Anthony Barnes

Kingston

Deputy Head of Media at UNISON

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Articles

Government assurances on NHS are welcome, says UNISON

2 weeks ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting on the keynote speech given by health secretary Wes Streeting to UNISON’s annual health conference in Liverpool today (Wednesday), general secretary Christina McAnea said:“It’s reassuring to hear the health secretary affirm his and Labour’s commitment to a revitalised NHS. “Wes Streeting was frank and realistic about the difficulties ahead. Everyone knows it won’t be easy and will take time, but health workers can see he’s rolling up his sleeves.
Video and photo harassment by the public is intimidating for health workers

2 weeks ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

NHS staff are frequently being harassed by members of the public filming them with their phones and threatening to post footage online, UNISON research suggests today (Monday). A survey of thousands of health workers from across the UK – released to coincide with the first day of the union’s annual health conference, which opens in Liverpool later today – has found one in seven (14%) have experienced unwanted and intrusive filming or photography in the past year alone.
UK won’t grow without investment in public services

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting on the chancellor’s spring statement today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:“This government gets the value of public services. Unlike its predecessors whose economic policies left schools, hospitals and councils in tatters. “But failure to invest in essential services and staff at this critical time for the UK would be a false economy. Well-resourced essential services and workforces can help Rachel Reeves deliver vital growth.
Local government reform can’t be used as cover for job cuts

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Council workers must be protected from job cuts, with services and democracy preserved in any plans to overhaul local government, says UNISON today (Thursday). Ministers are planning an extensive revamp of local authorities across England. This will move a step closer tomorrow, which is the deadline for six regions to submit their voluntary proposals to ditch two-tier councils in favour of new unitary bodies.
Welfare reforms shouldn’t be used to penalise disabled and ill people

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting ahead of the publication of the government’s green paper on welfare reform, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Monday):“Bad decisions taken by previous Conservative administrations have left the Labour government in a corner financially. “But that’s no excuse for ministers to go after the most vulnerable and contemplate freezing personal independence payments. “If the government wants to cut welfare spending, the focus should be on making work pay.
Visa changes are a positive step for overseas care workers

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting on changes to care visa requirements announced today (Wednesday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:“Enabling care staff on visas to move to another sponsor more easily is a vital step in protecting them from exploitation. “Thousands of migrant care workers have been at risk of being deported through no fault of their own, often because of dodgy employers or a care provider going bust.
Scale of NHS England job cuts will cause concern to staff

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting on new proposals for significant cuts to the workforce at the central body of NHS England announced today (Monday), UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:“Staff will be understandably concerned about this sudden change of direction. “The number of redundancies being sought at NHS England has trebled in just a matter of weeks. “Employees there have already been through the mill with endless rounds of reorganisation.
Women not safe from violence and misogyny, including at work

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Speaking at an International Women’s Day event in Liverpool* today (Saturday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea paid tribute to the city’s tireless women campaigners and stressed the union’s continued commitment to speak up for women everywhere. Addressing people attending the seminar about the rise of misogny and violence against women, Christina said:“This city has been home to many notable outspoken women down the years.
New workplace rights will improve people’s lives at work dramatically and boost economic growth

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

Commenting today (Tuesday) on amendments to the employment rights bill,UNISON general secretary Christina McAneasaid:“This comprehensive package of measures is what working people and decent employers have been waiting for. “Insecure work has blighted the lives of many for years, caused immense financial hardship, driven down standards in public services, given a green light to cowboy employers and harmed the UK’s chances of growth.
Nurses and midwives subjected to violence at work on a daily basis, according to UNISON/Nursing Times survey | News, Press release | News | UNISON National

1 month ago | unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes

More than nine in ten nurses and midwives have experienced physical violence while doing their jobs, according to data released by UNISON and Nursing Times today (Tuesday). The abuse includes NHS staff being punched, bitten, spat at, choked, headbutted and even stabbed – with the violence occurring daily for one in eleven (9%). Around one in six (17%) nurses or midwives said they’d experienced violence in the previous week.