Fire and rescue departments are among the country’s greatest lifesavers, and while the profession is so incredibly rewarding, it’s been subject to a decade of increasing strain.

The London Fire Rescue Service’s Afi Khan and UNISON’s Natalie Ntim are supporting the staff on the frontlines and beyond, so that they’re given the funding and recognition they deserve. Learn more from Afi and Natalie as they join us for this week’s UNISON Local Government Podcast.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

The next generations are our future, and staff in Further Education are the all-important people guiding them to brighter outcomes.

For that very reason, they’re deserving of far more than the paltry, below-inflation increases being offered over the past decade and beyond.

Joining us on the UNISON Local Government Podcast, Maxine Young and Leigh Powell share the joys and challenges of the F.E. sector, how they bring immense value to the economy, and how to encourage UNISON activism in education.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

Those working in the care sector are among the hardest working heroes in the country, but ensuring their pay and conditions match their efforts is an ongoing challenge.

Weighing in on the social care system and how becoming a UNISON member can help bring the industry in line with carers’ well-deserved needs, we’re joined on this week’s podcast by CQC’s Alison Mesher, and UNISON’s Matthew Egan.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

The wide-spanning impact of our local libraries extends far beyond what most of us would think, which makes them utterly deserving of our support.

As library workers and UNISON members, Shazziah Rock and Jo Foster-Murdoch are ideally placed to share the staggering impact of library services, the support they provide for equality issues, and how you can get involved in keeping our libraries thriving.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

Local government workers are everyday heroes, and deserve recognition for all they do in our communities.

One such way to celebrate their vital services is UNISON’s Local Service Champions campaign & awards, and Dawn Hallewell was recognised for going above and beyond in the 2022 awards.

Dawn joins us on The UNISON Local Government Podcast alongside Assistant National Officer Sarah Pearce to share Dawn’s marvellous work, and how the Local Champions campaign highlights a need to fund these fantastic workers.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

The overwhelming consensus of statistics show social workers’ growing concerns, exacerbated by the years through which they’ve struggled.

Within this tough, rewarding profession, there’s strength in numbers. We’re joined in this week’s podcast by Kerie Anne and Gill Archer, whose extensive social care experience places them well to lead positive change.

Kerie and Gill consider the unnecessary testing, discrimination, and strain within the role, and how standing together will help alleviate these pressures industry-wide.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

2023 is UNISON’s Year of Black Workers, and the year-long focus on issues affecting Black members is one which must have lasting impacts.

We need to work with our Black members in establishing legacy to create change, and joining us on the podcast to share how exactly to achieve this are Sandra Charles and Manjula Kumari.

In the episode, you’ll hear how proper training, education and consideration can be implemented to create tangible change for the years ahead.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

Meat inspectors save millions every year from illness through their indispensable work and commitment to food standards, but there’s a storm brewing on the horizon.

The Food Safety & Consumer Protection Expert at EWFC, Ron Spellman, sees the parallels between past food-based health disasters and current emerging trends within the meat industry.

On this episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast, we take a look at why it’s vital to consider where your meat comes from, the processes that keep you safe, and who has the power to uphold those essential standards.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

UNISON

https://www.unison.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Ron Spellman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-spellman-2b402517/

EWFC

https://www.ewfc.org/

Welcome to The UNISON Local Government Podcast, a series shining a light on the incredible work of those at the forefront of making change in the workplace, that’ll inspire you to help make a difference.

Kicking off the series, hosts Paul Bell and Ruth Levin take a look at the successful campaign for Celtic Leisure to bring their services back into public hands, speaking with Facility Manager Mike Bendyk and his UNISON officer Joe Donnelly.

Learn the impact of who’s providing your local leisure services, how conditions are set to improve for staff among the team, and the key elements behind a successful campaign.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

UNISON

https://www.unison.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Mike Bendyk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bendyk-23364977/

Joe Donnelly

https://twitter.com/joeunison

Hello and welcome to The UNISON Local Government Podcast, hosted by Paul Bell and Ruth Levin. 

We both work in UNISON’s Local Government, Police and Justice section. Paul also works closely with members who work for the Food Standards Agency and Ruth is involved in UNISON’s pay campaigns for local government workers, highlighting the need for more and better funding for local services and promoting equality in the workplace. 

We’re really excited to have a new way to get our message out and engage with our members and beyond. This show is for members to discover and learn more about the work they are all doing together on a daily basis, hear from those at the forefront of making change and to inspire you to get involved and help us make a difference. We’ll be releasing a new episode every fortnight covering topics such as privatisation, food regulation, workers rights and campaigning for care workers, to name a few. We hope that you’ll find some inspiration to campaign for better work wherever you are and you can expect digestible, informative episodes, featuring a line up of guests sharing their experiences and a round up of how your actions can help them. 

Remember to follow, share, join! Follow the podcast, share it with your friends and family, and join UNISON if you work in the public sector. The more people we reach the greater impact we can have.