It's almost time for us to Step Up! For Public Services.

Here's all the logistical info you need for the day.

Arriving and forming up
The UNISON block of the march will form up on The Embankment by Embankment Pier. We have been allocated Zone 2 which will be marked out by the TUC with signs on lamp posts, From 9.30am the area will be clearly visible due to the presence of six of large purple UNISON balloons.

The best way to get on to The Embankment by foot is from The Strand via the side streets Surrey Street and Arundel Street

Marchers should access the form up area from the rear and make their way forwards towards Zone 2 and the purple UNISON balloons.

The key tube stations are Blackfriars, Southwark, St Paul’s and Waterloo. Temple tube station is likely to be closed as it is very small, so make alternative plans.

March Length and Route
View the march route here. March lengths are as follows:

• Long March – Embankment tube to Wellington Arch entrance of Hyde Park - 1.7 miles
• Short March – St James Street to Wellington Arch entrance of Hyde Park – 0.8 miles

Legal Assistance
In the event of any legal issues, UNISON has arranged a helpline through Thompsons for members on the day: Tel: 0800 587 7530

Rally
The rally in Hyde Park is due to end no later than 4.00pm.

Unison releases film highlighting impact of long hours on East of England Ambulance staff

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at UNISON

The GDPR is a EU Regulation designed to give you better control over how your personal data is used. While the major targets of the legislation are the big multinationals, like Facebook and the other big companies that sell your data for a profit, the GDPR applies to everyone including UNISON. Therefore, please take a moment to check the preferences you have given us that will let us keep you informed about what’s happening in UNISON both nationally and at branch level. It’s very simple to do this through your “MyUNISON” portal – for details see how to change your contact preferences below. Please check and correct your other personal details at the same time. Please help us to support you.

How to change your contact preferences:

1.    Go to the national UNISON website (www.unison.org.uk) and click on “My UNISON in the top strap-line (www.unison.org.uk/my-unison).
2.    If this is the first time you have done this, you will need to register, which requires knowing your UNISON membership number. You can get this from your membership card or by ringing UNISONdirect on 08000 857 857.
3.    If you have already registered and have an account, you will need to login (you will need your UNISON membership number and the password you created when you first registered.
4.    Click on “My Details” and then “View full personal details here”.
5.    In the top section titled “About you”, click on “Edit”.
6.    Scroll down the page, completing as many details as you feel happy entering until you get towards the bottom, where it asks for Email addresses.
7.    Please ensure that there is at least one email address (personal or work) entered and preferably enter both – please indicate which one you would prefer us to use.
8.    Please set “UNISON Mail” to “I am happy to receive correspondence from UNISON if appropriate” – if you do not do this, the branch cannot send you the branch newsletter, information about pay increases, etc.
9.    If you wish to receive information from UNISON’s partners, you will need to set “Third Party Mail” to “Allow my details to be available for third party mailings”.
10.    Please tick the box against “Email” or the branch cannot contact you by email.  If you are happy to be contacted by phone and/or text as well, you should tick those boxes as well.
11.    Click the “Save button” and then “Log out” in the top strap-line.

Moments of truth: Sophie - clinical trials coordinator

Long hours, lack of staff and increasing stress have become a fact of life for public service workers.

Click this link to watch https://momentsoftruth.unison.org.uk/

Step up on 12 May in London

To book a seat on the Oxford City branch of UNISON's coach email 12maycaoch@gmail.com

Free travel paid for by Oxford City Branch of UNISON

Stress awareness

Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow but only empties today of its strengths. 

– Charles H. Spurgeon

Is it worth the money to be in UNISON?

A question we are asked a lot, and it is always great to receive feedback from our members, proving that when you need us we are there to support You, during and after your time of need.

Dear Unison

I just wanted to thank Unison for the recent support I received during a disciplinary investigation/hearing. I was until recently wondering whether to cancel my membership as I thought it was not that important to me and i wanted to try and skim my finances down slightly however I’m really glad i didn’t as the support i received from Lorraine Francis was brilliant and I really appreciated someone so knowledgeable to help and support me through the matter.

Lorraine was not only supportive but gave tremendous empathy as she knew my job role. My experience was positive and I really appreciated the help.

Well done Unison and Lorraine !!  

If you ever struggle to pay your membership subs or are thinking of leaving us, please talk to us first, we may be able to help or guild. 

National Table Tennis Day

Save the Date - Wednesday July 18

The date for National Table Tennis Day has been announced! Register your interest to be the first to hear about our exciting plans for the day and how you can get involved!

Click here to register your interest in national table tennis day

We are here to help, all you need to do is ask..

Workplace stress top 10 sources

1. 
   

UK bosses are risking workforce stress burnout

With April marking Stress Awareness Month, a new report has found UK businesses are in danger of having their workforces experience burnout, as despite a huge number feeling stressed at work, few bosses are doing anything to help.

For those British adults in employment, work is by far the most common cause of stress (59 per cent). Yet almost one in two (45 per cent) of British businesses do not offer anything to help alleviate this, according to a study of 3,000 UK workers carried out by Perkbox, the UK’s fastest growing employee benefits platform, as part of the 2018 UK Workplace Stress Report.

This is despite the fact that one in four (25 per cent) struggle to be as productive at work when stressed, and almost the same number find themselves disengaged with work as a result. In fact, at least one in 10 (10 per cent) of us will call in sick due to stress, while seven per cent will look for a new job.

Check out the full story at https://www.fmj.co.uk/perkbox-study-reveals-uk-bosses-risking-workforce-stress-burnout/

Changes to UNISON's membership form

There has been some changes to the UNISON membership form, and this is why.

The Workplace Stress Solution

17 Science-Backed Ways to Relieve Stress Right Now!

Spare 5 minutes? 

Minimum wage and national living wage

The national living wage and national minimum wage set minimum hourly rates that employers must legally pay workers in the UK.

How much is the national minimumwage?

National minimum wage levels vary, depending on your age and whether you are an apprentice. It is reviewed every year, with changes introduced every April.

From 1 April 2018, the hourly national minimum wage rates are:

• £7.83 for workers aged 25 and above (the so-called national living wage);
• £7.38 for workers aged 21-24;
• £5.90 for workers aged 18-20;
• £4.20 for workers aged 16-17;
• £3.70 for apprentices under 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Before this, from 1 April 2017, they were:

• £7.50 for workers aged 25 and above;
• £7.05 for workers aged 21-24;
• £5.60 for workers aged 18-20;
• £4.05 for workers aged 16-17;
• £3.50 for apprentices under 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship.

“National living wage”

The top tier of the national minimum wage, payable to workers aged 25 and over, was labelled as a “national living wage” when it was introduced by the government in April 2016.

The government has set a target for this wage to rise to 60% of average earnings by 2020. However, the wage does not truly reflect a living wage, since it is not based on the cost of living.

Living wage

The Living Wage Foundation, an independent organisation that campaigns for a living wage  based on the true cost of living, announces its independently calculated wage rate at the beginning of living Wage Week, which takes place over the first week of November every year.

The living wage currently stands at £8.75 an hour outside London, and £10.20 an hour in London.

Who is eligible for the national minimum wage ?

Most workers are eligible for the national minimum wage – even if you agree to work for less or your contract says you are entitled to less. Employers are legally required to pay at least the national minimum wage.

What to do if you are paid less than the national minimum wage

If you are being paid less than the national minimum wage, speak to your UNISON representative. They can help you receive the correct amount of pay.

Work related stress - Video interviews - Tony’s Story

This video looks at the story of someone with work-related stress, and how they dealt with it and were supported in the workplace.

Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month takes place every April and has since it first launched in 1992. Throughout this period of time, teams of experts aim to increase public awareness about stress. This includes highlighting the causes of stress, the negative effects stress can have on the mind and body, and how to relieve stress.

Most people will experience stress at some point in their life, but constant or extreme stress is bad for both the mind and body. Stress can be caused by a sudden traumatic event or even just the expectations of daily life.

There are many ways to minimize stress such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, talking about your feelings, and dedicating time to relaxing. If you are suffering from stress, you can find help and resources on the internet, or you can seek advice from a healthcare professional.

If left unchecked, stress can be deadly — in fact, stress is often referred to as the “silent killer” because although its effects are not immediately apparent, it can lead to a number of serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. This is why Stress Awareness Month is important — it informs people about stress and provides them with the tools and resources to manage it.

Useful websites and organisations

• NHS mood self-assessment quiz
• Stressbusting website – for information about stress and techniques for coping
• The Be Mindful website – for guidance on mindfulness
• Mind’s Infoline (0300 123 3393/info@mind.org.uk) – for information on support groups and mental health services in your local area
• Health Assured’s 4 week programme on sleep

Today is transday of visibility

⚧  Check out UNISON's great guide to being a good trans ally. It all comes down to listening to trans people, challenging transphobia, and being a good person!

Click for more info

Tips for being a good trans ally In general

• Speak up for trans people and trans equality and against transphobia.

• Speak up when there are trans people present. Don’t leave it to trans people to defend trans equality.

• Speak up when there are no trans people present. Transphobia is always wrong and shouldn’t be ignored.

• Do this in meetings, on social media, with family and friends.

• Don’t assume you know who is trans or who is affected by anti-trans discrimination. There may be people with a trans history in your branch or workplace who are now just living their lives. Other colleagues may have trans family members.

• Transphobia is no laughing matter. It’s just as important to challenge it when it is presented in a jokey way.

Thanks to UNISON members, vital public services are still running

The snow and difficult weather conditions of the past week have been challenging for everyone. We’re not a country that is best suited to this kind of weather at the best of times – especially not in March.

However, what has been abundantly clear once again in recent days is how remarkable public service workers are. Winter weather makes it harder to support those who need help in our communities – especially in rural and remote areas – but UNISON members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that help still arrives.

Thanks to UNISON members, vital public services are still running.

So thank you to the homecare worker, who travels miles from house to house ensuring that the elderly and the vulnerable are safe, warm and cared for – a lifeline for so many, even when its hazardous on the roads.

Thanks to the NHS staff who fight their way into work to make sure our health service keeps running during the cold snap. And to the ambulance staff who carry on undeterred to make sure that an emergency in the snow receives the same care that all emergencies do.

Thanks to those local authority staff, including those out late and night and early in the morning gritting the roads so that the country keeps moving even when the snow is piling up.

Thanks to the school staff, the caretakers keeping schools open and safe where they can, and those managing the process of school closures where they’re unavoidable.

Thank you to all public servants working through the cold and the snow to support everyone who needs you. You are the pride of our union, our communities and our country.

You make all of us proud of our union.

8 Reasons to love public service staff.

Did you every wonder where UNISON’s colours came from?

Does the colour scheme on the medal look familiar to you? Do you know what it is?  Well, it is actually a hunger strike medal from the women’s suffrage movement and represents the colours of the suffragettes.   In 1908 the women’s Social and Political UNISON or WSPU adopted the colour scheme of purple, white and green which would distinguish them in the political movement. Emmelin Pethick-Lawrence, editor of the weekly newspaper Votes For Women wrote “Purple as everyone knows is the royal colour, white stands for purity in private and public life and green is the colour of hope and the emblem of spring.”

UNISON lottery

🤑UNISON members: we've relaunched the UNISON lottery, giving you a chance to win up to a grand and help your fellow members at the same time 👍

Health & Safety Spot Light.

Strain on employees at work is seen to be a major cause of mental health issues— a government-commissioned report shows that mental health is costing the UK economy almost £100 billion a year and figures show that around 300,000 people leave jobs due to mental health issues.

If work place stress is causing an issue you can approach your Unison representatives/Health & Safety representative in confidence to see if the issue can be dealt with through a discussion with the employer or to offer support.

In solidarity ✊🏻

The RBL needs our help, please share.

Do you know a WW2 veteran who would want to take a free Remembrance tour back to where they served? No database exists of WW2 veterans who are still alive today, so we need your help. If you’re a grandchild, neighbour or carer and know someone who fought in WW2, please tell them about this opportunity and encourage them to sign up! Tours will take place throughout 2018 and veterans will have the chance to their respects at battlefield sites, cemeteries and memorials.

 Find out more here: http://ow.ly/OD2m30iahih

UNISON stewards help make your workplace safer.

Police campaign encourages young people to Protect Your World

 As almost a quarter of 12-15 year olds say they don’t know how to control who can see what they post on social media*, Thames Valley Police (TVP) is encouraging young people to take action to protect themselves online.

The internet is a fantastic place for young people to learn, play and socialise but it’s vital that young people are aware of its dangers and how to stay safe. Identity fraud, cyberstalking, confidence scams, cyberbullying, romance fraud, hacking, and distribution of malware are all examples of cyber dangers.

But there are simple ways to reduce the risks. Here are TVP’s top tips:

·         Make sure you are only connected to people you know on social media networks and that your settings limit the information you share

·         Turn off the mapping feature on social media and apps, as it shares your exact whereabouts and routine

·         Be share aware – your email address, postal address, the name of the school/college you attend and your telephone number are all examples of personal information that you should keep private

·         Always be cautious of internet chats - when you’re chatting online there’s no guarantee you are speaking to who you think

·         Be cautious of fake sites when shopping online. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is

·         Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi - never provide personal information to access it or use sites which are password protected when using it

It’s also vital that parents, carers and responsible adults, such as youth activity leaders, have the tools and knowledge to help young people stay safe online.

Social media is a concern for many parents, who can struggle to keep up-to-date with the networks their children are using, so the NSPCC has created the Net Aware website (www.net-aware.org.uk). This online guide demystifies the content, age restrictions and perceived risk levels of over 30 social media and gaming networks, enabling parents to understand what their children are doing online.

TVP also recommends taking the NSPCC’s TEAM approach:

• Talk – to your child/children about staying safe online, find out what sites/social media they are using, what worries them and you about them being online, the emotional aspects of social media (jealousy, self-esteem etc)
• Explore their online world together – the NSPCC has useful tips of how to start the conversation on their website
• Agree rules about what is ok and not
• Manage parental controls on all your family’s devices – free helpline available (0808 800 5002)
• Repeat – make it part of everyday life

If you fall victim to cyber crime or experience an attempted scam report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

For more information and advice visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pyw.

*Ofcom Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report, November 2017

Oxford City Branch

Your chance to elect officers and stewards, ask questions, hear about what the branch has been up to, followed by refreshments and networking after the meeting at 16:00 

On Thursday 15 March 2018 

Long Room at Oxford Town Hall

    Starting at 15:00     

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

Your voice will make a difference

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would you just like more information? Then come and have a informal chat over a cup of coffee or email chair@oxfordcityunison.com

Click here if you would like to stand as a steward

Click here if you would like to stand as an officer

Click here to ask a question or propose a motion

Working in UNISON we are strong

Join today and be part of your branch

Click here to join now

Dealing with social bullying in the workplace

Further support

If you are experiencing any form of bullying, you can contact us for support via our Family Lives helpline on 0808 808 2222. You might also want to take a look at our bullying in the workplace forums to see how others may have coped in similar situations. 

In solidarity

Join today

Pension accounts are going online

The latest edition of Reporting Pensions is now available. 

Please take some time to read it as it contains important information about the Local Government Pension Scheme. 

It includes information about the introduction of My Oxfordshire Pension, providing online access to your pension record. Scheme members will be asked to register and annual benefits statements will be available this way in future. If you cannot access an online system and wish to keep paper as your main method of communication, you need to let Pensions Services know. You can do this by completing and returning a form which is in the booklet. 

The booklet is available here

This issue covers:

• More on your benefit statement
• Cautionary warning about pension scams
• Progress towards My Oxfordshire Pension - the on-line member service
• Reminders on some LGPS topical issues 

Are you currently receiving Universal Credit?

Are you currently receiving Universal Credit? If so we'd like your help.

To show how the government is clawing back much of the money ministers claim is helping workers on low pay, we're looking for case studies of individuals or families who are on the national minimum wage – currently £7.50 an hour – and who also get Universal Credit.

Between October 2015 and April 2018, the national minimum wage will have risen from £6.50 to £7.83 an hour, an hourly increase of £1.33.

But UNISON has worked out for people who are in receipt of Universal Credit, much of that rise will have ended up not in their pockets, but back in the hands of the Treasury.

If this is you, or describes someone you know, please get in touch by emailing UNISON's media team on press@unison.co.uk or Pete Challis, the report's authorp.challis@unison.co.uk

We'd need the following information: whether there are one or two earners on the minimum wage in your household, how many hours you (and they) work, how many children you have (if any), and how much you pay in rent, or how much your mortgage is a month.

If you were happy to be named in the report, and possibly speak to a journalist, it would help UNISON bring the campaign's attention to a wider audience. This would hopefully ensure that a greater proportion of future minimum wage increases end up in the hands of those who need it the most.

But the most important thing is to find some real life stories to illustrate the report, so even if you don't want to be named, please do still get in touch, as an anonymous household would still help us out no end.

Many thanks

Reintroduce Oxford weighting tax.

There is a government registered petition to get an Oxford Weighting Allowance introduced at the local hospitals.  The cost of living is the highest in the UK compared to average salary (even higher than London).   It is really difficult to recruit and retain nurses due to the national standard government pay scales.  The petition is asking for an Oxford Weighting to be added to salaries like the London Weighting.  If 100,000 signatures are reached this will then be debated in parliament. Please pass on the link below:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/206280

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils to bring services back in-house

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils to bring services back in-house after outsourcing deal designed to save up to £18m fails

check out the full story at here 

Want to do something more?

Help your colleagues and other members becoming a UNISON rep or workplace contact. 

Being a UNISON workplace rep gives you the opportunity to:

• make a positive difference to people’s work lives
• learn new skills and meet new people
• help create a fairer society

Get involved in UNISON