We are voting on strike action over low pay!
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Lambeth Council halts closure of day centre on Central Hill! Big win for the campaign
Today UNISON was informed that the new Green Administration in Lambeth – led by Martin Abrhams – took an excellent step to pause the closure of the Central Hill Day Centre.
The Council’s new position is “This announcement includes a pause to all closure activity and any voluntary or compulsory redundancy processes while the Council undertakes a detailed review of the proposal and alternative options.”
Furthermore the Council has agreed ot start referrals to the day centre, a major source of contention during the dispute as referrals had been paused for over 18 months which led to the centre being ‘under utilised’ which was one of the main reasons for closing the centre.
The announcement was made on the Love Lambeth website.
Staff took 4 days of strike action, and were in the middle of a week of strike action when the announcement was made. Joint Branch Secretary Simon Hannah said; “This is a real win for UNISON members fighting for proper public services. I’m so proud of everyone that took action and fought for what is right. Public services don’t have to be destroyed in the name of austerity.“
UNISON’s formal statement is below
UNISON strike action Forces pause on dementia day care closure
UNISON members have secured a victory in the fight to save a vital dementia care service in Lambeth after industrial action forced the council to pause plans to close the adult day care centre on the central hill estate.
The centre, run by Lambeth Council, provides essential support for residents living with dementia and their families. With around 2,000 people currently living with dementia in the borough, a figure expected to rise as the population ages, the proposed closure raised serious concerns about the future of local care provision.
The council’s plans would have resulted in the loss of 10 jobs. Throughout consultations, UNISON repeatedly called on the employer to explore alternative options to protect both the service and staff. However, members felt that these concerns were not being adequately addressed.
UNISON members organised a protest outside Lambeth town hall, sending a clear message that the loss of jobs and vital community services was unacceptable. Members then voted in favour of industrial action and took four days of strike action in support of their campaign.
The action has now delivered a breakthrough. Following the strike, the employer has agreed to pause the closure process and undertake a review of the decision. UNISON will be involved in that review, ensuring that the voices of the members are heard.
As a result of this progress, the remainder of this week’s planned industrial action has been suspended.
UNISON welcomes the pause and the commitment to review the decision.
Day centre staff in Lambeth to take strike action to save local services
Faced with the proposed closure of the specialist dementia Day Centre on Central Hill Estate, UNISON members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.
Lambeth Council has proposed the closure of the day centre and the elimination of 10 posts in the service. They want to move the remaining service to a room in the Aspire building which is inadequate for helping people with dementia who often have complex needs. The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, but more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Simon Hannah, joint branch secretary of Lambeth UNISON was clear “Lambeth Council have run down this service to save money which is a crying shame for the people of Lambeth. It is the only dedicated day centre for people with dementia where their carers can also get some respite from 24/7 care. Staff are dedicated to helping local residents and want to save jobs and ensure a quality service. Management needs to come to the table with realistic alternatives that ensure the local service is sustainable.
The decision to close the specialist day centre and offer a much more reduced service is driven by savings of only £350,000 and the results of a ‘pilot scheme’ that saw most people referred to other services, effectively running down the service on Central Hill Estate. This has meant some people with dementia and their carers not getting the level of care that they would have otherwise received.”
The vote was 100% for strike action on a 90% turn out. This means staff will be on picket lines at the Council’s only dementia facility.
The first date of strike action is 14th May.
Lambeth – death by a thousand cuts
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE CUTS TO LOCAL SERVICES
Wednesday 4th March 2026 – 6pm Outside Lambeth Town Hall
Lambeth Council is facing a budget crisis. A large part of it is to do with decades of underfunding and cuts from the Conservative run government. Some of it is self inflicted like the disastrous fall out from Homes For Lambeth.
As a result the Council is slashing millions from its budget. It faces a “cliff edge”, either this year or next. It means even more job cuts on an already overworked and stretched workforce.
But for the people of Lambeth it means further reductions in services
- The closure of Central Hill day centre one of the few services in the borough for people with dementia
- Libraries and leisure centres on skeleton staffing levels.
- A consultation on possible closure nurseries at Maytree, Effra and Triangle.
- £700k from the parks budget with potentially sweeping job losses
The list is growing.
This is on top of the continuing housing crisis in the borough with huge waiting lists, thousands of people in contemporary accommodation and still reeling from penalties levelled by the Housing Ombudsman for failing tenants.
UNISON and community groups have called a protest on 4th March outside the Town Hall in Brixton as this is the date for full Council to agree the budget.
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE CUTS TO LOCAL SERVICES
Wednesday 4th March 2026
6pm Outside Lambeth Town Hall
Continue readingLambeth Housing: overworked and stressed
A recent survey of UNISON members at Lambeth Council who work in Housing has shown the scale of the problem of local government struggling under a decade of austerity, poor political decisions and a culture of overwork as staff struggling to deal with significant problems in the borough.
UNISON Housing Survey into workload and stress
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Survey of UNISON members in Housing December 2025 – January 2026
109 responded to this survey
Join the march against the far right! 28th March London
The voices of division in our country are growing louder. Those who preach division are becoming more confident.
For the first time we face a far-right party topping the polls, and far right protests on our streets mobilising the biggest numbers they ever have.
Their false promises seize on the very real economic problems people face, in order to scapegoat migrants, Muslims, and refugees.
But we can change things together. The voices of unity can grow stronger. We can show that strength lies in solidarity. That the change we need comes from us working together for hope not despair, for unity not racism.
This is why the Together Alliance has been formed.
Together we can reject narratives of division and racism.
Together we can build solidarity across communities.
Together we can unite against the far right.
Our alliance of over 80+ organisations and hundreds of individuals is coming together to say enough is enough.
We are mobilising and organising across the country to bring a message of hope over fear, prior to holding a major demonstration in London on 28 March 2026.
Lambeth UNISON will be joining the protest on 28th March and there are plans for a meeting point in south London and a feeder march. If you want to help us get the word out then please contact lambethunisonunion@gmail.com
General Secretary Election 2025: who your branch is backing!
The general secretary is the most senior role in the union. They represent UNISON when talking to the media, other unions, employers and to Parliament. UNISON has to elect its general secretary every five years.
As the largest trade union in the UK, who runs UNISON matters. It matters in the country at large, and it matters in your workplace.
UNISON’s elected General Secretary runs our union, manages its 1,200 staff and ultimately determines the kind of union we are and can become. The General Secretary and their abilities and qualities is the single biggest factor in whether or not UNISON succeeds and wins for you at work and on pay.
There are two candidates in the 2025 election:
- Andrea Egan
- Christina McAnea
Following a branch committee meeting, discussion and a vote, your branch has decided to nominate Andrea Egan for General Secretary.
Our Branch is backing Andrea Egan for General Secretary because Andrea:
- Has a clear plan for successful action on Pay, ending the stagnation of the last fifteen years.
- Will take the wage of a social worker, not the £181,000 package our current General Secretary receives. Andrea’s pay will go up when yours does.
- Opposes UNISON’s subservience to Starmer’s Labour. UNISON members will come first, not the Labour Party.
- Will free up and resource branches so we can better support you, giving you access to legal advice when needed.
- Has successfully led campaigns to defend Schools and Council terms and conditions.
How the election works
Voting will be over a 4-week period from Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 25 November. Ballots will be mailed out by the Post Office from Tuesday 28 October so are likely to arrive any time from a few days to a couple of weeks after this date.
1.5 million UNISON members – our in-work members plus our Retired members – get a vote in this election, so it is a big exercise, and ballot mailouts are staggered. By law, we cannot allow members to vote electronically, so lookout for your ballot paper which will be posted to your home address.
Inside will be a smaller addressed envelope, with the postage already paid. Vote by placing an X in the box beside your preferred candidate’s name, put the ballot in the envelope and put it in the post box. Simple!
Members are strongly encouraged to use their vote in this important election that comes only once every five years. Make your choice and have your voice heard!
Lambeth libraries strike update
UNISON members in Lambeth Libraries voted to take strike action due to start this week.
During negotiations we made excellent progress so the UNISON strike in Lambeth Libraries has been suspended as management have conceded on all of UNISONs “red lines”.
The strike mandate remains live, and UNISON will not officially close the dispute until all agreements are in place.
UNISON launched a trade dispute following the announcement of a restructure in the service, at all members meetings the following red lines were agreed:
- Upgrading lowest graded posts
- No Compulsory Redundancies
- Safe and adequate staffing levels across all Registrars, Libraries and Archives
- No reduction in working conditions for any staff
During consultation the Council agreed the upgrading of the General Assistants (Porters) and Library Assistants. A timetable has been set for review of pay for the next lowest paid staff in December 2025.
Posts have been reinstated into the structure to avoid redundancy and improve staffing levels. Management have given a commitment to fill vacancies from next week to improve chronic understaffing in the area. There are three staff awaiting interviews for matched posts on Friday and UNISON have committed to call new strike dates if any member of staff is potentially redundant following these.
The Council has maintained terms and conditions, including a last-minute agreement that no staff will be forced to change timetables, that any changes to working patterns can only be implemented with the agreement of the individual staff members.
It is unusual to see union victories against local government cuts, but it is also unusual to see live strike ballots against cuts in local government. The Lambeth Libraries dispute should motivate other groups of workers to fight back collectively against local government austerity.
UNISON Branch Secretary Simon Hannah said:
“We know this has only been possible because staff were determined to stick together and take collective action to protect their jobs and their workmates. Thank you to everyone who did work on reaching the ballot thresholds and preparing pickets. In addition, we have had fantastic support from the local community, with campaigners and Friends of Libraries groups out in the community and at Council meetings.”
Emergency motions – Support workers standing for Trans Rights
Emergency motions Lambeth UNISON submitted to UNISON National Delegate Conference 2025
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Lambeth Tenants Heat Campaign
Lambeth UNISON Branch committee met in April and agreed to back the Lambeth Tenants Heat Campaign
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Lambeth UNISON 