Unite to provide support for the UK’s vets and veterinary staff
on pay and employment conditions
Up to 17,000 members of the UK veterinary profession could
become members of Unite, the largest union in the country, within
the next five years, following the establishment of the British
Veterinary Union (BVU)
Unite, which has a growing health sector, will be able to give
veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers, support
staff and students in all disciplines, the additional muscle to
tackle employment problems in the workplace, such as pay,
contracts, bullying and professional development.
Unite’s General Secretary, Len McCluskey said: ‘As a progressive
trade union, Unite warmly welcomes BVU into the Unite family. The
fact that a highly-regarded profession is looking to Unite for
support in employment matters is an indication of the validity and
relevance of trade unions in 2011 Britain.’
Dr Shams Mir, Chairman, Professional Advisory Committee, British
Veterinary Union in Unite said: ‘Our biggest challenge will be to
change the mindset of our profession to address the deep-trenched
problems of working conditions and terms of employment for vets and
nurses, and safeguarding their professional status. But, most
importantly, we have to overcome the sense of fear amongst
veterinary professionals in raising legitimate employment
issues.’
‘Veterinary professionals face the same problems in their
working lives as any other health professionals, but never before
have vets had a trade union to support and represent them.
BVU in Unite is a great opportunity for the profession to
develop and expand, and is a goal that many have aspired to
for years. We believe that up to 17,000 veterinary
professionals could join BVU in Unite in the next five years.’
Dr Mir said that research has revealed that vets suffer
from much higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and they
are five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and four times
more likely to commit suicide compared to the general UK
population.
He said: ‘Sadly, according to the most recent Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons’ survey of the profession, nearly half of the
responding vets and nurses said that if they had their time again,
they would choose a different profession.’
'This is a wake-up call for our profession and we must act
to address all the underlying problems leading to this
situation.'
At present, Unite has a small veterinary profession membership, but
this is expected to grow rapidly following the agreement between
Unite and the BVU.
-ends-
Note to news editors:
For further information, please contact, Unite professional
officer, Carol English on 07919 324716 and/or Unite communications
officer, Shaun Noble on 07768 693940.
A photograph of Dr Shams Mir is available.
The history of the BVU is outlined below:
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ statutory mandate is
aimed at maintaining high professional standards, however its remit
does not cover employment matters. The other veterinary bodies
claiming to represent vets have continued to maintain their
historical focus on the business interests of vets and the policy
matters affecting the profession, but have failed to change their
mandate to enable them to directly confront the problems faced by
the grassroots members of the profession.
As a result, a campaign to set up a new organisation, the British
Veterinary Union (BVU), with a clear mandate to look after the
welfare of vets and nurses was launched three years ago, attracting
an unprecedented level of discussion in the veterinary press.
A recent independent survey of UK vets showed majority support for
the BVU.
The BVU aims at not only looking after the interests of vets and
nurses, but will also look after the interests of all other groups
working in the veterinary profession. The BVU’s aim is to work with
all UK veterinary professionals and professional bodies to improve
the lives of those working within the veterinary profession.
The BVU in Unite is aiming its membership drive at veterinary
surgeons, veterinary students, veterinary nurses, veterinary nurse
students, veterinary auxiliary/support staff, and veterinary
practice managers/receptionists.
