UNISON conference makes the case for a ‘ Workers ’ Brexit ’

UNISON must fight for a “Workers’ Brexit” that will ensure that hard-won human and workers’ rights are not lost when the UK leaves Europe, Brighton delegates agreed this week. The union also reiterated its desire for parliament to be central to the exit negotiations. The alternative was that the Tory government’s internal divisions and ideological entrenchment “is in real danger of pushing the country towards a cliff edge”. The union discussed Brexit on Wednesday, on the eve of a Commons vote that narrowly passed the EU Withdrawal Bill, in a way that continued to cast doubt on parliament’s influence on the final exit deal. In Brighton, James Anthony of the NEC introduced the first of three Brexit motions, campaigning for a new EU deal fit for workers, suggesting that its length was an indication “both of the impact exiting the EU will have on our union and the sheer volume of work UNISON has to do to speak up for its members.” The issues still at stake, he said, included human and workers’ rights, the effect on public services of new trade deals, the peace in Northern Ireland, and the need to ensure humane immigration policies and protect EU citizens working in the UK, including the union’s own members, UNISON was clear that parliament should have the final say on the deal, Mr Anthony said, “and not this indecisive, chaotic, shambolic government that just can’t be trusted with our future”. Cath McGuinness of the national disabled members comm...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News BREXIT eu migrant Feb 2017 eu migrant lobby health and social care NHS Source Type: news