Press releases
Higher-risk job roles must be examined Commenting on figures released today (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics showing disproportionately high Covid-19 death rates for Black people, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Time and again, we’ve seen how people from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities suffer health problems caused by disadvantage and poverty, which […]
Wednesday 6 May 2020 For immediate release Frightened workers self-isolating to protect vulnerable loved ones shouldn’t be punished, says UNISON The government must do more to protect key workers threatened with dismissal or put on unpaid leave if they’re off work self-isolating because of vulnerable relatives, says UNISON today (Wednesday). Anxious staff have […]
Only right that proper provisions are made for families Commenting on the government announcement on Monday that NHS death-in-service benefits are to be extended to all health and care staff who die from contracting Covid-19, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “It’s only right the families of all those who worked for the NHS or in social care, […]
Wednesday 29 April 2020 For immediate release Responding to new figures released today (Wednesday) that show a steep rise in coronavirus deaths due to the inclusion of those in care homes, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Care workers have been crying out for essential safety equipment, clear guidance and widespread virus testing for weeks. The […]
23/04/2020 Call for minute’s silence to honour all workers who have died from coronavirus The country is to be asked to observe a minute’s silence next Tuesday (28 April) to remember all the health, care and other key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus, in a campaign launched Monday by three health unions. UNISON, […]
Friday 17 April 2020 For immediate release Commenting on the emergency measures published today (Friday) by Public Health England, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “These are absolute worst case scenario measures, which staff hope their organisations won’t have to implement. “No part of the NHS should use this move as an excuse to […]
Staff keeping vital local services running – including schools, refuse collection and child protection – during the pandemic deserve a proper pay rise, say the three unions representing council staff in England and Wales today (Thursday). Responding to the 2.75% pay offer for 2020/21 made today by the Local Government Association (LGA), UNISON, Unite and the GMB are urging the […]
Raising status must be backed by better pay Commenting on the health secretary Matt Hancock’s announcements at the Downing Street briefing today (Wednesday) about care workers, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:“It’s right that the care, compassion and selflessness of care workers should be given proper recognition. They’re putting their lives on the line. “But for all the […]
UNISON has been representing staff employed by Tower Hamlets council over a dispute about proposed changes to staff contracts, called the Tower Rewards package. The proposed changes, which were due to be implemented on 14 April, would mean significant detriment to staff, including severance pay being reduced by 80% and out of hour’s enhancements being […]
Coordinated response needed to protect anxious staff Social care workers across the country are at breaking point with many being given just plastic aprons and gloves to protect against coronavirus as they support the vulnerable and elderly, says UNISON today (Tuesday). Care workers say some managers are either refusing to issue face masks or […]