Conference demands full inquiry into the handling of the pandemic

The demand for a full public inquiry into the Westminster government’s handling of the COVID pandemic was at the heart of a key debate The impact of COVID-19 on UNISON members, public services and working life at UNISON’s special delegate conference yesterday. Margaret McKee (pictured above), moving a motion for the national executive council, told delegates why it was so important: “That government’s failures over the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the very beginning of the pandemic – and conference, that inquiry must also cover how those contracts were awarded – to the disaster that was test and trace, has led the UK to having some of the worst statistics in the world. “From the second highest number of deaths amongst developed countries, to the disproportionate impact on the Black community … failures compounded by 10 years of austerity and its impact on our public services.” “A key lesson of the pandemic is that continued public service cuts and more aggressive employers means it has never been more important to be a member of UNISON, if you work in public services. We must make our union visible in the workplace – if we are visible, workers will join us. If we are visible, members will stay with us. “As chair of the international committee I want to underline the global impact of the pandemic that has touched every country in the world. From the global race to find PPE at the beginning, to the glaring inequality with regar...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2021 virtual special national delegate conference Covid-19 domestic violence Source Type: news