“The election delivered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild our country. With Labour back in Westminster, there’s a golden opportunity to improve the lives of working people across the UK.
“Admittedly, Labour’s got off to a bumpy start to put it mildly. Although the mess it inherited was much worse than expected, some of the choices made do feel like own goals.
“But it’s not all doom and gloom. When the Employment Rights Bill becomes law, it will have a positive impact on workers everywhere, especially women.
“It will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, put a stop to unfettered firing and rehiring and introduce employment rights from day one, including better maternity leave and benefits, parental and carer’s leave.
“This year it’s 50 years since a Labour government introduced the Equal Pay Act. While that made a huge difference, there’s still a pay gap between men and women.
“This is because society doesn’t value the work women do. People can earn more looking after animals in a zoo or plants in a garden than they do for looking after children in a nursery or parents in a care home.
“But things are already moving in the right direction. Although there have also been disappointments like the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance, and the announcement that the Waspi women aren’t to be compensated for their pension losses.
“UNISON has never supported the tight fiscal rules Labour set for itself. ‘Tying its own hands’ by limiting its ability to spend freely never seemed like a good idea.
“Ordinary working people can’t afford to pay more tax, but there are plenty who can. Labour should have the courage to introduce a wealth tax. A tax that would increase investment in public services while reducing inequality.
“After 14 years of growing inequality, people have had enough – they’re impatient for change. But the danger is unless Labour can turn things round quickly, some voters will turn to Reform.
“A party led by right-wing anti-tax, anti-public service – privately educated, entitled men. Led by a man who sucks up to Trump and Musk – a man who wants to privatise the NHS.
“That’s why – despite the disappointments – we need to keep the pressure up on Labour to improve the lives of working people.
“I don’t want this Labour government to be a flash in the pan, a five-year blip. Working people need a Labour government with the courage to take bold decisions and re-elected for a second term.
“I’d like to end on a personal note. It’s been a tough year for me personally.
“You may know that my husband Robert died last November. I want to thank all of you who sent me messages of support and condolence – they were, and are, a great comfort.
“But some of you may have seen that one of the factions in UNISON, and their candidate, decided to launch a general secretary election campaign. This was in the week of my husband’s funeral. I’m not sure what words I would use to describe how it made me feel.
“I was deeply shocked. But then I thought, this kind of behaviour isn’t in keeping with the values of our union. And I remembered again all those lovely messages of support and condolence I’d received.
“Talk of a leadership campaign has caused some confusion. I thought I would clarify – there is no vacancy. I’ve still got a year to go in this term of office – my first term of office. There is no campaign at the moment. I hadn’t left the union last December – I was on bereavement leave as they well knew.
“I’m still your general secretary and I’m still here fighting and campaigning as hard as ever for you, and for our union.
Notes to editors:
– 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:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
The article General secretary’s speech to Edinburgh women’s conference first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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