Cuts – they are on their way
Despite most people voting against the Tory proposals to cut
fast and deep into public spending, the discussions over the last
few days have resulted in this policy being supported by the new
coalition. For people working in the sector, Unite members, we
commit to fighting to stop these cuts hurting your jobs, your
organisations and your service users.
The government has clearly stated that its expectations of
services will be run on a “more for less” basis, and when the
workforce forms the highest cost within most organisations, we know
that this means that staff will be expected to pay the price.
With extortionately high levels of stress already penetrating
virtually every organisation across the sector, we will take a
strong line to say that people are not automatons that can be
driven to breaking point and then replaced – we will continue to
value you and ensure that you are safeguarded at work.
The other fear is clearly the amount of resources that will be
procured to the sector. As “best value” principles return to the
cheapest options for services, we know that members will also fear
transferring their jobs to other organisations with poorer terms
and conditions for staff, and increasingly in the private sector,
others will be made redundant. Unite has been warning of this for
years, and we will stand by our members to fight for your
future.
The very mantra of building the “Big Society” to get elected may
quickly dissolve into the “broken society”.
Rachael Maskell, Unite national officer, 12 May
2010
Email to a friend
