Tony Barnsley

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Improvements to Maternity/Paternity Pay and Leave

UNISON has been campaigning for improvements for both maternity and paternity leave and pay. Even Lidl recently increased their paid paternity leave to 4 weeks. It is pleasing to report that the Joint Trade Unions have negotiated and agreed the following improved terms for staff working for Sandwell MBC. Paternity leave for staff with 26 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/improvements-to-maternity-paternity-pay-and-leave/

500,000 Together Against the Far Right

Delegates from Sandwell UNISON joined 500,000 others on the UK’s biggest ever anti-racist demonstration on 28 March to share their love, hope and unity in opposition to the politics of hatred and division. See Together Alliance Watch the brief clip below.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/500000-together-against-the-far-right/

NJC Pay Offer for 2026/27

The NJC employers made a pay offer on 24 March of 3.3% on all pay points from 1 April. See attached for the detail. Emps to NJC TUs pay offer 24Mar26 UNISON’s national NJC committee will meet shortly to discuss the offer and decide the next steps.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/njc-pay-offer-for-2026-27/

Sandwell UNISON Election Result

Thanks to members who returned their voting papers for the election of Sandwell’s Assistant Branch Secretary (Local Government) for 2026/7. The results were as follows:- Charlie Carmichael    121 votes Ross Perkins                     89 votes Shazziah Rock                 62 votes Therefore …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/sandwell-unison-election-result/

2026/27 Pay Claim at Serco in Sandwell

On 2 March the Joint Trade Unions submitted the following pay claim to Serco, the private operator contracted to collect and dispose of rubbish and recycle across Sandwell. The pay claim from the three Joint Trade Unions is for:- 6% on all pay points 5 Days additional annual leave after 5 years’ service for all …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/2026-27-pay-claim-at-serco-in-sandwell/

Reform UK Once Again Outlines Attack on Local Government Pension Scheme

Reform vows to overhaul pension schemes for new local government workers – BBC News Reform is no friend of working people, says UNISON – UNISON National Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, has once again outlined their plans to attack the local government pension scheme. See the links above. Not content with attacking public …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/reform-uk-once-again-outlines-attack-on-local-government-pension-scheme/

Together Against the Far Right National Demonstration 28 March

The voices of division in our country are growing louder. Those who preach division are becoming more confident. For the first time the far right are driving politics at a national level, and far right protests on our streets mobilising the biggest numbers they ever have. Their false promises seize on the very real economic …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/together-against-the-far-right-national-demonstration-28-march/

Resisting the Rise in Racism Meeting

Trade Unions in Sandwell, which includes UNISON, GMB, Unite the Union, National Education Union and UCU at Sandwell College, have called a meeting titled Resisting the Rise in Racism. The meeting is being held inside the Council Chambers at Sandwell Council House on Wednesday 25th February at 12:30pm. If you are:- • anxious about being …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/resisting-the-rise-in-racism-meeting/

Sandwell UNISON’s 2026 Local Service Champion

Satish Patel, ICT Senior Lead Officer, is UNISON’s Local Service Champion for 2026. Staff who work for Satish nominated him to be this year’s Champion because he “consistently delivers exceptional customer service, always striving for the best possible outcomes. His ability to communicate openly and effectively extends beyond customers to everyone he encounters. His dedication …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/sandwell-unisons-2026-local-service-champion/

Your UNISON Annual General Meeting Tuesday 24 March

All members are invited to the 2026 (30th) Annual General Meeting of Sandwell General UNISON Branch. Invites are in the post. There are two opportunities to attend. Either at lunchtime between 1pm and 2pm, where a free buffet will be available for members from 12:45pm. Or at 7:30pm. At the AGM there will be an …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sandwellunison.co.uk/your-unison-annual-general-meeting-tuesday-24-march/