Recent research by the TUC has found widespread ignorance about spending on welfare, the reality of unemployment, the generosity of benefits and the level of fraud. People least able to give accurate answers about benefits are the most likely to…
Advice services are in crisis A threefold change is causing a crisis to the provision of free legal advice. Legal Aid is being cut in April 2013 for many areas of social welfare law, including housing, employment, benefits, debt and…
The UNISON Fighting Fund has got the concept of paid organisers right at the top of the union’s agenda. Far from being something new, the idea of employing organisers has been around for a long time. Here we take a…
Earlier in the year Steve Swift stood down as Assistant Branch Secretary to take up a new role at UNISON North West. As 2012 draws to a close he looks back on his last year at the Manchester Branch. “Regrets,…
As MCC employees will be aware, the Council has recently launched new time-limited Voluntary Severance and Voluntary Early Retirement schemes, which are open to staff from 6 December 2012 to 25 January 2013. In order to ensure our members remain…
In the embedded table below is a timetable of meetings to discuss the Council budget situation and the future impact on jobs and services as well as the Voluntary Severance / Voluntary Early Retirement schemes. The Council has agreed up…
Dear Friend Next week, together with union activists, I’ll be delivering a huge letter right to the door of Number 10 Downing street, saying ‘our rights at work are not for sale’. This Tory government are forcing through their plan…
UNISON is leading the fight against the fight against privatisation of ambulance services in Manchester. Manchester branch members have been out in force raising awareness of the issue and gathering signatures for the petition. We speak to one of the…
The Council Leader and Chief Executive today issued a broadcast message to all staff on the future possible changes in Council funding. UNISON believes in the need for transparent communication by the Council with all staff and especially during difficult…
With neighbouring authorities already acting as “Pathfinders” planning to run pilot schemes, Universal Credit is already hitting our region. The scheme is currently scheduled to go live for new claimants nationally from October 2013. UNISON is firmly opposed to these…