Library news

• Ofwat has been asleep at the wheel

  11-07-2024 14:57
  
  Commenting on the move by water regulator Ofwat to place Thames Water in a new ‘turnaround regime’ today (Thursday), UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
  “Ofwat has been asleep at the wheel. Its failure to manage has plunged the water industry into chaos. The latest recovery plan is way too late to have any impact.
  “Consumers are once again facing rising bills while shareholders pocket hefty dividends. The infrastructure has been critically neglected, caus
  
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• Caerphilly’s has the “ambitious vision” of closing 12 out of its 16 libraries

  13-10-2024 12:41 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  There is no editorial this week as I need to walk the dogs and do the garden. And whoever writes Caerphilly’s press releases needs to have a long hard think about themselves.Please email any advertising enquiries, comments, news or opinions to [email protected]
  Changes by local authority
  Bridgend – Betws Library being refurbished.
  Caerphilly – 12 out of 16 libraries under threat (New Tredegar, Deri, Aberbargoed, Pengam, Oakdale, Newbridge, Nelson, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Be
  
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• Bill will make game-changing improvements to working life, says UNISON

  10-10-2024 14:00
  
  Commenting on the publication of the employment rights bill today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “At last the lives of millions of employees across the UK look set to change for the better. The bill lays the groundwork for a brighter future for everyone at work.
  “There’ll be improved protection from the first day in a job and more family-friendly roles. Bad bosses won’t be able to exploit at whim using dodgy ‘fir
  
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• Fair pay agreement essential to boost social care workforce, says UNISON 

  10-10-2024 11:22
  
  Responding to the annual State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report published today (Thursday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
  “It’s no wonder vacancy rates remain high and staff are leaving for better-paid jobs elsewhere. For too long wages have failed to reflect that care staff are trained, skilled and dedicated. The care system has enabled unscrupulous employers to exploit workers.
  “A fair pay agreement for social car
  
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• Overhaul of working lives is welcome and long overdue

  10-10-2024 01:05
  
  Commenting ahead of the publication of the government’s employment rights bill later today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “Shifting the balance to give workers greater rights is long overdue.
  “Expectations are high for this bill, which should bring once-in-a-generation changes to the workplace.
  “For too long employees have had to suffer poverty wages, intolerable working conditions and discrimination.
  “Social care staff, school workers,
  
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• Police staff at breaking point over low pay, soaring workloads and high stress

  10-10-2024 01:01
  
  Police staff across the UK are facing a crisis of poor morale caused by low pay, unbearable workloads and worsening stress levels, says UNISON today (Thursday).
  A survey of more than 5,000 skilled police staff working alongside police officers reveals more than one in five (21%) are considering leaving their job within the next two years. Among those who took part were 999 call takers, scenes of crime officers, administration staff and police community sup
  
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• The evolution of Library Week

  06-10-2024 12:56 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialNext week is Green Libraries Week. I always tell people that public libraries were the first Green shop – we re-use books and share resources for the good of the community. OK, that makes us the first Communist shop as well, but I think it’s probably political better to emphasise the environmental side. Green Libraries Week is basically taking over the Libraries Week slot this year. One hopes that the break will mean that a revitalised Libraries Week starts again next year.
  
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• Police staff members vote to accept 2024 pay offer

  04-10-2024 17:23
  
  UNISON police staff members in England and Wales have voted by a very large majority to accept the employers 4.75% pay offer for 2024. The ballot closed at 5pm on 2 October, and on a turnout of 48%:95% voted to accept the pay offer
  5% voted to reject the pay offerAs members of the other police staff trade unions also voted in favour, the trade unions informed the employers today that the offer was accepted.
  The pay award will see all pay points increase by 4.75%, plus a 4.75% increase in standby
  
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• Opinion: The employment rights bill will balance the scales

  03-10-2024 12:41
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  A new employment rights bill is on the way and it can’t come soon enough. It will contain a raft of measures delivering improved rights for individual workers, establishing new collective approaches in long-ignored sectors, and stripping away a decade of hostile restrictions on trade union activity.Over the last decade, the balance of power at work has been tipped firmly away from workers. Change to laws, regulations and policies has allowed bad
  
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• Opinion: Why we need to stop women going to prison

  01-10-2024 13:37
  
  by Elisa Vasquez-Walters (above)
  Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood’s recent announcement that the government will reduce the number of women in prison is a much welcomed and long awaited statement signalling the change in political direction that is needed to successfully deal with women going through the criminal justice system.
  As a probation worker of 24 years – and as a lifelong feminist – I feel very strongly that prison is never the correct place for a woman to be.
  Women en
  
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• Calling young campaigners

  30-09-2024 18:04
  
  Nominations are now open for the UNISON Eric Roberts Award 2024, named after our late president, and celebrating effective and innovative campaigning by young members – whether on workplace issues or wider political campaigns.
  The national young members’ forum will decide the winner. She, he, or they will be presented with the award at the 2025 national delegate conference.
  Branch secretaries and regional young members forums are able to make submissions – so don’t delay
  
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• The end of September, 2024

  29-09-2024 11:07 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  Changes by local authority
  Caredigion – Aberaeron Library to move out of town.Cumberland – Cockermouth Library returning to council control from Cockermouth Town Council.International news
  Australia – Libraries will only exist for as long as we borrow from them. Consider it your civic duty – Guardian. “if you’re a book borrower, don’t feel guilty. You’re tangibly supporting authors with every loan. And you’re supporting your community by usin
  
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• Labour’s promised change will repair UK, says UNISON

  24-09-2024 17:33
  
  Commenting on the prime minister’s speech at the Labour Party conference today (Tuesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “The UK now has a government with the commitment, vision and ability to repair and revitalise every part of society.
  “Clearing up the Tories’ mess won’t happen overnight. Austerity’s damaged so much the country holds dear, but Labour’s promised there’ll be no return to that painful time.
  “Keir wants to put
  
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• Chancellor right to turn the page on austerity

  23-09-2024 18:39
  
  Commenting on chancellor Rachel Reeves’ speech at the Labour Party conference today (Monday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “Ruling out a return to austerity was music to the ears of everyone who cares about their communities.
  “It’s clear this is a government committed to investing in public services that have been ravaged for a decade and more.
  “The chancellor understands that the way to reset the UK and grow its economy is to invest in peopl
  
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• Opinion: Why you should vote ‘yes’ to strike in councils and schools

  23-09-2024 14:29
  
  By Mike Short, UNISON head of local government
  UNISON is asking its council and school members in England and Wales, and council members in Northern Ireland, to vote to go out on strike over the local government employers’ pay offer for 2024.
  The industrial action ballot is open now. You should have already received your ballots in the post and it runs until Wednesday 16 October.
  As UNISON’s head of local government, I wanted to take a moment to explain why your elected representativ
  
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• Change for the better shows why it was smart to back Labour

  22-09-2024 14:02
  
  Commenting on the deputy prime minister’s speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool today (Sunday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “Angela Rayner showed why the UK was right to vote for a Labour government. Under the Tories, working people got a raw deal, both in their jobs and at home.
  “But now genuine change has begun. The coming employment rights bill will transform the world of work, leaving shady bosses with nowhere to hide.
  “As a former car
  
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• Gritted teeth: volunteers and party protests

  22-09-2024 12:42 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialThere are two articles this week – one from Sheffield and one from Waltham Forest – that remind me it has been over fourteen years when the first local people started having to volunteer to keep their libraries open due to council cuts. The strong suspicion at the time was that such libraries were not going to last long, due to people losing their enthusiasm or being unable to meet funding requirements. However, come now and there are at least 621 volunteer libraries in the
  
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• Plans by Essex trust for mass outsourcing of NHS services are out of order

  18-09-2024 08:00
  
  UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea and hundreds of striking health workers are urging the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to abandon its plans for a large-scale outsourcing of NHS services, the union says today (Wednesday).
  Cleaners, porters and housekeepers at Colchester hospital and other community sites are walking out for a twelfth day today over the trust’s plan to move their jobs out of the NHS.
  UNISON says the proposal is out of step with the government&rsqu
  
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• Investment in public services is key to improving the nation’s health

  17-09-2024 01:17
  
  Commenting on the final report from the Institute of Public Policy and Research’s cross-party commission on health and the economy published today (Tuesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “Thriving public services are essential for a healthy economy and a fit nation. But if essential services are starved of funding and staff vacancy rates kept high, the results are plain to see. That’s the true legacy of the Tory years.
  “Years of punishing austerity
  
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• Make sure you’ve had your data protection training

  16-09-2024 16:29
  
  UNISON activists need ensure they they’ve completed special training on data protection so as to ensure the union remains within the law.
  At national delegate conference in June, the following rule was passed: “G5.3(6) The stewards shall complete the union’s mandatory data protection training within three months of being elected; and any subsequent annual refresher training”.
  To date, only approximately 45% of UNISON activists have completed this training. If yo
  
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• UNISON gives evidence to COVID inquiry

  16-09-2024 16:09
  
  Sara Gorton, UNISON’s head of health, gave evidence to the third module of the COVID inquiry last week (above).
  The module examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems in the four nations of the UK.
  Speaking on behalf of the TUC, Ms Gorton gave evidence about both her UNISON role and her role as co-chair of the NHS staff council and the NHS social partnership forum through the pandemic.
  Her evidence focussed on the relationship between the trade unions and the employe
  
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• “No easy answers”

  15-09-2024 13:46 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  Editorial“No easy answers” is how Chris Bryant, the relevant minister for public libraries, describes his views on the sector in his foreword to Libraries Annual Report 2024. Well, there is Chris, but not one that the current government is apparently willing to consider. This is to restore some of the 50% of total funding that has been taken from the sector since 2010.Faced with an unwillingness by all parties to face the currently politically long-term unfashionable view that you ge
  
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• Opinion: Why climate change is so important for UNISON

  13-09-2024 08:00
  
  By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
  Today marks the beginning of Green UNISON Week, now an established part of the UNISON calendar and a mark of the importance we give this issue in UNISON.
  And I applaud everyone taking part in the various green activities up and down the country, whether it’s becoming citizen scientists, putting on or attending a local green event, attending a national green workshop or considering taking on the new role of branch environmental officer this week.
  
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• Bringing the NHS back to full health must begin with a focus on staff

  12-09-2024 16:15
  
  Commenting on the prime minister’s speech earlier today (Thursday) launching Lord Darzi of Denham’s review into the state of the NHS, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “The public rightly holds the NHS in high regard, but in many ways this great institution is now out of step with the modern world.
  “The creation of the NHS 76 years ago under a Labour government transformed the health and life chances of ordinary working people.
  “But many years of under
  
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• Opinion: The chancellor must think again on winter fuel cut

  10-09-2024 17:18
  
  By senior national officer for equalities Josie Irwin
  It’s clear that the Labour government has inherited a mess from the Tories and that tough decisions must be taken to get the economy back on track.
  However, the proposal to withdraw the winter fuel payment from all except those pensioners receiving pension credit is deeply concerning. Older people, who have budgeted for the allowance, have had the rug pulled from under them just as winter approaches.
  UNISON knows that, while there are s
  
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• Partnership working can help right the wrongs inflicted by Conservative governments

  10-09-2024 13:39
  
  Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech to the 156th Trades Union Congress in Brighton, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
  “This was a serious speech from a serious Prime Minister. It’s reassuring to have grown-ups in charge of the country once again after years of Tory chaos.
  “Unions look forward to partnering with ministers and employers to right the many wrongs inflicted by a succession of Conservative governments.
  “It won’t all be plain sail
  
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• UNISON joins campaign to move away from fossil fuels

  10-09-2024 13:22
  
  Following an extensive motion on the climate emergency passed at this year’s national delegate conference, UNISON has now joined the campaign for a new international treaty to speed up the move away from fossil fuels.
  The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty would also ensure no further expansion of oil and gas sites and guarantee the costs of the transition to renewable energy don’t fall on those least able to pay.
  The campaign behind the treaty says that, to keep global warming be
  
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• How long will libraries Labour under austerity?

  09-09-2024 16:47 via publiclibrariesnews.com
  
  EditorialWell, another big week for public libraries being in the news. This was pushed mainly by a BBC report on comparing each English library service now with its service in 2016 which discovered, unsurprisingly, a – shall we say? – downward trend in numbers open, staffing and opening hours. While there is no question that this generally reflects reality, a look at the data suggests that there are specific errors with the data (my service is down as closing three libraries since 2
  
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• Funding shortfall of £4bn leaves councils on a precipice

  09-09-2024 09:48
  
  Councils across England, Scotland and Wales have a collective hole in their finances amounting to more than £4bn for the coming financial year, way beyond any previous estimates, says UNISON research published today (Monday).
  New figures, based on information from local authorities, show council funding is in a dire state with massive cuts likely to essential services and jobs, says the union.
  The report, Councils on the Brink, warns that failure to rectify the growing problem soon risks &
  
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• Only fairer wages and a national care service can solve the growing crisis in social care

  08-09-2024 17:01
  
  The recruitment crisis in social care won’t be resolved until wages rise in the sector, and achieving this with the government’s promised fair pay agreement will be the first step towards a much-needed national care service in England, says UNISON today (Sunday).
  The union’s standing up for care workers motion is the first debate of the four-day Trades Union Congress (TUC), which opens in Brighton later this afternoon. UNISON’s proposal also calls for a credible
  
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