UNISON has agreed with the other NJC trade unions (Unite and GMB)  the pay claim for 2026-27.  The following has now (as of 1st December) been submitted as the claim for 2026-27:

• An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) across all NJC spinal column points*
• A minimum pay rate of £15 an hour for the NJC pay spine

*Based on a one-year settlement

In addition:

• A two hour reduction in the working week
• An increase of one day annual leave
• The ability of all school support staff to take a day of paid leave during term time
• The abolition of Level 1 Teaching Assistant role and instead all Level 1 role holders be moved onto Level 2

The pay claim also recognises that the employers may wish to negotiate on the basis of a multi-year pay settlement. Our claim therefore states that in the event of a multi-year settlement being proposed, the unions would seek the following structure to a three-year agreement:

• Year 1: £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) on all spinal column points, alongside the introduction of a £15 minimum hourly rate – i.e. as above
• Year 2: An increase of RPI + 3%
• Year 3: An increase of RPI + 2%

We would also seek guarantees that any multi-year settlement would be accompanied by a review of the NJC pay spine being completed and agreed by all parties.

The Employers’ Side are hosting briefings in December and January to get the view of local authorities on what offer should be made. We are urging the Employers to make an offer as soon as possible after that, and to engage in meaningful negotiations.

For members on HAY, Agenda for Change and SMG4 grades

As you will know, your annual cost-of-living pay award each year is arrived at after a local process which follows NJC awards and is informed by the NJC award.

Since 2021, WSCC has agreed to a formal UNISON request that it should mirror NJC awards for staff on HAY, Agenda for Change and SMG4 scales. WSCC has also previously agreed that the pay year for HAY staff would align with NJC staff, being applicable from 1st April each year.

The Branch Secretary has a meeting scheduled with the Chief Executive later in December to discuss arrangements for 2026-27.

The pay claim in full

Members at New Tyne residential home for elderly people with dementia were let down by their employer and by county Councillors last Friday (21st November 2025), when Councillors rubber-stamped the closure of the home they work in.

This will inevitably have a massive detrimental impact on the residents who live there who will be moved to different homes, something known to be incredibly stressful and damaging to people with dementia.

UNISON members at New Tyne, over 90% of the staff employed, are fighting a valiant campaign that saw the original decision by the Cabinet member ‘called-in’. This meant it would be debated again by the Council. This is a rare event at WSCC so the members did very well to force this second debate.

2,500 petition presented

A petition of more than 2,500 people against the closure was also presented at the Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC). Branch Secretary Dan Sartin presented this on behalf of members, residents and their families and those who had signed the petition.

The 4 Conservatives on the Committee who were present (Councillors Cooper, McGregor, Ali and Patel) were clearly determined from the outset to see the closure through and were not for changing their minds under any circumstances. Disgracefully, the Conservative who represents the residents at New Tyne in his division, Noel Atkins, did not attend due to having another engagement, but let his views be known outside the meeting to other Conservatives that he was in favour of New Tyne closing.

The 1 Reform UK Councillor Markwell did not speak at all and abstained, content to let the Council close New Tyne but not wishing to express a view.

Councillors backing public services

The call-in was led by the Leader of the Labour Group, Chris Oxlade. Four councillors led the fight-back at HASC: James Walsh and Yvonne Gravely for the Lib Dems, Natalie Pudaloff for Labour, and Donna Johnson as a Green/Independent. Members are grateful to them for their efforts.

The vote was therefore tied at 4-4 so the Chair, Councillor Cooper, used her casting vote to condemn New Tyne to closure.

It was a sad day for local democracy as it proved itself inadequate to the task in front of it. Yet again, no Councillor or Council spokesperson would appear in front of the media, and the quality of the debate and understanding of Councillors who backed closure was lamentable.

Media coverage and debate

For the third time, BBC TV covered the events. You can watch their coverage back below.

You can also watch back Dan Sartin’s 5-minute speech presenting the petition at the start of the meeting here, and Dan Sartin’s 3-minute right of reply at the end of the debate here.

You can also read the local newspaper coverage in the Worthing Herald here.

New Tyne members are now considering their next steps.

UNISON’s Winter Essentials Grant opens at 12 noon on Wednesday 10 December 2025. UNISON members on a low income can apply for a £200 voucher towards food shopping.

Applicants must:   

• Be a UNISON member and have paid at least four weeks’ subscriptions as of 10 December 2025. Subscriptions must be up to date;
• Not have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 10 June 2025, excluding the School Uniform Grant and Seasonal Food Fund.
• Must be responsible (or their partner, if applicable) for household fuel bills. Only one application per household will be considered.

And EITHER:

Be on a low income, meaning a net household income of no more than £28,205/year (£2,350.42/month)**

OR:

Be in receipt of means-tested benefits. This includes:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Child and/or Working Tax Credits
• Pension Credit
• Means-tested Jobseekers Allowance
• Means-tested Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support

** Where members either have no recourse to public funds and their household income is above £28,205/year an assessment will be undertaken to see whether they would be eligible for benefits if they did have recourse to public funds so that they are not disadvantaged.   

How do I apply?

All applications should be made online. Applications will open HERE for 24 hours from 12 noon on Wednesday 10 December. Eligible members will be chosen at random from the applicant pool and contacted to submit supporting documents.

Due to limited funds and in anticipation of high demand, we regret that we will not be able to help all members who apply.

If you are unable to complete the application due to a disability access need, please email: weg@unison.co.uk or call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

What if I don’t know my membership number?

We cannot accept applications without a membership number. This can often be found at the bottom of any emails you have received from UNISON. Alternatively, please contact UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.

How will you contact me?

All applicants will receive an automated message confirming your application has been received. If this doesn’t show in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folders.

If I have recently received a grant can I apply?

If you have received a grant from UNISON Welfare since 10 June 2025, excluding the School Uniform Grant or Seasonal Food Fund, you will not be eligible to apply for a Winter Essentials Grant.

Any questions?

Contact: weg@unison.co.uk

Apply for Winter Essentials Grant 2025

WSCC has accepted a Call-in request made by Councillors who oppose the decision to close New Tyne, a residential establishment for elderly people with dementia in Worthing.

This means that the decision to close New Tyne taken by the Cabinet member cannot be progressed until her decision is debated again by the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC).

Call-in requests are very rarely successful at WSCC, and it is even rarer for Call-ins to be agreed when a Committee (in this case, HASC) has already debated the matter once before.

So many congratulations to UNISON members at New Tyne who are fighting hard to save their service, on behalf of the residents who live there and their families.

UNISON members at New Tyne recently voted overwhelmingly in favour in a consultative ballot for industrial action to save their jobs and service. This is now on hold pending the debate on their future at HASC on 21st November.

The BBC has covered the decision to Call-in on its website.

What you can do to help

1. Attend HASC on Friday 21st November. The meeting starts at 10.30am but UNISON members and families of residents are meeting outside County Hall, Chichester at 10.00am. Come and join us. The meeting is open to the public.
2. Sign our petition! Branch Secretary, Dan Sartin, will present the petition to HASC on 21st November, but the more signatures we can get before then, the better. Please share it online with friends and colleagues.

The general secretary is the most senior role in the union. They represent UNISON when talking to the media, other unions, employers and to Parliament. UNISON has to elect its general secretary every five years.

As the largest trade union in the UK, who runs UNISON matters. It matters in the country at large, and it matters in your workplace.

UNISON’s elected General Secretary runs our union, manages its 1,200 staff and ultimately determines the kind of union we are and can become. The General Secretary and their abilities and qualities is the single biggest factor in whether or not UNISON succeeds and wins for you at work and on pay.

There are two candidates in the 2025 election:

1. Andrea Egan
2. Christina McAnea

Following a West Sussex branch committee meeting, discussion and vote, your West Sussex branch decided – unanimously – to nominate Andrea Egan for General Secretary.

Our Branch is backing Andrea Egan for General Secretary because Andrea:

• Has a clear plan for successful action on Pay, ending the stagnation of the last fifteen years.
• Will take the wage of a social worker, not the £181,000 package our current General Secretary receives. Andrea’s pay will go up when yours does.
• Opposes UNISON’s subservience to Starmer’s Labour. UNISON members will come first, not the Labour Party.
• Will free up and resource branches so we can better support you, giving you access to legal advice when needed.
• Has successfully led campaigns to defend Schools and Council terms and conditions.

How the election works

Voting will be over a 4-week period from Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 25 November. Ballots will be mailed out by the Post Office from Tuesday 28 October so are likely to arrive any time from a few days to a couple of weeks after this date.

1.5 million UNISON members – our in-work members plus our Retired members – get a vote in this election, so it is a big exercise, and ballot mailouts are staggered. By law, we cannot allow members to vote electronically, so lookout for your ballot paper which will be posted to your home address.

Inside will be a smaller addressed envelope, with the postage already paid. Vote by placing an X in the box beside your preferred candidate’s name, put the ballot in the envelope and put it in the post box. Simple!

Members are strongly encouraged to use their vote in this important election that comes only once every five years. Make your choice and have your voice heard.

In 2017 the National Education Union (NEU) voluntarily entered into an agreement with the unions recognised for bargaining on behalf of local government and school’s workers. All the trade unions in that agreement are members of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Trade unions that affiliate to the TUC agree to behave in accordance with a set of principles that govern their relationships with other unions. These rules are designed to prevent existing recognition and bargaining agreements from being undermined.

The NEU repeatedly and deliberately breached the 2017 agreement signed by the four unions, and a previous Award made by a TUC Disputes Committee in 2023. Both the agreement and the TUC Award made clear that there are only three recognised school support staff unions, and the NEU should not organise that group of workers.

Earlier this year, the three recognised school support staff unions, GMB, UNISON and Unite, submitted a second formal complaint to the TUC about the NEU’s continued organising activities and recruitment of school support staff, and their publicly stated intention to continue with these activities.

In September 2025, the TUC issued its new judgement. Once again, the complaint of the NJC Unions was upheld.

The judgement reaffirmed that the school support staff unions (GMB, UNISON and Unite) have exclusive bargaining rights for school support staff, and that the NEU will not be part of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body. It also explicitly stated that the NEU should not actively organise or recruit school support staff.

UNISON is the only trade union for support staff in Local Authority controlled schools granted recognition by West Sussex County Council.

This decision matters because it protects your right to be represented by the unions that are officially recognised to negotiate on your behalf. UNISON continues to focus on improving pay, job security, and recognition for school support staff, ensuring your voice is heard where it counts.

Could you work for a branch of Britain’s largest trade union?

Our busy branch office in Chichester has a vacancy for a vital role which supports our 7,000 members.

Branch Administration Assistant

Permanent contract for a part-time role.

The successful applicant may choose their preferred hours from 18.5 (2.5 days) or 22.5 (3 days).

£27,254, rising with two subsequent annual increments to £28,598 (Full-time equivalent salary is based on a 37-hour working week and will be pro-rated according to hours worked).

You will provide all round administrative support in the branch office with a focus on maintaining the UNISON database which holds 7,000 branch records.

Home working options which complement core office working are available and can be discussed.

Final salary pension scheme offered.

Closing date for applications is 9.00am on Monday 17th November.

Interviews for this post will be held on Monday 24th November.

1. Job description
2. Person specification
3. Task matrix
4. Information for applicants
5. Terms and Conditions
6. Application form
7. Monitoring form

Quite disgracefully, the Cabinet member for Health & Adult Social Care has waved away all evidence and representations and wishes to push ahead with the closure of New Tyne residential home for elderly people with dementia.

This is now subject to a call-in period – so the decision cannot come into force until Monday 10 November. It is up to other Councillors to decide this week if they will push for further scrutiny of her decision.

BBC TV covered the story again in its news bulletins on Thursday 30th October. You can watch it below. Branch Secretary, Dan Sartin, was interviewed, alongside family members of those living at New Tyne. WSCC again refused to put up a spokesperson.

Weak evidence

As a reminder, the decision for closing New Tyne has not been properly made.

• WSCC has not undertaken a review of the service which has considered options other than closure; this is not compliant with Best Value obligations
• WSCC has not undertaken a public consultation which is necessary for communities and stakeholders to give their view
• The Select Committee asked for engagement to take place – but the Cabinet member refused to meet anyone, including staff and the families. Engagement has been flawed and not in line with the Select Committee’s demand.
• The Cabinet member dismissed a 2,000 strong UNISON petition signed by West Sussex residents. There is no evidence it was even considered. A request by the branch to meet with the Cabinet member was refused.
• The Council knows that residents’ age and frailty impact their ability to be safely moved to a new home. But it has failed to do Mental Health capacity assessments or any other kind of in-depth assessment of the real impact on residents of moving them out their homes. The Council has despite this given itself a ‘Green’ rating for the decision as having ‘no adverse effects on people’. This is wrong. The Council has not looked for or taken account of evidence of the impact its decision will have on the residents. Its Equality Impact Assessment is deeply flawed and should be challenged.
• Representations including those from the local MP Beccy Cooper and a District Council leader have been ignored.
• There is no evidence that UNISON’s detailed report submitted at the Select Committee was considered. No response to its points has ever been issued. There are simply no assurances this is a safe decision with so much detailed evidence not engaged with.

Members working at WSCC will note this approach to decision-making which devalues staff and their lifelong commitment to the services they deliver.

The branch is meeting with its members at New Tyne and considering further campaign options.

The County Council is proposing to close New Tyne residential care home for people in Worthing with dementia.

A petition has been launched to save New Tyne. Anyone can sign it, but we particularly need signatures from people who either live, work or study within West Sussex. If you work or study in West Sussex, but don’t live in the county, sign the petition but give the postal address of your workplace or place of study. That way your support will count towards the statutory threshold we need to clear to be able to address a Full Council meeting.

Please sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/save-new-tyne-dementia-care-home-in-worthing

UNISON advises its members that it is perfectly fine and safe for anyone who works for WSCC or a West Sussex maintained school to sign our petition. It will not cause a problem for your employment. All members, including retired members, can sign it. The petition already has over 1,000 signatures! After signing, please share it on your social media.

Read the latest news on the campaign here.

UNISON College’s Financial Wellbeing Week 2025 runs from Monday 10th November – Friday 14th November.

These are free online events for UNISON members. The sessions will help develop your financial management skills and knowledge, which can be applied to your personal and professional life.

To find out more about each session, and to register, click on the link below:

Financial Wellbeing Week 2025 | UNISON College

All sessions will be delivered online via MS Teams or Zoom.