UNISON Eastern Labour Link news

Standing up for social care staff LABOUR MPs lined up be- hind UNISON Eastern’s Stop the Spread pledge last year. It calls on councils to commit to an achievable set of standards to protect care staff and service-users dur- ing the Covid 19 pandemic. They include priority test- ing for social care workers carried out in work time and A clear (pre-Covid) message from UNISON Eastern’s health committee with transport paid, suitable personal protective equip- ment, full pay during self-iso- lation and carers leave on full Labour will keep pay for workers caring for a dependent with Covid 19. Cambridge’s Daniel Zeich- battling in 2021 ner, Norwich’s LIKE MOST of you we’re glad to focus our support. Our and ’s Sarah Owens to see the back of 2020 but targets are returning Labour and Rachel Hopkins (pic- UNISON Labour Link contin- councillors in: tured) have all offered UNI- ued to work with Labour MPs n Peterborough City, SON their support. and councillors in the region n Cambridge City, Daniel said: “I’m support- over a number of big issues n Southend Borough, ing care workers to stop the that affect UNISON members n Basildon District, spread of coronavirus. Proud during the year. n North Hertfordshire to sign the pledge.” I suspect 2021 will be an- n and securing the election of other unique year and at time David Michael as of writing there are a number PCC. of important elections (some On top of that we aim to postponed from 2020) includ- ensure that all members in ing Police and Crime Com- the Eastern region have the missioner elections in all six opportunity to vote Labour in Eastern region counties and a whatever local elections are number of city, borough, dis- being held. trict and county elections and If you want to join UNISON a mayoral election in Cam- campaigning for Labour can- bridgeshire and Peterborough. didates in your area please UNISON Labour Link has al- contact us at UNISON Eastern ready had discussions with La- Labour Link secretary Sam bour in the East about where Older: [email protected]. Supporting health staff EASTERN region MPs are sup- and care staff with a guarantee porting a £2,000 pay rise for of a decent pay rise.” NHS staff. Bedford’s Mohammad Yasin UNISON is campaigning for is also behind the campaign. Run to rebuild an early rise for health workers “It goes without saying that OVER the pandemic it’s be- who have given their all during the efforts of health and care come increasingly obvious that the Covid-19 pandemic and workers in the NHS and social key workers are absolutely members have written to their care, within the public and pri- essential in keeping the coun- MPs asking for support. vate sectors has been integral try running. Cambridge’s Daniel Zeich- to the fight against the current But the way they’re treated ner backed the campaign. coronavirus pandemic,” he said. shows how little they’re in- “I support calls for the gov- “I support the campaign to volved in actually running the ernment to make an immedi- raise wages throughout the country. ate commitment to pay talks NHS workforce, and will con- UNISON believes that work- for NHS workers,” he said. tinue to do so.” ers in public services are the “As we know, valuing our MPs and Ra- experts on how they should be NHS workforce through fair chel Hopkins also pledged run — that’s why we’re sup- pay and conditions is crucial their support to an immediate porting Labour’s Run to Re- to tackling the many vacan- £2,000 rise. build campaign, encouraging cies across the health service. an army of key workers to get ➤➤ I believe any new deal for NHS Eastern region MPs have involved and run for office. workers must be agreed as joined other UNISON cam- Workers like Sarah Barber, soon as possible, in recogni- paigns over the last year, sup- a nurse, a UNISON member, a tion of the bravery and sacrifice porting the Save Our Services Labour councillor in Ipswich, shown by healthcare staff dur- campaign in defence of coun- and star of a new series of vid- ing this pandemic. cil funding, backed schools eos encouraging key workers “NHS and care staff, many staff over making classrooms to run for office. of whom are exhausted and safe and standing with Cam- For Sarah, being a nurse, fearing burn-out, need bridgeshire police staff at risk joining UNISON and running for more than Thursday of redundancy. the council were all connected. evening clapping. “I joined UNISON because “They have been I realised that nurses need a asked to give so union that realises to improve much and too often things you need to act beyond they get so little in the workplace. A union affil- return. The govern- iated to the TUC that under- ment should stands the political side of recognise nursing and the NHS.” and And the same thing led to reward her becoming a councillor. NHS Visit our website to read more

UNISON Eastern Labour Link Forum and AGM 6-7pm on 11 February 2021 via Microsoft Teams Register today and join us to look back over 2020 and Register here plan for 2021. All Labour Link members are welcome.