Pride is a protest – get ready for our virtual event

Members of UNISON’s national and regional LGBT+ groups have really missed the opportunity to be out and about at Pride events this summer. We’ve missed working with all the branches that support us at these events, and talking to everyone – members and prospective members.

Given this – and to make sure that the UNISON LGBT+ community is seen this summer – we have organised a virtual Pride is a protest event.

This will take place this Saturday 1 August between 2pm and 5pm and will be on the UNISON  Facebook pages.

There’ll be videos reminding us why it is so important for LGBT+ people to be members of a trade union, videos of why Pride is still a protest, and photos of UNISON’s LGBT+ members at Pride events in previous years.

We’ll also be sharing materials that we would have had on our Pride stalls up and down the country.

And we’d like you to share photos of yourselves at Pride, of your branch or regional banner – and if you’d like us to add a video of why Pride is important to you, please send that video, by whatsapp, to 07961 089665.

We are really looking forward to this – and hope that you will be able to join us at some time during the day.

General Secretary election 2020: timetable agreed

The union's National Executive Council at a meeting on 23 July 2020, agreed a timetable for the election of the post of general secretary. Full details and procedures are available:

Details and Procedures (PDF)

Nomination period

The nomination period will run from 10 August to 25 September 2020. Any meetings held to agree a nomination must take place between these dates. All nominating bodies will receive an email from Civica Election Services on 10 August with details about how nominations can be submitted.

Voting

Any ballot will run from 28 October to 27 November 2020. Any results will be issued on 11 January 2021.

Eligibility to vote

All members, including retired members (but not honorary members), who are on the union's membership register as of 28 July 2020, will be entitled to vote in this election. Members not on the membership register on 28 July 2020 will not be able to vote.

Returning Officer and Scrutineer

The returning officer and scrutineer for this election is Civica Election Services. Email: unison@cesvotes.com Tel: 020 8365 8909

Complaints

Any complaint about the conduct or fairness of this election must be received no later than 5pm on 4 December 2020. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services. Email unison@cesvotes.com Any queries on this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit at the UNISON centre. Email: gs20election@unison.co.uk Tel: 020 7121 5399

Tests for coronavirus are free. No one from NHS Test and Trace will ever ask you to pay for a test. You will also NOT be asked to provide:
❌ any passwords
❌ bank account details
❌ pin numbers

Find out more about how NHS Test and Trace works:
➡️ Click here to get a test

Think you have Covid-19?

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

Book your free test here: nhs.uk/coronavirus 

Equality Survey 2020 COVID-19

Tell us about your experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.   The results will be used to direct our work with government, employers and others in keeping workers safe and fighting for better conditions at work. If you complete the survey and give us your email address, you will be entered into a prize draw to win up to £100 worth of shopping vouchers.

Share your experiences

Please sign the £10 billion bailout petition

The government must fund local councils properly to keep communities safe and rebuild the country after the pandemic. Unless ministers fix the council funding shortfall of £10bn, there could be tens of thousands of job losses and catastrophic cuts to local services in England. But in this week's economic statement, the Chancellor failed to offer any support. Join UNISON's urgent call for a £10 billion bailout by signing the petition.

Add your name to the petition

Learning and Organising Services Website

A great resource to find out about all the learning opportunities available to members. You can log in and discover wellbeing, stress management and many more learning opportunities. I cannot list them all here, and it will include everything we are learning about in this session. I usually use the A-Z of learning resources to find what I am looking for.

https://learning.unison.org.uk/