UNISON represents over a million public service workers. Together, our collective voting power can transform our local communities. And your vote is vital for defending your rights at work, your terms and conditions and your local public services.
I know that UNISON members will make up their own minds about who to vote for. But as the general secretary of our union, I have a duty to warn you of the damage that Reform will cause if they gain seats in the Senedd, Scottish Parliament and in England’s councils next week. Voting for them would be catastrophic – for you, your families, your communities.
Announcements from Reform over recent months have made it very clear what direction they will take the country in. Public sector pensions will be downgraded. The new Employment Rights Act will be scrapped, which will see the return of exploitative practices like zero hours contracts and fire and rehire, and an end to the gains made in sick pay provision, among many other rights. And a new age of austerity will be unleashed to pay for tax cuts for the party’s billionaire backers.
You only have to look at what happens when Reform win elections locally to see that wherever Reform gains more power, life becomes more difficult for public sector workers.
Last May, workers in the 10 councils where Reform won a majority joined UNISON in droves. This was because they were shocked by the instant destruction they saw: flooding committees scrapped, Pride flags banished, and hard-won equality policies scaled back to their bare bones.
Reform-run councils have also increased council tax, closed care homes and placed thousands of public sector jobs on the chopping block.
It’s no surprise that this party funded by millionaires is prioritising the interests of businesses above workers. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has already found that Reform’s tax plans would give the poorest households a measly £17 extra a year and the richest a whopping £2,700.
Read the report ‘A threat to public service workers’
Within the space of one year, one in 10 Reform councillors have been forced to quit their roles for their behaviour – these include individuals exposed for racism, taking corrupt money from Russia, criminal behaviour and violence against women. Is this who you want running our communities?
The time to fight is now
As a trade union with 1.3 million members, we have the power and coordination to fight Reform. Voting is important but so is informing others about what their vote really means.
From having open conversations about the reality of Reform with colleagues, family and friends, to volunteering to help with one of our allies, like Hope not hate, there’s plenty to do.
To get further involved, join UNISON’s responding to Reform network. The time is now.
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