Addressing delegates attending UNISON’s annual health conference in Liverpool today (Tuesday), general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“We’ve finally seen the back of the Tories. After 14 years of cuts, chaos, damage and division.
“Labour is making a difference. A Conservative government wouldn’t opt to nationalise rail companies, nor impose VAT on private schools.
“The most significant change is the Employment Rights Bill, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost employees’ status and security in workplaces right across the country.
“This will clamp down on zero-hours contracts, the fire-and-rehire culture, and bring sick pay for millions who don’t get it now.
“It will also deliver a fair pay agreement for care workers, ditch the worst Tory anti-strike laws and introduce electronic balloting.
“The government could of course go further and faster, for example, introducing the planned national care service sooner.
“But some of its decisions have left me baffled and speechless – stopping winter fuel payments, not giving WASPI women the justice they deserve and heartless cuts to welfare.
“Tory failures have left the government little financial wriggle room. But going after disabled people and vulnerable families is not the way to get people working nor the economy growing.
“These cuts will place yet more strain on an NHS already creaking at the seams. They’re counter-productive, will cost more in the long run and are morally wrong.
“The best way to turn the NHS around is by focusing on the workforce. There’s simply no route to fixing the NHS that doesn’t first involve sorting health workers’ pay.
“The idea that 2.8% will do is ludicrous, even more so if ministers expect it must also cover the cost of modernising the Agenda for Change NHS pay scales.
“Ministers said last year 2.8% was all the government could afford. But that won’t encourage experienced staff to stay in the NHS, nor will it be enough to persuade new recruits to join. And this year’s pay award is already a week overdue.
“UNISON will soon be asking NHS workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland how far they’d be prepared to go over this year’s pay rise, when it finally comes.
“Staff need a decent pay rise on time. Ministers must show they’re different from what’s gone before and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Health workers expect better from Labour.
“Ministers could take a leaf out of the Scottish government’s book. An above-inflation, two-year pay offer has been put to health unions. This includes a guarantee that NHS staff in Scotland would get 1% more than inflation should that go up.
“Direct talks have delivered this offer. Something a painfully slow pay review body process hasn’t been able to do.
“NHS England has called on trusts to offload their support services to subsidiary companies. That old chestnut. Like vampires, some bad ideas refuse to die.
“Several years ago, UNISON had to step in when trusts wanted to set up these arms-length companies to exploit a tax dodge, threaten terms and conditions, and create two-tier workforces.
“It was the wrong approach then, it’s the wrong approach now. The government has promised the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation. And measures in the employment rights bill are meant to put an end to the two-tier workforce.
“But urging trusts to outsource their porters, cleaners, security guards and catering staff to arms-length companies flies in the face of all this.
“UNISON’s pay fair for patient care campaign continues to achieve huge successes.
“So far, it’s won an amazing £154m pounds in back pay, putting money directly into the pockets of as many as 40,000 healthcare assistants and other NHS workers who find themselves on the wrong salary grade.
“The Tories may have gone, but it doesn’t mean all the challenges have gone with them. UNISON has to keep doing what it does best.
“Speaking out in defence of services, fighting outsourcing wherever it rears its ugly head and constantly making the case for the NHS. When we work together, we’re more than a match for anyone.”
Notes to editors:
– Christina McAnea was speaking at UNISON’s annual health conference which began yesterday (Monday 7) and continues until tomorrow, Wednesday 9 April at the ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock Street L3 4FP. Health workers from across the UK are attending to debate a variety of motions including NHS pay, a greener NHS, bank staff, support for migrant workers, mental health, sexual safety, problems with NHS salary scales, and safe staffing.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Health workers expect better from Labour first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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