Latest news with #UNISON
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to axe 30 cleaner jobs
A hospital is planning to make cleaners redundant as part of a cost saving BBC has learned that cleaning staff at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) have been told 30 jobs are to go across the trusts two sites at Pembury and cuts are part of wider cost improvement programme at the trust to save more than £70m in 2025/26. A spokesperson for MTW said that no final decisions had been made and that the trust was "committed to engaging with affected staff and unions throughout the process". The redundancy plans have worried families who lost loved ones at the hospital 20 years ago. At least 90 patients died at Maidstone Hospital between 2004 and 2006 in a outbreak. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea and can spread quickly in hospitals. A report into the deaths cited a lack of cleanliness as a contributing factor to the family member who's mother-in-law died during the outbreak, told the BBC that cleaners were "vital" to maintain safety standards and to make them redundant was "scandalous". UNISON regional manager Ryan Slaughter said: "Hospitals need more staff, not fewer workers, if delays and waits are to end."Cutting jobs and services will mean patients will have to wait longer to be seen and make staffing levels less added that ministers needed to deal with the "recruitment and retention crisis in the health service". A spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said: "We are currently reviewing services across the Trust in line with a national focus on treating more patients, improving efficiencies and ensuring long-term sustainability. During this period, our priority remains the delivery of high quality care to the communities we serve and supporting our staff." Hundreds of NHS workers across the south east are facing uncertainty over their jobs because of a planned government announced in March it wanted integrated care boards (ICBs) to halve their running costs. ICB's are NHS organisations responsible for planning health services for their local Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said the changes were part of a transformation plan to "tackle inefficiencies and drive up productivity in the NHS".
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Thousands celebrate Paisley's annual Sma Shot Day event
The event, organised by Renfrewshire Council, took place on Saturday, July 5. One of the world's oldest workers' festivals, the event commemorates the Paisley weavers' victory in a 19th-century industrial dispute. Supported by UNISON Renfrewshire branch, the festivities kicked off with the much-loved Sma' Shot parade, organised by Bridgeman Arts alongside local community groups, performers, and musicians. This year's parade also featured two brand-new giant puppets, inspired by traditional poets and musicians, and showcased vibrant costumes and performers. Read more: Urgent warning ahead of TRNSMT 2025 in Glasgow (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) After 33 years of carrying the Charleston Drum in the Sma' Shot Day parade, Tony Lawler passed the drumsticks to Tommy McGrory of Paisley music school Loud 'n' Proud. The handover was marked by a brief ceremony at Brodie Park before the parade proceeded to the town centre. Once at the main event site at Abbey Close and Bridge Street, attendees enjoyed the traditional Burning of the Cork, a Sma' Shot Day highlight, introduced by spoken word artist and Tannahill Makar Shaun Moore. Abbey Close became a hub of entertainment for the afternoon, with performances on the live stage from PACE Youth Theatre, who re-enacted the weavers' struggle for Sma' Shot payment, Evelyn Laurie and Neil Thomson, Howlin' Radio, and the Byres Road Big Band. The afternoon also included pop-up performances outside Paisley Abbey and at Restoration and Creation, a local upcycling business. Read more: 'Kickstarting the summer': Free giant ball pit returns to Braehead shopping centre (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) (Image: Renfrewshire Council) The business also hosted an artisan makers market and a selection of children's workshops. A range of free family activities was available, including face painting, inflatables, arts and crafts, and a funfair. The historic Sma' Shot Cottages also opened their doors to offer visitors a glimpse into Paisley's rich weaving history. Sma' Shot Day is a key part of Renfrewshire's major events programme. More information about upcoming events in Paisley and Renfrewshire can be found on the website.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Strike among NHS hospital staff reaches 100th day
A strike among specialist health workers is becoming one of the longest in NHS history as workers reach their 100th day of industrial action. Gloucestershire phlebotomists, who take and handle patient blood samples, are classed as Band 2 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale but UNISON, their trade union, claims that is not enough for the responsibilities of their role. Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals, said he was "keen to stick within the national framework" so there is "fairness and consistency across the whole of the NHS". But Caroline Hayhurst, one of the 37 striking phlebotomists, said: "Just because other trusts do something, doesn't make it right." More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Mr McNamara said the national campaign move healthcare support workers from Band 2 to Band 3 did not include phlebotomists. "I think it starts to undermine a pay terms and conditions framework if we start to take local decisions," he said. Mr McNamara said he first asked union colleagues to share an updated job description for evaluation last autumn, but claimed he only received it last week. "It is something we're committed to resolving but we have to do it in a proper process." UNISON said phlebotomists have been "wrongly placed on the lowest pay scale in the NHS", and perform "more complex tasks, usually associated with the higher NHS Band 3". Ms Hayhurst said she and her colleagues "love" their jobs, but "it has to be at a proper rate of pay". "Throughout this process, one of our chief exec's stances has been, 'The rest of the country are paying Band 2 to their phlebotomists' and he's absolutely right, there are many trusts who are still paying Band 2," she said. "There are others that have addressed the issue about the banding of their phlebotomists since we came out on strike and they have already changed it without their phlebotomists having to unionise," Ms Hayhurst added. "In order to bring about change, sometimes you have to challenge, and that's what we're doing." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Blood test delays' as workers continue pay protest Striking staff extend action further into June NHS phlebotomists six weeks into strikes over pay Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust UNISON
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Gloucestershire phlebotomists reach 100th day of strike
A strike among specialist health workers is becoming one of the longest in NHS history as workers reach their 100th day of industrial phlebotomists, who take and handle patient blood samples, are classed as Band 2 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale but UNISON, their trade union, claims that is not enough for the responsibilities of their McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals, said he was "keen to stick within the national framework" so there is "fairness and consistency across the whole of the NHS".But Caroline Hayhurst, one of the 37 striking phlebotomists, said: "Just because other trusts do something, doesn't make it right." Mr McNamara said the national campaign move healthcare support workers from Band 2 to Band 3 did not include phlebotomists."I think it starts to undermine a pay terms and conditions framework if we start to take local decisions," he McNamara said he first asked union colleagues to share an updated job description for evaluation last autumn, but claimed he only received it last week."It is something we're committed to resolving but we have to do it in a proper process." UNISON said phlebotomists have been "wrongly placed on the lowest pay scale in the NHS", and perform "more complex tasks, usually associated with the higher NHS Band 3".Ms Hayhurst said she and her colleagues "love" their jobs, but "it has to be at a proper rate of pay"."Throughout this process, one of our chief exec's stances has been, 'The rest of the country are paying Band 2 to their phlebotomists' and he's absolutely right, there are many trusts who are still paying Band 2," she said. "There are others that have addressed the issue about the banding of their phlebotomists since we came out on strike and they have already changed it without their phlebotomists having to unionise," Ms Hayhurst added."In order to bring about change, sometimes you have to challenge, and that's what we're doing."
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling Council under fire over staff contract changes as union mulls action
The controversial changes - voted through by councillors by a tight margin - would see changes to redundancy terms and also the introduction of settlement agreements for employees approved for voluntary redundancy. Stirling Council is facing a backlash from staff after controversial changes were made to their terms and conditions, including future redundancy payments. Management said the moves - voted through by Conservative and SNP councillors - would ensure 'tasks not people' would be considered redundant, create a 'talent pool' within the council, and would a better use of taxpayers' money. However, the Labour minority administration and Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache backed the view of UNISON, the largest union, which said the new system would 'strip' and reduce the terms, conditions and workplace rights of Stirling Council employees, damage morale and the council's reputation, and make it even harder to retain and recruit suitable staff. UNISON now say they have 'no alternative' but to lodge a formal grievance/dispute and consult its members on further action. At a full council meeting on Thursday, councillors considered a paper on the 'Organisational Change Policy'. Key changes include the removal of added years and discretionary enhancements in cases of redundancy. In their place, affected staff would be offered either suitable alternative employment, statutory redundancy pay (the minimum legal entitlement), or placement in a 'talent pool', the details of which critics say remain unclear. The paper also proposes introducing settlement agreements for employees approved for voluntary redundancy, requiring them to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) - commonly dubbed 'gagging clauses' - estimated to cost the council £600 each, and described by the union as a 'bizarre twist'. Despite opposition from the four Labour councillors and Cllr Tollemache, the proposal was passed with the support of the eight SNP councillors present, who sided with the Conservatives to approve the changes. 'Stirling Council's approach is an insult to its dedicated workforce,' said Lorraine Thomson, UNISON Branch Secretary. 'They're pushing drastic changes that make it easier to cut jobs and force loyal employees out, all while refusing basic information.' UNISON local government lead officer David O'Connor added: 'We are in no doubt given the on-going lack of fair funding to local authorities by Scottish Government that existing staff will be left with further work pressures and will essentially be left to carry the load. 'There needs to be a viable alternative to statutory redundancy payments should posts be at future risk. 'However, what's being proposed here lacks detail and has no financial commitment around funding, which is essential to make it work.' The union also say the approach is 'two-tier' given that teaching staff will not be affected as they come under a separate agreement, and that while five other local authorities had taken the same moves, 26 other councils had decided not to go down that route. Council leader, Labour councillor Gerry McGarvey, said: 'This proposal removes security and fairness for employees in the Stirling Council; it also reduces the council's attractiveness as an employer due to fewer protections for employees. 'Instead of working with Labour to bring forward a package which respected workers' rights, the SNP have supported the Tories to weaken terms and conditions.' SNP councillors, however, said 'their' policy had been passed after months of consultation with senior officers and was one of 'no compulsory staff redundancies and a commitment from senior council management to focus on staff retention, training and job security across the council'. SNP group leader Cllr Susan McGill said: 'This policy values employees, recognises employees and demonstrates how important they are to bring about real change in how the council provides services. On something as basic as this, Labour failed to lead.' SNP finance spokesperson Cllr Gerry McLaughlan said the previous system made it 'more attractive' for people to leave the council than to stay, and the council was 'desperately short of trained and experienced people', with management 'strained to the gunnels'. He added: 'The SNP has secured a policy that, quite simply, values people. It retains staff whilst offering meaningful training and security of employment. Contrast that with Labour; happy to take nearly £200,000 in salaries yet too weak to show leadership on behalf of anyone else.' Conservative group leader Cllr Neil Benny said the new policy was 'right and fair both to our employees and to the taxpayers of Stirling'. But Labour councillor David Wilson said the proposals fell 'far short of what is required to provide staff security, fairness and dignity', adding: 'This is a weakening of the council's terms and conditions and is likely to reduce Stirling Council's attractiveness as an employer of choice. The council has already faced challenges in attracting staff for certain posts. 'The creation of a talent pool is ambitious but there's no clear budget or plan for training staff within this pool.'
