Contacting the Branch

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If you have any questions or need any support please contact the Branch Office

 contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Or you can call 020 8359 2088, if we are unable to answer the telephone please leave a message speaking slowly and clearly please include your name, telephone number, membership number and a brief message about the assistance you require. We will respond as soon as we can.

Alternatively you can contact UNISON Direct Call Centre by telephone 

08000 857 857 Monday – Friday 6am – Midnight, Saturday 9am – 4pm

or make an online enquiry by clicking the following link

https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/online-enquiries/

To Join UNISON click the following link 

https://join.unison.org.uk/

Back dated pay delivered for our members –

Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON has secured confirmation from London Borough of Barnet (LBB) that agency workers in Street Scene services are due to receive their backdated National Pay Award money in their payslip at the end of November 2025.

LBB paid the backdated award to directly employed staff in the August payroll, but concerns were raised with us that agency workers had not yet received the back pay they were owed. Barnet UNISON immediately contacted the Council, and we have now received clear confirmation from LBB that the backdated payment should be made to agency workers in the end-of-November 2025 payslip.

This is about fairness — and it’s about putting money where it belongs: in workers’ pockets. In a cost-of-living crisis, every pound matters, and Barnet UNISON will keep pushing to make sure nobody is left behind because of their employment status.

Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:

“This is really welcome news for agency workers in Street Scene services. Barnet UNISON acted quickly, raised the issue directly with LBB, and we’ve now secured confirmation that the backdated pay should be in the payslip at the end of November 2025. At a time when bills are still rising and our members are feeling the strain, we will keep working relentlessly — year in, year out — to put more money back into members’ pockets and make sure people get what they’re owed.”

If you’re an agency worker in Street Scene and your payslip at the end of November 2025 doesn’t reflect the backdated pay, contact Barnet UNISON straight away so we can escalate it.

End.

 

Barnet UNISON secures London Living Wage to be paid now not next April for our APCOA members

Austerity, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON has secured an early win in our campaign to get the new London Living Wage (LLW) of £14.80 paid immediately across outsourced Barnet Council services — not delayed until April 2026. Following our branch’s letter to contractors delivering council services, Parking Enforcement contractor APCOA has confirmed they will implement the new LLW rate now. (barnetunison.me.uk)

This is exactly why Barnet UNISON keeps pushing, every single year: when pay rises are delayed, it’s low-paid workers who carry the cost — through higher rent, higher bills, and higher food prices — while services rely on their dedication every day. (barnetunison.me.uk)

Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:

“This is really welcome news for our members. It shows what collective pressure can achieve — when we push, employers move. In a cost of living crisis, workers can’t be told to wait months for money they’ve already earned in rising prices. Barnet UNISON will keep going, year in, year out, to make sure pay rises reach our members’ pockets as soon as possible.”

Barnet UNISON will now continue pressing other contractors to follow APCOA’s lead and implement the LLW uplift without delay, because our members — and Barnet’s services — can’t afford to wait. (barnetunison.me.uk)

End.

 

UNISON General Secretary election has started -USE YOUR VOTE

National, News, UNISON Campaign

There are only two candidates to vote for in this election.

Barnet UNISON reps nominated Andrea Egan their reasons are set out above .

We are in the biggest cost of living crisis in 77 years.

Our members need strong leadership to win pay campaigns and to end outsourcing.

Please use YOUR VOTE.





For more details about the Election see below.


Ballot Papers


The despatch of ballot paper(s) to individual members will begin on 28 October 2025.


The ballot pack will consist of:


    

  • a covering letter from the union
    • 

  • a booklet containing the candidates’ election addresses and a full list of nominating bodies
    • 

  • ballot paper(s)
    • 

  • a return envelope.
    • 



Where members have previously requested materials in a special format (for example in large print), they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made to the ballot helpline.


Ballot Helpline


If individual members have not received a paper by 11 November 2025, they should contact the ballot helpline via UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.


Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.


If callers can have their membership number to hand when calling, that would help.


The latest that members can request a ballot paper is 19 November 2025 in order to ensure members have the opportunity to vote in time.


Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a widescale problem with receipt of ballot papers amongst their members (for instance if whole departments or geographical areas have not received ballot papers) then the branch should contact the Member Liaison Unit via elections@unison.co.uk.


Result and close of ballot


The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the scrutineer is 5pm on 25 November 2025.


The result of this election will be announced on 17 December 2025.


Eligibility to vote


All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 28 July 2025, will be entitled to vote in this election.


Members not on the membership register on 28 July 2025 will not be able to vote. 


End. 


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Barnet UNISON pushes for immediate London Living Wage uplift — “our members can’t wait six months”
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, News, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			


London, 31 October 2025 — Barnet UNISON is relentlessly pursuing the urgent implementation of the new London Living Wage (LLW) of £14.80 for all workers delivering Barnet Council services — now, not in six months’ time.


The union has formally written to every Council officer responsible for outsourced contracts — including Cleaning (Norse), Social Care (Your Choice Barnet), Security (Blue Nine), Parking Enforcement (APCOA), and Schools Catering (ISS) — urging them to instruct their contractors to uplift pay with immediate effect in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s new London rate.


Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON, said:

“Delaying the £14.80 London Living Wage until April means months more of avoidable hardship for low-paid staff who keep services running for Barnet residents. Our members are already making impossible choices — cutting back on heating, skipping meals, falling behind on rent — in one of the most expensive capital cities in the world. The uplift is needed now to protect health, dignity and service quality.”


Barnet UNISON says the case for immediate action is overwhelming. Households are still facing elevated energy bills, rising rents, and ongoing increases in food prices. Implementing £14.80 now would provide urgent relief, help retain experienced staff, reduce agency churn, and protect continuity of frontline services across Barnet.


Barnet UNISON’s call to action


    

  • Apply £14.80 LLW now across all relevant contracts and subcontractors.
    • 

  • Confirm a short, time-bound implementation plan and back-pay arrangements.
    • 

  • Work with Barnet UNISON to resolve any operational barriers quickly.
    • 



ENDS


Media contact:

Email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


Notes to editors:


    

  • The Living Wage Foundation announced the 2025–26 London Living Wage of £14.80 on 22 October 2025 and expects accredited employers to implement as soon as possible (deadline 1 May 2026). (livingwage.org.uk)
    • 

  • Energy bills: Ofgem’s price cap for 1 Oct–31 Dec 2025 is £1,755 for a typical dual-fuel household — up on the previous quarter and still well above pre-crisis levels. (Ofgem)
    • 

  • Rents: ONS reports UK private rents up about 5–6% year-on-year; London’s rental inflation was 5.3% in the 12 months to September 2025. Average rent remains highest in London. (Office for National Statistics)
    • 

  • Food prices: The annual inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.5% in September 2025 (ONS). Prices are still rising year-on-year even as the rate eases. (Office for National Statistics)
    • 

  • Cost of living in London: Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking places London 8th globally, underscoring persistent affordability pressures in the capital. (Mercer)
    • 


			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Barnet UNISON urges The Barnet Group to implement new London Living Wage now
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			


London, 31 October 2025 — Barnet UNISON has written to The Barnet Group (TBG) calling for the immediate implementation of the new London Living Wage of £14.80 for all eligible staff, rather than waiting until 1 April.


Barnet UNISON says the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to hit low-paid workers hard and that bringing in the uplift now would provide urgent relief for key frontline staff who support Barnet residents every day.


Helen Davies Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:

“Delaying the £14.80 London Living Wage until April means months more of avoidable hardship for the lowest-paid staff in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Our members are telling us they’re choosing between heating and eating. Implementing the new rate now is the right, fair and practical step—and it will also help retain experienced staff and sustain services for residents.”


In its letter to TBG’s Chief Executive, Barnet UNISON requests:


    

  • Applying the £14.80 London Living Wage with the next available payroll; and
    • 

  • A clear timetable to uplift relevant contracted workers within TBG’s control in line with Living Wage commitments.
    • 



Barnet UNISON has asked to meet urgently with TBG to agree the implementation plan.


ENDS


Media contact:

Barnet UNISON contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


Notes to editors:


    

  • The London Living Wage is an independently calculated hourly rate based on the real cost of living in the capital.
    • 

  • The new rate is £14.80, up from £13.85.
    • 

  • Barnet UNISON represents workers across The Barnet Group delivering housing and support services to residents.
    • 



 

			

		

		
		


	
		
			
	

		
		
Victory for BELS Staff! Annual Leave and Paternity Rights Win for UNISON Members
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Local, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON is proud to announce another win for our members — this time at Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS).


After persistent negotiation led by our BELS UNISON representative, and in collaboration with other trade unions, BELS employees will now receive 31 days of annual leave and two weeks’ paternity leave, bringing them in line with London Borough of Barnet employees.




BELS UNISON Rep said:

“I am pleased to confirm that BELS are implementing 31 days annual leave for all BELS staff. Whilst there are still areas that need to be addressed, like the inequality in the pension offering, I am happy to see that BELS have listened to UNISON members’ requests and have made a step in bringing us closer to parity with our colleagues working in Barnet Council.”


Helen Davies, Barnet UNISON Branch Chair, said:

“This is what trade union persistence looks like — real improvements in conditions for our members. Every step towards parity between BELS and Council staff matters. We will keep fighting until every member working in a council-owned company gets the full rights, pay and pensions they deserve.”




BELS is a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC), 100% owned by Barnet Council, delivering vital education services on behalf of the borough. Barnet UNISON has long campaigned to bring BELS back in-house, so staff delivering public services enjoy the same pay, pension and conditions as directly employed council workers.


Our next target is access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) — the public service pension scheme available to council employees. Despite being wholly owned by the Council, BELS staff are currently denied access, a decision that UNISON believes is unfair and discriminatory.


An Equal Pay claim has already been registered for BELS staff, forming part of UNISON’s wider claim across Barnet Council and The Barnet Group (TBG).


This latest win shows what can be achieved when members are organised and determined.

Together, we are stronger. Join UNISON today and be part of the fight for fairness, equality and respect at work.


For more information email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


End.


 


 

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case
		
		
 
	
		Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, National, News, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			
PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release: 


Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case


Barnet UNISON has today submitted three collective grievances triggering a borough-wide Equal Pay claim across the London Borough of Barnet, The Barnet Group (TBG) and Barnet Education & Learning Service (BELS) — the council’s two wholly owned arm’s-length companies (LATCs).


Branded “EasyCouncil” during its peak outsourcing years, Barnet now faces an Equal Pay challenge that cuts across council services and its LATCs, echoing the ground-breaking 2023 Glasgow decision confirming that local authority trading companies are not a shield against Equal Pay liability where the council is the single source capable of rectifying pay inequality.


Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON, said:

“Women in Barnet’s schools, care and community services have waited long enough. We’ve now filed Equal Pay grievances with all three employers because the evidence is overwhelming — and because LATC status doesn’t make discrimination disappear. If Southampton, Sheffield and Birmingham can settle multi-million-pound claims, so can Barnet.”


Barnet UNISON’s case covers multiple strands including task-and-finish uplifts, Christmas bonus payments, DLO payments, and pension access issues for LATC staff. The union is seeking a negotiated, borough-wide settlement framework that treats council and LATC workers consistently, rather than siloed processes.


A fast-growing national picture


Barnet’s action lands as councils across Britain confront Equal Pay liabilities:


    

  1. Southampton City Council – Settlement agreed (July 2025) for ~800 staff; task-and-finish disparity.
    2. 

  2. Sheffield City Council – Agreement (Sept 2025): ~3,600 staff / ~260 roles; ~£36m redress.
    3. 

  3. Birmingham City Council – Framework to settle (Dec 2024) following Section 114.
    4. 

  4. Coventry City Council – ~680 claims ongoing (2025); >£30m exposure; ET listed Nov 2026.
    5. 

  5. Brighton & Hove City Council – Claims lodged/flagged (2024–25), thousands indicated.
    6. 

  6. Bradford MDC – Legal action launched (July 2025) for female-dominated roles.
    7. 

  7. Knowsley Council – Union warns of “tens of millions” exposure (Oct 2025).
    8. 

  8. Leeds City Council – Unions inviting case forms (2024–25).
    9. 

  9. Derby City Council – Ongoing disputes; >£1.5m spent defending cases.
    10. 

  10. BCP Council – Corporate papers flag equal-pay litigation risk (2024–25).
    
Scotland:
    11. 

  11. Glasgow City Council – Continuing settlements/updates (2023–25); key LATC precedent.
    12. 

  12. Fife Council – Tribunal success reported (July 2022); further claims lodged.
    13. 

  13. Falkirk, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire – Equal-pay disputes/strikes (2024).
    14. 



Helen Davies added:

“This could be the first of several London Equal Pay cases. Barnet helped pioneer outsourcing; now it should lead on putting pay equality right — across the council and the companies it owns.”


Call to the employer


Barnet UNISON has invited the Council, TBG and BELS to enter a Memorandum of Understanding for structured negotiations covering data disclosure, scope, timelines and remedies, so staff don’t wait years for justice.


Media contact:

Barnet UNISON – contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


Notes to editors:


    

  • Recent settlements referenced include Southampton (UNISON South East), Sheffield (Sheffield City Council), and Birmingham (City Council/union statements).
    • 

  • Barnet UNISON represents staff employed by Barnet Council, The Barnet Group, and BELS.
    • 

  • The Glasgow (2023) Equal Pay outcome reinforced that council-owned LATCs can fall within the single-source test for Equal Pay liability.
    • 


			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
PRESS RELEASE: Equal Pay Momentum Builds in Barnet – Care and School Staff Sign Up in Their Hundreds
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, National, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet	



	
		

			
		
					

			
 




Barnet UNISON has revealed a surge of support for its Equal Pay campaign, with hundreds of care workers and school support staff already signed up and hundreds more contacting the branch to join the claim.


Across Barnet’s schools, care homes, and community services, women workers are taking action to protect their legal rights to equal pay.

UNISON says that the growing number of sign-ups shows the level of frustration among staff who have seen their real pay fall while the cost of living continues to rise.


Helen Davies, Branch Chair of Barnet UNISON, said:

“Our members have seen what’s happened in Southampton and Sheffield — ordinary council workers winning millions in back pay.

Now Barnet’s care workers and school staff are saying loud and clear: we deserve fairness too.”


The Equal Pay campaign has seen record engagement, with UNISON visiting schools and care workplaces across the borough to help staff complete their case forms and understand their rights under the Equality Act.


Helen Davies added:

“This is just the beginning.

Every week more members are signing up because they know that in a cost-of-living crisis, no one can afford to miss out on what they’re owed.”


📅 Equal Pay Surgeries: Every Tuesday in October

📍 UNISON Office, Colindale

📧 contactus@barnetunison.org.uk


END. 


 


 


 


 


 

			

		

		
		


	

			  

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