Who are we?
We are one of the three recognised trade unions at LSE. LSE UNISON Branch is made up of volunteer Professional Service Staff who act as officers and stewards. We are here to take the voice of staff to management and to facilitate positive change which is of benefit to all.
What do we do?
*Negotiate better pay and conditions for grades 1–5
*Provide advice and representation to members
*Campaign for a fairer, more inclusive workplace through committee involvement
What are we currently working on?
Winter Closure Dates Petition
Over the summer we launched a petition to extend winter closure to include 22 Dec and 2 Jan—ensuring a meaningful, well-deserved break. A formal claim has now has been made, along with our sister unions, to the School. We are asking that the School responds by 17 October 2025. Below we share the rationale section of the claim.
We will keep the petition open while the School considers the claim so please Sign our petition today and circulate to other colleagues!
- Strong Staff Support: 712 staff (and counting) have signed this petition. Many expressed surprise that such a modest request required campaigning.
- Routine Already Established: Andrew Young warned that extending the Winter Closure could create a routine, citing COVID-related exceptions. However, the School has extended it four times in five years[i],—some unrelated to COVID—indicating a routine already exists.
- Supports Wellbeing and Recovery: Without an extension, staff face two fragmented weeks with only one working day each, and no full week off. A longer closure offers uninterrupted rest, aiding wellbeing and easing the return to work. It also helps international staff travel home and have longer period of time with family and friends.
- EDI considerations: With Schools closed on 22 December and 2 January, extending the closure period reduces the need for parents and carers to use annual leave or incur additional childcare costs. It also supports staff with eldercare responsibilities, allowing for meaningful time with loved ones during the winter break without impacting annual leave entitlement.
- Equity and Consistency Needed: Staff required to work on-campus are disproportionately affected. Some managers of desk-based staff informally allow time off or remote working. A formal extension would ensure fairness and consistency.
- Additional costs of travelling to campus: Requiring staff to commute for two isolated workdays imposes additional financial strain, particularly on lower-paid staff who often travel longer distance. These lower paid colleagues are more likely to have non-desk-based jobs. With salaries failing to keep up with inflation, any cost savings has a positive material impact on staff.
- Sustainability Concerns: Opening campus for one day each week during closure increases energy use unnecessarily, especially when many staff work remotely.
- Upcoming Challenges: With the 2026 Operational Excellence Programme ahead, staff deserve genuine rest and recovery.
[i] 1. 21 December 2020 and 4 January 2021; 2. 9 April 2021; 3. 22 December 2021 and 4. 5 April 2024
Trans Allyship Training- 6 November 2025 2pm-4.30pm
Along with our comrades at City St Georges UNISON, we are putting on an online Trans Allyship Training session. This is a members only event with a capped number of space. If you have joined us after 6 Octoober 2025 and want to attend the session, please email us at unison@lse.ac.uk
Carers Leave Policy
The School has agreed to our request for a Carers Leave Policy. We’re awaiting the draft version and are calling for a separate category of paid carers leave. Join UNISON to help shape it.
5 good reasons to join us!
1. Earn more and have better benefits: On average trade unions members earn more and have better sick leave and annal leave. *In 2024, we successfully negotiated a £1300 uplift to base pay.
2. Get more job security: We fight for secure jobs and protection against redundancies.*During COVID 19 we ensure staff that needed to be furloughed were supported through that process and maintained their jobs
3. Advance equality: Strong unions make workplaces more inclusive for disabled, Black, LGBT+ and women workers.*We successfully negotiated an increase to paid maternity, paternity and neonatal leave.
4. Stay safe: You are 50% less likely to have an accident in a unionised workplace.*During COVID-19, we reviewed all Health & Safety risk assessments to help keep staff safe.
5.Get advice and representation - Union members are never alone. *Our reps support members with workplace issues, from flexible working to potential discrimination, fighting for members to get the best possible outcome.
BONUS reasons to join:
*Support students! Our working conditions are their learning conditions. The better our work terms and conditions, the better placed we are to support our students.
*Learn new skills: Members have access to a range of learning and training opportunities that can help develop you career and personal growth. Check out UNISON College to see the kinds of opportunities on offer.
How to join us?
It’s quick and easy to join online. If you need a different way to join, please email us using the contact below.
Membership rates are based on a sliding scale according to what you earn. We know budgets are tight—but the benefits make it worth it. Information on membership rates can be found here.
Note on "4 week rule": Please note that if you have a pre-existing issue when joining UNISON, or your issue has arisen within the first 4 weeks of your membership we can only provide brief advice. Don't wait for a problem to arise at work- JOIN today.
How to contact us?
Email unison@lse.ac.uk for member support and general queries.
We believe that united, we can bring about positive change at LSE. Join Us!
UNISON@LSE
08 October 2025