Commenting on the resignation of First Minister Humza Yousaf, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary Lilian Macer said:
“I would like to wish Humza Yousaf the very best for the future. I worked with him over many years, particularly when he was Health minister, and while we often disagreed he was very open to working with trade unions.
”The First Minister’s resignation must be used as an opportunity to re-set Scottish politics and focus on the real issues facing the people of Scotland.
“The NHS is in the midst of a staffing crisis and has the longest waiting lists since devolution, councils are in financial trouble with some under threat of bankruptcy, social care workers continue to be badly let down, we have a disastrous social care bill that keeps profit at the heart of care, our colleges are facing disastrous cuts to student services and we are facing months of industrial disputes on pay.
“Our next First Minister must prioritise what is important to Scotland and ensure public services receive the proper investment they need to deliver the services the people of Scotland rely upon.”
Notes for editors
UNISON is the union for public services and the largest union in Scotland. Our members work in local government, education, NHS, social care, police staff, water and energy.