News

UNISON in partnership with the employer agreed a number of measures which have been put in place in recent weeks to safeguard donors and staff As a result the level of PPE has been reviewed and staff now have access to wearing masks when working with donors within a 2 metre radius.

UNISON would like to encourage donors to give blood at this difficult time.

Tonight at 8pm the public is being asked to show its support for UNISON members and all those working in frontline public services responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The public should join in a mass round of applause at 8pm while staying in their homes.

UNISON has successfully challenged employers who were paying staff Statuatory Sick Pay during the Covid-19 outbreak to move them on to the Furlough Scheme.

UNISON representatives argued that the members working in higher education employed a by private contractor were only placed on sick leave due to the pandemic and it was not a normal case of sickness absence. The employers agreed that staff could be moved to the furlough scheme and receive 80% of their wage rather than the SSP rate of pay.

Following intensive negotiation Health Service Trade Unions have secured agreement on the protection of terms and conditions for health service staff volunteering to support their colleagues in the independent sector at this time of great need.

Our aim has been to protect residents and staff alike.

On the key issues of testing and PPE, all residents and staff in the Covid 19 homes will now be tested and the full range of appropriate PPE will be available to the workforce.