At its latest meeting, the UoB UNISON committee voted to donate £100 to the Gloucestershire phlebotomists strike fund and express its solidarity with the workers on strike.
For years, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been paying Band 2 wages for Band 3 work, meaning these highly skilled clinical staff have been paid £12.08 an hour, around £1/hour less than they should. UNISON members raised the issue with their employer over a year ago and Trust bosses are still refusing to put things right. But the phlebotomists are not giving up until they get what there are owed.
The phlebotomists have been on strike since 17th March, with every single worker on strike and on the picket line. They have vowed to keep fighting until they get the banding they’re entitled to, the backpay they’re owed and the respect and recognition they deserve.
Another bake sale success! A massive thank you to everyone who supported and donated 🕊️
During workplace day of action for Palestine, Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine Bristol Royal Infirmary & University of Bristol Staff with Palestine raised £452 for 3 charities close to our hearts as healthcare and higher education workers –
❤️ Salma’s family in Gaza – a Palestinian UoB graduate with family in Gaza
💚 Medical Aid of Palestinians (MAP) – charity providing vital supplies, medicines and humanitarian aid in Gaza
🖤 Gaza Soup Kitchen – providing food, clean drinking water and a lifeline to those in need
We had an excellent turn out at the Bake Sale fundraising for Trans Aid Bristol today! It was excellent to meet so many members of the University community who were showing their support for Trans colleagues, students and friends.
The total donation for Trans Aid Bristol is £472.33, including a generous donation of £50 from one member!
We’re looking for members across the city and the surrounding localities to help lobby their MPs over the state of higher education funding. This is part of a coordinated advocacy campaign UNISON are undertaking across the country to help stand up for our jobs and save higher education funding.
The campaign involves:
1. Writing to your MP on behalf of the branch about the state of higher education.
2. Trying to set up a meeting with your MP to discuss issues with yourself and the branch committee.
3. The possibility of attending as part of delegation of members visiting their MPs in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 3rd June to get them to take action.
We’re hoping to have members participate to cover at least these eight constituencies, but participation from any constituency is very welcome!
Bristol Central
Bristol North West
Bristol East
Bristol South
Bristol North East
Filton and Bradley Stoke
North Somerset
North East Somerset and Hanham
Please email unison-office@bristol.ac.uk if you would like to participate in this campaign to help coordinate contact and tailor approaches for each MP.
In Bristol and nearby we have a high number of Labour MPs who ran on a manifesto which stated:
“We recognise that UK higher education creates opportunity, is a world-leading sector in our economy, and supports local communities… The current higher education funding settlement does not work for the taxpayer, universities, staff, or students. Labour will act to create a secure future for higher education and the opportunities it creates across the UK. We will work with universities to deliver for students and our economy.”
So we have an opportunity to help hold them to account and try to commit themto action.
The more pressure we can put on the better!
Here is a PDF from Unison’s Higher Education Service Group with more detailed information. You can also sign up to a Teams webinar they are holding on Wednesday 21 May 12.30-1.30 entitled ‘Fund our Future: Fighting the Cuts in Higher Education’. The aim of this webinar is to help guide branches with our campaigns to fight cuts and defend jobs in universities.
As part of our campaign against cuts in higher education, UNISON has arranged a lobby of parliament, to take place on Tuesday 3 June.
On that day branches are bringing members to parliament, so they can try to meet their MPs. This is their chance to talk to MPs about the state of higher education – the lack of funding, the threat to courses and jobs – and what needs to be done. We need MPs to put as much pressure as possible on the Government, calling for emergency funding for the sector and a new, radical approach to funding universities in the future.
Unison National will send out further guidance soon, with advice for members on how to book appointments with MPs and tips on what to say. But in the meantime branches are asked to keep the date free.
We will also have a room booked in Parliament – so that members and branches can come together and hear from speakers about the state of HE.
We want to ensure that at least all Bristol and the surrounding area constituencies are covered, and we will coordinate with other Unison HE branches in the surrounding area.
Please email the branch at unison-office@bristol.ac.uk so we can get an expression of interest in attending the lobby and booking an appointment with their MP.
We will discuss this in more detail in upcoming branch executive and branch meetings.
10th May: National ‘Protect Education Now’ rally Saturday
On 10 May, the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) are holding a national rally in central London, entitled ‘Protect Education Now’. UNISON is keen to work closely with UCU in our campaign for new funding for HE and a new, radical, approach to HE based on progressive taxation and public funding.
We are working with other local UCU and Unison branches for transport to London, and will be taking along our UNISON banners. Please attend and stand up for the future of HE!
Please email the branch at unison-office@bristol.ac.uk so we can get an expression of interest in attending.
1st May: Say “No” to Arron Banks at West of England Mayoral elections
Our branch recently passed a motion of support for Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) campaign against the Far Right and Racism at the local elections including the racism of the Reform UK Party.
As an anti-racist union and branch we encourage our members to vote on May 1st in the West of England Mayoral elections to stop Arron Banks, the Reform UK Party candidate, from being elected. Please see the attached leaflet which details Arron Banks’ racism and the threat of his party to workers’ rights and public services. There are also hard copies of the leaflets in the Unison office.
Please be reminded that elections for UNISON’s National Executive Council have begun.
Members should have started to receive their ballot papers.
These elections are about who runs our union and determine the kind of union we are and can become. NEC elections this year are hugely important to determine whether UNISON succeeds and wins for you at work and on pay.
If individual members have not received a paper or email, then they should contact the ballot helpline operated UNISONdirect on 08000 857 857 .
Your returned ballot papers need to be received by 21st May for your vote to count!
University of Bristol Unison branch has nominated:
Higher Education General Seat: Joanne Tapper
Higher Education Female Seat: Kath Owen
South West General Seat: Mark Wareham
South West Female Seat: Becky Brookman
Black Members Male Seat: Amerit Rait
Black Members Female Seat: Antonia Bright
Black Members Female Seat: April Ashley
Black Members Low Paid Seat: Julia Mwaluke
Disabled Members General Seat: Michael Craig
Disabled Members Female Seat: Ellie Waple
Young Members General Seat: Cameron Thompson
Young Member Female Seat: Micaela Tracey Ramos
3rd May: May Day rally
Celebrate May Day (international workers’ day) on Saturday 3rd May in Bristol.
Bring your flags, banners, union groups, family and friends to stand in solidarity with workers across the world.
We stand on the soldiers of giants: so let’s remember the fights of the past and use them to shape the wins of the future!
The workers united, will never be defeated!
10th May: Bristol Nakba 77 March and Rally
Sat 10th May, 12 noon, College Green, Bristol BS1 5SH
Nakba means ‘catastrophe’ – the ethnic cleansing of 750,000+ Palestinians in 1948 by Zionist colonists leading to the ‘State of Israel’. It is observed on 15th May.
Join with us in demanding an end to genocide, occupation, and apartheid. Speakers include Ben Jamal, PSC National Director.
We defend the right of Palestinians to:
EXIST as a sovereign, free people
RESIST tyranny and oppression
RETURN to their historic homeland
Members from our Unison branch will be in attendance again this year with our banner, so do join and march together!
17th May: National Demo – Nakba 77 – Free Palestine – End the Genocide
Saturday 17 May, 12PM, Embankment Tube, London
Join us on 17 May as we mark the 77th anniversary of the 1948 Nakba and demand our government take action to end the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land.
Please book tickets early if you can & share this message widely.
Despite the continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the university continues its links with arms companies supplying the weapons for the genocide.
We’ve attached a public petition for anyone living or working in Bristol to express their support for our campaign urging the university to cut their ties to these companies. Please consider signing to show your support by by signing before the survey is submitted to the University.
The next workplace day of action for Palestine is on Nakba day on Thursday May 15th. Please save the date and attend on your lunchbreak if you can. More details of what is being organised at UoB to follow in future communications.
Save University of Nottingham Jobs!
Unison colleagues at University of Nottingham inform us their institution is planning devastating job cuts among support staff that will undermine the quality of education, staff wellbeing, and the student experience.
Please sign and share their petition to show your opposition!
We hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine! We’re back with our April newsletter.
We’re going to try to send our newsletters shortly after our monthly members’ meetings so we can update you with other goings on alongside the meeting recording and minutes.
Most information will also be links to our website to avoid bombarding you with long emails.
Stewarding information session
Alex K, our chair, will be running a stewarding information session on Thursday 17th April from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the UNISON office (1D Priory Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1TX) and via Teams.
Come along to learn more about becoming a trained steward – someone who has been officially elected to represent UNISON members within a particular workplace. Stewards support members during grievance or disciplinary procedures and advise them on their rights and how to tackle the problem.
National Delegate Conference motion prioritisation meeting
National Delegate Conference in June is the primary decision making body of Unison annually, with branches across the country submitting 87 motions on the preliminary agenda to be discussed, debated and voted upon as potential policy for the union. With so many motions however, there will not be time for all of them. As such the agenda will have to be prioritised. All branches have a chance to set their preference for 12 motions to make the final agenda, and to submit amendments to any motions.
Any interested members are welcome to join our discussion about how our branch will set our prioritisation at a virtual meeting (tomorrow) Wednesday 16th April from 12.30-1pm via Teams.
Branch sec office hours
Vicky is away over Easter; her usual drop-in hours at the UNISON 1D Priory Road office (Wednesdays 1-5pm) will resume on 23 April.
NEC elections reminder
Voting will open for the upcoming UNISON NEC (National Executive Council) elections on 21 April. The NEC runs our union and determines the kind of union we are and can become, so it’s important to vote. Please see this post for more information: NEC Elections 2025: branch nominations – University of Bristol UNISON
At our last executive committee meeting, the ‘Austerity Demo resolution’ motion was passed, for action against Starmer’s Austerity 2.0. See here for the full motion: Motion passed: Austerity Demo resolution – University of Bristol UNISON Some of the exec will be travelling to London on the 7th June for the march with our banner – message us if you’re keen to join!
Unison disabled LGBT+ members network meeting
The disabled LGBT+ members network meeting will be a hybrid meeting, held in the UNISON West Midlands, 23 Livery Street, Birmingham, B3 2PA and on Teams on Friday 11 July 2025 from 2pm to 4.30pm. Travelling expenses will be paid for anyone attending the meeting in person.
The meeting will include a guest speaker, some training and an update on the work that your representatives on the national LGBT+ committee have done over the last year.
This network meeting provides an excellent opportunity to meet other disabled LGBT+ members and discuss the issues faced in the workplace and ways we can work together to overcome these.
Please note that you must register in advance to attend. Please either complete and return the attached registration form to arrive no later than Friday 13 June 2025. Or register online using this link.
Bristol Walk Fest
(From Kaye and Lucie, our environmental officers) This year’s Bristol Walk Fest starts on 1st May. The festival showcases a wide variety of walking related events and activities, personal challenges and self-guided walking routes. For example, a Nature Poetry Trail through Eastville Park on 9th May.
UNISON’s National Executive Council runs our union and determines the kind of union we are and can become. It is made up of 68 UNISON members just like you! NEC elections this year are hugely important to determine whether UNISON succeeds and wins for you at work and on pay.
UNISON UoB branch nominations
Young Members’ Seats – Female Seat
Micaela Tracey RAMOS
Young Members’ Seats – General Seat
Cameron THOMPSON
Black Members’ Seats – Female Seats
Antonia BRIGHT
and
April ASHLEY
Black Members’ Seats – Male Seat
Amerit RAIT
Black Members’ Seats – Reserved Seat
Julia MWALUKE
Disabled Members’ Seats – Female Seat
Ellie WAPLE
Disabled Members’ Seats – General Seat
Michael CRAIG
South West Region – Female Seat
Becky BROOKMAN
South West Region – General Seat
Mark WAREHAM
Higher Education Service Group – Female Seat
Kath OWEN
Higher Education Service Group – General Seat
Joanne TAPPER
How the election works
Voting will be from 21 April to 21 May. Lookout for your ballot paper which will be posted to your home address. If you have moved recently or think your address may be out of date, please ensure you update your address at https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/
Members can vote in all the regional seats and all the national Black and disabled member seats, regardless of your own ethnicity or whether you consider yourself disabled or not.
Members will only be able to vote for the service group candidates for the service group you are a member of e.g. Higher Education only. And members only get a vote in the Young Member seats if you are under 30 years old.
Members are strongly encouraged to use all the votes available to them.
Who University of Bristol Unison branch is backing
UNISON, like any organisation, needs to change and adapt to new conditions if it is to succeed. University of Bristol Unison branch believes that the candidates we nominated will continue to see through the kind of changes we need in UNISON and will deliver on their promises.
UNISON must be a member-led union – this means that elected members should run our union, not appointed full-time officials. Elected members must be the real leaders.
We need to be an organising, not a servicing, union – we cannot solve all of our members’ problems on a one-by-one basis. Members will always need individual support, but the focus should be on collective action.
The pay crisis – UNISON must end the scourge of low pay. We need to deliver on national pay negotiations. We cannot simply approach pay negotiations the way that UNISON’s leadership has done in the past.
UNISON should play a positive but challenging role with the Labour Government. We should promote UNISON policy on public services, and not accept austerity as inevitable from any government.
We must review UNISON’s main legal services contract and particularly the difficulties branches have accessing timely employment law advice.
That’s why University of Bristol Unison Branch is backing these candidates below.
Take part in UNISON’s NEC elections. It’s your union, so have your say in how it’s run!
All branch members are invited to our Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 12 March from 2pm (hybrid). Please hold the time in your diary. You are entitled to time off from your role to attend.
The AGM is members’ main democratic opportunity each year to elect your representatives, suggest policies and priorities for the year ahead, learn how our finances have been used, ask questions, and meet like-minded colleagues. We hope as many of you as possible can attend.
Joining details
In person in Lecture Theatre 3, Priory Road (ARTS) Complex – pastries and refreshments provided for everyone (no ordering necessary)
Online via Teams
The meeting will also be recorded but those watching the recording will not be able to vote
Access requirements
If you would like to request an adjustment to ensure your full participation, please contact us at unison-office@bristol.ac.uk
We have informed HR of the meeting, so if you experience any difficulties with getting time off to attend, please let us know.
Post AGM social
After the meeting, join us for a social in The Beckford, Senate House Lower Ground Floor!
