Positive membership figures and significant successes across the union provided some welcome light in the darkness cast by the continued unrest caused by the rise of the far fight and the threat of Reform UK at this week’s national executive council (NEC) meeting.
At their penultimate get together this year, members heard that the union was in net growth of just under 20,000. “This is a great achievement, and we are moving in the right direction,” said general secretary Christina McAnea. “It’s a great tribute to branches and regions that we are bucking the trend and a testament to everything the union does that people still want to join us.”
The meeting also heard that the Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign had just passed the milestone of helping to win £200m for members and how such successes are helping drive recruitment.
Reflecting on the conference season that had just finished, Christina highlighted the government’s announcement, on the eve of the Labour Party conference, that it was pausing proposals to move NHS staff into separate companies, known as subcos. From now on any future transfer of NHS workers will be approved only where there is clear union support, and protection of NHS terms and conditions.
“NHS England specifically highlighted UNISON’s role in raising concerns about moving staff into separate companies,” said the general secretary. “We said we would fight them all the way. But the proposals are being paused and we will be keeping an eye on them.”
UNSION president Catherine McKenna also reflected on a long-running NHS dispute after visiting the striking phlebotomists in the south west: “I had the pleasure in meeting the incredible phlebotomists who have sustainedover 200 days of industrial action in their fight for re-banding and back pay. Their courage and determination is truly inspiring.”
Palestine
The general secretary also highlighted UNISON’s role in introducing an emergency motion on Gaza at the Labour Party conference and keeping the genocide at the centre of the week’s debates.
Even after welcoming the ceasefire and return of hostages from earlier in the week, Christina reassured the NEC that UNISON’s work on Palestine would continue as aid, an end to the suffering and rebuilding Gaza took centre stage. “There is a huge rebuilding job needed there,” she said. “We are one of the key unions working with Palestinian unions and in we are in regular contact with the UK ambassador and the recognition of the state of Palestine is hugely important.”
Catherine McKenna also reflected on the ceasefire in Gaza and highlighted her Presidential charity this year. Women in Hebron is a fair-trade cooperative that empowers women in the Hebron district by providing resources to support them through the production and sale of Palestinian handicrafts.
UNISON winning
More wins were shared at the meeting including the progress on a fair pay agreement in social care – although slow, Christina said it was the first time any government had made a proper commitment to fair pay in social care. “This is the start, not the end of the process,” she warned.
The general secretary also congratulated the regional team, branches, members and the UNISON legal team after an equal pay agreement was signed with Birmingham City Council earlier in the week. “A great outcome and great result and we will be looking at the result as we continue to focus on wins for our members and put money in their pockets,” said Christina.
Rise of the far right
Less positive discussions were held about the rise of the far right together with the marches and disturbances over the summer and the current success of Reform UK in the polls.
Acknowledging the unease of many members, particularly migrant members, over the rise of the far fight and various marches and demonstrations, the meeting urged the union to work with employers on how they could better support their workforce. It also welcomed the publication of a new guide to supporting migrant workers.
The general secretary assured the meeting that the union was taking the threat from Reform very seriously: “The threat from Reform at local council elections next year is very real. There is a lot of work going on about the potential threats.
“The union is having regular meetings with the branches where Reform is in charge of the council and working to improve membership and activist numbers. We have to build our capacity to fight them on every front, now.”
The article NEC celebrates membership growth and major wins first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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