UNISON has welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi’s election to the Burmese parliament as a sign of progress in the country, which has been ruled by a military junta for more than 20 years.
During most of that time Ms Suu Kyi was held under house arrest by the junta, after her National League for Democracy won elections in 1990.
The NLD won more than 40 of the 45 seats up for election at the weekend.
“UNISON was proud to make Aung San Suu Kyi an honorary member of the union when she was under house arrest in 2009,” noted general secretary Dave Prentis, “and we congratulate her on her election victory.
“We are proud of the support UNISON members have shown to Ms Suu Kyi and the Burmese people over the years.
“But we are aware that this is a first step on Burma’s road to democracy, not the last one. Trade unions are still outlawed in the country, for example, and we know the Burmese people still have a long way to go.
“We will, as always, be standing beside them ready to help as they they make that journey.”