Welcome to UNISON’s links section. Here you will find a wealth of online resources organised alphabetically by subject with full descriptions of what each site offers.
You can either browse the list in its entirety or jump straight to your preferred section by clicking on one of the links below.
Please note that UNISON is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. The opinions expressed on these websites are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNISON.
- Black members
- Community and voluntary sector
- Disability
- Economics and public spending
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- Europe
- Government and politics
- Health and safety
- Health care
- Housing
- Human rights and civil liberties
- Industry
- Information resource centres and directories
- International
- Labour link
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality
- Libraries
- Lifelong Learning
- Local government
- Nursing
- Pay and conditions
- Police
- Social policy and research
- Social security and welfare reform
- Social services
- Transport
- Unions
- Water
- Women
Black members
1990 Trust
blink.org.uk
1990 Trusts Interactive website that includes the latest news and documents relating to black equality and racism.
Commission for Racial Equality
cre.gov.uk
Publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.
European Network Against Racism
enar-eu.org/en/
A network of European NGOs working to combat racism in all the EU member states.
Home Office: community & race pages
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Government website detailing Home Office initiatives on race equality.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
jcwi.org.uk
Independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy.
National Assembly Against Racism
naar.org.uk
Independent organisation campaigning against all aspects of racial inequality
Hope not Hate
www.hopenothate.org.uk
Searchlightsanti-racism 'hope not hate' campaign is supported by UNISON and other unions
Operation Black Vote
obv.org.uk
Independent organisation working to increase the levels of black representations in Parliament and in public life.
Runnymede Trust
runnymedetrust.org
Independent think tank on ethnicity and cultural diversity. Their mandate since inception has been to challenge racial discrimination, to influence related legislation and to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain.
Trades Union Congress
tuc.org.uk/equality/index.cfm?mins=14&minors=14
TUC website pages for black trade unionists.
Community and voluntary sector
ACAS
acas.org.uk
Aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. Provides up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance
Charities Direct
caritasdata.co.uk
Utilises the information on the National Charities Database, the largest charities database of its type in the UK
Charitynet
cafonline.org
Online resource bringing together the websites of non-profit organisations and their service providers across the world
Directory of Social Change
dsc.org.uk
Independent voice for social change
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
jrf.org.uk
UK's largest independent social research and development charity. Supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy
Media Trust
mediatrust.org
Works to meet the communications needs of the voluntary sector
National Council of Voluntary Organisations
ncvo-vol.org.uk
Umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England and includes a wide range of links to member organisations
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
scvo.org.uk
Umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland
Voicing Our Issues & Struggles
vois.org.uk
Taking positive action on social issues which might otherwise not be addressed
Disability
DisabledGo
disabledgo.info
DisabledGo's mission is to empower hearing impaired, mobility impaired and vision impaired people, all carers, and those who are temporarily incapacitated, elderly and infirm as well as parents with pushchairs by providing detailed access information for public venues from art-galleries to swimming pools, from theatres to zoos
Disability Rights Commission
drc-gb.org/drc
Educating public opinion, promoting good practice and enforcement of disability law. The Commission aims to work in partnership with employers and service providers, adopting a non-confrontational approach
Government Disability Unit
disability.gov.uk
Managed by the Disability Unit in the Department for Work and Pensions. Find out about your rights as a disabled person and learn more about the legislation that exists to help establish fully comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people
Ouch
bbc.co.uk/ouch/
Ouch is a website from the BBC. Its aim is to reflect the lives of disabled people right here and now in the third millennium.
Trade Union Disability Alliance
tuda.org.uk
An organisation of disabled trade union members. We are a campaigning group with individual members from more than two dozen different trade unions. TUDA aims to lobby Parliament for equal rights for disabled people, co-ordinate the perspective of disabled people in the trade union movement and bridge the gap between the trade union and disability movements.
Your Level Best
yourlevelbest.com
Helps visitors with mobility difficulties to find somewhere to go out to eat or drink. Provides information about places to eat and/or drink in the UK that have full disabled access. This means places with a doorway a wheelchair can get through plus the provision of a disabled toilet.
Youreable.com
disabilitynet.co.uk
Youreable is the one-stop Internet site for disabled people, their carers, family and friends. The UK's biggest disability website includes jobs, discussions, features, chatrooms and advice
Economics and public spending
HM Treasury
hm-treasury.gov.uk
The Treasury is the department responsible for formulating and putting into effect the UK Government's financial and economic policy
Treasury Spending Reviews
hm-treasury.gov.uk/Spending_Review/spend_index.cfm
Spending Reviews set out the key improvements in public services that the public can expect over a three-year period
Education
Ask Eric
ericir.syr.edu
Personalised web-based service providing education information to teachers, librarians, counselors, administrators, parents and others throughout the United States and the world
Association of Colleges
aoc.egsgroup.com/home.php
The Association was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of the 485 colleges in England and Wales. Membership of the association includes tertiary, agricultural, general, specialist designated, art and design, performing arts and sixth form colleges.
Association of University Teachers (AUT)
aut.org.uk
Trade union and professional association representing academic and related staff in the universities, higher education colleges and research institutions of the UK
The Campaign for State Education (CASE)
casenet.org.uk
Campaigns for the right of all to the highest quality state education, regardless of race, gender, home circumstances, ability or disability
Careconnect Learning
careconnectlearn.co.uk
Careconnect Learning offers courses and accreditation to people who work in the health and social care sector - for example in care homes, domiciliary care agencies
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
dfes.gov.uk
Government website providing info for and about adult education, parents, school governors, HE, teachers and jobseekers
Further Education National Training Organisation (FENTO)
fento.ac.uk
One of 71 UK-wide National Training Organisations (NTOs) established to promote competitiveness by raising education and training standards in the industries and occupations they represent
The Higher Education Funding Council For England
hefce.ac.uk
Distributes funds provided by the DfEE. Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the Council and current policy in England
The Higher Education Funding Council For Scotland
shefc.ac.uk
Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the council and current policy in Scotland
The Higher Education Funding Council For Wales
niss.ac.uk/education/hefcw
Lists council-funded initiatives, publications produced by the council and current policy for Wales
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
hesa.ac.uk
Set up by UK universities and higher education colleges to collect, analyse and report on Higher Education statistics
Institute of Education
ioe.ac.uk
This University of London department offers a huge range of part-time, full-time and distance postgraduate courses for professionals from a wide range of background
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
lsc.gov.uk
Responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England
Lifelong Learning
lifelonglearning.co.uk
Leading web site for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning. Supported by the Department for Education and Skills
National Association of Teachers in Further & Higher Education (NATFHE)
natfhe.org.uk
The largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, trainers, researchers and managers working in further and higher education throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
ofsted.gov.uk
Non-ministerial government department whose remit is to improve education through regular independent inspection, public reporting and informed independent advice
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
qaa.ac.uk
The Agency's mission is to promote public confidence that quality of provision and standards of awards in higher education are being safeguarded and enhanced
Sixth Form Colleges Employers Forum (SFCEF)
sfcef.org.uk
Advises colleges as employers and conducts national negotiations on pay and conditions with unions representing both teaching and support staff in colleges.
Times Education Supplement (TES)
tes.co.uk
UK's foremost weekly publication for education, covering the world of primary, secondary and further education. It is also the market leader for UK and international teaching jobs
Trade Union Congress
tuc.org.uk
With more than 70 member unions representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, the TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad
Universities UK
cvcp.ac.uk
Consists of the executive heads of all UK universities
The Universities and Employers Association (UCEA)
ucea.ac.uk
You can also access the Higher Education Role Analysis (HERA) website from here
Employment
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
acas.org.uk
The employment relations experts. ACAS helps people work together effectively, including setting up the right structures and systems to finding a way of settling disputes when things go wrong
DTI Employment Relations
dti.gov.uk/er
Useful documents, consultations, case studies and points of law covered on this government website
Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT)
employmentappeals.gov.uk
A Superior Court of Record dealing with appeals from the decisions of the Employment Tribunals and Certification Officer
EU labour law
europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/index_en.htm
European Commission employment and social affairs website includes key documents, legal explanations and news
Incorporated Council of Law Reporting
lawreports.co.uk
Includes ICR Express which are free previews of key emplyment law cases to be published in The Industrial Cases Reports
Information Commissioner
dataprotection.gov.uk
Enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. A UK independent supervisory authority reporting directly to the UK Parliament and has an international role as well as a national one
International Labour Organisation
ilo.org
Homepage for this cross-border employment alliance
Public Concern At Work
pcaw.co.uk
PCAW is an independent authority seeking to ensure that concerns about malpractice are properly raised and addressed in the workplace
Energy
Electricity Association
electricity.org.uk
The EA is the collective voice of the major electricity companies in the UK
European Union energy policies
europa.eu.int/pol/ener/index_en.htm
Overview of European law, implementation of legislation and general information
Office of Gas and Electricty Markets (OFGEM)
ofgem.gov.uk
Regulates gas and electricity industries in Great Britain. Aims is to bring choice and value to all gas and electricity customers by promoting competition and regulating monopolies
Utilities Act 2000
dti.gov.uk/urt
Explanation of this legislation that had and continues to have important repercussions for the energy industry
Environment
Environment Agency
environment-agency.gov.uk
The leading public organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales, including regulating industry, maintaining flood defences and water resources and improving wildlife habitats
Environmental News Network
enn.com
US-based resource working to educate the world about environmental issues facing our Earth
Friends of the Earth
foe.co.uk
The largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in 68 countries and one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK
Future Forests
futureforests.com
Offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of companies and individuals through the planting of permanent wooded areas
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
odpm.gov.uk
The ODPM takes responsibility for policy areas from both the old Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Cabinet Office. It brings together regional and local government, housing, planning and regeneration along with the social exclusion unit and neighbourhood renewal
Sustain
sustainweb.org
Advocating food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity
Europe
Council of Europe
coe.int
Intergovernmental organisation protecting human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law and promoting awareness and development of Europe's cultural identity and diversity
European Commission
europa.eu.int
Portal site of the European Union provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration
EUR-Lex
eur-lex.europa.eu/
Comprehensive picture of EU legislation and the decision-making procedures from their concept to their conclusion
Government and politics
Cabinet Office
cabinet-office.gov.uk
Fastest and fullest access to information published by the Cabinet Office
Central Office of Information
coi.gov.uk
COI Communications is the government's communication expert. They work in partnership with client departments and agencies to provide effective communications solutions
Committee on Standards in Public Life
public-standards.gov.uk
Examines current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life
National Statistics
statistics.gov.uk
Contains a vast range of official UK statistics and information about statistics, which can be accessed and downloaded free
No 10 Downing Street
number-10.gov.uk
Briefings and latest policy from the heart of government
Directgov
direct.gov.uk
Brings together the widest range of public service information and services online.
Health and safety
American Safety and Health Institute
ashinstitute.com
The institute is a partnering association dedicated to designing and delivering superior instructional programs with a cost and service advantage. Reaching worldwide, these programs foster a learning process that advances the well being of organisations and individuals
Hazards
hazards.org
The UK's leading health and safety magazine offers practical, up-to-date information for health and safety reps and others
Health and Safety Executive
hse.gov.uk
Press releases, statistics, publications and many of its free leaflets which can be downloaded and printed. UNISON members and safety reps can also access the site from the user-friendly entrance (www.hse.gov.uk/workers)
Risks
tuc.org.uk/newsroom/register.cfm
Subscribe to the TUC's weekly emailed newsletter
Trade Union Congress
tuc.org.uk/h_and_s
Includes the complete updated version of the TUC's guide to health and safety, Hazards at Work, plus links to many other useful health and safety websites
Health care
Agenda for Change
unison.org.uk/healthcare/a4c
The most comprehensive website on Agenda for Change, the proposed new national NHS pay and terms and conditions system. A4C seeks to introduce new pay bands and harmonised terms and conditions for NHS workers
The Health Professions Council
hpc-uk.org
A new independent, UK-wide regulatory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct of the 12 healthcare professions that it regulates
Jill Rogers Associates
jillrogersassociates.co.uk
JRA work primarily in health and social services education and write, edit, design and publish open learning materials; work with subject experts to develop support materials; develop, design and publish newsletters, annual reports and strategic plan; and organise national workshops, conferences and other events
National Care Standards Commission
carestandards.org.uk
The NCSC is a new, independent public body set up under the Care Standards Act 2000, to regulate social care and private and voluntary health care services throughout England. From 1 April 2002 the NCSC took responsibility for the registration and inspection of services - replacing the existing system of inspection by local authority and health authority inspection units.
Overseas Nurses' Network
unison-scotland.org.uk/nhs/overseas/
Based in Glasgow, the ONN provides an opportunity to meet and get to know other nurses from overseas. It also provides information and support.
PJ Online
pharmj.com
Website of The Pharmaceutical Journal, official journal of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Scotland's health on the web (NHSScotland)
show.scot.nhs.uk
Full details of the development in Scotland's NHS, including publications.
Housing
Centre for Housing Policy
york.ac.uk/inst/chp
Established in 1990 at the University of York with the aim of being a centre of excellence in policy relevant housing research. The Centre undertakes studies that involve the collection of primary data using a wide range of methodologies
Housing Today
housingtoday.org.uk
Housing Today's authoritative coverage of the latest news and views in social housing is read by more than 70,000 readers every week
Housingnet
housingnet.co.uk/social/tbp.htm
For all things housing. Includes a UK-wide guide to social housing organisations
Inside Housing
insidehousing.co.uk
Social housing news and information
International Union of Tenants
iut.nu
Non-governmental organisation, founded in 1926 in Zurich, Switzerland, with the purpose of safeguarding the interests of tenants. IUT is a non-party political organisation, working along democratic lines
National Housing Federation
housing.org.uk
Body representing the independent social housing sector. Around 1400 non-profit housing organisations currently in membership, owning or managing around 1.7 million homes
National Training Organisation for Housing
housingpotential.com
Housing Potential and its partners provide strategic guidance on how to deliver education and training to the rented housing sector
Shelter
shelter.org.uk
National organisation working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people
Human rights and civil liberties
Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoi.org.uk
Campaigns against unnecessary secrecy and for a Freedom of Information Act. Monitors existing access rights and provides practical guides to help people use them
European Commission Humanitarian Aid
europa.eu.int/comm/echo/en/index_en.html
Information on the EU's response to humanitarian disasters worldwide
European Court of Human Rights
echr.coe.int
Homepage for the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Home Office
homeoffice.gov.uk
The Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. Works with individuals and communities to build a safe, just and tolerant society enhancing opportunities for all
Statewatch
statewatch.org
Non-profit-making voluntary group comprised of lawyers, academics, journalists, researchers and community activists. Encourages the publication of investigative journalism and critical research in the fields of the state, civil liberties and openness
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
unhchr.ch
Plays the leading role on human rights issues and emphasises the importance of human rights at the international and national levels
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
www1.umn.edu/humanrts
Massive international human rights database
Industry
The Competition Commission
competition-commission.org.uk
Independent public body which replaced the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 1 April 1999
Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
woft.gov.uk
As an independent professional organisation, the OFT plays a leading role in promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive
Information resource centres and directories
Advice Guide
adviceguide.org.uk
Gives basic advice and information on your rights. It gives you a broad outline of where you stand and what you can do
British Library
bl.uk
The British Library's collection of over 150 million items covers every age and place of written civilisation, from unique historical documents to the latest information sources for business, industry and research
House of Commons Library Research Papers
parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rpintro.htm
Access to the text of Research Papers compiled for the benefit of British MPs by the staff of the House of Commons Library. Usually deal with topics of current parliamentary interest and aim to be politically impartial
London Business School
lbs.ac.uk
All sorts of business, finance and management education programmes offered
National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaus
nacab.org.uk
Details of your nearest CAB office, breakdowns of social policy issues and latest CAB news
2001 World Factbook
odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Produced by the CIA
UK Online
ukonline.gov.uk
The easy way to government information and services online
International
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
afscme.org
AFSCME has over 1.3 million members - mainly public service and health care workers. Members have built the most active and powerful union in the Labor movement, and for one single purpose: to make sure that each and every member of AFSCME gets a fair deal from the boss and from the politicians.
Arena's Irish Trade Union Network
iol.ie/arena/webpages/labour/
Useful links to trade union orgainisations in Ireland.
Australia's Community and Public Sector Union
cpsu.org/index.html
CPSU represents 250,000 telecommunications, broadcasting and public sector workers in Australia and is at the forefront in defending the public sector and the essential services it provides to the community.
Australian Congress Trade Unions
actu.asn.au/
The ACTU is the peak union council and national union centre representing 1,900,000 workers. The ACTU provides a strong voice for working peopleÊand their families in politics, the economy and the community.
The Australian Services Union
asuservices.labor.net.au
More than 100 000 Australians are members of the ASU. They are working men and women who have joined together in the ASU to win a better life at work. They do important work in the public, private and community sectors.
California Nurses Association
califnurses.org
The CNA promotes the professional and educational advancement of nurses, and promotes the welfare of nurses to the end that all people may have better health care services.
The Canadian Power Workers' Union
pwu.ca
Members work throughout Ontario and make up a large majority of the Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One, Electrical Safety Authority as well as the IMO. The union also represents workers at a number of municipal utilities throughout the province, as well as at a number of local cable and telephone companies and operators at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
cupw-sttp.org
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers represents 49,000 workers at Canada Post and 15 bargaining units in the postal, transportation and communications sectors.
Canadian Union of Public Employees Manitoba
cupe.mb.ca
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada's largest union. Public service employees formed CUPE to protect rights, to gain the wages and working conditions that are needed and deserved, and to achieve dignity in the workplace.
Fabian Global Forum
fabianglobalforum.net
The FGF is developing a progressive political response to globalisation. The site aims to help social democrats and their allies challenge the inequality and injustice which blight the potential for good in globalisation. The emphasis throughout is on developing new ideas and building consensus.
FIET
fiet.org
The global trade union federation for private services, the professions and industry, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and is one of the fastest growing of the International Trade Secretariats.
Funzione Pubblica CGIL
cgil.it/fp
The CGIL, Italy's largest union centre, with five million members, and its public sector union.
Global Workplace
globalworkplace.org
A trade union study tool for many of the issues that War on Want is concerned with. These topics include, globalisation, workers rights on cruise ships, ethical investment of pension funds and anti-child labour campaigns and how such issues relate to UK based trade unions.
Hard Miles Music
sunsite.unc.edu/hardmile
Music and union art from various campaigns, hosted by an activist in the US Unions of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile employees.
IMPACT
impact.ie
UNISON's sister union in the Republic of Ireland.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
iamaw.org
Over 730,000 IAM members in the United States and Canada have won higher wages and better benefits as IAM members.
The International Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers' Federation
icem.org
The International Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers' Federation united more than 400 representing 20 million workers in 115 countries, including those in electric power utilities or oil and gas companies - 75% of them state or municipality-owned.
International Congress of Free Trade Unions
icftu.org
The ICFTU was set up in 1949 and has 225 affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories on all five continents, with a membership of 157 million. It also maintains close links with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Global Union Federations.
Labor Council of New South Wales
labor.org.au
Well designed portal for Australian trade union issues and news.
LOMWU
capecod.net/mba/lomwu
The Licensed officers and Maritime Workers Union at Cape Cod is Massachussets.
National Union of Government and Federeated Workers
nugfw.org.tt/
With over 20,000 members, the NUGFW is the largest union in Trinidad and Tobago. Although largely based in the public sector, the Union has a substantial and growing private sector membership.
New Zealand Congress Trade Union
union.org.nz
The CTU is the national centre of trade unions in New Zealand. It has 33 affiliated unions representing over 250,000 workers.
The 1998 International Conference on Trade Unions, Homosexuality and Work
utopia.knoware.nl/users/modijk
The 1998 conference gathered people from all over the world, with a positive interest in the role trade unions (can) play in fighting for human rights and trade union rights for lesbians and gay men or people with same-sex relationships or love.
Nurse Active
www3.ns.sympatico.ca/nurse.active
A California based site for nurses dedicated to trade unionism, social justice and political action.
Ontario's Secondary Schools Teachers Federation
osstf.on.ca
For over 80 years, members of OSSTF have promoted and defended quality education in Ontario. With a membership of more than 50,000 caring individuals, that commitment is stronger than ever.
Overseas Nurses' Network
unison-scotland.org.uk/nhs/overseas/
Based in Glasgow, the ONN provides an opportunity to meet and get to know other nurses from overseas. It also provides information and support.
Palestinian General Delegation to the UK
palestinianuk.org/
Office of representation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to the Holy See.
Service Employees International UNION
seiu.org
the online home to 1.5 million union members, united to improve the lives of working families.
Sindicatos do Brazil
sindicato.com.br
United Nations Association
una-uk.org/
The UNA works for global peace and justice through the UN by seeking to ensure that the UN is central to the UK's foreign policy and campaigning in support of the UN particularly through its current priorities, which include conflict prevention, peacekeeping, sustainable development and human rights
US National Treasury Employees Union
nteu.org
Representing workers in the US Department of the Treasury as well as 11 other American federal agencies.
War on Want
waronwant.org
War on Want fights poverty in developing countries in partnership and solidarity with people across the world. It campaigns for workers' rights to counter the causes of poverty, inequality and injustice.
