UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis warned that no public service will be safe from cuts
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis has given stark warning of the prospect of public service cuts and so-called ‘efficiency savings’ promised by the new coalition Government, which it is feared will hit members’ jobs hard across the public sector and risk a double-dip recession.
Speaking earlier today, he said: “We now face our biggest challenge ever. Without a strong union no public service will be safe from privatisation and cuts. Without a strong union no public service worker’s pay and pension will be secure.
“The LibDems have already ditched their promise to oppose the Tories plans for £6bn cuts this year. This will put the recovery at risk, and cost thousands of jobs. Plans for more cuts will follow, hitting communities hard. “We will fight tooth and nail to protect our members and the vital jobs they do. We will seek to build strong alliances particularly with local communities and service users to campaign against cuts and privatisation.
“I call on every member and activist – however you voted at the General Election – to join us in the fight of our lives to defend our vital public services.”
The union leader made his comments on the same day a number of left-leaning bloggers highlighted an article in the Daily Mail published last month, revealing that the Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, had advocated a ‘broken up’ NHS based on a ‘European style insurance system’ in a little-noticed interview given before he became leader of the party.
“I call on every member and activist – however you voted at the General Election – to join us in the fight of our lives to defend our vital public services.”
- Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary
Many are concerned this approach would lead to a rise in health inequality and severe attacks on jobs and services in the NHS if it were ever to be made a reality.
‘No public service will be safe’ warns UNISON leader
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis warned that no public service will be safe from cuts
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis has given stark warning of the prospect of public service cuts and so-called ‘efficiency savings’ promised by the new coalition Government, which it is feared will hit members’ jobs hard across the public sector and risk a double-dip recession.
Speaking earlier today, he said: “We now face our biggest challenge ever. Without a strong union no public service will be safe from privatisation and cuts. Without a strong union no public service worker’s pay and pension will be secure.
“The LibDems have already ditched their promise to oppose the Tories plans for £6bn cuts this year. This will put the recovery at risk, and cost thousands of jobs. Plans for more cuts will follow, hitting communities hard. “We will fight tooth and nail to protect our members and the vital jobs they do. We will seek to build strong alliances particularly with local communities and service users to campaign against cuts and privatisation.
“I call on every member and activist – however you voted at the General Election – to join us in the fight of our lives to defend our vital public services.”
The union leader made his comments on the same day a number of left-leaning bloggers highlighted an article in the Daily Mail published last month, revealing that the Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, had advocated a ‘broken up’ NHS based on a ‘European style insurance system’ in a little-noticed interview given before he became leader of the party.
Many are concerned this approach would lead to a rise in health inequality and severe attacks on jobs and services in the NHS if it were ever to be made a reality.
Join the Million Voices for public services – take action: http://www.unison.org.uk/million/action.php