Unite has today called upon members in Health & Care as well as union members in other sectors, friends and family to join the Health & Care Demonstration planned for tomorrow Wednesday 18^th June at 5pm.

A statement continued: “The demonstration has been called due to the frustration of shop stewards and members across a range of issues including the lack of meaningful progress on issues and claims, both individual and collective, issues of political overreach, staff shortages and unfilled vacancies, including the continuing proliferation of agency workers often covering long term, permanent vacancies. Further issues causing concern within the membership are around the lack of an independent HR & Industrial Relations framework for Health & Care, concerns around the willingness of employees to speak out on key issues due to the fear of repercussions and a lack of transparency in respect of internal job advertising and appointment processes.”

Bochra Lasfar, Regional Officer stated “We have seen a heightened level of activity around Unite issues in Health & Care across the last two weeks with undeniable progress made including a three and a half hour meeting with the Minister, plus senior officials from HMGOG and the GHA last week to really tackle outstanding matters; however the scale of the outstanding issues means that we still have significant progress to make from a dispute resolution perspective.

 “Members have reported, notwithstanding the steps forward made, that the progress does not go far enough and they wish to express their frustrations with a sector-wide demonstration, this position was fully supported by a unanimous vote of members at the Health & Care Branch meeting last week. The concerns being expressed by our members are across a wide range of issues including staff shortages, unfilled vacancies, misuse of agency labour, a fear of speaking out and political overreach.

"We are urging members, friends and family to join the demonstration to support the industrial agenda of Unite within the Health & Care Sector for the betterment of workers and service users. We hope that this demonstration will act as a major reset and then this wide-ranging agenda can be tackled with purpose and vigour”.

A statement ended: “The demonstration will set off from Transport House at 5pm with members being asked to gather from 4.45pm and then will march on No.6 Convent Place where a demonstration will take place to highlight the concerns of members working in this critical sector.”