Merry Christmas from Brighton & Hove UNISON!
2023 has been a difficult year for everyone in one way or another, and with some national and international news that is hard to contemplate or process. Often, the best way of dealing with the sadness, anger and powerlessness we may feel in the face of these challenges, is to make change where you are and where you have the power to.
At Brighton & Hove UNISON we have had our challenges, but we have also worked tirelessly to make the positive change where we can, and there is much for us to celebrate and acknowledge:
Over 800 workers received pay settlements in the hundreds and thousands of pounds following our dispute to level up bank holiday pay.
Fantastic organising with our adult’s social workers leading to historic first ever strike action.
Successfully bidding for a £20,000 grant from UNISON’s National Campaign Fund to run GIVEITBACK, a major new campaign to fight against cuts to local government budgets.
An increased pay award to dozens of workers in a local charity to match the £1925 given to their equivalents in the city council.
Successful lobbying of the council to make their workplaces safer by introducing a confidential disclosure tool for bullying and harassment.
Giving financial support to Acorn the Renter’s UNION, Brighton & Hove Real Living Wage, and Me TU, a campaigning group to drive out misogyny, bullying and harassment from the trade union movement.
Joining Brighton and Hove Citizens, the largest civil society alliance in the city, representing over 50,000 people organise to overcome injustice and win change on the things that local communities care about most across the city, including leading on work to expand the Real Living Wage in private care settings.
Being at the forefront of the fight against acadamisation to keep our local schools owned and accountable to their communities.
Wishing you and your friends and family a peaceful and enjoyable festive break, and hope you can make change where you can in 2024 and that we have a much needed injection of hope.
Everyone at Brighton & Hove UNISON.