Walsall Unison General Branch

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2026/03/employment-rights-act-a-new-raft-of-rights/?utm_campaign=April%20U%20Dig%202026&utm_content=Read%20more&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Communications

Employment Rights Act – a new raft of rights - UNISON National Individual rights such as day one sick pay and paternity leave lead the new benefits in April

Most school support staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are covered by the annual local government 'NJC' pay negotiations. We expect a pay offer next month. When there is a final offer, every UNISON member affected will get a vote on it. Keep an eye on our campaign web page for all the latest news: https://unsn.uk/4u01vAD

Meanwhile, work is continuing on setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body - a new national body dedicated to negotiating pay, terms and conditions specifically for school support staff in England, with your roles at its centre. It is expected to come into force later this year. UNISON will be the majority union representing support staff in the SSSNB; the NEU teachers' union won't be involved. We'll consult all affected members before it is implemented.

So make sure you're a UNISON member - to have your say on your pay.

UNISON statement on NEU vote to withdraw from school support staff agreement.

UNISON Walsall General Branch celebrates
UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a webinar Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 12.30

We’re excited to share our online event with celebrated author and UNISON activist DG Coutinho:

DG Coutinho is an award-winning Author. They landed the Bloody Scotland Harvill Secker Crime Award in 2021. They also perform spoken word as DGC. They are the co-founder and MC of Boisterous Ravens, a spoken word event featuring Black, Brown and Global Majority women and Non-Binary performers. They have co-authored the children’s book Activists in Action: Prudence Mabele, celebrating the life and accomplishments of the late AIDS activist with NAZ Project London. They write short stories and dabble in script-writing.

Their book Prodigal Honey was long listed for the Exeter Novel prize. Their twisty satirical thriller ’The Light and Shade of Ellen Swithin’ was published in hardcover in August 2024 and is out now in paperback published by Penguin Vintage.

DG Coutinho is a familiar figure in Trade Union activism for many decades and they were one of the founding members of Black UK Pride and are active in UNISON Black LGBT+ Network.

In conversation with DG Coutinho will connect the worlds of fiction and activism with the role fiction plays in stories about challenging racism in everyday life.

Email [email protected] to request the link to join.

https://westmidlands.unison.org.uk/events/?filter-0=20449&utm_campaign=Membership%20Education%20Programme%20for%20summer%20Term%202026&utm_content=West%20Midlands%20Membership%20Education%20%26%20Training&utm_medium=email&utm_source=West%20Midlands

Events | UNISON West Mids IN PERSON at UNISON West Midlands Regional Centre, Birmingham This one day course is a general introduction to employment law for stewards with little experience and no previous training in employment law beyond what is covered in the general stewards’ introductory courses. Employment law is an en...

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90848919/UNISON-Social-Work-Visits-Survey-2026

Social work – home visits survey 2026
UNISON is conducting a survey to get feedback from social workers on their experiences and safety when conducting home visits jointly (with a colleague) and solo (on their own).

The union wants to build a picture of the pressures faced by social work staff and bring it to national attention. The information you provide will help UNISON campaign for better protection of staff and more resources for social work.

The survey is anonymous and should take about eight minutes to complete. The closing date is 5pm on 1 March 2026.

As a thank you for taking part, you can enter our free prize draw at the end of the survey to win £200 in vouchers*.

Social work – home visits survey 2026 Social work – home visits survey 2026.

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2026/02/opinion-this-week-is-our-chance-to-show-what-we-can-achieve/?utm_campaign=Activist%2011%20February%202026&utm_content=READ%3A%20Andrea%20Egan%20on%20why%20this%20week%20is%20so%20important&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Communications

Opinion: This week is our chance to show what we can achieve - UNISON National 'Heart unions week is a chance to recruit – because the more workers who join us, the greater our power to win the pay, conditions, and dignity we deserve'

Walsall UNISON General Branch celebrates LGBT+ Month

February is LGBT+ History Month 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

It's an opportunity for each one of us to make a difference - at work and in our communities.

Find out more about unions and LGBT+ history
https://unsn.uk/3NQzVVW

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/12/andrea-egan-to-be-next-unison-general-secretary-election/

Andrea Egan to be next UNISON general secretary - UNISON National Five-year term begins in January 2026

Parliament passes the Employment Rights Bill - UNISON National UNISON hails the hard-fought legislation that will transform workers' rights for the better

💜UNISON's Winter Essentials Grants are here to help!
Open for 24 hours on 10 December.
Check eligibility now 👉 https://unsn.uk/40CMVT7