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UNISON IN GWENT is the largest Public Services Trade Union in the region
With some 15,000 members, UNISON In Gwent is the largest Public Services Trade Union in the region and Britain’s largest Public Services Trade Union. As a consequence of the UK Governments austerity agenda, Unison branches and Local Authorities across Wales have needed to work more collaboratively. In Gwent Unison branches have a long tradition of working together. Building on the success of our achievements to date this website has been created and developed to keep members informed, to become a destination for those seeking help and support and to ensure that branches are accessible to all staff working across the region.
UNISON AND THE WELSH LABOUR MOVEMENT /
UNSAIN A'R MUDIAD LLAFUR CWMREIG
Join us online to explore the exhibition UNISON and the Welsh Labour Movement Explore it here
Ymunwch â ni ar-lein i archwilio’r arddangosfa UNSAIN a’r Mudiad Lla-fur Cymreig Archwiliwch ef yma
January 2026
SENEDD ELECTIONS
With the crucial Senedd Election on 7 May approaching, UNISON Cymru is working on lots of ways that you can get active in the campaign through your union. I would also like to invite you to join us for a pilot of the “Use your vote in Wales” citizenship webinar on Friday 6 February, 12.00-13.00 (Register at link here.
This short non-partisan session for members and non-members will run on lunchtimes and early evenings throughout March, April and early May.
The aim is to raise awareness of the issues at stake in the election, build knowledge of how the new voting system works, and encourage workers to register to vote and get involved in the campaign. You can help shape final version by attending the pilot, asking questions in the comments, and giving feedback on what could be improved before it is rolled out more widely.
We look forward to seeing you there. More information click here
January 2026
NEW GENERAL SECRETARY
Andrea Egan begins her five-year term as UNISON general secretary. ‘We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or cabinet minister who acts against our interests’ 'We can be an incredible force for change' - UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan. Watch video click here
January 2026
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
Bridging generations this Holocaust Memorial Day. UNISON marks Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27 January with a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors.
More information link click here
January 2026
COUNCIL CHARTER
Cardiff first council to back charter protecting migrant care workers, says UNISON. Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in Wales to sign a charter aimed at stopping the exploitation of migrant care workers and improving standards in adult social care, says UNISON. More information link click here
January 2026
FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS
Healthcare support workers across Wales have won a major victory after years of being underpaid for the vital clinical work they do. Together, members put pressure on their health boards and the Welsh government to fix an injustice that saw thousands of staff stuck on Band 2 pay while regularly carrying out Band 3 duties. More information link click here
January 2026
2026 UNISON YEAR OF GREEN ACTIVITY
Welcome to our 2026 Year of Green Activity hub! The direct impacts on public finances, on public health, the cost-of-living crisis (food and energy costs) and all other areas of public policy are plain to see. All experts now agree that the costs – both financial and ecological – of doing nothing far outweigh the costs of action. More information link click here
December 2025
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL
Parliament passes the Employment Rights Bill . UNISON is celebrating the passing of the Employment Rights Bill by Parliament – heralding what the union believes will be a bright new era for workers’ rights in Britain.
December 2025
VOTING RESULTS
UNISON members have elected Andrea Egan as the union’s next general secretary in the 2025 general secretary election.
Voting in the ballot was as follows:
Andrea Egan 58,579 (59.82%)
Christina McAnea 39,353 (40.18%)
December 2025
POSTER DESIGNS
Vote now to choose the new UNISON Cymru poster/ Pleidleisiwch nawr i ddewis poster newydd UNISON Cymru. We asked artists to create bold, striking poster designs that celebrate our new identity as UNISON Cymru. Here are the three entries along with the artists’ supporting statements for you to consider. Please vote for your favourite now. The poll closes at midday on Wednesday 10 December. More information link click here
Winning artist announced in UNISON Cymru artwork competition . The biggest union in Wales has today announced Yasmin Warrey as the winner of its all-Wales poster competition to commemorate the union’s new name. More information link click here
December 2025
WINTER HELP
Winter is tough enough. UNISON's Winter Essentials Grant is here to help members with £200 food shopping vouchers. Open 24 hours on 10 December. Check Eligibility link click here
December 2025
LOCAL SERVICE CHAMPIONS
The Local Service Champions Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contributions of local government staff who go above and beyond in their role. Those unsung heroes who always go the extra mile to give ongoing support to our communities. To take part you must be a UNISON member, and the person you are nominating must be a member too. More Information link click here
December 2025
NEW: PLEASE SHARE
NEW: School support staff across Wales are being pushed into poverty because the current system for setting pay isn’t working. A major new Labour Research Department report, commissioned by UNISON Cymru, shows staff are routinely graded incorrectly, working above their contracted hours and rarely paid for the extra responsibilities they take on. The findings make a strong case for establishing a Wales School Support Staff Negotiating Body to end the postcode lottery in pay, address long-standing problems and ensure job roles reflect the work staff actually do. Please read and share the report today
December 2025
STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS
School support staff across Wales have been pushing for a fair way to decide their pay and conditions. Low wages and the injustice of term-time only pay cannot be fixed without a dedicated national system that works for Wales. UNISON has commissioned an independent report setting out how a Wales-only school support staff negotiating body could work in practice. The findings will be launched at the Senedd this December. Creating a Wales SSSNB is one of UNISON’s key priorities ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections.
It is time for a system that values the staff who make our schools work. Unison Cymru School Support Staff: Facebook link click here
November 2025
BUDGET REACTION
Budget offers welcome help for families but leaves public services in Wales under pressure, says UNISON. Commenting on today’s UK budget, UNISON Cymru regional secretary Jess Turner said today (Wednesday 26th November): “Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is a hugely significant step and will be warmly welcomed across Wales. UNISON has long campaigned for its abolition because of the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in Welsh communities.
The winning champions will also receive an invite to UNISON’s Local Government Conference in June 2026, where their prizes will be presented to them. More information link click here
November 2025
STORM CLAUDIA FLOOD SUPPORT
Please click on the link here to visit Monmouthshire website for details of help and support that has come together from the aftermath of Storm Claudia. More information link click here
November 2025
MASSIVE WIN
More than 6,000 healthcare support workers across Wales will now receive pay rises and back pay after an all-Wales agreement was reached between UNISON Cymru, NHS employers and the Welsh government.
This is the culmination of years of organising. Encouraged and supported by UNISON, healthcare support workers in every health board submitted collective grievances and took action together.
A resounding vote for strike action in Swansea Bay led to an early settlement there. Today’s national agreement finally recognises the clinical duties healthcare support workers have carried out above their banding for years.
Band 2 staff will now move to Band 3, with a recognition payment for the work already done. This is what happens when healthcare support workers stand together.
More information link click here
November 2025
NEW UNISON CYMRU LOGO
UNISON Cymru has adopted the new identity of "UNISON Cymru" and uses the standard UNISON logo for its regional branding.
November 2025
HIGHER EDUCATION PAY 2025/26
There is a major crisis within higher education. After years of low pay, below inflation offers and with the continuing cost of living crisis – your pay should be a priority. When it comes to setting budgets, support staff pay should always be on the priority list. Higher education needs be funded properly to avoid job cuts and unfair pay. More information link click here
October 2025
WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE
Welsh Ambulance Service staff to vote on industrial action over NHS pay, says UNISON. Welsh Ambulance Service staff are to be balloted for industrial action over their below-inflation pay award, says UNISON Cymru. Workers represented by the union will be asked from Friday (24 October) if they wish to strike over their wage increase for 2025/26. More information link click here
October 2025
UNION WIN
UNISON, together with the GMB and Unite unions, has won a second judgment against the National Education Union (NEU) after repeated breaches of a TUC agreement covering which unions can recruit school support staff members. UNISON, the GMB and Unite are the three unions who are recognised for school support staff members – school staff like cleaners, IT technicians, teaching assistants and catering staff. More information link click here
October 2025
VOTE FOR GENERAL SECRETARY
Every five years, UNISON members choose who will lead our union.
The general secretary represents UNISON to employers, Parliament and the public, the voice of over 1.3 million members. The ballot opens on 28 October.
October 2025
Event is on November
NOMINATE A STAR
These staff members work so hard to help with children’s learning and development, plus keeping everything running smoothly.
UNISON members can now nominate a fellow school support staff colleague for Stars in Our Schools 2025. Let’s celebrate the unsung heroes of education.
This year the event will take place on Friday 28 November 2025
#StarsInOurSchools #UNISONCymru More information link click here
Once you submit your nomination, you’ll be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a shopping gift card - £25 for the nominator and an increased prize of £50 for the winning star.
October 2025
HOPE NOT HATE
UNISON is proud to support Hope not Hate’s weekend of action, taking place on 18-19 October, which aims to bring people together in a show of unity and solidarity. #HopeNotHate More information link click here
October 2025
WORLD MENTAL
HEALTH DAY
Prince William, on World Mental Health Day, said he wanted to "build a bold, unified national response to the heartbreaking and preventable tragedy of suicide" #WorldMentalHealthDay #Wales #Cardiff BBC article link click here
October 2025
GAZA CEASEFIRE
Commenting on the latest breakthrough to end Gaza hostilities, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Thursday 9th October):
“A ceasefire will be an immense relief to Palestinians in Gaza who have endured the most extraordinary devastation and suffering. More information link click here
October 2025
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
October is the start of Black History Month with the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”
This year we honour resilience, strength and legacy. We recognise the Black trade unionists and community leaders who stood firm in the fight for fairness, equality and justice. It is time to celebrate our heroes, amplify our voices and continue building a future rooted in power and pride #BHM25 #BlackHistoryMonth More information link click here
October 2025
MANCHESTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK
Christina McAnea: "All of us at UNISON are horrified by the attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and all those marking this holy day of Yom Kippur.
Our support goes to the emergency services who are responding to this appalling tragedy and those affected by today’s events." More information link click here
September 2025
OVERBURDEN PROBATION STAFF
Sentencing reform must not overburden probation staff, says UNISON. Commenting on the publication of the government’s Sentencing Bill, including “intensive supervision” requirements for probation officers and a major expansion in offender tagging, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea has stated. Read the full article link click here
UNISON POD CAST 2025
The UNISON Local Government podcast is out now. All-member email was sent to local government members advising them of the podcast. After evaluating series 1, we’ve changed the podcast's name to ‘Behind the Service: a UNISON insight into Local Government’.
In this podcast, Ruth Levin and Paul Bell chat with Tony Wright and Abi Coombs from UNISON’s charity, There For You.
This episode of the UNISON Podcast covers:
- What ‘There For You’ is, and how it works
- The sheer range of support available
- Quantifying the charity’s massive impact across the year
- How UNISON members can access support and get involved with the charity
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform via the links below! Please promote the podcast within your branch and regional networks.
Listen Online click here
Listen on Spotify click here
Listen on Apple click here
Listen on Amazon click here
UNISON USEFUL LINKS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
Please inform us if you see an outdated link, thank you.
CHECK YOUR BENEFITS
It can often be tricky to figure out which benefits you are eligible for and how to claim.
Check your support now with the UNISON Benefits Calculator.
BUDGET PLANNER
The first vital step in taking control of your finances is to create your own personal budget plan. Our user friendly budget planner is free to use and should only take minutes to complete if you have all your financial information to hand.
> Budget planner link here
WELLBEING MATTERS
Wellbeing breaks can provide welcome relief from stress and respite from difficult circumstances – this can include assisting with recovery from illness to help prepare for a return to work.
Contact Your Local UNISON IN GWENT Branch
UNISON
Blaenau Gwent
County Branch
UNISON Office
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Municipal Offices
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6XB
Telephone: 01495 355252
UNISON
Caerphilly
County Branch
UNISON Office
Tredomen Business & Technology Centre
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
CF82 7FN
Telephone: 01443 863279
UNISON Monmouthshire
County Branch
UNISON Office
1st Floor Community Education Centre
18 Maryport Street
Usk
Monmouthshire
NP15 8AE
Telephone: 01291 675502
UNISON
Torfaen
County Branch
UNISON Office
Civic Centre
Pontypool
NP4 6YB
Telephone: 01495 766356
Contact Your Local UNISON Branch for latest news, campaigns. meetings and offers.
UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.
Telephone: 0800 0 857 857
UNISON Cymru/Wales, UNISON House, Custom House Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AP. Telephone 0800 0 857 857
