‘ We remain strong and defiant ’, trade union ’ s national conference delegates hear
UNISON
© PeopleImages via Getty Images
‘ We remain strong and defiant ’, trade union ’ s national conference delegates hear
UNISON ’ s National Delegate Conference took place on 13-16 June , in Liverpool , and General Secretary Christina McAnea opened with a wideranging and quietly passionate speech – with a simple observation , ‘ What a year we ’ ve had ’ – before presenting a list of achievements that were ‘ changing history ’ and the lives of members throughout the UK .
These were ‘ the picket lines , demos , rallies and campaigns that UNISON has either led , or supported , across England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , all through the past year ’.
Industrial action across most public services was front and centre of a speech that was often met with cheers and hollers of approval .
She praised the NHS members whose biggest strike action in decades ‘ won the hearts of the public ’ and forced the government to finally come to the table with more money , and the Environment Agency , Care Quality Commission and university staff who are still in dispute .
The future of our union is in safe hands
‘ There have been some brilliant moments on the picket lines ,’ she said . ‘ Our members braved hours of freezing weather to stand up for what ’ s right – not only for themselves , but for their colleagues and for the future of our public services .
‘ Hearing our members describe their work – telling their own stories on why they ’ re taking action – was the most powerful part of our media strategy . It helped the public to see – and feel – the importance of what we were doing .
‘ And I was struck by how many young people – particularly young women – there were on the picket lines . It gives me confidence that the future of our union is in safe hands .’
The General Secretary also paid tribute to the union ’ s organising , campaigning and legal wins . ‘ It ’ s not just industrial action that changes history . UNISON wins for members every day , in so many other ways ,’ she said .
‘ This past year , local campaigns have sorted out pay problems that have persisted for years . When a low-paid healthcare assistant suddenly gets as much as £ 17,000 in back pay – that ’ s life changing .’
52 OTnews July 2023