The Branch continues to represent our members individually and collectively within all employers where we have members and a few examples illustrate the type of interventions the branch makes on behalf of members.
The latest reports on our Local Government Pay Claim are included in this circular and it is clear there is a long way to go on this.
We have seen noises from Government indicating a back track on promises to fund councils as needed to protect our communities.
This must be opposed and public services workers who have played such a key role cannot be expected to continue to be forgotten when it comes to fair pay.
It is good to see a view from one of our young members and new steward on the importance of trade unions.
We need good trade union organisation in the best and worst of times.
Yesterday much of the country acknowledged International Workers Memorial Day which is an annual event to remember workers who have been made ill, been injured or died as a result of their work.
Many people may not have heard of this act of remembrance previously but were drawn to the focus this year on key workers who have been ill or died through their work during the Covid-19 crisis.
UNISON were one of the trade unions who rightly called for that focus and hope the loss of life of workers as a result of their work is always remembered.
We all need to ‘remember the dead and fight for the living.’
Evelyn Doyle
Manchester UNISON Branch Secretary
