Blog: The hope Labour can bring

Winning seats like Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy in Scotland is a must for Labour at the next election.

If Labour does win back the seat (and many others like it) to secure a general election victory, it will be because of the promises the party is making in the New Deal for Working People. This package of rights, protections and actions was written up in partnership with trade unions and is packed full of UNISON priorities.

It’s not difficult to see the huge part UNISON played in developing the transformational plan for workers and the economy.

I spent yesterday with Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, and Wilma Brown, UNISON activist and parliamentary candidate in that Scottish seat, bringing hope of what the New Deal can achieve to voters’ doorsteps.

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

The Westminster government’s only plan for workers is to threaten them with the sack if they try to take strike action to secure better pay and conditions. Labour’s plan offers so much for trade unions and the workers they represent.

A new government needs to make work pay with a genuine living wage, pay equality and Fair Pay Agreements in social care. Workers need more security, with an end to zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire. Trade unions need strengthened rights to organise and our whole society will benefit from better sick pay, parental leave and day-one rights at work. The New Deal promises all of this.

Workers can only thrive when they’re being treated fairly and paid enough to have a decent life. Good employers already know that and do the right thing by their staff. But for so many others, they’re at the whim of unscrupulous bosses.

UNISON is fully behind the New Deal and Labour’s promise to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within the first 100 days of office. UNISON will hold an incoming Labour government to account, making sure it delivers on its promise to make Britain work for working people.

The article Blog: The hope Labour can bring first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: The hope Labour can bring

Winning seats like Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy in Scotland is a must for Labour at the next election.

If Labour does win back the seat (and many others like it) to secure a general election victory, it will be because of the promises the party is making in the New Deal for Working People. This package of rights, protections and actions was written up in partnership with trade unions and is packed full of UNISON priorities.

It’s not difficult to see the huge part UNISON played in developing the transformational plan for workers and the economy.

I spent yesterday with Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, and Wilma Brown, UNISON activist and parliamentary candidate in that Scottish seat, bringing hope of what the New Deal can achieve to voters’ doorsteps.

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

Christina McAnea with Angela Rayner, Wilma Brown, and UNISON activists

The Westminster government’s only plan for workers is to threaten them with the sack if they try to take strike action to secure better pay and conditions. Labour’s plan offers so much for trade unions and the workers they represent.

A new government needs to make work pay with a genuine living wage, pay equality and Fair Pay Agreements in social care. Workers need more security, with an end to zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire. Trade unions need strengthened rights to organise and our whole society will benefit from better sick pay, parental leave and day-one rights at work. The New Deal promises all of this.

Workers can only thrive when they’re being treated fairly and paid enough to have a decent life. Good employers already know that and do the right thing by their staff. But for so many others, they’re at the whim of unscrupulous bosses.

UNISON is fully behind the New Deal and Labour’s promise to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within the first 100 days of office. UNISON will hold an incoming Labour government to account, making sure it delivers on its promise to make Britain work for working people.

The article Blog: The hope Labour can bring first appeared on the UNISON National site.

An election can’t come soon enough to bring the change the UK needs

Commenting on the deputy leader of the Labour Party’s speech to conference in Liverpool today (Sunday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Angela Rayner made the clear case for why working people and their families will fare better under a Labour government.

“Her speech shows Labour truly understands the need to make work more secure, in a way no Conservative government ever will.

“Labour in power will also deliver peace of mind to the UK’s employees in their home lives too. Major reform of the housing system will make the world of difference to so many currently living on the edge.

“Public services and workers everywhere need the change only a Labour government can bring. An election can’t come soon enough.”

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: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk          
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article An election can’t come soon enough to bring the change the UK needs first appeared on the UNISON National site.

An election can’t come soon enough to bring the change the UK needs

Commenting on the deputy leader of the Labour Party’s speech to conference in Liverpool today (Sunday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Angela Rayner made the clear case for why working people and their families will fare better under a Labour government.

“Her speech shows Labour truly understands the need to make work more secure, in a way no Conservative government ever will.

“Labour in power will also deliver peace of mind to the UK’s employees in their home lives too. Major reform of the housing system will make the world of difference to so many currently living on the edge.

“Public services and workers everywhere need the change only a Labour government can bring. An election can’t come soon enough.”

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: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk          
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article An election can’t come soon enough to bring the change the UK needs first appeared on the UNISON National site.

A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON

Commenting on the speech by deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner at the 155th Trades Union Congress in Liverpool today (Tuesday) UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Labour in government would dramatically improve the lives of working people and their families.

“It’s much needed after 13 years of the Conservatives trashing the economy, harming public services and letting living standards slide.

“Creating fairer workplaces with better job security for all will make the world of difference. As will an environment where unions are no longer demonised by the government.

“Bringing strike ballots into the digital age is long overdue. As are fair pay agreements to boost the wages of the lowest paid, starting with social care.”

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:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk

The article A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON

Commenting on the speech by deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner at the 155th Trades Union Congress in Liverpool today (Tuesday) UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Labour in government would dramatically improve the lives of working people and their families.

“It’s much needed after 13 years of the Conservatives trashing the economy, harming public services and letting living standards slide.

“Creating fairer workplaces with better job security for all will make the world of difference. As will an environment where unions are no longer demonised by the government.

“Bringing strike ballots into the digital age is long overdue. As are fair pay agreements to boost the wages of the lowest paid, starting with social care.”

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:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk

The article A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.