Author Archives: Camden UNISON

VOTE YES FOR FAIR PAY – VOTE YES FOR STRIKE ACTION

Posted on July 7, 2026 | Comments Off on VOTE YES FOR FAIR PAY – VOTE YES FOR STRIKE ACTION

 

Our national pay ballot opens this week! This is our chance to fight for a decent pay rise – we’ve had enough of pay cuts every year and we’re worth more than 3.3%.

In this post, you’ll find what you need to do to help us win a better pay rise, and how you can help us get the vote out in the ballot – we need over 50% of our members to vote.

Step One – Make sure you vote!

This is postal ballot, so your ballot paper will come to your home address. It will arrive in an envelope looking like this:

Inside, there will be a ballot paper asking “Do you wish to take strike action over pay”. UNISON IS RECOMMENDING THAT YOU VOTE YES.

There will also be a reply-paid addressed envelope inside, so returning your vote couldn’t be easier.

When Can I Vote?

The ballot opens on Thursday 9 July – this week – so ballot papers will start to arrive any day soon after that. The ballot closes at 10am on Thursday 6 August – so last posting day is Tuesday 4 August, but don’t leave it that late!

Step Two – Make sure your colleagues vote!

We need to get over 50% of our members to vote if we are going to be able to strike for better pay. So we need everyone to help get the vote out.

The best way you can help is to volunteer to get as many people as possible in your team to vote – be a Camden UNISON pay rep! If you can do that, email unison@camden.gov.uk to let us know and we can send you details and ideas that should help.

Can you phonebank?

If you’re able to help us phone round branch members asking them to vote, that would be ace! We can phone together from the branch office in the Crowndale Centre, and will provide a script to help with what to say – again, let us know and we can arrange the best time for you to help.

Step 3 – Let us know that you and your team have voted

That way, we can focus on talking to members and teams who haven’t voted yet rather than asking you again.

Step 4 – Strike for better pay!

FAQs

Every ballot brings lots of questions, and we will address as many of them as possible on our pay microsite that is going live soon, but here are some of the most frequently asked FAQs.

What do I do if I don’t get a ballot paper?

If you haven’t received a ballot paper by 16 July, you can call the ballot hotline on 0800 0857 857 to request a new one. You can also call this number if you lose your ballot paper. The hotline closes on 30 July.

Can people not in UNISON vote?

No, but if a workmate joins before 23 July, they will get a ballot paper – they can join using this link here: Join UNISON

Is UNISON recommending how to vote?

Yes, UNISON is recommending that you vote YES to strike action for better pay.

Does my vote make a difference?

Yes, every vote helps us get over 50% turnout in the ballot. Some years ago, the Tories brought in anti-union laws making it harder for us to campaign for decent pay and conditions. Some of those include that we have to have a postal ballot, and that over 50% of members have to return their vote, also by post. This is harder than it seems, we all forget to post letters and find them weeks later at the bottom of our bags, or on top of the fridge, in fact anywhere but in a post box – so returning your vote as soon as possible, and then letting us know, makes a real difference and means we can focus on talking to members who still have to vote.

If we strike, we’ll lose money even with strike pay. Is it really worth striking?

When we take strike action, we win more money overall than we lose. We know it’s difficult to lose money, but without taking action we know we’ll be worse off this year already. However, if we stand together, get the vote out and fight back, we can win more.

When we win, will the pay be backdated?

Yes, back to 1 April 2026

Do you know when we’ll get the money?

That will depend on when the employers give in and agree to our pay claim!

Where can I find out more?

You can come to the weekly Camden UNISON members meetings, get updates and ask questions. They are on Teams, 1pm, every Thursday.

And this Thursday, we’ll hear from strikers who work at the Institute for Cancer Research, taking action for better pay for the first time ever!

USE YOUR VOTE
VOTE YES TO STRIKE
HELP GET THE VOTE OUT

Visit our Pay Consultation Microsite

 

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Schools Update

Posted on July 1, 2026 | Comments Off on Schools Update

 

 

Our fight for decent pay for Teaching Assistants continues! UNISON members at Richard Cobden and Primrose Hill schools have been out on strike this week in their campaign to be fairly graded and paid for the work that they do.

As you can see from the photo, Teaching Assistants are nearly all women workers. As an employer, Camden says that they want to close the gender pay gap – so how about paying these women properly!

Despite the heat, they have had visitors bringing solidarity to their picket lines (although we’ve been pleased that they are in the shade at both schools!). We have also had donations to their strike fund to help with any hardship payments – why not do a collection on your team for them and send it with a solidarity message? If you contact unison@camden.gov.uk we will pass all messages on. Any collections or solidarity donations can be paid into:

Account Name: UNISON Camden
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account No: 20040736
Ref: TA Strike

 

 

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Posted in pay and conditions

UNISON is Ballotting members to strike for pay increase

Posted on June 17, 2026 | Comments Off on UNISON is Ballotting members to strike for pay increase

School and council staff need a fair pay rise

Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, often for little to no recognition. Without dedicated staff, local government will collapse. And without fair pay, councils will continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff

We’re balloting for strike action

Following receipt of the full and final offer of 3.3% for council and school workers in England and Cymru, UNISON’s committee of leading activists have decided to ballot members for strike action.

The ballot will run in a selected number of target employers from 9 July until 6 August. 

We will update members shortly with confirmation of affected branches.

UNISON will be recommending that members being balloted vote YES for strike action

If you lose or don’t receive a ballot paper by 16 July, please request another one by calling the hotline on 0800 0857 857.

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Making work pay must mean making it fair, now

Posted on June 10, 2026 | Comments Off on Making work pay must mean making it fair, now

 

Three people in a graphic

The Employment Rights Act is a welcome shift towards stronger workers’ rights. After years of insecurity and erosion of standards, it shows the tide is finally turning.

But for far too many workers, especially those delivering public services under private contracts, this does not go far enough – or fast enough.

Before taking office, the government promised the biggest wave of insourcing this country has ever seen. That promise raised real hope among workers trapped in outsourced, insecure jobs. Yet months later, many are still waiting to see delivery.

“Insourcing changed everything”

For those who have been brought back in‑house, the difference is stark. Chris Akaluka, Branch Secretary for Barts Health has first-hand experience of being insourced – and is taking that experience to government. Thousands of his colleagues have seen the benefit.

Chris said: “Being insourced changed everything. We finally had job security, proper sick pay and a voice at work. It wasn’t just better for us – it meant we could do the job properly, without cutting corners or worrying about what would happen when the contract changed again.”

That is why UNISON is backing the TUC’s campaign ‘Our work matters’, calling on Labour to honour its pledge and bring services – and the people who deliver them – back in‑house.

Over 20,000 people have signed the online record of support – which Chris and colleagues from other trade unions have handed to Cabinet Office Minister Chris Ward at a TUC Roundtable.

For outsourced workers, delay has real consequences. Many face a two‑tier workforce, doing the same jobs as directly employed colleagues but with fewer rights, weaker sick pay and less security. High turnover and short‑term contracts are often used to avoid responsibilities.

The Employment Rights Act begins to address this. Day‑one rights, improved statutory sick pay and stronger redundancy protections all matter – especially for low‑paid workers in cleaning, care, water services and facilities management. No one should be forced to choose between going to work sick or losing pay – or losing their job.

Outsourcing itself remains the problem

But without insourcing, insecurity is baked into the system. Contracts change hands, workers’ conditions erode and experience is lost. Insourcing is the only way to end the two‑tier workforce and make decent, secure work the norm.

More employment reforms are expected later this year. They must be matched with urgent action on insourcing. Warm words are not enough. Workers need delivery.

Making work pay must also mean making work fair – and that means acting now.

Legislation alone does not change workplaces. Workers and unions coming together to organise can deliver real change. These new rights will only be as strong as our ability to enforce them. That means:

  • Recruiting and organising in contracted workplaces
  • Negotiating to ensure employers go beyond the legal minimum
  • Challenging bad practice wherever it persists.

For members working for private contractors, this is a moment of opportunity. Every gain we make in law must be defended – and built upon – in the workplace.

UNISON will be at the forefront of making sure these changes deliver – not just in principle, but in practice.

Because making work pay must also mean making work fair for everyone – wherever you work and whatever you do.

 

By national secretary for business, community and environment Donna Rowe-Merriman

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Labour government must put workers ahead of the wealthy to succeed, says UNISON. Reform poses an unprecedented threat to the union movement

Posted on May 20, 2026 | Comments Off on Labour government must put workers ahead of the wealthy to succeed, says UNISON. Reform poses an unprecedented threat to the union movement

 

 

Andrea Egan, General Secretary of UNISON, photographed at UNISON HQ on Euston Road, London. March 2026.

Commenting on the election results for councils in England and devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales, UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said:

“Labour faces political oblivion because it’s simply not delivering for the majority of people.

“There’ll clearly be a change of Labour leader sooner or later. But what really needs to change is the fundamental approach: only a Labour government which unashamedly puts the interests of workers before the wealthy can succeed.

“That means taxing the super-rich to repair public services, guaranteeing workers are paid their fair share, and ending the outsourcing racket by bringing public services back under public ownership.

“Reform claims to oppose the elite, but all that’s offered is more of the same. Attacks on workers and migrants, backed by billionaire funders.

“So whenever and wherever the party gains power, life will become more difficult for public sector workers and all ordinary folk.

“UNISON won’t tolerate political attacks on members from Reform-run local councils. If Reform comes for our jobs, pensions, pay or conditions, it’ll face the full force of the union.

“We will also continue to stand with our migrant members, facing a crackdown on their rights and bearing the brunt of rising intolerance.

“Reform poses an unprecedented threat to the union movement. It couldn’t be more urgent for Labour to stop playing on Farage’s pitch and start rebuilding a progressive majority based on real labour values.”

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‘Is AI green?’ Just don’t ask ChatGPT

Posted on May 13, 2026 | Comments Off on ‘Is AI green?’ Just don’t ask ChatGPT

Whether it’s consuming vast amounts of energy and water, or producing frightening levels of CO2, artificial intelligence is certainly not good for the environment

Graphic image of a robotic hand holding the planet Earth in its fingers

Artificial intelligence is being rolled out across workplaces and public services at rapid speed. From drafting emails to analysing medical scans, AI tools are increasingly presented as essential to modern work.  

But trade unions, among others, have concerns about the pace – and lack of caution – with which society is embracing this advanced technology. One area of chief concern is the environmental cost of AI.

The public sector is legally required to meet net-zero targets, but if you look at the vast physical infrastructure of data centres, and their effect on energy networks and water systems, the environmental footprint is growing quickly. 

The environmental impact of AI 

Some of the figures already emerging around AI’s environmental impact are striking: 

  • A single ChatGPT query can use around 10 times more electricity than a Google search 
  • By 2035, data centres could account for 20% of the UK’s projected total CO2 emissions 
  • One large data centre can consume up to two million litres of water every day – roughly the equivalent of 6,500 households 
  • AI’s carbon emissions last year were estimated to be comparable to the entire city of New York 
  • Freshwater consumption linked to AI infrastructure in 2025 exceeded global bottled water consumption 
  • AI hardware production relies on toxic electronic waste and mineral mining often associated with labour exploitation. 

What exactly is a data centre? 

AI often feels intangible to users, however the systems behind it are remarkably material. At the heart of AI’s environmental impact are its data centres, facilities filled with high-performance hardware that store and process enormous amounts of information. These require vast computing power: thousands of servers running continuously, generating an extortionate amount of heat. 

To prevent overheating, data centres use a method called direct evaporative cooling, where cold water vapour is blasted across server racks to reduce temperatures. This process is extremely water-intensive, which is why large data centres can consume millions of litres of freshwater every day. 

As AI is rolled out across our public services, the demand will rise, as will the resources they consume.  

A lack of transparency 

According to Foxglove, the non-profit organisation that “fights to make tech fair for everyone”, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of publicly available information about the environmental costs of AI infrastructure.  

Tom Hegarty, Foxglove’s head of communications, explains that Foxglove’s investigation into AI’s environmental impact started in earnest around 2024, when the organisation started examining the infrastructure behind generative AI. “The first thing we realised was that there is a real lack of reliable, transparent information about the environmental costs of data centres in the UK,” he says. 

Foxglove initially approached data centre developers directly for information about water use and energy consumption. “We got almost nothing back,” Hegarty says, apart from PR-like assurances that environmental impacts were being managed. Foxglove turned instead to Freedom of Information requests to water companies. The results were revealing, but incomplete. Only about half of companies responded with usable figures, and some of the most significant data – including figures from Thames Water – was already years out of date. 

“Even the numbers we did receive were almost certainly a massive underestimate,” Hegarty says. “The expansion of data centres since then has been enormous.” 

A major planning loophole 

Foxglove’s research uncovered another issue: how data centres are classified within the UK planning system. Right now, data centres are typically categorised under B8 planning use, the same classification used for storage warehouses. It sounds minor, but the implications are significant. Warehouses generally have relatively modest energy and environmental impacts, so they are often approved with limited scrutiny. A hyperscale data centre, by contrast, may require huge amounts of electricity and water while producing large amounts of carbon emissions. 

“The problem,” Hegarty explains, “is that if you’re a planning officer looking at a list of applications, a data centre can look like just another warehouse.” 

As a result, projects involving enormous computing infrastructure can pass through the planning process without the level of environmental scrutiny typically applied to major infrastructure developments such as roads, railways, or power stations. 

And in all cases, there is currently no mandatory legal requirement for an environmental impact assessment. 

Workers and the climate dilemma 

For many workers, the rapid expansion of AI raises uncomfortable contradictions. UNISON policy officer Kate Jones says that union members increasingly recognise the environmental impact of the tools, such as Copilot, that they are being encouraged (if not yet required) to use by their employers.  

“People are asking: if every search I do has a significant environmental cost, what does that mean for my own impact, and what does it mean for the net-zero targets in the public sector?” she says. 

Jones argues that the general conversation around climate change often focuses too heavily on individual behaviour, which ignores the bigger issue: “The responsibility here isn’t really with individuals. The responsibility lies with the systems that are driving this technology. 

“We need AI firms thinking about how they can make sure their products are less environmentally damaging. And we need governments looking at AI infrastructure, as its being proposed, and asking do we need this one, do we need that? And we need employers and governments looking at procurement and asking which companies are going to have more of an environmental impact, which ones won’t.”  

A fundamental issue, she says, is not whether AI can be used in any given instance, but whether it should be. “There are incredible applications. AI is really helping with cancer diagnosis, for example, and that’s amazing, that’s not something anyone would argue against. But do we really need to use it to generate every piece of written content? Especially when the results often aren’t even that good?” 

What needs to change 

Kate notes that “the government is incredibly reluctant to do anything that will slow down AI, and that includes regulation.” But addressing AI’s environmental impact will require action at multiple levels. UNISON’s key demands are: 

  • Mandatory reporting by data centres of energy use, water consumption and emissions 
  • Environmental impact assessments for new AI infrastructure projects 
  • Integration of AI demand into national water resource planning 
  • Penalties for misleading sustainability claims or ‘greenwashing’ 
  • Public sector transparency through annual digital sustainability reports. 

And this is what members can do:  

  • Collective bargaining and campaigning in their branches for responsible use of AI in the workplace, asking employers how AI fits in with their environmental strategy 
  • On an individual basis, ask if a task genuinely requires AI 
  • When using generative AI, use the smallest model possible generative – lighter models use significantly less energy 
  • Avoid using AI to generate images and videos – it uses a significant amount of energy. 

As Kate Jones concludes: “There are so many questions as to whether we need to be using AI, but the environmental one is really important. When the environmental cost is so high, are we using AI where it truly matters – or simply because we can?” 

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Posted in Environment, public record

Opinion: Your vote is your power – use it for your community

Posted on May 6, 2026 | Comments Off on Opinion: Your vote is your power – use it for your community

UNISON represents over a million public service workers. Together, our collective voting power can transform our local communities. And your vote is vital for defending your rights at work, your terms and conditions and your local public services.

I know that UNISON members will make up their own minds about who to vote for. But as the general secretary of our union, I have a duty to warn you of the damage that Reform will cause if they gain seats in the Senedd, Scottish Parliament and in England’s councils next week. Voting for them would be catastrophic – for you, your families, your communities.

Announcements from Reform over recent months have made it very clear what direction they will take the country in. Public sector pensions will be downgraded. The new Employment Rights Act will be scrapped, which will see the return of exploitative practices like zero hours contracts and fire and rehire, and an end to the gains made in sick pay provision, among many other rights. And a new age of austerity will be unleashed to pay for tax cuts for the party’s billionaire backers.

You only have to look at what happens when Reform win elections locally to see that wherever Reform gains more power, life becomes more difficult for public sector workers.

Last May, workers in the 10 councils where Reform won a majority joined UNISON in droves. This was because they were shocked by the instant destruction they saw: flooding committees scrapped, Pride flags banished, and hard-won equality policies scaled back to their bare bones.

Reform-run councils have also increased council tax, closed care homes and placed thousands of public sector jobs on the chopping block.

It’s no surprise that this party funded by millionaires is prioritising the interests of businesses above workers. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has already found that Reform’s tax plans would give the poorest households a measly £17 extra a year and the richest a whopping £2,700.

Read the report ‘A threat to public service workers’ 

Within the space of one year, one in 10 Reform councillors have been forced to quit their roles for their behaviour – these include individuals exposed for racism, taking corrupt money from Russia, criminal behaviour and violence against women. Is this who you want running our communities?

The time to fight is now

As a trade union with 1.3 million members, we have the power and coordination to fight Reform. Voting is important but so is informing others about what their vote really means.

From having open conversations about the reality of Reform with colleagues, family and friends, to volunteering to help with one of our allies, like Hope not hate, there’s plenty to do.

To get further involved, join UNISON’s responding to Reform network. The time is now.

Andrea Egan, General Secretary of UNISON, photographed at UNISON HQ on Euston Road, London. March 2026.

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Posted in public record

National Pay – Council and School Workers

Posted on April 22, 2026 | Comments Off on National Pay – Council and School Workers

 

You may remember from previous emails that UNISON and the other council unions (GMB and Unite) submitted a pay claim a few months ago. The claim was as follows:
• An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) across all NJC spinal column points
• A minimum pay rate of £15 an hour for the NJC pay spine
• A two hour reduction in the working week
• An increase of one day annual leave
• The ability of all school support staff to take a day of paid leave during term time
The employers have finally come back with an offer – that’s nowhere near what we need! They have offered 3.3% increase at all pay points and rejected all the other parts of the claim.

The NJC committee, which is the body that negotiates our pay, met recently and has rejected the offer. The committee also agreed to go directly to an official industrial action ballot (ie not a consultative ballot), and is going to be from 9 July to 6 August. What we don’t know yet who will be balloted as the NJC committee is also looking into targeted balloting.

However, given that we have been close to the threshold in previous industrial action ballots, it’s highly likely that we will be one of the branches that is balloted! We don’t need to wait to get started though – there are a couple of steps we can take now. They are:
• Update your details – you can do this either here: My UNISON – UNISON National or by emailing unison@camden.gov.uk saying you’d like to update your details and we’ll send you a form to complete and return, or by using the form/replying to the emails that have been sent to you from Kamarie in the Camden UNISON office recently
• Recruit a workmate to UNISON – we have membership forms stored in 5PS, or you can share the link here: Join UNISON and get essential cover – the more members we have, the stronger we are.
Let’s get ready to fight for a decent pay rise!

Schools Dispute Update

Primrose Hill school vote to strike! Teaching Assistants in UNISON at Primrose Hill school got their ballot result a few days ago – and the turnout was 67%, with 100% voting YES to strike. As with Richard Cobden school, this is about regrading the Teaching Assistants and Early Years Practitioners. We had a great UNISON meeting last night with all the members discussing next steps and the request for strike action has been submitted to the union – we’ll know in a few days what the dates are, so watch this space!

And our amazing members at Richard Cobden school are in the middle of being re-balloted to continue their action. The ballot closes on 24 April, and we’ll know the outcome very soon after and be discussing next steps with our members there too.

It’s brilliant to see our branch members standing up and fighting for decent pay and the respect that they deserve – they are essential workers in schools and the support they give to children isn’t recognised properly in the pay that they get.

They are nearly all women workers, and amongst the lowest paid in the council. Richard Cobden members have taken up to 18 days strike, and although they receive strike pay, they have lost money. When they win, they will end up with more money, but until then, they face hardship. As a branch, we have agreed to make hardship payments because of the amount of action that they have taken, but if any branch members would also like to make a solidarity donation to the strike fund, that would be great! You can do so via a transfer, and our account details are:

Account name: UNISON Camden
Sort code: 60-83-01
Account No: 20040736
Ref: School strikes

And as soon as we have more strike days confirmed, it would be great to have solidarity visits too!

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Shorter working week

Posted on April 14, 2026 | Comments Off on Shorter working week

Trade unions fought for an eight-hour day in the 19th century and a two-day weekend in the 20th. In the 21st century, it is time to take the next step and win a shorter working week with fair pay for all.

UNISON members work a wide range of shift patterns delivering essential public services, so some full-time workers will have an ambition for a true 4-day week, while others would like to get their contract reduced with shorter working hours across their usual pattern. Crucially, whichever the model, UNISON’s campaign is about reduced working hours with no loss of pay. 

As bosses and profit-makers reap the benefits of automation and artificial intelligence, shouldn’t workers get a share of the productivity gains too, through reduced working hours? The government has stated that its ambition is to shape the AI revolution so that the “increasing of prevalence of AI in people’s working lives opens up new opportunities rather than just threatens traditional patterns of work”.  

How would a shorter working week improve workers’ lives and public services?

UK trials of a four-day week in 2022 found that:  

  • Levels of anxiety and fatigue decreased 
  • Mental and physical health both improved 

Turnover and retention are huge issues in many public services, including the NHS and social care, which have thousands of vacancies. Research conducted by the 4 Day Week Global Campaign has found that: 

  • 63% of organisations find it easier to attract and retain staff with a four-day week 
  • 78% of employees with a four-day week are happier and less stressed.  

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Come together for the national demonstration this weekend

Posted on March 28, 2026 | Comments Off on Come together for the national demonstration this weekend

 

General secretary Andrea Egan will address the rally at the national demonstration, alongside speakers from across the trade union movement, environmentalists, community activists, faith leaders and elected representatives.

Ms Egan said: “Trade unions have always stood on the side of unity and fairness. UNISON sees solidarity in action every day with people working side by side delivering public services in our care homes, NHS, schools, and councils.  The politics of hate and division cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.  UNISON has a long and proud history of challenging racism and all forms of discrimination.

“UNISON supports Together Alliance with its message of unity over division, and hope over hate.  We will continue to speak up for those being threatened by racism and hatred.  The far right thrives on fear and division, but our values are built on the belief that when working people stand together, we are stronger.

“This weekend is about sending a clear message: there is no place for racism, hatred or the politics of division in our communities.  Let’s be united in solidarity and unity.”

UNISON is calling for a strong presence on the day, bring your friends, colleagues, banners, and make some noise to show solidarity to those who are impacted by their racist, Islamophobic and hateful commentary.

The march will begin gathering at 12pm on Park Lane, departing at roughly 1pm heading towards Piccadilly towards Green Park tube station.

The shorter, accessible march will begin gathering from 1pm at the top of Whitehall, next to Trafalgar Square (outside Waterstones).

View full routes

In an increasingly hostile environment, where the far right seek to conquer for their own political gain, it’s important that members come together to show solidarity against their hateful rhetoric.

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Posted in events and celebration, public record