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4 days ago | 
unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes
Reacting to comments made today (Sunday) by home secretary Yvette Cooper, ahead of the publication of the government’s immigration white paper tomorrow, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:“The NHS and the care sector would have collapsed long ago without the thousands of workers who’ve come to the UK from overseas. “Migrant health and care staff already here will now be understandably anxious about what’s to happen to them.
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1 week ago | 
unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes
Commenting on the publication today (Tuesday) of Jennifer Rademaker’s report into bullying, harassment and discrimination within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, UNISON head of probation Mike Short said:“This long overdue report confirms what Probation Service staff have known for years, that bullying, harassment and discrimination are rife.
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1 week ago | 
unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes
Commenting on remarks made by Nigel Farage about workers employed at Durham County Council needing to look for “alternative careers”, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:“This is not the US. Thankfully workers in the UK have laws to protect them from bad employers. And soon employees will get even more protection from unscrupulous bosses when the government’s new employment rights come in. “Reform has consistently voted against these new measures that will make work more secure.
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2 weeks ago | 
unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes
Free e-bikes, discounted bus travel and other incentives are needed to encourage low-paid workers to use green transport, says Campaign for Better Transport in a report today (Monday). The charity is calling on the government and employers to help care staff make the switch through car sharing and clubs, schemes to buy or lease electric vehicles (EVs) and other measures to cut CO2 emissions.
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3 weeks ago | 
unison.org.uk | Anthony Barnes
UNISON is carefully considering the implications of the judgment from the Supreme Court regarding the legal definition of sex, in relation to the Equality Act 2010, for its members and policy. The union is also reviewing its materials to ensure they remain legally accurate and inclusive. It will take time to consider thoroughly all the potential implications, as the judgment runs to 88 pages. The Equality Commission expects to publish its new statutory code of conduct by the summer.
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1 month 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.
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1 month 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
