Christmas and New Year Message from Brighton & Hove UNISON
It’s been quite a year for the branch, with some real highs and lows. 2024 has seen more damaging cuts to council services, but also to the funding available for the charitable and voluntary sector. Alongside that we’ve had a resurgent far right, and devastating wars and destruction. And we know our members have felt these pressures, struggling with low wages and high costs, feeling insecurity at work and in the wider world.
However, what we have also seen is a real rise in solidarity and collective action to fight for real change. Day in day out people have been turning out, making sure their voices are heard, and demonstrating the true human values of compassion, truth and community. And our branch has been proud to stand with them.
We also want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all our members, stewards and officers and celebrate and reflect on what we have achieved together this year:
Payouts to 800 council staff (most low-paid women care workers) following the successful resolution our Bank Holiday pay dispute.
Negotiations following strike action that have resulted in an offer that will uplift pay and professional progression for over 100 adults’ social workers
Fighting to keep our schools truly local by challenging Academisation in the city
A fantastic branch social headlined by stand-up legend Zoe Lyons and local band The Bone Records
Recruited and trained 17 new Workplace Stewards across the local government, community and voluntary sectors
The launch of our innovative and hard-hitting campaign against local government cuts, GIVEITBACK
The launch of the council’s first confidential disclosure tool following lobbying by UNISON so that anyone can report bullying, harassment and victimisation safely and anonymously.
Over 600 individual members supported with their rights at work
Supported local and national activism through Brighton Citizens, Brighton & Hove Living Wage, ACORN, MeTU, Stand up to Racism and Stop the War Coalition.
Championing the work of care workers through fighting for the rights of agency workers, and representing migrant care workers exploited through the sponsorship system
Balloting members on pay in Further Education
Branch representation at UNISON’s Women's, Black Members, LGBTQ+, Local government and National delegate conferences, and election of representatives to the South East Disabled Workers Committee and South East Local Government Committee.
Supporting the national pay ballot
We send our best wishes for you all to have a peaceful and fun Christmas break, and look forward to working with you positively, and with hope in 2025.
Corinna, Diana, Richard, Trevor, Matt, Hannah and Linda
Brighton & Hove UNISON