graphic image reading "Broken Promises and Broken Trust: Support staff ballot now open, Vote YES"
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Strike ballot result – almost 87% vote in favour of action

ByBranch Committee

Support staff vote for strike action after University of Birmingham fails to offer fair pay and conditions Our ballot for strike action closed on the 8 July. Once again we have smashed through the 50% turnout threshold, with the vast majority of staff voting in favour of action. Turnout: 54.9%YES to strike action: 86.7%NO to…

Banner showing the trans pride flag next to the text "There is no pride in silence"
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When UoB stay silent, we take action: Stand with us for trans rights on campus

ByBranch Committee

Save the Date: Day of Action for Trans Rights – Solidarity Picnic and Crafternoon Wednesday 16th July 2025 While staff and students at the University are stepping up and standing together with the trans* community, management continue to choose silence over support. Our network has grown, we’ve hosted speakers, held solidarity picnics and we continue…

graphic image reading "Broken Promises and Broken Trust: Support staff ballot now open, Vote YES"
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Overworked. Undervalued. Underpaid: University of Birmingham support staff move to ballot for strike action

ByBranch Committee

After months of slow and frustrating pay talks, UNISON members have firmly rejected the University’s final pay offer for 2024/25 following a consultation in March. At a meeting this month, members overwhelmingly backed plans to move to a formal strike ballot.  What happens next A formal strike ballot will open on Tuesday 3 June and…

How we’re taking action for trans rights- and why the University needs to do better
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How we’re taking action for trans rights- and why the University needs to do better

ByBranch Committee

The Supreme Court Ruling: How it affects all staff at Universities We stand in solidarity with our transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender diverse members and colleagues. The Supreme Court ruling that ‘woman’ is defined in the Equalities Act as someone who was biologically female at birth is in direct violation of the Gender Recognition Act…

Hands holding up balloons that spell out "Vote"

National executive council elections – use your vote!

ByBranch Committee

What are the NEC Elections? The elections for the union’s national executive council (NEC) are taking place between Monday 21st April and Wednesday 21st May to decide who represents the union for the next two years.  The NEC is made up of representatives elected from all of UNISON’s regions and service groups, with some seats…

Inclusivity at work: Support for Neurodivergent Staff

Moving beyond ‘superpowers’: why we need a workplace that supports neurodivergent employees

ByBranch Committee

We’ve created a guide on building a culture of inclusion to guide you in support yourself or neurodivergent colleagues and ultimately, build inclusion. Why inclusion at work matters now more than ever Many previously undiagnosed people are getting late in life diagnoses, which is a testing  process of unlearning harmful coping mechanisms and re-learning what…

Pay consultation now open – use your vote!

Pay consultation now open – use your vote!

ByBranch Committee

Our pay negotiations this year have taken an unusually long time. This has been frustrating for both negotiators and members. The talks have now finished, and we need the views of members on the final offer detailed below. Importantly, our vote is less about whether or not the pay rise should be implemented, but whether…

Robot cleaning machine with a friendly face in a University of Birmingham building
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Is technology being used to mask staff shortages and increased workloads at UoB?

ByBranch Committee

The good, the bad, and the thought-provoking: Our members’ experiences with AI and technology. The use of AI and automation at the University of Birmingham has become a talking point amongst our members at Unison University of Birmingham Branch. From drafting emails with AI tools to managing workflows with Power Automate, many staff are looking…

Jeremy Corbyn holding up a sign reading "I Support the #UoB2"
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Drop the UoB2 disciplinaries! Joint statement with Birmingham UCU

ByBranch Committee

The past year has been one of horror and tragedy for the people of Gaza, Palestine and Lebanon. It has been necessary for all activists, trade unions and those who defend humanitarian values to bring the attention of the world to this situation, and to use their voices within their institutions to reduce suffering and…

Text reads "Constantly reacting to urgent?"
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UoB UNISON launches workplace stress campaign

ByBranch Committee

We are launching a Workplace Stress Campaign in response to alarming trends identified in our casework, with the first stage being a survey open to all professional services (non-academic) staff at the University. This campaign aims to shine a light on the critical challenges many staff at the University are facing, including shrinking teams, rising…