We must grasp the chance to fix the broken care system.
Commenting on the findings from the IPPR report ‘Care Fit for Carers’ published today (Thursday), UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“The care sector needs to follow the lead set by the NHS and commit to supporting the health and wellbeing of staff.
“It’s right and proper that care staff be better paid for their service and sacrifice. But addressing pay should be the beginning of a root and branch reform of a broken system.
“Attention needs to focus on how staff are trained and employed. Care workers should have the rights and protections NHS staff take for granted, including sick pay, paid annual leave, pensions and job security.
“The pandemic has provided a glimpse of the work some of the poorest paid people in the country do to support the most vulnerable. We musn’t waste this opportunity to right an historic wrong and fix a system that isn’t working.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk