SYCAT Unison Branch

Government must raise mileage rates say UNISON and the @racfoundation in new report published today More than a million public service workers including care staff, district nurses, housing officers, and police staff are up to £6,000 out of pocket as rates haven’t changed in over a decade. “No one should pay a penalty effectively for doing their job, least of all those providing vital services,” says UNISON general secretary @cmcanea Many workers cannot afford to run their cars to do their jobs, according to research by the RAC Foundation and the union. Some have even had to sell their cars, vital to their work, to cover essential payments, such as housing or energy bills. This financial ‘mileage gap’ means public sector workers – who need to travel as part of their jobs – are effectively subsidising their employers for their work-related journeys, says the report. UNISON says this is having a major impact on frontline staff, of whom at least one in five is required to drive for work, according to the findings. The report ‘Driven Out of Work’ says the allowance should be 63.4p a mile based on increased motoring costs and inflation. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Mileage rates are woefully out of date. “Petrol prices have skyrocketed. Care workers, nurses and other frontline employees can barely make their incomes stretch to cover the basics, let alone the costs of using their vehicles for work. “The government must tackle low pay now, not threaten to hold public sector wages down. Essential staff shouldn't be out of pocket for going to work. A failure to act now risks worsening the already dire staffing crisis."

BREAKING: High Court rules government strike-breaking legislation unlawful following UNISON case, with judge ruling that Business Secretary acted unfairly and irrationally. Employers can no longer hire agency staff to replace striking workers. Press Release: unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

UNISON at 30 – celebrate good times, come on! We take a quick look back at some of the highlights of our first three decades #UNISON30 unison.org.uk/news/article/2…

‘We remain strong and defiant’ Christina McAnea @cmcanea salutes a year of successful striking and campaigning, in a rousing conference speech #undc23 unison.org.uk/news/2023/06/w…

🚨 Over 70k signatures already 🚨 The government has ditched levelling up for an all-out offensive to make the wealthiest even richer Sign the petition to the PM @10DowningStreet 👉 action.unison.org.uk/page/11… #MiniBudget #FiscalEvent

We need pay rises for workers, not tax cuts for bankers. The government's cost of living #MiniBudget is on Friday. Send a tweet to PM #LizTruss and Chancellor #KwasiKwarteng. Ask them to #EndThePayCrisis 👉 action.unison.org.uk/page/11… Share on WhatsApp 👉 unsn.uk/EndPayCrisis

On Saturday 18 June, we’ll be taking to the streets to demand action on the cost of living – a new deal for working people, and a pay rise for all workers. Join us #DemandBetter Info: unison.org.uk/events/tuc-nat… @The_TUC

‘The treatment of those working in public services on whom we rely so heavily is unacceptable and untenable’ MP for Barnsley Central @DanJarvisMP, a UNISON member, writes on working with the union to tackle the cost of living crisis unison.org.uk/news/2022/06/b…

🎉 Nominations for UNISON’s Local Service Champions Awards are now open! 🎉 Tell us about someone who has truly gone above and beyond so we can celebrate our unsung heroes in local government: unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/… #Localservicechampions

School or council worker in England, Wales or Northern Ireland? Vote yes for strike action and post your pay vote off today! Please check with colleagues they have posted theirs. Ballot closes this Friday 14 January.

Hitting wages of key workers ​would be ‘worst possible’ blow to economy, says UNISON zpr.io/Rgad4

Christina McAnea elected UNISON general secretary zpr.io/HBDAS

UNISON urges employers to review staff safety due to new COVID variant zpr.io/HVynV

Fancy a festive boost or want to make the most of the January sales? For your chance to win £300 of Love2Shop vouchers - courtesy of @UIAinsurance - just like the UIA Facebook page (unsn.uk/2INAtut) and enter the prize draw here: unsn.uk/2Lpk9Rp