‘We must be the generation that rebuilds after the pandemic’

Delegates at UNISON’s special delegate conference today discussed the key issues that needed to be addressed as society emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic – notably pay, equality and climate change. The motion Securing an equal and sustainable post pandemic settlement notes that that the UK faces a comparable choice to that one faced after the second world war – to return to how things were before, or create a better future. “That choice is clear,” it states, “and the moment must be seized as an opportunity to tackle the deep fault lines so cruelly exposed by the pandemic….  Put simply, those who were already at the sharp end of pre-existing inequalities related to class, educational outcomes, income, geography and ethnicity have suffered most.” In moving the motion for the national executive council (NEC), UNISON vice president James Anthony told delegates: “We need a society that recognises the value of public services, a society that ensures that our work life is safe, a society that is sustainable, and one that works together to stop climate change. “We must be the generation that rebuilds after the pandemic. This is our vision – this is our mission.” Patrick Hunter of Barnet branch spoke of the increasing threat to public service workers post-pandemic. “We can’t afford to allow our members to be scapegoated and carry the financial can for COVID.” He said. “We need those who can afford it to pay more.” Amina Patel of Tower Hamlets spoke...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2021 virtual special national delegate conference Source Type: news