News and updates
Management dilly-dally on pay talks
National pay talks have yet to get properly underway despite a stated management desire to wrap things up before the settlement date on 1 January, says the trade union side. Staff unions submitted the claim earlier than usual after management negotiators said they wanted to wrap up talks and consultations before Christmas, so the rise could be paid in January. Initial scoping talks were held in October, with promises of in-depth discussions in the first week of November. But the week went without the employer’s negotiators making themselves available to meet and no sign of new dates appearing. Any deal thrashed out in talks would still need to be approved by nationally-employed members of the three staff un ions before being implemented. Trade union side secretary Abby Kimantas said: “This is an incredibly disappointing situation to be in. “Staff unions and the TU side pulled out the stops to get the 2026 pay claim submitted ahead of time. We kept our diaries open to talk so staff could, hopefully, see the extra cash in their pockets in January. “But the window of opportunity is closing. It looks like we’ll be stuck yet again dragging negotiations into the new year.”
Equal pay audit delayed
The search is on for UNISON’s equal pay audit. UNISON committed to commissioning the audit every three years to ensure its complying with the law and good practice. The last audit in 2021 said other key purposes were to “demonstrate to staff our commitment to fairness and equity” and “demonstrate our values to our staff and other key stakeholders”. A joint working committee is supposed to consider the report and make recommendations based on it. The report should have been published in May 2024 but it is unclear how far along the commissioning process it is.
Unions ask for RPI + 5%
Staff unions have lodged a pay claim calling for a pay rise of 5% above inflation. The trade union side says pay packets should start to regain some of the value lost over the last decade. With the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation currently running at 4.1%, the staff claim is calling for a 9.1% rise. A wage keeping pace with the cost of living each year would have risen by 71.4% between 2012 and 2025, while pay in UNI SON has risen by 43.6%, hitting the average staff member in the pocket to the tune of £10,000, the claim points out. As part of the 2024 pay deal, a group was set up to “look at addressing the issue of pay erosion,” in the words of the employer, adding: “Our intention is for such a working group to have developed a jointly agreed action plan ahead of the 2025 annual pay review.” But the working group did not make the early progress promised by the organisation, and UNISON staff accepted a pay offer that matched inflation in 2025 to allow work to continue. As, a year later, no meaningful progress has been made and the HR team says it will need to hire new specialist staff to carry out the work. As such, the staff side opted to return to normal collective bargaining for 2026 pay. The TU side submission also raises the alarm about UNISON’s ability to attract and retain staff in the future if pay continues to fall behind. While pay settlements across the country have generally failed to keep track with inflation, they have outstripped those in UNISON. Drawing on the figures used in UNISON’s model claims, the staff side points out that wages across the country have risen by 41.1% between 2012 and 2024, while UNISON pay has gone up 38.6%. Trade union side secretary Abby Kimantas said: “UNISON staff are proud to work side-by-side our members as we battle through austerity and high levels of inflation. But we’re being battered by the same economy and more and more staff are finding it hard to make ends meet as bills, rents and mortgages soar. “The pay erosion working group has failed to make any real progress on tackling the declining value of our wages so we’ll have to do the job ourselves. “After years of battling to keep the union afloat, staff deserve a pay rise that starts to restore the losses we’ve seen over the last decade.”
Unions urge UNISON to follow its own policy on the four-day week
UNISON should start to implement its own policy on the four-day week, staff unions say in the pay claim submitted this month. The staff unions point out that trials of a four-day week in 2022 found that levels of staff anxiety and fatigue decreased while mental and physical health both improved. Research conducted by the 4 Day Week Global Campaign found that 63% of organisations find it easier to attract and retain staff with a four-day week, while 78% of employees with a four-day week are happier and less stressed. Unions are asking for the working week to be reduced to 32 hours as a “first step” towards a four-day week. The call echoes UNISON pol icy. National Delegate Conference — UNISON’s policy-making body — backed a motion for a four-day week in 2024. At the time, general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Offering truly flexible work patterns, including a four-day week, can help employers recruit and retain staff. “Organisations who’ve tried this approach tend to have happier staff, who are more focused at work, which boosts productivity. “The pandemic proved that people could do their jobs from home and still be efficient. A four-day working week is the next big step.”
Branch Support and Organising Fund meeting
Staff unions secured a meeting about the branch support and organising fund (BSOF), posing questions raised by members. Issues range from how BSOF employees will fit into mooted structures after the staffing review, budgeting for pay rises and what happens if conference decides to wind up the fund. Reps held a productive discussion with the national secretary responsible for the fund, Clare Williams. Many questions remain unanswered, but Ms Williams has pledged to take on board comments and work with the staff unions to ensure workers’ voices are heard in the operation of the fund. After the meeting, TU side secretary Abby Kimantas said: “This was a very positive first meeting and we look forward to continuing discussions with Clare on the fund”.
Branch employed staff in Lancashire have fresh mandate for further strike action over pay
Branch employed staff members in Lancashire have a fresh mandate for industrial action and a meeting has been arranged with the employer. As soon as there is any further news, all ACTS members will be informed via this website.
Staffing review: it's not a done deal
The staffing review is slowly inching towards completion, though perhaps it’s not quite as near the end as a recent pearl update would lead you to believe. The message – which was not agreed with the staff trade unions — suggested harmony reigns and we are close to implementing the changes. But very little has been agreed so far – the only thing that has been agreed is that this is not a cost-cutting exercise and there will be no redundancies as a result. Nothing else is close enough to completion to start consulting on and there will be a full consultation before any recommendations come into effect. Further, any new roles mooted will need to go through UNISON’s agreed job evaluation process to be properly graded by trained reps from management and the trade union sides. This includes the caseworker role which has been floated and the new apprentice organiser role, which would need significant discussion before it’s brought in, says the staff unions. There would be no need to evaluate the workplace organiser post, as this is just a rebranding of local organisers and no significantly new ways of working are being suggested. Progress in the work on regions has been “bumpy”, but has been made, according to staff side secretary Abby Kimatas. But a private consultant has been brought in to complete the work on UNISON Centre, prompting concerns from the trade union side about full consultation and engagement. “We’re concerned that external don’t always fully understand what different departments at head office do, so it’s important staff are fully engaged with the process.”
Branch committee briefing (Nov 2025)
Office Closure Protocol –The Branch Secretary reported that the National Trade Union Side have considered the draft policy received from UNISON. The TU Side Secretary has discussed the TU side comments with UNISON and we are waiting for a final draft to consult on. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that a further meeting has been arranged with the trade union side and UNISON Centre Convenor and Carly French Director of HR & Learning to discuss the UNISON Centre review. The Branch Committee were advised that there will be full and meaningful consultation on any final proposals. Pay 2026 – The Branch Committee were advised that despite lodging the pay claim earlier than usual no dates have been set for pay talks. North West BES Industrial Action – The Branch Committee were advised that there is a fresh mandate for industrial action and a meeting has been arranged with the employer. Branch Membership Officers Report- The Branch Membership Officers reported that they have now sent membership lists to all Senior Stewards and updates have been sent to Unite for processing. BES Officer Vacancy – There is a vacancy for a BES Officer and the Branch Secretary will write out seeking nominations to be agreed at the January Branch Committee meeting. AGM 2026- The Branch Secretary reported that the 2026 AGM will be a Hybrid meeting in UNISON Centre on Wednesday 25 March 2026 the calling notice has been sent out and the Standing Orders Committee members were agreed by Branch Committee. Branch Employed Staff-The Branch Secretary reported that the BES working group has met and have decided to send a survey to BES members and that the working group will meet again in January 2026. Date of next meeting- 15 January 2026.
Branch committee briefing (Oct 2025)
Office Closure Protocol –The Branch Secretary reported that the National Trade Union Side have considered the draft policy received from UNISON. The TU Side Secretary has discussed the TU side comments with UNISON and we are waiting for a final draft to consult on. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that there had been a meeting with the trade union side the UNISON Centre Convenor and Carly French Director of HR & Learning to discuss the UNISON Centre review. At that meeting the trade union side raised their concerns at the lack of trade union involvement and the Branch Committee were advised that there will be full and meaningful consultation on any final proposals. Pay 2026 – The Branch Committee were advised that the pay claim has been lodged with UNISON and there has been an initial meeting. We are waiting on further dates to meet. A number of Branch Committee members reported that the pay claim and pay newsletter have been well received by the members. North West BES Industrial Action – The North West Senior Steward reported that the members are being balloted again as the strike mandate has run out. The members have agreed to take a further 6 days of action and an update will be given to the next Branch Committee. Branch Membership Officers Report- The Branch Membership Officer reported that they are currently data cleansing the regions membership and Senior Stewards should have received the information. When that process is finished then they will start on the UNISON Centre constituencies. ACTS Meeting Dates – Attached with the briefing. AGM 2026- The Branch Secretary reported that the 2026 AGM will be a Hybrid meeting in UNISON Centre on Wednesday 25 March 2026 and the calling notice will be sent out on 30 October 2026. Branch Employed Staff-The Branch Committee agreed to set up a working group to consider ongoing attacks on BES term & conditions. Date of next meeting- 20 November 2025.
Branch committee briefing (Jul 2025)
Office Protocol –The Branch Secretary reported that the National Trade Union Side have considered the draft policy received from UNISON. The TU Side Secretary has discussed the TU side comments with UNISON and we are waiting for a final draft to consult on. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that the Trade Union Side had still not met since 20 May 2025. Concern was expressed regarding the lack of trade union involvement in the work around UNISON Centre, this will be raised at the TU side with a view to the TU Side Secretary writing to the employer. Pay 2026 – The Branch Committee agreed to start the ACTS consultation on Pay 2026 14 July 2025 and close the consultation on 25 August 2026.The Branch Committee will consider the responses at their meeting on 4 September 2025 and the National Trade Union Side will meet on 16 September to consider the 2026 pay claim. North West BES Industrial Action – It was reported that our members in Lancashire Unison Branch had just finished taking 5 days of strike action The Branch Committee were advised that the members have agreed further dates in July 2025 and September 2025. Trade Union Side Elections – The Branch Committee elected Dawn Nicholson, Claudette Tomlinson, Willie Duffy, Louise Dalton, Abby Kimantas, Michelle Singleton, Dan Simmonds and John Noblemunn as the ACTS reps on the National Trade Union Side. Branch Membership Officers Report - The Branch Membership Officer reported that she has now received an updated membership list from Unite and will be contacting Senior Stewards so they can verify their constituency membership. Grievance - A Branch Committee member advised that their grievance had been dismissed by UNISON without following the procedure. The Branch Secretary advised them to write to the Joint Secretaries to challenge this decision. Date of next meeting – 4 September 2025.
Branch committee briefing (Jun 2025)
Branch committee briefing (May 2025)
Branch committee briefing (Apr 2025)
Branch Development Day – The Branch Development Day will take place on 14 May 2025 and the Branch Secretary will be sending the programme out next week. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that at the last meeting of the Staffing Review Group there was a presentation from Carly French Director of HR and Staff learning on recent work on UNISON Centre structures. And the next meeting of the Staffing Review Group is on 29 April 2025.The General Secretariat Group are meeting to discuss the staffing review Trade Union Officers Report: Equal Pay Audit – The audit is overdue and a number of actions from the previous audit have not been carried out. Health & Safety Policies Consultation – Responses have been sent to UNISON. Imprests – still being discussed with UNISON. Pay Erosion Working Group – due to meet on 30 April 2025 Pay 2026 – the staff trade unions will be submitting a pay claim as usual this year. Vacancies – The Branch Secretary reported that a number of posts have now been advertised and dates have been set for interviews. Property Review – The Branch Secretary reported that the trade unions had received a draft policy and responded to UNISON. AGM 2025 - The Branch Committee agreed motions 4 to 8 which had been remitted from the AGM, they will now be referred to the TU Side. ACTS TU Side – The Branch Committee elected Dan Simmons to the vacant seat on the ACTS TU Side. Branch Treasurers Report – The Branch Committee agreed to make a donation of £100 to the Greener Ealing Dispute Fund and £100 for medical products for Cuba. Date of next meeting - The next Branch Committee meeting will be a Hybrid meeting on 15 May 2025.
Office Protocol – The Branch Secretary reported that the National Trade Union Side have discussed the draft policy received from UNISON. Their comments have been sent to UNISON and Branch Committee will receive an update at their next meeting. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that the Trade Union Side had met on 20 May 2025 to consider the Workstream 2 report. It was further reported that the Staffing Review Group meeting scheduled for 28 May 2025 did not take place. Trade Union Officers Report Staff Survey – A number of Senior Stewards advised that the regional outcomes of the staff survey have not been shared with the trade unions and the Branch Secretary agreed to raise this matter. There will be comms sent out shortly and a national action plan will be agreed with the trade unions. Draft HR/People Strategy – It was reported that the Trade Union Side will receive a presentation on this at their next meeting. TU Side Newsletter – The Trade Union Side Secretary advised that hopefully there will be a newsletter out shortly. Vacancies – It was reported that most of the Regional Organiser posts have been filled and some regions were now advertising AO and LO posts. North West BES Industrial Action – It was reported that our members in Lancashire Unison Branch had taken 4 days of strike action .The Branch Committee were advised that Unite have been contacted to give notice to the employer of 5 days strike action commencing on 23 June 2025. The Branch Committee agreed to pay full pay for these dates. Branch Treasurers Report – The Branch Committee agreed the quarterly returns. Branch Membership Officers Report - The Branch Committee were advised that Unite subscription rates increased on 1 April 2025 and work is ongoing to update the membership. Branch Environment Officers Report – The Branch Committee were advised that an ACTS Constituency Green/Environment contact meeting will take place on 5 September 2025. Branch Publicity Officers Report – The Branch Committee were advised that the branch logo has been redesigned and asked for comments. It was also reported that the old web page has been taken down and the website to use is Unite in Acts. Senior Stewards were asked to provide information to populate their Constituency page. Date of next meeting – 10 July 2025.
Branch Development Day – The Branch Secretary reported that the event held yesterday had been well received and a report, plus revised Branch Action Plan will be tabled at the July Branch Committee meeting for discussion. Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that the ACTS TU Side are due to meet on 16 May 2025 to consider the Workstream 2 report. The National Trade Union Side are also meeting on 20 May 2025 to consider the report. Trade Union Officers Report: Staff Survey – There will be comms sent out shortly and a national action plan will be agreed. Policy Working Group – This group is to be reconvened. Joint Trade Union Statement on Supreme Court Judgement – The Branch Secretary reported on the statement in support of our members and the Joint Officers have raised this matter with UNISON. The Branch Chair reiterated our position that trans members had the full support of the branch. Individual members were again encouraged to seek support from their Senior Steward or a Branch Officer. Vacancies – Regional Organiser permanent appointments were now ongoing. A number of Senior Stewards advised that not all Regional Organiser posts have been advertised and the Branch Secretary will take this up with UNISON. North West BES Industrial Action – It was reported that our members in Lancashire Unison Branch are taking strike action on 29th and 30th May and the 5th and 6th of June and the branch have agreed to pay full pay for these dates. Branch Treasurers Report – The Branch Committee agreed to make a donation of £100 to Unite UCU branch who are currently taking industrial action. Date of next meeting- The next Branch Committee meeting will be a TEAMS meeting on 12 June 2025.
Branch committee briefing (Mar 2025)
Branch Development Day –The Branch Development Day will take place on 14 May 2025 and the planning group will be meeting to discuss arrangements Staffing Review - the Branch Secretary reported that there had been a meeting of Workstream 2 earlier today. The meeting considered comments from the trade union side and agreed some changes to the draft report. The Branch Committee were advised that a TU Side newsletter was being drafted and would include matters relating to the staffing review. Trade Union Officers Report: Abby Kimantas reported that Joint Officers have received a draft Office Closure Protocol which they will respond to. Joint Officers have met with the General Secretary regarding a number of concerns and are waiting for a response. Vacancies – The Branch Secretary reported that a number of vacancies have now been advertised and asked Senior Stewards to contact him if there are any problems. Property Review – The Branch Secretary reported that the Brighton office has now closed and there are discussions taking place around Middlesborough, Edinburgh and Wales offices. The Branch Secretary thanked the Senior Steward in the South East for all her work in representing our members. AGM 2025 - The Branch Secretary advised that the final notice for the AGM will be sent out on 7 March 2025 and that the closing date for proxy votes is 17 March 2025.The link for members to register for the AGM will be resent. The Branch Committee also agreed their position on the Rule Changes and Motions. ACTS TU Side – The Branch Committee were advised that there is a vacancy on ACTS TU Side and it was agreed to seek nominations to be considered at the April meeting. Branch Treasurers Report – The Branch Committee agreed to make a donation of £100 to the Burston Strike School appeal. Date of next meeting - The next Branch Committee meeting will be a TEAMS meeting on 17 April 2025.