Conference continues debate on the cost of living

National delegate conference turned its attention to the cost of living on Friday morning. Conference debated a trio of motions on the issue: the first calling on the NEC to continue to prioritise campaigns on the issue; the second highlighting the compound effect of the crisis on private renters and the third on the disproportionate effect of the crisis on Black workers due to the ethnicity pay gap. Moving the first motion, Yvonne Green told conference, “Public sector workers are worried about how they’ll pay their bills.” Tina Roach warned that “the threat of poverty is as real today as it has ever been. The level of household debt currently exceeds two trillion pounds and is rising. “Conference, as a nation, we should be eradicating poverty. It’s a disgrace [that we’re not].” One speaker noted how the union’s new cost of living film which was shown earlier in the conference helps bring the crisis into “sharp relief.” Watch the powerful new film here Speaking on the second motion, Rosita Ellis, SE regional convenor said “the ramifications of poor housing extend far beyond our members. Estimates suggest poor housing costs the NHS £1.4bn a year. “Regrettably these issues are not confined to the private sector but also apply to social housing.” The motion called on the NEC to campaign for Section 21 no-fault evictions to be abolished, to campaign for a fair rent system and, among other things, to affiliate to Generation Rent and publicise the org...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News Black workers cost of living ethnicity housing Source Type: news