Preparing for the future

UNISON higher education members gathered in Milton Keynes today, conscious that they were at the first of the union’s conferences since the general election. And that was a point highlighted by assistant general secretary Christina McAnea. However sick of thinking about the election delegates were, she said, “the landscape of the UK looks and feels very different” and “it would be irresponsible of us as a union not to prepare and plan for life under a Tory government with such a huge majority for the next five years”. Ms McAnea, a former national secretary for education and now responsible for bargaining, negotiating and equalities across the union, said she highlighted the election result “not to depress us but because it is now the reality within which we have to work and negotiate. “But above all I say it because it emphasises why our union, and indeed the union movement, becomes even more important: we are the first and main line of defence for workers and public services.” Whatever reason people have for joining UNISON, she added, whether as an insurance policy, because they want better pay or because of local issues such as parking at work, they “believe and know that the best way to get what they want is through being part of a strong union – having a collective voice; that being part of a group is stronger than being on your own. “And that’s important, because that belief in collectivism can change things. “And,” she told delegates, “it...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News 2020 Higher Education Conference Christina McAnea education services general election 2019 universities Source Type: news