THE head of the UK’s largest trade union is to attack Downing Street for seeing it as the “enemy within” in contrast to the inclusive approach of the devolved governments.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea is to highlight how the Scottish Government was involved in talks on a local government pay negotiations when she delivers the annual Jimmy Reid Foundation lecture on the cost-of-living crisis at Glasgow City Chambers tonight.
She will outline how Nicola Sturgeon was “personally involved” in trying to find a resolution – but add: “I can’t imagine Liz Truss or any of her cabinet doing that.”
McAnea, who is from Glasgow and the first woman general secretary of Unison, will also highlight the pressures facing the NHS – warning that staff going on strike will not make the situation worse as the health service is “already on its knees”.
During the lecture, she will say that union members are “pragmatists” who will work with any government.
But she will add: “I can see the difference in our relationships with the governments in Scotland and Wales – and even Northern Ireland – when they have a government.
“We are seen as part of civil society – not as the enemy within – as we are by the current lot in Downing Street.
“During the recent local government pay talks in Scotland held over two intense weekends the Scottish government were in the room – Nicola Sturgeon got personally involved in trying to find a resolution and I know Mark Drakeford in Wales would do the same.
“I can’t imagine Liz Truss or any of her cabinet doing that.”
Unison has begun balloting more than 50,000 health workers in Scotland on strike action.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said he will do everything in his power to prevent industrial action after the 5% pay increase offered by the Scottish Government was rejected.
McAnea will highlight how staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be balloted in the coming weeks – meaning around 400,000 NHS workers are expected to be involved by November.
“That’s huge – I don’t think any union has ever balloted that many. The sheer logistics of it are massive,” she will say.
“And we face a real challenge in getting the vote out.
“And of course, if our NHS members vote for strike action, we will be accused of putting lives at risk.
“But I’ve been speaking to our NHS workers – nurses, ambulance workers, hospital cleaners, who say the service is already on its knees – that it’s so bad, going on strike won’t actually make it worse, but will draw attention to it.
“And I say this, as the General Secretary of the UK’s biggest union – we don’t bring members out to bring down governments.
“We bring them out to get results – to improve their pay and conditions.”
