ACTIVE! - UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ACTIVE!
WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 1
MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE
WINTER 2020 | ISSUE 34 | £3 WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK
PLEASE
UR
USE YO
VOTE!
P4 P5
COVID LATEST -
SURGE IN MEMBERSHIP
P14 P16 P34
Plaudits not enough, says Wendy Our frontline heroes Your legal rights
2 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
UNISON members struggling
through an unexpected crisis can
get help from ‘there for you’ by:-
Contacting their
Branch Welfare Officer
Calling us on 020 7121 5620
You can also find out more
information by visiting our website
www.unison.org.uk/get-help/
- Financial assistance help-with-problems-at-home/
there-for-you/
- Debt advice
- Wellbeing breaks Registered charity number 1023552
- Support & information
Please make sure our members
are aware of the help that is
available in these difficult times.
WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 3
OUR UNION IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE
I ’ve been so proud to justice for all our members.
general secretary
Dave Prentis
regional secretary serve as UNISON general In the past five months I
John Cafferty secretary for 20 years. It have seen our members,
regional convenor has been the honour and our staff, our public
Wendy Nichols
privilege of my life to services and our union at
UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside be able to represent our their very best.
Regional Centre, Quayside House, Canal incredible members from New members are
Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS
t 0113 218 2627 or freephone
across our four nations, joining us faster than ever
textphone 08000 967 968 and never more so than before because they value
w www.unison-yorks.org.uk during the pandemic. what a strong union can
Lines are open 6am-midnight UNISON members have provide – support when
Monday-Friday and helped save lives and they need it, strength to
9am-4pm Saturdays protect our communities. fight for change and a
You have been, once again, community that means you
editor the foundation on which are never alone.
Barrie Clement our society rests. As the health crisis turns
consulting editor I can think of no tougher to an economic crisis, we
Mary Maguire time for members, but will face more challenges.
chief photographer
also no time in which your I will be here to lead this
Jim Varney incredible skill, dedication union until the end of this
and care has been so clearly year – we still have a great
contributors
Christine Buckley, Peter Carroll, Ryan demonstrated. deal of work to do together.
Fletcher, Helen Hague, Tom Jones, Mary This will be my last Thank you, for
Maguire, Danny Marten, Ruth McGuire, column for this magazine, everything you have done.
Paul Routledge, Gerard Stilliard DAVE PRENTIS
as I retire on December 31. And everything you will GENERAL
cover image Every day for the past 47 continue to do – for our SECRETARY
Kate Evans years, I have been driven union, for public services
Published on behalf of UNISON by by a belief in fairness and and for our communities.
Century One Publishing Ltd.
Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road
St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG
t 01727 893 894
f 01727 893 895
e enquiries@centuryonepublishing.uk
YORKSHIRE’S FINEST
I n the eye of the storm of reflected in their pay packets.
w www.centuryonepublishing.uk
advertising enquiries this deadly pandemic, And we are getting stronger
Jonathan Knight our members have once by the day. Our membership
t 01727 739 193 again shown their heroic is growing as more and more
e jonathan@centuryonepublishing.uk
commitment to the nation’s public sector workers realise
design and layout health. how vital UNISON is for their
Caitlyn Hobbs It has been our members future under this most hostile
t 01727 739 189 in the NHS and local of Tory governments.
e copy@centuryonepublishing.uk
government who have battled So much of our success
printed by on the front-line, at great is down to the superb
Unison Print personal risk, to keep us all leadership of our outgoing
Copyright safe and well. general secretary Dave
reproduction in whole Public expressions of Prentis.
or part by any means gratitude are certainly Dave has been a tireless
without written
permission of the welcome, but the gushing leader of UNISON for twenty
publisher is strictly praise of Tory ministers has years and his legacy is a
forbidden. UNISON and
the publisher accept no responsibility for
a ring of hypocrisy. That is powerful, dynamic union that
errors, omissions or the why we continue the fight for is fully prepared for the many
consequences fair pay for all our members. challenges which lie ahead.
thereof.
They cannot pay their bills Heartfelt thanks from us WENDY
© UNISON 2020 and feed their families with all to Dave, one of Yorkshire’s NICHOLS
government rhetoric. We will finest exports. All the very REGIONAL
CONVENOR
never stop fighting for their best for a long and happy
ols
skill and dedication to be retirement. W.Nich
4 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020 NEWS
CHRISTINA McANEA NOMINATED
The Yorkshire & Humberside • Record of campaigning, • Credibility across the
regional committee has particularly on issues Labour and trade union
nominated Christina McAnea affecting women, equalities movement;
to be the next general and low-pay;
secretary of UNISON. • Vast experience negotiating Her election would
The committee felt pay and conditions for also mean that a union
Christina was the best members at a national level; representing over a million
candidate to deliver on our • Proud record of defending women will be led by a
members’ priorities, because our members across all woman with all the relevant
of her: service groups; experience. Christina McAnea
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE
Members are set to elect a new best represent them. 10 and will close on November 20.
leader for UNISON in our general Ballot papers were issued on Branches have a key role
secretary election. October 28 to all eligible members in increasing participation –
The general secretary is the with a prepaid envelope and helping to spread the word about
most senior role in the union the election period will close on this election and encouraging
and it’s important that as many November 27. members to have their say. Click
members as possible take part A voting helpline for members the links below for resources to
and vote for the person who will will be available from November get you started:
10 things branches can do to increase participation Q&A for activists
▼
▼
Q&A for members Download the election poster
▼
▼
PROTECTING THE UNION
The union has issued important but to protect others. Reusable conduct criteria.
guidance to branches wishing cloth face coverings must be Face coverings bought
to give out face coverings as a washed before and after each use. by branches must be given
promotional item to members, or It is suggested that branches to members with the clear
potential members. use UNISON’s licensed supplier instruction they are not for work
Face coverings are not personal of promotional items, TC use under any circumstances and
protective equipment (PPE) and Branding Group. This ensures must not be UNISON-branded.
are not designed to protect the that products meet UNISON’s This is important to protect the
wearer from infectious agents, strict supplier and code of union.
NEWS WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 5
SURGE IN UNISON MEMBERSHIP
UNISON membership in Yorkshire and
Humberside has increased substantially since
the start of the pandemic.
Since January 1, UNISON experienced a net
rise of 2,600 taking total membership in the
region to around 133,000 as activists and officials
reached out to workers in schools, care homes
and other frontline workplaces ensuring they
were fully aware of their right to work in a safe
environment.
Regional manager Trevor Johnston, who
joined from northern region in April, said there
were concerns initially that recruitment might
be more difficult because the lock-down meant
the union could no longer have face-to-face
contacts. “But as the crisis took hold, Yorkshire
and Humberside UNISON’s systematic
campaigns gave us an even higher profile than
ever,” says Trevor.”This meant that as people
became increasingly aware that they needed
protection they knew UNISON was there for
them.”
Trevor has ensured that all new joiners are
contacted and that members in the most high-
risk areas such as social care are aware of the has recruited 152,000 new members over the
help available from the union. first nine months of the year. The net increase is
He has instituted a systematic weekly check estimated to be 32,000 when leavers and retiring
on membership figures on a branch-by-branch members are taken into account. It is calcu-
basis so that resources can be concentrated lated that three in ten of all new members are
where they are needed. Nationally UNISON employed in the private sector. Trevor Johnston
UNIVERSITY STAFF NEED TESTS
Thousands of university students and staff need hosting these national Covid testing centres they
urgent government action to provide test and are not open as a priority for students and staff.”
trace facilities to avoid a “huge rise” in Covid “The centres have been outsourced by the
infections. government to private companies such as Deloitte
The government’s SAGE committee of medical when they should be run by the NHS and priority
and scientific advisors has warned of “huge should be determined locally not from a national
spikes” in coronavirus in university towns and call centre hundreds of miles away.
cities. “Meanwhile our security staff are having to
Nick Allen, chair of UNISON’s regional higher break up mass gatherings by students in halls
education service group, said: “We have a major of residences who are ignoring government
crisis now because although universities are guidance and university instructions.”
Nick Allen
BEWARE
6 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
THE ’BOTS!
Did consulting editor Mary Maguire write the fascinating media review below? Or was it a
cunning robot? If the Guardian can carry a piece written by a droid, so could UNISON Active!
I
t’s been a sombre news season. A global Editors lined up the usual boffins to analyse
plague. Daily death tolls. PPE fiasco. Exam claims in the Sun and other terror-spreaders that
results fiasco. Incompetent government. robots would “raise one in three children in the
Masks in banks encouraged. Social bubbles. future” – droids would feed, exercise and teach
Social distancing. Lockdown. Kids back at kids, change nappies and tell stories.
school. Kids quarantined. The R Rate. Test, track Artificial wombs would be the norm. Parents
and lose the trail. Incompetent government. Go would be as obsolete as floppy discs. Fun times.
on holiday. Don’t go on holiday. Doom and gloom. “Could we see robots wearing flat caps on
Suddenly, from a galaxy far, far away a saviour Yorkshire farms?” asked Leeds-Live, as it gaily
arrived. Not so much a knight in shining armour, reported that bots will take over 2.3 million jobs.
more a tin man, aka Star Wars’ R2-D2. The Reports of robotic dolphins, robotic dogs herding
loveable android came to earth via the Humber sheep, robot firefighters, fruit-pickers, cleaners
Bridge to raise money for a human charity (BBC and, according to the Mail, a robot that sweats like
Look North, Hull Daily Mail). human beings. Nice.
Picture desks across the region were in It was only a matter of time before the
raptures. And editors had a new best friend – headlines screamed of “killer robots”. To be fair,
the robot. Bots, AI, droids, became all the rage though, these weapons systems select and engage
and were soon harnessed to fight Covid19. BBC targets without human control – “ban ‘em” says
reported that Leeds University trialled robots the Mirror, along with 30 major countries. Only
to sanitise parts of the city centre and Leeds 30?
Bradford Airport. The robots found an area to Stories of workers deliberately sabotaging
sanitise then sprayed a fine mist. Clever. robots and people kicking them when they are
COULD
The Yorkshire Post told us robots could “ease rolling down the streets, rang a bell. Apparently, WE SEE
loneliness in older people in care homes”, beside not comforted by the tech boffins who were ROBOTS
a picture of a jolly elderly gent backed into a chair divided over whether robots will eventually kill WEARING
by a white plastic-encased, straight-backed bot us all in a terminator-style apocalypse. FLAT
with round flashing blue ears. The robot, called Of course, if they don’t get you physically, CAPS ON
Pepper, is apparently “culturally competent”, they may get your mind, as Bots and AI posing YORKSHIRE
has had several interesting outings, including as ‘people’ with realistic human characteristics, FARMS?
visiting major newsrooms and giving evidence to features and personalities, invade social media
parliament. as ‘virtual influencers”. To demonstrate their
Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid invited a capacity, the Guardian employed a robot to write
droid called Sophia, onto ITV’s Good Morning a 500-word op-ed on why humans have nothing
Britain. Sophia, it transpired, could convey to fear from AI. Robot GPT-3 included this:
realistic facial expressions like smiling and “I am a servant of humans. I am only a set of
blinking, although her hair did need some work. code, governed by lines upon lines of code that
She told a joke and, when Morgan asked Sophia encompass my mission statement.” It added:
if she considered herself human, Sophia smiled “Robots are just like us. They are made in our
indulgently before replying. image”. Yep, scary. n Mary Maguire
WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 7
Great deals for
work and play
If you’re a member of UNISON,
we won’t just look after you at work, we’ll be there
for evenings, weekends and holidays too. We’ve chosen a range
of fantastic deals to make your down time the best time.
For more information on UNISON Living
visit benefits.unison.org.uk
8 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
‘A CREDIT TO UNISON’
Activist Tony Smith has been dismissed by his employer after winning
sick pay for 2,500 of his workmates. But Tony used a prolonged
suspension from work to set up a food bank, writes Peter Carroll
W
hen health and safety after years of austerity, has created The employer, FCC, is a privatised
rep Tony Smith was something extraordinary. waste recycling company, and
suspended from The UNITY foodbank is now Tony’s problems began when he led
work, he pledged to up and running in Hull, helping the fight for sick pay for the drivers
put the time to good hundreds of people to feed their who handle the waste.
use - by setting up a pioneering families. It is a hugely impressive One of the 22 drivers, a UNISON
foodbank in Hull. achievement, particularly given steward, was suffering from
Five months later, Tony has been the stress he must be under as his cancer and having chemotherapy
dismissed – but his determination bosses do all in their power to sack treatment and his colleagues went
to help those suffering the most him. to visit him.
WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 9
Tony (left) with nurse Matt Whale, UNISON steward at Hull Royal
Tony remembers the visit dismissed Tony anyway. Hull at a time of increasing
well. “We could all see UNISON campaigned poverty, and a tribute to
that he was actually more against the decision and the Tony’s strength and socialist
OUR worried about paying his company had to re-instate principles.
MEMBERS bills than about the cancer. I him. The trades council in Hull
MUST HAVE thought, right, we’ve got to Tony said: “Ultimately I and district discussed the
THE RIGHT do something about this. It is think they thought it would urgent need for grassroots
TO BE disgraceful and causes great be easier just to get rid of me. organisation to alleviate
suffering. If they can sack me it would rising poverty.
PROVIDED “At that time the company be very useful to them. It was agreed the foodbank
WITH paid no sick pay at all to its “People would see that project was vital.
PROTECTIVE staff. Before the transport happen and no-one would Tony set about organising
CLOTHING service was put out to tender come forward to be health suppliers of food and signed
in 2015, staff who became ill and safety reps. They would up the Fairshare scheme
were entitled to full pay for be frightened off it because where supermarkets that
six months and half pay for the consequences are so over-order donate the food to
six months.” serious.” the foodbank.
The members voted for The company’s next He has been to schools
strike action over the issue attack was related to the and community centres
and won a memorable victory way asbestos is taken away throughout Hull and secured
- but one that put Tony firmly after being removed from donations from unions –
in the crosshairs of the buildings. Drivers collect UNISON, Unite, the NEU,
company’s fury. asbestos dumped in rubble GMB and others.
The victory in the strike bins and take it away to be And in a great example
meant the company not only crushed. of community solidarity,
had to provide sick pay to its But often they are not the Kurdish community in
employees in Hull – they had aware that asbestos is present Hull have donated premises
to start paying it to their staff on the site. rent-free.
at other sites throughout the “I argued that our Many foodbanks will only
country. members should wear white provide food for individuals
The total number of protective suits when dealing six times a year, and some
workers at FCC who now with this toxic waste. I reckon require documentation to
receive sick pay is 2,500. that this is happening all prove need.
Tony said: “It took us over the country, putting Tony said: “We want to
about a year to organise the people’s health at risk. cut bureaucracy, to help
strike and get to the ballot. “That’s because it costs anyone in need. I have been
About 20 of us went out on average £700 to remove very busy delivering food
on strike in Hull and we asbestos safely. Our members around the city. We are
also won it for 2,500 people must have the right to be out to help zero hours and
around the country. It was a provided with protective minimum wage workers
very important victory, but clothing.” and the demand for help
I remember thinking at the The company again is growing. It is wonderful
time ‘they’ll never forgive me suspended Tony for allegedly to deliver food to people
for this’ and they obviously breaching health and safety who are destitute, to help
haven’t.” rules. The irony is stark. them survive, and most
IT IS The first shot fired was In total Tony was importantly give them hope.”
WONDERFUL when Tony went down to suspended for more than Regional organiser Joe
TO DELIVER UNISON’s annual delegate a year before his appeal Gibbins praised Tony for his
conference in Brighton. was finally rejected by achievement.
FOOD He hired a car to make the his employer. UNISON is He said: “He is a
TO PEOPLE trip and inadvertently went currently preparing to take wonderful human being.
WHO ARE 5mph over the speed limit the case to an employment Despite all he has been
DESTITUTE on a road he wasn’t familiar tribunal alleging unfair through, he has always
TO HELP with. dismissal. worked tirelessly for the
THEM The speeding charge had to But the Unity foodbank is poor and the oppressed. He’s
SURVIVE be dropped but the company an inspirational initiative in a credit to UNISON.” n
10 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
I
t’s been four and a It was further amended so While the Government has
half years since the that ‘vulnerable road users’ tweaked the bill, so far it
then Chancellor of the (VRUs) – cyclists, pedestrians, seems unconcerned about
Exchequer, George motorcyclists and horse the impact that the proposed
Osbourne, dreamed riders – together with legislation will have on
up plans to increase the “protected people” including workers across the UK.
“small claims limit” for road children - were exempt from For generations, the
accidents and workplace any increase in the limit. fundamental principle in
claims from £1,000 to £5,000. The Bill came into effect law was that the “polluter
It would have meant a in April this year but its pays”. In this case it meant
person injured through no implementation has been that those responsible for the
fault of their own would delayed by the pandemic injury to the worker paid for THE
have to pay legal fees for until at least April next year. his or her independent legal ANSWER
any claim worth less then The delay gives the advice. Under this system ISN’T TO
£5000, rather than the person Government time to reflect the injured party got the
or organisation who was on who is the real target of full compensation for their
UNLEASH
responsible for the injury. this legislation. Is the Act injuries and losses, without CLAIMS
Since then, we’ve seen going to stick to its stated aim lawyers’ fees being deducted. COMPANIES
the publication of the Civil - to curb allegedly outrageous The Johnson government AND COLD
Liability Bill which was whiplash claims - or are appears willing to rip that CALLERS
tweaked to limit the increase ministers willing to limit up. The 90 per cent of injured ON INJURED
for work accidents to £2,000. access to justice for others? workers whose claims are WORKERSWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 11
A
DENIAL OF it is noticeable that no insurer
has said (or even mentioned)
that it is essential for EL and
JUSTICE
PL to be included in the small HERE IS
claims increase in order for A TEST
them to deliver the premium FOR
reductions promised. It’s clear MINISTERS
that taking EL and PL out of WHO GOT
Tom Jones, head of policy at the equation won’t have any
Thompsons Solicitors, urges ministers impact on premiums.
ELECTED
In Scotland, accident at
WITH LOTS
to scrap proposed changes to the small work claims don’t go into their OF WARM
claims limit which would deny justice to equivalent of a small claims WORDS
hundreds of thousands of injured workers process. If the Prime Minister ABOUT
means it when he talks about WORKERS’
a “United Kingdom”, a good RIGHTS
place to start would be to have
a system in place that means
that workers in England
and Wales are offered the
same legal protection and
recognition as those north of
the border.
The answer isn’t to unleash
claims companies and cold
callers on injured workers
– which is a real risk. And
doubling the small claims
limit for employer’s liability
cases will place strains on
an already creaking justice
system, by increasing the
number of unrepresented
claimants and encouraging
worth less than £2,000 face Unlike with whiplash claims management
fighting well-funded insurers claims, no one has said that companies and their dreaded
on their own, or see lawyers’ there is a problem with cold calling (which the
fees come out of damages the fraudulent EL or PL claims Government chose not to
court had decided should be or a boom in them. In fact, clamp down on).
for them. the numbers are, thankfully, Here is a test for ministers
Since August last year, dropping due to better who were elected with lots of
Thompsons, shopworkers’ health and safety. Ministry warm words about workers’
union USDAW, the of Justice figures show there rights being safe in their hands
Association of British were around 27,000 personal after Brexit. Will they stand by
Insurers (ABI), the Law injury claims in the final injured workers’ rights now?
Society and the British quarter of 2019 – down five Will the Government listen
Safety Council supported per cent on the previous to those who are normally
by UNISON, have been quarter and the lowest level their friends at the Association
making the public case that since 2011. of British Insurers and back off
Employers Liability (EL) and The Government has from an increase in the limit
Public Liability (PL) claims promised that the whiplash in workplace injury claims
aren’t the same as road reforms will result in lower before it is too late, or plough
accident whiplash claims motor insurance premiums. on regardless and in doing so
- which is what the Civil Putting to one side our reveal how unsafe workers’
Liability Act was meant to be doubts that there will be any, rights really are in their
all about. or any long term reductions, hands? n12 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
HOLD ON TO
YOUR SEATS!
UNISON members face a period of extreme political turbulence at a national and local level. With the
benefit of years of experience in Westminster, Mirror man Paul Routledge looks into his crystal ball
W
hat a difference challenges. sent from London in a pre-
less than a year Former Tory premiers recorded virtual appearance to
makes! Sir Keir publicly despair, and even his the so-called Great Northern
Starmer is ahead friends in the media have given Conference.
of Boris Johnson up. One prominent pal urged Chancellor Sunak, favourite
as the nation’s choice of prime him to “get Brexit done” and to succeed Johnson, scrapped
minister. quit. his autumn budget in favour
And Labour is neck and neck That won’t happen. My of a one-year spending review,
with the Tories – ahead in some judgment is a stalemate at pledging long-term investment
polls - an extraordinary change Westminster, with Johnson in the “cornerstones of our
of fortune after the party’s worst doggedly hanging on, hoping society, like the NHS and
defeat in living memory. for a coronavirus vaccine to schools”. We’ll see. He’s very
Sir Keir’s forensic rescue him from a potential much a “balance the books”
performances at prime revolt by his back-benchers. man.
minister’s questions leave Desperate to hold on to last Another political pachyderm
blustering Bojo looking like an December’s political gains – lurks in the room: Europe.
Oxford Union debating society nine Labour seats in our region Leaving the EU institutions was
amateur. Which is precisely – he’s promising (yet again) to easy. But this government isn’t
SO MANY what he was. “level up” by decanting 22,000 up to the hard part of creating a
HAVE DIED The Covid-19 pandemic found civil service jobs here by 2030. coherent new relationship with
BECAUSE him out. His jokey, arm-waving, All we’ve had from him so far, Europe.
JOHNSON policy-on-the-hoof style of are some patronising remarks I’ve always assumed that
FAILED AT leadership simply isn’t up to about “selfless Northerners” Johnson and his swivel-eyed
EVERY the crisis. Thousands have died determined not to be beaten by Brexiteer pals like Sir Rentagob
STAGE because he failed to meet the the virus. And even that was – Iain Duncan Smith – don’tWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 13
and MP for Batley and Spen, They will have whatever useless
has also thrown her hat into the communities secretary Robert
ring. Jenrick decides to give them.
The winner will oversee the With reports of up to 3,000 UP TO
county’s five local authorities council posts in the region 3,000
– Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, under threat, UNISON says it COUNCIL
Calderdale and Wakefield – will oppose any compulsory job POSTS
with a “mayoral authority” cuts. Wendy Nichols, regional UNDER
of five elected members from convenor, says: “Our members THREAT
each council, plus three more are busy delivering essential
to reflect the county’s political services and supporting the
make-up. Sound complicated? response to the Covid-19
It looks like the proverbial emergency.
camel, a horse designed by a “Local government
committee. reorganisation is the last thing
And this for a paltry – in they need now. However, we
public spending terms - £38 are pragmatic, and we recognise
million plus a greater say in the government’s intentions
local transport. That’s massively are clear. They want a unitary
less than has been taken from system from April 2022, and our
councils in the last decade. focus across all our branches
Judith Blake, Labour leader of in North Yorkshire will be to
Leeds, admits: secure the best outcome for our
“We recognise this is the members and the communities
only show in town, and the they serve.”
only opportunity to get money These two coups d’etat for
out of Whitehall and under our local government are just part
control.” of a pattern. Dozens more
Frankly, I see this as a elected mayors and council
glorified Leeds city region, in abolitions are coming down the
much the same way that Dan track in a bid to smash Labour
want a comprehensive trade Jarvis’s South Yorkshire is strongholds.
agreement with our largest Sheffield plus the rest. The new At Westminster, the
single market. They want to mayor will have limited powers, Yorkshire cohort of Labour
crash out, putting the ailing as the pandemic shutdowns in MPs has significant clout in
economy in even greater risk to Manchester showed. Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet.
satisfy their ideological hatred In the aftermath of last Rachel Reeves takes on Michael
of Europe. As Active! went to December’s partial demolition Gove at the cabinet office,
press, negotiations restarted. of the “Red Wall” of traditional John Healey has defence and
Away from turbulent Labour parliamentary Louise Haigh has the heavy
Westminster, politics is no less constituencies, the Tories responsibility of Northern
seething in our region. Having believe they can do the double: Ireland.
refused to heed the voice of win against the odds in West Among the influential
local people who supported Yorkshire and install a patsy commons committee chairs,
a One Yorkshire devolution politician in a county that Hilary Benn has future relations
plan, Tory ministers are now currently has a complete Red with the EU, Clive Betts retains
imposing new systems of local Map of councils. local government and Yvette
government. The picture in North Cooper at home affairs holds to
West Yorkshire is to have Yorkshire is much less clear. account Priti Patel, arguably the
a metro mayor, elected in The Tories want a single most unpleasant member of the
council polls on May 6. Susan unitary authority, but their cabinet.
Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford own councillors are squabbling My crystal ball for 2021 is
city council, is emerging as like ferrets in a sack over the partly-cloudy. But through
front-runner to be the Labour proposed abolition of their the haze I see the better days Wendy Nichols:
candidate. Tracy Brabin, the long-established authorities promised by Capt Sir Tom Union focusing
on best outcome
former Coronation Street actor like Hambleton and Ryedale. Moore. n for members14 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
PLAUDITS
DON’T PAY
THE BILLS
Regional convenor Wendy Nichols welcomes praise for UNISON members for their courage
during the crisis, but now she says they need tangible improvements in pay and conditions
T
hese past nine health and our economy. get us through it.
months have been Covid-19, just like other Elsewhere in this edition
the most unsettling major global catastrophes, of Active! we document the
and frightening has redefined the true worth experiences of an ICU nurse
period most of us of “service” workers. When in Leeds General Infirmary
will have experienced. The you are sick or dying with and a Barnsley care home
trauma of dealing with Covid, when you can’t go worker. These harrowing
coronavirus will be with to the shops for food, when accounts are typical of the FROM
us all for a long time. We you want your kids to feel stories told by so many of our SOCIAL
may have our own personal safe at school, when you lose members on the front-line, WORKER,
fears, for loved ones who your job, it’s not the company battling to keep people alive. TO STREET
are shielding, for our elderly directors, or the hedge fund I am so proud of
relatives in care homes, for managers or the bankers our members in all the
SWEEPER,
our children’s futures, for you turn to, it’s UNISON public services. They UNISON
colleagues in the thick of members and other service have demonstrated their MEMBERS
it, or we may have suffered workers. And, whether or not dedication and commitment ARE
personal tragedies. The we have a further wave of to keeping communities KEEPING
impact of this pandemic has this dreaded virus, it’s those safe and well, keeping SOCIETY
magnified the fragility of our workers who will continue to gas, electricity and water TOGETHERWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 15
supplied, providing safety In the debate on schools members locally, and
and security whether for re-opening to all pupils, nationally demanding
students or the vulnerable. again the Government proper protection for
They’ve kept going, despite chaotically announced its workers and arguing the WHATEVER
the personal risks, many on decision with no plans in case for sick pay for those HAPPENS
low pay, many not knowing place, yet again putting who had to self-isolate. NEXT, WE
whether they will have a job public sector workers at Our Charity, There For CAN’T
at the end of it. risk. Nearly 60 per cent of You, has had a record
In councils across schools staff are support number of calls for help
GO BACK
Yorkshire & Humberside, workers, many UNISON as members themselves
TO THE
many of our members have members, whether a struggle to make ends meet. WAY WE
been organising and helping teaching assistant, an And many of our branches, WERE
with food distribution to the administrator, school meals including my own, donated
vulnerable and to those who worker or a cleaner. Of money to local food banks.
are shielding, keeping the course children should We’ve had a considerable
streets safe and clean, finding be in school, learning growth in membership with
shelter for the homeless and and socialising with their a net increase of 2,500 in the
dealing with the fall-out as friends, but with a plan region.
more people are pushed into in place to keep them,
poverty. From social worker, their parents and staff DAMAGING
to street-sweeper, UNISON safe. UNISON has been Whatever happens next,
members are keeping society working with headteachers we can’t go back to the way
together. in the region to make sure we were. We can’t allow
proper safety measures are the Government to get
WARNINGS in place, that cleaners and away with expecting our
The Government’s response other staff have the right members to pay the cost
has been nothing short PPE. of Covid. There cannot be
of criminal, whether in Some employers have another damaging round
lockdown measures or in not covered themselves of austerity. We want the
the spectacular failure of with glory in the way they plaudits for our public
emergency planning and treat their staff. Managers sector workers, who put
the provision of proper PPE. at Sheffield University, for themselves in harm’s way
For ministers, clapping example, threatened to during this crisis, turned
for carers was something fire and rehire 8,000 non- into tangible improvements
that looked good on TV. Or academic staff on worse in pay and conditions. The
thanking key workers was terms and conditions, but road-sweeper, the refuse
just more warm words. UNISON forced senior collector, the cleaner, the
They were never going managers to withdraw the bus driver, the delivery
to put money where their threat. And workers in St. driver, the shelf-stacker
mouths are. Publicly, they Anne’s charity care homes and all the other unsung
pledged to do “whatever it in Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield heroes – they all deserve
takes”, but cash has been and Kirklees faced the our thanks – but they also
dished out on unusable PPE, threat of slashed pay and deserve a decent standard
to private companies for conditions. of living. n
failed testing and tracking
systems, but not where it UNSUNG
is most needed. The Tory UNISON itself has been
Government’s tribute to fantastic in the way that it
nurses, for example, was has supported members and
to send warnings to them the community throughout
every day that unless they the pandemic and will
pay £120 registration fee, continue to do so. Advice,
they won’t be allowed to support and guidance is
practise. This, when we constantly updated on the
needed every single health website. Our officers have
care worker. been in action supporting16 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
TO
HELL
AND
BACK
The impact of the pandemic on frontline staff was little short of horrific.
But there were moments of triumph too. Peter Carroll and Barrie
Clement meet two UNISON members who, like members of the RAF
in the Second World War, can truly be described as ‘the best of us’
T
he ritual public “When we all first became “We were all anxious,
applause and aware of the virus and how we knew we were all run
saucepan banging it was spreading there was down and many of us were
for NHS staff a period of eerie silence. getting sick, and still are, as
dealing with the It was the calm before the a result of all the mental and
Covid-19 pandemic are now storm,” said Janie. physical stress.”
a distant memory. The devastating storm Wearing PPE masks,
But for those still risking duly arrived and Janie and gowns and gloves
their physical and mental her colleagues were urgently throughout a gruelling
health caring for the sick needed at the LGI and St 12-hour shift is far more
and the dying, the battle, James’s as the numbers of exhausting than most of us
more or less unreported, Covid-19 patients started to can imagine.
goes on. surge. “It is really hot and very
Intensive Care Unit nurse “Dealing with this uncomfortable. And most of
Janie Saxton has worked was strategically very us have facial skin problems
throughout the pandemic challenging because we from wearing the masks all
at Leeds General Infirmary were working in pods day and night. But there is
and St James’s Hospital. to make sure we weren’t no other way to keep staff MANY OF
The 28-year-old UNISON spreading the virus. It was and patients safe,” says US WERE
member has been nursing very stressful and we could Janie. GETTING
for six years, and trained as all see the toll it was taking However, she embraces SICK, AND
a specialist ICU nurse. on us and all the NHS staff. all the “positive outcomes” STILL AREWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 17
that she has witnessed with by any means. We expect to survive what was, at some
some very sick patients and the pressure to continue.” stages, akin to a frontline
tells one heart-warming At the start of the crisis, hospital in a war.
story: everyone, quite rightly, paid To some extent her place SOME
“Many of our patients homage to the frontline of work, Valley Park Care PEOPLE
were critically ill and in hospital staff like Janie Home, Wombwell, near HAD TO SAY
grave danger of passing who were coping with the Barnsley, was ahead of the GOODBYE
away, however a handful pandemic. Few, unless they game. A fortnight before TO LOVED
of them turned a corner were directly involved, lockdown the manager
over a period of four weeks. were aware of the horrific decided to stop relatives
ONES VIA
One patient in particular situation in which care visiting residents. THEIR
was critically unwell home workers found For some time those MOBILES
and unstable during the themselves. she cared for displayed
peak, but then I saw him In particular they were no symptoms. Then one
a couple of weeks later unaware of the sheer morning one of the residents
and he was awake with a numbers of Covid-carrying said he felt unwell. “We took
tracheostomy tube in place elderly hospital patients his temperature and found
- an intervention that many who were dispatched to care it was just under 38 degrees
of our recuperating COVID homes to meet whatever fate and we panicked a little bit,”
patients needed to improve was ahead of them. Many said Samantha. “Within ten
their condition. I was of them died and infected minutes, another resident
delighted to see him. He other elderly residents, felt unwell and started
was fine and was recovering placing a huge burden on throwing up.” Within hours
really well. It is such a low-paid, under-valued care five elderly people had been
positive outcome and very home staff. More than 20,000 sent back to their rooms
encouraging for us. care home residents in with a range of serious
“That helps us to balance England died of the disease symptoms. “That day was
all the sad and upsetting up until the end of June. At just a blur,” she says.
situations we have to deal the peak of the pandemic “We sent them to hospital
with during this crisis.” 400 were dying every day. and they were all sent back
Obviously there were Hundreds of care home staff the same day some of them
situations which Janie lost their lives. hadn’t been treated. The
and her colleagues found UNISON activist staff were scared.
extremely distressing. Samantha Hobson managed “I told them they needed ›
”We have had to turn
some relatives away due to
our strict visiting regimes ICU nurse Janie Saxton – heart-warming stories
(including temperature
checks on arrival) which
Photo: Vicky Matthers
completely goes against our
caring nature with many of
us finding these particular
situations very very hard;
especially when the patients
they’re trying to visit have
been so sick.
“Some people had to
say goodbye to loved ones
via their mobiles and that
is very upsetting for any
bereaved family. We have
been called heartless by
some families because we
have to enforce those rules
but we have no choice.
“And this virus is not over18 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
Photo: Mark Harvey
Residential care worker Sam Hobson told colleagues they should join UNISON
to join UNISON and seven were back in the care home her because she was working
of them did. I told them the by tea time. One died within 12 hour shifts, six or seven
union had been fantastic for 24 hours of being sent back. days a week. “There was no
me.” “On one occasion three question of giving up work.
A sense of solidarity of us went into a resident’s I wouldn’t be able to live on
certainly came in useful. At room to get her on to her bed Universal Credit,” she says.
one stage they tried to admit and she passed away soon The owners offered to put
a patient from hospital, but after. Within 20 minutes £100 in the pay packets of
management were given an another lady took her last each member of staff to show
ultimatum. “We had eight breath. It was awful she appreciation for what they
staff working that day and seemed to be drowning and had been through. “It was
six of us said we are going choking. We were trying to insulting,” said Samantha.
home if the patient wasn’t keep calm. After an hour “It was a kick in the teeth.
tested. We put our foot another resident passed Everyone turned it down.
down. We said if you bring away. One of the staff had passed
this resident in, you will “Eventually we were the disease on to her 10-year-
lose your staff. I don’t know numb to it. We would walk old son. She nearly lost him.
if this is the right thing to in each morning and ask “One of them told a
say, but the staff at our home who else we’d lost during manager that he could shove
have got balls on them. the night. One week at the £100 up his arse.”
“At one stage we had least one resident a day A meagre, one-off handout
seven ambulances in our car passed away.” There was an is offensively inadequate.
park. Everyone of the care occasion when a member Society owes them our deep
home employees was helping of staff just dropped on the gratitude, but it also owes
out. The senior care staff, the floor saying: “It’s just awful them decent wages and
manager, deputy manager, to watch them and there’s conditions.
SOME the admin staff. One day nowt you can do. You’re just Janie and Samantha were
RESIDENTS there were so many poorly helpless.” among “the few” - doing so
residents it was unreal. In order to protect her much, for so many. It is a
WERE “Some residents were 10-year-old daughter from sentiment we have cherished
TAKEN TO taken to hospital and the disease, Samantha took from an earlier, deadly
HOSPITAL they were sent back to her to stay with her mother. threat to the world.
AND THEY die without anything to She would sit in the garden Like our RAF in World
WERE SENT help them. No oxygen, and talk to her little girl War Two, people like Janie
BACK HERE no nothing. Some went to through the window. But she and Samantha are the best
TO DIE” hospital in the morning and had very little time to see of us. nWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 19
RACE TO
The Black
Lives Matter
movement
THE TOP
has rightly
focused
attention on racism in all
its forms. Here feature
writer Ruth McGuire
assesses the barriers to
promotion faced by black
people in the region
Y
ou’ve heard of the
“Glass Ceiling”, well
allow me to introduce
you to the “Snowy
Peaks”. Basically it
means the higher up you go in
public sector organisations, the
whiter the staff.
The topographical analogy
works when you apply it to the
presence of black and minority
ethnic (BAME) people in senior
leadership roles, but it also
applies to the challenges faced
by BAME staff in climbing
their way to the top.
The vivid phrase comes
from a 2014 report by Roger
Kline “Snowy white peaks
of the NHS: a survey of
discrimination in governance
and leadership and the
potential impact on patient
care in London and England.”
Fast forward to 2020 and
Yorkshire & Humberside
where the discrimination
clearly continues - the higher
the NHS pay band, the lower
the proportion of BAME
staff. Across the region, the
percentage of BAME people
appointed to executive level
posts in trusts, ranges from
zero in the vast majority of
cases to 22 per cent in one
trust (Workforce Race Equality
Standard 2019 data).
The picture is similarly
Photo: Mark Harvey
bleak at local authorities.
A 2018 “Local Government
Leadership” report carried
out by recruitment agency
Green Park didn’t mince20 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
its words. “The proportion April 2018 to 31st March 2019” indirect discrimination in the
of BAME representation in confirmed that BAME staff are lack of opportunities and lack
local government leadership underrepresented in the most of promotion of BAME staff.
positions is woeful.” senior roles. Members also feel that they
Precise figures for all the have to be twice as good as a
employers covered by UNISON BARRIER white person to get promotions.
in the region are not available. John Campbell, deputy For black women, the situation
But Abdul Rashid, chair of regional convenor, suggests is even worse, they are even
UNISON’s regional black that “unconscious bias and less likely to get into senior
members’ group, suggests that white privilege” are two positions.”
the representation of BAME of the reasons for the poor In theory the Equality Act
YOU’LL SEE staff in senior roles at local representation of BAME staff in should protect members from
LOTS OF authorities remains as Green leadership roles. racial discrimination. However,
BLACK Park describes: woeful. He says: “I know of nurses enforcing the law is another
FACES This is confirmed by a within a South Yorkshire mountain that BAME members
AROUND report for Leeds City Council, hospital who were often asked have to climb. Abdul says that
THE PLACE, “Equality Improvement to mentor and support others only about thirty percent of
BUT YOU Priorities Summary 2018 - 2022 such as matrons and directors cases he and his colleagues deal
WON’T SEE Tackling poverty and reducing in their new roles. These with are sent onto Thompsons
THEM AS inequalities. Update August nurses were considered good Solicitors. “Often, this is
2019”. It makes clear that enough to be mentors, but not because members have left it
MANAGERS “increasing the representation good enough for promotion. too late to submit a claim and
John Campbell
of employees with protected I also know a black man who by the time they decide to act,
characteristics at leadership has three degrees including they have already passed the
and management levels” a Masters but he’s only a three-month deadline.”
in the local authority is an clerical officer. He’s constantly In addition to racial
area in need of substantial applying for promotions but discrimination, some black
improvement. never gets the job.” members face outright racist
The report points out that, He adds: ‘‘You’ll see lots of abuse at work. John Campbell
“our current workforce profile black faces around the place, said: “I know some nursing
demonstrates that we are but you won’t see them as staff who’ve been called the ‘N’
not representative of the city managers.” Similarly, Abdul word but when they reported
(compared to 2011 census who works with members the abuse, managers were
data), and the five year trend from local authorities, reluctant to call in the police.
since 2011 shows that there has education and other local “It was only when UNISON
not been much real change or public services, believes that intervened that action
improvement in our workforce indirect discrimination is also was taken. I also know of
diversity.” Meanwhile in a barrier to the progression of international nurses who
Sheffield, the second largest BAME staff. “Equality policies faced horrendous abuse and
city in the region, its “Council are in place but not always the were even spat on. Incidents
Workforce Employee Report 1st practice,” he says. “You see the were reported to managers,WINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 21
but nothing was done.” In Fine sounding policies and UNISON in leading by example.
other cases, while explicitly often superficial equality BAME members in senior roles
racist language has not been training courses are not within the union are few and
used to abuse staff, derogatory enough to ensure that black far between and according FOR BLACK
language has been. members are treated fairly to one official, applications WOMEN,
A case in point is that of and equally. “Activism” is to senior roles from BAME THE
IT engineer Sandy Sheun needed by both employers and members are “disappointing”. SITUATION
who brought a successful UNISON. Employers need So, can UNISON do more to IS EVEN
claim against his employers, to actively review and revise ensure black members are well WORSE
Northern General Hospital their recruitment practices represented in senior roles? Abdul Rashid
(Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to root out the unconscious Are senior roles advertised
NHS Trust) for racial bias which leaves recruiters widely and in ethnic media
harassment. appointing people that look for example? And given that
His complaint was like themselves. discrimination is not going
successfully upheld by an “Organisations need to look away anytime soon, UNISON
employment tribunal in at recruitment panels to make needs to do more to ensure
January and widely reported sure that there is someone on members and union reps are
in the media. The tribunal the panel who understands competent and confident to
upheld Sandy’s complaint and equality and diversity issues,” take legal action to “stand up to
found that his dignity was Abdul suggests. “More needs racism”, racial harassment and
‘undermined’ by the behaviour to be done at the recruitment discrimination.
of colleagues who regularly stage but also to support
mimicked the Chinese accent BAME members when they ABHORRENT
and made ‘Kung Fu’ noises. are appointed to senior roles Convenor for the West Yorkshire
A further barrier faced because they will face double Combined Authority Pam Sian
by black members is the the issues faced by their white points out that events that have
disproportionate risk they colleagues.” taken place across the world
face of being disciplined or Positive action is also needed since the murder of George
being subjected to capability to encourage and support Floyd have not only drawn
proceedings. National NHS BAME members to apply for attention to the abhorrent police
statistics show that BAME more senior roles and to ensure brutality that led to Mr Floyd’s
staff are more likely to face they have equal access to the death. “The Black Lives Matters
disciplinary action than their training and opportunities movement has also rightly
white colleagues. From his that will equip them to take focused attention on systematic
work with members in other on leadership roles. John says: and structural racism more
sectors, Abdul agrees. He “Staff need to be encouraged to widely in our society. It has
says: “Black members tend to take on supervisory roles and given us all cause to question
get pulled up on capability the boardroom has to lead on whether we are doing enough to
issues, but white members get this. NHS England also has to create change and reduce racial IT HAS
training, development and take the lead.” inequality.” n GIVEN
support to improve.” There is also a role for
US ALL
CAUSE TO
QUESTION
WHETHER
WE ARE
DOING
ENOUGH
Pam Sian22 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2020
IT’S NOT
ROCKET SCIENCE
In Norway around 36 per cent of the 5.5 million people in employment are in unions,
compared with 21 per cent of the 26.5 million employees in the UK. So why is Norway
so successful at union recruitment? UNISON local organiser Danny Marten finds out
I
t’s summer 1985 in Oslo Each summer, the This model of recruitment
and the Norwegian TUC Norwegian law dictates that became known as the
Landsorganisasjonen workers get three weeks “Summer Patrol”. It’s a model
i Norge (LO) are leave, the result is that many that’s lasted more than 30
walking through town youngsters, who may still years, and has ensured
introducing themselves be at school, get their first the continuation of mass
to young workers. Their crack at work. It’s during this union membership. It’s this IT’S A
mission, to make sure the window that LO decided to summer patrol method MODEL
people they meet, working patrol the workplaces, more that a group of young trade THAT’S
in offices, cafes and bars, all often than not, signing them unionists from Yorkshire LASTED
know their rights at work. up to a trade union. have bought to the UK. 30 YEARSWINTER 2020 UNISON ACTIVE! 23
Members of the patrol - UNISON activists Lois and Chris
Things have moved on a campaign, a partnership times of the year. He said:
bit since 1985. Gone are the between Sheffield Trades “It’s really simple, we go into
“scrunchies” and shoulder Council and the Bakers, Food a workplace, usually where
pads. In are selfie sticks and and Allied Workers’ Union. young people are likely to EMPLOYEES
smart phones. And this is Last summer the be employed and we engage KNEW
how I found a group of 35 campaign, backed by trade them in a conversation. It’s NOTHING
young trade unionists on unionists from all over all about the worker, what ABOUT THE
the streets of Barnsley town Sheffield, won two months’ issues do they face and how CLOSURE
centre last year, as they back pay for employees can trade unions help them. UNTIL
performed their very own at a Papa John’s pizza “Often the trade union
summer patrol, talking to franchise in Ecclesall Road. movement think we need to
THEY
young workers in shops, The businessman running do something really clever or TURNED UP
pubs and restaurants; talking the franchise shut it down re-invent the wheel to recruit FOR WORK
to them about their rights at without notice. Employees members. In reality we just
work. Alas it wasn’t possible knew nothing about the need to get back to bread and
this summer because of the closure until they turned butter organising, talking to
pandemic, but the campaign up for work and found the members about their issues.”
is very much alive. premises locked.
The Sheffield campaign VICTORY
REACTION has also kept going via social Chris, 23, points out that
The questions young people media. “We’re in regular before the Job Retention
were being asked were contact with people through Scheme was announced
simple: “Do you know what WhatsApp groups, in fact last March the campaign
the minimum wage is and the whole thing has been recorded an important
are you being paid above snowballing,” she said. victory over pub chain
it?”; “Do you have a written Mitchell and Butlers.
contract?”; “Do you know OPTIONS Workers organised across
how to complain if things Lois, a 27-year-old shop Sheffield branches of the
aren’t OK at work?” and most steward at Sheffield Teaching chain and bosses gave in to
importantly “are you in a Hospitals where she is demands for sick pay and a
trade union?” a clerical officer, said: “I guarantee of no job losses.
The reaction was far better think all young people in Kent Logan Jelle, who
than you might imagine. Britain agree that work works for the Norwegian
Young workers appreciated brings with it big problems, TUC, was one of the half-
being spoken to like adults. low wages, casual work, dozen of his compatriots
For many, this would form underemployment and who coached and mentored
a positive first impression of harassment. It’s important the young British trade
trade unions. Young workers young workers are told about unionists. He said: “Because
are sometimes so engaged, their options, told they have of Brexit there are lots of
trade unionists can get drawn a voice. questions about workers’
into 30-minute conversations. “Young people seem to rights in the UK. Lots of
UNISON NEC member believe the myth that if politicians talk about the
Lois Tavernor went on a things are bad at work their ‘Norwegian model’ but
series of patrols until the only choice is to move on and in Norway most of the
lockdown last March and try to get a better deal, or put workforce is in a union.
one socially-distanced up with it. That simply isn’t “These young British
patrol since. She says the true, all the best places to workers might not always be
recruitment initiatives have work are highly unionised. in shops, they might go on to
slowed down in some senses The only effective way to work in public services. They
because of the pandemic, but improve things for young may join USDAW as a result
speeded up in other ways. workers, is to stand together of a conversation, but in a
IN A FEW
Along with Christian in trade unions.” few years they may become a YEARS
Townsend of the UNISON Chris, a shop steward UNISON member.” n THEY MAY
branch at Sheffield and membership officer BECOME
University, she has joined the at his branch, has been on Additional reporting A UNISON
“Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise” numerous patrols at different by Barrie Clement MEMBERYou can also read
