Thank you to all the key workers who are delivering our public services

No matter how difficult the last few weeks have been and will likely continue to be I am in awe of how our members have stepped up and worked incredibly hard during the crisis

s UNISON Northern regional secretary I know the extraordinary effort and dedication UNISON members across the region are showing in responding to the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members day in and day out are delivering services in hospitals, schools, social care, police and justice, energy, metro, voluntary services – and we are thanking them every day.

In the last few weeks as a union we have adapted how we are supporting those essential staff and making sure we are keeping in touch with them, and ensuring their concerns are being raised with employers, elected politicians and issues addressed.  Within a day we launched a new webpage where members can find out all the information we are producing about COVID-19 and we implemented a system where if members needed us, they can access help easily and quickly.

Thank you for the COVID-19 information and support, it was nice knowing the union really do care. I feel valued. – UNISON social care member

COVID-19 page

Our priority has been to work with employers to provide adequate PPE for staff to protect their health and safety as well as of the people we support.  UNISON has been at the forefront of Speaking Up for Public Services and the staff delivering them.  Nationally we launched a PPE Hotline for members to report back on where they felt they did not have the correct PPE, we used this information to feedback to the government and will continue to do so.

Tell us your PPE story

No matter how difficult the last few weeks have been and will likely continue to be I am in awe of how our members have stepped up and worked incredibly hard during the crisis. You may have noticed we are posting ‘Thank Yous’ on our social media to individual members and teams to highlight the amazing work they are doing, its the least we can do to recognise their hard work. If you would like use to highlight someone or a team, get in touch on northern@unison.co.uk.

While we are a public service union I couldn’t finish this blog without thanking the key workers such as shop workers, drivers, manufacturing, food preparation and so on – without ALL the key workers, no matter what they do our members wouldn’t be able to do their jobs.

Thank you!

Clare Williams