Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said today (Thursday 21 October):

“The government must not repeat the complacency of last autumn.

“The NHS is already at breaking point and its staff are exhausted.

“The government needs to do everything in its power to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed this autumn and winter and to keep working people safe.  

“Dozens of Unite members who worked on the frontline have already lost their lives to this disease and we will not stand for a single worker being put at risk again.  This union will not hesitate to act to protect our members.

“Unite has already called for mask wearing to be mandatory on public transport and has highlighted the abuse its hospitality members have received trying to enforce voluntary mask wearing.

“We expect the government to act responsibly and to do it today, not tomorrow, next week or next month.”

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers' living standards.
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:      
 
For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065.

Please note the numbers above are for journalists’ enquiries only.

Email: [email protected]


Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 


Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.