Tony Barnsley

Author's posts

Celebrating a historic strike victory in Cradley Heath

Sandwell General UNISON Branch banner proudly displayed to celebrate the women chainmakers’ of Cradley Heath winning a strike in 1910 to win the first minimum wage in Britain and at the same time doubling their wages. The legacy of the National Federation of Women Workers and the brilliant leadership of Mary Macarthur lives on to …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/celebrating-a-historic-strike-victory-in-cradley-heath/

Time is running out to Vote in the NJC pay ballot

Have you and your colleagues posted back your vote on whether you want to strike to try and win a better pay offer? Prices continue to rise and the latest RPI inflation figure is 11.3%. The continued rises in interest rates will hit many, both mortgage owners and renters, hard. UNISON has emailed, phoned and …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/time-is-running-out-to-vote-in-the-njc-pay-ballot/

Car Parking Charges going up?

Sandwell’s Cabinet approved a revised paper (not quite as bad as the first one) on Wednesday which increases car parking charges throughout the Borough. The increased charges are still a significant increase. However, the approved report also included charges for 1,2,3,4,5 days a week on named days which could prove beneficial to anyone currently able …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/car-parking-charges-going-up/

UNISON Online Rally for Better Pay in local government

See the West Midlands online rally for the NJC pay ballot to try and win better pay for UNISON members working in schools and local government. (8) Facebook If you want to attend a meeting in person then UNISON is supporting a Joint Trade Union meeting at Sandwell Council House on Wednesday 7 June, 1pm …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/unison-online-rally-for-better-pay-in-local-government/

UNISON Members at Serco Reject 7.5%

UNISON members at Serco have unanimously rejected a latest improved pay offer of 7.5%. The offer is still below RPI inflation of 11.4% and therefore represents a pay cut in real terms. Furthermore the offer comes with strings which include working bank holidays. UNISON will be demanding further talks with management before the dispute escalates …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/unison-members-at-serco-reject-7-5/

Your NJC Voting Envelope looks like this

Vote YES to strike action to fight for better pay. Vote NO if you wish to accept the pay offer. Please use your vote and post back today. smart

Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/your-njc-voting-envelope-looks-like-this/

VOTE in the NJC Pay Ballot

Ballot papers for voting on the 2023/24 NJC pay offer will go out to your home address from Tuesday 23rd May. They will be in a red envelope so you can distinguish it from other post. Whether you want to accept the offer, or reject it and fight for more, we urge all members to …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/vote-in-the-njc-pay-ballot/

Serco UNISON members reject 6% pay offer

UNISON members working for Serco in Sandwell gave a show of hands and unanimously rejected a 6% pay offer, which also contained strings such as introducing working on bank holidays. With RPI inflation currently at 13.5%, the offer represents a huge pay cut in real terms. A consultative ballot has begun and if the vote …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/serco-unison-members-reject-6-pay-offer/

Additional Leave for NJC employees from 1 April 2023

Part of the 2022/23 pay award agreement was an additional days leave from 1st April 2023. When your leave year renews during 2023/24, make sure you receive an extra day of leave (pro-rata for part-time workers). Between 1st April 2023 and the beginning of your new leave year you will receive the additional leave in …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/additional-leave-for-njc-employees-from-1-april-2023/

Car Parking Charges – Latest

The proposed increases in parking charges across Sandwell were due to be decided before 1 April 2023. UNISON quickly organised a petition for staff before it was due to be discussed by Cabinet and collected over 300 signatures in less than two weeks. This was presented to the Council Leader. UNISON is awaiting employer – …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/car-parking-charges-latest/