Latest news with #Unison
Calgary Herald
22 minutes ago
- Health
- Calgary Herald
'Nothing threatening about it': U of C study explores how robots could address social isolation in seniors
Article content Loneliness and social isolation are growing challenges for older adults living in care facilities. But a recent study by a University of Calgary student suggests that robots might be able to fill the gaps where existing programs fall short. Article content Fahimeh Mehrabi, a PhD student in psychology at the U of C, presented a research paper earlier this month at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto, titled Wired for Companionship: A Meta-Analysis on Social Robots Filling the Void of Loneliness in Later Life. Article content Article content Article content Article content Her research compiled available quantitative studies that measured loneliness before and after using robots. When she combined and reanalyzed the data, the results were promising. Article content 'Our findings showed that all types of social robots, whether simple or more advanced, can help. As long as they are designed to engage and interact, they are effective,' she said. Article content The idea isn't as far-fetched as it sounds — social robots have been tested in elder care for more than a decade in countries such as Japan and Turkey. Article content Article content Models range from human or pet-like robots that offer comfort through touch and movement, to voice-activated AI companions that can engage in conversations. Often, they offer some combination of both. Article content Unison, the not-for-profit organization that runs the Kerby Centre in Calgary, is all too familiar with the prevalence of social loneliness and isolation among its clients. Article content 'There was a recent study that found prolonged isolation was as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,' said Larry Mathieson, president and CEO of Unison. Article content Unison is tackling senior isolation and loneliness through a wide range of traditional programs at the Kerby and Veiner Centres. These include hundreds of fitness, music and social classes available in person or online. Article content During the COVID-19 pandemic, Unison's online classes helped seniors learn new tech skills and stay socially active. Online classes under its Active Aging department stayed in place post-pandemic due to their accessibility and positive effects.
Sky News
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Union memberships surge in Reform-controlled councils
The UK's largest trade union saw its membership jump by 200% in the 10 local authorities won by Reform at last month's local elections. Unison figures show its membership increased by an average of 272% in the week after the results were announced, which saw Reform take control of 10 councils and pick up more than 600 councillors. The data, shared with Sky News, shows an average of 64 people joined the union in the week beginning 5 May, following the poll in England on 1 May - compared with an average of 28 for the previous week and 21 for 2025 as a whole. In a speech celebrating his party's gains, Mr Farage warned workers at councils now controlled by Reform - including Durham, Kent, Doncaster and Staffordshire - to seek "alternative careers" if they worked on diversity or climate change initiatives. Mr Farage has sought to bring the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency - nicknamed DOGE - to the UK in a bid to slash the costs of the state. He has singled out council spending and environmental policies for particular criticism. Spike in union membership After taking control of Durham council, Mr Farage said: "I would advise anybody who's working for Durham county council on climate change initiatives or diversity, equity and inclusion or … things that you go on working from home, I think you all better really be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly." Critics have pointed out that councils often do not have staff who work exclusively on either diversity or climate change, that attempting to fire people from local government roles tends to be time-consuming and costly for councils - and say his comments are simply political posturing. Shortly after Mr Farage's threat, Christina McAnea, Unison's general secretary urged workers at Reform controlled-councils to join her union. Ms McAnea told Sky News: "Membership has surged in areas where Reform did well in the local elections. 4:47 "Unions exist to ensure no one can play fast and loose with the law. Any staff working for councils now controlled by Reform, and who aren't already a UNISON member, should sign up so they can be protected too. "A party that has voted consistently against modest measures to improve working conditions and threatened to sack council workers at the earliest opportunity is not one working people are likely to trust." She added: "Reform has been keen to shout about its tax and benefits giveaways, but there's precious little on which cherished public services will be sacrificed to pay for them." Ms McAnea's plea to council workers comes amid a wider fightback within the trade union members against Mr Farage. Ahead of last month's local elections, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband accused Mr Farage of peddling "nonsense and lies" about net zero and that his agenda would not only risk "climate breakdown" but also "forfeit the clean energy jobs of the future" in Britain.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Government urged to do more to show it values public services
A senior union leader has urged the Government to do more to show it values public services and the workers who deliver them. Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, told her union's annual conference in Liverpool that if the Government could change its mind on so many issues, it could change it on taxation. 'Tax wealth and profits, and raise the money needed to fix our country. That's the message I'll continue to take to Government,' she told delegates. 'I want Labour to do more to show it values our public services, and the people – our members – who deliver them. 'How do I think they should pay for this? 'Not by taking money away from those least able to afford it, but by taking it from those with the deepest pockets.' Ms McAnea said Unison's job was to hold Labour to account, to tell the party to do its job better. She added: 'Just as we did when they attacked benefits – we were one of the first unions to come out against the cut to the winter fuel allowance. 'They've changed their stance, we've not. 'Some commentators say Labour changing their policies is a sign of weakness. 'I disagree – I think it's a sign of maturity, and of growing into the role of Government after 14 years out in the cold – and it's a sign they're listening to us.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Government urged to do more to show it values public services
A senior union leader has urged the Government to do more to show it values public services and the workers who deliver them. Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, told her union's annual conference in Liverpool that if the Government could change its mind on so many issues, it could change it on taxation. 'Tax wealth and profits, and raise the money needed to fix our country. That's the message I'll continue to take to Government,' she told delegates. 'I want Labour to do more to show it values our public services, and the people – our members – who deliver them. 'How do I think they should pay for this? 'Not by taking money away from those least able to afford it, but by taking it from those with the deepest pockets.' Ms McAnea said Unison's job was to hold Labour to account, to tell the party to do its job better. She added: 'Just as we did when they attacked benefits – we were one of the first unions to come out against the cut to the winter fuel allowance. 'They've changed their stance, we've not. 'Some commentators say Labour changing their policies is a sign of weakness. 'I disagree – I think it's a sign of maturity, and of growing into the role of Government after 14 years out in the cold – and it's a sign they're listening to us.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The reasons why ‘burned out' 999 call handlers are leaving NHS
New research has revealed that NHS 999 staff are resigning and experiencing burnout as a result of the "relentless pressure" of calls. According to figures obtained by Unison from ambulance services, there are high turnover rates among call handlers. Staff members attribute this to a lack of support and the constant stream of distressing calls, which frequently forces them to take sick leave. The report, which was released today at the union 's annual conference in Liverpool, revealed the toll on the workforce, with over a quarter of NHS ambulance control room staff leaving their jobs in the last three years. According to the research, call handler illness resulted in more than half a million days lost in the three years beginning in April 2021. The figure for 2023/24 alone was 166,940, which equates to more than a month of sick leave for each 999 call handler. The union claims that high staff turnover and increased sick leave are hurting patients. It often means people are having to wait longer for 999 staff to answer calls or for their emergency to be properly assessed and dealt with. Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: 'These findings paint a bleak picture of the conditions faced by 999 control room staff. 'TV programmes about ambulance services don't show things as they really are. Call handlers are under immense pressure, making split-second decisions that directly affect lives. 'They handle relentless calls, often from people in distress, while dealing with complex emergencies and with limited resources. 'Despite their crucial role, 999 call handlers frequently face emotional strain and operate in an environment where support is sometimes lacking. The job is rewarding, but the challenges behind the scenes are far greater than most people realise. 'It's bad for morale and for patients when so many staff quit or are burnt out. Callers who dial 999 need to know the person picking up the phone is ready to deal with their crisis. 'Ambulance employers must do more to protect the health and wellbeing of staff who provide such high stakes support. 'This would help create a more stable emergency service that can retain the skills and experience of emergency call handlers, and persuade people to stay in the job for longer.' The data was from 11 ambulance trusts.
