UWE UNISON

13/10/2026

Some of the UNISON events for Black members are listed here: https://universitywestengland.unison.site/events/october-black-history-month-2026/ Plus more to come from our local branch, in coming months. Please make sure your contact preferences in your UNISON account are up to date to receive the latest news! Speak to your local Rep for more information.

October marks the start of Black History Month ✊🏿

Throughout the month we’ll be celebrating and honouring the contribution Black people have made to our workplaces, our communities and our society.

It’s also a time to reflect on the inequalities and racism that still exist, and to recommit ourselves to challenging discrimination and organising for lasting change.

👉🏽 unsn.uk/BHM

02/10/2026

We're all aware that there is money in society, but are constantly facing the rhetoric around cuts and austerity. We want to change this in Bristol!

along with members from Bristol City Council Councillors are creating a 'needs budget'- one that starts with what we actually need, and then fights for the money to implement it. Come along to the street stalls to share your views and/or speak to others so they can share theirs:
*Fri 2nd Oct – 5:30pm – outside the Bedminster Asda
*Sat 3rd Oct – 1pm – outside Easton Leisure Centre on Stapleton Road
*Sat 10th Oct – 1pm – outside the Bedminster Asda
*Wed 14th Oct – 5:30pm - outside Lidl in Lawrence Hill
*Thurs 15th Oct – 5:30pm – outside the Hartcliffe Morrisons
*Sat 24th Oct – 1pm – outside the Hartcliffe Morrisons
*Mon 26th Oct – 5:30pm – outside the Iceland on Greystoke Avenue in Southmead
*Sat 31st Oct – 1pm – outside the Iceland on Greystoke Avenue in Southmead
**Bristol Citizens in-person meeting Sat 28th November 12:30pm to 3pm at Easton Community Centre

Hope to see you at these events!

Also, an online form to add your feedback at this link: https://form.jotform.com/261802954175057

29/09/2026

UWE UNISON Disabled Members Catch Up

Are you a disabled member of UWE UNISON, or a member with caring responsibilities?

Join us for an informal Disabled Members Catch Up, hosted by your Disabled Members Officers. This is an opportunity to:
*Meet and chat with the Disabled Members Officers
*Share your feedback and experiences
*Ask questions about workplace issues and support
*Find out more about what UNISON is doing for disabled members
*Learn about the support and representation available to you
*This is a drop-in session, not a formal agenda-led meeting, so feel free to join us at any point during the event.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday 14 October
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: Frenchay Campus, S Block, Room 2S601
Refreshments will be provided.

Members can also join via Microsoft Teams, link in email registered with UNISON.

Accessibility and Transport

If you have any accessibility requirements, or require assistance with transport from another campus, please contact the branch or your local Rep.

*Identify as disabled, and/or
*Have caring responsibilities
We look forward to seeing you there, whether in person or online. Together, we can ensure disabled members' voices are heard and help shape the support UNISON provides.

Amanda Headley-White & Joanne Brooks-Serjeant - Disabled Members Officers

24/07/2026

Just transition for Bristol, tomorrow Saturday 25th July from 10:30am

Just Transition is the principle that the shift to an environmentally sustainable, low-carbon economy must be fair and inclusive, ensuring that workers, vulnerable communities, and consumers are not left behind. It pairs climate action with social and economic justice.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has an ongoing campaign demanding that climate action goes hand-in-hand with social justice, ensuring green jobs are well-paid, unionised, and secure for displaced fossil fuel workers.

Bristol Trade Unions Council is taking a lead on this initiative by bringing together trade unionists, workers and researchers to collaboratively find paths for the city’s Just Transition on jobs that look after our climate and economy.

Anyone interested in getting involved, to find out more or to help plan action in your own workplaces is encouraged to take part in-person on the or tune into the morning livestream (https://www.youtube.com/live/6VUJI8hlNxE?feature=share). In both cases register for free tickets is essential by going to this link at Headfirst Bristol https://hdfst.uk/e156823

More background and further information can be found at this link: https://linktr.ee/bristol_just_transition

Workshops
+Trade unions and civil society better working together
+Just transition Bristol and Europe comparison
+Role playing difficult conversations in the workplace

02/07/2026

There is a brief reprieve of the high temperatures followed by a further forecast of hot weather soon, your health and wellbeing remains our priority.

UNISON Health & Safety (H&S) reps have been walking through areas documenting temperatures and where it’s high, advising members to work in cooler locations if possible or requesting from managers (or UWE H&S team) circulatory fans and additional air-conditioning units in all overheated workspaces. If you’ve not seen a UNISON H&S rep on their walkarounds, please use this advice yourselves and do request a walkaround from our H&S reps if you need. Safe and comfortable working conditions are not a luxury—they are a basic health necessity, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.

If schools end up closing at short notice, please remember you can take carers leave if you’re unable to arrange alternative care. If you’ve got any questions or need support with this, get in touch with your local rep.

UNISON, along with other unions and the TUC continue to lobby the government for a legal maximum working temperature, including requiring employers to adopt cooling measures when the workplace temperature hits 24°C.

21/06/2026

Come along and resist the assault on trans rights. If you can't make it, send a letter to your MP using this resource: https://equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/EHRCscrutiny

28/05/2026

The UNISON Higher Education Service Group Executive is running a consultative pay ballot over UCEA's pay offer of an increase of 2% on all pay points. UNISON is recommending that you vote to reject the offer.

If you haven't already, you can vote here: https://unison.tfaforms.net/322

This is your opportunity to have your say. Please vote and encourage your colleagues who are UNISON members to vote. The vote is open until 5 June.

20/05/2026

Joint statement - solidarity with trans staff and students

UNISON and UCU at UWE Bristol, alongside the LGBTQIA+ staff network, stand in solidarity with UWE’s LGBTQ+ student society. We applaud their successful petition to stop Bristol Pride from accepting UWE’s sponsorship.

Whilst this has received considerable public attention, we would urge others to recognise that at the heart of this decision is the University’s exclusion-focused Trans and Non Binary Policy. This restricts facilities use, removes any commitment to trans inclusive teaching, and ultimately erodes the support and protection afforded to trans people. This has already led to forced outings, discrimination and hate crimes on campus.

We affirm that we will continue our campaign to revoke this policy. We will only support policy which genuinely upholds the rights and dignity of trans+ individuals at UWE, which requires active and sustained co-development with trade unions, student and staff communities.

Finally, we want to reiterate that the policy’s impacts are still being felt every day, and the community is being harmed. We strongly encourage trans, intersex, non-binary, gender non-conforming and cisgender individuals who have experienced discrimination and harassment as a result of this policy to contact their relevant union. The staff network can also submit reports on your behalf. You are not alone and we will defend your rights to exist safely at UWE.

14/05/2026

HUGE UNISON WIN: NEW TRANS INCLUSION POLICY AT THE STUDENTS' UNION

Last week, The Students’ Union at UWE’s Board of Trustees passed our proposed Trans Inclusion Policy for staff members. The policy is closely shaped by the UNISON model policy which was drafted by Thompsons Solicitors. Especially in the context of rampant transphobia across society and cowardly employers unnecessarily throwing trans people under the bus, we are proud to have worked to give give trans staff at the SU the protections, dignity and support that they deserve.

The policy was written in consultation with our UNISON Steward, management, and a trans SU staff member who serves as our Branch LGBT+ Rep. This is what strong trade unionism looks like and demonstrates the immense value of positive industrial relations. In the context of a legal limbo, we urge UWE to follow suit and engage constructively with the relevant unions, staff networks and student groups.

29/04/2026

Britain deserves a pay rise.