Blog: A strike of last resort that’s been forced on members

A day of historical strike action took place in Northern Ireland yesterday.

The first walk-outs started at midnight when UNISON’s health members left their hospital workplaces.

I was with community assistant nurses, catering staff, admin staff and health care assistants at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as their strike started when the clock struck 12.01.

A few hours later, I joined education staff on their school picket lines along the Falls Road. And on we marched to the Royal Hospital again and into central Belfast, where we met thousands of other striking public sector workers for our joint union rally.

Many health workers stayed behind, providing the emergency cover UNISON always ensures on strike days. They forfeited their right to strike, so that others could protest and rally, without affecting patient safety.

Essential workers shouldn’t have to be out in the freezing cold, demanding the pay they’re owed. But they’ve been forced into it. It’s the failure of politicians to release the £600m that’s already been fought for and won, that’s pushed them to the last resort of strike action.

Until power sharing in Stormont is restored, public sector workers won’t get the money they’ve been promised. Unless of course, the secretary of state, Chris Heaton-Harris, takes action to unlock the funding.

The Westminster government might have given up on the people of Northern Ireland, but UNISON hasn’t. That’s why I was there in Belfast, to show solidarity with our members.

Their frustration is real. Watching colleagues on the other side of the Irish Sea earning more than them for doing the same job, and having governments that they can actually negotiate with, makes them feel left behind.

Northern Ireland’s public services rely on workers staying in the job, but they’ll only stay with decent pay, pay parity and recognition for the essential work they do.

The message was clear from the streets of Belfast and from picket lines across Northern Ireland, Mr Heaton-Harris must release the money. Until we get that result, UNISON’s determination will not falter.

The article Blog: A strike of last resort that’s been forced on members first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: A strike of last resort that’s been forced on members

A day of historical strike action took place in Northern Ireland yesterday.

The first walk-outs started at midnight when UNISON’s health members left their hospital workplaces.

I was with community assistant nurses, catering staff, admin staff and health care assistants at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as their strike started when the clock struck 12.01.

A few hours later, I joined education staff on their school picket lines along the Falls Road. And on we marched to the Royal Hospital again and into central Belfast, where we met thousands of other striking public sector workers for our joint union rally.

Many health workers stayed behind, providing the emergency cover UNISON always ensures on strike days. They forfeited their right to strike, so that others could protest and rally, without affecting patient safety.

Essential workers shouldn’t have to be out in the freezing cold, demanding the pay they’re owed. But they’ve been forced into it. It’s the failure of politicians to release the £600m that’s already been fought for and won, that’s pushed them to the last resort of strike action.

Until power sharing in Stormont is restored, public sector workers won’t get the money they’ve been promised. Unless of course, the secretary of state, Chris Heaton-Harris, takes action to unlock the funding.

The Westminster government might have given up on the people of Northern Ireland, but UNISON hasn’t. That’s why I was there in Belfast, to show solidarity with our members.

Their frustration is real. Watching colleagues on the other side of the Irish Sea earning more than them for doing the same job, and having governments that they can actually negotiate with, makes them feel left behind.

Northern Ireland’s public services rely on workers staying in the job, but they’ll only stay with decent pay, pay parity and recognition for the essential work they do.

The message was clear from the streets of Belfast and from picket lines across Northern Ireland, Mr Heaton-Harris must release the money. Until we get that result, UNISON’s determination will not falter.

The article Blog: A strike of last resort that’s been forced on members first appeared on the UNISON National site.

More Scottish schools to close as UNISON sets further strike dates

UNISON has today served notice of further strike action in the dispute over local government pay, to South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and Fife councils.

Staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools, within those four local authorities will walk out on Wednesday 8 November.

This will be the second week of a rolling programme of action that will take place. UNISON has already notified Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde councils, that staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools in those authorities will be taking strike action on Wednesday 1 November.

Further strike dates involving other councils will be announced in due course.

The action comes after UNISON members voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s latest pay offer. More than 21,000 workers represented by the union took three days of strike action in September, resulting in the closure of 75% of Scotland’s schools.

UNISON Scotland’s head of local government Johanna Baxter said: “Despite our repeated calls for Cosla and the Scottish government to get back round the table for meaningful discussions we have had no invitations to even exploratory talks.

“The union is committed to reaching a resolution to this dispute as soon as possible. And there is still time for Cosla and the Scottish government to get back round the negotiating table to explore every avenue to reaching a negotiated settlement and avoid further disruption for parents and students.

“The strength of feeling amongst UNISON’s 91,000 local government members, who voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s latest pay offer, is clear. They are determined to continue to fight to get an improved pay offer.”

The article More Scottish schools to close as UNISON sets further strike dates first appeared on the UNISON National site.

More Scottish schools to close as UNISON sets further strike dates

UNISON has today served notice of further strike action in the dispute over local government pay, to South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and Fife councils.

Staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools, within those four local authorities will walk out on Wednesday 8 November.

This will be the second week of a rolling programme of action that will take place. UNISON has already notified Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde councils, that staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools in those authorities will be taking strike action on Wednesday 1 November.

Further strike dates involving other councils will be announced in due course.

The action comes after UNISON members voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s latest pay offer. More than 21,000 workers represented by the union took three days of strike action in September, resulting in the closure of 75% of Scotland’s schools.

UNISON Scotland’s head of local government Johanna Baxter said: “Despite our repeated calls for Cosla and the Scottish government to get back round the table for meaningful discussions we have had no invitations to even exploratory talks.

“The union is committed to reaching a resolution to this dispute as soon as possible. And there is still time for Cosla and the Scottish government to get back round the negotiating table to explore every avenue to reaching a negotiated settlement and avoid further disruption for parents and students.

“The strength of feeling amongst UNISON’s 91,000 local government members, who voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s latest pay offer, is clear. They are determined to continue to fight to get an improved pay offer.”

The article More Scottish schools to close as UNISON sets further strike dates first appeared on the UNISON National site.

HE strikes called off as talks move forward

As a result of progress in Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) facilitated discussions, a joint statement has been agreed and released between the UCEA (University & Colleges Employers Association) and the higher education trade unions: EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite.

The statement highlights that progress has been made in discussions around pay, but that an impasse has been reached under Acas’ new dispute procedures.

However, the employer and the unions have agreed to proceed to time-limited talks to determine the further work necessary to resolve the dispute – this will include a review of the pay spine to address issues of grade increments.

UCEA has agreed to consult its members on the issues to be discussed in the time-limited talks, as well as agreeing to consult its members with a positive recommendation to take action on zero-hour contracts.

In recognition of the employer’s stance, UNISON, along with UCU and Unite have agreed to call off industrial action which was due to occur in the weeks commencing 20 and 27 February on the basis that no pay award will be imposed by higher education institutions during that period – EIS and GMB had no action planned before that time.

Work will now continue through Acas conciliation to agree the detailed terms of reference and timescales for these substantive negotiations.

The article HE strikes called off as talks move forward first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Recap: Second day of EA strikes

Environment Agency workers across the country walked out yesterday, in their second day of strike action over pay this year.

UNISON’s head of environment, Donna Rowe-Merriman, said: “EA members will not be ignored on the issue of pay any longer. They have taken strike action to ensure their issues are recognised by the public – and by their employer.

“Our members will not be pushed from pillar to post – they want action from this government to resolve pay, now, for their families and to prevent more staff from leaving the agency.

“The onus lies with the chancellor – to allow the agency to engage fully with the EA trade unions to seek a resolution for the 2022/23 pay round, and to ensure that a robust process is in place for 2023/24 pay discussions.”

Photographer Marcus Rose was on hand at the Environment Agency’s Marsham Street offices in London, where UNISON and Prospect members were picketing.

A UNISON branded sign says 'Fair pay in the EA' a person walks past it in the background

Two people in High vis tops wave UNISON flags on an EA picket line

An EA striker hands a passer-by a leaflet

UNISON and Prospect unite on the picket lines outside the Environment Agency on Marsham Street, London SW1.

Orange UNISON steward armband round a high-viz jacket arm

Prospect and UNISON strikers on EA pciket line 8 Feb

UNISON and Prospect unite on the picket lines outside the Environment Agency on Marsham Street, London SW1.

UNISON and Prospect unite on the picket lines outside the Environment Agency on Marsham Street, London SW1.

 

Some highlights from the rest of the country

 

 

The article Recap: Second day of EA strikes first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Environment Agency workers to take historic strike action

Thousands of Environment Agency (EA) workers in England will strike for the first time tomorrow in a significant escalation in a dispute over pay.

UNISON members working in the EA are now working one day in every five for nothing due a decade of government failures to pay workers wages in line with inflation.

Workers who maintain important safety structures such as the Thames Barrier, coastal sea defences and those protecting communities from floods, water pollution, spills, waste fires and fly-tipping will walk out tomorrow, Wednesday 18 January from 8am to 5pm. 

Last November, EA workers were given an inadequate pay rise of just 2% plus a £345 payment.

In December, thousands of workers started working to rule for an indefinite period, meaning they are working only their contracted hours and taking all their scheduled breaks and full rest time between shifts. 

The strike comes at a time of year when extreme weather is more likely to hit the country. Where there is a threat to life or property from incidents such as a major flood, officers will step in as emergency ‘life and limb cover’ has been agreed.

UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Dedicated staff have been left with no other option but to strike over pay for the first time in the agency’s history.

“The decision to strike wasn’t taken lightly as workers know their role is crucial in keeping communities and the environment safe.

“But the cost-of-living crisis has reached a point where the lowest paid are truly struggling to make ends meet. Staff often have no choice but to look for other work outside the Agency. This appalling situation cannot go on.

“Communities rely on these critical workers, particularly during bouts of extreme weather and rising problems of river pollution. They should be paid accordingly.

“UNISON is urging ministers and the agency to negotiate and ensure workers are given an improved pay offer. Otherwise, more staff will join the exodus.”

The union’s EA committee chair Jackie Hamer said: “It is a measure of the anger and frustration of our members that they are taking strike action over pay for the first time in the history of the Environment Agency.”

“Twelve years of this government’s austerity policies and below-inflation pay rises have eroded pay in the EA by over 20%, and that was before the current spike in inflation. Our lower-paid members are finding it very hard to manage financially and some depend heavily on working significant amounts of overtime to make ends meet.

“These are frontline workers who deliver vital services, protecting the environment and turning out regularly in force to manage the impacts of flooding. To be so badly rewarded for such important work is shameful.”

UNISON’s EA sector committee vice chair Greg Marshall said: “Our members care deeply about the communities they serve and about protecting the environment we live in. For them, it’s more than just a job. Whether it’s getting up in the middle of the night to build flood barriers or sacrificing their public holidays to attend waste fires or sewage pollutions, they just want to do the right thing.”

“But enough is enough, they can’t survive on a derisory 2% pay offer on top of the 21% cut they’ve had over the last 12 years. Our staff deserve a fair pay rise. We need fair pay in the EA.”

The article Environment Agency workers to take historic strike action first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Christina McAnea tours pickets on second NHS strike day

Photos ©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos

Christina McAnea spent the second joint union NHS strike day, yesterday 11 January, touring picket lines in Yorkshire and the North East to show her support and solidarity for the striking ambulance workers.

She began the day in Sheffield at Longley ambulance station where, as they did across the county, paramedics walked out at 10am.

As the picket was set up, she spoke to the workers about why they were striking and, once the brazier was burning, addressed the strikers and the press who had gathered.

Speaking of the recent development where the secretary of state for health had acknowledged that, to deal with this crisis, the government would have to talk to the unions about pay for this year, rather than pay for the future, Christina said: “There’s been lots of speculation about what offer they might come back with, but nothing formal has been put forward yet, that’s why today’s strike has gone ahead.

“We have another strike planned for the 23 January, which gives the government about a week and a half to try and sit down with us and resolve this before we have to take another strike day.

“My door is always open and I’m happy to turn up at their door any time to talk to them about pay.”

She said that the move by the government to bring minimum service levels in during strikes was an “absolute distraction”, adding that it would mean then the NHS “would only have minimum staffing levels, when on strike.”

As though to illustrate the point, just before she began her speech, several members of the press were forced to move after two workers were called off the newly formed picket line and jumped in an ambulance to respond to an urgent call – as had been negotiated by the unions and employers in providing life and limb cover.

She continued, saying the move from the government shows it isn’t tackling the dispute, but is ”trying to take everybody’s eye off the ball and get us looking ‘over there’ instead of looking at what the crisis actually is”.

She finished by thanking the strikers, saying she knew “this is not what you want to be doing – you care about the patients and the public you look after, but you have our full backing from our union and my huge gratitude to you for the courage it has taken you to be here today”.

Two paramedics smile and hold 'official picket' placards outside Longley ambulance station, Sheffield

Unison General Secretary, Christina McAnea, visits picket lines at Ambulance stations across Yorkshire, in support of striking Ambulance and support crews. Photo shows the Longley Ambulance Station, Sheffield.

Photos ©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos
Rotherham

Christina then travelled to Rotherham and Wath ambulance station. There she met a long-serving patient transport service team with over 75 years experience between the three of them, Wendy, Michaela and John. They spoke, clearly emotional over the situation, about how their job has changed over those years.

Wendy said: “Years ago, we used to take patients home from discharge, we used tp make fires for them, make cups of tea or coffee, or get them bread and milk because they’ve got nothing in the house when they arrive back.”

Now the team can’t do that “because we’ve not got time, its job after job after job”.

John said: “We came into this job because we care about people. Now it feels like they’re taking that away from us. Sometimes we even take people home and have to lock them in the house. Which, to me, is not right.”

“We hate doing that,” Wendy added.

“They’re locked in, and they haven’t got the mobility to get to the door,” John continued. “God forbid if there’s a fire. We have to lock them in and put the key in the key safe so the carers can get in. But the carers might not be there for another three or four hours”.

On the degradation of relationships between colleagues, Wendy said, “A big thing is the camaraderie amongst us, there’s none of that because we’ve not got time for it, there’s no meeting up anymore”.

“The hospital used to provide us with a crew room, we could have a cup of tea and a bit of a chat,” said John. “Now we hardly see each other.”

Wendy finished by saying: “We used to love coming to work, but now it gets to Sunday night and I get anxiety, that’s where we’re at.”

Christina McAnea stand on Wath ambulance station picket line with striking ambulance workers while waving at a honking car passing by

A woman ambulane worker holds a flag over her should with a small brazier fire and blue sky in the background

Photos ©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos
York

Next stop was York ambulance station, a picket line where 999 call handlers were also striking. Call handlers had not walked out in the initial strike just before Christmas and across the region they were striking in batches to keep providing cover to protect patient safety.

Shortly after Christina arrived, they were called back in to provide cover, as another, larger call handling centre in Wakefield was readying to walk out.

Throughout the day there was strong support from the public, with one man coming up to the picket to thank the ambulance workers as the service had recently saved his wife’s life, as well as a number of other people who came to bring food and drinks to the strikers.

Christina stands on York ambulance station picket line behind a flaming brazier with strikers holding, including one holding a young child in their arms

Cathy Newman interviews Christina McAnea on camera in front of an ambulance at York ambulance station

Photos ©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos
Chester-le-street

A train to Durham and a quick car ride saw Christina arrive at Chester-le-street and, by virtue of its position on a busy roundabout, the loudest strike of the day with drivers continually serenading the strikers and signalling their support by honking their horns.

There the general secretary was joined by Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON’s health service group executive, who had travelled down from Scotland to offer support, along with members of UNISON’s NEC, Helen Firman and Pat Heron.

From L-R Wilma Brown, Christina McAnea, Pat Heron and Claire Williams

Ambulance strikers at Chester le street stand in front of a pink ad van which says "from the frontline to the breadline"

Gateshead

Christina finished her tour of the pickets in Gateshead ambulance station where the picket took place on the aptly named ‘Windy Nook Road’.

Speaking to a crowd of strikers she said: “It’s not the strikers putting the public at risk, its this government. We’ve been asking the government for six months to do something to resolve this and they’ve sat on their hands the whole time. It’s time the government did the grown-up thing and did something.”

She concluded by telling them: “You have the full support of our union and you absolutely have the public support. We are all hugely grateful to you and the work that you do.”

Christina McAnea with strikerson the ambulance picket line in Gateshead after dark in front of an ad van reading "from the frontline to the breadline"

The article Christina McAnea tours pickets on second NHS strike day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Start talking to avert health strikes later this month

Ambulance crews working for five services in England – London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West – are to go on strike over pay and staffing on Wednesday 21 December, says their union UNISON today (Tuesday).

The pre-Christmas date coincides with action being planned by two other unions – GMB and Unite – with members in ambulances services in England.

The UNISON strike involving paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians and other 999 crew members will run from midday to midnight.

The ambulance workers are to be joined by nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, cleaners and other NHS workers at two Liverpool hospitals, who will also take action that day.

The strike at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and Liverpool University Hospital starts at 07.30 on Wednesday 21 December and ends 24 hours later.

UNISON is also about to begin reballoting around 13,000 NHS staff working for ten trusts and ambulance services where turnout in the recent strike vote fell just short of the threshold required by law.

These ten NHS employers include all the remaining ambulance services in England – West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East Coast and South Central.

In addition, staff working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, London’s Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the North West-based Bridgewater Community Trust are being asked again to vote for strike action. UNISON members at NHS Blood and Transplant are also being reballoted.

Commenting on the pre-Christmas strike, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “The government will only have itself to blame if there are strikes in the NHS before Christmas.

“Ambulance staff and their health colleagues don’t want to inconvenience anyone. But ministers are refusing to do the one thing that could prevent disruption – that’s start genuine talks about pay.

“Wages are too low to stop health workers quitting the NHS. As more and more hand in their notice, there are fewer staff left to care for patients. The public knows that’s the reason behind lengthy waits at A&E, growing ambulance delays, postponed operations and cancelled clinics.

“Threatened NHS strikes in Scotland were called off because ministers there understand higher wages and improved staffing levels go hand in hand. Unfortunately, the penny’s yet to drop for the Westminster government.”

Senior managers in the five ambulance services and two NHS trusts are due to receive formal notification of the strike and will draw up emergency cover plans to put to the unions taking action.

Notes to editors:
– GMB members working for the following ambulance services – South West, South East Coast, North West, South Central, North East, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales – are also taking action on Wednesday 21 December. Unite is due to take out its members the same day at three English ambulance services in the North West, North East and West Midlands.
-Health workers belonging to UNISON and working in Northern Ireland have already voted to take action over pay and staffing. Yesterday (Monday), NHS staff began taking what is known as action short of a strike. This means working to their contracts, ending their shifts on time and refusing overtime. This continues until next Monday (12 December) when they’ll then be striking for the day. In Scotland, UNISON is recommending its NHS members vote to accept the latest offer from Holyrood, which will see a £2,205 increase for the lowest paid staff, and more for those on higher bands. That vote also closes next Monday. In Wales, UNISON members working for the Welsh Ambulance Service are also to be reballoted. The start date for this, and for the plans to reballot staff at ten NHS employers in England, are to be confirmed.
-In July the government in Westminster announced most NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts (NHS terms and conditions) in England would get a pay rise of £1,400, in line with the recommendation of the NHS pay review body. This amounted to a 4.75% increase to the NHS pay bill. Health workers had been due a wage rise on 1 April. Health workers in Wales got the same award. The health minister in Northern Ireland said he wanted to implement this award but could not do so due to the political stalemate. This means NHS workers there have still had no pay rise at all.
-UNISON and most other health unions had called for an above-inflation pay rise in their submission to this year’s NHS pay review body.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Start talking to avert health strikes later this month first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Improving lives means more than putting money in people’s pockets

Unleashing the potential in everyone and using the power of the collective to achieve that are the themes running through the annual Jimmy Reid Foundation lecture to be delivered by UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea in Glasgow later today (Thursday).

She will say: “It’s a huge privilege to be honouring one of Glasgow’s finest heroes. I heard Jimmy speak in the early 1970s in the Glasgow City halls. The place was packed to the rafters. I was about 15.

“He spoke for over an hour, but time passed in a flash. He had no notes as he walked up and down the stage, talking eloquently, with great passion. His deep, resonant voice filling the hall.

“I was utterly inspired. Jimmy remains one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. He spoke passionately about injustice and the inherent goodness of people.

“Despite his awareness of the obstacles to be overcome, Jimmy was optimistic about the future. His was a message of hope he carried throughout his life.

“I didn’t walk out thinking, I want to be leader of a union. I didn’t even walk out thinking I wanted to work for a union. But thanks to Jimmy’s words, I walked out thinking deeply about what matters in life.

“Jimmy’s words – and his message – were so clear. Poverty is a choice made by the powerful. It’s not inevitable. We can do something about it.

“And to achieve that, we need to unleash everyone’s potential – to improve their chances of leading a fulfilling and productive life.

“But even now, opportunities for working class people are still far from what they should be. Life chances are still limited by class, gender, race and disability.

“I see the same thing every day in my job as general secretary of UNISON. Employers and governments constantly underestimating people. Equating low pay or lack of formal qualifications with low intelligence and ambition.

“Jimmy Reid was passionate about fighting inequality and the power of the collective. Every day I marvel at what this can achieve. Like the fantastic equal pay dispute in Glasgow, a campaign devised and led by those on strike, mostly low-paid women.

“Yet, the UK has the toughest industrial action legislation in Europe. And this lot in Westminster are determined to make it even more difficult to campaign for better pay and conditions for workers, with their threats to bring in even more restrictions on the right to strike.

“When we went into lockdown, it was obvious who were the essential workers. The cleaners, catering staff, refuse collectors, transport and food production staff, delivery drivers, health and care workers. Many doing jobs you never think of.

“It’s shocking how quickly they’ve been forgotten – especially by those in power. Now these same people are being told to ‘exercise pay restraint’ because ‘the country can’t afford to give them a pay rise’. But we can’t afford NOT to give them a pay rise.

“When working people get a pay rise, they don’t invest it in stocks and shares or buy a second home. They’re also extremely unlikely to use it to bet on whether the value of the pound will go up or down.

“They spend it locally, buying shoes for their kids, food in local shops and taking their family to the neighbourhood café or leisure centre.

“Giving a pay rise also helps essential public services at a time when they’re haemorrhaging staff and morale’s at rock bottom.

“Employers don’t hand out pay increases like confetti. Even when many say they’re sympathetic to the plight of workers, unions still have to negotiate wage rises. And sometimes, fight tooth and nail for them.

“Despite the impact of the pandemic, the rich have become even richer. Energy companies are predicted to make £170 billion in excess profits. The ten richest men in the world doubled their income during the two years of the pandemic.

“A pandemic that had a disastrous and disproportionate impact on women, black and disabled people. Where the poorer nations are still struggling to get vaccines and make any kind of economic recovery. This is economic violence on a global scale.

“In the UK, the Westminster government only seems prepared to intervene to help the rich. Its response to the cost of living crisis is to remove the cap on bankers’ bonuses and give tax breaks to the very rich – although as we’ve seen, this was a step too far even for some of their fellow Conservatives.

“But ministers are still ploughing on with cuts to corporation tax and capital gains tax. Apparently, they’ll use it to ‘create wealth’ and, miraculously, after having failed miserably in the past, ‘trickle-down economics’ will work its magic.

“Politicians should go to Drumchapel or Salford, the Welsh valleys, the Falls Road or the Shankill and ask people there how trickle-down economics is working for them.

“The prime minister openly states she doesn’t believe in redistribution. But she does. In her version, it’s about taking money from the poorest to give to the richest.

“An ideological position that flies in the face of long-term evidence from across the world that shows the more unequal a society is, the more everyone loses out. Income inequality hurts everyone in a society, even the wealthy.

“And the more equal a society is, the more likely it is to have good public services, which produce healthier, happier citizens.

“To fund public services and pay workers fairly there must be a fundamental change in how companies and individual wealth are taxed. Ensuring that those large multi-national companies – like Amazon and Google – pay their fair share.

“After all, they depend on staff being able to drive on well-maintained roads, where there’s a transport infrastructure, and have access to health, care and education services.

“If an Amazon warehouse caught on fire, they’d expect the local fire service to put it out. But they’re not paying for that service, we are.

“This is the worst economic crisis in over a generation. A crisis blighting many people’s lives. But people are fighting back.

“UNISON is running ballots in areas we never thought we would – in the Environment Agency and the Food Standards Agency.

“There’s currently a dispute in the university sector, with porters and administrative staff standing up for better pay.

“This week, our industrial action ballot started in the NHS in Scotland, and in a couple of weeks another will in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. That means by November, UNISON will be balloting almost 400,000 NHS workers. The sheer logistics are massive.

“Of course, NHS members voting for strike action will be accused of putting lives at risk. But I’ve been speaking to nurses, ambulance workers and hospital cleaners who say the service is already on its knees. Things are so bad that going on strike won’t actually make anything worse, but it will draw attention to the situation.

“We don’t bring people out to bring down governments, we bring them out to get results. To improve their pay and conditions.

“In the public sector, we need to put pressure on employers – but, critically, we also need to put pressure on governments who control the funding.

“The media focused on the rubbish building up on the streets in Edinburgh during the festival. Yet that was a relatively small number of people on strike.

“We were due to bring out school staff the following week, but this action forced employers, and crucially the Scottish government, to come back and negotiate. That new offer has now been accepted.

“Unions have to make a difference to people’s lives and win for them. UNISON will work with any government. Governments in Scotland and Wales (and even Northern Ireland, when they have one) see unions as part of civil society, not the enemy within, unlike the current lot in Downing Street.

“During the recent local government talks in Scotland, the Scottish government was in the room. Nicola Sturgeon got personally involved and I know Mark Drakeford would do the same. I can’t imagine Liz Truss doing that.

“There’s also increasing co-operation between unions. Unions have always worked together, but we’re now seeing more and more of that.

“Unions won’t allow the right to fall back on discredited economic policies or to push the burden and blame for poverty and low pay onto individuals. That’s always their go-to response. If only you worked harder, had two jobs, did longer hours or just got a better job, your life would be fine.

“So, we need to keep the focus, as Jimmy Reid would have done, on the power of the collective.

“Unions are the ultimate collective. Making sure people have enough money to live a decent life is the first step. But Jimmy Reid was adamant that improving lives involves more than simply putting money in pockets.

“He said, ‘to measure social progress purely by material advance is not enough. Our aim must be the enrichment of the whole quality of life’.

“That’s our aim too. Unions don’t just focus on improving pay and conditions, but on giving everyone the chance to fulfil their potential, to be whatever they want to be.

“Unions are also a force for change. That’s why fighting for equality is so important, as is ending poverty.

“Unions take governments to court when they introduce blatantly unfair laws – like tribunal fees – a great human rights victory for UNISON.

“That commitment to progress through collective action is why I – and most in this room I suspect – are trade unionists. That passion and anger against injustice is still the driving force in our lives.

“Hearing Jimmy Reid speak all those years ago set me on the path I follow today. It helped me turn my youthful anger into something positive.

“Like him, I also have faith in humanity – and an unshakeable belief in the transformative power of the collective. Jimmy Reid was a realist – but he never let realism dampen his optimism. And neither must we.”

Notes to editors:
– Christina McAnea will deliver the ninth annual Jimmy Reid Memorial Lecture, entitled Tory Turmoil and the Cost of Living Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for our Trade Unions. It takes place at 7.10pm today (Thursday 6 October) at the Banqueting Hall, City Chambers, Glasgow. Tickets are available here.
– 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.

The article Improving lives means more than putting money in people’s pockets first appeared on the UNISON National site.