Category: Anti – Racism

Mental Health Workers and Service Users Unite to Save Barnet’s Network Service

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Disability, Local, News, UNISON Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mental Health Workers and Service Users Unite to Save Barnet’s Network Service

We are calling on Barnet Council to protect a lifeline mental health support service—the Network—currently under threat of closure.

The Network provides short-term, therapeutic support and wellbeing workshops to adults experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Operating from Finchley, the service has offered vital support to vulnerable residents while they await access to NHS Talking Therapies.

If this service is withdrawn, many people will be left without support at a time when demand for mental health care is surging. We are deeply concerned that the closure will lead to increased isolation, greater pressure on overstretched NHS services, and worsening mental health outcomes for some of Barnet’s most at-risk residents.

We urge all mental health professionals, service users, carers, and local residents to stand up and defend this essential service. Your voice can make the difference.

Have your say before the consultation closes on 14 July 2025.

🔗 Respond to the consultation: www.engage.barnet.gov.uk/the-network

📧 Email: CAHConsultation@barnet.gov.uk

Together, let’s show Barnet Council that mental health support matters—and the Network must stay.

 

Notes to Editors.

Contact details: Barnet UNISON on 0208 359 2088 or email: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

 

 

Consultants are back – Barnet Council award contract to Peopletoo

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Local, News, UNISON Campaign

Barnet Council issued an email to all Barnet Staff about the announcement that they have contracted a consultancy agency Peopletoo

Our members have long memories of what consultants can do to our public services.

We will never forget what happened to our members in Libraries where almost 55% of the workforce were sacked.

We won’t forget the hundreds of redundancies by Capita with the financial support of Barnet Council when they took over our back-office services in 2013.

Back in the late 2000s staff were told that the consultancy company were called in as a critical friend to help support the Council in the future.

16 years later the damage caused by the promotion of some of those ideas is here with us now.

For those who want to know more about the decision to pay Peopletoo can read the report here

Source: Improvement Partner Contract Award, 9 April 2025

https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s89248/Delegated%20Powers%20Report%20-%20Improvement%20Partner%20Final.pdf )

Here are some key facts

The contract is due to commence on May 1, 2025.

The contract is structured in two phases:

  • Stage 1: Diagnostic Phase: This phase has a fixed term price of £652,700. The purpose of this stage is for Peopletoo to conduct a thorough analysis of the council’s operations and finances to identify potential savings and improvements.
  • Stage 2: Delivery Phase: The contract includes an option for Barnet Council to proceed with a Stage 2 delivery phase. The final budget for this phase is contingent on the findings and recommendations of the Stage 1 diagnostic phase.
  • Funding Approval: Barnet Council’s Cabinet approved one-off funding of up to £3 million for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the improvement partner contract on February 18, 2025. This funding is allocated from the council’s contingency budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

Barnet UNISON hopes that lessons on the use of consultants have been learnt.

Barnet UNISON will be asking for details about Stage 1 shortly.

Keep an eye out in future eNews.

End.

 

“3.2% is not good enough – members deserve better!”

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Demonstration, Disability, Health and Safety, Housing, Libraries, News, Pensions, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

The news is that the response of the employers to the joint trade union National Pay claim for £3,000 is 3.2%.

Barnet UNISON members can view what 3.2% means to their grade by clicking on the link below

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2025/04/24/national-pay-offer-3-2/

UNISON members know that their pay has fallen behind the cost of living and that they are “all now working one day a week for free.”

If we continue to fail to negotiate a pay award that directly deals with the cost-of-living crisis, soon public sector workers will be working “two days a week for free.”

We are in the worst cost-of-living crisis in 77 years.

Politicians seeking to confuse and defend poor pay talk about inflation rates falling as if that has improved things for our members.

Speaking to some of our lowest paid members in care homes, depots, and schools, they are seriously struggling to survive on poverty wages.

Inflation may go up and down, but prices are not going down and they keep rising:

  • 50% rise in local Bus Fares
  • 41% rise in Water Bills
  • 22% rise in Stamp prices
  • 18.4% rise in Energy Bills
  • 16% rise Rail Cards
  • 14% rise in Tuition Fees
  • 4.99% rise in Council Tax
  • 4.6% rise in Rail Fares

Whilst the poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer.

We have been here before in 2009 our Barnet UNISON Branch Secretary set out his serious concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown 24 June 2009

“Barnet Council has made efficiency savings of £80.9m over 7 years, £58.8m in the last 5 years” 

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/NO_PRIMEMINISTER_0.pdf

15 years ago, Barnet UNISON had concerns about poverty, privatisation and the emergence of the Far-Right politics. In Barnet Council we had hundreds of redundancies for several years as the Council claimed they were not being funded. Things haven’t changed and we had our first round of redundancies last December due to the current financial crisis.

What is clear is that the voices of our members across the Council across workplaces, be it a school, a depot, care home or day centre need to be heard and LOUDLY.

Barnet Council is lobbying the government for more funding, but there needs to be more pressure than that. We all need to add our voices for more funding

We are asking our members to sign the following Petition to Angela Rayner (who used to be a UNISON rep). This petition is not just for our members but can be signed by members’ family and friends or anyone who wants to see an end to the destruction of public services.

https://chng.it/6DSvxfZqhz

 

end.

 

Message to all of our Barnet UNISON schools members

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Local, National, News, Schools, UNISON Campaign

Dear Barnet UNISON

In early February, Barnet UNISON wrote to every school in Barnet seeking permission to speak to our members about the new School Support Staff National Negotiating Body (SSSNB) which will be established for all school support staff in England, including those working in academies and multi academy trusts.

You can view the letter to your school by clicking on the link below.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025.01.20-Letter-to-headteacher.pdf

Our Assistant Branch Secretary Beverley Berwick has already started visiting schools speaking with members and the Head about the SSSNB.

This is likely to be the biggest change of our members in schools in a generation which is why we are keen to speak to our members.

If you are interested in helping to arrange a visit in your school, please email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk and request a visit.

 

End.



Background: 


Read more about SSSNB click on link below


https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SSSNB-members-briefing.pdf

			

		

		
		


	
		
	

		
		
Message of solidarity to Tower Hamlets strikers on St Lukes school picket line
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Local, News, Schools, Solidarity, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


On behalf of our branch Barnet UNISON sends our unwavering solidarity and support to you and your NEU colleagues as you take strike action on the 1st and 3rd of April.


We stand with you in your fight against the proposed cuts to Teaching Assistant roles, a move that will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on the quality of education and the workload of all staff.


Your determination to defend education and demand reasonable workloads is an inspiration to us all. We recognise the vital role Teaching Assistants play in supporting students and teachers, and we condemn any attempt to diminish their contribution.


We understand the pressures you face and commend your courage in taking this stand. We will be sharing your message of resistance throughout our branch and encouraging our members to send messages of support.


We wish you a strong and successful strike. We are with you in this fight for fair working conditions and the future of education.


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
			
			
	

		
		
Depot workers welcome guest speaker on Injuries at Work
		
		
 
	
		Anti - Racism, Austerity, Disability, Health and Safety, Local, Repairs, Report, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign	



	
		

			
		
					

			


Barnet UNISON depot workers welcomed special guest speaker from Thompson’s Solicitors.


The guest speaker spoke about the free services for UNISON members provided by Thompsons.


The main part of the discussion was around reporting accidents at work.


Depot work environment. 


In any depot, where loading and unloading, bending and stretching defines the day, the importance of reporting accidents cannot be overstated.


For depot workers, whose labour is physically demanding, even seemingly minor incidents can have significant consequences. A sprained ankle dismissed as a “little twist,” or a cut brushed off as a “scratch,” can escalate into serious, long-term health issues if left unreported.


Reporting accidents is not about assigning blame; it’s about safeguarding wellbeing. It’s about creating a culture where a worker feels empowered to speak up without fear of reprisal. When an accident is reported, it triggers a chain of events designed to prevent recurrence. It allows for a thorough investigation, identifying potential hazards and implementing corrective measures. This not only protects the individual involved but also their colleagues, fostering a safer working environment for everyone.


Moreover, prompt reporting ensures access to necessary medical attention and support. Early intervention can significantly reduce recovery time and prevent complications. Ignoring an injury can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and even permanent disability, impacting not only a worker’s livelihood but also their quality of life.


Ultimately, reporting accidents is a fundamental act of self-preservation. It’s an acknowledgment that a worker’s health and safety are paramount, and that their wellbeing matters. In the demanding environment of a manual depot, where physical resilience is crucial, reporting every incident, no matter how small, is a vital step towards ensuring a safe and healthy working life.


Barnet UNISON will use our #DepotWednesday meetings to remind and encourage our members to work safely and report, report and report.


End.

			

		

		
		


	
		
	
			  

					
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