Unison Somerset Local Government and Community Branch

Looks like we're getting some more media coverage on our anti-outsourcing campaign. Listen to UNISON rep Zak Stabbins on BBC Somerset this morning 1:08:56 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sfqq and the Somerset County Gazette https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/25947715.unions-oppose-major-shake-up-somerset-council-housing/ #:~:text=But%20Unison%20representatives%20have%20warned,committee%20formally%20debated%20the%20proposals

For our Somerset Council Members, an update will be coming shortly in your inboxes 📩

Charlie Taylor - 19/03/2026 - BBC Sounds Get your Somerset day underway with a giggle. Plus travel, weather, news and sport.

Following on from last week's lobby, Somerset Councillors still voted for the suggested changes to Somerset Council's Housing model. UNISON and trades staff are concerned around the proposals to outsource a vital service to an external organisation as well as the limited information shared with tenants and workers around the upcoming changes to the service as a result of this decision

Please see the BBC article on this : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23z3p324j8o

Our members and Somerset Council's trades staff were outside County Hall this morning lobbying and speaking to Somerset Council Councillors ahead of the decision Somerset Council are looking to make today to outsource their housing trades staff to MD Group. Members raised their concerns about the work MD Group does and the lack of transparency in this decision making. Here's a link to our petition https://forms.office.com/e/S8VgL0zeVh

Don't allow tax payer money go to private companies - keep Somerset Council housing repairs service in house to ensure good quality service for tenants. Sign our petition here:

https://forms.office.com/e/S8VgL0zeVh

Join our lobby tomorrow morning at 9:15am outside County Hall, Taunton.

We are delighted to congratulate Andrea Egan on her election as UNISON general secretary, with our branch having nominated her earlier this year.

Voting in the ballot was as follows:

Andrea Egan - 58,579 (59.82%)

Christina McAnea - 39,353 (40.18%)

Read the full details here: https://www.unison.org.uk/general-secretary-election-2025/

Well done to all the migrant health and social care workers who visited Parliament earlier this week with a plan to challenge unfair practices and ending exploitation.

Very proud of the amazing work the migrant workers network has been doing to raise awareness and holding the government to account

BIG DAY 🙌🏼 hundreds of migrant health and social care workers are making their way to Parliament where they’ll lobby the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and their MPs.

They have four asks:

- To end exploitation — replace employer sponsored visas with a sector-wide scheme in social care.
- No retrospective application or 15-year qualifying period - and recognition for the vital economic and social contribution of public sector workers.
- A fully funded Fair Pay Agreement for the social care sector.
- To draw attention to the impact of raised salary thresholds across public services – including in the NHS.

Three coaches from the South West are safely on their way to Westminster ✊🏼

We’re sending solidarity to our phlebotomists in Gloucestershire today as they mark 250 days of strike action.

Members of our branch had the honour of helping to raise money for their strike fund yesterday at Somerset Solidarity Day ✊💜

Our branch was out supporting Somerset Solidarity Day in Frome today. It was a great chance to speak with people in our local community about issues important to them, including our Fair Visa campaign and LGBT+ rights ✊

6 members of our branch attended this year's National LGBT+ Conference in Edinburgh! Representing our union on Branch, Regional and National level. We are also so proud to be recipients for the 3rd year in a row for the Regional Recruitment and Organising Award! Which also means we've retained the title of the Award winning branch of the Award winning region! Well done our branch and our region! 🏆

Our branch are supporting Bridgwater Together today. We're asking attendees to email their MP to ask them to take action to fund local government properly and save services. Read more about the campaign and email your MP here:
https://unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/save-our-services/

The UNISON general secretary election is underway. Make sure to return your ballot paper to have your say on who leads our union.

Here is our Branch Secretary and Women's Officer at the National Disabled Members Conference 2025 in Liverpool