Category: General secretary’s blog

Opinion: A week from the budget, the country needs a new direction

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

There’s been much speculation over the past few weeks as to what might be in Labour’s first budget for 14 years. Two things we do know for certain are that the government has inherited a difficult financial situation and the chancellor faces a challenging task.

The country is in urgent need of a new direction and there will be much interest in what Rachel Reeves outlines when she unveils her much-anticipated autumn spending plan next Wednesday (30 October).

The Conservatives have left behind a colossal £22bn black hole for the current year that is blighting public finances. The chancellor has also talked of a £40bn funding gap that the government needs to fill over the lifetime of the current parliament to avoid a return to austerity.

Closing this while generating economic growth won’t be a painless experience and there is a clearly a price to be paid for the years of dreadful Tory economic mismanagement. But working people and our public services should be protected along the way too.

In its manifesto, Labour pledged not to raise taxes on working people. The tax burden on them is already too heavy, and it’s time to ease that pressure. Instead, ministers should focus on increasing taxes on unearned wealth. It’s also crucial to close the tax loopholes that let non-doms avoid paying their fair share and to prevent oil and gas companies from raking in massive profits while polluting the planet.

We now have a government that recognises the value of public services, and the chancellor has pledged there’ll be no return to the damaging spending cuts of the past. We know well-resourced, effectively staffed services can help grow the economy. But the challenge for the government is to generate the growth to make all this possible.

The budget is a huge opportunity for the chancellor to set the tone and start delivering the resources to invest in and boost the NHS, and other essential services like schools, police, probation and local government.

Ad hoc, panicked cash injections – as we saw under the Conservatives – won’t cut it. What’s needed is a long-term, sustainable plan to see us through the next five years at least, with funding made a priority and the workforce supported along the way.  

Public service employees have kept this country running despite years of pay freezes, below-inflation awards, staffing crises and austerity. They deserve fair wages to reflect the value of the essential services they provide, address the disparity between their income and the cost of living, and help fill the huge number of vacancies.

In addition, pensioners already struggling to get by must have the winter fuel allowance returned to them. Otherwise, such cuts will push the vulnerable elderly into greater hardship, and we must not leave them out in the cold.

Older people are keeping warm in libraries while local councils are considering closing these essential community spaces due to the increasingly perilous state of their finances.

The chancellor must protect local services with a sensible funding settlement, step in to stop closures of key local services and lend a helping hand to local government as more and more authorities struggle to balance their books.

The budget must signal that Labour is serious about growth and that now is the time for a new direction.

The article Opinion: A week from the budget, the country needs a new direction first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: A week from the budget, the country needs a new direction

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

There’s been much speculation over the past few weeks as to what might be in Labour’s first budget for 14 years. Two things we do know for certain are that the government has inherited a difficult financial situation and the chancellor faces a challenging task.

The country is in urgent need of a new direction and there will be much interest in what Rachel Reeves outlines when she unveils her much-anticipated autumn spending plan next Wednesday (30 October).

The Conservatives have left behind a colossal £22bn black hole for the current year that is blighting public finances. The chancellor has also talked of a £40bn funding gap that the government needs to fill over the lifetime of the current parliament to avoid a return to austerity.

Closing this while generating economic growth won’t be a painless experience and there is a clearly a price to be paid for the years of dreadful Tory economic mismanagement. But working people and our public services should be protected along the way too.

In its manifesto, Labour pledged not to raise taxes on working people. The tax burden on them is already too heavy. Instead, ministers should focus on increasing taxes on unearned wealth. It’s also crucial to close the tax loopholes that let non-doms avoid paying their fair share and to prevent oil and gas companies from raking in massive profits while polluting the planet.

We now have a government that recognises the value of public services, and the chancellor has pledged there’ll be no return to the damaging spending cuts of the past. We know well-resourced, effectively staffed services can help grow the economy. But the challenge for the government is to generate the growth to make all this possible.

The budget is a huge opportunity for the chancellor to set the tone and start delivering the resources to invest in and boost the NHS, and other essential services like schools, police, probation and local government.

Ad hoc, panicked cash injections – as we saw under the Conservatives – won’t cut it. What’s needed is a long-term, sustainable plan to see us through the next five years at least, with funding made a priority and the workforce supported along the way.  

Public service employees have kept this country running despite years of pay freezes, below-inflation awards, staffing crises and austerity. They deserve fair wages to reflect the value of the essential services they provide, address the disparity between their income and the cost of living, and help fill the huge number of vacancies.

In addition, pensioners already struggling to get by must have the winter fuel allowance returned to them. Otherwise, such cuts will push the vulnerable elderly into greater hardship, and we must not leave them out in the cold.

Older people are keeping warm in libraries while local councils are considering closing these essential community spaces due to the increasingly perilous state of their finances.

The chancellor must protect local services with a sensible funding settlement, step in to stop closures of key local services and lend a helping hand to local government as more and more authorities struggle to balance their books.

The budget must signal that Labour is serious about growth and that now is the time for a new direction.

The article Opinion: A week from the budget, the country needs a new direction first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: International law must be respected in the Middle East

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

The devastating situation in the Middle East has escalated beyond our worst fears. The violence of the last year has only fuelled more violence, and now the region is on the precipice of a catastrophic regional war.

From the beginning of this latest conflict, UNISON’s main call has been for a ceasefire, first in Gaza and now in Lebanon. Conflict destroys lives and livelihoods, and without peace, there is little hope for human and workers’ rights.

In recent days, the conflict with Hezbollah has expanded from the border well into Lebanon, with Israeli troops invading the south of the country, while towns and cities, including the capital, Beirut, have been bombarded. Over 1.2 million people have already been displaced and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of “a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza”.

While the United Nations has overwhelmingly supported resolutions condemning the violence and the world’s highest court has called for measures to protect civilians, world leaders have failed to take sufficient actions to end the crisis.

As the people of Palestine, Israel and the wider region enter the second year of this latest conflict, peace seems a very distant hope. In Gaza, over 41,500 Palestinians have been killed, with many more missing, presumed to be under the rubble. Almost the entire population of 2.1 million people has been displaced and 86% of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders.

So called ‘safe zones’ are horrendously overcrowded and lack adequate water and sanitation, contributing to a surge in infectious diseases. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks have stalled, unlikely to resume until at least after the US election.

Restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians in the West Bank have intensified, contributing to a significant increase rise in unemployment. About 600 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Defence Force and settlers, and at least 4,500 have been displaced due to the destruction of property.

The atrocities of 7 October have had a deeply traumatic and catastrophic impact on the people of Israel. The murder of 1,200 civilians and abduction of 251 hostages was a grave violation of international law and has been described as the worst disaster in Israel’s history.

Calls for a ceasefire deal to release the 101 hostages who remain unaccounted for remain unheeded, despite continued major protests led by the families of hostages in Israel. Israel has also come under attack from Iran and groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Gaza and Iraq aligned to the Iranian regime.

In the last three months we have seen some welcome steps from the new UK government to uphold international law, provide access to humanitarian assistance and limit the supply of arms; but these measures do not go far enough. We need the government to take further action to demand a ceasefire, including suspending the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement until human rights and international law are respected.

When I visited Palestine this June to meet with trade unions and the Palestinian Authority (pictured above), their message was clear. They need an immediate ceasefire to end the bloodshed. But this must pave the way for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state alongside Israel to end the occupation and the violation of Palestinian rights which has fuelled the conflict in the Middle East for decades.

With the Israeli Knesset (parliament) overwhelmingly opposed to any form of Palestinian state we need the world’s governments, including our own, to recognise Palestine, end support for the settlements and ensure international law is fully respected.

UNISON members have lost family and friends or fear for their safety. Many have been affected by the devastating rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. Even the cost of fuel and food has been affected.

UNISON was one of the first unions to call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, full access to humanitarian assistance and for an end to the blockade. And we must continue making these demands as the critical first steps towards peace in the region and a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.

The article Opinion: International law must be respected in the Middle East first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: International law must be respected in the Middle East

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

The devastating situation in the Middle East has escalated beyond our worst fears. The violence of the last year has only fuelled more violence, and now the region is on the precipice of a catastrophic regional war.

From the beginning of this latest conflict, UNISON’s main call has been for a ceasefire, first in Gaza and now in Lebanon. Conflict destroys lives and livelihoods, and without peace, there is little hope for human and workers’ rights.

In recent days, the conflict with Hezbollah has expanded from the border well into Lebanon, with Israeli troops invading the south of the country, while towns and cities, including the capital, Beirut, have been bombarded. Over 1.2 million people have already been displaced and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of “a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza”.

While the United Nations has overwhelmingly supported resolutions condemning the violence and the world’s highest court has called for measures to protect civilians, world leaders have failed to take sufficient actions to end the crisis.

As the people of Palestine, Israel and the wider region enter the second year of this latest conflict, peace seems a very distant hope. In Gaza, over 41,500 Palestinians have been killed, with many more missing, presumed to be under the rubble. Almost the entire population of 2.1 million people has been displaced and 86% of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders.

So called ‘safe zones’ are horrendously overcrowded and lack adequate water and sanitation, contributing to a surge in infectious diseases. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks have stalled, unlikely to resume until at least after the US election.

Restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians in the West Bank have intensified, contributing to a significant increase rise in unemployment. About 600 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Defence Force and settlers, and at least 4,500 have been displaced due to the destruction of property.

The atrocities of 7 October have had a deeply traumatic and catastrophic impact on the people of Israel. The murder of 1,200 civilians and abduction of 251 hostages was a grave violation of international law and has been described as the worst disaster in Israel’s history.

Calls for a ceasefire deal to release the 101 hostages who remain unaccounted for remain unheeded, despite continued major protests led by the families of hostages in Israel. Israel has also come under attack from Iran and groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Gaza and Iraq aligned to the Iranian regime.

In the last three months we have seen some welcome steps from the new UK government to uphold international law, provide access to humanitarian assistance and limit the supply of arms; but these measures do not go far enough. We need the government to take further action to demand a ceasefire, including suspending the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement until human rights and international law are respected.

When I visited Palestine this June to meet with trade unions and the Palestinian Authority (pictured above), their message was clear. They need an immediate ceasefire to end the bloodshed. But this must pave the way for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state alongside Israel to end the occupation and the violation of Palestinian rights which has fuelled the conflict in the Middle East for decades.

With the Israeli Knesset (parliament) overwhelmingly opposed to any form of Palestinian state we need the world’s governments, including our own, to recognise Palestine, end support for the settlements and ensure international law is fully respected.

UNISON members have lost family and friends or fear for their safety. Many have been affected by the devastating rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. Even the cost of fuel and food has been affected.

UNISON was one of the first unions to call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, full access to humanitarian assistance and for an end to the blockade. And we must continue making these demands as the critical first steps towards peace in the region and a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.

The article Opinion: International law must be respected in the Middle East first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: The Employment Rights Bill will balance the scales

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
The new Employment Rights Bill is on the way and it can’t come soon enough. It will contain a raft of measures delivering improved rights for individual workers, establishing new collective approaches in long-ignored sectors, and stripping away a decade of hostile restrictions on trade union activity.

Over the last decade, the balance of power at work has been tipped firmly away from workers. Change to laws, regulations and policies has allowed bad bosses to withhold contractual security from people who need varied hours; exploit loopholes and outsourcing to reduce rights and cut pay; and bar trade unions from organising workers and challenging bad practices. 

The measures set out in the bill won’t appear out of nowhere. Every provision is the result of years of campaigning and lobbying and – over the last year – lots of close work with allies in the Labour Party, the TUC and the wider labour movement.

This includes the learning and expertise gathered from the individual cases UNISON has taken on and won on your behalf, the collective negotiations we’ve conducted and the representations we’ve made to employers across the UK. These enabled us to secure pre-election policy pledges on priority issues, which were firmed into commitments in the King’s Speech in July and will be embedded in the bill this October.

What we expect from the bill

The scope and timetable of the bill are hugely ambitious.

It will introduce new employment rights in England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland applies different employment laws) including on flexible and family-friendly working to prevent people making the tough choice to leave secure jobs to get the hours they need.

Changes will be proposed to stamp out the use of exploitative zero-hours and fire and rehire practices to bar workers from rights and security. A ‘two-tier’ code will be introduced so outsourcers can’t profit from worsening the pay and terms of workers. New routes for quick resolution of common breaches will be proposed, meaning workers won’t have to initiate long tribunal battles to get employers to do the right thing. A more powerful enforcement body will be tasked with tackling bad practices.

We expect that the bill will allow more people to benefit from consistent improvements to pay and terms that UNISON negotiates. Outsourced workers, school support staff and adult social care workers should be specifically referenced, taking the much-campaigned-for first step towards establishing a national care service in England.

For further details on what the bill includes, see our legal briefing.

How UNISON will engage

Of course, as always, the devil will be in the detail. We are preparing for our parliamentary, legal and technical experts to get involved in every step of the bill’s journey, engaging with the small print of each of the provisions, and undertaking the vast array of meetings, conversations, events and submissions needed to see the bill onto statute books (including adapting to fit or work with devolved powers) and adopted in employment policies and contracts.

However, what will bring this bill to life is your stories about the difference the changes could make for you. We’ll make sure your voice is heard, so look out for updates and details of how to get involved as this work unfolds. We will be working directly with some key groups, like care workers and school staff on the details as the legislation goes through.

The bill’s introduction will be only the start of the parliamentary process. As it makes its way through the difference stages to become law, many measures will attract tough opposition. UNISON will need to work with our allies to make sure what’s published is not neutralised or struck out by those with vested interests trying to push back on workers rights.

Trade union rights

We know that trade union rights will be a key battleground. We want to see progressive change here, including the removal of legal restrictions that prevent trade unions from offering membership to workers.

We also want to see the government lift the legal barriers to organising strike action, which will enable unions to use modern methods to make decisions, like running e-ballots for key votes.

I have no doubt these measures will be cheaply characterised and derided by our opponents, but they could hold the key to re-balancing industrial relations that have been all one-way for far too long.

When employers know strikes are possible, they work harder to avoid them – talking to workers, listening to unions and creating the kind of engaged workplaces needed to boost morale and success across the whole economy.

I’ve spent the last 15 years speaking out against Westminster-sanctioned worker exploitation, trade union restrictions and employer penny-pinching, calling out the damage caused to our vital public services.

UNISON will not miss this opportunity to speak up for a progressive agenda and show that what’s good for workers is also good for the services they deliver.

Expectations are high and we will be working with our trade union allies to make them a reality.

The article Opinion: The Employment Rights Bill will balance the scales first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: The Employment Rights Bill will balance the scales

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea
The new Employment Rights Bill is on the way and it can’t come soon enough. It will contain a raft of measures delivering improved rights for individual workers, establishing new collective approaches in long-ignored sectors, and stripping away a decade of hostile restrictions on trade union activity.

Over the last decade, the balance of power at work has been tipped firmly away from workers. Change to laws, regulations and policies has allowed bad bosses to withhold contractual security from people who need varied hours; exploit loopholes and outsourcing to reduce rights and cut pay; and bar trade unions from organising workers and challenging bad practices. 

The measures set out in the bill won’t appear out of nowhere. Every provision is the result of years of campaigning and lobbying and – over the last year – lots of close work with allies in the Labour Party, the TUC and the wider labour movement.

This includes the learning and expertise gathered from the individual cases UNISON has taken on and won on your behalf, the collective negotiations we’ve conducted and the representations we’ve made to employers across the UK. These enabled us to secure pre-election policy pledges on priority issues, which were firmed into commitments in the King’s Speech in July and will be embedded in the bill this October.

What we expect from the bill

The scope and timetable of the bill are hugely ambitious.

It will introduce new employment rights in England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland applies different employment laws) including on flexible and family-friendly working to prevent people making the tough choice to leave secure jobs to get the hours they need.

Changes will be proposed to stamp out the use of exploitative zero-hours and fire and rehire practices to bar workers from rights and security. A ‘two-tier’ code will be introduced so outsourcers can’t profit from worsening the pay and terms of workers. New routes for quick resolution of common breaches will be proposed, meaning workers won’t have to initiate long tribunal battles to get employers to do the right thing. A more powerful enforcement body will be tasked with tackling bad practices.

We expect that the bill will allow more people to benefit from consistent improvements to pay and terms that UNISON negotiates. Outsourced workers, school support staff and adult social care workers should be specifically referenced, taking the much-campaigned-for first step towards establishing a national care service in England.

For further details on what the bill includes, see our legal briefing.

How UNISON will engage

Of course, as always, the devil will be in the detail. We are preparing for our parliamentary, legal and technical experts to get involved in every step of the bill’s journey, engaging with the small print of each of the provisions, and undertaking the vast array of meetings, conversations, events and submissions needed to see the bill onto statute books (including adapting to fit or work with devolved powers) and adopted in employment policies and contracts.

However, what will bring this bill to life is your stories about the difference the changes could make for you. We’ll make sure your voice is heard, so look out for updates and details of how to get involved as this work unfolds. We will be working directly with some key groups, like care workers and school staff on the details as the legislation goes through.

The bill’s introduction will be only the start of the parliamentary process. As it makes its way through the difference stages to become law, many measures will attract tough opposition. UNISON will need to work with our allies to make sure what’s published is not neutralised or struck out by those with vested interests trying to push back on workers rights.

Trade union rights

We know that trade union rights will be a key battleground. We want to see progressive change here, including the removal of legal restrictions that prevent trade unions from offering membership to workers.

We also want to see the government lift the legal barriers to organising strike action, which will enable unions to use modern methods to make decisions, like running e-ballots for key votes.

I have no doubt these measures will be cheaply characterised and derided by our opponents, but they could hold the key to re-balancing industrial relations that have been all one-way for far too long.

When employers know strikes are possible, they work harder to avoid them – talking to workers, listening to unions and creating the kind of engaged workplaces needed to boost morale and success across the whole economy.

I’ve spent the last 15 years speaking out against Westminster-sanctioned worker exploitation, trade union restrictions and employer penny-pinching, calling out the damage caused to our vital public services.

UNISON will not miss this opportunity to speak up for a progressive agenda and show that what’s good for workers is also good for the services they deliver.

Expectations are high and we will be working with our trade union allies to make them a reality.

The article Opinion: The Employment Rights Bill will balance the scales first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: Why climate change is so important for UNISON

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Today marks the beginning of Green UNISON Week, now an established part of the UNISON calendar and a mark of the importance we give this issue in UNISON.

And I applaud everyone taking part in the various green activities up and down the country, whether it’s becoming citizen scientists, putting on or attending a local green event, attending a national green workshop or considering taking on the new role of branch environmental officer this week. And it’s fantastic to see that UNISON has seen a 100% increase in branch environmental officers over the last 18 months!

Today we are also pleased to be launching our new guide, Bargaining on Green Issues in the Workplace, to support our members and activists who want to get more active on this agenda in their workplace.

Why is climate change so important to UNISON?

Collectively our workers across every sector are key stakeholders in the transformations necessary to meet the UK’s commitment challenge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Public services are vital to this agenda – that means we can use our influence to act, and to support our members’ actions, in addressing this emergency situation.

Our members are often at the frontline of managing the affects on our health and our environment. All our jobs are, or will be, affected in one way or another. And, of course, our energy workers are at the forefront of delivering the new renewable technologies and infrastructure that reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

This year, July saw the three highest global temperatures ever recorded and a new study showed that pollution alone now accounts for more deaths globally than war, disease and drugs combined.

Heatwaves are now estimated to kill 30 times more people a year than tropical cyclones. Yet, despite pollution and heatwaves causing such devastation, they are unseen catastrophes. Unlike floods, hurricanes and wildfires, they don’t leave a trail of physical destruction or striking images in the news.

And we know that, both at home and abroad, pollution and extreme heat prey on the poorest and most disadvantaged people. And it is public services, and our members, who have to pick up the pieces of these impacts in the UK.

We can’t afford to bury our head in the sand and hope this goes away.

While initial signs are very encouraging, we wait to see if this new Labour government will be ambitious enough to do what’s needed, both fairly and in time. The UK must urgently get back on track with its commitments and continue to lead and encourage others to do the same.

As a public service union, we are clear that the money we are not investing now, up-front, on meeting those vital carbon reduction targets will end up being spent 10 or a hundred times over on attempting to adapt to whatever comes next. That’s money that could and should be saved to strengthen the public services we all rely on.

How can members get involved

We must also encourage and enable our members to get active in the local transformations and negotiations that are already happening across public services. This will ensure that workers are recognised as key stakeholders in the plans that affect them, their families and their communities, and will ensure the transition to a greener UK is a fair one.

That’s why we introduced the new branch environmental officer role launched this new guide to support your engagement on this issue, Bargaining on Green Issues in the Workplace.

The guide provides details on how UNISON activists can get involved at every level and is just part of the direct support we have available, along with training and other resources to help you along the way.

International impact

Here in the UK, we have everything we need for a just and rapid transition away from fossil fuels – many other countries are not so lucky.

But UNISON is clear, getting to net zero on time in the UK can’t be at the cost of people’s livelihoods, or reliance on other countries taking on the burden instead of us.

We need to work together and meet this crisis head on with a planned approach to an urgent and just transition for all where no one is left behind and public services, and our members who provide them, need to be recognised as key stakeholders and given access to the negotiating tables when these vital transformation decisions are made.

The article Opinion: Why climate change is so important for UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: Why climate change is so important for UNISON

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

Today marks the beginning of Green UNISON Week, now an established part of the UNISON calendar and a mark of the importance we give this issue in UNISON.

And I applaud everyone taking part in the various green activities up and down the country, whether it’s becoming citizen scientists, putting on or attending a local green event, attending a national green workshop or considering taking on the new role of branch environmental officer this week. And it’s fantastic to see that UNISON has seen a 100% increase in branch environmental officers over the last 18 months!

Today we are also pleased to be launching our new guide, Bargaining on Green Issues in the Workplace, to support our members and activists who want to get more active on this agenda in their workplace.

Why is climate change so important to UNISON?

Collectively our workers across every sector are key stakeholders in the transformations necessary to meet the UK’s commitment challenge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Public services are vital to this agenda – that means we can use our influence to act, and to support our members’ actions, in addressing this emergency situation.

Our members are often at the frontline of managing the affects on our health and our environment. All our jobs are, or will be, affected in one way or another. And, of course, our energy workers are at the forefront of delivering the new renewable technologies and infrastructure that reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

This year, July saw the three highest global temperatures ever recorded and a new study showed that pollution alone now accounts for more deaths globally than war, disease and drugs combined.

Heatwaves are now estimated to kill 30 times more people a year than tropical cyclones. Yet, despite pollution and heatwaves causing such devastation, they are unseen catastrophes. Unlike floods, hurricanes and wildfires, they don’t leave a trail of physical destruction or striking images in the news.

And we know that, both at home and abroad, pollution and extreme heat prey on the poorest and most disadvantaged people. And it is public services, and our members, who have to pick up the pieces of these impacts in the UK.

We can’t afford to bury our head in the sand and hope this goes away.

While initial signs are very encouraging, we wait to see if this new Labour government will be ambitious enough to do what’s needed, both fairly and in time. The UK must urgently get back on track with its commitments and continue to lead and encourage others to do the same.

As a public service union, we are clear that the money we are not investing now, up-front, on meeting those vital carbon reduction targets will end up being spent 10 or a hundred times over on attempting to adapt to whatever comes next. That’s money that could and should be saved to strengthen the public services we all rely on.

How can members get involved

We must also encourage and enable our members to get active in the local transformations and negotiations that are already happening across public services. This will ensure that workers are recognised as key stakeholders in the plans that affect them, their families and their communities, and will ensure the transition to a greener UK is a fair one.

That’s why we introduced the new branch environmental officer role launched this new guide to support your engagement on this issue, Bargaining on Green Issues in the Workplace.

The guide provides details on how UNISON activists can get involved at every level and is just part of the direct support we have available, along with training and other resources to help you along the way.

International impact

Here in the UK, we have everything we need for a just and rapid transition away from fossil fuels – many other countries are not so lucky.

But UNISON is clear, getting to net zero on time in the UK can’t be at the cost of people’s livelihoods, or reliance on other countries taking on the burden instead of us.

We need to work together and meet this crisis head on with a planned approach to an urgent and just transition for all where no one is left behind and public services, and our members who provide them, need to be recognised as key stakeholders and given access to the negotiating tables when these vital transformation decisions are made.

The article Opinion: Why climate change is so important for UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

A new dawn for public services – a hopeful vision under Labour

After 14 long years of Conservative rule that left our public services in a mess, the UK finally stands at the beginning of a new era.

The recent general election has put an end to a government marked by chaos, infighting, and cronyism. We can all breathe a sigh of relief as we say goodbye and good riddance to an era that has seen our essential public services so terribly mismanaged.

The Conservatives have left a legacy of underfunded and overstretched services. Our NHS is in crisis, social care is woefully inadequate, and local governments are barely coping with community needs.

Fixing these vital services will be a massive task, requiring significant investment and a serious effort to restore public trust in our political system.

Fortunately, with Keir Starmer’s Labour government now at the helm, there’s a beacon of hope. Labour’s resounding victory is a testament to our calls for real change and renewal. Starmer’s historic landslide win isn’t just a political triumph; it’s a clear mandate for a brighter future for all of us.

The priority for the new government must be clear: to invest in and revive our public services. This means ensuring NHS patients get the care they need promptly, building a social care system that supports everyone in need, and restoring local services so that local governments can effectively serve their communities.

These steps aren’t just about fixing services; they’re about reaffirming the social contract that holds us together as communities and as a nation.

Keir Starmer’s first speech as prime minister highlighted his dedication to this mission. Unlike many before him, Starmer isn’t a career politician; he’s a true public servant who understands the critical value of high-quality public services and the crucial role of the workers who deliver them.

His leadership brings a fresh perspective and a much-needed focus on the well-being of the many, not the few.

Investing in public services is more than just a budgetary choice; it’s a moral duty. High-quality public services are the foundation of a fair and just society. They drive economic growth, support the most vulnerable, and foster community spirit.

With Labour in charge, we have the chance to build a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone in the UK.

We won’t always agree with the new government. But UNISON is very clear about what our priorities are – for our members and for working people – and I will be doing everything I can to make sure they are the government’s priorities too.

The road ahead won’t be easy, and the work to repair the damage of the past decade and a half will be tough. But with a Labour government dedicated to public service and led by a prime minister who values integrity and dedication, there’s hope that we can rebuild a country where public services once again serve the people effectively and compassionately.

The dawn of a new era is upon us, and with it, the promise of a better, fairer Britain.

The article A new dawn for public services – a hopeful vision under Labour first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Opinion: A new dawn for public services – a hopeful vision under Labour

By UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

After 14 long years of Conservative rule that left our public services in a mess, the UK finally stands at the beginning of a new era.

The recent general election has put an end to a government marked by chaos, infighting, and cronyism. We can all breathe a sigh of relief as we say goodbye and good riddance to an era that has seen our essential public services so terribly mismanaged.

The Conservatives have left a legacy of underfunded and overstretched services. Our NHS is in crisis, social care is woefully inadequate, and local governments are barely coping with community needs.

Fixing these vital services will be a massive task, requiring significant investment and a serious effort to restore public trust in our political system.

Fortunately, with Keir Starmer’s Labour government now at the helm, there’s a beacon of hope. Labour’s resounding victory is a testament to our calls for real change and renewal. Starmer’s historic landslide win isn’t just a political triumph; it’s a clear mandate for a brighter future for all of us.

The priority for the new government must be clear: to invest in and revive our public services. This means ensuring NHS patients get the care they need promptly, building a social care system that supports everyone in need, and restoring local services so that local governments can effectively serve their communities.

These steps aren’t just about fixing services; they’re about reaffirming the social contract that holds us together as communities and as a nation.

Keir Starmer’s first speech as prime minister highlighted his dedication to this mission. Unlike many before him, Starmer isn’t a career politician; he’s a true public servant who understands the critical value of high-quality public services and the crucial role of the workers who deliver them.

His leadership brings a fresh perspective and a much-needed focus on the well-being of the many, not the few.

Investing in public services is more than just a budgetary choice; it’s a moral duty. High-quality public services are the foundation of a fair and just society. They drive economic growth, support the most vulnerable, and foster community spirit.

With Labour in charge, we have the chance to build a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone in the UK.

We won’t always agree with the new government. But UNISON is very clear about what our priorities are – for our members and for working people – and I will be doing everything I can to make sure they are the government’s priorities too.

The road ahead won’t be easy, and the work to repair the damage of the past decade and a half will be tough. But with a Labour government dedicated to public service and led by a prime minister who values integrity and dedication, there’s hope that we can rebuild a country where public services once again serve the people effectively and compassionately.

The dawn of a new era is upon us, and with it, the promise of a better, fairer Britain.

The article Opinion: A new dawn for public services – a hopeful vision under Labour first appeared on the UNISON National site.