Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government

Episode 21 is all about local government reorganistion in England, with a smidgeon of English devolution thrown in for good measure. UNISON members are committed to ensuring high-quality public services, and there is genuine concern about the potential impact of reorganisation on day-to-day council services, particularly workforce capacity and retention. With the right support (and funding), the devolution process can result in positive outcomes for workers, local authorities, and the public. Therefore, councils must be well-resourced for devolution to be effective and ensure their workforce is supported, well remunerated, and trained.Devolution is not the cure for austerity. It can work as long as the vision of English local government is one where power is devolved from Westminster, decisions are made locally, and services are fully funded. Councils and their staff are essential for sustainable economic growth and can make a significant contribution to regional prosperity.We need to point out that local government reorganisation and devolution doesn’t apply everywhere in England, for example in Greater London and in the North East where it has already happened.To talk about all things reorganisation, we are joined by two amazing guests, Mo Baines and Clare Williams.

Welcome back to Behind the Service, and in this episode we’re shining a light on activism and the Service Group Executive (SGE) - invaluable parts of the change we’re able to make.Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson are two pioneering voices in UNISON, and they join us to share how the SGE plays a powerful role in shaping the recognition that local government employees are valued and respected, and driving social change.This episode of ‘Behind the Service: A UNISON Podcast’ covers:The critical role of volunteer union representatives in driving social changeThe ongoing battle against local government budget cuts and service erosionHow UNISON is combating far-right intolerance and promoting community unityThe emerging role of activists in addressing environmental pressuresUNISONhttps://www.unison.org.uk/https://twitter.com/unisontheunionhttps://www.facebook.com/unisontheunionGlen Williamshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-8377a584/

There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been atop UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today?With September’s Green UNISON Week, this episode of the podcast focuses on the huge potential for change that’s possible with the collaborative power of our members. Joining us to share their collective expertise, and how you can make an impact, are UNISON Policy Officer, Michelle Singleton, and South Lanarkshire UNISON Branch Secretary, Stephen Smellie.This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers: UNISON’s role in combating climate change Why ‘Just Transition’ is a crucial element in the fight against climate change Challenges of operating on a local level Balancing limited resources with the urgent need for climate actionUNISON: https://www.unison.org.uk/https://twitter.com/unisontheunionhttps://www.facebook.com/unisontheunionGreen UNISON Week: https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/Stephen Smellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-smellie-179516160/

The care sector has a glimmer of hope in the form of a new National Care Service, but such optimism comes after too many years of unsung heroes keeping the sector together.One such hero is Dimension UK’s Samantha Thornton, who joins us on the UNISON Local Government Podcast alongside our Senior National Officer for Social Care, Gavin Edwards.We cover the difference that our Ethical Care Charter makes to carers, the ambitions for a proposed Fair Pay Agreement, and the past & future states of the care sector in the UK right now.This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers: The current state of the care sector, and a typical day for those working within it What a National Care Service would mean for care workers and the public The Fair Pay Agreement, and the difference it’d make for care workers UNISON’s campaigning in the sector and its impacts on the workforce Advice for care & support workers currently in the professionUNISONhttps://www.unison.org.uk/https://twitter.com/unisontheunionhttps://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

14 years of austerity has hit local government services brutally, but have you ever wondered about the extent of the damage caused?Between Alan Waters’ experience as Former Leader of Norwich City Council and Laura Webster’s time working with Woking as they faced a bankruptcy situation, this podcast episode exposes the harsh reality of local government funding.Discover the impact of persistent cuts on your local services, and how the money moves behind the scenes, in episode 17 of the UNISON Local Government Podcast. This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers: The complexity of local government finance, and how councils have been squeezed by austerity measures Laura’s experiences with Woking Council’s financial troubles from within How many local government challenges trace back to central government mismanagement What power we have to improve local government’s situation How a decade of budget cuts has undermined local democracy and sustainability of public servicesUNISON: https://www.unison.org.uk/https://twitter.com/unisontheunionhttps://www.facebook.com/unisontheunionAlan Waters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-waters-6a723734/Laura Webster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-webster-36b66a77/

The LGPS, contrary to what some would have you believe, is a vital benefit to those working in the public sector.That’s why it’s so important for us to ensure two things: that we understand it, and that we provide our support to ensure its survival.Glyn Jenkins is our very special guest on the podcast this week as he takes us through everything you need to know about the LGPS, and why understanding your pension is paramount.This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers: Why it’s important to join the LGPS when working for schools and councils What are cost strains, and how do they occur The UNISON campaign for fair pension compensation supported by both WASPI groups  Biggest concerns that UNISON members are bringing to GlynUNISON: https://www.unison.org.ukhttps://twitter.com/unisontheunionhttps://www.facebook.com/unisontheunionGlyn Jenkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glyn-jenkins-09a521104/

The headway we’ve made in recent years on LGBT+ rights is wonderful and to be celebrated, yet there’s so much more to achieve as we enter 2024: UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers.Two fantastic leaders for UNISON’s work with LGBT+ communities are Eileen Best (Co-Chair, LGBT+ National Committee) and Mitchell Coe (National Officer, LGBT+ Equality). Mitchell and Eileen join us to share their work, the national initiatives making change for our workers, and how you can get involved in creating a fairer workforce for LGBT+ workers.This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers: How UNISON works with & organises LGBT+ workers This year’s campaign as ‘Year of LGBT+ Workers’ and how to get involved Evolutions of LGBT+ rights in recent years The current state of LGBT+ rights and the work yet to be doneUNISON: ⁠https://www.unison.org.uk/⁠⁠https://twitter.com/unisontheunion⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion⁠UNISON’s LGBT+ Equality Page with Policy Checklist (as mentioned by Mitchell): ⁠unison.org.uk/out⁠Mitchell Coe: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-coe-82172454/⁠

Welcome back to the UNISON Local Government Podcast - we’re kicking off 2024 with a look at one of the most essential services for UNISON members: There For You.UNISON’s welfare charity provides support to thousands of members in need, and joining us to share the great work it achieves, plus how to get involved, are UNISON’s Tony Wright and Abi Coombs.This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers: What ‘There For You’ is, and how it works The sheer range of support available Quantifying the charity’s huge impact across the year How UNISON members can access support and get involved with the charity

Central to the premise of any union is the power wielded when we come together, and PSI takes that premise up to a near-unfathomable, global scale.Daria Cibrario’s work with PSI counts UNISON among the 700+ trade unions that it serves to coordinate, and in this podcast episode Daria shares the remarkable impact that can have on working standards around the world.This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers: PSI’s role in bringing together the world’s unions in service of a common goal Daria’s role on coordinating global unions and influencing policies Common issues that unions are facing worldwide The need to not only protect existing public services from private interest, but reclaim them

Around half of school staff are support staff, whose incredible work with children too often flies under the radar - they’re the deserved focus of the Stars in Our Schools campaign.As we approach the annual celebration of support staff in schools on Friday 24th November, we highlight the stars of the campaign as we’re joined by Tracy Turton & Joanna Parry on this week’s UNISON Local Government Podcast.Join us as we discuss the lack of support for these everyday heroes, issues with free school meal eligibility in England, and how to get involved in the Stars in Our Schools campaign.This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers: The support staff being highlighted by the Stars in our Schools campaign Governmental shortcomings in dealing with the RAAC crisis in schools Critical issues surrounding the eligibility criteria for free school meals in England