Blog: Levelling up the forgotten frontline

Many, many working people have helped the country get us to this point on the pandemic journey. Our future is brighter and full of hope now – only because of the sacrifices of so many. Our local government workers deserve no less credit and applause than health workers. This army of care workers, school support staff, refuse collectors, social workers and many more went out to work, day in, day out, while many of us were able to do our jobs from home. While the media focussed on the crisis in our hospitals, our members put themselves in harm’s way, to help the most vulnerable in our communities and keep our most essential services going. Who delivered food parcels to the shielding? Who housed the rough sleepers? Who kept offices and schools clean and open for essential services and lockdown learning for key worker children? Who collected your rubbish despite personal risk? Who went into people’s homes and looked after our elderly relatives? Who dealt with the tragic increase in funerals and cremations? Yes, local government workers and school support staff. The country owes you a debt of gratitude as much as anyone else. UNISON knows that the country owes you a proper pay rise. We’re asking for a 10% pay rise for local government workers this year. But this month, the employers responded with an offer of just 1.5%, which is insulting set against what we’re asking for and what you deserve. Now 10% sounds a lot, but if we deal in facts and not clickbait headlines, itâ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News Christina McAnea local government Source Type: news