What has UoB Unison ever done for me?

A screenshot from the BBC's recent ad 'what has the BBC ever done for me', where the broadcaster encourages the viewer to pay their TV license. The scene is comedian Romesh Ranganathan talking to the camera in a pub, surrounded by other regular BBC faces like presenter Sue Perkins and radio 1 host Greg James. We have parodied the advert - the subtitles here instead say 'What has UOB unison ever done for me?'

The BBC recently challenged viewers to question ‘What has the BBC ever done for me?’.

Now Romesh Ranganathan wants to know what UoB Unison has ever done for him too.

We know it can be disheartening that our strikes earlier this year in February, March and April didn’t have a direct impact on our pay, but we’re still firm believers in strike action and playing an active part in a union.

So, here’s a list of incredible wins that our branch has achieved to inspire you to keep on fighting.

🏖️ equal annual leave for all staff

Before our strike action in 2023, staff were granted 23 days annual leave, which increased to 25 days after 5 years of service.

Following our strike action, all staff are now fairly given 25 days, regardless of length of service.

🤝Better bargaining power with senior management

Following our 2023 strikes, our branch committee now meet annually with university senior management to specifically discuss pay and reward for Unison members.

Meetings with senior management happen throughout the year, but this is a huge win for being able to really highlight member pay concerns.

💸Positive restructure outcomes

Although our 2026 strikes were related to pay and not the recent ESS restructure, the strength of our branch – demonstrated by our commitment to strike action and our increasing membership – really helped us in the negotiations.

The amazing density and engagement of membership in ESS forced the University to take the impact of potential strike action over this restructure seriously. In turn this awarded us:

  • Enhanced voluntary redundancy for all colleagues at risk, both before and after any selection process. 
  • Pay protection for 24 months for colleagues taking a job one grade lower than their current position. 
  • Consideration of the use of voluntary severance to free up additional vacancies at the same or a lower grade IF the uptake for voluntary redundancy and the number of available vacancies are insufficient to meet the objective of avoiding compulsory redundancies. 
  • Opening the redeployment pool at an earlier stage for all staff at risk of redundancy. 

Read more here: April 2026 newsletter: ESS restructure negotiations, industrial action updates, and more! – University of Bristol UNISON

🫂 individual support

Our stewards – trained branch member volunteers – help colleagues across the University with individual workplace issues like grievances and disciplinaries.

They guide members through difficult HR processes and are present during meetings for administrative and emotional support.

These small wins are happening all the time: colleagues are supported to overcome bullying, get flexible working arrangements, reasonable adjustments, and much more.

Read more and request support here: Get Support – University of Bristol UNISON

Feeling inspired?

➡️ Join the Action Group on Teams to discuss and plan union activities.

We want to highlight again that it is only due to the strength of our membership and our commitment to action that these wins were possible.

Please continue to encourage your colleagues to join Unison so we can be in a better position to get wins in your workplace too!