of policy questions relating to the creation of pensions dashboards is currently open.

Details of the consultation are available on the GOV.UK website and the deadline for making comments is 13 March 2022.

Who is this consultation aimed at?

From any interested parties. They are particularly keen to hear from:

• individuals with a UK pension
• pensions and lifetime savings industries
• finance and consumer representative groups with an interest in pensions capability, financial capability, data protection and security
• trustees or managers of occupational pension schemes
• pensions administrators
• pensions administration software providers
• firms interested in offering Integrated Service Provider (ISP) services
• Financial Technology (Fintech) companies
• organisations interested in setting up pensions dashboards

Introducing the year of disabled workers

After two years during which disabled members have faced unprecedented challenges, UNISON has made 2022 the year of disabled workers.

It’s vital we speak out against disability discrimination, challenge negative stereotypes and work to remove barriers that stop disabled people achieving their goals. Together, we can create a society where disabled people are valued for who we are.

Check out the full story at https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2022/01/introducing-the-year-of-disabled-workers/

Martin Lewis: Working from home due to coronavirus, even for a day? Claim TWO years' worth of tax relief

 IMPORTANT UPDATE 28 Jan 2022: Unconfirmed reports in the Telegraph suggest the Treasury may close the working-from-home tax rebate microsite, so employees can no longer claim a whole year's rebate if they've worked from home at any point, even for just a day in this or the last tax year – similar changes would likely affect self-assessment claims too. While there’s no date attached, for safety, if you haven't claimed yet and are eligible, read below and do it now...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are requires you to work from home, you've always been able to claim for

increased costs, eg, heat or electricity, for the specific time at home. Yet during 

the 2020 lockdown, 

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) launched a 'microservice' which, even if you only

needed to work from home for a day, allowed you to get a WHOLE year's tax relief.

More information can be found here

Viedo explaining how to claim below

Local government: Nominate your local service champion

 

UNISON's annual awards for its local services champions launched this week, giving members the opportunity to nominate someone working in local authority services who have gone above and beyond.  It's a great opportunity to celebrate both colleagues and the services they provide. Nominations close on Friday 4 February.     Read the story     Nominate your champion

HeartUnions week

#HeartUnions week, 14-20 February 2022

Help us tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work and encourage people who aren't yet in a union to join. 

Click HERE to join us today

Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Oxford City Branch of UNISON

This year's Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Oxford City Branch of UNISON 

is on Thursday 31 March 2022. 

At this time take place online via Teams unless current restrictions change then we may do it in person.

The AGM is an important meeting for all members. It provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about the work of the union, see how branch finances have been used and you as members can help to set policy and agree on priorities for the year ahead.

The AGM also provides an opportunity for you to elect officials to lead the branch and represent your interests.

So if you would like to join us on Thursday 31 March 2022 from 15:00 until 16:00 and work for Oxford City Council or ODS you will need to register and book yourself a place here.  

A link to the meeting or location if we can do an in-person meeting, along with all paperwork will be sent to you closer to the date.

Motions and Rule Changes
If you would like to submit a motion for consideration or a change in the rules of the Branch please email office@oxfordcityunison.com and we will send you a form or click here please return by 13:00 on Monday 21 March 2022.


Electing your Branch Officials and Workplace Reps
One of the most important functions of the AGM is to elect officials to lead the branch for the year ahead. A whole range of different jobs are available in the branch each one of carries a really important set of responsibilities. Whether you’re face to face with managers in negotiations, representing members in a disciplinary, or helping members with a welfare claim – all are necessary to create an effective union team.

Any full member of the union can stand for election to any of the Branch Officer Positions (except for the Labour Link Officer who must be a member of the Labour Party), subject to obtaining the appropriate number of members to support the nomination.

Nominations should be received at the Branch Office no later than 13:00 on Wednesday 02 March 2022. In the event of there being more than one nomination for any officer post, a ballot will be held of all full members to determine the successful candidate, in the case of Labour Link Officer any election will be held of Labour Link members only.

If you would like to stand or like more info please email office@oxfordcityunison.com or click here to download a form or click here for a list of job roles

Branch AGM and Election Timetable

1. Motions, Rule Amendments, to be received by 13:00 on 21 March 2022
2. Branch Officer Nominations, Steward nominations etc. to be received by 13:00 on Wednesday 02 March 2022
3. Monday 27 March 2021 Ballots papers issued, if required
4. Final Agenda published Friday 25 March 2022
5. AGM – Thursday 31 March 2022, subject to the meetings being quorate.

Free Raffle
Every person that attends and books their place via the Eventbrite link will be automatically entered into a free raffle with a top prize of £100

Finally, just to remind you that UNISON is a democratic organisation that is member-led and the AGM and election process is important in ensuring that the union is and remains accountable to its members, not just for its policies and its activities but also in determining those members who will go on and speak for the union and our members. We, therefore, encourage you to play a full part in the process and to ask your colleagues to do likewise.

‘I don’t feel powerless anymore’

 

Young Black members on why they joined UNISON – and the many benefits

2022/24 Consultative Pay Ballot Results

 

Below is the pay ballot results as promised:- 

93.3% in favour

6.7% against

WHAT HAVE TRADE UNIONS EVER DONE FOR US?

 

For a start, unions stopped child labour. Unionised workplaces are safer, with 50% fewer accidents. Every year unions train 10,000 safety reps. Union members earn, on average, 12.5 per cent more than non-members. They have better job security and stay in their jobs for an average of five years longer than non-members. Unionised workplaces have higher productivity and fewer industrial tribunals.

Apart from that, though, trade unions have only gained us paid holidays, maternity and paternity leave, paid sick leave, equal pay legislation, pensions, and workplace anti-discrimination laws. Oh, and the weekend. It was unions that fought for a five-day working week.

And, of course, furlough was a result of unions negotiating with the government. We’ve all benefited by keeping the economy afloat.

The good news is that trade union membership is rising – with a net increase of 200,000 over the past three years. If you want to join a union, click here to join UNISON today.

Local pay ballot

Ballot papers have now been sent out via email to ask your view on the 2-year pay offer on the table, if you have not received your please email office@oxfordcityunison.com  to get your details updated.

Government must act right away to prevent disruption in schools, say unions

 Support staff, teachers, school leaders and families have united to urge the Westminster government to do more to protect pupils and staff from COVID-19 in the run-up to Christmas.

With increased concern over the Omicron variant, and classroom absences rising, UNISON, GMB, Unite and NASUWT have called for speedy action.

Read the full story here

Update your details today

 

We are in the process of arranging a ballot to ask you if your willing to except this years pay offer from Oxford City Council, so it’s now time to make sure your contact details are correct so we don’t leave you out.

To check your detail Click here or email office@oxfordcityunison.com

Your voice matters