Addressing UNISON’s annual conference in Brighton today (Wednesday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Everyone has suffered over the past 14 years of Tory chaos and cuts.
“The UK’s had a revolving door of clueless prime ministers and Cabinet members who’ve made political choices that exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis and allowed living standards to plummet.
“Social care is beyond broken. Its shortcomings are having an appalling impact on other public services, especially the NHS.
“Labour’s plans for a national care service will be a life-changer for the people of this country. The first move will be a fair-pay agreement to raise wage rates across the sector.
“At a stroke, it’ll make working in care a more attractive option and help deliver rewarding jobs that will be worth keeping.
“UNISON was one of the first organisations to push for a national care service, one that will treat its workers better too.
“Anyone who cares about public services will want to see a change of government in Westminster.
“Since 2010, the Conservatives have broken the UK’s public services and threatened all our futures.
“The public are fed up with decades of under-investment in public services and those services being driven into the ground.
“The election is an opportunity to put an end to years of disastrous and divisive Tory rule. Let’s make sure 5 July is the dawn of a brighter future.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON’s annual conferences started on Sunday and are taking place until Friday this week (21 June) at the Brighton Conference Centre. Further details can be found 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.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
