The government should restrict school and nursery opening in England as in the first lockdown to help bring the national rate of infection down and ensure the safety of pupils, staff and the wider community, says UNISON today (Tuesday). The union has also called on the government to come up with the necessary funding so children from low-income families can have access to tablets or laptops, allowing high quality education to continue for everyone. The union has written to the Department for Education calling for an urgent meeting so the government can explain why all schools are to remain open during the second English lockdown. If ministers are determined to keep schools open, they must introduce a range of precautions to reduce the risks, with increased funding to match, says the union. These include priority testing for all school employees, requiring face coverings for all pupils and staff, and allowing many vulnerable workers to do their jobs from home where possible. The government must also share detailed scientific evidence about the risk of infection in schools, colleges and universities to justify their continued opening. UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Statistics show the return of schools, colleges and universities has played a major role in spreading the virus. “Everyone agrees the well-being of pupils is vital, but so is the safety of staff. The government and the scientists must explain the reasons for education workplaces staying open directly to those at the sharp end. Flashing a chart in a televised briefing and giving short soundbites simply isn’t good enough. “Education staff need a detailed and convincing justification about why they’re excluded from lockdown and why closures of schools or rotas of classes aren’t part of the plan. “The safety of staff and pupils shouldn’t be compromised. If the government keeps schools open, much tougher measures to reduce the risks are needed. “Testing must be readily available to all school workers to keep them safe and stop the virus spread.” Notes to editors: Media contacts: The article Education staff need an urgent new safety plan for schools, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2020/11/education-staff-need-%e2%80%8ban-urgent-%e2%80%8bnew-safety-%e2%80%8bplan-schools-says-unison/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633792067994304512
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This is another difficult week for all of us. The much-predicted second wave of coronavirus is with us. All parts of the UK have been experiencing increasing rates of infection – and the restrictions that go with them – over the past couple of months and the Westminster government announced a second lockdown in England at the weekend. This follows various significant restrictions in Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. These restrictions are not what any of us wanted, but we have to save lives. We have to protect the NHS and all those who work in it, just as we did first time round. UNISON is continuing, during this second wave as we did during the first one in the spring and as we always do, to serve our members. We will be doing all we can to support our members while they continue to do all they can to fight this pandemic and keep our communities going. I stress again that the union remains open for business. We have learned during this year how best to protect and support all our members, in any circumstances and I can assure you we will continue to do just that. We will also continue to work behind the scenes as we did earlier this year with PPE and sick pay for example. I have already called on the government to give councils the resources they need to play their part during the ongoing crisis. Councils are best placed to know how to tackle the virus in their own communities. And as well as protecting the NHS, lessons must be learned from the dire situation in the care sector earlier in the year. So I have called on Matt Hancock to ensure that the care sector is given priority. Lessons must be learned from the first wave. Proper support and protection are paramount. We can’t see a repeat of the heartbreaking death rates in care homes. This is yet another incredibly difficult time during this most testing of years, but I believe that if everyone works together, we can slow the spread and stop hospitals being overwhelmed at this critical time. Thank you, yet again, for all you continue to do for our communities. For the latest where you live and work visit our coronavirus page The article Blog: Still by your side during the second wave first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/general-secretary-blog/2020/11/blog-still-side-second-wave/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633784511010865152 UNISON represents over 64,000 young members working in health and social care, local government, police and justice and education, as well as in the community and voluntary sectors, utilities, environment services and transport. Young workers have borne the brunt of COVID-19 in terms of employment. In May-July 2020, the number of young people (16-24) in employment fell by 156,000 compared to the previous quarter. Government figures show that 291,000 more young people were claiming Universal Credit in August 2020 than were claiming in March. UNISON’s national young members officer Josephine Grahl says: “Between February and June of 2020 we had a 4.6% increase in membership of young members in UNISON. “Young workers clearly recognise that the difficult times we’re living through mean that there’s never been a better time to join a union, and across the country UNISON will be campaigning and bargaining to make sure that all workers are protected at work. “Young workers month is a great opportunity to talk about the issues facing young workers. We are conducting a survey of young members to give us a really clear picture of their experiences during the pandemic and this will help us campaign and bargain on the issues that really matter to young workers right now.” Pandemic poses new problemsUNISON chair of the national young members forum Jess McGuire adds: “The pandemic has posed new problems for young workers in UNISON. Some of us have been on the frontlines providing essential services and health care throughout the crisis, others of us have found ourselves isolated as we work from home. “But we’ve tried to stay active with online meetings and we’ve been able to support each other and make sure young members’ voices continue to be heard in UNISON’s campaigns.” With so many young people in insecure work, and with apprenticeships and training programmes being paused, young people are also worried about being left behind in any future recovery. UNISON does’t want a return to normal after the pandemic. The union wants young workers to have secure jobs, training and support at work and to have healthy and safe workplaces. “We’re hoping this month will be rich with conversations, events and spaces for young members to voice their experiences,” says Josephine. UNISON is running a survey to hear directly from young members, and on 27 November will be hosting an event with Shadow Minister for Young People Cat Smith MP to discuss what the post-COVID recovery should look like in order to avoid young workers paying the price of the pandemic. The article Making sure young people have a post-pandemic future first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2020/11/making-sure-young-people-post-pandemic-future/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633784509964468225 Guest blog by national equalities secretary Gloria Mills The Labour Party has published its review into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus crisis on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. The report, led by Baroness Doreen Lawrence concluded that BAME people have been disproportionately hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of “decades of structural injustice, inequality and discrimination”. UNISON contributed to the round table discussions and submitted evidence to the review, highlighting experiences of members working on the frontline to protect the public and save lives. The report is scathing. It was ‘an avoidable crisis’ Baroness Lawrence concluded. The Lawrence Review makes several recommendations. The report echoes the UNISON view that decades of discrimination have left Black communities over-exposed and under-protected and occupational exposure was a key risk factor. The findings and recommendations in the final report reinforce our calls, including:
In response to the review, Keir Starmer has committed to implementing a race equality act’ to tackle structural racial inequality at source” should he lead the Labour Party into government. And UNISON will continue to press the current government, employers and public agencies to take urgent action to mitigate the higher risk of deaths to the Black community as the UK enters a second spike of cases this winter. The article Blog: This avoidable crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2020/11/blog-avoidable-crisis/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633773203878199297 Employers, former health and care ministers, and the UK’s largest social care union are joining forces for the first time today (Monday) to call for a major funding package and a fair wage deal for low-paid staff. The Future Social Care Coalition – a new cross-party alliance of more than 80 organisations and individuals – says an immediate £3.9bn* emergency support fund is needed from the government to get the care sector through the pandemic’s second wave. The money would also guarantee a significant wage boost to all social care employees in England says the Coalition, whose members include the National Care Association, the Care and Support Alliance – which includes Age UK, Carers UK, and Alzheimer’s Society – and UNISON. Andy Burnham, Sir Norman Lamb, and Alistair Burt are among several former ministers who have joined the new group, which represents an unprecedented collaboration between organisations and individuals. In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the group says Covid-19 has magnified problems that have existed in the sector for years and emphasises the urgent need for government intervention, making it clear this issue must no longer be ignored. Workers on the ‘forgotten frontline’ are existing on poverty wages and zero-hours contracts, and job vacancies are causing huge problems for employers, the Coalition adds. A substantial increase in resources for the care sector is needed now, along with a long-term solution guaranteeing ‘affordable, quality care for everyone that needs it now and in the future’, says the letter. The letter urges the Chancellor to find the resources to bring about change in social care. This would allow the sector to begin to treated with the same respect as the NHS, and develop a comprehensive workforce strategy with better training and rates of pay. Coalition advisory board co-chair and UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Care has long been the forgotten service. The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the sector’s faults like nothing else. “Its problems cannot be ignored for a moment longer. This unprecedented alliance brings together employers, politicians and the biggest care union to make a powerful case for change. Now the government needs to listen and start to take the care crisis more seriously. “Care needs urgent and lasting reform. Paying dedicated staff who look after our elderly and vulnerable relatives a proper wage would start to transform care into a service fit for the future.” Charity director at Age UK and co-chair of the Care and Support Alliance Caroline Abrahams said: “Care workers have been the invisible heroes throughout the pandemic. They’ve been on the frontline giving their all while looking after older and disabled people. Many have put their own health and financial worries to one side, and some have tragically even paid the ultimate price. “The coronavirus crisis has demonstrated the need for strengthening the workforce. Social care is a people business and it’s impossible to deliver good care without enough committed, well-trained workers. “The government must now do everything possible to help care workers at this very stressful time. That includes paying them a decent wage.” Notes to editors: Media contacts: The article Time for fair wage for social care workers on ‘forgotten frontline’, says new coalition first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2020/11/time-fair-wage-social-care-workers-forgotten-frontline-says-new-coalition/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633641078695870464 Commenting on new lockdown measures for England announced by the Prime Minister today (Saturday), UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “It’s a difficult time but if everyone works together, we can slow the spread and stop hospitals being overwhelmed at this critical time. “That also means ministers giving councils the resources they need to play their part. “As well as protecting the NHS, lessons must be learned from the dire situation in the care sector earlier in the year. Proper support and protection are paramount. We can’t see a repeat of the heartbreaking death rates in care homes. “A further lockdown isn’t something anyone wanted, but we have to save lives.” Notes to editors: Media contacts: The article Working together is key to saving lives in further period of lockdown, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2020/10/working-together-key-saving-lives-period-lockdown-says-unison/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633535367773110272 A UNISON organiser has set up a website to help families locate free meals during half term. Help Out When School’s Out was set up by UNISON area organiser Jack Horwood and his friends in response to the government’s decision to not extend free school meals to cover school holidays. The website has a postcode search tool that lists the contact details of local businesses offering support to children and families this half term. Inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford’s #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign, over 1,800 businesses are now listed on the site, ranging from cafes, pubs and restaurants to community centres and local football teams. Mr Horwood had the idea for the site last week, immediately after the government’s announcement that it would not be extending free school meal provision. He said: “I saw a local business say that they would be offering free meals and lots of other businesses started doing the same. I thought to myself: ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could map these in some way?’” He then got in touch with a web developer friend and some designers, and, by Saturday afternoon the site was up and running. So far, over 74,000 people have searched the site, with an average of around 12 searches per minute. Mr Horwood continued: “The response has been incredible and, if even it means that just one family gets access to a decent meal this half term, then it’s all been worth it.” UNISON national officer for education and children’s services Leigh Powell applauded the launch of the tool and the contribution businesses and organisations are making, but added that it is “not these businesses’ job to step in, the government needs to have a rethink – particularly as we head towards Christmas.” Visit the Help Out When School’s Out website. The website covers England and Northern Ireland. Wales and Scotland are not included on the website, as their governments are continuing support for families over half term. The article UNISON organiser helps families find half-term meals first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2020/10/unison-organiser-helps-families-find-half-term-meals/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633335319103684608 Everyone in the Labour Party must take shameful distressing EHRC report very seriously says UNISON10/29/2020 Commenting on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This is an incredibly serious and damning report that everyone associated with the Party and the wider labour movement must take very seriously. “It will now be up to the whole Labour Party – led by Keir Starmer – to learn the vital lessons outlined in this shameful, distressing report, and repair its damaged relationship with the Jewish community. “UNISON has always fought racism in all its forms, including anti-Semitism. The union urged Labour to tackle anti-Semitism in its ranks long before the EHRC investigation. “UNISON will continue to work with everyone who wants to banish the scourge of anti-Semitism from the Party once and for all. “There must never again be any place for discrimination of any kind within Labour.” Notes to editors: Media contacts: The article Everyone in the Labour Party must take ‘shameful, distressing’ EHRC report ‘very seriously’, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2020/10/everyone-labour-party-must-take-shameful-distressing-ehrc-report-seriously-says-unison/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633335318061416448 More than 2,000 school meals staff face having their hours and pay cut at a leading catering firm, which could leave many struggling to make ends meet, says UNISON today (Wednesday). The union is demanding urgent talks with the company, Dolce School Catering, after employees based in schools in the North West, Yorkshire & Humberside, the West Midlands and the East of England learned of changes to their contracts just days before the half-term break. As a result, some could lose more than £300 a month, says UNISON. The catering staff have been told their working hours and wages will be reduced by up to two fifths (40%) from next week and some will be moved to zero-hours contracts, says UNISON. One kitchen worker has been told her hours are being cut from 27.5 a week down to 17.2, a reduction of more than 40 hours a month. Another described how the changes would cost her £325 each month in lost wages. She said she’d been threatened with the sack unless she accepted a new contract. The company has blamed the pandemic for the cuts, but enquiries by UNISON have shown no evidence that headteachers have reduced the amounts paid to the company or ended any contracts. Many of the schools affected have told UNISON there’s been no significant reduction in demand for school meals. The union is calling for an immediate discussion with Dolce about the lack of a proper consultation process, as well as a full explanation about why the cuts are being made. UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “The pandemic has had an impact on companies across the UK, but there’s no excuse for failing to treat staff fairly. “The catering staff received letters just before half-term and they’ve had barely any time to think about these huge changes. Most have been left wondering whether they’ll be able to pay the bills or put food on the table. “Cutting the wages of a low-paid, mainly female workforce will do nothing to help the economic recovery. “This profitable company has failed to give any good reason why it plans to treat hardworking staff in such a callous way. Dolce’s certainly not offered to refund schools any money from the savings it plans to make. “Dolce must ensure no school children or any staff suffer because of these changes. Many headteachers have said they’re appalled at the way valued staff are being treated.” Notes to editors: Media contacts: The article School catering staff face losing hundreds of pounds a month, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site. from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8239598 https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2020/10/school-catering-staff-face-losing-hundreds-pounds-month-says-unison/ via IFTTT via https://childrensplayareadesigns.tumblr.com/post/633267352540233728 This week the government published a report of the independent review of NHS hospital food, with several key recommendations that align with UNISON’s demands. One major recommendation, supported by UNISON, is for funding to upgrade existing hospital kitchens and for the provision of ward kitchens, so all healthcare workers have access to food made on-site and when unavailable, their own meal preparation facilities at all times. UNISON has long been campaigning for better hospital food, in recognition that hard-working hospital staff need high-quality, nutritious and affordable food to support their stressful and demanding jobs. UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “We welcome the government’s commitment to take forward recommendations made by the independent review panel, but that must translate into real funding across the system for improved staffing and facilities.” She continued: “UNISON’s Better Hospital Food campaign has been calling for enforced food standards to ensure 24-hour availability of high quality, freshly prepared meals. We know how hard catering staff work daily so they will be pleased to see the need for investment in recognition, pay progression and training has been identified.” The recommendations put forward by the government also include:
The report’s recommendation to create an expert group, including dieticians, to oversee progress, signals positive change ahead for the future of hospital food. However, UNISON’s campaign is far from over, and the union will continue to put pressure on government to follow through and deliver on these promises. The full report and recommendations are available here.
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