SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 1

ACTIVE!MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 33 | £3 WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE P20 UNISON’s impressive new Leeds HQ

P3,5,6&10 CORONAVIRUS: YOUR UNION IS WITH YOU

All the pictures in this issue were taken before strict rules on social isolation were introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic. The emergency also means that this edition of Active! is digital only. 2 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 COVID-19 Your rights at work & more... The situation is changing quickly - so visit the UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside website for links to the latest guidance

As is the case across the country, UNISON branches in our region are advising, supporting and representing members as the nation adjusts to the challenge of COVID-19. These are diffi cult times for everyone, and our members are amongst those on the frontline, doing the critical work they always do in unprecedented circumstances. UNISON is here to help you and your families.

Members needing advice relating to the impact of COVID-19 on their employment may fi nd the Y&H regional website useful in answering basic queries. www.unison-yorks.org.uk

Links include... • UNISON – Coronavirus: Your rights at work • Public Health England guidance • Local Government Association guidance • NHS Staff Council guidance • ACAS guidance for employers and employees • UNISON: school closures guidance • There for You: Financial help for UNISON members

Get in touch Email: [email protected] Tel: 0113 218 2627 SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 3

OUR UNION SO INCREDIBLY PROUD GENERAL SECRETARY Dave Prentis t is hard to continue to fi nd this national emergency, REGIONAL SECRETARY the words to express what or practically supporting John Cafferty Ian extraordinary time this members like you on the REGIONAL CONVENOR is. Coronavirus is disrupting frontline of the response. Wendy Nichols the lives of all of us in ways As I’ve said before, I UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside unimaginable just a few am so incredibly proud of Commerce House, Wade Lane, short weeks ago. Safe to say, how this union is pulling Leeds LS2 8NJ none of us has experienced together. In the most extreme T 08000 857 857 or freephone anything like this and none circumstances the work done textphone 08000 967 968 W www.unison-yorks.org.uk of us really knows what by our members in stepping will happen next. But in up to the ultimate challenge Lines are open 6am-midnight such uncertain times for of saving lives and keeping Monday-Friday and our communities and our essential services running 9am-4pm Saturdays country, there are positives wherever possible is truly and examples of real humbling. And the work EDITOR hope, courage, leadership done by our activists, and our Barrie Clement and selfl essness. staff to support our members CONSULTING EDITOR UNISON is at the forefront in that endeavour is just as Mary Maguire of the response. Whether it’s vital, important

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER working behind the scenes and impressive. Jim Varney with other unions, the TUC We are witnessing true DAVE PRENTIS and with government to public service every minute GENERAL CONTRIBUTORS make sure the policies are of every day during this SECRETARY Christine Buckley, Peter Carrol, Patrick Dennehy, Ryan Fletcher, Helen Hague, in place to protect workers crisis. Thank you, as ever, for Mary Maguire, Paul Routledge, Jo Seery and workers’ pay during all you are doing.

COVER IMAGE Jim Varney

Published on behalf of UNISON by Century One Publishing Ltd. Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG T 01727 893 894 NEEDLESS DEATHS F 01727 893 895 E [email protected] The courage, skill and power - although wealth and W www.centuryonepublishing.uk dedication of our power determines who gets

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MAGAZINEACTIVE! FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 33 | £3 1 Copyright reproduction WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK shameless. Austerity has as a result. P20 in whole or part by been a systematic drive to Meanwhile the whole any means without privatise public services, country shows its gratitude written permission of the publisher is erode our members’ wages and respect for our heroic strictly forbidden. and enrich Tory supporters. members who are keeping UNISON and the THE FUTURE STARTS HERE But the lies behind all the society functioning and publisher accept UNISON’s impressive new Leeds HQ

P3,5,6&10 no responsibility for CORONAVIRUS pain and misery infl icted on risking their own health. YOUR UNION : All the pictures in this issue were taken before strictIS rules on social isolation were introduced because errors, omissions of the coronavirus pandemic. The emergency also meansWITH that this editionYOU of Active! is digital only. society has been exposed. The Government thinks or the consequences Suddenly we are all in this it can ride this wave until thereof. together (remember David the crisis ends, only to WENDY Cameron?) - interdependent revert to its attacks on NICHOLS © UNISON 2020 REGIONAL and equal. public sector funding. CONVENOR That’s because this virus It needs to think again. does not respect wealth and Things have changed. W.Nichols 4 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 NEWS RETHINK AT ACADEMIES TRUST UNISON has won a rethink of a major shake-up at a UNISON area organiser Sarah Keig said that while multi-academy trust which would have led to wage management had kept both UNISON and the GMB cuts of up to £5000, dramatic changes to jobs and an informed about the job evaluation exercise, neither increase in the gender pay gap. union had been consulted about the details. After talks involving unions, management and the Sarah visited most of the schools in Yorkshire Local Government Association, the March 1 deadline & Humberside to speak to members and she has been shifted forward to September 1. contacted other regions which did the same. “The The Wakefield-based Outwood Grange overwhelming feedback was that whilst OGAT had Academies Trust (OGAT) which operates 32 been telling the trade unions that consultation with schools across three UNISON regions - Yorkshire staff had taken place, it hadn’t. There was a lot of & Humberside, Northern and the East Midlands - anger amongst staff as some are set to lose thousands initially refused to delay implementation. But under of pounds because of the changes to their jobs. There pressure from UNISON it has since agreed to look were also concerns about the actual job roles, which again at its proposals. in some cases have changed dramatically.”

COME AND HAVE A FLUTTER!! SATURDAY AFTERNOON AUGUST 1ST 2020 Coronavirus permitting why not join other UNISON members, their families and friends at our union’s Doncaster Raceday on Saturday August 1, 2020?

It’s a great day out and there’s a special deal for UNISON members. You can get two grandstand tickets for the price of one at just £13.

Members can upgrade to the county stand – two tickets for a total of £30 (usually £32.50 each).

To book call 01302 3042000, quote UNISON RACEDAY OFFER, your membership number or UNISON branch code. Tickets are on sale now – offer closes at 5pm July 24, 2020.

There will be a refund on all tickets if racing is suspended. NEWS SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 5 COVID-19 PAY CUT SCRAPPED Following massive pressure from UNISON, The trust announced that trainees will be Sheffi eld Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation paid at the proper rate during the crisis and Trust reversed a disgraceful decision to cut the when training restarts they’ll be able to pay of trainee nursing associates and end their resume their places. training. Regional organiser Sue Cookman said the The trainees received letters telling them that, decision had been a “PR disaster” that “fl ew in John Campbell: because of the coronavirus crisis, their training the face of government guidelines”. Nationwide, Testing would stop, with no resumption guaranteed. it has been decided that the vital work that times ahead Nursing associate training primarily involves trainees are doing might count toward their on-the-job learning. training. As part of the draconian decision they would Branch secretary John Campbell welcomed the also be expected to take a pay cut of up to £1,700 trust’s change of heart, adding: “The members – even as they were deployed to the front-line in will be hugely reassured by this, as am I. the fi ght against COVID-19. “I hope that we can continue to work However following some fantastic joint constructively together with the trust, in working between the region and the partnership in the testing times that surely Sue Cookman: branch, and with members showing lie ahead.” NHS Trust’s “great solidarity and resilience,” the ‘PR disaster’ move was scrapped. P10: practical support. BOOST FOR FRONTLINE STAFF Rotherham Council is the latest local authority to sign up to Regional secretary John Caff erty and regional manager UNISON’s ethical care charter. Karen Loughlin both stressed how Covid-19 had Council leader Chris Read joined UNISON general highlighted the importance of home care workers. secretary Dave Prentis to sign the document on February Said John: “The current unprecedented pandemic 19. Rotherham joins Sheffi eld, York, Leeds (stages 1&2), has starkly brought into the open just how valuable Hull and Bradford as signatories in the region. but undervalued these workers are, particularly the The charter commits Rotherham Council to continue home care workers.” working with employers to help end zero-hours contracts Karen added: “The current crisis has highlighted and refl ect travel time between home visits in care workers’ how key these front line staff are at supporting some of pay. the most isolated and vulnerable members of society. Under the charter all home care fi rms with council Unlike many other organisations Rotherham Council has contracts will pay at least the £9.30 an hour real living wage recognised the value of these staff by adopting UNISON’s from this April, meaning a pay rise for around 800 staff . charter.” Photo: Pete Jenkins Pete Photo:

Left to right: Cabinet member for adult social care David Roche, council leader Chris Read, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis and branch secretary Ruth Askwith 6 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

HEROES EVERY ONE Consulting editor Mary Maguire reviews the media coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, pointing out that many of the front-line troops fi ghting the disease are UNISON members

he biggest news story the world by the sombre prognosis that the disease was has seen for many decades initially “spiralling deeper into crisis” with one offi cial splutt ered onto news bulletins between warning of “wartime conditions”. The UK the devastating storms Brendan, Ciara declared the virus a “serious and imminent threat and Dennis. A deadly new virus many to public health”. Tthousands of miles away in a province of China The “hunt” for coronavirus carriers was had broken out and was heading to a newspaper stepped up, according to most commentators, as near you. the “trail leads from Singapore to UK and France”. At fi rst, analysis and reporting was academic And one boffi n didn’t help matt ers by declaring to and factual with the South Yorkshire Post’s the Hull Daily Mail, “the genie has escaped from typical “people returning to the UK from China the bott le”. have been urged to self-isolate”. And boffi ns were None of the hyperbole, however, could capture given an airing to discuss symptoms, origins, the horror of what happened next. The most expected trajectory and the likelihood of a vaccine deadly pandemic for a century aff ected every being developed. Until, that was, the fi rst two single country, county and town. UK victims were tracked down to a York hotel News pictures of supermarket shelves stripped (The Star). of such virus-fi ghting essentials as toilet roll, This was followed quickly by the discovery of a spaghett i and tins of tuna, fuelled panic as third UK victim, who, according to the Telegraph country after country started closing borders, & Argus contracted the virus in Asia, but not in cancelling sporting events and ordering citizens China, and then there was a fourth. to stay indoors. Overnight, headline writers went into Each day brings fresh terror to our TV screens overdrive – using emotive language and with mounting tallies of cases and deaths around declaring that the “deadly virus” had gripped the the world. Here at home, the NHS struggles nation. “UK faces major outbreak”, “Virus could valiantly on as “the deadly virus claims more be more deadly than Ebola” and “NHS could be victims” (The Examiner). The BBC recovered its EACH DAY overwhelmed”. Although the remarks of the chief reputation as a public service broadcaster with its BRINGS medical offi cer that “The NHS is well prepared to daily news updates, around the regions and the FRESH manage these cases”, fell on deaf ears, apart from world, and advice and information. TERROR the Telegraph & Argus. Prime Minister Johnson was forced to hold TO OUR TV Headlines sparking fear and panic continued daily press conferences in which the nation was SCREENS as Britons were evacuated from Wuhan, China exhorted to pull together, as the years of austerity and placed straight into a two-week quarantine. exposed the weaknesses in our NHS and Intrepid reporters broke through to interview public services. them, describing “British man’s frantic escape The media continues to forecast more deaths from virus-hit China” (Mirror) and “Escape from and a nation in lock-down for some months, and

Hell” as the fi nal rescue fl ight landed at an RAF now, every single outlet, is fulsome in its praise of Mary Maguire base (Sun). our fantastic NHS staff , our care staff , our council News of “Britons infected at French ski resort” and public service workers, UNISON members, and a British couple among passengers confi ned keeping us safe, batt ling an invisible enemy at to cabins on a cruise liner, was accompanied great personal risk - heroes every single one. SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 7 COVID-19 Join UNISON now www.join.unison.org.uk ESSENTIAL COVER

WHEREVER Join UNISON online YOU WORK join.unison.org.uk In these uncertain times Annual salary Monthy cost there’s never been a better Up to £2,000 £1.30 time to join UNISON. £2,001–£5,000 £3.50 £5,001–£8,000 £5.30 • advice, support and help at work £8,001–£11,000 £6.60 • legal help for you at work and £11,001–£14,000 £7.85 £14,001–£17,000 £9.70 your family at home £17,001–£20,000 £11.50 • training to help develop your £20,001–£25,000 £14.00 career £25,001–£30,000 £17.25 • plus a wide range of exclusive £30,001–£35,000 £20.30 member discounts over £35,000 £22.50 8 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

GRABBING ATTENTION It’s absolutely vital to get the union’s message out – especially under a Tory government with ambitions to destroy public services. Active! feature writer Helen Hague talks to activist, NHS worker and arch-communicator Rob Allen who was a key player in the Sodexo strike victory

hen it comes to unashamedly embracing helping unions deliver a communicating, social media to get the fairer deal for workers. you could say union’s message out. Rob, 44, is no stranger NHS worker Former nightclub DJ Rob to union struggles and Rob Allen – he remembers favouring activism: he grew up during THE UNION isW a bit of a natural. After Blur over Oasis back in the the miners’ strike and HELPED all, you don’t get your own nineties – has been working remembers joining his dad ME OUT community radio music at Doncaster Royal Infi rmary on the picket line outside SO MUCH show without having the gift in pharmacy logistics, Markham Main colliery WHEN of the gab. making sure drugs get to when still at primary school. I NEEDED Away from the where they are needed, for He joined UNISON when IT. turntables, Rob, chair and well over a decade. he started working at the communications offi cer Social media is already infi rmary thirteen years ago. I WANTED for UNISON’s 3,000-strong transforming how members But, in what is a familiar TO DO Doncaster and Bassetlaw engage with the union, says journey for rank and fi lers THE SAME health branch, is intent on Rob it has the potential who become activists, he FOR OTHER engaging and delivering to achieve much more, became more engaged PEOPLE for members. And he’s benefi ting members and when he needed help from - ROB ALLEN SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 9

You can catch up with Rob Allen (opposite) on Deadbeat Club on Sine FM 102.6 community radio Thursdays at 9pm. If you live outside Doncaster listen live at www.sinefm.com

the union – and the union were over 18,000 “likes” communication has never delivered. on an upbeat fi lm of the been bett er.” For Rob, activism started strikers posted on the In his role as after a rogue needle stick branch Facebook page. communications offi cer, injury at work towards the This showed solidarity in Rob has beefed up the end of 2017. It had ended up action, workers banding branch website, embraced in general waste rather than together – and banners twitt er, instagram and the sharps bin. He was tested aplenty against a lively Facebook, for hepatitis and had to wait soundtrack. The three- and set up WhatsApp two weeks for the results year pay increase was members’ groups. He ROB WAS of an HIV test. “The union backdated – giving updates content regularly AMAZING, helped me out so much when members between £800 so sites don’t look stale. ENSURING I needed it. I wanted to do and £3,000 back pay. He has more in store PICTURES the same for other people,” The Sodexo strike victory for the coming year – and AND VIDEO says Rob. shows UNISON’s strategy hopes to get podcasts up Two colleagues nominated of ensuring private and running on the union FOOTAGE him as a steward and he contractors pay the agreed website, including interviews OF THE hasn’t looked back. Since three-year NHS pay rise is with stewards and members, STRIKE then, he has been on courses achievable. Success breeds on how members benefi t WENT FAR at Northern College in success – and social media from union courses. AND WIDE Barnsley, in organising, posts from that picket line Rob reckons unions must - SUE COOKMAN negotiating and health helped inspire outsourced move with the times and and safety, and has been domestic workers at recognise members “are far “blown away” by UNISON’s Princess Alexandra more likely to be checking education programme. hospital in Harlow to take their phones than checking Rob knows fi rst-hand the industrial action. They too for updates on the union GRABBING importance of education for got a result. noticeboard”. stewards and lay offi cials Regional organiser Sue Whatever the branch – as branch chair he has Cookman is quick achieves Rob will be making to be ready for whatever to acknowledge the key sure people get to know comes along – calling out role Rob played in the about it - on Facebook and ATTENTION health and safety breaches, Sodexo victory. Instagram, twitt er and supporting members “Rob was amazing, maybe even the branch app in individual disputes, ensuring pictures and he hopes to launch before the promoting the cause when video footage of the strike year is out ... there’s a collective grievance. went far and wide and He played a vital role when gett ing local politicians catering members voted for down to the picket line.” industrial action in May last Ed Miliband was among year. them. Catering members at the On the fi nal morning, two hospitals had their jobs as the victory sunk in, Sue, outsourced to Sodexo last sheltering from the rain in May and voted to strike over a bus shelter, recalls Rob pay. The hospital trust had was prompting her to get a agreed a three-year pay deal press release out sharpish. back in April 2018. After just “It was as if I had an two days “Sodexo completely additional regional caved in,” says Rob. “We had organiser at my side.” local TV coverage on Look And it wasn’t just a fl ash North and Calendar and in the pan. “Rob has been coverage in local papers.” unbelievably good. And Social media shares and he goes from strength retweets played a vital role to strength. As branch in spreading the word and chair he is encouraging bolstering morale: there and engaging. Branch 10 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

PRIDE, PASSION, PRACTICAL SUPPORT UNISON members are facing unimaginable stress because of the pandemic, including a critical lack of personal protective equipment and woefully inadequate IT. Peter Carroll reports

NISON is doing to report the diffi culties they now is that we do everything all in its power to are experiencing in we can to protect our protect members obtaining personal members who are on and their families protective equipment. the front-line saving through the Tony said: “Our biggest people’s lives.” UCoronavirus crisis. request is that members He added that members Vital advice is available go on that link to provide were rightly being applauded on our website on all aspects information about which and treated as heroes in of how the pandemic is trusts and which care homes a national expression of aff ecting members’ lives. have not got enough PPE to respect and gratitude. But And regular updates are keep staff and those they care without adequate PPE the keeping members fully for safe. heroes’ lives were being put informed and supported “This is a particularly needlessly at risk. as the eff ects of the illness worrying issue in private Serious concerns have on society are monitored. nursing and care homes also been raised by UNISON UNISON has raised its where we are being told that about a lack of modern IT concerns at the highest levels there are insuffi cient supplies equipment in the NHS. A about the lack of personal of PPE. recent story in the Health protective equipment for “So it’s vital members keep Service Journal claimed members, including NHS us informed because when there were many NHS staff staff and the thousands of we have information, we take who should be working members who work in home it direct to government and from home, but who lack the and community care services. keep the pressure on to get technology to do so. Tony Pearson, regional the equipment they need. “This not acceptable. We head of health in Yorkshire “This isn’t about trying to know some members fi nd IT’S VITAL and Humberside urged make political points. There’s it very diffi cult to work MEMBERS members to use UNISON’s a time to look at what has from home when some of KEEP US national link, set up for staff gone wrong but the priority their friends have to go in. INFORMED SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 11

• You are pregnant has made a grant to cover • You are disabled, over cremation costs and living 70 or have an underlying costs so her young son and health condition herself can have a service to • You’re worried about say goodbye to their loved WE KNOW paying your bills, about one sometime in the future. SOME redundancy or being Countless other members MEMBERS “furloughed” have been helped through FIND IT • You’re worried how your hardship thanks to the VERY pension may be aff ected generosity of UNISON DIFFICULT by COVID-19 members. Activists have a TO WORK vital role to play supporting It is also vitally important FROM There For You and ensuring to keep members informed HOME of the help that UNISON’s it can continue to help welfare charity There For our brothers and sisters You can provide. (see panel). when they are struggling. The charity is helping Branches are being asked more and more members to make donations to the during this crisis. As the charity by direct bank website explains: “Some transfer. of our members are losing General secretary Dave work and have no income Prentis has expressed his because they are on zero pride at the way UNISON hours contracts. is pulling together in this “Some are having unprecedented pandemic. their hours cut or being He said: “We are made redundant without witnessing true public redundancy pay. Many service every minute of That’s because of the great are also facing a situation every day. Thank you. I am camaraderie among our where someone in the so proud of the part being members. household is self-employed played by the UK’s biggest “But some members and family income has union – members, activists should work from home and drastically dropped. and staff working together – we want to see adequate “Some members and their in this national emergency. equipment to make sure families are self-isolating members can do that.” and need emergency grants “Whatever comes next, If members need advice from There For You.” we have to keep going. And about any aspect of the Examples include a I know we will. Thank you, current crisis UNISON’s member, Cath, who applied as ever, for all you national and regional for help with funeral costs are doing.” websites can provide all the for her partner. There For You embodies information you need. Because of the virus, only the essence of those There is detailed and a private cremation was commitments and deserves up-to-date advice on what possible but the charity our passionate support. to do if: • You think you or someone you live with has Covid-19 THERE FOR YOU • You have to go to work Tony Pearson • You need protective You can join the UNISON’s There for You lottery for as little equipment (PPE) to do as £1 a month and you could win cash prizes of up to £1,000. your job At least 50 per cent of the proceeds from each draw goes • You need to work towards prize money, and every entry includes a donation from home • You are aff ected by to There for You. UNISON members and branches can play. school closures or travel Or you could make direct donations to: There For You, Unity Trust Bank, Sort Code: 60-83-01, Account number: 20215147 restrictions Dave Prentis 12 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

MAN OF THE MOMENT Keir Starmer (above) was elected with a massive majority as the new Labour party leader. But he faces huge challenges, including coronavirus, Brexit and austerity says Mirror columnist Paul Routledge

eir Starmer took coming months. has a proud reputation in over the leadership Welcoming Keir’s victory, support of the working class of the Labour Party regional secretary John and the new deputy leader amid the greatest Cafferty said: “Finally, after Angela Rayner is one of us. I crisis since World a tortuous process, we can look forward to working with KWar Two. The coronavirus move on with a capable them.” pandemic is still raging, and competent leader to Yet, with Angela as his millions are losing their undertake the real task of number two – Angela is a jobs and we have a woefully getting a Labour government former regional convenor inadequate Tory government. elected – a government that for UNISON in the North He is the overwhelming will look after ordinary West - he still has to mount THE FIGHT choice of the party working people and improve a credible Opposition at AGAINST membership - and UNISON their lives.” Westminster while uniting AUSTERITY - and he will be defined by And regional convenor Labour as the party of the MUST how he tackles this crisis in Wendy Nichols adds: “Keir people. He has chosen CONTINUE SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 13

a Shadow Cabinet of which Jeremy made into a Keir’s party (how good competent, experienced MPs mainstream issue. Labour led that sounds) currently to restore the credibility the campaign to secure the controls all these councils, of Labour as a potential jobs and incomes of workers making West and South administration. hit by the corona crisis, and Yorkshire the Red County. COUNCILS Yorkshire MPs will be back it’s vital that continues. Fifteen seats on North East STILL on the frontbench, including Until the unions brought Lincs were also up for grabs. FACE Rachel Reeves, shadow up the issue, Tory ministers The Tories made sweeping A TOUGH Chancellor of the Duchy had simply forgotten about parliamentary gains across YEAR of Lancaster; John Healey, the plight of workers when the region last December, shadow defence secretary; Ed they budgeted for an and Labour’s private polling Miliband, shadow business economic downturn. Faced predicted “the worst local secretary and Louise Haigh, with public outrage, they did election performance in interim shadow for Northern a deal with the unions via recent history” with a worst Ireland while Tony Lloyd the TUC on “furloughing” case scenario of 315 losses. recovers from coronavirus. employees, for sick pay and Labour was predicted to lose From the outset, the new other entitlements. Keir Calderdale and Kirklees and Labour leader joined a formal has to ensure that these possibly even Sheffield City, consultation process with provisions continue, in law once hailed as capital of the Boris Johnson on measures to if possible. Socialist Republic of South fight the Covid-19 emergency. Thousands of UNISON Yorkshire. While still grappling with members are giving their all That calamity has been the pandemic, Keir has to to the NHS and care sector avoided, but our councils fashion a more convincing in the fightback against still face a tough year. As policy on Brexit. Talks with coronavirus. Their sacrifice Leeds Labour leader Judith the EU are stalled – not least cannot be allowed to be Blake points out: “Austerity because the chief negotiators in vain. is not over.” on both sides got the bug – Discreetly, he might In the March Budget, but they must intensify by also want to put in hand Chancellor Rishi Sunak the autumn if the UK is to preparations for a general boasted that the Government secure a trade agreement election – strange though is giving councils in the by December 31. Since his that sounds. Commentators region £275 million for the election Keir has already like my Daily Mirror current financial year. But registered scepticism that the colleague Kevin Maguire say this is £210 million below deadline can be met. an early poll is vital once the the £485 million taken from One alternative would current crisis has passed. In the region since austerity be to seek a bargaining our region, he has to prepare was imposed by the Tories extension of current half-in, for an election for a Mayor of in 2010. Councils are still half-out arrangements for West Yorkshire and delayed being forced to cut services six months or more. That council polls in May 2021. while increasing taxes by the might be attractive to pro- The crisis has averted one inflation-busting limit of 3.99 Europe Keir, but would paint potential disaster – the May per cent allowed by law. him as an unreconstructed 7 local elections. They’ve One bright spot on the Remainer in the minds of been cancelled, so existing horizon is the agreement Labour supporters who councils will stay in power with the Government on a “lent” their vote to the Tories. for another year. This gives directly-elected Mayor for Importantly for UNISON the party some breathing West Yorkshire. members, he comes into space. The election will take place office committed to ending Labour was due to in May 2021, like the delayed outsourcing in the NHS defend hundreds of seats council polls. and local government, with in Rotherham (all 63 on the I hear several names a goal of making health as unitary authority) and a as contenders: Susan important as running the third of the metropolitan Hinchcliffe, leader of economy. councils in Barnsley, Bradford Met, Tracy Brabin, One legacy of the Corbyn Bradford, Calderdale, MP for Batley and Spen years must not be forgotten: Kirklees, Leeds, Sheffield, and ex-Dewsbury MP the fight against austerity, Wakefield and Hull. Paula Sherriff. 14 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

IN THE FIRING LINE

The fi ght is on to maintain and enhance workers’ rights under a government set to come gunning for the trade union movement in general and UNISON in particular. Mary Maguire hears the views of regional convenor Wendy Nichols and regional secretary John Cafferty

he war of words We’ve already seen a taste in traditional safe Tory over Brexit, leave of what’s to come, with a rea s”. or remain, may election promises to those The fear is that the Tories, be done, but the areas that voted Tory for with their mega-majority, Tbattle to protect and the fi rst time being broken will revert to type by using defend hard-won rights and and with question marks every chance to attack WE CAN’T jobs is underway. What we over the NHS being on the individual rights and lower ALLOW can expect, by way of a deal table in any trade deal with legal standards of protection ANYONE with the European Union, Trump’s USA. for working people. TO is still unclear and so is its As regional secretary, According to John, to get BECOME impact on workers’ rights John Caff erty said: “Despite a deal done with the EU, A TARGET and the public services. promises during and after or other countries, and to OF HATRED It is clear, however, the election, Johnson and ensure that British goods WENDY NICHOLS that Boris Johnson’s Tory the Tories have already and services are cheaper, the Government, despite the proposed severe cuts to Tories will be determined votes “loaned” to it from council budgets in the to “cut labour costs so that some traditional Labour poorest areas. Many of them the profi ts enjoyed by their voters, has lurched even have voted Tory but now face friends in industry are further to the right. And that massive reductions and cuts bigger”. He anticipates an spells bad news for in services, with the money all-out attack on wages and our union. being transferred to councils conditions. SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 15

record in opposing racism citizens working in the UK and fascism. Our public unilaterally guaranteed by services rely on workers from the Government. other nations. Our union has The union will fight to members from all ethnicities maintain and strengthen the and creeds and we won’t equalities and human rights let them down. I fear for laws protecting women, community cohesion as a black, LGBTQ+ and disabled result of the divisions created workers from discrimination by this damaging debate. at work and in communities. “But we won’t allow this Crucially UNISON will IF IT Tory Government to divide seek to maintain human MEANS and rule. We can’t allow rights and the law of equal CONFLICT, anyone to become a target treatment, shared by all THEN of hatred and abuse because the citizens on the island of SO BE IT of the colour of their skin or Ireland, that underpins the - JOHN CAFFERTY their accent. We will support Good Friday Agreement. and defend migrant workers’ That will take all the rights and resist the rise of strength that UNISON can nationalism and hatred.” muster, says Wendy; “It Wendy and John won’t be easy. But, as trade emphasise the key unionists and public service campaigning priorities workers, we’ve always had to for UNISON post-Brexit. live with and deal with the For a start, protecting reality of political decisions.” workers and trade union She points to the battles rights won through the EU, the union faced and survived such as health and safety in the past - the Thatcher regulations; holiday pay; Government’s vicious equality, carer, maternity onslaught on trade unions That UNISON will be and working time rights and and public services. She a primary target is not in rights to consultation over says the union has faced, doubt. As the biggest union TUPE and redundancies. “draconian anti-union laws, in the country, operating Another priority is to attempts to thwart the right primarily in the public keep public services out of to strike, attacks on union services, UNISON may be any new free trade deals democracy, check-off rules, all that stands between the and protect them from obstacles to recruiting, to worst ravages of the Tory further privatisation. The organising, to affiliations and Government and public union believes that trade to our very right to exist. But service workers and the deals must not lower UK we’re still here and growing. people who rely on those environmental protection We’re not going anywhere”. services. Defending and and consumer and workers’ John adds: “We held back protecting its members, the rights. Health and safety the worst ravages of the last vulnerable and those without standards and regulations Conservative government, power and influence is what are also under threat. but it’s probably going to get UNISON does best. UNISON will continue worse. The Tories feel their Regional convenor to argue the case for the best way of keeping power is Wendy Nichols, points best economic deal for to neutralise opposition. to the need for the union members and public I expect they’ll try to make movement as a whole to services, insisting that pay it much harder for us to back remain united. Sickened must not be underfunded Labour through our affiliated by the surge in racism and as a consequence of a fund. But we’ll stand up for racist incidents that seem bad or no deal. And it our members and working to have been unleashed by demands a fair and humane people in general. If that the Brexit divide, Wendy migration system with means conflict, then so says: “UNISON has a proud the rights of existing EU be it.” 16 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 Photos: Jim Varney Jim Photos:

FUTURE PERFECT It looks good, it does the job, it’s in a great location and it saves money. Peter Carroll talks to regional secretary John Cafferty about the union’s new regional HQ

NISON’s new Canal Wharf, Leeds is now commercial rents in regional centre fully refurbished central Leeds are set to for Yorkshire and operational. continue rising for the and Humberside John points out that foreseeable future. U is the start of a the move makes fi nancial Not only will the move new era for the union, says sense. UNISON was paying save UNISON money over regional secretary John around £300,000 a year to the coming years, the NEW ERA C a ff e r t .y lease the old regional centre centre will be a great and FOR THE Quayside House, at 5, Commerce House and permanent asset for current UINION SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 17

At the new HQ - Left to right: activists Denise Goddard, Phil Turner, Camilla Sherwin, Abbie Stanley, Lesley Wray, Dave South and Jackie Lambert

UNISON members and those “We only had three Discrimination Act, with who are not even born yet. training rooms in full lift access to every floor John Cafferty said: “I am Commerce House which so that all our members can delighted because we have obviously limited what we participate in the vital work secured a regional centre for could provide for members. we do. future generations. “In the new building we “The break-out area is “We have calculated that have a training suite which capable of accommodating we will recoup the cost has seven rooms with a two separate training WE CAN within 15 years. So apart variety of sizes. groups at once which is a HOLD from the upkeep costs, the “That gives us the ability big improvement on the old VERY building will be effectively to provide training for at office.” LARGE cost free. least 120 members. We can The hunt for new MEETINGS “We had to pay business hold very large meetings premises began in 2017 rates when we leased and that is often necessary. with the backing of regional THERE Commerce House so there “The building is, of course convenor Wendy Nichols AND THAT will be no extra cost in completely compliant and her senior team. IS OFTEN that respect. with the Disability John points out that NECESSARY 18 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

Area organiser Dan Wood the new office will mean let us improve and extend this is very much in line and education UNISON can cut spending services to members.” with UNISON policy on administrator Tanya Shearer on hotels. Evening training Another major advantage proper funding to provide sessions will be far easier to is that the new office is a reliable and affordable arrange and save on costs few minutes from Leeds transport links to all our for hotel rooms. City station so it’s very communities. John said: “The move convenient for people “It’s also in line with our saves us significant sums coming in from elsewhere commitment to fighting for of money and allows us to in the region. It was a ten urgent action to avert the develop sub regional venues to fifteen minute walk from environmental crisis across in places like Hull, Sheffield, the station to Commerce the world. Bradford and York. House. “The management team WE CAN “By using the Microsoft The office is also close is delighted that we can NOW team video conference to bus services so public now offer the facilities our OFFER facility to connect branches, transport will often be the members need and deserve. FACILITIES members can participate best option for members “I know all these in the evenings without coming to the region centre. improvements will play a OUR actually coming in. John said: “Car parking crucial part in ensuring that MEMBERS “The new office means we is extremely expensive in UNISON goes from strength NEED AND have been able to install the Leeds so public transport to strength now, and long DESERVE new technology needed to is a better choice. And into the future.” SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 19 COVID-19 Members at the frontline We want your stories, photos or videos

We really want to highlight the key work UNISON members are doing at this time of crisis. We want to try to raise their profi le and get them recognition for what they do. Send us your stories and photos We would like stories and photos of UNISON members - and teams of members - highlighting the work that they are doing across all sectors of public service, including those less glamorous areas of work and the bits of public service that often get forgotten about.

Please send your stories, photos or videos to us at: [email protected] 20 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 Photo: Mark Thomas Mark Photo:

AN ABSOLUTE BUZZ!

Emergency call handler Elliot Carter got stage fright just before addressing 600 delegates at the TUC … but now he wants to do it again, says fellow activist Patrick Dennehy*

rom learning to cook, to I put it to him that if making a people should be calling 999.” handling emergency phone conference speech was nerve- What I’m most interested in is calls, that’s all in a day’s wracking, then how does he cope what attracted Elliot to the union work for Elliot Carter. But with some of the situations he must and, in a story familiar to many, Fmaking a speech at the encounter on the phone? he explains how it was another Trades Union Congress? That was “You just have to detach member that recruited him. absolutely nerve-wracking. yourself,” he tells me. “You “When I started at Yorkshire “Dave Prentis collared me after know that you have to provide Ambulance Service, in 2016, I and said, “well done”, that made reassurance otherwise you could was talking about working in a me happy”, he says. cause pandemonium. It’s about students’ union to a colleague, A UNISON activist from off ering care and compassion, Sharon, who was a branch Yorkshire, Elliot, 24, tells me he was but without getting too involved convenor. She asked me about petrifi ed before stepping up. “I was emotionally.” It’s obvious to see becoming a branch rep and it on the verge of saying I can’t walk from this, why Elliot is a went from there really,” he says. up, but oh God, once you’ve done UNISON activist. “Our Treasurer, Diane, introduced one, it’s an absolute buzz, you want me to all the young members’ to do another. And I will.” EMERGENCY aspects and was infl uential in me “I didn’t even know I was His main message is that people becoming the young members’ rep making the speech until I got should think before they call. within the branch. From that point there,” he explains. “It was “Everyone’s call is an emergency forward, I realised I could make a completely unexpected and I went to them, even if it’s a broken toe, diff erence and get involved within in blind, as I was talking about because they’re worrying about the union. I think it’s important to apprenticeships.” things like how they’ll get the be in a union, but I’m biased.” Elliot’s day job sees him working kids to school. But that’s why we Once he was in, Elliot quickly as a 999 call handler for the also have the 111 service, I think found himself progressing and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. we need to better signpost when now, he is a young members’ SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 21

Elliot and fellow activists at UNISON Centre, London

“In all honesty, I’d only just learnt to cook scrambled eggs and beans on toast, so I really didn’t know what I was going THERE’S to do next. However, this job A HUGE popped up and I knew I liked QUESTION helping people, so I gave it a MARK go and it went from there.” OUT And is it something he sees THERE himself doing for a while yet? NOW “I want to further my career,” he says. “I’ve got a good team around me, which is so important. You have to feel comfortable and enjoy going to work.” “You’d take it home if you thought too much about it.” – that’s something most union activists can sympathise with. “I go to the pub and there’s a bloke in there, who always says ‘How many lives have you saved today?’ He might be joking, but I do enjoy it; it’s great going home and knowing you’ve made officer at his branch, co- to happen? My mind is a difference.” chair of the regional young empty because it’s all just so members forum, as well as uncertain, there’s a SUPPORT a member of its national huge question mark out As if all that isn’t enough, equivalent. “I was a bit there now.” Elliot also finds time to be sceptical of taking on Unfortunately, it’s a mental health advocate. these roles at first,” he says, something we will all have He is a rep on the blue light “but I thought you might as to live with, for now at least. programme – providing well go and do it because However, being active in a mental health support for 999 then you’re actively making union, is a positive, practical professionals – something a difference. thing that anyone interested he believes strongly in. “At branch level most of in joining the fightback can “Everyone has suffered with the time, I’m just chatting do. And that’s certainly what some sort of mental health to people in the staffroom, Elliot plans to do. “My goal problem, but the support signposting them where is to get more involved in services aren’t utilised to go to get the advice and TUC work in 2020,” he says. enoug h”. support they need.” “I still don’t think people I leave the last word to my age fully know what a Elliot and ask him to sum UNCERTAIN trade union is. We need to up why people should join It’s just a couple of weeks emphasise the benefits.” a union? “Because it’s really after the result of the general Being an emergency call worthwhile and you can election when Elliot and handler isn’t your average make a world of difference.” I are talking, so from one nine to five job – in fact it union activist to another, typically involves twelve- Patrick is former it seems only right to ask hour shifts – so I’m curious UNISON branch secretary him for his views on the to know how someone finds at the University of outcome. “It frightens me,” themselves in such a role. “I Bradford. Now a freelance he says, “I am worried was 21 and I’d just graduated journalist, he currently about the future, what’s with a Forensics degree from works in the digital industry the next step, what’s going Manchester Met,” says Elliot. as a content designer. 22 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 ON THE WATERFRONT UNISON activist Terry Sigsworth is rewriting health and safety guidelines for canal workers and is also health and safety offi cer for his branch. Patrick Dennehy talks to Terry and Pam Sian his branch secretary and regional deputy convenor for Yorkshire & Humberside Photo: Steve Morgan Steve Photo: SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 23

t started as a seasonal she does though: “We’re the Terry has been on a couple job in 2001 just after biggest and the best and for of training courses at Northern I finished university, me it’s great to follow in my College in Barnsley, which he but I’m still here!” In grandad’s footsteps because he says was a great experience. IT’S LIKE Ithat time 44-year-old was a union man.” “I went there for health and A FAMILY; Terry Sigsworth, hasn’t just Not surprisingly, Pam is the safety rep training and again EVERYBODY grown into his job, he’s also longest serving member of for my rep training and it LOOKS become an integral part of the the branch. As well as being was brilliant,” he says. “The AFTER West Yorkshire Combined branch chair, she is also chair training provided by EACH Authority branch of UNISON. of the national health and UNISON is excellent and OTHER Terry is based at Standedge safety committee, regional I would recommend it to Tunnel visitor centre at women’s rep and a deputy anyone interested.” Marsden. The canal tunnel regional convenor. So how does a canal here, one of the “Seven Health and safety is a worker, with a degree in Wonders of the Waterways”, is common theme in this story environmental analysis, the longest and highest in the as Terry became the branch become a union rep? Terry United Kingdom. Originally health and safety officer puts it down to his family part of a team looking after just over a year ago and, history: “My dad was a teacher the canal, Terry tells me he combining that with his day and he was a union rep, so it’s has recently been given an job, he’s now rewriting the in my family. It’s challenging exciting secondment looking health and safety manual for but fun also. All I hope to do after volunteers at the centre. the canal workers. He has also is make the workplace better “My favourite part of the job set up a workplace noticeboard for people.” has always been working with to keep everyone up to date on Balancing the roles of branch people, so I am enjoying this!” relevant issues. chair, regional women’s rep Despite attending meetings “The manual hadn’t kept and deputy regional convenor for several years, Terry only up, so I’ve rewritten the whole among others, it’s clear that recently became an official thing from the bottom up,” Pam wishes she had a few rep. Pam Sian, Terry’s branch he explains. “The Standedge more people like Terry to help secretary, is full of praise. Tunnel is over three miles her out. “It’s tough recruiting “He’s really taken to union long, so getting stuck in there members, especially the duties”, she tells me, “I’m very wouldn’t be good!” younger millennials,” she says. proud of him.” And how has it been “The benefits of trade unions Pam has her own story to received? “The people on the are not taught in schools. They tell as when we speak she’s just ground appreciate me doing don’t realise we’re not all about one week shy of her thirtieth it, they think it’s great and strike action.” anniversary of joining the bosses are pleased with Despite their problems UNISON – February 12, 1990. it too. I think my colleagues the branch is in rude health. “On my first day of work, one are probably fed up with me Around half of the 600 of the ladies in the office gave asking them about it!” employees are union members, me two forms and told me to Terry’s “make-things- the majority in UNISON. sign them both before the end happen” attitude clearly As Pam puts it: “If you can’t of the day. One was a pension informs his UNISON work. fight for yourself, why should form and the other was a “I’m an official rep now having anyone else fight for you?” UNISON application. A week qualified last November, and And as for the future of later, I attended the AGM and it’s great, I love having a go. unions in the workplace? “It’s the very next day I became the The best thing about UNISON very important,” says Terry branch publicity officer.” is you can get involved as enthusiastically. “I’ll always In the three decades since, much or as little as you want. keep chipping away at my Pam’s union work – which It’s like a family; everybody colleagues.” And Pam? “If she describes as an absolute looks after each other.” every one of us recruited one enjoyment - has gone from Although her job is a member, we’d be unbeatable. strength to strength, so much consultation and engagement So, if we keep up with what so that she is now seconded advisor, with the authority, we’re doing, we’ll get there.” to union duties on full-time Pam hasn’t been doing that It’s clear that the future of release five days a week. It’s role for five years, as a result of UNISON in the hands of these clear that she loves what her UNISON commitments. two, is both safe and healthy. Pam Sian 24 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

FEATURE PAY STRIKE Photo: VickyPhoto: Matthers

HUMAN DYNAMO ‘Inspirational’ Marjorie Black is nearing her 50th year as an award-winning police employee, but she also fi nds time to run ‘Canine and Kitty’ a dog and cat rescue. Christine Buckley reports

here’s no stopping for ‘exceptional drive and Of course, with some of the Marjorie Black. enthusiasm’ in her work. work it can be tough, but The energetic And at 71 she’s not about you have to take the rough and enthusiastic to quit the career she loves. with the smooth and get on TMarjorie is the She says: “I thrive off with it.” I THRIVE longest-serving employee working life. Age is just a Marjorie, who lives OFF of West Yorkshire number and what I do keeps and works in Bradford, is WORKING Police, clocking up 48 me young. I’m not planning currently in a three day a LIFE. years. She’s also one of on stopping anytime soon. week job share in the central a very small number of “The police is more like ticket offi ce which deals AGE IS employees to receive a a family than a workplace. with fi xed penalty notices JUST special commendation There is a great camaraderie. among other things. But in A NUMBER SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 25

her lengthy stretch with the Tasker run a dog and cat also adopted their pets police she’s worked across rescue – Canine and Kitty. through her rescue service a range of departments The not-for-profit rescue including West Yorkshire including the CID and crime helps abandoned dogs and Police joint branch secretary EVERYONE prevention. She says she’s cats find foster care and then Jane Nicholson who has SUPPORTS been involved in many hopefully permanent homes. welcomed three dogs into EVERYONE aspects of police work since Running the operation her home over the years. ELSE AND she started as a 22-year-old is ceaseless work for the Since 2006 when Marjorie WE ALL with experience only in volunteers. As Canine first set up Canine and LEARN shorthand and typing. and Kitty doesn’t have Kitty, the service has helped FROM And Marjorie is also one of charitable status, they have hundreds of dogs and cats EACH UNISON’s longest standing to do a lot of fundraising find a better life. members as she was quick to to pay vets’ bills and other OTHER join its predecessor Nalgo as costs alongside ensuring REWARDING soon as she started her the animals are cared for. Marjorie uses four dog foster police career. Many of the cats and dogs, carers and four cat ones. She recalls: “The papers especially the dogs, have She doesn’t foster herself were on my desk on my first been found in distressing because she has three cats day. We all joined Nalgo circumstances and some and three parrots at home. straight away on beginning have suffered deliberate Previously though she was work, it’s what everyone harm and neglect. a dog devotee and had two did then. Some of the older Nathalie says that it can Westies. “It’s very rewarding UNISON members still call be hard not to become very to give a dog a second the union Nalgo.” upset at the state of some chance. I’ve always had pets of the animals, but she says and I have an empathy with MARVELLOUS Marjorie is forever calm, them, I can communicate At work, Marjorie keeps in practical and positive. with them.” close touch with UNISON, “Marjorie will say the dog And Marjorie is clearly a which is trying to increase might have suffered, but great communicator with its membership in police we’ve got it now and we can people too. She says she forces, and she is well known help. She’s always looking loves that her working to the branch officials as an forward and doesn’t dwell environment is vibrant, outstanding member and on the problems.” multi-cultural and full of a an ambassador for good And the rescue is very diverse range of people. “I relations at work. much a police-focused love being with the people I “It’s a marvellous initiative. The animals work with and hearing their organisation and it really sometimes are taken in after views on all sorts of things. looks after its members. the police have been called I’m Christian, my husband I’ve not needed to call on to an incident or from their is Jewish, and I work the union luckily, but I dealings with the social with Sikhs and Muslims. know people who have, and services. Everyone supports everyone it has helped them a lot. Marjorie also advertises else and we all learn from Sometimes things go wrong the dogs and cats she’s trying each other, we’re tolerant at work and you need an to help in the force’s internal and we’re interested in each organisation that’s on your notices service. Many have other’s faiths.” side and experienced union found their homes with Nathalie says many people people to help you.” police officers or other police are touched by Marjorie’s But the union and her workers. One spaniel, who vibrancy and caring nature. collegiate and enthusiastic was appropriately named Says Nathalie: “She is work ethic aren’t the only Bobby, even went on the beat probably the warmest, ways in which Marjorie and became a police dog. kindest woman I’ve ever demonstrates a strong sense Another became a therapy met. She is always positive of community. In her spare dog working with children and she’s more than just time, she and her husband and people suffering from positive, that doesn’t do her Clive together with Leeds- dementia. justice, she’s dynamic and an based police officer Nathalie UNISON members have inspiration.” 26 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

IT IS VERY SELF- EXPOSING TO READ YOUR OWN WORK OUT LOUD TO STRANGERS

ANYTHING BUT RHUBARB Nick Allen’s increasingly acclaimed poetry is resonant with empathy, compassion and a grasp of telling detail. They’re much-needed qualities in his full-on day job at the University of Leeds and his activism with UNISON. Helen Hague reports

oets can have day jobs too - or two jobs even. At Leeds University, poet Nick Allen spends half his working week dealing with student complaints, and the other half as chair of UNISON’s university branch. The branch has nearly a thousand members. And after a decade of austerity and below infl ation pay rises, in-work poverty and stress are the two most common problems for which members are Pseeking help. Nick, 52, has always writt en poetry. But it wasn’t until “an enabling presence” linked to the university’s English department encouraged him, that he had the confi dence to try and get published. That was fi ve years ago. And he hasn’t looked back. His fi rst pamphlet –the necessary line – came out in 2017, and last year he had two collections published. First - the riding - grounded in the nature and politics of the area in which he has lived most of his life West Yorkshire; swiftly followed by - between two rivers - a collaboration with Yorkshire artist Myles Linley, focusing on the landscape around the River Humber. Poetry isn’t just for private consumption. For the past two years Nick has been part of the four-strong collective that runs Rhubarb at the Triangle, a monthly open-mic evening in Shipley, an integral part of West SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 27

Yorkshire’s thriving poetry scene. “It is very self-exposing to read your own work out loud to strangers,” says Nick, who has overcome shyness and initial qualms. Thankfully it is a self-selecting audience and so a relatively safe space that offers camaraderie. Many of Nick’s poems have a lyricism steeped in close observation of nature. Take the opening stanza from early morning Ilkley Moor :

early morning Ilkley Moor and the stars have recently quit their station unattended a mossed-stump cross would put a god where none should be

Some like Dante on the Westway*, written in the days after the Grenfell fire, are more political. “In the days before Grenfell, by hideous coincidence I had just finished re-reading Dante’s Inferno,” Nick explains. It shows. The poem is a searing read - and very pertinent as the Grenfell inquiry unfolds and people are crying out for answers and accountability. Then there’s now that’s what I call an eighties education – “written after a while thinking about how we, as a country, ended up in this place with Brexit and Boris Johnson, it is probably my most overtly political poem thus fa r ”. As a published poet with a growing reputation, Nick is forging stronger links with the university’s English department. His new prose poem make America great again was inspired by a homeless woman Nick encountered in San Francisco. It is due to be published this spring in Stand, the prestigious international literary magazine edited in the English department. It is a work Donald Trump is unlikely to endorse – or indeed read. in cups, published in 2017, is a short poem about an alcoholic, and bristles with understated empathy, as the opening and closing stanzas show:

weve been here before I know a new morning a new promise itching to be broken before the new moon when the dog slips its leash again

and you know better than any of us no good will come and no god will come and you know this as you reach again into the black well of your hip pocket

Given his full-on day jobs, maybe it’s no co-incidence Nick Allen’s poetry is resonant with empathy, compassion and a grasp of telling detail. After all, these are much-needed qualities when trying to support members through their problems – some brought on by low pay, precarious work and increasing workloads. In the past year alone, in the course of his union work, four members have spoken to Nick of suicidal thoughts. For Nick, his union activism has always been important since he joined the university 25 years back. Now his reputation as a poet is on a roll and his determination to get the best for members undiminished. Watch this space and log on to the website to see what Nick Allen the poet is up to.

*the following from Dante… Those who would cut corners, those who cried economise On health and safety, need only cast their eyes To accident and emergency or the community care centre IN THE DAYS BEFORE GRENFELL, (those places our Prime Minister is too afraid to enter), BY HIDEOUS Let them see those frantic for news of missing brothers The orphan flung from a window by a desperate mother COINCIDENCE I HAD JUST Let them see all this as their coffers overflow FINISHED RE- Let them see all this and let those bastards know, READING DANTE’S This was their austerity, their cherished gentrification INFERNO 28 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020 Photo: VickyPhoto: Matthers

ABOVE AND BEYOND

When Lalinca Lunga (above) came to Yorkshire 15 years ago she couldn’t speak a word of English. Now she acts as a highly articulate champion for new arrivals, says Ryan Fletcher

alinca Lunga knew Yorkshire’s cold climes. For six years Lalinca she had to do Life is a succession of made a home in Portugal something to help the journeys and Lalinca has but when the love of her life, struggling families been on more than most. In her husband Miguel, asked NOW Lshe came into contact 1999, when Lalinca was a that she move to England I FEEL with every day. The 41-year- teenager, she was sent by her with him, Lalinca left her LIKE old UNISON member and parents from Angola, on the university course and packed Leeds City Council housing south west coast of Africa, her bags, ready to set off into THIS employee had been in the to Portugal to escape the the unknown once again. IS MY same situation herself when country’s endemic “I had to start everything SECOND she arrived friendless and corruption and dangerous from the beginning. Learn HOME without a word of English in political situation. the language, learn the SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 29

culture, adapt to the food. officer. Lalinca initiated the Lalinca credits UNISON’s When I moved in 2005 I Positive Families project, assertiveness course with had no friends, no English which helps families access helping her to get used to the I FEEL at all. I could not have a full the support and services mores of communication in VERY conversation. I was upset and they need, after realising that English society. HAPPY very frustrated,” many new arrivals to Leeds “Here people are very, TO BE Lalinca said. were going through the same very polite. Sometimes PART “Miguel said to me ‘you struggles she had. Portuguese speakers can OF THE need to go to college where Working in the seem rude in the way we say UNION you can learn and make Burmantofts area of the things. It is just a cultural friends’. To be honest I did city, where there is a high difference but people can get and slowly slowly I learnt proportion of immigrant offended. The assertiveness how to cope with the English families, Lalinca identified course really helped me to culture and now I feel like a number of parents who learn how to express my this is my second home.” would benefit from the opinions and ideas without support of a parenting crossing the line and BARRIERS programme. seeming aggressive,” Lalinca New problems arose when Key to the success of the explained. Lalinca became pregnant in project was training a group “I’ve really enjoyed all the 2008 with her son Daniel, of “parent champions” – UNISON training courses now 11. But having worked volunteers who are parents I’ve done. I always encourage so hard to learn English and themselves – to provide people to join UNISON to build a life for herself and her information and support to protect their rights. I have family, Lalinca wasn’t going other parents within their been helped with childcare to let the barriers that far too networks. issues in my workplace and I many expectant and young The volunteers came from feel very happy to be part of mums face, stop her from a variety of backgrounds the union.” getting where she wanted so were able to share their It should come as no to be. experience and training, surprise that Lalinca, who Lalinca said: “I was ensuring language or also runs a support group for at Leeds Metropolitan circumstances were no longer Leeds’ Portuguese speaking university, which is now a barrier to families getting community in her own time, Leeds Beckett, studying PR the support they needed or has made an impression and marketing. Miguel used services they were entitled to. within UNISON. to take Daniel to the car park The union’s regional so I could breast feed him. DETERMINATION learning and development There were no high chairs or By 2016, the project had been organiser Rose Bent said: microwave or anything. recognised as being the best “I found Lalinca to be very “I raised this with the in the UK and was named inspirational during the university administration. Parent Champion project of member courses she has I said ‘you know what as the year by the Family and attended. So much so that a mature student I have to Childcare Trust. I thought she would be an breast feed my boy in the The project, which Lalinca ideal candidate for UNISON’s car’. There was nothing describes as “my baby”, Nelson Mandela Award. for children.” is still running strong “The award is presented After raising her concerns, and is testament to her to someone who has Lalinca met the university’s determination, especially supported and ‘gone above vice-chancellor and helped because Lalinca was still and beyond’ to represent to bring permanent change getting to grips with life as black members, celebrating for students who were also a Yorkshirewoman herself their achievements, courage mothers. during that period. and determination within By 2014, Lalinca was “When Daniel saw the the union and more widely making waves at Leeds video of the project he said to in our society’. Despite the council where she had me ‘Mummy your award going to someone landed a role as a tenant and English was not on point!’,” else, this sums up Lalinca’s community involvement Lalinca laughed. achievements perfectly.” 30 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

EDUCATED CODSWALLOP

Peter Carroll urges us to remember that despite their superfi cial polish, educated professionals can be mad, bad and stupid… and that’s only our prime minister

t is often said that, however he gave us a lesson about St pearly gates. old you grow, you never Bernadett e, one of three children “So just think of the sins that forget good teachers. in Fatima, Italy, to whom the you have committ ed and will I think that is undoubtedly Virgin Mary was said to have commit in future. Think of how true – but the bad (or mad) appeared to issue a warning many years you will have to Iones leave an equally indelible about the imminent “end of days”. spend in Purgatory – if you don’t memory. He claimed he had inside go to hell – for your sins.” More than 50 years ago, I was information that she had spoken So far, so insane, I think you in a class of 42 pupils at a Roman from beyond the grave to a will agree. Catholic primary school in Cardinal or someone to say she But the real bombshell was to Bradford. was serving time in Purgatory for come. One of the senior teachers was her earthly sins. He said the Virgin had universally feared because he “She wasn’t much older than predicted that the world would had a policy of beating his young you are when she died,” he told end after a confl agration in the charges on the hands with a ruler his nine-year-olds. Middle East and that there was for every ‘sum’ they got wrong. “She had led a very holy life someone in his tight-knit group of Tough love, you might say. and only committ ed “venial” religious maniacs who knew the But he also had many dramatic (minor) sins, yet she still had date when the catastrophe would things to tell us about religion. to spend 28 years in Purgatory happen. I remember vividly when before stepping through the He had paid, I think, £10 (you SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 31

asked which seagull was a nigger for a neighbour, his. Pointing to the sky, the vote Labour”- Powell in bloke said: “It’s that one up the 1960s. there, just on the left”.) Powell famously JOHNSON When I told my mother warned about the eff ects IS TRYING about all this, she looked of immigration from the TO SELL genuinely shocked and went Caribbean to Britain thus: on to ridicule the whole “As the Roman said, the THE PUBLIC episode - the teacher, the River Tiber will foam with MAD IDEAS exclusive fl ight ticket, the much blood.” LIKE existence of Purgatory and This snobbery is A BRIDGE Hell, the impossibility of intended to confer a quasi- BETWEEN speaking from beyond the religious respectability on SCOTLAND grave and the wickedness of racist politics because it AND terrifying kids with was recorded over 2,000 IRELAND such baloney. years ago by a writer, He wasn’t typical of let’s remember, living in teachers in faith schools, a ruthless, slave-owning even over half a century imperialist super power. ago. The vast majority of But one thing he taught people, though, supposedly me was that educated in awe of his expensive professionals like him, who classical polish, need an were both sadistic as well extra demotic nudge in as good at arithmetic, could the direction of white, also be profoundly stupid. heterosexual superiority. So what about the Hence Johnson’s privately educated racists in slurs about “grinning our government who have picanninies with water for years encouraged hatred melon smiles” and “bum and division between boys” which have served people living in the same to normalise bigotry at communities? the highest, as well as could buy a small car for Who taught Boris Johnson the basest, level of public that back then!) to book that blaming minorities discourse. his place on a fl ight which for the horrendous eff ects Now his plan is to dazzle would take those faithful of untrammelled greed, voters with fantastical few in the know to eternal by him and his corporate capital projects. safety. fi nancial controllers, Johnson is trying to sell Once he got the call, he would yield enormous the public mad, non-starter would hot-foot it to the political power? ideas like a multi-billion airport where the special Well, who else but pound bridge between aeroplane was waiting, his dad, his prep school Scotland and Ireland. permanently prepared teachers, his “masters” at Don’t be like my mad for take off . The rest of us Eton and his “gentleman” primary school teacher and would be left behind to Bullingdon Club thugs at buy a ticket for something suff er an agonising death. Oxford? that simply will never Even back then I had a When he spouts in Latin happen. sneaking suspicion that he about the ancient world, Be like my late mum. had been duped by a clerical he is obviously fl aunting Johnson’s cynical, greedy con-man and would never his supposed intellectual politics deserve only see his brass again. superiority to the “oiks” he comprehensive ridicule. (It reminded me of the despises. And, of course, fi erce man selling seagulls for He is also consciously organised opposition from a tenner on Blackpool echoing Enoch Powell, UNISON and our sisters promenade. A punter Thatcher’s beloved mentor. and brothers throughout handed over his money and That’s Enoch - “If you want our movement. 32 UNISON ACTIVE! SUMMER 2020

PAUL ROUTLEDGE MIRROR POLITICAL COLUMNIST

MIRACLE AT THE BLACK ROCK PUB One 999 call from a hostelry in Wakefield vividly demonstrates the professionalism of the Yorkshire ambulance service. It also brought home the fact that despite a dramatic increase in demand and a lack of resources, 15 out of 16 emergency patients get vital treatment within the NHS target

he Bad Day at Black that some heart attack, stroke Flood defences on the Rock wasn’t just a and burns victims were river were under-funded, Western movie. It among seriously ill patients inadequate and horrendously was the day I called waiting over an hour, instead delayed by ministerial the emergency of the 18 minutes average laid inaction. So Hebden Tservices from a pub in down for 999 calls. Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Wakefi eld - weeks ago now, The problem aff ected 1 Luddendenfoot (such but still fresh in the memory. in 16 emergency cases in great Yorkshire names!} My big brother John had England, said the report. Todmorden, Brighouse and passed out, not from the Hang on a minute, that Elland all got hit again. eff ects of the ale because he’d means 15 out of 16 do meet Meanwhile, bosses at the had less than a pint of lager. the target, at a time when Environment Agency shared For the fi rst time in my life demand is rising and delays bonuses of £1.5 million since I had to phone 999, and an in A & E all too often leave the Boxing Day fl oods of extraordinarily patient and crews queuing outside 2015, while slashing 3,000 understanding call handler hospitals. jobs and imposing real-terms took me through a series of I think it’s a miracle that pay cuts on the 10,000 still questions before deciding they do as well as they do, trying to do the work. what action to take. bearing in mind the intense Reward for failure at the A paramedic came in a car, strain under which they work top, punishment for harder with all kinds of weird and and the lack of resources work at the bottom. No wonderful kit to assess what under Tory austerity. My wonder agency staff are was wrong – very low blood experience bears that out. furious. pressure, it turned out. He Cracking pub, by the way, then called an ambulance the Black Rock. The “rock” DEATH-DEFYING and semi-retired (at 81!) being coal – it was a favourite Foghorn-voiced actor Brian bricklayer John was taken of the miners. Blessed returned to his to Pinderfi elds hospital, native Yorkshire for a charity where he continues to get top BONUS STORM performance. outpatient treatment. Storm Ciara devastated We could probably have As I say, this was a fi rst West Yorkshire, bringing out heard him if he delivered his MY BIG for me, and a real eye- the best in neighbours and one-man show from his front BROTHER opener. The speed and emergency workers, and the door in Surrey. JOHN professionalism of the service worst in Tory politicians. But here’s the gist of it. HAD was fantastic. Absolute top Craig Whittaker, MP for Two things annoy Brian, son marks, and thanks. fl ood-hit Calder Valley, could of a Mexborough miner: PASSED I was reminded of the only chunter that “the clean- “The politicians at times OUT event by reports of “failing” up will be a major operation”. really do bore the bloody arse ambulance attendances. A I didn’t see him with a mop off me”, and mentioning his BBC investigation showed and bucket. age – he’s 83.

SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 33

“It’s not how old you are, it’s the Government’s national target. rating of fi fth in division one. how you are old. Death doesn’t Driverless buses will bring Blue Not bad, but not quite like the exist for me. I think life is the last Badge holders from a park and ride glory days of winning the county word and death is not. We’ve all site to the pedestrianised streets in championship. got something that nobody else a £4 million trial scheme. We still have one unique talent has got, fulfi l your dreams.” A breath of fresh air! York has in the game. Yorkshire’s last Amen to that, big Brian. seven million visitors a year, and remaining traditional cricket bat they take their lives in their hands maker, Ian Sampson, plies his craft HAIL TO THE CHIEF trying to navigate the narrow amid shavings and sawdust in Welcome to ‘Welcome to streets. Not to mention the locals. W a k e fi e l d . Yorkshire’ new chief executive All we need now is to train Ian, 62, a native of Carlton, James Mason, a former sports cycling students to obey the near Rothwell, might have gone journalist, has been head-hunted Highway Code. down the pit, but his dad wouldn’t to succeed disgraced Sir Gary have it, so he went to work for Verity. LADY MUCK Slazenger’s in Horbury before it He promises to transform the Boris Johnson is excited about closed in 2002. troubled tourist body, kept alive proposals for calling Old Oak A former rugby player for Batley by loans and grants of more Common, the provisional and Hunslet, he took over the than £1 million from councils in southern terminus of the London- Warrior bat-making business and the region. Birmingham High Speed Line, now turns out maybe two bats a Mason, 41, former chief “Margaret Thatcher Station.” day, using only English willow. operating offi cer of Bradford City That might not be such a bad “It’s a real labour of love,” football club, was poached from idea. It would give work to lots of says Ian. Good to know that a sports agency First Point USA. Sir cleaners employed to clean up the traditional Tyke craftsman can still Gary was paid £243,000 a year, but graffi ti inevitably splattered over beat factory-made stuff . his successor gets only £130,000 anything with her name on it. – still not bad for an organisation A bronze statue of the Iron Lady PIER PRESSURE with only 30 staff . is due to be unveiled in her home If you’ve been to Brighton you Let’s hope he brings more town of Grantham, after siting it in must have seen the ruins of the to God’s Own county than Parliament Square was rejected for West Pier, rusting off shore. There’s cycle races. fear of vandalism. even less to see of Withernsea pier. The 20ft high monstrosity of Charging a penny, and opened GREENING OF YORK a scowling Maggie will sit on in 1877, it once strode confi dently You can’t say York isn’t ambitious. top of a 10 ft high base to deter 1,196 feet into the North Sea. The council plans to ban private iconoclasts. No doubt she’s saying Storms and frequent ship collisions cars from the city centre in three to herself: “I knew some day my destroyed the structure within years. plinth would come.” thirty years. And it’s bidding to be the fi rst Boom, boom! Only the twin-towered gateway in the world to have driverless remains, but local campaigners electric buses. GOOD INNINGS have won a National Lottery grant From 2023, only buses and Leeds United is joining Sheffi eld to pursue plans for a new pier, half disabled drivers will be allowed United in the Premier League, and as long but twice as wide. within the mediaeval walls, part the cricket season is upon us. Tykes Good luck to them. The nearest of a plan to make the city carbon must hope that Yorkshire’s cricket rival is in Saltburn, 140 miles away. neutral by 2030 – 20 years before team will do better than last year’s By boat.

The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of UNISON DON’T PUT UP WITH IT! Jo Seery, a specialist lawyer at Thompsons Solicitors, explains the difference between acceptable workplace banter and harassment – and what UNISON members can do about it

he fi rst thing to The Equality Act prohibits a duty to prevent all forms of be said is that three forms of harassment: harassment in the workplace so harassment is that related to a protected it is important that they know unlawful. And characteristic; sexual when it took place. Again, your employers are liable if harassment; or less favourable UNISON rep can help. Tthey fail to take reasonable steps treatment because a person has If the harassment does not to prevent it in the workplace. submitt ed to or rejected sexual stop or is not resolved, members So what is harassment? harassment, or harassment have access to legal advisors Under the Equality Act 2010, related to sex or gender through reps and through harassment is defi ned as reassignment. regional offi ce. unwanted conduct related It is not only those subject to The tight time limit for to a relevant protected the conduct who are protected. taking a case to an employment characteristic*, which has the Witnesses to harassment, those tribunal is three months less one purpose or eff ect of violating a who are perceived to have a day from the act of harassment person’s dignity, or creating an protected characteristic and or if there are a series of acts of intimidating, hostile, degrading, those subject to unwanted harassment, the last act. humiliating or off ensive conduct because they are It is also a requirement to environment for that person. associated with a person who begin early conciliation before Unwanted conduct has a protected characteristic a legal claim is lodged. This includes spoken or writt en are also protected. For example involves contacting ACAS words of abuse, imagery, that would protect a worker before the time limit expires. It graffi ti, physical gestures, wrongly perceived to be a is recommended that you seek facial expressions, mimicry, Muslim who is subject to the assistance of your UNISON jokes, pranks, acts aff ecting a Islamophobia or a worker rep fi rst, but also keep an eye person’s surroundings or other subject to derogatory comments on time limits otherwise a legal behaviour. because they care for a disabled claim may go out of time. Harassment is not harmless child. Apart from talking to your fun or banter. Whether conduct So what should you do if you rep as soon as possible, a doctor amounts to harassment depends think you’re being harassed may also be able to assist on: at work? You should tell the you depending on what has • The perception of the person perpetrator that their conduct is happened. complaining of harassment; off ensive and your UNISON rep Above all it’s important to • The surrounding can help you to do this. remember that if you’re being circumstances; You should keep a record of harassed, it’s not your fault - and • Whether it is reasonable for what was said or done, who said you shouldn’t put up with it! YOU the conduct to have that eff ect. or did it, when it took place (the SHOULD date) and where it took place. *Under the Equality Act a KEEP The fact that an individual It is important to note down if protected characteristic could has not objected to the there were any witnesses. The be age, disability, gender A RECORD behaviour, or the perpetrator best way of keeping a record is reassignment, race, religion or OF WHAT says harassment was not to note it down in a diary. belief, sex, sexual orientation, WAS SAID intended, does not prevent it You should also lodge a marriage and civil partnership, OR DONE from amounting to harassment. grievance. Your employer has pregnancy and maternity Jo Seery SUMMER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 35 COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Share your stories DON’T PUT UP WITH IT!

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UNISON is responding to the national coronavirus crisis by offering practical help to members experiencing hardship. • Financial hardship • Help with debt • Universal credit and other benefi ts • General advice • Credit unions The usual path for help is through our network of branch welfare offi cers, but if you can’t get in touch you can access the services through our website...

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