UNISON campaign urges public to use votes to show support for public service staff

Voters are being reminded that thousands of public sector staff face a government pay freeze in a campaign launched today (Monday) by UNISON ahead of the local elections next week. Care home staff, hospital porters and teaching assistants are among key workers featured in a series of hard-hitting films that show them carrying out vital jobs during the pandemic when many people were safe at home. Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle has recorded the voiceovers for the black and white videos that urge people to ‘vote for fair pay in the May elections’. The films, which will be shown on Facebook and YouTube, remind people how public service staff have ‘stepped up’, only to be let down by the government despite the physical and emotional strain they have faced. The government has recommended a rise of just 1% for NHS workers that UNISON and other health unions have branded ‘derisory’. A one-year pay freeze for most public sector key workers was also announced by Rishi Sunak last November. UNISON says voting for change at the ballot box is an opportunity for the public to show the government they don’t want key workers taken for granted or their pay squeezed. In addition to a proper increase for all key workers, the union wants care staff to receive at least the real living wage of £9.50 an hour (or £10.85 in London), and all NHS staff to receive at least a £2,000 rise (£10.23 an hour minimum). UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Public sector wor...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release local elections pay freeze public services Source Type: news