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ACTIVE!
MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE
SPRING 2022 | ISSUE 37 | £3 WWW.UNISON-YORKS.ORG.UK
E
PLUCKY
JIM! P8
JAMES ROBINSON’S COUNCIL PAY VICTORY
2 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
Great deals for
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we won’t just look after you at work, we’ll be there
for evenings, weekends and holidays too. We’ve chosen a range
of fantastic deals to make your down time the best time.
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visit benefits.unison.org.uk
SPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 3
THIS CAN’T GO ON
OUR UNION
A
general secretary
Christina McAnea s if you hadn’t enough a massive 54 per cent increase
regional convenor
to deal with.You’ve kept in the energy price cap and
Wendy Nichols going during the pandemic, rising interest rates. And
putting yourselves in harm’s now the governor of the Bank
regional secretary
way to save lives and care for of England is calling for pay
John Cafferty
others, going the extra mile in restraint. As usual, it will be
UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside schools and hospitals, making public service workers, who
Regional Centre, Quayside House, Canal
Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS
sure we have heating, lighting will take the hit.
t 0113 218 2627 or freephone and water and keeping local But holding down wages
textphone 08000 967 968 services going. You’ve been won’t stop the cost of living
w www.unison-yorks.org.uk
amazing. You’ve done all this, soaring. Staff who are
Lines are open 6am-midnight yet the rewards have never struggling to keep their families
Monday-Friday and been great, particularly over the warm and fed are already
9am-4pm Saturdays
past 10 years of pay freezes and leaving the NHS and other
squeezes. And now a cost of public services in their droves.
editor living crisis hits us, inevitably This can’t go on. The
Barrie Clement
made worse by the economic Government must act now to
consulting editor impact of Putin’s despicable curb rampant price rises and
Mary Maguire invasion of Ukraine. put cash into public services
contributors Many of you, in Yorkshire & and the pockets of the people
hristine Buckley, Peter Carroll, Claire Humberside, already worried who deliver them. I am
Donnelly, Helen Hague, Samantha about household bills, will be leading UNISON’s work to
Hemsley, Peter Lazenby, Mary Maguire,
Ruth McGuire, Brian Patrick, Paul wondering how you’re going get this message to ministers. CHRISTINA
MCANEA
Routledge, Marion Voss to make ends meet. You Working together with sister GENERAL
face a triple whammy of a unions, we can make sure our SECRETARY
Published on behalf of UNISON by national insurance surcharge, voice is heard.
Century One Ltd.
Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road
St. Albans, Herts AL3 4DG
WE’RE THE TARGET
t 01727 893 894
f 01727 893 895
e enquiries@centuryone.uk
L
w www.centuryone.uk
eopards don’t change their staff to the rhythm of clashing
advertising enquiries
spots, they say, and neither pots and pans, only to inflict
Jonathan Knight
t 01727 739 193
do Tory governments. yet another real-terms pay cut
e jonathan@centuryone.uk For months we have all for our members.
witnessed the blatant attempts Then there’s the great
to divert the public’s attention “levelling up” rhetoric,
design and layout
Caitlyn Hobbs
t 01727 739 189
from the scandalous flouting of to distract us all and give
e copy@centuryone.uk lockdown rules in Downing Street. comfort to the so-called red
The prime minister’s pre- wall MPs who know they will
printed by
Unison Print
invasion diplomatic trip to lose their jobs in a general
the Ukraine, we are told, was election as the effects of
Copyright reproduction in whole or part designed to protect Britain from austerity, soaring prices and
by any means without written permission
of the publisher is strictly forbidden. the might of the vast Russian cuts to wages and benefits
UNISON and the publisher accept no army (who really have got punish the majority of people
responsibility for errors, omissions or the
consequences thereof.
weapons of mass destruction). in this country.
Openly ridiculed by overseas UNISON will continue
© UNISON 2022 ACTIV
MAGAZI
E NE FOR
! media for the great cake ambush to fight for justice for our
excuse, and all the other lies he members as Johnson’s
SPRING MEMBE
2022 | ISSUE RS IN
37 | £3 YORKSH
WWW.UN IRE
ISON-YOR AND HUMBER
KS.ORG.U SIDE
K
has spouted, Boris Johnson’s utterly discredited regime
intervention was absurd – just disintegrates before our
a crude attempt to distract very eyes. WENDY
attention from the chaos of the Our members – NICHOLS
PLUC
JIM! KY Tories’ misrule. and millions of other REGIONAL
CONVENOR
They have hypocritically sung beleaguered workers –
ols
W.Nich
JAMES P8
ROBINSO
the praises of our public sector deserve better than this.
N’S CO
UNCIL
PAY VICTORY
4 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022 NEWS UNIVERSITY STAFF IN PAY STRIKE UNISON members went on strike at problems among members. “In the Angela pointed out that a 1.5 Leeds University between February last ten years the pay of the average per cent pay rise was imposed 28 and March 2 to fight for a pay employee in higher education has in August by Universities UK, rise as the cost of living soars. fallen against inflation between 17 the negotiating body, since when Angela Blackburn, UNISON and 20 per cent,” she said. inflation had rocketed to more than branch secretary at the university, “In effect our members are 6 per cent. said dedicated staff were having to working more than two months of “The national insurance rise choose between heating and eating the year for nothing, against where in April and the massive rises in because their pay had fallen so far they were 10 years ago. This is not a utility, food and fuel prices will be behind the cost of living. sustainable situation. Staff across the catastrophic for our members and Angela said the financial hardship country are having to use foodbanks the strike shows how deeply worried had inevitably caused mental health and claim benefits” and angry our members are.” £20 UPLIFT WAS A ‘LIFELINE’ UNISON women’s conference enough for £1200 to be a drop in the The resolution called for a broad- condemned the removal of the £20 ocean, you’re very fortunate, but for based campaign throughout the a week pandemic-related uplift far too many women in receipt of labour movement and in Parliament to Universal Credit in a motion the Universal Credit uplift, this is the to highlight the plight of women, who tabled by the union’s Yorkshire and lifeline they need to feed the family are disproportionately represented Humberside region. and themselves, to keep them warm, among Universal Credit claimants Representing the women’s to buy fuel to get to their job.” It instructed UNISON’s national self-organised group in the region, Lauramay pointed out that these women’s committee to produce Lauramay Beynon (below), said: “£20 low-paid women were suffering information on sources of help for may not seem a lot to some, but how mentally and financially and there women with financial difficulties, about £100 a month or £1200 a year? was worse to come with inflation such as the union’s There For You This starts to be a more significant forecast to increase to 7.5 per cent service and regional debt and money amount of money. If you’re lucky in April. advice services.
NEWS SPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 5 MINISTERS MUST FLASH THE CASH Regional convenor Wendy Nichols was full of data illustrating the would unlock urged ministers to “put their money economic, health and life-expectancy £16bn in new where their mouth is” over their differences between regions. investment.” levelling up policies. She pointed out that the promises Wendy Speaking to consulting editor Mary for Yorkshire & Humberside included pointed Maguire, Wendy (pictured right) said: previous spending commitments: out that the “The pledges are long overdue, but we the new UK infrastructure bank politically don’t want paper promises; we want based in Leeds; a better bus service unaligned funding to match the grand vision. across West Yorkshire; a supertram in Institute for “Over the past 11 years the South Yorkshire; investment in cities Fiscal Studies Tories have cut public spending and towns; better broadband and argued that – government funding for local more civil servants to move to cities the targets councils has dropped by more than in the region. were “highly half. Local services have been ruined But she asked: “Is there new unlikely to be met… ambition and by government policy, leading to a money or merely previously resource will be spread very thin”. decline in local economies. And our announced or recycled cash?” She Wendy said: “Of course we want members will want to know how their added: “There are few commitments to see our region thriving, with better pay is going to be levelled-up.” above the 2021 spending review that jobs, educational opportunities, health Wendy said the Government’s itself failed to offer anywhere near care and increased life expectancy. recently published White Paper, enough to compensate for the past UNISON has always campaigned for Levelling Up the United Kingdom, decade of cuts. high quality services and supported was “awash with promises” to “There is even a proposal in the decision-making being in the hands of deliver 12 “missions” to shift focus White Paper that 5 per cent of the local communities. But quite frankly and resources to Britain’s forgotten local government pension scheme we are sceptical that the Government communities. The 300-page document should be allocated locally, which will put its money where its mouth is.” ODDS-ON? THE REGION HOPES TO RUN ITS ANNUAL EVENT AT DONCASTER RACES THIS SUMMER, BUT WILL ONLY DO SO IF IT IS SAFE. Meanwhile please keep the date in your diary - Saturday July 30, 2022. Details of how and when to purchase tickets will be posted on the regional website https://yorks.unison.org.uk/
PARTY?
6 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
WHAT
PARTY?
It was party-time for the media as bare-
faced Boris denied the undeniable, says
consulting editor Mary Maguire
I
t was an early Christmas gift to editors was certainly best served cold for Johnson’s
of epic proportions. The gift that kept on former aide Dominic Cummings, who stuck
giving, with more twists and turns than the knife in to accuse him of lying. To deflect
a mountain road. Hashtag partygate. The the whole media circus, a fact-finding inquiry NOBODY
highly believable accusation that the Prime by a very senior civil servant, Sue Gray, was TOLD ME
Minister had attended boozy parties during instigated. But the story still refused to budge.
lockdown, but thought he was at work. The Yorkshire Post outed Sheffield city
IT WAS
When challenged, his first instinct was to council’s new chief, Kate Josephs, for holding
AGAINST
deny everything. According to the Mirror, her lockdown leaving do in the cabinet office THE
he said: “All the guidance was followed in Whitehall when she left her job as director RULES
completely.” To the BBC: “All the guidelines general of the national Covid task force. - Boris Johnson
were observed.” To ITV news, after a video of And then a video appeared on twitter
his communications director emerged giving featuring a Line of Duty probe into Johnson, in
the story legs: “I am sickened and furious about which he is told: “You believe you’re above the
that – but I have been repeatedly assured that law. Well fella – the party’s over. Mother of God
there was no party and that no covid rules were you must think we were born yesterday. Your
broken,” To Sky and a myriad of media, he said: corruption was mistaken for incompetence”.
“I certainly broke no rules.” Johnson wheeled out his ministers to do
When his ruse of hiding in the back seat of the media rounds, programmed robot-like to
his official Range Rover was uncovered and repeat ad nauseum: take everything seriously,
splashed across the front pages, he then tried followed the rules, Sue Gray, vaccine roll-out,
to disguise himself as a jogger. When that, too, booster programme, implicitly not complicit.
failed, he fled to a hospital in north London In a desperate attempt to draw attention away
where he thought people wouldn’t recognise from partygate, Grant Shapps was ordered
him in his PM of UK monogrammed PP3 to get himself filmed on a train ordering
protective face mask, provided by a grateful train companies to desist from “irritating”
private contractor. announcements. There will be a “bonfire of the
In hot pursuit, the fourth estate’s finest banalities”, he confidently predicted.
snappers and moving picture crews, did their As would-be assassins on the Tory
bit to inform an enraged public of the hapless backbench circled their prey, police were
rule-breaker. Cornered, and asked about the called in to investigate the unlikely spectacle
bring your own booze party, Johnson whinged: of Frank Spencer clone, Gavin Williamson,
“Nobody told me that what we were doing was for bullying them. As the i reported: “Prime
against the rules.” Minister’s position precarious. Conservative
Every media outlet sent out their finest to rebels regroup ahead of Gray report. Cabinet
unearth further evidence of more parties. Pages minister says Johnson faces ‘death by a
and pages of emotional interviews with people thousand cuts’ on the grounds that it’s ‘always
who had stuck to the rules, while their loved unlikely you shoot and take him out in one
ones lay sick or dying, were published. Revenge round’. Brutal. Time will tell. n Mary Maguire
?
SPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 7
?
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.
8 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
Photo: Hull News & Pictures
SOLIDARITY
PAYS
Hull council staff contacted UNISON rep James
Robinson when they found their wages didn’t match
their new responsibilities. James tells Bryan Patrick
how they won up to £3000 a year extra
SPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 9
T
he tenancy officers Council’s pay review system officers and they’re now
at Hull City Council wasn’t fit for purpose, describing considering being stewards.
were fed up. Their the process as ‘secret’, and They’ve been key to this as MEMBERS
job had always been lodged an appeal, which took well. The four of them kept the KNEW
challenging, but place in August this year. momentum going because it was THEY
after years of cuts to local “As the weeks went on, I a very long process because of WOULDN’T
authority funding the role had started reading the National the pandemic.”
expanded – the problem was Joint Council technical notices, Outside of work, James loves
HAVE
their pay hadn’t. the guidance around how the ‘all sports’ but particularly
ACHIEVED
The workers went to pay review process should be enjoys following his favourite THIS
UNISON rep James Robinson carried out, and realised the rugby club Hull FC. He also WITHOUT
and together they not only council wasn’t following agreed enjoys sampling Hull’s wide BEING
achieved a massive pay victory procedure,” James said. range of restaurants with his IN A
for nearly 100 workers, but “So, on top of the appeal, we family, who he spends a lot of UNION
changed the council’s entire raised a collective grievance over time with.
pay grade evaluation system national and council polices not “We go out and eat a lot, that’s
for the better. being followed. We also told probably my biggest hobby –
The main job of a tenancy staff to work to their old job supporting Hull businesses by
officer is to ensure council house description, which was about ten eating at them,” James laughed.
tenants are looking after their years out of date.” “You can get every sort of
property and paying their rent. After sticking to their guns, cuisine now. Maybe ten years
In reality, however, much of holding a rally outside the ago, it seemed like pubs and
their time is spent dealing with council offices, and then sitting bars were the main thing in
and assisting vulnerable tenants, down for more negotiations, in Hull, whereas now there’s a lot
including those with mental November the council upheld more of a restaurant and café
illness, drug and alcohol issues the grievance and upgraded vibe – the culture isn’t so centred
and hoarders. tenancy officers from a grade six around drinking now.”
Years of austerity, impacting to a grade seven. There’s also been a culture
services and staff numbers, It was an outstanding result, change in the way Hull City
coupled with growing inequality that saw pay increase by up to Council conducts pay grading
and worsening poverty rates, £3,000 a year, with some workers assessments, thanks in no little
meant Hull’s tenancy officers also receiving around nearly part to James.
were expected to take on more £6,000 in back pay. This said, James is clear that
and more responsibilities. Significantly, the council, the strength of the union is
James, 35, who has been a which employs 5,000 people, based on collective action and is
UNISON rep for 10 years, said: agreed to reform its entire pay quick to praise his colleagues.
“The tenancy officers came to grade policy to meet national He said: “It’s about
me in 2019 and said, ‘can we guidance. Training is also to empowering people, rather
have a regrade because our job be provided for UNISON reps than trying to do it all by
description does not reflect our to enable them to take part in yourself. It was clear after the
role?’ But then Covid hit and so future pay review panels. pay grade was changed that our
we agreed to come back to it at a UNISON regional organiser members didn’t feel recognised
more suitable time. for local government, Sarah by the management – they felt
“About a year later, we finally Keig, said: “James really went recognised by the union.
got moving again and got a for it. He learnt all about the job “Members knew that they
new job description written evaluation scheme off his own wouldn’t have achieved this
up – there was a lot of stuff that back. He helped the tenancy without being in a union.
got changed significantly. It was officers put the case together and Solidarity was a big aspect of
then that struggle began to get led on it on behalf of the branch. this win.
the pay grade increased.” “Tenancy officer membership “When it came to working
The new job description increased by about 10 per cent to their old job description the
was submitted to the council and we have seen an increase in reaction from the council was
leadership but came back as membership in other areas as a unpleasant and they came under
a grade six – the same grade direct result. a lot of pressure. But they all
tenancy officers were already on. “James was also able to stuck together and that’s what
James knew Hull City mentor three of the tenancy took it over the line.” n
10 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
IT’S INFLATION,
STUPID!
Boris ‘The Liar’ Johnson is trying to metamorphose from party animal to
international statesman dealing with the Ukraine war. But the defining issue
will be the economy, says Mirror political commentator Paul Routledge
T
here is a cynical adage and the North East, lost to time. Even if he survives a vote
in politics: “Never the Conservatives in 2019, are of confidence, which is not
let a good crisis go to returning to the fold. a foregone conclusion, he is
waste.” It worked for At the outbreak of mortally wounded.
Maggie Thatcher in hostilities in Eastern Europe However Partygate is
1983, when the Falklands War Labour still had a five- not, in the end, the issue
saved her from probable defeat point lead in the polls, and that will determine
at the polls. Boris Johnson with Starmer steadfastly the next election.
clearly has this in mind as he supporting government True, the public’s total
seeks to metamorphose from policy on Ukraine, there is lack of trust in a lying Prime
Mr Partygate to international less opportunity for Johnson Minister will play a part. But
statesman. to deny him political space. the defining issue will still be
It might work, but there are And make no mistake “the economy, stupid” as Bill
obvious dissimilarities as well about it, there has been a Clinton crudely put it.
as parallels. Horrendous as bitter internal conflict in the The outcome will hinge on
events are in the Ukraine, and Tory Party which presents the ferocious surge in the cost
likely to get worse, it is not united Labour with a massive of living, with rocketing prices
UK, or even Nato territory and political opportunity. of everything from bread
there are no British boots on The council elections in to petrol, gas and electricity
the ground. May should consolidate the to beer and cars to clothing;
Public opinion could swing people’s party as a genuine coupled with the hike in taxes
towards the government of alternative government to the on wages and rising interest
the day, as it usually does shambles that has disgraced rates. The war in Ukraine will
in a crisis of this nature, but Westminster for the past two make matters considerably
death and destruction in Kyiv and a half years. worse, with some economists
may not prove the old saying Publishing schedules mean predicting an inflation rate of
correct this time. I have to write before the 10 per cent. That, in my view,
In the only test of political outcome of the Met police will do for the Tories.
mood since the Russian inquiry into Partygate, and Voters in the Red Wall
invasion, the by-election the publication of mandarin Labour seats are disenchanted.
in Birmingham Erdington, Sue Gray’s final report into the In a recent opinion poll, they
Labour easily retained the conduct of the Prime Minister. gave Sir Keir a clear 15-point
seat with an increased share But we know how Johnson lead over Johnson. 49 per cent
of the vote, sending the city’s will handle the last act of this said they intend to return to
first black woman MP, ex-NHS political drama. If he doesn’t the Labour fold, against 33 per
nurse Paulette Hamilton, to get a fixed penalty notice, he’ll cent who will stick with the
Westminster. say he’s been cleared by the Conservatives.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer police. If he does, he’ll dismiss Polls are a useful political
hailed her victory as a sign the punishment as nothing tool, but they are not Holy
that voters in the so-called more than a parking fine. Writ. Labour still has a
Red Wall seats in Yorkshire It might not be a winner this mountain to climb if it is toSPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 11
THE
OUTCOME
WILL HINGE
ON THE
FEROCIOUS
Who might take over SURGE
from Johnson? Foreign IN THE
Secretary Liz Truss, a COST OF
devout Remainer in the LIVING
Brexit referendum who
switched sides faster than
the vicar of Bray to become
a loyal Borista, has overtaken
chancellor Rishi Sunak as the
darling of the Tory grassroots,
suggesting that the party
is on the brink of another
Iain Duncan Smith moment:
win the general election that suicide by the ballot box.
Starmer thinks could come in Other wannabes include
May 2023, little more than a culture secretary Oliver
year away. His sense of timing Dowden, the dullest man
may well prove correct, in public life, and bully-girl
because the Tories don’t want Patel. Former health secretary
the report of the Independent Jeremy Hunt still fancies his
Covid Inquiry to be published chances, and his successor
before they go to the country. Sajiv Javid is coming up on
Commentators on Right- the rails.
wing newspapers snipe at the In the council elections
Labour leader for not being across the UK, Labour is
strong enough, and not being defending 5,796 council seats,
a showman like Johnson. But including almost 400 in West
he has shown his authority by and South Yorkshire. Labour
suspending Jeremy Corbyn control of Barnsley, Bradford,
from the parliamentary party, Calderdale, Doncaster, Hull,
and making Labour a “safe Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham
space” again for Jewish voters and Sheffield will come under
(in their own words). attack from both Tories and
And he has put together the resurgent Lib Dems.
a credible shadow cabinet It will be a sad goodbye
that looks like an alternative at the general election to a
government, promoting number of Yorkshire Labour
young new talent like Wes MPs. Barry Sheerman, 81,
Streeting at health and MP for Huddersfield for
Bridget Phillipson at work more than 40 years, Rosie
and pensions, bringing Winterton, deputy speaker
back Rachel Reeves as and veteran member for
shadow chancellor and Doncaster and Paul Blomfield,
pitting experienced Yvette Sheffield Central, an
Cooper as shadow home unflagging champion of the
secretary against the town and voluble presence on
appalling Priti Patel. the back-benches. n12 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
ELECTRIC SHOCK
Journalist Peter Lazenby was in Calderdale hospital after a heart attack and was shocked by the
degree to which the NHS has changed compared with the health service of the 1960s known by his
father, a psychiatric nurse. Peter was also amazed by the rates charged by private company bosses
M
y father worked On the positive side, it its own works department
for three was set in its own extensive with electricians, plumbers,
decades as a grounds with woodlands and plasterers, joiners, roofers,
nurse at High fields. bricklayers, gardeners,
Royds psycho- I know a bit about it painters and decorators. If a
geriatric hospital at Menston, because my father took repair needed doing a skilled
outside Leeds. me there occasionally as a worker was available on site,
High Royds opened in 1888 teenager to learn about his minutes away.
THERE as the West Riding Paupers’ work. It even had its own market
WERE Lunatic Asylum. He was a member of the gardens providing some of its
By the 1960s it had Confederation of Health fresh food. The flowers which
STORIES changed dramatically of Service Employees (COHSE), were placed on the wards
OF £80 course. Nevertheless it was one of the public sector every week were from its own
FEES Victorian, outdated, and unions which merged with grounds.
TO huge. Some patients were NUPE and NALGO to create The works department staff
CHANGE institutionalised, having UNISON in 1993. were directly employed by the
A LIGHT been kept there for most of Another positive aspect of NHS. They were paid union
BULB their lives. High Royds was that it had rates negotiated nationallySPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 13
Peter Lazenby: 20 per cent of NHS privatised
tunic was emblazoned with by a former administrator
the letters ISS. The catering who resigned in disgust at the
staff and cleaners were the rip-offs.
same, “ISS.” I talked to cleaning and THE FIRM
ISS is a multi-national catering workers about their CHARGED
“service provider” with wages. All new employees were £2,000
400,000 employees and paid a lower rate than those of
multi-million-pound profits, existing staff - in other words
TO PUT
garnered from public service a systematic driving down of
IN THE
organisations such as our wages to increase profits. The ELECTRIC
own NHS. privateers exploit their own SOCKET
A faulty socket on the employees, as well as bleeding
and annually by their unions. ward had to be repaired. funds from our NHS.
And of course the cleaners, Two electricians arrived in The stories of the leeching of
porters, cooks and other staff a huge truck which seemed funds from the NHS to boost
were NHS employees. to be carrying enough private profits seemed endless –
High Royds was closed in equipment to rewire every and it’s Government policy.
2003. Despite its wonderful hospital in Yorkshire. This may be common
setting, it was not suitable The electricians were knowledge to NHS staff and
for modern psychiatric from a huge contracting workers exploited by the
treatment, and the grounds firm, Engie. Engie is a privateers. Some of us, the
are now occupied by an French multi-national utility patients, might also know that
upmarket housing estate. company, also deriving some we’re slowly losing our NHS to
I’m writing this not for of its multi-million-pound the private sector, but actually
K
reasons of nostalgia, but profits from our NHS. seeing how it looks first-hand
to make a contrast with It took the Engie is eye-opening – the minutiae
today’s NHS. electricians an hour to work of how billions of pounds are
Last year I had a heart out what circuit they should flowing from our NHS to boost
attack. I was treated at the isolate to fix the socket. It private firms’ profits.
wonderful Calderdale Royal wasn’t their fault. Unlike Here’s one final example.
Hospital in Halifax near my formerly directly-employed Calderdale and Kirklees NHS
home in Todmorden in West NHS workers, they had little Trust is having to fork out
Yorkshire. knowledge of Calder Royal, £773 million to repay the £64
I was in the cardiac unit for let alone the ward. million it actually cost to build
six days recuperating from I don’t know how much Calderdale Royal. Most of it is
an operation. it cost the NHS to fix that interest payments.
I didn’t feel unwell and socket – two electricians, the It’s all drastically wrong,
my “reporter mode” kicked huge truck, coming from I immoral. It’s the creeping
in, talking to staff about don’t know where, but one destruction of our NHS.
their work and taking notes story I was told in Calder So far roughly 20 per cent of
- cleaners, catering workers, Royal was a shocker. the NHS has been privatised
porters, nurses. A hospital worker told but the rate is accelerating.
The only directly- me that a while ago an extra But it’s not too late to stop it.
employed NHS staff still electric socket had had to be We all need to spread the
working in Calder Royal – at installed in another ward. word. Unions and campaigning
least on the wards - were the She said the contracting firm organisations are fighting
nurses and doctors. charged £2,000 to put in privatisation and exposing the
All the others – cleaners, the socket. That didn’t go to truth. Your union UNISON is
catering workers, porters – the electricians of course. It prominent among them.
were as dedicated as their contributed to the profits of Join the battle. n
colleagues directly employed the contractor, whichever it
by the NHS, but were was, who sent the workers to
employed by private firms do the job. Peter Lazenby is the Morning
whose first priority is profit. There were stories of £80 Star northern reporter and a
I’d been wheeled into the call-out fees to change a former Yorkshire Evening Post
ward by a porter whose light bulb, told to me earlier journalist14 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
TICKING
TIME
BOMB
Death rates from exposure to asbestos in Yorkshire and Humberside remain
stubbornly high, affecting a wide range of people from engineering and construction
workers, to health and education staff. But Marion Voss, a specialist lawyer at
Thompsons Solicitors’ Leeds office, says with persistent detective work, the most
difficult claims can be successful – even where diagnosis only emerges after death
W
hen a former before he died and had husband’s death could
Rotherham dementia. His family had have been avoided. With
steelworker limited information about no clear understanding
Derek died the nature of his condition of how, where or when he
in 2018, his caused by asbestos may have been exposed to
wife Margaret was shocked exposure. the dangerous substance,
to discover the cause was Derek’s grieving wife Margaret turned to
asbestosis. Margaret, a UNISON UNISON for help and
Derek – his surname is member, found herself to Thompsons’ asbestos
not being disclosed - had having to come to terms disease specialists.
been in serious ill-health with the fact that her Asbestos was made illegal Marion VossSPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 15
ASBESTOS REMAINS IN SOME OF
BRITAIN’S PUBLIC BUILDINGS, SCHOOLS,
OFFICES, FACTORIES, AND HOMES
someone who thinks they’ve brown (known as amosite)
been exposed to asbestos, and white (known as
at work or elsewhere, to get chrysotile), with blue and
legal advice immediately brown the most dangerous.
because a statement All are now banned.
from them in person is Popular for insulation and
the best evidence in any protecting buildings from
compensation claim. fire, it was often wrapped
That’s not always possible, around pipes and boilers –
though. Fortunately, as including in hospitals and
specialist asbestos solicitors, schools.
we know how and where It was strong; resistant
to dig to try to find the to fire, heat and chemical
information we need. damage - and cheap. It was
We discovered Derek had also deadly.
reported asbestos exposure
to his GP years previously. DANGER
His work history was Workers handling asbestos
recorded in those medical or working near it were not
notes. the only ones exposed to
We tracked down the highly dangerous fibres.
some of Derek’s former Many unknowingly took
work colleagues, who asbestos home on their work
confirmed he was exposed clothes, exposing family
to substantial levels of the members to danger.
substance while working at People living near
a steelworks between 1963 asbestos manufacturers
and 1981. With a little more were also at risk of exposure
detective work, we traced if work practices meant
other potential witnesses. fibres contaminated the
Eventually, armed with local area.
overwhelming evidence, While it is no longer used,
in 1999, but it remains one Margaret was able to make a lack of funding to remove
of the biggest work-related a claim against Derek’s it means it remains in some
killers in the UK. Between former employer. They had of Britain’s public buildings,
1981 and 2019 more than little choice but to agree schools, offices, factories,
4,500 men and women to settle the claim. The and homes. While generally,
from this region died from medical evidence confirmed it’s only dangerous when
the cancer resulting from that despite other health disturbed, it remains a
contact with the material. problems, Derek’s death was public health ticking time
Derek’s case was complex caused by asbestosis. bomb.
and initially we didn’t have Millions of tons of Through the decades, we
much to go on, because asbestos were used in the have represented a spectrum
DEREK’S
he had been so ill before UK in heavy industry, of people with wide-ranging CASE
he died with non-asbestos buildings, manufacturing, professional backgrounds WAS
illnesses. He had also and power production, who have been affected by COMPLEX
never claimed benefits or particularly during the asbestos illnesses – from AND WE
taken legal advice for his 1950s, 1960s and into the plumbers to nurses.
illness. However, we were 1970s. Asbestos-related
DIDN’T
determined to get answers There are three main illnesses are predominantly HAVE
for his family. asbestos types – blue (also associated with skilled MUCH
It’s always best for known as crocidolite), trades, such as shipyard TO GO ON
▲16 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
workers, plumbers, as the team at Thompsons you in touch with asbestos
electricians and heating Solicitors - can still track support groups that will
engineers. But nurses and down insurance policies help you or your loved one
teachers are also three to by accessing databases and claim benefits, as well as
five times more likely to insurance details, though helping seek compensation
ANYONE
develop mesothelioma than it’s complex and can for your illness. WHO
the general UK population. take time. If that proves We are proud to offer free THINKS
Derek’s case is an unsuccessful, there’s also legal advice and protection THEY ARE
important reminder that the possibility to claim to UNISON members and BEING
anyone who thinks they compensation through their families. We will give EXPOSED
are being exposed to the Diffuse Mesothelioma you all the information TO
asbestos at work should Payment Scheme, if needed to make an ASBESTOS
speak to their health your mesothelioma was informed decision, in plain SHOULD
and safety manager or diagnosed after June 25, English, with no obligation SPEAK
UNISON representative as 2012. to take it further.
soon as possible. Register As Thompsons Solicitors As UNISON members,
TO THEIR
that exposure with a marks its centenary year, you also keep 100 per UNISON
GP too, as Derek did, so the firm continues to stand cent of any compensation REP
there’s a note on your shoulder-to-shoulder with secured. Any legal fees are
medical file. UNISON also UNISON and the trade covered by your UNISON
has an asbestos database union movement. Leading membership.
you can use. civil rights lawyer, Harry It’s been nearly 50 years
Margaret found herself Thompson, established since our firm brought the
having to consider benefits Thompsons Solicitors first successful asbestos-
and legal advice for the in 1921 with a vision to related disease case
first time while grieving use the law to provide to the House of Lords,
for Derek. That’s not protection for working with the backing of the
something we would people. trade union and labour
wish on anyone. But I Today, after 100 years, movement. All these years
am thankful he had the that vision lives on in our later, Thompsons remains
foresight to mention his expert litigation teams determined to fight for
exposure to his doctor. By who together form the people like Derek and
doing that he has enabled most experienced personal Margaret and to campaign
his wife and family to get injury practice in the UK. alongside UNISON, and
the answers they needed Throughout our history, other trade unions to
and deserved. we have been involved in increase awareness of
every major fight against asbestos-related illnesses. n
ADVICE unfair working practices
There are strict time - and we are still doing it To get help speak to your
limits and procedures today. UNISON representative
to follow when seeking When you make an or visit www.
compensation for an asbestos compensation thompsonstradeunion.law.
asbestos-related illness claim with Thompsons
- usually you need to do for you or your family,
it within three years of a you will have industry- Prognosis
diagnosis. leading asbestos solicitors
Don’t let fear that a on your side. Our expert Asbestosis and mesothelioma are both
workplace has since closed, lawyers will fight for you diseases caused by asbestos exposure, but
or uncertainty about where to receive the maximum they are not the same. The primary difference
asbestos exposure could compensation in the is that asbestosis is not cancerous and is
have come from, put you shortest possible time. limited to the lungs and respiratory tract.
off seeking legal advice In addition, our specialist However asbestosis can get worse over time
and severe cases can place a significant
if you or a loved one has asbestos solicitors
strain on a person’s health and shorten their
been diagnosed with an understand that it can be a lives. Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer
asbestos-related illness. difficult diagnosis for you that develops in mesothelial tissue, typically
As Derek’s case proves, and your family. We can in the lungs and abdomen.
specialist solicitors – such support you by puttingSPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 17
www.yorks-unison.org.uk
unisonyh F unisonyh unisonyorkshumber18 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
Photo: Mark Harvey
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Julie Edwards regained her confidence through UNISON’s learning
programme. Now she wants to help others realise their potential
through her job as a careers adviser. Ruth McGuire reports
G
rowing up in a food donations to survive, families way. Although most people
Yorkshire mining losing their homes because associate unions with employment
village during the they couldn’t afford to pay their rights, it was with UNISON’s
1980s, it was perhaps mortgages and at the other end help Julie found a route back into
inevitable that Julie of the spectrum, miners being education as an adult learner.
Edwards would develop an ostracised because they didn’t When she became a young
interest in social justice. support strike action. mother at the age of 19, Julie
As a ten-year old, she witnessed Clearly the years 1984-85 were had seemingly left behind any
first-hand the impact of the a significant period of modern prospects of further or higher
miners’ strikes on her family history for Britain, but also for education. She had wanted to
and local community in Bentley, Julie personally. Since then, her study to be a nurse, but after
Doncaster. She saw ‘sadness’ own journey through both life having the first of her four sons,
within her community and more. and work has been influenced by she decided to put her family
She saw miners forced to rely on union activism, but in a different first. She then spent the next fewSPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 19
I’M VERY COMMITTED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
IMPROVING PEOPLE’S LIFE CHANCES
decades concentrating on mum. But once my sons doubt whether I could do
bringing up her children. left home, while it felt it at first, but then realised
Julie has no regrets about strange at first, I then that if I ran into difficulties,
the choice she made. But realised I had the luxury I could always ask for help,”
she concedes that mothers of time to reflect.” said Julie.
face challenges getting back Julie admits that the
into the workplace, trying DEBATE diploma is ‘hard work but
to balance work with family Being back in education, very interesting’. The course
commitments. “Years of filled a void that Julie is also consistent with
being at home with children felt was beginning to where her heart lies – in
can affect your confidence. develop in her life. So, after helping others to overcome
When I did eventually get making a success of the barriers so that they can
back into work, I always assertiveness course, she achieve their potential. She
seemed to end up in was ready for more study sees education as an agent
support roles and I found and enrolled on UNISON’s for change that can increase
that support workers didn’t ‘women’s lives’ course. the life chances of society’s
really have a voice.” Its main aim is to explore most disadvantaged people.
UNISON’s ‘assertiveness ‘women’s life experiences She wants education to
course’ was the trigger through female writers, do for others what it has
that led Julie to reflect on discussion and debate’ and done for her - increase
her dual roles as a learning was just what Julie needed. their life chances. She has
mentor at Doncaster It allowed her to reflect on a particular interest in
Communication Specialist her roles at work and in supporting young mothers.
College and her role as wider society and to think She said: “By nurturing
a mother. In addition, more widely about the roles young mums in education
after going through a of women past and present we can help them be
challenging time in a job and the expectations that better educated and more
she’d previously held at are placed on them as well insightful parents for their
another institution, the as the challenges they face. own children – perhaps
Julie Edwards – back course provided Julie with As a result of the breaking negative patterns
in education the personal development courses, Julie became in their families.”
she needed to restore her aware of the limitations As for life outside of work,
confidence. she had previously placed Julie enjoys walking with
on herself. She had been her husband and with her
ASSERTIVE reluctant to reach out Labrador and Romanian
She said: “I was supported for higher level jobs that rescue dogs. She has also
by the union during required skills she believed embarked on a new pastime
a difficult time I had were beyond her own of caravanning and one of
in a previous job. The capabilities. However, she her first trips was to the now
experience knocked my soon learnt and accepted infamous ‘Barnard Castle’ in
confidence as an employee that it was her own self- County Durham, destination
and as a person and also doubt that was placing for Dominic Cummings’
affected my friendships. So, limits on her ambitions. celebrated eye test.
I wanted to learn how to As a result of her Next on Julie’s ‘to do’
be assertive and learn how increased levels of self- list is to finish her careers
to disagree with people confidence, Julie was guidance diploma and then
without coming across successfully appointed to see where her qualification
as aggressive. The course a new part-time role at the and ambitions take her.
taught me how to do that.” college as a careers adviser. “I’m very committed
As for her role as a She also felt more confident to social justice and
mother, when the last to study at a higher level, improving people’s life
of her sons went to so enrolled on a Level 6 chances and believe that
university, it was a pivotal diploma course in careers careers guidance work has
moment for Julie. “I’m a guidance. a powerful role to play
firm believer in putting ” I’ve never studied to in making a difference to
your children first as a this level before and did people’s lives.” n20 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
Photo: Mark Harvey
BEEN THERE,
DONE IT
Ruth McGuire speaks to part-time careers adviser and UNISON activist
Abdul Rashid and finds a man of many parts
“I
f you don’t know where “My Dad came to England five-year-old. One of the first hurdles
you’ve come from, you with a few cousins and lived in he had to overcome was the English
can’t really understand Birmingham and Newcastle before language.
and know where you’re settling in Sheffield.” Abdul made Urdu is his first language.
going,” says activist Abdul the 4000-mile trip to join his father However, like most young children
Rashid speaking of his journey in England when he was about five learning new languages, Abdul
from Kashmir where he was born, years old. Like many immigrants learnt English fairly quickly and has
to South Yorkshire, the area he now from Asia and the Caribbean, one fond memories of primary school.
calls home. of his most enduring memories of Secondary school was a different
“Our family lived on the side arriving in Britain is the weather: story. “Asian pupils were constantly
of the country administered by “It was absolutely freezing, and threatened by other pupils and most
Pakistan,” says Abdul. “Dad left everything looked so grey.” of the time, teachers didn’t help
Kashmir in the late 1950s in response Once he ‘acclimatised’, Abdul, much,” he said.
to the British invitation to people now chair of UNISON’s regional Home life also had its challenges.
from the Kashmiri diaspora to help black members’ group, soon settled For economic reasons, (decline of
rebuild the British economy. down to life and education as a the steel industry) Abdul’s fatherSPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 21
Abdul Rashid: Working since he was 13
so he decided to follow the spent a good few years. The
employment route instead. work has taken him across all
“I’ve been working since of South Yorkshire
the age of 13 so was very used As someone who spent IF YOU
to the world of work. I used much of his teenage life DON’T
to help out with my brother- without the security and KNOW
in-law’s retail shop and my stability of living with his WHERE
cousins’ market stalls on the parents, Abdul understands
Moor in Sheffield,” said Abdul. the challenges faced by
YOU’VE
His first job was in software looked-after children and COME
design. Sadly, it only lasted other youngsters who don’t FROM,
about six months because have the guiding influence of YOU
the company ‘went bust.’ He their parents. CAN’T
was then unemployed for 18 “I know what it’s like to be KNOW
months. “I must have sent a young person who has to WHERE
out between 200 and 300 make important decisions on YOU’RE
applications during that time,” your own,” he says. One of GOING
he says. the most important decisions
Abdul puts some of his a young person has to make
difficulties in finding a job is about their future. And this
down to racism and bias. is where Abdul’s own ‘lived
“I’d apply for jobs where experience’ as someone who
I knew that I was the best faced various challenges both
qualified person but still at home and in trying to gain
didn’t get it.” The seeds for employment, resonates with
union activism were sewn as young people.
Abdul experienced not only As for his union work,
racial discrimination but also Abdul says that one of the
encountered poor employer triggers for his activism is
practice. “I was victimised and the invaluable support he
harassed in one of my earlier received from a union steward
jobs. I tried to get help from when he had difficulties with
an engineering union but was a particular employer. Abdul
badly let down.” was so impressed and in fact
He had a series of short- inspired by the support he
term contracts in engineering received, that he volunteered
before finally finding his to become a UNISON rep. The
was forced to leave England to feet in youth work. “A rest is history. After spending
work in Europe. Meanwhile, friend asked me to help out 12 years as a steward, Abdul
his mother had to return to volunteering with young progressed to becoming a
Kashmir for family reasons. people. I started off as a paid convenor.
“After that, I lived with volunteer, but then progressed “I love standing up for other
my older sister, so she to part-time paid youth people and their rights,” he
essentially brought me up from work.” At this point, his father says. “I also love casework. But
the age of 11. I guess I was suggested a career change. it’s not always about achieving
technically a looked-after child Abdul recalled: “Dad said the ideal outcome a member
in those days.” ‘you always seem to be going wants, sometimes it’s about
After leaving school, from job to job, why don’t you making them feel supported
Abdul progressed to Sheffield try something else?’ ” And and helping them to see that
Hallam University where that’s exactly what he did. He tomorrow is another day, and
he gained an HND in took the skills, knowledge and that they can move on.”
mechanical engineering. He experience he’d gained from Abdul currently splits his
was considering taking a ‘top his work with young people, time between working part- I LOVE
up’ qualification when his retrained and requalified as time in careers advisory work STANDING
mother died unexpectedly. a careers adviser and found and part-time for UNISON. UP FOR
This left him feeling unable to employment with Rotherham His next goal is to work full OTHER
complete any further studies, local authority, where he has time for the union. n PEOPLE22 UNISON ACTIVE! SPRING 2022
Photo: Vicky Matthers
LONG COVID NIGHTMARE
Front line council worker Joanne Boyes has had a horrendous time
coping with Long Covid - including near-death experiences. Joanne tells
Claire Donnelly that help from UNISON was vital
W
hen Joanne explains, their support has Council - supporting people
Boyes started been invaluable during the who have left hospital - or
her new pandemic. somewhere else.
job, she was Like so many frontline But the effect on her life
advised to workers, Joanne, from has been catastrophic. After
HAVING
join the union. Middleton, Leeds, caught several hospital stays, she COVID
She didn’t give it much Covid before vaccinations has been left suffering with HAS HAD
thought at the time were available. She isn’t Long Covid. A MASSIVE
and took up UNISON sure whether she was “Having Covid has had IMPACT
membership. infected doing her job as a a massive impact on my ON MY
But as the 48-year-old skills worker for Leeds City life and health but I’m so LIFESPRING 2022 UNISON ACTIVE! 23
Joanne: ‘I just want my life back’
grateful to have my job,” very ill. By the time she phased return. This and
says Joanne. was admitted to hospital a new shift pattern - she
Thanks to the support - rushed in by ambulance responds to a maximum
she is still receiving from - she was suffering from of four calls a shift - has WHEN
UNISON, she has been double pneumonia and allowed her to continue YOU
able to keep doing the job sepsis. working while she recovers. RELAPSE
she has been doing for 17 She spent nine days She was referred to the IT FEELS
years at a pace that she fighting for her life, occupational therapy team
can manage. receiving oxygen therapy 24 and a risk assessment was
LIKE A
“The union helped me hours a day. When she was carried out to make sure
KICK IN
negotiate a phased return,” eventually sent home from her needs were documented THE
she explains. “And that Leeds General Infirmary, before she started back in TEETH
has meant I can carry on she was extremely weak the workplace.
doing my job, something and unwell. But as Joanne says,
I love and where I know I “I’d literally been employers still need to
am needed.” Joanne assists fighting for my life,” she do more to understand
vulnerable people released says. “When I got home my the needs of Long Covid
from hospital to look after body was so tired, I’d get sufferers. “It’s very hard
themselves; including up to make a coffee then because the old rules just
support with personal care, have to sleep.” don’t apply,” she explains.
food, drink and medication, With the support of “I had the union to help me
or by nominating them for husband Christopher, 53 and my colleagues really
long term support. and their two grown-up have been brilliant but we
“My individual children, she began to need policies to change.
colleagues and managers recover - only to suffer a “Long Covid is
have been amazing - series of scary relapses. unpredictable. You can
they’ve done everything She says: “I ended up relapse and people seem to
they can to support me - back in hospital, I had get bored of hearing that.
but the system isn’t set up secondary pneumonia and They run out of patience
to deal with people who are since then I’ve had four with you at a certain point.
living with Long Covid.” chest infections, a viral I don’t like it any more than
She adds: “Long Covid respiratory infection and they do, but it’s the way it
is a hard road, it isn’t other problems. is at the moment.” Sighing
easy and I am nowhere “I have scarring on my heavily, she adds: “I just
near myself yet but the lungs and my heart rate can want my life back. But you
policies most employers be through the roof, I had can’t give up can you?”
have around sickness and an ECG again the other day. So how does she cope?
returning to work don’t I can go to bed feeling fine As well as support from
reflect that. and wake up very unwell. family, colleagues and her
“The union helped me It’s an awful condition. union, Joanne has managed
sort out my hours. I work “When you relapse it to find strength from
five hours at a time. I still feels like a kick in the teeth; within herself too. “I’m
get very tired - with Long it feels like it’s two steps stubborn,” she laughs.
Covid it can feel like you’re forward, one step back, so “You’ve got to keep going
taking two steps forward, mentally it’s hard. But I’ve haven’t you? You’ve got to
one step back, but I feel got to believe it will end.” keep plodding on. I love my
lucky I’ve been able to carry On top of coping with her job, it’s hard work, it can be
on in my work. So many own health, Joanne has lost draining but it’s important.
people haven’t. a close relative to Covid, “The people we see are
“I can’t imagine having with other family members often vulnerable. They
the worry of that, of not needing ongoing treatment need our support, they
having enough money, on for serious illnesses. might be scared, we might
top of everything else.” Despite everything she be the only people they see
As Joanne says, when was determined to get - that was especially true
she caught Covid, in back to work. In April 2021 during Covid - so I have to
December 2020, she became she began an eight-week, keep going.” nYou can also read
