Key workers offered free cruises with Royal Caribbean - how to get tickets

 Royal Caribbean is offering free cruises to key workers in the UK to thank them for their efforts during the COVID pandemic.

The cruise firm has announced that 999 rooms will be allocated to personnel from the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, and Armed Forces, with the firm’s Anthem of the Seas ship sailing from Southampton from 7 July 2021.

It will operate ocean cruises as well as voyages around the UK coastline visiting destinations such as Liverpool, Belfast and the Orkney Islands.

All crew will be fully vaccinated.

How do I apply?

Workers who want to apply for the voyages must register on the cruise line’s website to enter a ballot.

Royal Caribbean chief executive Michael Bayley said: “The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton.

“We are delighted with the UK Government’s recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favourite such as Anthem of the Seas,” he added.

“After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind.”

Story taken from Oxford mail

Show your support for an NHS pay rise

Today, Thursday 1 April is #NHSPayDay. Put a colourful rainbow poster in your window to support a proper pay rise for all NHS workers.

UNISON has commissioned children's illustrators to design some templates to colour in – you can download them here!

People across the country are being asked to put colourful posters in their windows in support of a proper NHS pay rise, in a campaign launched today (Friday) by health unions representing more than a million health workers.

Fourteen unions – including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives – are urging households across the UK to show their appreciation for NHS workers with bright, hand-finished displays on Thursday 1 April.

The unions say this will show the public strength of feeling on the day NHS staff should have received a wage increase and be a welcome ‘thank you’ for all their tireless efforts over the past year to keep everyone safe.

Is the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine safe?

There is no evidence linking the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to an increased risk of blood clots, EU and UK regulators have ruled.

Several European countries have resumed the roll-out of the jab after temporarily pausing it because of concerns.

To read the full story from the BBC click this LINK

Everything you need to know about the Oxford Vaccine Video 

Spring 2021 RoadMap Video Explainer - Public Health England

 

Step 1 and 2 of the government's roadmap

 

2021 Branch AGM

Just remind you that we will be electing our new stewards and officers for the coming year at our AGM on the 30^th March 2021 at 3pm. If you care about your workplace and hate injustices or you want to change the world,  then why not apply to become a Steward or an officer of the Branch.

 

For more details, you can speak to your local steward or contact me for a chat. Nomination forms and further information  can be found on our web site www.oxfordcityunison.com

 

Looking forward to seeing you all there

Wellbeing check-up

Wellbeing breaks can provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances – this can include assisting with recovery from illness to help prepare for a return to work.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently unable to consider applications for wellbeing breaks. We are keeping the situation under review and hope to be able to offer this service in the not too distant future. 

There for You may be able to help you towards the costs of a break, depending on your financial situation.

For more information contact us on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or contact your branch welfare officer.