National Delegate Conference 19-22 June 2007

Dave Prentis demands fairness and justice

‘Last chance saloon' warning to Labour but ‘never forget the Tory trail of destruction'

Dave Prentis with the new UNISON advert

By Jane Aitchison
We demand fairness and justice for our members and we are prepared to fight and if necessary strike to get it, was General Secretary Dave Prentis' resounding message for the Government.

Whilst welcoming the imminent change of Prime Minister and with it a whole new cabinet, a new era, Dave warned "it has to be one that signals real political change - an end to the destruction of our public services; an end to the fragmentation and privatisation of local government, to the breaking up of our education services, the deforming of our NHS."

Dave said that UNISON would work with Gordon Brown "to rebuild public confidence in our public serves, to rebuild the shattered morale of those who deliver our services. If he's up for it - he can just say the word. But if he's not our fight will continue until we get real change, until we have pubic and health services we can all be proud of."

He continued, "And that means fair pay, honouring the pay review body award in full, treating all health workers fairly. Abandoning a pay policy that seeks to impose a real pay cut on local government workers as inflation and interest rates soar. It means fairness for all public servants."

And for those who think this will never happen, Dave said, "We're not naïve. We know the score. But I know this and so does Brown. Labour is drinking at last chance saloon. Unless there is a change of direction, unless they abandon the privatisation agenda. There will be no fourth term."

However, Dave cautioned that we should never forget the Tory trail of destruction. "Scary news - the return of Margaret Thatcher, popping out of her box to celebrate 25 years since the Falkland war. It's right that we remember the dead and those they left behind. But we remember the wreckage and destruction she left behind."

Dave said that the Tories would never change, that Cameron is one of her kind and that they are still the party of privilege, of property - of prejudice. To union activists up and down the country, "Everything you do is appreciated, from representing members to running campaigns. You are the backbone of this union, working selflessly, tirelessly for the good of others. Thank You."

Dave reminded Conference of UNISON's work - defending our NHS, leading the coalition to protect our pensions, organising the Single Status lobby on 10th July, organising the national health demonstration on 13th October, making domestic violence a trade union issue,.

The list went on - UNISON's bicentenary celebration of the abolition of slavery, reminding society that 200 years later our black members are still facing discrimination and prejudice; taking life long learning to our members.

And on the international front, there's UNISON's project to raise awareness of AIDS/HIV across Southern Africa, our steward training centre in Iraq, our solidarity with the people of Cuba and Columbia, our own international development fund now with 29 projects under its belt. Dave said we should want to change the world, "We must have a vision, but a vision which resonates with our activists, members and staff alike, a vision to be proud of. Don't let them down."

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