Raising pay is crucial step in ending social care crisis
Commenting on a Policy Exchange report that argues against plans to raise care worker pay, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday): “Social care is an essential public service....
View ArticleUNISON opinion: Your vote matters
By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea It’s the final countdown to the close of UNISON’s important service group executive elections. It’s because UNISON members are at the heart of all our work,...
View ArticleGovernment failure to fix NHS buildings puts patients and staff at risk
Commenting on an NHS Providers report that shows delays to the government’s new hospitals programme are harming patients, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “Government cuts have left NHS premises...
View ArticleInvestment not wishful thinking is key to fixing the NHS
Commenting on government plans intended to improve patient choice, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said today (Wednesday): “Small-scale pilot schemes and wishful thinking are no solution to the huge...
View ArticleCouncil and school staff pay offer falls short
Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) by local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of a pay offer of at least £1,290 for council and school staff, UNISON head of local...
View ArticleCouncils need proper funding not further efficiency savings
Commenting on a letter to counclis today (Thursday) from local government minister Simon Hoare calling for greater productivity, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said: “The best way for...
View ArticleUNISON opinion: Supporting our LGBT+ members is crucial
By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea Today is the international day against homophobia, bi+phobia (IDAHOBIT) and transphobia. It’s always been an important date for UNISON since its creation...
View ArticleOpinion: The water industry is a national scandal
By UNISON’s head of environment, Donna Rowe-Merriman The current ownership and operating model for the water industry in England is in the news almost every day – and almost always for the wrong...
View ArticleSkills boot camps for the unemployed a desperate attempt to distract from...
Commenting on a speech today (Tuesday) by work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, in which he announced a ministerial taskforce to tackle recruitment in hard-to-fill sectors like social care, UNISON...
View ArticleElection can’t come soon enough, says UNISON
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s decision to call a general election on 4 July, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Election day can’t come soon enough. Working people and their families...
View ArticleUNISON raises concerns over UK energy security
UNISON has raised concerns with energy company National Grid over its announcement to sell the Grain Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, located in Kent. National Grid is a private energy company...
View ArticleStatement in solidarity with student protests for Gaza
UNISON sends its solidarity to all those who are peacefully protesting on university campuses here in the UK and around the world, in support of a ceasefire in Gaza and justice and rights for the...
View ArticleWorkers in councils and schools should reject low pay offer, says UNISON
Council and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are worth far more than the “disappointing” pay increase they’ve been offered by employers, says UNISON today (Thursday). The union is to...
View ArticleNEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’
In her report to UNISON’s national executive council meeting today, general secretary Christina McAnea thanked those who helped campaigning for the local elections earlier in May. And speaking less...
View ArticleFairer work will be good news for millions, says UNISON
Commenting on the Labour Party’s plan to make work pay, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Saturday): “There will be a clear choice in July. A vote for a party that understands the...
View ArticleBeleaguered public services need investment not an army of reluctant teen...
Commenting on Conservative proposals that would see 18-year-olds either join the military or do ‘volunteer’ work for a year, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Sunday): “This is a...
View ArticleOpinion: ‘The past is gloomy, but the future doesn’t have to be’
By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea It’s hard to believe that, less than a week ago, a rain-soaked prime minister rolled the dice in front of the nation. It’s been a hapless campaign start for...
View ArticleDiane Abbott is an inspiration to many people
Commenting on the speculation surrounding Diane Abbott, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Thursday): “When Diane Abbott was elected in 1987, she blazed a trail for Black women in...
View ArticleCutting staff is a false economy and won’t help the NHS meet its targets
Commenting on a survey by NHS Confederation published today (Friday) suggesting many health leaders are considering staff cuts to balance their books, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “Tackling...
View ArticleTory attacks on employment rights show how little they understand what...
Commenting on Tory attacks on Labour’s proposed new deal for workers, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This is scaremongering at its very worst. “These figures bear absolutely no...
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