Bath & North East Somerset Unison

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

The strikers want to close this week of industrial action by acknowledging all the support people have shown us. Our resolve to stand on the picket line together is strong, but that doesn't mean there aren't moments when we are tired, deflated and devastated to have been left with no choice but to strike.

But the support from our fellow workers, communities, families, friends and councillors keep our spirits up and even more determined to hold the line.

You've brought up snacks, baked us cookies, sent us messages of love and support, drawn murals on pavements, waved pom poms, liked photos and shared posts. You've brought your children, told your friends, emailed councillors, lent us water urns, held placards, chanted with us and kept us smiling.

Solidarity is shown through action, and you have shown us in hundreds of different ways you stand with us. Thank you and solidarity forever.

With love and with solidarity always,

The Strikers 💜

22/05/2026

The finale (for this week) 😍🤩✊

The Chief Executive “listened” for an hour, but had very little to say and is doing even less.

After that, we are more certain than ever that they can resolve this simply, cheaply and easily - so we will be back ♥️✊

22/05/2026

More support for managers from our colleagues, the public, and our workers and families

22/05/2026

😮🥸

22/05/2026

A lovely start to our last day on strike (this week) 🌞♥️

We’re meeting the CEO at 11, members have been discussing our demands and talking to councillors and the public 😎

More solidarity snacks from other branches - big thanks to and ✊

21/05/2026

The Director and Assistant Director of Children’s Services came down and spoke to our members on the picket line at length today.

They said they hadn’t heard half our arguments before (we know they have, they were there, we were there, and there has certainly been plenty of material across recent months!) but they seemed to be listening. Of course they are much more likely to now that the senior leadership team have had to cover our jobs for almost two days.

What members were really upset about today is that Sophie Broadfield, Chief Executive, is in London and they haven’t spoken to her, only via Darryl Freeman, Executive Director.

Do B&NES Council executive want to resolve the dispute and save children’s services from the mayhem they have caused? They seem to be significantly disadvantaging children’s senior leaders in their jobs, as well as workers and families.

There has been so much support from the public and workers today, some really beautiful messages 💌 thank you to all of those supporting us ♥️✊

21/05/2026

We’re so grateful to our teams - social workers, family support practitioners, family group conference coordinators and admin - who have all come down to support us today.

You are all wonderful, and we really want to make B&NES Children’s Services a fantastic place to work again for us all.




👶♥️✊

21/05/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYmPzwaohtU/?igsh=MWoxaDE2ZHg4cjVrdA==

One of our strikers may have their new career sorted as an influencer 😆