Women members
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant improvements for all workers but particularly women. However, UNISON members deserve more. UNISON submitted responses to the government consultation on bereavement leave (including pregnancy loss).
UNISON’s response was based extensively on surveying members.
Maternity discrimination
UNISON have collaborated with Maternity Action on a major new report on maternity discrimination that was launched at Women’s Conference 2026. The shocking findings reveal that 1 in 5 women had no workplace health and safety risk assessment during pregnancy, despite this being a legal requirement and 22% of women were mistreated as a result of their pregnancy.
Disabled members
Disabled members branch officer training – May and November 2026.
Are you a Disabled Members Branch Officer or Contact or a disabled member who wants to get more active in your branch? Join us for the one day Disabled Members Branch Officer training.
This training is for disabled members and will focus on:
- Working for disability equality in UNISON
- Role of branch disabled members officer or contact
- Bargaining for workplace reasonable adjustments
- Disability campaigning and organising in your branch
- Support and resources
- It’s also a great networking opportunity!
The course is delivered online via Microsoft Teams from 10am – 4pm, with short breaks. Please register via the links below:
Save the dates: UNISON disabled members network – 2026 meetings
All meetings will be hybrid from UNISON centre
Tuesday 23 June – 2-4:30pm disabled young members
Wednesday 24 June – 11am – 1:30pm Deaf/ Native BSL members/ 2pm – 4:30 disabled LGBT+ members
Thursday 25 June – 11am – 1:30pm disabled women members/ 2pm -4:30 disabled women members
Wednesday 5 August – 11am – 1:30pm disabled Black members/ 2pm – 4:30pm disabled women members
Thursday 6 August – 11am – 1:30pm disabled LGBT+ members/ 2pm – 4:30pm Deaf/ Native BSL members
Friday 7 August – 11am – 1:30pm disabled young members
Registration links will be sent in the next newsletter.
NAWRA – National association of welfare rights advisors
NAWRA is calling upon UK governments to introduce a statutory duty to provide social welfare advice, available equally to all who need it and free at the point of delivery.
Informal epilepsy network for members living with epilepsy
At the 2025 Disabled Members Conference several delegates living with epilepsy met. For some this was the first time they had ever met another person living with the condition.
Following this meeting several members thought it would be useful to have an informal member-run network as a:
- Space to listen and talk
- A chance to connect with others
- The opportunity to share experiences
- Signposting to additional help
If you would like to join the network, please email Mark McDaid with the email subject line: Epilepsy network
Introduction to British Sign Language 16 March – 12:00pm-1:00pm
This engaging session is designed to help you begin developing your BSL vocabulary while gaining valuable insight into Deaf culture and the experiences of Dead people in everyday life.
Through hands-on learning and guided practice, you’ll explore key signs, basic communication techniques, and the importance of inclusion and accessibility.
Deaf Awareness 24 March – 1:00-4:00pm
This session will identify the communication differences of Deaf and hearing people, building up an awareness of the many challenges faced by the Deaf community.
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