A new deal for employment would make a huge difference

Commenting on Keir Starmer’s speech today (Tuesday) to the TUC, where the Labour leader promised a new deal for employment, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Keir is right. There needs to be a new post-pandemic settlement for working people. Low pay, precarious contracts and minimal sick pay have no place in the modern world of work. “Zero-hours contracts are commonplace in social care as are minimum wage pay rates. That’s one of the many reasons the sector is struggling to hold onto and recruit the staff it needs to deliver quality care. “Statutory sick pay (SSP) is embarrassingly low in the UK. As care and other essential workers took time off ill with Covid or needed to isolate, the drop to SSP meant financial hardship for thousands of already struggling families. “Many workers may have continued going into work when they shouldn’t. This makes no sense. Reform of sick pay is long overdue. A Labour government would make a real difference to public services and the lives of working people everywhere.” Notes to editors: -UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors. Media contacts: Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk The article A new deal for employment would...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Press release Christina McAnea sick pay zero-hours contracts Source Type: news