Carers need practical support more than applause

UNISON has welcomed the return of clap for carers this evening, but urges both the public and politicians to start focussing more on pay and practical support than applause and appreciation. As all four UK nations get used to fresh lockdowns and restrictions on all of our daily lives, clap for carers, now expanded to all ‘heroes’ working through and fighting the virus, returns tonight (Thursday). Since COVID-19 started spreading last year, UNISON has been at the forefront of those fighting for the public service workers – the key workers – fighting the virus. UNISON was the first to highlight the issue of sick pay at the very start of the pandemic and went on to champion the supply of PPE for all on the frontline, making sure all employers had the best health and safety policies and protections in place for all workers. Just this week the union has led calls for schools to close, BTec exams to be cancelled and wrote to the Health and Safety Executive to push for stronger workplace measures to protect workers in the light of the more virulent strain of COVID-19. Now UNISON is reminding the Westminster government that applause cannot drown out calls for decent pay and safe working conditions for all key workers. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “We are pleased that clap for carers is back as public recognition for everything all our key workers are doing fighting COVID is really important. “But applause and appreciation do not replace pay and practical su...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article carers Clap for Carers Covid-19 social care Source Type: news