£200 grants for UNISON members to spend on their winter essentials.

UNISON's welfare charity, There for You, is providing £200 grants for UNISON members to spend on their winter essentials. 

There are a limited number of grants available. But this year, there will be 24 hours to apply, starting at 12 noon on Wednesday 11 December, with the grants being randomly allocated to eligible applicants.

Karen Poole, a trustee of the charity and branch welfare officer, explains why the grant has changed and how members can access support from There for You, to see if you are eligible and how to apply CLICK HERE

 

Don't believe the noise

"Join us in standing together for solidarity. Ignore any distractions and be a part of our mission. Let's rise up together as one.

 hashtag #TogetherWeRise."

Are your details up to Date

 

The Oxford Living Wage increases to £11.35 per hour

 

The Oxford Living Wage increases to £11.35 per hour!! 

This is great news for the employees of the 100+ Living Wage employers in the city.

www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20027/welfare_reform/1011/the_oxford_living_wage

Would you like to take on an official role as a UNISON steward in 2023?

 

Whatever your problem at work, from broken heating to a departmental restructures, UNISON stewards and other activists work together to protect the interest of you and all its members.

Our stewards are vital to this branch, and UNISON will provide you with all the training you need. You have the right to paid time off for this training, and crèches are usually available. UNISON stewards receive complete support from the union, and there is even a dedicated online space called the Organising Space.

If you would like more information, you can email us at office@oxfordcityunison.com or check out the UNISON web site

If you would like to stand simply, complete this form and we will be in touch

Closing date is 01 March 2023

  

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

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.

Sexual harassment isn’t just a problem for celebrities. It’s rife in ordinary workplaces everywhere. It affects us too.

Sexual harassment can have devastating effects, often leading to ill-health and work-related stress, affecting work performance and a survivor’s personal life. 

Half of women have been sexually harassed at work. Two thirds of LGBT+ people have experienced it too. And what’s really shocking is that 4 out of 5 people don’t feel able to report it to their employer.

So after months of campaigning, we welcome the government’s recent announcement that it finally plans to change the law and introduce a mandatory duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, including third-party harassment. 

It’s an important victory for UNISON and the whole coalition of unions, women’s rights bodies and business organisations working together in the #ThisIsNotWorking alliance. But most importantly, for UNISON members delivering public services, this represents a positive practical step towards stamping out harassment at work from clients, patients and contractors as well as from colleagues. 

The government has stated that it will introduce legislation “as soon as parliamentary time allows”. For workers who continue to suffer, and who currently feel that nothing will be done if they report harassment, it’s action, not words, that will make a difference. 

UNISON will keep a close eye on the government and press for it to introduce a properly enforceable law so that all employers make prevention a priority and are held severely to account when they let their workers down. We will be watching – and we stand ready to act if we don’t see the urgent change we need.

What to do if you are being sexually harassed at work

•  Speak to a trusted friend or family member. 
• Speak to your UNISON rep. 
• Keep a record of what has happened to you (including time, date, location and any witnesses or evidence such as copies of letters, text messages, emails, etc, as well as details of any medical help sought). 
• If you feel sufficiently safe, tell the harasser to stop. You could ask them in writing. Your UNISON rep should be able to support you. Keep a record of any steps you have taken to stop the sexual harassment and of any response from the harasser. 
• Speak to your line manager or, if they are the harasser, to a more senior manager or to the HR department. 
• If the problem is not resolved, make a formal complaint using your workplace grievance procedure or the reporting procedure within your workplace anti-harassment policy (if there is one). Your UNISON rep should be able to support you. 
• If the issue is still not resolved, you may be able to take it to an employment tribunal. Your UNISON rep should be able to support you. You can also contact There for You on 020 7121 5620, email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or speak to your branch welfare officer.
  
  
  

UNISON welcomes government pledge to end violence at work

 

UNISON has welcomed the Westminster government’s announcement that it plans to ratify Convention 190 from the International Labour Organization’s (ILO), which says that everyone has a right to work free from violence and harassment.

It is the first international treaty to recognise this, and specifically includes gender-based violence and harassment. The union is calling on the Conservative government to ensure words are rapidly turned into action.

Read the full story by clicking Here

Black LGBT+ Pride event, Saturday 30 October 2021, 6 to 7 pm, online via MS Teams

Black LGBT+ Pride event celebrating Black History Month, Saturday 30 October 2021, 6 to 7 pm, online via MS Teams, hosted by UNISON Oxford University & Colleges and UNISON Oxfordshire Health Branches.

Equality is at the heart of everything that UNISON does, and we are proud of our work to raise the voices of our Black, LGBT+ and Disabled members. Black History Month this year comes at a time where communities are trying to rebuild and recover from a global pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted inequalities across all equality groups, and has left many Black, LGBT+ and disabled members feeling isolated, having been forced to shield, dealing with the loss of loved ones, suffering genuine fear for their lives as frontline workers. 

Whilst COVID-19 has not gone away, we are gradually returning to more normal activities, and many people are really desperate for something to celebrate.

UNISON Oxford University & Colleges branch and UNISON Oxfordshire Health have come together to sponsor a Black LGBT+ Pride performance, which will take place online on Saturday 30 October, at 6pm.

Through MelanEyes: Say it Loud, Say it Proud

This provocative show features Black LGBT+ performers reclaiming the power of their bodies. Members can expect fun, politics and unapologetic ‘LGBTness’. 

Through MelanEyes are described as a collective of Chosen Family from across borders, coming together to build something better from the arts. 

Expect the unexpected, and bring an open mind! Some acts will be racy, some will be political, and some will explore why Black LGBT+ bodies are taboo in your more mainstream pride events. 

This event is strictly 18+ and is a space for Black members, LGBT+ members and their allies. There is much discussion around what is art and what is lewd, and how to respect everyone’s comfort. All acts will include a content warning and there will be a BSL interpreter and Audio description for all acts. There will also be a chance to chat to all the performers after the show and 5 lucky audience members will win prizes sourced from Black owned businesses!

So get excited! Registration is open now and UNISON members can bring up to 4 guests. This event is just as much a challenge as it is a celebration, and we hope you will enjoy a group that demonstrates what we can do if we all work together! Thank you for your interest in this event! 

The event is limited to UNISON members and up to four guests. In order to attend the event, we require a valid email address for each attendee. 

UNISON members must provide their membership number to register themselves and their guests (up to a maximum of four each) at the same time, and the UNISON member must provide a valid email address for each person being registered.

Please register using this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/through-melaneyes-an-online-performance-for-black-history-month-tickets-180156191017 

All personal data will only be used for the event and follow up feedback survey. We will not share your data with any other parties. You can read UNISON’s privacy policy here https://www.unison.org.uk/privacy-policy/

Please have a look at the Through MelanEyes Facebook page and website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MxRomeoDeLaCruz

Website: Through MelanEyes

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

Almost time to have your say on who leads us next

 The following have been confirmed as candidates in the election to choose a new general secretary for UNISON.

Their names are listed below in the order they will appear on the ballot paper and in the election address booklet.

Paul Holmes

Nominated by one service group executive, two regional councils and 99 branches.

Christina McAnea

Nominated by the national executive council (NEC), five service group executives, nine regional councils and 210 branches.

Roger McKenzie

Nominated by one service group executive, one regional council and 104 branches.

Hugo Pierre

Nominated by 31 branches.

Ballot papers will be sent to members’ home or other notified address in writing. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the independent scrutineer. All voting will be by post

Do it for your grandparents

 

UNISON Face Coverings

Today Oxford City Branch of UNISON has started rolling our face masks to our members who are having to go out every day delivering essential key services. 

Made from a polyester spandex stretch material our tests have found that their flexibility is helping our members stay safe when delivering their key services.

If you would like one please talk to your local steward or email office@oxfordcityunison.com 

Your see our stewards have been testing out there flexibility 

 

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

Let’s say thank you to all our key workers

UNISON has become a partner in the /together coalition, which this weekend will unite the country to celebrate the NHS’ birthday and commemorate all those who have died from the coronavirus.

Click HERE for the full story from UNISON 

COVID-19 response fund launched

There for You is UNISON’s unique charity, set up to help members in difficulties – and this year, the COVID-19 crisis is making life harder for many of our already-stretched members.

The welfare charity has set up a special fund to respond to calls for help because of the pandemic, with £250,000 set aside for members in need. Our members can only apply for a grant if they know about it so please share as widely as you can.

For full story just click Here or for application form Click Here

UNISON members will never forget

UNISON members from Oxford City Branch of UNISON remember comrades we have lost in Oxford Town Hall

We will observe a minute's silence tomorrow at 11am, to honour those key workers who have lost their lives to Covid-19

#neverforgotten #iwmd2020