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October newsletter: Pay offer update, keeping the far right off campus, and more!
Dear comrades, Last Saturday the University celebrated its 150th birthday. A huge well done to all staff involved – don’t forget to take your well-deserved TOIL. The University couldn’t have lasted this long – and can’t continue – without us, the hard-working staff making a real difference on the ground. To discover more about the people behind UBC150, we recommend a visit to ‘Large Ambitions’ – the current Outdoor Exhibition in Royal Fort Gardens. It uses archival material from our Special Collections to explore the unsung heroes of the institution, like the porters and lab boys. Anyway, here’s the usual…
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Motion passed: Far right off campus
Passed by UoB Unison branch committee on 19/20/26 After the disturbing appearance of the far right on campus last week, the University of Bristol, the Joint Trades Unions (including our branch) and the Students’ Union have released a joint statement. Our branch stands entirely opposed to far-right views, and firmly believe that fascism has no place on our campus or in our politics. We will continue to campaign to keep them out of our institution, to stand in solidarity with all marginalised staff and students, and to demand that freedom of speech is not used as a hiding place for…
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Protecting your privacy on hubstar
What’s happening? UoB has a new booking system for the Sloane Robinson building called HubStar. A branch member has made us aware that by default, this app makes it possible for other staff members to see which desk you have booked on a particular day (including its location on a map) using the “find near” function. Understandably, some people may not be comfortable with their precise location being visible to others. How to turn this off There are two options in HubStar which you can use to protect your privacy. When making a single booking: In the privacy section at the bottom, tick “Private: Only…
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What has UoB Unison ever done for me?
The BBC recently challenged viewers to question ‘What has the BBC ever done for me?’. Now Romesh Ranganathan wants to know what UoB Unison has ever done for him too. We know it can be disheartening that our strikes earlier this year in February, March and April didn’t have a direct impact on our pay, but we’re still firm believers in strike action and playing an active part in a union. So, here’s a list of incredible wins that our branch has achieved to inspire you to keep on fighting. 🏖️ equal annual leave for all staff Before our strike…
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Update from our Welfare Officer: Seasonal Food Fund
UNISON’s ‘There for You’ Seasonal Food Fund 2026 opens at 12 noon on Wednesday 30 September 2026 for 24 hours – applications are accepted during that time frame only so set your reminders now! Applications for the fund are welcomed from all members who meet the eligibility requirements, and successful applications will receive a £30 voucher towards the cost of food. For eligibility criteria and application information: There for You is UNISON’s welfare charity. As well as seasonal support like the food fund, they’re here all year round to offer financial advice and support, including financial assistance and wellbeing breaks:…
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Motion Passed: Building an international anti-war movement
Passed at committee meeting on 17/09/206 Proposed by: Nathan Street Seconded by: Mia Smith This branch notes: This branch believes: This branch resolves:
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August Newsletter: Restructure complaints, September film club, and a petition for a Bristol Weighting!
Dear Comrades, We hope you are looking forward to a restful bank holiday weekend (and thank you for holding the fort if you are working!). Here’s some branch news and suggested actions to help you close out the week. Remember, you are allowed reasonable time out of your role for union activities 😏. 📝 Branch meetings The next branch meeting will be on 24th September at 12:00 ℹ️ To see branch meetings and other events in your calendar: ‘Add calendar’ > ‘Add from directory’ > search for ‘unison-social@bristol.ac.uk’ > select Add to ‘My calendars’ > Save August branch meeting recap…
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Summer 2026 newsletter: 26/7 pay offer update, film club and more!
Dear Comrades, As the weather, ESS restructure and Temple Quarter (or should we say Sloane Robinson…) opening all continue to ramp up, we’re here with some branch updates to see you through. 📝Branch meeting recap – 30/06/26 ➡️ Meeting recording and transcript ➡️ Minutes ➡️ Agenda Our next branch meeting will be 12/08/26 12-1pm ➡️ Join here ➡️ To see branch meetings and other events in your calendar: ‘Add calendar’ > ‘Add from directory’ > search for ‘unison-social@bristol.ac.uk’ > select Add to ‘My calendars’ > Save ✊ 26/7 pay offer update In our previous update (read on our website), we announced the result of the 2026/7 pay offer consultation ballot update. The result was an overwhelming rejection of the 2% offer. The HESGE…
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UoB Unison Film club!
Introducing… UoB Unison Film Club! We’re holding monthly screenings of union-related films to bring together our branch more often and socially. (However loosely connected they are to unionising – yes, like Chicken Run). Food is allowed in the space as long as we clean up after ourselves – bring a pal and some popcorn! Upcoming film screenings will be posted on our Instagram page (@unison_bristol_uni), WhatsApp group, and the webpage you’re currently reading. 📍 Where? Richmond Building (SU) cinema, room 5.90 (south tower). The building is wheelchair accessible with lifts to the cinema room and accessible toilets. 📅 When? 🍿…
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Setting up and Navigating MyUNISON
UNISON’s online system for managing your membership has had an upgrade How to login The New Homepage Use the purple panel on the next to navigate to each section. The new sections Here’s a run down of what we think are the best new features to utilise: Select ‘My work and membership’ and scroll down to ‘My work details’ Here you can add your workplace (e.g. Great George St) to your account. This helps our branch map our membership more effectively. You can also update your salary. If you are paying the wrong amount of subs, you won’t be able…