Reform UK is blaming the local government pension scheme for the financial difficulties faced by councils. Ignoring the 40% cut in funding most council’s have suffered since 2010 and the 100’000s jobs lost, the deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, told the Telegraph newspaper that final salary pension schemes are an ‘outrage’ and that …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/reform-uk-declares-war-on-council-pensions/
New Car Parking Concessions for Council Staff
Following UNISON presenting a petition to Councillors there is a new annual flexible car parking scheme for Council staff from 1 May 2025. This is the car loan parking scheme. The new Flex permit offers you greater flexibility – you no longer need to specify your working days in advance. Instead, you have the freedom …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/new-car-parking-concessions-for-council-staff/
There For You School Uniform Grant 2025
School Uniform Grant Programme 2025 Launch date will be Wednesday 28 May 2025 at 12 noon. Payment will continue to be made in the form of vouchers at £75 per school aged child. Application process 24-hour application window and subsequent random ballot. Eligibility criteria are set out below and will be widely communicated to members in advance of …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/there-for-you-school-uniform-grant-2025/
Women Chainmakers’ Festival, Cradley Heath Saturday 28 June
Chainmaker Festival Leaflet – Revised-33462 Did you know that Britain’s first ever minimum wage was won in Cradley Heath? In 1910 the women chainmakers’ of Cradley Heath threw down their hammers for 10 long weeks before finally winning a 100% pay rise! After years of suffering poverty wages, the domestic chainmakers’ of Cradley Heath and …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/women-chainmakers-festival-cradley-heath-saturday-28-june/
NJC 2025-26 Pay Offer by Sandwell Pay Grades
On the link below are the grades for Sandwell MBC and Sandwell Children’s Trust with the current NJC pay offer added. Please note salaries listed are for full-time staff working 37 hours per week. The hourly rate is also included. The pay offer also includes deleting pay point 2 which will mean staff on pay …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/njc-2025-26-pay-offer-by-sandwell-pay-grades/
2025/26 NJC Pay Offer Received
The pay offer for local government and school support staff (Plus other staff on NJC pay) has finally been received. The offer is a ‘final’ offer of 3.2% on all pay points, payable from 1 April 2025. RPI inflation rate in May was 4.5%. The offer falls short of the £3,000 pay claim on all …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/2025-26-njc-pay-offer-received/
International Workers’ Memorial Day in Sandwell
IWMD Poster2025 On Monday 28 April, International Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember those who have died as a result of accidents, injuries or illnesses caused by work. Please join us for a Rally outside the front of the Link reception Sandwell Council House at 12:30pm to hear guest speakers and local trade union activists speak …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/international-workers-memorial-day-in-sandwell/
Mary Macarthur Lecture Friday 2 May
Mary Macarthur Lecture Where: Sandwell Council House, Freeth St, Oldbury, B69 3DE When: Friday 2 May: 19.00 – 22.00 Reserve your place at this year’s Mary Macarthur Lecture and hear from Novara Media’s Labour Movement Correspondent Polly Smythe. The Mary Macarthur Lecture is an opportunity for leading women to outline the challenges they see facing women in the world of …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/mary-macarthur-lecture-friday-2-may/
NEC Elections – Your Branch Nominations
The elections of UNISON’s ruling body, the National Executive Council, are due to begin on 21 April. All members will receive a voting paper through the post with papers on candidates for numerous positions. Sandwell General Branch has nominated the following candidates for the following seats on this body that oversees the running of our …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/nec-elections-your-branch-nominations/
Branch Wins Communications Award 2024
Sandwell General Branch again won the West Midlands UNISON Communications award for 2024 after also winning it in 2023. UNISON President Steve North is pictured on the right.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/branch-wins-communications-award-2024/