UNISON Orkney Local Services

05/12/2025

This exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm when visitors can watch Orcadian artist Martin Laird painting the portraits of local Peace activists including our very own International Secretary and retired member, Nadia Heath.
It’s a unique opportunity to see the artist at work and the process he goes through to compose a portrait.
Portraits for Peace is free to enter and will be taking donations for ORSAS. There will also be a range of other materials available on current Peace activism in Orkney.
Runs until the 16th December

25/11/2025

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, the focus is the digital realm. Violence against women on online platforms is a serious and growing threat that seeks to silence the voices of many women.
Digital violence is real violence.
There is for online abuse

25/11/2025

UNISON will be taking part in this Thursday's Orkney Carers Conference. Come see us at our stall and tell us what could be done to help you juggle your work and caring responsibilities

24/11/2025

Pay rises for local authority chief executives in Scotland are "unfair" and must be reversed, says UNISON.
UNISON Scotland local government lead Mo Dickson said: “Everyone deserves fair pay, but handing disproportionate increases to the most senior figures is unfair on the rest of the staff, and the public too.
“UNISON wasn't involved in developing or approving the process and the outcomes are unacceptable.
“Sums like these are an insult to local government staff who struggle to deliver services every day, with limited resources. Not only is this decision unjust, it undermines public confidence in local councils.
“UNISON will be writing to the chief executives concerned asking them to forgo these excessive pay awards. That's the only way to retain the trust of staff and communities in how their institutions are run."

The chief executive of Scotland's smallest council will get £32,000 extra next year, a 24% rise.

18/11/2025

Are you a survivor of domestic abuse or sexual harassment? Are you an unpaid carer? We need to hear from you.
A survey was emailed out to all our OIC members regarding some new Council policies being developed. We will keep it open until Monday and we particularly want to hear from those with lived experience. The survey is quite long but feel free to only complete the sections you feel are relevant to you

17/11/2025

That's me voting in Unison's General Secretary election. Have you posted your ballot paper? Make sure you have your say on who heads up our union

08/11/2025

Good morning peeps! We're all set up and ready to go! St Magnus Centre till 3.30pm. Come along, have a cuppa, pick up some freebies, meet the committee.💜

06/11/2025

On the 28th October the Israeli Defence Forces killed 46 children in Gaza. Despite the so-called ceasefire, killings such as these have carried on daily. The Israeli state continues to restrict food and medicine in breach of the ceasefire agreement and a ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Join UNISON, Amnesty Orkney and Orkney Friends of Palestine at the Vigil for Gaza this Saturday on the Kirk Green from 1-2pm

27/09/2025

UNISON making the case for Council workers to MSPs

26/09/2025

If you’re a UNISON member on a low income, you can apply for a £30 voucher per qualifying person in your household towards the cost of food. The fund will be open for applications from 12 noon on Tuesday 30 September 2025 for 24 hours. More info in comments 👇

24/09/2025

"Last week a United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry confirmed that the Israeli government has committed genocide in Gaza. UNISON has consistently called on our government to fully suspend the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement, and apply sanctions to put pressure on the Israeli government to respect international law...."

UNISON has long called for the UK government to fully suspend the arms trade with Israel and get urgent food and medical aid into Gaza

12/09/2025

OIC services, is there anything left to cut?
The deadline for our survey on the OIC budget setting process for 2026/27 has been extended until Monday 15th. Check your emails for the link. Please like and share with colleagues. The more responses we get, the better we can represent our your views