Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7 - INTRODUCTION - UNISON Manchester
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Manchester UNISON Covid-19 Update #7: Issued 10 June 2020
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
INTRODUCTION
Hopefully the levels of Covid-19 deaths and new infections will continue to decline but it is at a much
slower rate than most of Europe and the relaxation of measures without apparently reaching the
Government’s own threshold risks a second wave. The ineptness of the Government is shown in
almost all it touches.
The Government’s incompetence in responding to the Covid-19 crisis, which undoubtedly led to a
greater level of deaths, has been repeatedly masked with a mantra of they were acting in accordance
with ‘the science’. But we have now seen Boris Johnson preventing scientists from answering
questions at a press conference, and recently at some daily conferences scientists have not even
been present. Increasingly it appears that the Government only follows ‘science’ partially and only
when it suits their purpose.
We have seen a catastrophe in our care homes, an abandonment of test and trace at the outset
and then rather than use established local authority and health organisations to belatedly carry out
test and tracing the contract was given to a private company with a poor track record, without even
a tender.
Similarly, the much-vaunted app pilot in the Isle of Wight to be rolled out nationally was also given to
a private company. The Manchester Nightingale Hospital at GMEX was set up giving all the support
services to Interserve a private company which is on the rocks and which refused to pay cleaners
and porters NHS national pay rates. Ministers wear the NHS badge at press conferences whilst
continually privatising any part of the NHS it can. Add in the Dominic Cummings fiasco and it is
unsurprising most people do not trust this Government.
There has been mention of Treasury papers proposing a return to austerity and pay freezes for public
workers. The Government praise key workers whilst behind the scenes increase privatisations to
drive down their terms and conditions. It is in that context that the consultation soon to start on the
Local Government pay offer is so important.
UNISON will be making the case that our members deserve fair pay and our Branch agreed to
recommend rejection of the offer. We need to put pressure on the Government at a time when there
is good public support for the services we provide. This circular covers just some of the work the
Branch is doing across our services and employers in representing members. Our membership is
increasing but we need to strengthen our density as much as possible to best represent members
in the challenges ahead.
Evelyn Doyle - Manchester UNISON Branch Secretary
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
PAY CONSULTATION
The UNISON National Joint Committee met last Friday on 5th June to consider regional responses
to the position of the national employers in the Local Government Association, namely a final offer of
a one year deal of a pay increase of 2.75%, one additional day of Leave to the National Green Book
Minimum (few if any North West Branches will benefit as they already have better than the national
minimum) and joint work on mental health issues in the workplace.
After feedback from all the regions the NJC agreed that members should be consulted on the Pay
offer. There followed a debate on what recommendation should be on the Ballot paper to vote
to accept the Pay offer or reject. Although our Regional representatives supported a position of
recommending rejection of the pay offer, the decision was to put the issue directly to members to
decide without a recommendation.
The pay consultation will likely be launched on 22nd June at the earliest and be extended till at
least the end of July when the NJC will meet. If members reject the offer there may be an Industrial
Action ballot and due to legal constraints the timetable will not see the first action taken before 23rd
November.
This consultation on the pay offer will take place at a time of public appreciation for public services
and UNISON in the coming months will make the case that our members deserve fair pay and a
significant increase to start to recover from over a 20% pay cut in real terms over the last decade of
austerity.
Rena Wood - North West UNISON NJC Representative
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
COVID-19 SOCIAL CARE UPDATE
This week we’ve heard that the Westminster Government has promised an extra £600 million for
“infection control” in the care sector. Though welcome, it raises questions as to why this has taken
so long. UNISON is now pushing for the detail on how and where this money will be spent.
We know it won’t solve the huge problems with PPE, testing and the treatment of care staff, but
getting the money targeted in the right areas could make a difference.
For up to date information and answers to frequently asked questions on how coronavirus
may affect you, go to our coronavirus hub: www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work/
We have a specific webpage for care workers which is updated regularly. If you need advice about
work, this is the first place to go.
Coronavirus advice for social workers: www.unison.org.uk/care-workers-your-rights/coronavirus-
advice-social-care-workers/
600 million campaign
Throughout this crisis, we have campaigned hard for you to be paid in full when you need to self-
isolate. The government and your employers have forced so many of you to choose between your
family’s survival and protecting the people you care for.
It is reckless and unacceptable.
This week the UK government announced £600 million in emergency funding for care
homes. This is a breakthrough and has happened because of our campaigning, negotiation and
most importantly your strength.
But the government’s plans might mean not enough will reach your pocket. We have to make this
the number one public health issue now.
It is a crucial opportunity to get you the sick pay you need and contain the virus. Call on the
government to #StopTheSpread and get the public behind you.
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
COVID-19 SOCIAL CARE UPDATE
Get the government to #StopTheSpread: www.unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/stop-the-spread/
Email campaigns@unison.co.uk to see what else we are doing to win.
Government treatment of migrant social care workers
This week the government pushed ahead with their immigration bill, which defies common sense.
We know that migrant workers are in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 in care homes,
propping up a neglected system that would collapse without them.
Migrant workers have proved themselves vital time and time again. To slam the door in their faces
now is shameful.
This week Christina McAnea, Assistant General Secretary, spoke to Eddie Mair on LBC radio about
the immigration bill and its impact on social care.
Listen to the interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJLlifqDCkQ
Let’s make care strong
We are calling for a complete overhaul of care: www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2020/05/
care-home-deaths-expose-social-care-system-unfit-purpose-says-unison/
We need an integrated care system, like the NHS and other public services.
Care workers need recognition and reward for the skilled, essential work that you do, including:
• Decent pay - the real living wage as an absolute minimum
• Proper contracts with decent terms and conditions
• Training, linked to standards
We need urgent solutions to the COVID-19 crisis but we also need to ensure you and the people
you care for are never left unprotected again.
Now more than ever, care workers need the protection of a union. As the union for care workers,
UNISON will protect you and your colleagues and we will have greater strength to build the future
you deserve. Let’s make care strong!
Can you get your colleagues to join UNISON? We are stronger when we are together:
www.unison.org.uk/get-colleagues-join/
UNISON is here for you and we are fighting every day to keep you safe at work and get you the pay
you deserve.
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST
Saturday 6th June saw a massive anti-racist protest held in Piccadilly Gardens, amongst other
protests in the city over the weekend. The event was notable for a number of reasons. It was easily
the largest attendance seen in the city for many years and was organised at little notice, mostly via
social media. It was striking to see the vast majority of both black and white protestors attending were
overwhelmingly young people, many holding self-made placards with deeply personal statements.
Given the sheer numbers attending social distancing was at times difficult but the vast majority
respected minimising the risk of spreading Covid-19 by wearing facemasks throughout the protest.
Through a sensible approach taken by the Mayor’s office, the Council and the police the event was
entirely peaceable whilst enabling people to voice their protest at the level of racism black people
experience on many levels. Metrolink staff ensured protesters were kept safe from accidents whilst
ensuring the public could travel without disruption.
The right to demonstrate and protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society and Government
criticism of the protests does not sit well with their silence on taking any steps to challenge the level
of racism black people face in their lives.
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
CORPORATE CORE UPDATE
Work on the recovery has started in the Core and where staff are unable to work from home
some are looking at coming back into the workplace to deliver services. Some of these staff are in
Registrars as they need to register the numerous births that have taken place since the lockdown.
The Coronavirus Act did not have provision for remote registering of births as it did with deaths,
therefore some staff are coming back to Heron House from Monday 8 June, to start this lengthy task.
We have heard from new parents that they have been worried about being unable to get their child
registered. The service has worked with the building’s owners and extra cleaning and other safety
measures have been put in place to safeguard staff, there are split screens in all offices that are
being used to register, the ventilation has been reviewed and offices that can have opened windows
are to be the ones used. All registrations will be by appointment only. The risk assessments look
robust and will be reviewed regularly. Deaths will continue to be registered remotely.
The coroners service is to bring some staff back in so that the service can start again. Robust risk
assessments have been done for this service and again will be continually reviewed. There are to
be extra staff coming into the office in Comms so that specific equipment can be accessed. Policy
are also bringing some extra staff back to the office where it is only possible to work on paper
applications. All other staff will continue to work remotely. In parking services, as the suspension of
ticketing is being lifted there is an expectation that there will be an increase in mail and a rota of staff
is being drawn up to support the scanning and indexing of work to enable homeworking.
ICT, staff have been supporting the working from home of all our staff, they quickly procured
equipment and made it possible for staff to work from home at the beginning of lockdown and
continue to work from home. Soft technology is being used on the help desk so staff can work from
home to support us all.
The Corporate Contact Centre has started to rollout soft telephony which enables staff to work
from home taking customer calls. It is long awaited technology. It is currently being used for the
Hub, Adults/Children’s Services and the Emergency Contact Services. Other services in the contact
centre are continuing to work from home on email contacts.
GMCA has started its recovery work and is sharing information with the trade unions about a safe
return to work where it is not possible for staff to continue to work from home. Our colleagues in Fire
have been working continually during lockdown and have supported NHS colleagues with deliveries
of PPE etc. We hope to have more detail of what is taking place in this area and we will hopefully
next time have some detail from Jonathan Cooper, the convenor in fire and Susie Bamford and Anna
Raiswell-Crump our stewards at Churchgate House.
Jane Slater - Corporate Core
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
ADULT SERVICES UPDATE
Whilst most of the work has rightly been focussed on making sure that workers and service users
are as safe as possible and that PPE stocks remain high it’s worth pointing out that members have
also been incredibly busy creatively ensuring the best possible service to the vulnerable people they
work with. I’ve mentioned previously the excellent work done by homelessness workers in difficult
situations in the temporary hostels, and this work continues as these are slowly wound down. Care
workers have also been going above and beyond in Supported Accommodation to ensure that
residents can still get as much safe entertainment and activity in their lives during lockdown. While
clapping for carers has now ended it is now important we take that energy and recognition forward
in our campaigns for proper pay and working conditions for all of our key workers in care, nursing,
homelessness, reablement, adaptations, business support, social work and everyone else who has
worked so hard across our directorate.
We also now begin to focus on how Adult Services will look as we come back from the first peak of
Covid19. There’s a lot of planning to do around how we can work differently; how current ways of
working may achieve better outcomes and how we safely make any changes at all. There will be a
lot of risk assessments taking place and it is vitally important that members’ voices are heard. Let
me know if you feel change is being planned for you without your involvement.
Carl Greatbatch - Adult Services
MANCHESTER AIRPORT UPDATE
Our members employed at Manchester Airport along
with the thousands of staff who work at the airport
continue to face a challenging future. A three-month
agreement between management and the trade
unions is due to be reviewed at the end of June but
a great deal is uncertain.
There has still been no outline of any Government
support package for the aviation industry.
Having allowed unrestricted travel throughout the Covid-19 crisis Government are now bringing in a
14-day quarantine period for all travel even though last week saw a day when more people died in
the UK as a result of Covid-19 than in all of Western Europe put together.
Regardless of air corridors with a few counties this inexplicable Government decision will only
undermine any increase in passenger numbers beyond the current trickle.
Greater Manchester Councils together directly own over half of the Manchester Airport Group and
jointly agreed to raise £260m to assist the airport to continue to function. Manchester Council owns
the majority of the council stake and last year alone received a dividend of £75m which supported
Council services.
The airport is vital to the future of Greater Manchester and the North West for the long term and
Government must provide resources to support staff in this period.
Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
LIBRARIES UPDATE
At the beginning of this month, following an announcement by Libraries Connected of their intention
to publish a Recovery Toolkit to assist with the reopening and recovery of public libraries, UNISON
approached Libraries Connected to request a meeting to discuss the implications of Covid-19 for
public libraries and to discuss their proposed toolkit. UNISON does not want to see a repeat of some
of the deeply worrying scenes that accompanied the delayed closure of some libraries in the UK.
UNISON has made it clear in these discussions that employer and union consultation will be crucial
to any future re-opening of libraries. It is essential there is joint employer/union work, with risk
assessments carried out jointly and then published. UNISON believes these issues must feature
strongly in the proposed toolkit alongside issues such as safeguarding mental and physical health
and well-being, employees who are shielding or living with people who are shielding, and those
who are self-isolating. Other issues discussed included the importance of hygiene and cleaning
practices, harassment and abuse of staff, mobile libraries and community services, and training.
UNISON recognises that libraries are community spaces, often busy with unscheduled public visits.
As such, they are difficult places to control for social distancing - people are unpredictable and arrive
unexpectedly. Each library is different and so a local risk assessment undertaken with UNISON
health and safety reps is crucial.
Libraries Connected recognised and acknowledged all these points and will be sharing its draft
toolkit with UNISON for comments.
Re-opening of libraries and government guidance
The library sector is expected to re-open as part of Phase 3 of the Government’s Recovery
Strategy. The Government has established five ministerial-led ‘taskforces’ to cover re-opening. They
include a taskforce on ‘Recreation and Leisure, including Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Libraries,
Entertainment and Sport’. This taskforce will have trade union representation, organised via the
TUC and UNISON will be represented on the taskforce that covers libraries.
Libraries Connected have said in communications with UNISON that they consider most libraries to
be looking at a cautious path to recovery – limiting public access to buildings as much as possible,
with services like click and collect and appointments for limited IT access, as well as home library
services to target isolated and shielding people. They state that it is unlikely that all buildings will
reopen due to staff shortages, redeployment and the fact that some library branches will be hard to
operate with social distancing.
In the meantime, UNISON will continue to advocate on behalf of our library members and maintain
that staff safety must be at the fore-front of all planning via full trade union consultation.
The Library Campaigner Magazine
The Covid-19 pandemic means that unfortunately UNISON is unable to distribute this magazine in its
usual paper format to branches. However, our friends at The Library Campaign have agreed to make
the Summer 2020 edition available in pdf format on their website. The magazine is downloadable
here: www.librarycampaign.com/magazines/Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
LIBRARIES UPDATE
Job profiles for school librarians
UNISON is working with the School Library Association to develop more school librarian profiles.
At the moment there are only three profiles and UNISON believes more need to be completed to
capture the library service in schools. We hope to be able to develop these into public library profiles
through the NJC’s Job Evaluation Technical Working Group.
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND HOUSING UPDATE
Neighbourhood Services
Libraries - While all Libraries remain closed it has been agreed to reintroduce a limited Book to Go
service to existing customers. This service provides books for vulnerable and isolated members of
the community.
UNISON is happy, after many discussions, that all Health and Safety procedures are in place and
this service will be reintroduced in the next couple of weeks and will be under constant review to
ensure both UNISON members and the customers/general public are kept safe.
Parks - While there has been some movement in parks to ensure Health and Safety measures are
in place, i.e. trimming of footpath edges etc, the park service remains limited in terms of facilities,
i.e. toilets, cafes etc. This is being reviewed constantly given the increased use of parks. UNISON
will be involved in any discussions to open services further and will only agree if we are happy with
Health and Safety procedures and protocols.
Housing Associations
It’s just been announced that the future of Northwards Housing Group is under review and that the
council’s preferred option would be to in-source the service back into the council. No decision has
been made yet regarding this but UNISON has been made clear that this is the approach being
sought.
While UNISON will always welcome the insourcing of any service as the best approach to providing
services to the community, we are also sensitive to the concerns of current Northwards UNISON
members. Any change can be stressful especially in the current climate. But these proposals are,
we believe, being progressed to protect and improve the organisation.
There is already an agreement that should the service be brought back in house there will be no
negative impact on staff terms and conditions etc.
UNISON will continue to communicate with members (with meetings where/if appropriate) over the
coming months as a final decision on this is set for September 2020.
UNISON can only negotiate on behalf of staff who are UNISON members so any staff who are not
in a union are urged to join. Details of how to join are on the next page.Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND HOUSING UPDATE
Join UNISON online by entering your details on this site: join.unison.org.uk
Alternatively, you can download and print a copy of the UNISON membership application form.
For paying your union subscriptions via deductions from salary:
www.unisonmanchester.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/New-Application-Form-DOCAS.pdf
For paying your union subscriptions via Direct Debit:
www.unisonmanchester.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/New-Application-Form-Direct-Debit.pdf
Pete Banks - Neighbourhood Services and Housing Associations
SCHOOLS UPDATE
The Government have sought to rush the general opening of schools without properly taking into
account all the health risks together with the concerns of parents and school staff. Government
guidelines continually change creating confusion and worry for all concerned. Deadline targets
for primary schools to reopen to pupils in Nursery/Reception and Years 1 & 6; as well as face to
face contact with pupils in Years 10 & 12, were set arbitrarily without consulting schools, councils,
parents and education trade unions. Those targets then fall by the wayside when implementation
proves to be practically impossible.
Many schools in our region have paused their wider plans for opening following the reported rise
in the ‘R’ rate to above 1, within the North West Region. UNISON is clear that this is absolutely the
right thing for schools to do, health and safety of pupils and staff must come first. David Regan,
Director of Public Health for Manchester has issued a statement, which was sent to headteachers
on Monday, advising that ‘Manchester is likely to be one of the local authorities in the North West
where the rate of effective transmission is less than 1.’
UNISON, alongside other education unions met with the LA yesterday to make our position clear,
that we are absolutely opposed to the further opening of schools in the current climate. The LA’s
approach is that ‘headteachers are best placed to make decisions about the number of children they
can safely have in school’, however, they have advised headteachers that they may wish to review
their risk assessments and timescales for a proposed increase in attendance.
Even today the Government has yet again made a major U turn in their policy. The intention was to
ensure the return of every primary school age group for at least four weeks before the end of term.
But today the Government have announced that this will not be possible until September.
Our Branch have regularly updated school staff at every stage of the process. Where schools have
sought to extend attendance we have demanded full risk assessments and challenged these if
necessary. We have ensured cooperation from the Council where need be and with Multi Academy
Trusts. Should members still feel concerned should they be asked to return to work or where there
are any issues with risk assesments they should contact the branch for advice. The Branch will
continue to keep school staff updated on any developments on a regular basis.
Cath Baggaley - Lead Officer for SchoolsBranch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
FACE MASKS
Given it will soon be a requirement for people to wear a face mask on all forms of public transport the
Branch is placing an order for reusable face masks with our Branch branding to promote UNISON
and one version which challenges the damage the Tory Government have done to our NHS.
Once stocks have been received, they will be provided on request to members to use on public
transport.
COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Commenting on Public Health England’s report published
last week (Tuesday 2 June) into disparities in the effects
of Covid-19 upon different parts of society, UNISON
general secretary Dave Prentis said:
“This reveals a complex picture in which race, age,
deprivation, occupation, sex and underlying health have
all played a part.
“But it’s clear those who often face the biggest challenges
of inequality are being hit harder by this disease. And the
report comes at a time when racial injustice is hitting the
headlines around the globe.
“The government must do all it can to protect those
people who are more at risk.
“It’s essential that all key workers are paid when they are ill or shielding others at risk of Covid-19.
Then they wouldn’t have to make heart-breaking choices between their health and paying the bills.
“Employers must carry out risk assessments and take decisions on where key staff are deployed
that reduce the unequal impact on Black communities and others who are affected most.”Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
BRANCH EQUALITIES UPDATE
UNISON has led the way in using the legislation to achieve equal pay for significant numbers of low-
paid women members – school staff, nursery workers, care workers, caterers and cleaners – who
are doing the same work as men.
However, figures published earlier this week show that there are 29,000 equal pay claims a year – in
spite of the Equal Pay Act. We’ve made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot to do to end long-term
inequality in pay for women.
Factors that underlie pay inequality have become stronger during the coronavirus crisis. Women
and the work they do are consistently undervalued – and this is never more the case than for women
working in the social care sector. Eight out of 10 social care workers are women. Many are also
Black or migrant workers. They are undervalued and low-paid, with many on insecure contracts, but
they are paying the highest price in the fight against the deadly virus.
A report from the influential Institute of Fiscal Studies shows that more women are losing their jobs,
and taking on more domestic responsibilities, as a consequence of COVID-19. The pay gap in
working families has increased by 10%. UNISON has long argued that society’s expectation that
women are the prime carers stands in the way of achieving pay equity.
Pay inequity cuts across all aspects of women’s lives. Addressing low pay and pay inequality remain
central bargaining priorities as restrictions imposed to fight COVID-19 begin to ease.
Sonia Stewart - Branch Equalities Officer
RECENT BRANCH TWEETS
In order to keep our members informed we are now posting more frequently on our branch Twitter
account @UnisonMcr. Please consider giving us a follow, if you do not already.
14 May 2020 - Link to Tweet
The TUC education unions have issued a joint statement calling on the government to hold off on
the #schoolsreopening from 1 June. We urgently need a plan to ensure that both #keyworkers and
pupils remain safe in our schools #COVID19 Link
15 May 2020 - Link to Tweet
#DailyFail staff should perhaps stop working from home and provide something useful to society
rather than trying to pressure school staff to work in an unsafe environment. Link
27 May 2020 - Link to Tweet
We continue to pressure DfE over school staff safety and to share updates and advice for members
while the government considers whether to go ahead with expanding pupil numbers on 1 June @
UNISONinSchools #schoolsreopening #COVID19 Link
29 May 2020 - Link to Tweet
The latest COVID-19 news from UNISON in Schools is now available to read online and download
from our branch website @UNISONinSchools #schoolsreopening #COVID19 LinkBranch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
BRANCH OFFICER CONTACT DETAILS
Corporate Core
Please contact Jane Slater - Email: j.slater@manchester.gov.uk
Neighbourhood Services
Please contact Pete Banks - Email: p.banks@manchester.gov.uk
Children’s Services
Please contact Eddy Redmond - Email: e.redmond@manchester.gov.uk
Adult Services
Please contact Carl Greatbatch - Email: c.greatbatch@manchester.gov.uk
Schools (Secondary Schools / Special Schools)
Please contact Cath Baggaley - Email: c.baggaley@manchester.gov.uk
Schools (Primary Schools - North)
Please contact Jane Wilcox - Email: j.wilcox@manchester.gov.uk
Schools (Primary Schools - South)
Please contact Rena Wood - Email: r.wood@manchester.gov.uk
HAVE YOUR DETAILS CHANGED?
In order to continue providing the most effective service to our members we need to ensure that all
the information we have recorded for them is up-to-date and accurate. As an individual member
there are some steps you can take to update your own personal informaton, but for certain things
only the branch are able to make the necessary changes.
One of the easiest ways for a member to update their details is to logon to MyUNISON, which you
can do by visiting the following website: https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/
When logged into MyUNISON you are able to make changes to the following personal details:
Name, DoB, National Insurance Number, Ethnic Origin, Disabled Status, Sexual Orientation, Contact
Information, Mailing Preferences, Contact Consent, Home Address, Employer Name, Workplace
Location and Job Role.
In addition to the above you can also request a new UNISON membership card, change your
membership category and update your current salary range through MyUNISON.
Please note that to access the site you will need to register first and this process requires your
UNISON membership number. You can find your number on your UNISON membership card, or in
the welcome pack you received when you joined UNISON.
We hope you find this information useful and remember that you can always call the branch on 0161
254 7500 if you need further assistance and one of the team will be happy to help you.Branch Circular: Covid-19 Update #7
FURTHER INFORMATION
Manchester UNISON Contact Information
Telephone Number: 0161 254 7500
Email Address: unison@manchester.gov.uk
Branch Website: www.unisonmanchester.gov.uk
Twitter Feed: twitter.com/UnisonMcr
Branch Secretary: Evelyn Doyle (email: e.doyle@manchester.gov.uk)
Branch Chair: Pat McDonagh (email: p.mcdonagh@manchester.gov.uk)
UNISONdirect
The UNISONdirect call centre will be closed from 5pm on 24 March 2020. There are a limited
number of staff working from home and they will continue to help members through UNISON’s
online enquiries form http://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/online-enquiries
When members phone UNISONDirect, the greeting message will sign post them to the UNISON
website for branch and region information. They will also be directed to UNISON’s coronavirus
webpage https://www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work/ that is updated regularly.
Social Media
The social media accounts below are worth following for more information.
@UnisonMcr - our branch twitter account which will have regular updates during the crisis
@manchesterheal1 - regular updates for all UNISON health workers in Manchester
@NorthWestUNISON - official twitter account of the North West Region of UNISON
@unisontheunion - official twitter account for the national union
Mental Health Helplines
If remaining isolated is affecting your mental health, or you are concerned about a loved one who
might be suffering themselves then have a look at this list of helplines and support groups that may
be able to help: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
Home Education Resources
The Government recently published a list of high-quality resources that parents and schools can
consider to support education at home: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-
covid-19-online-education-resources
COVID-19: What You Need To Know
How to work safely – leaflet for members
Are you at risk? Risk assessment leaflet for members
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