Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight…

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https://www.unison.org.uk/
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https://www.ewfc.org/
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https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/
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https://twitter.com/unisontheunion
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https://twitter.com/joeunison
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The Local Government Activists Reshaping Britain's Public Sector with Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson #20

Season 1 · Episode 20

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 46:38

Welcome back to Behind the Service, and in this episode we’re shining a light on activism and the Service Group Executive (SGE) - invaluable parts of the change we’re able to make.

Glen Williams and Lorraine Thomson are two pioneering voices in UNISON, and they join us to share how the SGE plays a powerful role in shaping the recognition that local government employees are valued and respected, and driving social change.

This episode of ‘Behind the Service: A UNISON Podcast’ covers:

The critical role of volunteer union representatives in driving social change
The ongoing battle against local government budget cuts and service erosion
How UNISON is combating far-right intolerance and promoting community unity
The emerging role of activists in addressing environmental pressures

UNISON

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

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Glen Williams

https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-williams-8377a584/

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‘No Jobs on a Dead Planet’: How We Combat Climate Change Together with Stephen Smellie & Michelle Singleton #19

Season 1 · Episode 19

Monday, September 23, 2024 • Duration 39:46

There is only one planet for us, and saving it from the climate crisis has been atop UNISON’s agenda for decades - so how do we continue that fight today?

With September’s Green UNISON Week, this episode of the podcast focuses on the huge potential for change that’s possible with the collaborative power of our members.

Joining us to share their collective expertise, and how you can make an impact, are UNISON Policy Officer, Michelle Singleton, and South Lanarkshire UNISON Branch Secretary, Stephen Smellie.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

UNISON’s role in combating climate change
Why ‘Just Transition’ is a crucial element in the fight against climate change
Challenges of operating on a local level
Balancing limited resources with the urgent need for climate action

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

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Green UNISON Week: https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/green-unison-week/

Stephen Smellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-smellie-179516160/

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The Care Sector’s Unsung Heroes with Samantha Thornton and Gavin Edwards #18

Season 1 · Episode 18

Friday, August 23, 2024 • Duration 45:07

The care sector has a glimmer of hope in the form of a new National Care Service, but such optimism comes after too many years of unsung heroes keeping the sector together.

One such hero is Dimension UK’s Samantha Thornton, who joins us on the UNISON Local Government Podcast alongside our Senior National Officer for Social Care, Gavin Edwards.

We cover the difference that our Ethical Care Charter makes to carers, the ambitions for a proposed Fair Pay Agreement, and the past & future states of the care sector in the UK right now.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

The current state of the care sector, and a typical day for those working within it
What a National Care Service would mean for care workers and the public
The Fair Pay Agreement, and the difference it’d make for care workers
UNISON’s campaigning in the sector and its impacts on the workforce
Advice for care & support workers currently in the profession

UNISON

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

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

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Could your council go bankrupt? with Alan Waters & Laura Webster #17

Episode 17

Thursday, May 23, 2024 • Duration 43:04

14 years of austerity has hit local government services brutally, but have you ever wondered about the extent of the damage caused?

Between Alan Waters’ experience as Former Leader of Norwich City Council and Laura Webster’s time working with Woking as they faced a bankruptcy situation, this podcast episode exposes the harsh reality of local government funding.

Discover the impact of persistent cuts on your local services, and how the money moves behind the scenes, in episode 17 of the UNISON Local Government Podcast.

This episode of The UNISON Local Government Podcast covers:

The complexity of local government finance, and how councils have been squeezed by austerity measures
Laura’s experiences with Woking Council’s financial troubles from within
How many local government challenges trace back to central government mismanagement
What power we have to improve local government’s situation
How a decade of budget cuts has undermined local democracy and sustainability of public services

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

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Alan Waters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-waters-6a723734/

Laura Webster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-webster-36b66a77/

Why YOUR Pension Matters and How to Get Fair Compensation with UNISON’s Head of Pensions, Glyn Jenkins #16

Episode 16

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • Duration 29:03

The LGPS, contrary to what some would have you believe, is a vital benefit to those working in the public sector.

That’s why it’s so important for us to ensure two things: that we understand it, and that we provide our support to ensure its survival.

Glyn Jenkins is our very special guest on the podcast this week as he takes us through everything you need to know about the LGPS, and why understanding your pension is paramount.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

Why it’s important to join the LGPS when working for schools and councils
What are cost strains, and how do they occur
The UNISON campaign for fair pension compensation supported by both WASPI groups
Biggest concerns that UNISON members are bringing to Glyn

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

https://twitter.com/unisontheunion

https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion

Glyn Jenkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glyn-jenkins-09a521104/

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UNISON’s World-Leading Work for the LGBT+ Community with Eileen Best & Mitchell Coe #15

Episode 15

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 • Duration 22:57

The headway we’ve made in recent years on LGBT+ rights is wonderful and to be celebrated, yet there’s so much more to achieve as we enter 2024: UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers.

Two fantastic leaders for UNISON’s work with LGBT+ communities are Eileen Best (Co-Chair, LGBT+ National Committee) and Mitchell Coe (National Officer, LGBT+ Equality).

Mitchell and Eileen join us to share their work, the national initiatives making change for our workers, and how you can get involved in creating a fairer workforce for LGBT+ workers.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

How UNISON works with & organises LGBT+ workers
This year’s campaign as ‘Year of LGBT+ Workers’ and how to get involved
Evolutions of LGBT+ rights in recent years
The current state of LGBT+ rights and the work yet to be done

UNISON: ⁠https://www.unison.org.uk/⁠

⁠https://twitter.com/unisontheunion⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/unisontheunion⁠

UNISON’s LGBT+ Equality Page with Policy Checklist (as mentioned by Mitchell): ⁠unison.org.uk/out⁠

Mitchell Coe: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-coe-82172454/⁠

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There For You: UNISON’s Charity with Tony Wright and Abi Coombs #14

Episode 14

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 • Duration 23:44

Welcome back to the UNISON Local Government Podcast - we’re kicking off 2024 with a look at one of the most essential services for UNISON members: There For You.

UNISON’s welfare charity provides support to thousands of members in need, and joining us to share the great work it achieves, plus how to get involved, are UNISON’s Tony Wright and Abi Coombs.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

What ‘There For You’ is, and how it works
The sheer range of support available
Quantifying the charity’s huge impact across the year
How UNISON members can access support and get involved with the charity

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Harnessing the Combined Power of the World’s Unions with Policy Officer, Local and Regional Government Sector at PSI, Daria Cibrario #13

Episode 13

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 • Duration 26:50

Central to the premise of any union is the power wielded when we come together, and PSI takes that premise up to a near-unfathomable, global scale.

Daria Cibrario’s work with PSI counts UNISON among the 700+ trade unions that it serves to coordinate, and in this podcast episode Daria shares the remarkable impact that can have on working standards around the world.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

PSI’s role in bringing together the world’s unions in service of a common goal
Daria’s role on coordinating global unions and influencing policies
Common issues that unions are facing worldwide
The need to not only protect existing public services from private interest, but reclaim them

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Stars in Our Schools: Recognising the Invaluable Work of School Support Staff with Tracy Turton & Joanna Parry #12

Episode 12

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 • Duration 19:40

Around half of school staff are support staff, whose incredible work with children too often flies under the radar - they’re the deserved focus of the Stars in Our Schools campaign.

As we approach the annual celebration of support staff in schools on Friday 24th November, we highlight the stars of the campaign as we’re joined by Tracy Turton & Joanna Parry on this week’s UNISON Local Government Podcast.

Join us as we discuss the lack of support for these everyday heroes, issues with free school meal eligibility in England, and how to get involved in the Stars in Our Schools campaign.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

The support staff being highlighted by the Stars in our Schools campaign
Governmental shortcomings in dealing with the RAAC crisis in schools
Critical issues surrounding the eligibility criteria for free school meals in England

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How Is My Pay Determined? Understanding Job Evaluation and Equal Pay in Local Government with UNISON’s Kathie Dickson #11

Episode 11

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 • Duration 25:29

The value of a job role, and the pay that’s offered, should reflect the responsibilities that come with the job, and not the person doing the job. Sadly, that premise isn’t always upheld.

Job evaluation is one of the key tools in ensuring equal pay for all, and in closing the gender pay gap - Kathie Dickson leads on equal pay and job evaluation in UNISON.

Kathie joins us on the UNISON Local Government Podcast to share how we’re fighting for our public sector workers to receive fair pay, regardless of their identity.

This episode of The UNISON Podcast covers:

What job evaluation is, and how the various schemes were devised
How job evaluation schemes are applied to ensure the right pay grades are assigned to each role
Key differences between equal pay and the gender pay gap
How trade union reps can ensure job evaluation is undertaken fairly in your workplace

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Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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Publication history

Latest published episodes

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Apple Podcasts

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Behind The Service: A UNISON Insight into Local Government – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other5

X2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other5

X2

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