HOTLINE - Your NEC Vote Domestic Abuse Bill India's Covid Crisis and much much more
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HOTLINE voice of the WYCA&T branch
Your NEC Vote
Domestic Abuse Bill
India’s Covid Crisis
and much much more!!!!!
https:wycat.unison.site/ UNISONwycat unisonwycat
WYCAT Homeworking deal at CRT
agreed
Branch
In December last year Canal & River Trust
Secretary announced its intention to change the contracts of
all but the most senior office-based staff at CRT
Pam Sian (around 600 people) so that would no longer have a
specified office location. They proposed to close
On behalf of the branch I have written to most of the major offices and replace with 11 ‘hub’
Tracy Brabin congratulating her on her offices around the country. The Covid 19 lockdown
appointment as the first Mayor for West had meant that staff had been working from home
Yorkshire.
for 10 months at this point and were used to it. CRT
As a branch we look forward to working was up front about the fact that closure of offices
closely with Tracy and her team and building would save around £1 million a year in running
on the already strong relationship between costs.
UNISON and the Labour Party. As a branch
we are keen to develop and share ideas, in A 60-day joint consultation was started with
order to continue to foster the best working
UNISON and Unite. At the start of the consultation,
relationship we can between ourselves and
the organisation. Our aim has always been to it was stated by CRT that the office closure
be the most effective voice of the workforce programme was going ahead and that hubs would
that we can. be created around the Trust with both limited
working facilities and limited access. It would be far
We have asked for a ‘met and greet’ meeting
removed from what we had previously experienced
with Tracy once she has settled into her role.
with our working environment.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome
to PCC colleagues who transferred to the CA CRT carried out a survey of staff last summer
on Monday 10th May. Andrew Coley, Branch during Lockdown asking if staff were able and
Chair and I will shortly be meeting with them prepared to continue to work from home. – 86%
to formally introduce ourselves. agreed they could at the time. However, it was not
Members will have received a number of made clear that this would be a permanent change
emails from me regarding the UNISON NEC and a significant number reconsidered their position
elections – I make no apologies for the when faced with a permanent change and the
number of emails you are receiving. These prospect of working from home for the rest of their
elections are just as important to you as the career.
recent Mayoral elections. It is your
opportunity to elect the people who make key
decisions on your behalf. One to one discussions took place with all affected
staff and they were asked if they were prepared to
Why does that matter? Because for voluntarily agree to the change at this stage, some
democracy to really work, for you to get the did but a significant number of staff did not.
union you deserve, that will best represent
you, we need as broad a range of members
as possible to take part and vote. Following on from that, a significant number of e-
mails from members were tabled at the following
The General Secretary has said she wants national consultations (which resulted in 7 in total
the union she leads to be for everyone. over a 4 month period) detailing the various levels
To represent everyone. A union of difficulties members were encountering through
where everyone plays a part, no matter how
working from home. It is fair to say that the situation
small, and everyone can have a say.
was not fully appreciated by The Trust until these e-
So please ensure you vote in mails were presented by the Unions and as a result,
Pam
these important elections and there was a delay of several weeks while the
make your voice heard. proposals were considered by Management.
Continues over the page
Continued from previous page
After the last consultation in April the following • CRT is also considering the
changes to the original proposals were agreed. provision of working space in
some additional locations, such
• CRT will be looking to open as depots, in addition to the 11
numerous interim hub sites across all planned hubs.
the regions with a view to allowing
some access to office facilities for • Those facing significant issues in
staff who are experiencing difficulties working from home will have
with working from home full time. It is individual support packages,
planned for these to be available in including where appropriate
June. working from an office location
regularly and potentially
• The proposed changes to the London frequently (for example on more
Allowance which was also tabled was than one day each working
withdrawn. Although this only affected week).
a relatively small number of
members, it did have a significant
financial impact if it went ahead.
A number of other issues still remain to be agreed
• The expense procedure presently in for example the employers duty of care to provide a
place would remain the same on the safe working environment and the provision of
basis that members were not losing specialist equipment at an employee’s home.
out on travelling expenses by working
from home. The CRT position has moved considerably during
the consultation and the resulting agreement has
• The availability of the hubs, once proved acceptable to most members. Hopefully,
completed, will be more accessible the new flexible working arrangements will allow
than previously stated, in that staff to balance their work and home commitments
members should be able to use them by working in the most convenient place for them.
as least once a week going forward.
If you have any questions or need any advice don’t hesitate in
contacting one of your UNISON Rep’s — full details on page 15
If you haven’t already — please contact the branch Secretary and
Convener Pam Sian to update your membership details.
pam.sian@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
01132517345
If you have colleagues
who haven’t joined us,
then spread the word!
If you want a voice join
UNISON.
Remember if you
recommend at new
member there’s a £20
reward.
Need the advice of from the union?
Disability
Race Legal At Risk
Bullying Performance Review
Health and Safety
Disciplinary GrievanceGender
Welfare
Employment Attendance
Restructure
Personal Injury
Don’t leave it to the last minute
Contact us today
the sooner the better
See our contact details on page 15
UNISON news
India’s Covid crisis
You can not help but be shocked by the reports in 50 countries in the last month.
coming out of India where the death toll from
COVID-19 has exceeded the 200,000 mark. The “Vaccine” nationalism and the laudable but
Infection cases are running at close to 370,000 frankly crazy decision for India to give away
per day and will continue to rise until at least mid- millions of doses as part of the UN worldwide
May. COVAX program means that immunisation is
falling well behind other countries.
This has led to people dying in the streets due to
the Indian health service (which has suffered from Despite the refusal of some countries (the UK
cuts under the current government) being in a included) to enforce the TRIPS (Tri lateral
state of near collapse. For a country with a agreement on health) the announcement by the
population of nearly 1.4bn India spent around only Biden administration that it was to request that
3% of its GDP on health care compared to the Modena and Pfizer is welcome news for both
world average of 5%. The Modi led government India and the developing world, the US has also
as part of its economic reforms have slashed committed to providing millions of doses of the
overall funding to 1% yet increased defence Astra Zeneca vaccine it ordered to the COVAX
spending. programme.
Stocks of Medical Oxygen have run dangerously To help support the situation in India the WYCAT
low, prompting them to request assistance on UNISON branch has donated £250 to the Indian
supply from the international community. They relief effort.
have even recently resorted to diverting industrial
supplies. One senior hospital manager stated that After representations from the National Black
he was paying “gold prices” for Oxygen with a Members Committee, nationally UNISON has
thriving black market seeing the cost rise from an made a donation of £5,000 has been made to the
average of 22 rupees a kilo (21p) to 50 (48p) British Asian Trust appeal to supply oxygen to
rupees (an ICU ventilator uses an average of 6kg hospitals in India.
per minute).
If you would like to contribute please go to
Daily India needs between 12-14 million cubic www.britishasiantrust.org/
litres/Kg. Another stated that the
drug Remdesivir which reduces
the impact of the virus on the
respiratory system rose from
4,000 rupees (£38.61) to 40,000
(£386.07) per injection.
The massive spike seems to be
driven by a new variant B.1.617
first detected in October. This
variant seems more virulent and
worryingly serious illness and
death appearing in people
between 35 and 45 as well as the
elderly. Although there is no firm
evidence there are concerns that
its “double spike” mutation may
mean that vaccines are less
effective. Scientists are concerned
that this variant has been detected
UNISON is a
democracy — so
use your vote!
Right now, you have the chance to decide what
kind of union UNISON is. You have the chance
to decide who will represent you on the national
executive council (NEC). You have the chance
to cast your vote and help shape the UK’s
biggest trade union.
The people on the NEC are ordinary UNISON
members – just like you. These members make
key decisions on your behalf and, every two
years, you can vote and decide who will
represent you.
Your election pack will be coming through your and about the NEC election by visiting the
postbox very soon (if it hasn’t already) so keep an UNISON website.
eye out for it. As soon as you get it, here’s what
you need to do: At the heart of UNISON is democracy. You can
vote to elect the people on the NEC who decide
how your union is run, and just six months ago,
UNISON members elected me as general
1. Read: Open up your election pack and read secretary.
about the candidates
2. Vote: Fill out your ballot paper and cast your But now, more than ever, we need every single
vote member to make these important choices.
3. Seal: Pop it back in the Freepost envelope
We need members from every workplace, from
4. Post: Make your way to the postbox and send every region, and from every nation to vote. The
off your vote people that represent you at UNISON should truly
5. Remind your colleagues to vote represent you. You have a chance to decide what
kind of union you are part of.
Thank you,
The ballot opens on 4 May and runs until 27 May.
The results will be announced on 11 June. Christina McAnea
You can find out more about how the NEC works UNISON general secretary
IMPORTANT
If you haven’t yet received your ballot paper, you can contact our
ballot helpline 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, on 0800 0 857 857
Abuse survivors will have new
workplace protections as a direct
result of work by UNISON
UNISON is celebrating after playing a major role in
ensuring that new legal protections for those
suffering domestic abuse have now become law.
The Domestic Abuse Bill was given royal assent
and became law on 29 April, after years of
campaigning from survivors, charities and unions,
including UNISON.
The act will provide increased protection to the
millions who experience domestic abuse, while
also strengthening measures to tackle the abusers.
In the UK, almost 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men will MP Jess Phillips
experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, while 2
women a week and 1 man a month are murdered
by a partner or ex-partner, usually after a sustained
UNISON has successfully lobbied alongside
period of suffering abuse. Of cases of abuse
Labour MP Jess Phillips for the introduction of
reported to the Police, 74% are women and 26%
domestic abuse protection notices, which will
men.
provide workplace protections for domestic abuse
For the first time in history, there is now a wide- survivors.
ranging legal definition of domestic abuse, going
beyond physical violence to include This measure is a direct result of work by the
emotional, coercive or controlling behaviour, and regional and national women’s committees, and
economic abuse. intensive cross-party lobbying.
UNISON national officer Josie Irwin said: “The new
domestic abuse law is long overdue. During the
pandemic, we’ve seen domestic abuse incidents
soar, causing untold misery for all those affected.
“UNISON’s national women’s committee has
campaigned tirelessly for important new protections
to apply in the workplace as well as at home.
“I’m so pleased that the new law will help keep
women safe from abusers at work, and proud that
UNISON played a part in changing the law,” said
Ms Irwin,
Josie Irwin
Settled status – under 50
days left to apply
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living and
working in the UK, you need to make sure you
have applied for settled status before 30 June
2021.
Time is running out for EU migrant workers to
secure their future in the UK, with less than two
months left before time runs out.
The settlement scheme ensures that EU, EEA and
Swiss citizens and their family members will secure migrant workers: https://www.unison.org.uk/our-
their immigration status to continue to live and campaigns/eu-citizens-brexit/
work in the UK after Brexit.
UNISON offers free immigration telephone advice
If you do not apply by the deadline, you might lose to members through the Joint Council for the
your legal rights to live, work and access Welfare of Immigrants. If you would like to access
healthcare and education in the UK. It is very this, please call UNISON Direct at 0800 0 857
important to make sure that you have applied by 857.
30 June 2021.
Apply for settled status here: https://www.gov.uk/
If your legal right to be in the UK depends on an settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-
EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you also need to apply to settled-status
the settled status scheme.
To drive applications and make sure nobody is left
If you aren’t an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen but have behind, the charity Settled has launched its
colleagues, friends and neighbours who are, campaign #EUask5. The campaign aims to reach
please help spread the word. every European in the UK before they lose their
rights on 1 July.
Find out more about the settled status scheme and
UNISON’s campaign to protect the rights of EU Find more information https://settled.org.uk/en/
Each day of Volunteers’ Week 2021 will focus on a
different theme of volunteering to ensure we
recognise the impact that different types of
volunteering have played in communities across
the UK in the last 12 months. This will include
themes such as youth volunteering, employer
supported volunteering and environmental
volunteering. Each day is a chance to take the time
to say thank you to volunteers across the UK – and
the coordinators are calling for all charities and
volunteers to get involved.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual campaign, entering Every year hundreds of events, both online and in-
its 37th year, which sees charities, voluntary person, take place to celebrate Volunteers’ Week
groups, social organisations, and volunteers and the huge range of ways in which volunteers
themselves come together to recognise the give their time. This year will be no different. A wide
incredible impact that volunteering has in UK variety of activities will be happening across the
communities. country including The Big Lunch. This moveable
feast is an opportunity for volunteers to come
This year’s theme is ‘A time to say thanks’ – together online at their doorstep or in a park,
recognising that during an exceptionally difficult guidelines permitting, to celebrate community
year due to the coronavirus pandemic, people from connections and share volunteering experiences.
all walks of life around the UK have taken the time You can find out more about how to get involved
to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and get resources to plan your own thank-you on
and their communities every day – just as they do the Volunteers’ Week website:
every year. www.volunteersweek.org
health & safety
TUC wants to know about your Long Covid
The TUC has launched an online survey for
workers who are experiencing or have
experienced Long Covid. The union body says it
wants to better understand their experiences at
work and what additional workplace support they
need. It says Long Covid is an issue of concern for
the union movement as Office for National
Statistics (ONS) data reveals that 1-in-5 people
who’ve tested positive for Covid-19 have had
symptoms that have lasted for 5 weeks or longer
and that 1-in-10 have had symptoms for 12 weeks
or longer.
had Long Covid yourself, fill out the online
The TUC estimates that with over 4 million people questionnaire and tell the TUC about your
having tested positive for Covid-19, the number experiences – it will help inform TUC campaigns
experiencing Long Covid could be as high at and policy priorities.
800,000. It says: “Please help us promote the
survey so we can collect a robust evidence base To complete the survey go to:
and are able design solutions to the issues that https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LYNV7L8
workers affected by Long Covid face.” If you have
Prime minister admits PPE failures
Britain's failure to ensure adequate supplies of due to unusual market conditions and many
personal protective equipment (PPE) were frontline workers reported shortages of PPE.” After
available to workers when the Covid pandemic Mr Johnson’s comments were reported a
struck was a "tragedy", Boris Johnson has spokesperson for the prime minister appeared to
admitted. In a virtual fundraiser with Tory activists, backtrack, telling the Mirror: “I think the distinction
the prime minister said the nation “couldn’t there is the PM was talking about UK-based
produce enough gloves, enough gowns, enough supply. It's a simple fact that we didn't have a
masks.” The admission contrasts with previous significant amount of UK-based PPE suppliers at
public remarks by the government. Health the start of this pandemic. And that's something
secretary Matt Hancock, who claimed in February the government has completely transformed in a
this year that while there were “individual matter of months.”
challenges in access to PPE”, they “never had a
national shortage, because of my team”. Unions warned consistently that PPE shortages in
health care and the wider economy were leaving
A National Audit Office report in November 2020 workers at risk. Government advisers had warned
however found the government “made a huge for years of the need to have sufficient PPE
effort to boost supply, but paid very high prices supplies available ahead of a possible pandemic.
TUC website
DO YOU HAVE A HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS? Contact UNISON H&S Officer Bernardine Kelly
or Pam Sian
LGBT+ members
Welcome to the Branch’s new
LGBT+ Officer
Hello all! I’m Marc, and I’m the new LGBTQ+
Officer in this branch. My pronouns are he/him,
and I identify as bisexual. Before I go on to talk
about my intentions for this new role, I want to
make a promise.
Despite living in a time of great social upheaval
and progress it’s still difficult to be truly ourselves
in certain spaces - especially employment! I have
been in those spaces, hiding basic facets of who I
am for fear of exclusion.
I am first and foremost a discreet individual, and
anything that is ever told to me remains in the “wokeism”, or “identity politics”. These voices are
strictest confidence. We are living in a very on the wrong side of history, and represent the last
alienating society, and the atmosphere is getting death rattle of institutional and cultural intolerance.
increasingly hostile to those of non- Violence has always been a constant
heteronormative and non cis-gendered identities. I consideration of a trans person’s life, and that is
am always available for a confidential chat if you still the case today. It shouldn’t be.
need it - and it doesn’t need to go any further than
a big old vent if you don’t want it to. My e-mail is Also in 2021, we still see homophobia everywhere
marc.magill@westyorks-ca.gov.uk, do reach out we look. Whether it’s the vitriolic audience
any time. reactions towards LGBTQ+ programming, or the
cesspit of internet discourse in general. On our
As your new LGBTQ+ Officer, I am going to fight streets we can still hear a wide degree of casual
for any member who is feeling cast aside, left out slurs, whether it’s thrown our way or just used in
or discriminated against for their sexual/gender regular parlance between strangers. When the
identity, and I am going to push for more inclusive Prime Minister himself has written homophobic
and welcoming workplace cultures across our newspaper articles in recent history, you can tell
organisations. that straight cis culture resists change at every
turn.
In 2021, we are seeing a cultural back-pedalling
on attitudes regarding every part of the LGBTQ+ However, the greatest strength of the LGBTQ+
spectrum. Our trans and gender non-conforming Community has always been in its positivity and its
friends may find that whether it’s the rise of trans- welcoming attitude towards all of its members. By
exclusionary radical feminism, the regressive giving people a family where their own might have
attitudes on bathroom access or a persisting turned their backs, and uplifting each other
attitude of doubt towards the experiences of trans through a hateful landscape. And that is my
people, things seem to be getting worse. biggest intention - to continue that radical streak of
In fact, the trans and gender-nonconforming positivity, friendship and community towards any
communities are being spun into a scapegoat by members who might need it. I’m looking forward to
our increasingly toxic media landscape - seen as a getting to know all of you!
representation of pathetic buzz-words likelearning & training
Pre-Retirement workshops
These workshops are for UNISON members who plan to retire within the next 18 months.
The dates for this training are:
Pre-Retirement Workshop for Local Government Pension Scheme Members – 2 June 2021
If you wish to book to attend please ask them to complete the online form via this website:
https://yorks.unison.org.uk/events/pre-retirement-online-workshop-for-lgps-pension-scheme-members/
This online workshop, run by True Bearing Chartered, will make you aware of your choices and aid you
in your decision making around retirement.
This workshop will be run via Teams and will take place from 13.00pm – 15.40pm.
By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
• Create your own route path from the world of work to the world of
retirement
• Identify changes in both pensions and financial regulations which will
affect your retirement decisions
• Identify the long term issues affecting your retirement
• Identify personal and lifestyle actions which will help to improve your
retirement
• Start the process of planning for a successful retirement
To be eligible you need to have plans to retire within the
next 12-18 months.
Places are limited, so if you do not have plans to retire within
the next 18 months, please wait and book for a future session.
If you want to know more about training opportunities for
members, contact Joanne Walsh contact details on page 15More training and learning opportunities Experience Matters (ages 45+): 10th June at 1.00pm - 2.00pm Delivered Via MS Teams (National Careers) Explore mid-life career review, for those 45 years and over - it's not too late to make a change and take up new opportunities. Autism Understood: 15th June at 10.00am - 11.00am Delivered Via MS Teams (Adjust) This introductory 1-hour session will help you gain an understanding of autism and look at workplace barriers for those who are autistic. Interview Skills: 22nd June at 10.30am - 11.30am Delivered Via MS Teams (National Careers) Recognise different types of interviews you may encounter. Understand what employers look for in an interview and deconstructing interview questions. Mindfulness: Delivered via Zoom 24th June at 1.00pm - 2.00pm OR 8th July at 1.00pm - 2.00pm Understand how mindfulness can rewire your brain to move from negative to positive. Practice some short mindfulness exercises. Neurodiversity Understood: 8th July at 10.00am - 11.00am Delivered Via MS Teams (Adjust) Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for autism, dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia. The session will explore strengths of neurodiverse individuals and workplace barriers. Assertiveness: 8, 15, 22 July (x3 consecutive weeks) at 6.00pm - 8.00pm Delivered Via Zoom An opportunity to explore times and places you would like to be more assertive and to build the strategies to do so. Dru Yoga (Taster): 21 July at 11.30am - 12.30pm Delivered Via Zoom A gentle flowing style of postures, breath work and relaxation. Help shape our Regional Member Learning Make sure you complete the learning survey. Look out for it in your inbox. Not received it, complete it at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3x7C10HVpEmfWnc3gy1Cx7RQMN- WM7tOipDtCQ5DMRVUQzdRSjdBNFhGU1EzTFJTNkdJVEIxRkxXMC4u National Numeracy National Numeracy Day is on 19th May and is the UK's only annual day dedicated to everyday maths. Loads of free, helpful activities to get involved with plus details of the live event on the day: https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday?utm_source=uniyah Distance Learning with Bradford College We are pleased to offer a range of accredited Level 2 fully funded online courses in partnership with Bradford College. To be eligible learners must be aged 19 and over, lived in the EU for the past 3 years and not currently on another course prior to starting. Here is at: https://yorks.unison.org.uk/content/ uploads/sites/31/2021/01/Distance-Learning-Courses.pdf If you want to know more about training opportunities for members and to book on to any of these courses please contact Joanne Walsh contact details on page 15
international
New ITUC report on Palestinian workers in Israel and
the settlements
of these workers who depend
on Israel for their livelihoods
and the household members
who depend on them in turn.
“Only when Palestine becomes
an independent state existing
alongside Israel, in line with the
relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions, can its economy
flourish and its people no
longer have to rely on
substandard employment.
“The US administration’s
resumption of financial support
for the United Nations Relief
and Works Agency (UNRWA)
will make a major difference in
A new report released by the International Trade Palestine, but Palestinian workers who rely on
Union Confederation (ITUC) has revealed the Israel for employment deserve fair treatment,
scandalous exploitation of Palestinian workers who decent wages and respect for their fundamental
work inside Israel and in the illegal Israeli rights.”
settlements on Palestinian land.
Key recommendations in the report include:
High unemployment in the West Bank and Gaza is
leaving Palestinians with little alternative to taking • A complete end to the exploitative labour
jobs in Israel and the settlements. More than broker system.
130,000 people try to earn a living in this way. Respect for the fundamental rights of the
workers, in line with the floor of labour
The report exposes the reality of: protections guaranteed in the ILO Centenary
Declaration including an adequate minimum
• low wages; wage.
• poor occupational health and safety; • Occupational health and safety and
• the humiliation of having to queue at border maximum limits on working hours.
crossings to enter Israel; • Labour inspection.
• gaps in social protection; • Social protection.
• and the oppressive labour broker system • Due diligence requirements on employers.
that many workers are still forced to use,
even though the system has been removed “On top of the injustice of occupation, Palestinian
by the Israeli authorities in the construction workers in Israel and the illegal settlements face
sector. injustice at work as well. Israel must fulfill its
obligations under international law,” said Sharan
Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: Burrow.
“Israel’s continued occupation of Palestine and the
illegal settlements are the root causes of the plight ITUC websiteParliamentary motion in support of
normalising relations between Cuba and
the US and ending the blockade
57 MP’s have signed a motion which calls on the British cooperation will encourage President Biden to
Government to promote international cooperation normalise relations by reversing the ludicrous
between the UK and Cuba and urge the Biden designation of Cuba as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’
administration to normalise relations by removing Cuba and ending the blockade.”
from its ‘state sponsors of terrorism’ list and ending the
US blockade. Rob Miller, director of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign:
“The world is watching the US President in the early
Early Day Motion 1550 on Cuba and the US blockade days of the new administration and we hope that he will
was formally tabled by Grahame Morris MP and Chair take note of the United Nations vote in June when the
of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba on 25 world will once again say no to the blockade. It is
February 2021. heartening to see so many MPs here supporting the
campaign against the US blockade and we would urge
The motion has received support from MPs of the British Government to take concrete steps to
numerous parties including Labour, Scottish National support UK companies wishing to trade with Cuba and
Party, Plaid Cymru, Green, SDLP, DUP as well as stand up to US bullying on this matter.”
several independent MPs.
EDM 1550 and Cuba’s report on the impact of the
The motion recognises the cost of the US blockade to blockade in advance of this year’s UNGA vote will be
the Cuban economy and the “politically motivated” discussed with María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro,
addition of Cuba to the US ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ General Director of Multilateral Affairs and International
list by the outgoing Trump administration in January Law at the Cuban Foreign Ministry during a Cuba
2021. It encourages the Biden administration to remove Solidarity Campaign online meeting on Monday 24 May
Cuba from the list and to end sanctions against the from 6.30pm. Details at www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk
country in order to give Cuba access to the materials it
needs to roll out its COVID-19 vaccination programme EDM 1550 - Cuba and the US blockade
to its people. Motion text:
That this House recognises the US blockade of Cuba
The blockade of Cuba is now approaching its 60th year. has cost the Cuban economy billions of dollars; causes
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has shortages in essential services; and has been
condemned the blockade in 28 consecutive votes; the exacerbated by the Trump administration’s designation
last in 2019 saw 183 countries, voting in support of of Cuba as ‘state sponsors of terrorism’ – a politically
Cuba’s motion to end the blockade, and just 3 against. motivated move which intensifies sanctions against the
The next vote is due to take place on 23 June 2021. Cuban people in the middle of a health pandemic;
In addition to the deprivations it causes to the Cuban however, this House welcomes recent comments by
people, the blockade policy is extraterritorial – imposing Juan González, White House Director for the Western
fines and sanctions on foreign companies, including in Hemisphere, that the Biden administration is seeking to
the UK, that attempt to trade with the island. lift remittance and travel restrictions and further hopes
measures will be taken to enable Cuba to access
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for materials to produce and deliver millions of doses of its
international cooperation. Cuba is in the final stages of COVID-19 vaccine both to its own population and
testing its own COVID-19 vaccine, which could treat its elsewhere; further this House congratulates the UK
own population and millions across Latin America and Government for voting against the blockade, and on its
the global south if the country had access to materials positive engagement with Cuba, including joint projects
to produce and administer the vaccine en masse. The on COVID-19, medical research and facilitating the
British Government is already collaborating with Cuba posting of Cuban medical brigades to British overseas
on several projects including medical research and territories; calls on the British Government to promote
such cooperation could benefit the US population too. international cooperation between Cuba and the UK
and encourage the Biden administration to normalise
Grahame Morris MP said: “The US blockade of Cuba relations by reversing the designation of Cuba as a
has cost the Cuban economy billions of dollars and ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ and ending the blockade.
causes shortages in essential services including health
and education. I welcome the fact that the UK
Government has worked closely with Cuba on joint
projects through the pandemic and hope that such Cuban Solidarity websitethe branch team
Remember UNISON Rep’s are there to help and assist you. If you’ve been called in for a Welfare
Meeting or Investigation we can be there at your side.
If you want advice on employment issues or help with anything from uniform grants for the kids or
confidence building for yourself — your Rep’s might be able to help!
Secretary / Branch Convenor Pam Sian ext.345
Chair Andrew Coley ext.450
Vice Chair Graham Ramsden CRT
Treasurer Sue Forkin
National (PTF) Rep Pam Sian
National Rep Equalities Andrew Coley
Membership Secretary Pam Sian
Health & Safety Officer Bernardine Kelly ext.324
Health & Safety Reps Heather Briggs
Andrew Coley
Sean Coneron
Andrew Goring
Caroline Pintar
Pam Sian
Terry Sigsworth CRT
Welfare Secretary Wendy Dunwell ext.338
Education Officer/ULR Joanne Walsh ext. 248
International Officer Andrew Goring
Communication’s Officer Wendy Dunwell
Labour Link Officer Andrew Goring
Women’s Officer Michelle Hunter
Disabled Members Heather Briggs ext.1809
Young Members Amy Rushforth
Environment Officer Marc Magill/Emma Bird (CRT)
Retired Members VACANT
LGBT+ Members Officer Marc Magill
Black Members Officer VACANT
Sports & Social Officer VACANT
Joint Consultative
Committee Rep’s Andrew Coley
Wendy Dunwell
Pam Sian
Workplace Contacts/
Stewards Emma Bird
David Dunwell
Darren Jones
Graham Ramsden CRT
Oya Ozmemis
Caroline Pintar ext.1744
Auditors Graham Browne
Mark Whitehouse
Please note some stewards do not have office extensions. All CA officers and stewards can be
contacted by e-mail: firstname.lastname@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Or CRT officers and stewards firstname.lastname@canalrivertrust.org.ukWest Yorkshire
Combined
Authority and
Transport Branch
For application forms or more information
Contact Pam Sian on 0113 2517345 pam.sian@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
or
graham.ramsden@canalrivertrust.org.ukRemember, recommend a new member and get £20
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