COVID dominates start of UNISON local government conference

Hundreds of UNISON members gathered in Brighton earlier today for the start of the union’s local government service group conference, chaired by president Paul Holmes. Presenting the service group committee’s annual report, chair Glen Williams railed against the country’s wealth inequality that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The total wealth of super rich increased 22% during the first 12 months of the pandemic, whilst our pay has decreased by 25% over 12 years,” he said. “This country is not poor. It can afford decent pay decent sick pay and good schools. The problem is that excessive amounts of wealth are concentrated in just a few hands.” With a reminder for everyone to join the TUC demonstration on 18 June, Mr Williams said: “We have a right to be angry and upset at how we have been treated through the pandemic.” UNISON national officer Ruth Levin added: “In March this year, MP pay went up by over £2,000. If it’s good enough for MPs, I’m sure they will support your employers in giving frontline workers at least the same amount”. UNISON’s joint pay claim for school and council workers this year demands a £2,000 increase or the current RPI rate, whichever is the greater. Declaring that UNISON’s There For You charity was inundated with applications for winter fuel grants, Ms Levin stated: “UNISON shouldn’t need to subsidise poverty pay”. COVID-19 and long COVID The first motion to pass was on COVID-19 and long COVID,...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2022 local government conference 2022 Local Government Service Group Conference long covid Source Type: news