From all of us on your UNISON committee, we would like to wish our members a peaceful winter break.

To those still working over the next couple of weeks, we hope you soon have the time to enjoy some rest and time off with those close to you.

As a branch, we’ve had some great achievements over the last year; new members joining us, new committee members bringing enthusiasm and great ideas to the branch.
We’ve connected with you, our membership, at some fantastic social events. Our reps and stewards have supported many Sussex staff through work-based issues individually but have also influenced the way certain things are done at the University that positively impacts the wider staff body.

Today, Wednesday 21 December, was the deadline for our ballots to be received for the vote on strike action over HE pay. We are all well aware HE pay has failed to match inflation for 13 years – meaning year-on-year we have faced a real terms pay cut.

Now with the cost of living crisis, with RPI inflation at 14.2%, this longstanding issue is simply unavoidable. We hope to have our voices heard through this ballot.

We want to thank you; our members who got out in the cold to post their ballots, spoke to us on the phone, proudly wore their UNISON stickers or encouraged their colleagues to get involved. Our group effort could make real change.

We look forward to the New Year, hoping to meet many more of you at social events and get more members engaged with the branch. If you’re feeling inspired or even just curious about how you could get involved, in small ways too, we encourage you to just get in touch.