ALL MEMBERS: UNISON is proud of the response from our members, your resilience and determination to do what we do best. We would like to thank all our members who continue to provide high levels of service and care, often at great personal risk, during this global pandemic.
This pandemic is the greatest challenge of our lifetime. We appreciate it is a deeply worrying time and UNISON continues to be at the forefront challenging government decisions, pursuing safe working practices and demanding personal protective equipment availability for our members. Promises do not protect and we are calling on all political parties to work together across nations within the UK to help our communities come through these unprecedented times.
UNISON members are putting their lives at risk for our communities, the very least you should expect is proper equipment and safe working practices to limit any potential risks. We want to reassure members that our service groups are working in collaboration to ensure the safety of our members is a priority.
UNISON has asked all employers, including those in the social care sector, to ensure fair work is respected and those working in the community and voluntary sectors are treated no less favourably than their public service colleagues. We also recognise the valuable work being carried out by our colleagues who are either self-isolating, shielding or have underlying health conditions – many of whom are working from home.
Our thoughts are with all of our members and their families who have fallen ill as a result of COVID 19 and offer our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones. UNISON, our communities and our country owe you a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices being made to care for others and we will ensure both the Scottish and UK government never forget the crucial role that public service workers have played in tackling this pandemic.
On behalf of our whole union please stay safe and remember if there is no need to be at work, stay at home. However long this crisis lasts we are here for you, please do not hesitate to contact your branch should you require advice and/or assistance.
Mark Ferguson, Scottish Local Government Committee
Tam Waterson, Scottish Health Committee
Ian Williamson, Scottish Community Sector