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ACTIVE!
WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 1
MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE
WINTER 2021 | ISSUE 36 | £3 WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK
WE’RE HERE
FOR YOU!
Interviewed in this edition: General secretary Christina
McAnea (top left) regional convenor Wendy Nichols (top
right) and hard-working activists from around the region
2 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
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COVER
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WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 3
OUR UNION DECENCY AND DIGNITY
E very day we seem to There must be a public
general secretary
Christina McAnea
be facing a new crisis. inquiry into that.
regional convenor Covid-19 still continues I believe we are at a
Wendy Nichols to claim lives and places a crossroads. We know the
regional secretary
terrific strain on public, health Tories cannot be trusted
John Cafferty and social care services and and after all we have been
inevitably on our members. through as a nation, it’s
UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside
Regional Centre, Quayside House, Canal And then we have the impact time for a new deal. We
Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS of Brexit, causing food and need a new deal for our
t 0113 218 2627 or freephone fuel shortages. And the public services and for our
textphone 08000 967 968
Government is, once again, members who kept us going
w www.unison-yorks.org.uk
found wanting. with their dedication and
Lines are open 6am-midnight I don’t believe that the commitment, sometimes
Monday-Friday and
9am-4pm Saturdays
British people will forget risking their lives.
that Boris Johnson and his All my efforts in the
government cared more coming months will be
editor
Barrie Clement
about giving huge contracts focused on securing that
to their mates, than looking new approach. We should
consulting editor
after health and social have a better deal that
Mary Maguire
care workers. Billions of sets up a National
contributors pounds were squandered on Care Service, that ends
Christine Buckley, Peter Carroll, Claire
worthless PPE and a useless profiteering in our public
Donnelly, Ryan Fletcher, Helen Hague,
Natalie Harvey, Mary Maguire, Ruth test and trace experiment. services; that gives us a fair
McGuire, Paul Routledge, Jo Seery Residents and workers in society; that gives workers CHRISTINA
MCANEA
Published on behalf of UNISON by
social care, in particular, were fair pay and provides GENERAL
Century One Ltd. abandoned, resulting in huge decency and dignity in SECRETARY
Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road numbers of needless deaths. work and in old age.
St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG
t 01727 893 894
f 01727 893 895
WE’RE THE TARGET
e enquiries@centuryone.uk
w www.centuryone.uk
I
advertising enquiries
Jonathan Knight t is clear that public sector As inflation continues to
t 01727 739 193
workers are being directly rise and wages fall, it will be
e jonathan@centuryone.uk
targeted by the Government. UNISON members who will
design and layout Forget the insincere public have to endure the hardship
Caitlyn Hobbs displays of gratitude for our and heartache of simply
t 01727 739 189
members from Boris Johnson’s trying to survive this cruelty.
e copy@centuryone.uk
henchmen and women. The scandal that the
printed by To cut through their cynical Government failed to
Unison Print rhetoric we must look at the regulate the greedy private
Copyright reproduction in whole or part brutal financial damage they are sector energy companies
by any means without written permission inflicting on dedicated public or anticipate the fuel crisis
of the publisher is strictly forbidden.
UNISON and the publisher accept no sector workers who they once is one more scam to add to
responsibility for errors, omissions or the clattered pots and pans for in their list of shame.
consequences thereof. Downing Street. As our general secretary
© UNISON 2021 The Government is offering has written, bringing these
around three per cent as a public companies back into public
ACTIV
MAGAZI
AUTUMN
ENE FOR
MEMBER
!
AUTUMN
2021 UNISON
ACTIVE!
1
sector pay rise. ownership is now more
Like so much of what they urgent than ever.
2021 | ISSUE S IN YORKSH
36 | £3 IRE AND
WWW.UNI
SON-YORK HUMBER
S.ORG.UK SIDE
say, they want to impose the Our members are angry
absolute opposite of their public but they know UNISON
statements. They want to impose will campaign for and WENDY
a pay CUT. protect them as we all unite NICHOLS
WE’RE
FOR Y HERE And when they spout about against this vicious and REGIONAL
OU! CONVENOR
“levelling up” society, what they hypocritical attack on their
Interviewed
ols
McAnea in this editio
(top left)
W.Nich
n: Gene
right) and regional ral secre
hard-worki conve tary Christ
ng activis nor Wendy Nicho ina
ts from
really mean is “levelling down”. lives and livelihoods.
around ls (top
the region
4 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021 NEWS PERFECT STORM NewsInBrief FOR LOW PAID UNISON members been lucky enough to get pay throughout the region - but increases are finding that they especially the low-paid - are are not really increases at all facing a “perfect storm” when you take the cost of causing a massive increase in living into account. They are the cost of living and driving pay cuts. It is hoped the region will be able tens of thousands into poverty. “Our members in the front to run its annual event at Doncaster The lasting impact of the line jobs during the pandemic races next summer, provided it is safe pandemic, the Government’s have had to work extremely to do so. Keep the date in your diary - vicious austerity measures hard in terrible conditions and Saturday July 30, 2022. and mean-minded pay cuts when it comes to repaying Information will be available on are causing huge problems for them, where is it? They the regional website from February working families. are not rewarding people’s onwards with details of how and Boris Johnson’s insistence commitment. when to purchase tickets. https:// on cutting universal credit and “On top of everything we yorks.unison.org.uk/ increasing National Insurance have the increases in energy payments together with prices which will have a expected increases in council massive impact. It’s the tax and energy costs are wrong time to cut Universal During lockdown CareTech tried to adding to their misery. Credit. Everybody knew the force Adam Ridley back to work caring Removing the boost to £20 increase was temporary, for autistic children despite his serious universal credit alone will but no-one knew what was lung conditions and his vulnerability mean an estimated 4.4 million going to happen. In fact a to covid. With UNISON’s help he won households in Britain, with lot more people will have to a claim for disability discrimination 5.1m adults and 3.5m children, claim benefit. against a company whose founder will see their incomes fall by “A lot of people have built received an OBE for services to £1,000 overnight. up debt during the pandemic. specialist care. Adam now hopes Ruth Askwith, secretary of All this taken together others will be encourage to fight unfair Rotherham local government inevitably means a strain treatment. branch, said the impact in the on mental health, which in region will be “huge”. turn puts an extra burden on P22 My job, or my life? She said: “Those who have services.”
NEWS WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 5 Your voice at the Labour conference – from left to right: Marian Jarvis vice chair Yorkshire and Humberside Labour Link , regional convenor Wendy Nichols and Pam Sian, secretary, West Yorkshire combined authority and transport branch BIG CHANGES IN NORTH YORKSHIRE North Yorkshire is facing the biggest Scarborough also have around a organiser and a regional manager. changes to local government in the thousand members in total. More Wendy said the union had recently county for nearly 50 years as the seven than 23,000 staff are affected. concluded agreements with all eight district councils merge with the county Local government branches have chief executives, about working council to become one new authority. agreed their priorities, on behalf of together on recruitment in the next 18 From 2023, this new unitary council members, are to: months, so that as many current staff will deliver all services, working with lP rotect jobs and avoid compulsory jobs as possible are preserved. the existing City of York council. redundancies “We want to reassure members Regional convenor Wendy Nichols lL evel-up terms, conditions and pay that there will be little change for pointed out that it will have a massive lM inimise disruption to staff and the majority of staff until the new impact on the 60 per cent of UNISON services council comes into existence on April members in the region who work 1, 2023. No decisions will be take at the authorities concerned. They After the Government decision to until after the election for the new are North Yorkshire county council, go with the proposal from the county authority next May. Selby district council, Hambleton council, the UNISON North Yorkshire “We will continue to work with district council and Richmondshire branch met the branch secretaries our colleagues on behalf of all district council. UNISON branches from Craven, Harrogate, Rydale and UNISON members in the local in Craven, Harrogate, Rydale and Scarborough along with the regional government branches.” LEGAL ACTION OVER CARE PAY The union is taking legal action of just £96.35 a week. the Kirklees, Sheffield and Leeds on behalf of members at Valorum The company, which took over centres, bravely decided to put their Care alleging they were forced to the services from Leonard Cheshire heads above the parapet. accept significantly worse terms and Disability in 2019, is accused of Alleging a breach of TUPE rules, conditions; including lower holiday, conducting a “defective and ham- the union took the dispute to the sick and maternity pay. fisted consultation process”. conciliation service Acas without Under the new pay regime, care, The union alleges that many staff success, but is now offering to take domestic, maintenance, catering and have been bullied into accepting the cases to employment tribunal. nursing staff who become ill will the inferior contracts. A dozen have to survive on statutory sick pay members, who mainly work in P14 ‘A kick in the teeth’
6 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
BEST OF
THE BRITS
The Olympic and Paralympic Games went a long way to relieve the doom and gloom – and
the best of the British athletes came from Yorkshire and Humberside, says Mary Maguire
D
on’t we all just need a break from the And it got better and better.
remorseless intensity of long-running The BBC helpfully provided a medals league
news stories, such as the global table of how the regions had fared. Yorkshire
pandemic or the Afghanistan tragedy? & Humberside had 27 Olympic athletes, won
Day after day our screens, social five gold medals, one silver and two bronze.
media newsfeeds and newspapers are filled with According to the BBC: “Four of West Yorkshire’s
the statistics and the horror. We are not alone. five athletes were born in Leeds, making it the
Editors and journalists, too, become battle weary. single town or city with the most medallists in the
Thankfully, riding to the rescue were the country.” Well done Leeds!
Olympic and Paralympic Games, saved up from Not to be outdone, team GB Paralympians
last year to, temporarily, dispel the gloom. Tokyo clocked up 124 medals, with Yorkshire athletes
2020 burst into our lives with an amazing visual leading the field. Sheffield City active travel
ceremony that remembered those who died champion, Sarah Storey, clocked up gold in track
from coronavirus and honoured the workers. A cycling as the team won six golds on day one.
healthcare worker carried the Olympic flag. And BBC North enthused: “The opening day belonged
as is the norm these days, spectators had to watch to Storey. After her blistering qualifying race,
the spectacle via their TV or internet. she started the final at the Izu Velodrome in
Team GB’s 376 Olympic and 228 Paralympic determined fashion. She has now won medals at
athletes benefited from a 360 degree virtual each of the eight Games she has attended.”
environment featuring key venues at the Games, Leeds-born Kadeena Cox, followed by
created by the University of Hull, to help breaking a world record to take her first gold,
“propel” them to win gold, the Hull Daily Mail then as C4 recorded: “Great Britain’s gold rush at
reported proudly. the Izu Velodrome showed no signs of slowing
Yorkshire & Humberside media went to down as Kadeena Cox …. edged out China in
town looking for local links with the athletes. a pulsating final to win ….” And the Halifax A
Expectations were high as the Post, along with Courier claimed its own “Hebden Bridge based HEALTHCARE
other papers, wished the athletes luck and listed rider Steve Bate with partner Adam Duggleby” WORKER
the 10 potential Yorkshire medal heroes. They winning silver in the tandem race. Those CARRIED
weren’t disappointed. great athletes have certainly put Yorkshire & THE
As the Examiner declaimed: “In Yorkshire we Humberside on the world stage. OLYMPIC
have produced some of the best athletes in the Closer to home, though, Hessle was FLAG
whole country. And now those stars from God’s vying to get on the map. Residents were
own country are showing off what they have got reportedly “furious” at Channel 4 presenter
in the Olympics.” And they all reported with glee George Clarke, who during his Remarkable
Leeds mountain biker Tom Pidcock and diver Renovations programme, repeatedly mis-
Matty Lee winning gold and taekwondo fighter pronounced the name of the East Yorkshire
Bradly Sinden with silver kicking off the medals town. “Stop saying Hesssssl” said one tweet,
haul. The Daily Telegraph, for once sounding with another saying: “It’s Ezzull”. “Good
delighted, said: “Yorkshire was being hailed for job he didn’t try pronouncing Boyes,” sighed
its extraordinary pedigree at the Olympics …” another. Good job, indeed. n Mary Maguire
WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 7
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8 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
INSULT TO INJURY!
The Government has introduced new rules for road accident claims. They severely limit the access
to justice for the low paid - and further enrich fat cat insurance bosses. Natalie Harvey explains
I
n May a set of small claims track, the fast the claim. It means most
“reforms” came into track or the multi-track. claimants can’t afford to
force, changing the The small claims track engage a lawyer.
way a person injured is supposed to provide a The small claims limit
in a road traffic simple and informal way of in all personal injury
accident (RTA) can claim resolving disputes. claims used to be £1,000.
compensation. These In fast track and multi- This meant that where a
changes were dressed track cases, the guilty party judge valued the “general
up as a response to the pays both compensation damages” at less than
“whiplash culture”. and the claimant’s legal £1,000 (the amount awarded
IT MEANS But what do they mean costs – a principle known as for pain and suffering -
MOST and why have UNISON “the polluter pays”. which is separate from any
CLAIMANTS and Thompsons been so This is not true in the compensation for losses
CAN’T opposed to the changes? small claims track where and expenses) the case went
AFFORD Injury claims in the civil if a defendant loses they through the small claims
TO ENGAGE courts are assigned to pay only the compensation, track.
A LAWYER one of three “tracks” - the not the cost of bringing Since they came to power
WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 9
in 2010, the Government Before the new rules will use these reforms
has been working with came into force, the as a test case. If they can
the insurers to whip up Government launched make a lawyer-less system
a storm about a so-called an Official Injury Claim appear to work here, why THE
“claims culture” with the portal for claims from not elsewhere. CHANGES
ultimate aim of increasing injured road users. At the They could, for example, WILL SAVE
the small claims limit in as same time they published increase the small claims limit INSURERS
many injury claims types a 64-page guide to the new for employers’ and public £1.3
as possible. scheme that the Association liability cases. This is why, BILLION
Faced with statistics of Consumer Support with the continued support
that showed that overall Organisations described as of UNISON and the labour
accidents have been “legal treacle”. movement, Thompsons will
falling year on year, they The reality, as the be working to:
narrowed their campaign Government and insurers l Demonstrate that the
down to road accidents know full well, is that new scheme has an adverse
and last year they pushed most claimants will give impact on genuinely injured
through a fivefold increase up on the deliberately RTA claimants;
in the small claims limit complicated guide after l Collate and profile
in such cases – increasing page two, and those who employer and public
the small claims limit from persevere will be left liability cases with general
£1,000 to £5,000. to fight the insurance damages between £1,000
We estimate the changes industry on their own. to £1,500, to show that an
will mean 80 per cent of At best, they’ll be increase in the small claims
injured road users will lose browbeaten into taking limit would impact people
free legal support. what they can get, rather who need professional help
Meanwhile the changes than what they deserve. and proper compensation;
will save insurers £1.3 Guess who this is likely l Find out if insurers
billion – a saving, they to impact the most - those reduce their premiums,
say, which will be passed already facing the greatest as they promised, and
on to policy holders. The challenges. People living crucially if those reductions
Government, however, in less affluent areas are sustained. We suspect
refused to put them under already face higher motor any reductions will be
a legal obligation to do so. premiums. Their chances short lived and the insurers
Thanks to pressure from of being involved in an will find an excuse to keep
UNISON and Thompsons accident are also increased their gravy train rolling by
Solicitors, the Government because they are more pocketing their £1.3bn a
did agree to exempt likely to work long hours year savings.
vulnerable road users from in frontline roles, often The reforms are certainly
the 500 per cent increase without the luxury of not positive or progressive,
in the small claims limit. working from home or but a much worse outcome
They include pedestrians, near to home. And if they was on the cards had it
motorcyclists, cyclists, do get hurt in an RTA they not been for the concerted
horse riders, children and are likely to have the least campaign led by UNISON
protected parties. But that time or confidence to take and Thompsons.
will be scant consolation to on a claim. You have our word that
those who have to drive to The outcome of these the fight continues for as
work or drive for a living. reforms, together with the long as the Conservatives
They will, in claims with new complicated portal, seek to deny access to
a value of up to £5,000 in is a completely lop- justice for working people
general damages (which sided system, inhibiting and their families and line
means on average £6,000+ access to justice and their mates’ pockets.
when losses and expenses favouring hugely profitable
are added in) be left taking insurers who just happen To get help speak to your
on well-funded insurers to be mates with the UNISON representative Natalie Harvey
on their own with no free Conservative Party. or visit www. senior lawyer,
Thompsons’
legal help. We fear the Government thompsonstradeunion.law. n Solicitors
10 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
Photo: Vicky Matthers
TEA AND
SYMPATHY
Karen Birch combines kindness with a dogged determination to get
things done. Feature writer Helen Hague speaks to an activist, qualified
nurse and grandmother who has caring in the family gene pool
C
aring, kindness and works well away from the needs are not being met,
connecting with hands-on front line of health or an eligibility decision is
people have always and social care. Or perhaps incorrect and want to appeal
informed the way not that far… decisions over funding,
UNISON rep Karen Karen may no longer put Karen is one of the first
Birch approaches her work pensioners to bed or change points of contact. Her
– and her union duties. It’s ten dressings on leg wounds approach, after a career in
all part of getting the job in a day. But as senior appeals caring and nursing, is to
done as best you can – and nurse for Doncaster Clinical listen, hear people’s stories, WHEN YOU
being there for people when Commissioning Group “tell them how the framework
it matters. dealing with the needs of old is implemented and support
MEET IN
As a teenager Karen started and vulnerable people, she them throughout the appeal THE SAME
caring for the elderly in knows the hurdles they can process”. ROOM,
old people’s homes, before face in getting the help and There are, of course, YOU GET
moving across to help them support they require. policies and guidelines in MORE OF
cope at home. She went on to When vulnerable people place and certain criteria A GIST OF
qualify as a nurse and now - or their relatives - believe that must be met. And A PERSONWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 11
Karen takes time out in her garden
things may get back to in the day, and she worked
normal soon. “When you in the evening in crucial
meet in the same room, you and demanding roles
get more of a gist of a person. that the covid pandemic YOU CAN’T
I have really missed that”. has made many people BEAT
She has also missed the appreciate more. HAVING
camaraderie that comes Towards the end of her A CHAT
from working alongside the stint nursing old people in IN THE
team in the office – the tea their own homes – a role
breaks, the informal chat she found very rewarding
OFFICE
which forms part of the – Karen realised she’d
daily routine as crucial and bandaged “nine or ten sets of
necessary work gets done. legs” in a day, helping elderly
That same urge to help patients cope with bedsores,
that led Karen to build a fractures and ulcers. “I loved
career in caring and nursing the job, but I just thought ‘I
prompted her to get active can’t do this till I retire’ ”.
in the union – first as a So, she moved to her
union steward in a care current job. And when
home when she was young an email offering Return
and now in her office-based to Learn courses popped
role, representing UNISON into her inbox at work,
members who work for she decided to sign up,
Doncaster CCG. refreshing existing skills,
Formal union training learning new ones and
for the role she took on just making what felt like “good
before the pandemic, was friends for life”. The course
derailed like so many other – free to union members –
things. But she’s risen to was run by the WEA - and
the challenge, supporting included weekly sessions
members facing financial after work and a weekend
and emotional pressures in away, learning and bonding.
these extraordinary times – Because of lockdown
with UNISON staff side rep Karen and her new Return to
Kate on hand if needed. Learn friends received their
You could say caring is certificates through the post
very much in the family gene rather than at the end-of-
pool. Karen’s mother and course celebration. Keen for
father were both psychiatric more, she has already had
whilst health care is free nurses and her sister has an online “taster course” for
through the NHS, social retired from nursing. Even Women’s Lives.
care often has to be paid for Karen’s husband, who spent Karen can’t wait to get
after a financial assessment. most of his working life as back to those face-to-face
Appeals look with fresh eyes a brickmaker, was a carer in meetings at work and start
at assessments , supporting an old people’s home for five studying Women’s Lives with
families and elderly people. years, retiring when covid others in a room after work.
The assessment is not struck the country. Microsoft Teams and Zoom
diagnosis led. It is hardly surprising have played a vital role in
During the covid crisis, it has taken Karen, mother lockdown, but as Karen sees
face-to-face conversations of four and grandmother it, you can’t beat having
have been replaced with to two boys, a while to a chat in the office with
Microsoft Teams meetings. reconnect with learning colleagues over a cup of tea
Karen had just had her first after qualifying as a nurse and a bun. After all, it’s those
face-to-face meet since last more than a decade ago. little routines that help us
March when she spoke to When the children were connect. And get what needs
Active! and was hoping young, her husband worked to be done, done. n12 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
Photo: Mark Thomas
KEIR’S NEW VISION
Labour leader Keir Starmer has set out a ‘much-needed and serious plan for change’, says
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea. Mirror political journalist Paul Routledge reports
K
eir Starmer stamped new party constitution that many levels. Keir’s speech
his authority on the means it is highly unlikely shows that Labour in power
Labour Party at the we’ll have another Jezza. could bring hope to many
first conference he Nor, hopefully, another families forgotten by this
could speak directly election disaster on the scale government. This is a serious
to the faithful. Freed from of 2019. plan for change.”
pandemic restrictions, he UNISON played a Political commentators
rallied delegates in Brighton stabilising role at conference, rated Brighton as a success
with a “Yes we can!” call to supporting the Starmer for Labour, at a time when
go for government. reforms and general Boris Johnson was reeling
It didn’t go down too well secretary Christina McAnea from public anger over the
with a number of Corbyn welcomed the leader’s “new petrol crisis. Staggering gas
supporters, who heckled vision” for the country. and electricity price hikes
the leader. But he dealt with “With a focus on education, and the prospect of higher
them decisively, pointing public services, rights at NI taxes, combine to drive
JOHNSON out: “At this time on a work and mental health, the cost of living issue up the
HASN’T Wednesday it’s usually the Labour is offering just political agenda.
GOT BREXIT Tories who are heckling what the country needs This can only be good
DONE. me. It doesn’t bother me after 11 years of Tory for the Opposition, but
HE now.” He could afford to mismanagement,” she said. with no parliamentary by-
BOTCHED be dismissive, because he “Communities across the election on the horizon, the
THE JOB had just pushed through a UK are struggling on so Government’s lamentableWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 13
chancellor”. In future years government just get Brexit
I’d put a bet on her becoming done’,” said the Oz guru.
Labour’s first woman “That phrase created the
leader, chosen by the new opportunity. It was relevant, IT HAS
leadership election system the context was right and BEEN A
that mixes OMOV with a it was simple and clear.” It TURBULENT
greater say for MPs. may have been all of those YEAR.
A general election might things, but it wasn’t true. He AND IT’S
come sooner than you think. hasn’t got Brexit done. He GOING
Johnson intends to abolish botched the job and at the
the fixed-term Parliaments time of going to press we
TO GET
Act, which means the Tories were begging 5,000 European EVEN
will be able to go to the tanker drivers to come back. HOTTER
country whenever they scent He also made a hash
potential victory, aided by of the war against Covid,
a parliamentary boundary dithering and delaying
review expected to hand lockdown three times. Tens
them ten more seats. of thousands of victims,
Oliver Dowden, the including many NHS and
new Conservative Party social care workers, perished
chairman, put his staff on because he couldn’t bear to
alert for a possible poll shut down the economy and
in 2023, but Number Ten upset his business pals. He
sources insist the Tories had the brass neck to claim
will go the full course. An the successful vaccination
election has to take place campaign as his own, despite
by December 2024, and it being the work of the NHS
by then the long-awaited and volunteers.
inquiry into the pandemic But they’re still in power,
will be under way, exposing and can do more damage. The
the prime minister’s Health and Social Care Bill
catastrophic handling of going through Parliament sets
the gravest crisis of modern up Integrated Care Boards,
times. An arrogant Johnson with powers to award and
performance won’t be put has privately told ministers extend contracts of unlimited
to the test until next May he wants to be Prime value, without advertising,
during council elections. Minister for “at least” ten to private companies. It’s
Meanwhile Chancellor years, aiming to overtake another step on the road to
Sunak was due to present Thatcher’s eleven-year reign. privatisation.
his Spending Review/ And only now it can At local level Dan Jarvis
Budget on October 27, when be told. An anonymous has signalled his intention
he was set to put flesh on the Bradford woman coined to stand down as Metro-
bones of Bojo’s meaningless Johnson’s election-winning Mayor of South Yorkshire,
promise to “build back catchphrase “get Brexit while remaining as Barnsley
better”. He was facing a done”, according to Aussie Central MP. I think that’s a
rough ride from the new political strategist Sir wise decision. He’s needed
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Lynton Crosby. Those down in Westminster. Council
Reeves, Labour MP for three words did more elections will take place across
Leeds West and the new star damage to Labour in the the region in May, against a
of the Shadow Cabinet. so-called Red Wall seats of backdrop of budget cuts and
With an eye on the Yorkshire than all the party yet more redundancies.
important Cop26 Climate broadcasts on the box. Politics is rarely dull, but
Change conference in ”There is a lady even by their hectic standards,
Glasgow this month somewhere in Bradford who it has been a turbulent year.
(November), she vowed in a focus group made the And it’s going to get even
to be Britain’s first “green simple request, ‘Can the hotter. n14 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
‘A KICK IN THE TEETH’
Staff working for Valorum Care Group in the region went though
hell during the pandemic, but little did they realise what their reward
would be. Active! editor Barrie Clement reports
T
o say it had been a physical disabilities and And then came covid.
tough time for the other complex health Every difficulty employees
staff at Valorum needs which present huge experienced before the
Care doesn’t begin difficulties, primarily pandemic was multiplied a
to describe what of course for clients thousand times.
they have been through. themselves, but also to their Patients in residential
The group, or more families and those who are care were isolated from VALORUM
accurately its employees, employed to look after them. their families for months MUST
look after vulnerable adults. Valorum staff, who care on end, some had no idea
The phrase “vulnerable for people at home and at why their loved ones were
REVERSE
adults” trips off the tongue, centres across Yorkshire, no longer coming to visit. THESE
but it covers a wide range clearly have highly skilled Social distancing was hit DEVASTATING
of profound mental and and extremely stressful jobs. or miss at best because of CUTSWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 15
the special problems of the “The group encourage UNISON members at
residents and many others involvement of employees Valorum did not want to be
were bewildered by carers’ in its management through quoted in Active! because
use of PPE (when it finally regular meetings and they feared retribution NO-ONE
arrived). feedback exercises.” from managers, so we WINS IF
Inevitably the care The reality was somewhat spoke to regional organiser A CARE
workers had family issues different, say UNISON Ashley Harper. He urged COMPANY
to address because of the officials. Many employees felt management to think again: STARTS
pandemic as well as those intimidated by the attitude “Valorum must reverse
they faced at work. of certain managers who these devastating cuts. Quite
PUTTING
In short, staff were were “really aggressive”. In simply it’s the right thing
PROFITS
battered by the pandemic one “consultative” meeting to do. BEFORE
and their attempts to cope employees were reportedly “The pandemic has CARING
with it. warned that if they didn’t clearly shown how valuable
And what did Valorum do like the new contracts they skilled, dedicated care staff
to reward their valiant staff? should go and find another are. Valorum would be
A substantial bonus to job – an ultimatum the making a terrible mistake
say Thank You? An increase company subsequently by undermining the very
in pay? Shorter hours? I’m denied. workers who’ve more
afraid not. Management even than proved themselves
Last March the company decided not to recognise in the most terrible of
gave their loyal employees an employee-nominated circumstances.
what the union describes as representative in meetings. “Driving through short-
“a kick in the teeth”. The union says that many sighted, cost-cutting plans
In all its wisdom, staff have been bullied won’t just alienate staff but
management decided to into accepting the inferior could even compromise the
introduce significantly worse contracts, but a dozen care residents receive if care
employment contracts, with members, who mainly work workers decide to get jobs
a considerable reduction in the Kirklees, Sheffield with employers who better
in terms and conditions; and Leeds centres, bravely respect their workforce.
cutting holiday, sick and decided to put their heads “No-one wins if a care
maternity pay. above the parapet. company starts putting
Under the new pay regime, The union then took the profits before caring for
care, domestic, maintenance, dispute to the conciliation people. Valorum should see
catering and nursing staff service Acas to see if there sense and back down now.”
who become ill will have to was a way of resolving it Ashley said the cuts were
survive on statutory sick pay without legal action. That “mean-spirited” and had
of just £96.35 a week. proved impossible and now “really upset people, but
To make matters UNISON is taking the case made them angry as well”.
worse, the company then to an employment tribunal. Matters had been made
embarked on a “ham-fisted UNISON officials believe worse by the “shoddy”
consultation process”, where the consultation process way in which the company
there was little in the way was defective and unlawful had attempted to conduct
of consultation, according and the reduction in terms consultations: “There were
to the union. UNISON was a breach of TUPE mistakes in letters to staff.
argues that management rules. The TUPE legislation There were incorrect dates,
had already made up its protects the terms and notice periods were wrong
mind and believed that staff conditions of workers who and there were basic legal
should be grateful for what are transferred from one errors. They were pretty
they would get. employer to another but incompetent.”
And this from an who carry out essentially As we were going to press,
organisation which, in its the same function. In this UNISON was speaking to
returns to Companies House, case Valorum took over the members who had objected
declares that it is “committed running of care services in to the new terms with a view
to investing in people”. In 2019 previously operated by to taking their cases to an
another passage it boasts: Leonard Cheshire Disability. employment tribunal. n Ashley Harper16 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
THE UNION WON’T
LET YOU DOWN
The last 18 months have been incredibly tough, but our new general
secretary Christina McAnea and regional convenor Wendy Nichols point
out that UNISON has stuck by its members. And it will continue to do
so in the challenges ahead. Consulting editor Mary Maguire reports
T
he whole world has the streets clean and safe. public acknowledged the
been on a tragically They have cared for our true worth of public service
sharp learning elderly, our children and workers. That they were
curve ever since vulnerable people, while let down by ministers who
the first case of the some big businesses were dithered and delayed while
deadly and highly infectious cynically cashing in on people died, is unforgiveable.
coronavirus, covid-19. the opportunities that a As is the way the elderly were
MANY OF UNISON members have worldwide health crisis discharged from hospitals into
OUR been relentlessly on the offered. care homes, where workers
MEMBERS front-line, saving lives and During the peaks of had to watch helplessly,
ARE NOW comforting the sick and transmission, lockdown, without adequate PPE or other
UTTERLY dying, delivering food and daily death counts and social support, as many died.
EXHAUSTED medical supplies, keeping separation, Government and Says regional convenor,WINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 17
workers, charity, voluntary members can request flexible
sector and other front-line working from the start of their
public service staff revealed employment, rather than after
many at the edge of burn-out six months’ service. They can WOMEN’S
through juggling work and make an unlimited number of VOICES
home commitments during applications, instead of once a MUST BE
the crisis. A massive 80 per year, don’t have to justify their AT THE
cent had to go into work requests or provide specific HEART
worried they would bring reasons and all possible OF OUR
the virus home and 40 per solutions must be explored.
cent said they did not feel Employers are expected to
COVID
supported in their jobs. More promote flexibility options for RECOVERY.
than a fifth (21 per cent) had all jobs when recruiting and to
a caring role for partners or discuss the subject regularly in
elderly parents. UNISON staff meetings.
believes that better flexible In social care, UNISON’s
working arrangements would key demands include a real
help enormously. living wage of at least £10
UNISON general secretary an hour. They also include
Christina McAnea points a standard employment
out that women key workers contract that includes sick
helped keep the country pay, contracted hours, pay for
running during the Covid-19 all hours on duty and travel
crisis - often while supporting time. The union is calling
sick relatives and caring for for significant emergency
young families. government funding,
“The pandemic has professional standards with an
hammered home how many upgraded Care certificate and
women need more flexible a partnership working group
hours to have a fulfilling of commissioners, providers,
work/life balance and deal government and unions to
with family commitments. “action solutions”.
The Government must step UNISON has called on the
up to ensure employers give Government to ditch the “no
women a fairer deal over jab, no job” rule for care home
hours. staff in the midst of a looming
“But not only are they still staffing shortage. Mandatory
expected to be the primary vaccinations are a massive
Wendy Nichols: “Our carer, society continues to distraction from the core job of
members in Yorkshire & put a low value on many jobs care, staff are feeling bullied
Humberside, along with mainly done by women. and voting with their feet.
the rest of the country, were “This has to change. Says Christina: “Vaccination
the ones who carried on Women’s voices must be at the remains the way out of the
diligently doing their jobs, heart of our Covid recovery.” pandemic. But coercing and
despite the Government’s In one of our key areas, the bullying care workers can
criminal lack of planning, NHS, where members are never be the right approach.
despite the PPE fiasco, despite facing burn out, UNISON has Ministers have been told
their own fears for themselves recently negotiated a deal on repeatedly that using force
and their families. Many new flexible working rights to instead of persuasion will fail.
of our members are now give a better work-life balance. But they’ve not listened and
utterly exhausted, wondering Often cited as a reason for now their ill-considered policy
whether they can carry on.” wanting to quit the NHS, poor is backfiring.
A UNISON survey of work-life balance with long “The Government is
nearly 47,000 women key hours and rigid shifts, has left sleepwalking into this disaster
workers such as nurses, staff exhausted. by not acting. Care is already
teaching assistants, social care The deal means that a broken and underfunded ›18 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
WORKING
LIFE
WON’T BE
THE SAME
sector that cannot afford to particularly for the clinically protect our food” is
lose any more staff. It must extremely vulnerable. the approach the union
scrap the ‘no jab, no job’ Continued home working, is adopting to ensure
rule now. Widespread care social distancing measures, slaughterhouse workers are
home closures could be the face coverings, changing safe and the country fed.
consequence if they ignore workplace layouts, ventilation UNISON wants adequate
the warnings. This would be and screens/barriers should separation and sanitising
disastrous for elderly people all be carefully considered. throughout all stages, with
and those who cannot live Local government workers correct segregation while on
without care support.” are covered by agreements the “line” where the meat
UNISON leaders are also that state any health absence hygiene inspectors stand
extremely concerned about relating to covid, including to make sure food is fit for
the scrapping of safety vaccination side effects, will be human consumption. There
measures in schools that can dealt with under the sickness should be no sharing of
lead to further disrupted scheme. Long covid should washing/sterilising facilities
learning for pupils who’ve be treated with the same in the food processing areas,
already lost out during the discretion allowed for any with adequate time and space
lockdowns. Amid warnings other long-term illness, and available for washing down
of a spike in covid cases self-isolation due to contact after shift end and break
amongst children in the new with covid should not count as times.
academic year, the union sickness, but be paid normally. Says Wendy: “Covid
wants the Government to re- Social workers are changed the way we work
introduce safety measures in expected to have adequate in many ways and, whatever
schools, including bubbles, safeguards to continue direct happens, working life won’t
social distancing and face work and clear guidance and be the same. Under our new
coverings. training on virtual working general secretary, our union
The union has been and suitable electronic has responded magnificently,
negotiating post-covid communications. Only in taking care of members,
agreements and guidelines critical face-to-face home arguing the case for better PPE
for all workers, whether visits should be undertaken, and working conditions, and
working from home or on but they must have adequate more and more are joining us
the front line, whether carers access to PPE and hand for that protection. I know
or cleaners, in schools, or sanitisers with specific that our union will look after
in street cleansing or social guidance for “just in case” our members’ interests and
work. UNISON has called scenarios. Parking permits will continue to fight for
for the timing and phasing and essential car user decent pay. Our members put
of the return to workplaces allowances should be in place themselves in harm’s way
to be discussed with union to minimise the use of public to look after us all, and we
stewards. Risk assessments transport. won’t let anyone, let alone the
must be undertaken, “Protect our workforce, Government forget that.” nWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 19
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.20 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
RIDING HIGH Activist Aneliese Jackman says UNISON not only helps
members with difficult workplace issues, it also provides training
which helps boost your confidence. Ryan Fletcher reports
Photo: Vicky MatthersWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 21
Aneliese at Howden Equestrian Centre
U
NISON learning rep come back off maternity, having but the ever-accumulating
Aneliese Jackman that opportunity, which wasn’t responsibilities of adulthood
has got back on the available through my employer, meant Aneliese’s presence
horse … literally and means that I can train in my at the stables became less I FOUND MY
figuratively. own time. It has given me the frequent, until she stopped CONFIDENCE
The 35-year-old, who works confidence to say I can improve horse riding altogether. HAD BEEN
as an administrator at Leeds my career prospects and But that is not the case KNOCKED
Beckett University, took a decade compete professionally.” anymore. Aneliese said: “My life WHEN I GOT
away from riding but is taking Aneliese found UNISON’s goal is to be able to own my own BACK
lessons again with the aim of Women’s Lives taster course horse by the time I am 40. You
owning her own horse by the particularly beneficial and is know when you’re a kid and you
TO WORK
time she reaches 40. planning on taking the full have these dreams, well mine
Aneliese has also got back in course later this year. The was to have my own horse. So,
the saddle in terms of her work Women’s Lives course has I’m going to pass my horse-
life after she became aware of been designed to make it easier riding exams and get myself
the personal and professional for women to get back into up to standard so I can buy one
development opportunities education. before my 40th birthday.”
available to UNISON members. The aim is to build Born-again equestrian
“Like many other people, confidence as well as to develop Aneliese is also a pianist and has
my contact with UNISON was study skills, so the emphasis a degree in music from Sheffield.
because I had a grievance, is on co-operation and mutual After university, Aneliese
but then I found out about support. It focuses on women’s travelled solo to China, India
all the other things the union experiences at work and in their and Nepal, before starting a
offers. I was like ‘oh wow personal lives. family with her husband Dave.
you do so much more’, like “I think in a work “At the moment my little girl
all the training and career environment a lot of the time is really into Frozen, so right
development,” said Aneliese. you have to stand on other at the moment I play a lot of
During the first six months people to get where you want to sing-along Disney tunes on the
of the pandemic, Aneliese was go. But with UNISON, it’s like piano,” laughed Aneliese.
on maternity leave at her home ‘no we can do this together. We
in Selby, with baby Ash and his can train together, and we can EAGER
three-year-old sister Kora. She progress together’,” explained As well as passing on her love
returned in October last year Aneliese. of music to her kids, Aneliese is
to find her role had completely Conversely, that spirit also keen to help other UNISON
changed and not for the better. of cooperation, rather than members take advantage of the
Aneliese’s workplace rep was competition, allows those union’s learning opportunities.
on hand to take her concerns taking part to spend more time As the Leeds Beckett branch’s
forward and the issue was thinking about themselves, as learning rep, Aneliese is eager
satisfactorily resolved. The Aneliese found out. to highlight to other members
incident, however, served She said: “You put yourself that there is more to UNISON
to remind Aneliese of the last because your family membership than resolving
difficulties many mothers face comes first, especially as a workplace disputes.
either on their return to the parent. Like with the horse “I am really looking forward
workplace from maternity leave, riding, the training was to getting people involved and
or because they work part time. something I was just doing for for them to take advantage of
“I found that my confidence myself as an individual. the benefits I have had. I don’t
had been knocked when I You can see yourself think people realise the training
got back to work. I think it’s developing and you can say to UNISON offers,” said Aneliese.
made more difficult because yourself ‘I did that off my own “Everybody goes to the union
suddenly you find that a lot back’. It’s great.” with case work. It’s great because
of opportunities are not open your reps have got your back MY GOAL IS
to you. But UNISON training ADULTHOOD and you’ve got the confidence TO OWN
is available to everyone,” said Aneliese is now taking riding to go to your employer and say A HORSE
Aneliese. lessons having last got on a ‘this isn’t right’. But the training BY THE
“As a woman, with two horse over a decade ago. Before is there as well for members and TIME
young children who has just then she was a keen rider, it can be really helpful.” n I AM 4022 UNISON ACTIVE! WINTER 2021
Photo: Vicky Matthers
MY JOB, OR MY LIFE?
Adam Ridley’s employer was trying to force him back to work during the
pandemic despite his severe lung conditions. But then UNISON’s North
Yorkshire local government branch got involved. Christine Buckley reports
P
anic gripped many Adam, a former music sarcoidosis, a condition
people at the start teacher who lives in that can trigger shortness
of the coronavirus Northallerton, was a of breath and a persistent
pandemic last year team leader in an autism cough. He also has asthma
both because of the residential home run by and at the start of the
ADAM
illness itself and also its Cambian Autism Services. pandemic he was warned
WORKED
impact on the economy and He worked with children by the NHS that he was at WITH
jobs. But for Adam Ridley who can’t control their risk of severe illness if he CHILDREN
fears about both health emotions and who certainly contracted coronavirus. WHO CAN’T
and work were inextricably can’t keep a physical He’d seen his consultant just CONTROL
linked because of his serious distance. before the first lockdown THEIR
health conditions. He has pulmonary and in a letter passed to his EMOTIONSWINTER 2021 UNISON ACTIVE! 23
employer, the consultant taken away. and he had hoped that
stressed the general It was Helen Gray, of his career would develop
guidance to clinically North Yorkshire local further there.
vulnerable people that they government branch, who The tribunal case was I PAY
should shield and avoid all really helped him see unusual in that employment ABOUT £15
social contact. sense in the dark times. contracts don’t specify what A MONTH
Initially, this was accepted “She was empathetic action should be taken in TO UNISON
by Cambian Autism Services and understanding and the event of a pandemic. WHICH IS
and Adam, 34, remained at importantly made me realise But Thompsons think that A DROP IN
home on full pay. He tried that I wasn’t losing my mind many more similar cases
to do some work online. But and that employers just will be finding their way
THE OCEAN
after the 14-week shielding couldn’t behave that way.” through tribunals.
period passed his pay was They tried to sort out the Thankfully after all the
reduced and then as the situation informally with the stress he’d been through,
first general return to work employer and then through Adam had a resounding
began last autumn Adam’s a grievance procedure, but victory. He won a claim for
pay was stopped because he their efforts were to no avail. disability discrimination
didn’t return to work. For The impasse remained. and was awarded all the
him, the health threats were Cambian Autism Services pay he lost, with the total
still too high. viewed Adam as refusing to topping £22,000.
Despite detailed go back to work, although And he found a new
discussions with his he was “ready and willing job. He is now working
immediate boss, Adam to work”. Adam and Helen for the probation service
learned about his pay in logged everything that had enjoying better hours and
a blanket email from the happened, sought legal he is beginning the career
home’s parent company – advice through the union’s climb afresh in a new line
CareTech, one of the UK’s solicitors Thompsons and of work.
largest private social care then decided that the only His finances are back to
providers. The insensitivity way to get justice would be what they were before his
of the general email to an an employment tribunal. pay was reduced and then
employee with a chronic When Adam had no stopped.
medical condition ironically income and the salary of his He now hopes that others
came as the founder of wife Caroline wasn’t enough will be encouraged to fight
CareTech – Farouq Sheikh – to keep the family going, against unfair treatment
received an OBE for services he had to take out a loan to following his success.
to specialist social care. cover the household bills. Adam says he felt
He said: “At that point He also started looking for incredibly empowered after
I just freaked out. Luckily another job. the decision of the tribunal
I had UNISON to turn to It was at that time that and now he encourages
because I’d joined at the start his academic background everyone to join a union. “If
of the pandemic because of and his love of music helped you’re not in a union and
the uncertainty about jobs.” him to survive what was an this happens to you, where
Adam hadn’t been offered extremely stressful period. do you go? You must feel
any redeployment into a A pianist, guitarist and isolated and that you can’t
non-hands-on role despite vocalist, Adam says: “Music do anything. I pay about £15
requesting it. gave me solace. It kept me as a month to UNISON which
Adam was frightened sane as possible.” is a drop in the ocean for all
about losing his ability to Adam had very much the legal and professional
provide for his children – enjoyed his previous job. support you get.”
Robin, his daughter, was He’d got into the work He adds: “After all with
then four and his son Rufus because while teaching he the pandemic and the
was two - and he was scared found the most rewarding trouble with my employer,
by the disease itself. He was part was working with you ask yourself, would I
worried that perhaps he autistic children. He’d not rather lose my job or my
could be forced back to work been in the role very long life? And obviously there is
or that his job would be before he was promoted, no choice.” nYou can also read
