Delivering the keynote speech at UNISON’s annual conference in Liverpool today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This time last year we were only weeks away from a general election. After 14 years of the Tories, the country was crying out for change.
“There’s been some significant changes, like the Employment Rights Bill, the biggest boost to workers’ rights in 70 years.
“It spells an end to zero-hours contracts, and fire and rehire. It paves the way for better maternity and carers’ leave, and the introduction of day one rights, including sick pay. Those rights will make a huge difference to workers everywhere.
“Crucially, the bill puts an end to some of the worst anti-union legislation introduced by the Tories. It will give unions greater freedom to organise, represent and negotiate for their members.
“The new negotiating body for school support staff for England and Wales and the fair pay agreement in adult social care, that could be a game-changer for the care sector.
“We’d like to go beyond the manifesto promises. To stop companies profiteering from essential services and bring privatised services back in-house.
“But we didn’t expect to see a Labour government attacking benefits for disabled people. It’s as if ministers don’t realise most personal independence payments go to people in work.
“And though the change of direction on the winter fuel allowance is welcome, the payment should never been axed in the first place.
“Ministers must also change their minds on the two-child benefit cap, and there are encouraging signs they might. There must be compensation for the Waspi women too.
“But just as we’re ramping up our campaign to protect migrant workers, the Labour government decides to steal the clothes of the right by limiting the number of migrants who can come to this country.
“All I can say to them is, good luck filling all those vacancies in hospitals and care homes without overseas workers.
“Instead of going after migrant workers, ministers should go after the rogue employers using sponsorship of visas to hold workers to ransom.
“I want a Labour government, and I’m glad we have one. But I want a government that works with us, not against us.
“Because of Labour’s missteps, we’re seeing people turning to Reform. A party led by posh private school boys with huge personal fortunes.
“They pretend they’re just ‘ordinary blokes’, but you don’t have to look far beneath the surface to see what’s really on their minds.
“One minute Nigel Farage talks about being the party for working people, then the day after wins in the May council elections, he threatens to sack local government workers.
“That’s the real Nigel Farage. The man whose party always votes against workers’ rights in Parliament, but wants union members to vote for him.
“The man who wants the NHS to be turned into a US-style insurance system. And who, like his role-model Donald Trump, is prepared to say and do anything to win elections.
“Fighting for equality and fairness lies at the heart of everything we do. We’re working with the government on implementing the ethnic and disability pay gap legislation – which is long overdue – and something the Tories constantly said ‘no’ to.
“We’re also continuing to work through the implications of the Supreme Court judgment on sex, gender and trans people’s rights. We’ll find a path through that supports our policies, values and members.
“The world has changed so much since this time last year. Trump turning his back on Europe, imposing costly tariffs and starting trade wars that threaten jobs.
“Escalating conflicts in Ukraine and Africa, and the situation is deteriorating daily in the Middle East. We’ve all looked on with horror at the continued systematic destruction of Gaza and Palestine.
“World leaders must stop insisting that only quiet diplomacy and carefully worded statements will bring an end to the atrocities.
“History will judge our government – and governments around the world – harshly for standing by and allowing the Israeli government to try to drive all Palestinians from their homeland.
“Israel must be forced to respect human rights. And the UK government must recognise the state of Palestine.
“Despite the disappointments, it’s important that the Labour government succeeds.
“I want them to build more social housing as Angie Rayner has promised, and to grow the economy to deliver better jobs and higher wages.
“Some say we’re too close to Labour, not critical enough of them. But our role as a union is to hold ministers to account, to make sure the government does what it said it’d do.
“I’m not here to tell ministers they’re doing a good job. I’m here to tell ministers to do their job better. Just as we did when they attacked benefits.
“Some say Labour changing its 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.
“It’s a sign they’re listening. But I want Labour to do more to show it values public services and the people who deliver them.
“They should pay for greater investment in essential services, not by taking money away from those least able to afford it but from those with the deepest pockets.
“If the government can change its mind on so many issues, it can change it on taxation.
“Ministers should tax wealth and unearned profits to raise the money needed to fix the country.
“UNISON is part of the movement for radical change. The union is the living legacy of generations who dared stand together to fight for the dignity and rights of working people.
“Our victories are not just for ourselves, but for our children, our communities and for all those who’ll come after us.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON’s annual conference is taking place throughout this week at the ACC Liverpool, until Friday (20 June). Further details can be found here. Issues being discussed include the employment rights Labour bill, apprenticeships, welfare reforms and migrant workers.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in the NHS, education, local government, the police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
The article Rebuild services by taxing the wealthy, not targeting the vulnerable first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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