Oxford's best-performing trade union, supporting workers at Oxford City Council, Oxford Direct Services, Proudly working in partnership with NHS and University branches across Oxford for the benefit of all members and a greater UNISON for all.
UNISON are pleased to inform it’s members that the proposed changes to Slice Card charging (£20 per month charge planned for 04/16) no longer forms part of the Council Budget plans.
We are very delighted that Members listened to our concerns at our AGM.
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.
Yesterday MPs debated the Trade Union Bill in the House of Commons. Unfortunately the Bill passed with 305 MPs voting in favour and 271 against.
But there is good news – MPs from all parties stood up and opposed aspects of the Bill, including several Conservative MPs who we know were influenced by UNISON members visiting them in person or writing to them.
The fact that Conservative MPs are against some aspects of the Bill makes it more likely that we will win amendments in the House of Lords. UNISON will continue fighting the Bill, please keep an eye out for emails for the next stages in the campaign.
On 2 November union members from across the UK will be lobbying their MP at Parliament about the Trade Union Bill.
You may have received an email about it on Friday from UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis – the email went to all UNISON activists. In case you didn’t receive it here it is below. Please do spread the word about the lobby.
Email from Dave Prentis:
Our right to be represented at work is under threat and union members across the country are coming together to try to protect it.
Could you join us in London on Monday 2 November to lobby your MP and join the rally?
The Trade Union Bill currently going through Parliament will have a negative impact on all workers and on everyone who lives in the UK.
Its impact ranges from severely limiting the amount of time union reps are allowed to spend supporting colleagues who are having problems at work like bullying, to restricting UNISON’s ability to fund local campaigns like stopping hospitals closing and national campaigns like promoting the Living Wage.
It undermines the right to strike, which while always the last resort and very rare, actually underpins positive relations between employers and employees because it incentivises employers to resolve disputes.
At a time when our public services are already overburdened, the impact this Bill will have on staff morale will affect the public services everyone in the UK relies on. It is our duty to stand up against it.
On 2 November union members will be attending a rally and then meeting with their MPs in Parliament. Could you join us?
Members in Northern Ireland could contact their regional office about lobbying MPs locally, as although the Bill doesn't cover Northern Ireland, all MPs will vote on it.
The number of public sector workers wantingpayday loansfrom a leading lender has quadrupled in five years.Quick Loans said eight times more teachers have applied to it this year than in 2011.
Five times more council workers have applied.
Members of the armed forces, NHS and police are in the top 10 groups. While just 4,958 teachers applied in 2011, it was 51,536 in 2014 with 34,452 so far this year.
The number of council workers is up from 7,563 in 2011 to 33,856 from January to September this year.
Armed forces personnel came in third, with 31,411 applying this year - up from 7,523 in 2011.
Construction workers, the self-employed, students, apprentices and retail workers are the other top applicants of 2015. In 2011, retail workers, the self-employed and sales people applied for the most loans.
And not only are more professionals applying for direct loans than ever - the average loan sought has risen from £1,152 to £1,487.
Graeme Wingate, managing director of Quick Loans, said the data raises questions about whether the economy really is improving.
He said the figures show many blue-collar workers are turning to direct lenders perhaps because they find it hard to get credit from banks. He said: “Local government workers are among those starting to struggle . “People who have never had difficulty are coming to a lower level of lending. “We are seeing quite a lot more of what we thought of as prime borrowers. Maybe Government cuts are starting to bite.”
Oxford Credit Union rely on volunteers to staff there office at the Old Music Hall and other outlets across Oxfordshire – in fact, there always looking for new outlets. They also welcome any short- or long-term help with marketing, finance and other roles. If in doubt please just offer your time, your skills or your enthusiasm!
Our volunteers
help to market OCU at street stands and one-off events
assist people who may need help completing forms
sign up new members
carry out various Board roles
You can read details of the following formal volunteer roles:
