UNISON spells out Brexit concerns

As we approach the “crisis point” of 29 March, UNISON has three major Brexit concerns, general secretary Dave Prentis told today’s meeting of the union’s national executive council in London. These are: maintaining workers’ rights; keeping tariff-free, barrier-free trade with our largest trade partners; no hard border in Ireland. On workplace rights, Mr Prentis – who met prime minister Theresa May recently – said it was “notable that the protections offered to investors during transition is far greater than that being offered to workers.” On trade, the general secretary pointed out that the key public services provided by UNISON’s members are funded by taxation and require a strong economy. And on Northern Ireland that UNISON has been very much involved in the Good Friday Agreement, “the peace agreement,” and it is key for us. “The backstop in place now is the best protection for the Good Friday Agreement,” he added. “These are big issues. Our concern is that by accident we could be falling off a cliff,” come the end of next month, he stressed. The importance of the Northern Ireland issue was reiterated by NEC members from the region, with former president Margaret  McKee saying: “I can’t stress enough the danger for people in Northern Ireland: we’ve seen an upsurge in paramilitary activity.” Mr Prentis also reported issues where the union had a real impact, such as the government withdrawing the £65 fee for EU citizens who live in ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2019 National Delegate Conference activists national executive council NEC Source Type: news