'Heartfelt thanks'

To our Unite shop stewards and reps, I want to place on record my heartfelt thanks to you for everything that you are doing to support our members during these incredible and testing times.

 

I know that every ordinary day you are the face of Unite in your workplace, providing the reassurance and support our members need.

 

But these are not ordinary days. These are times the likes of which none of us could have imagined or prepared for. By the hour, the picture changes yet it is becoming very clear that we face an exceptionally challenging situation, most probably for some time to come.

 

Our members are fearful – for their jobs, their incomes, for the safety of themselves and their families. Those three issues – safety, jobs and wages – are our priority today.

 

I know that you are rising to the challenge, going above and beyond the call of duty to assure our members that we will not rest in our efforts to protect them.

 

I hear news of incredible work that you are doing – and I am very proud of each and every one of you. And I know I speak for our entire union on that.

 

I hope that you are also aware of the work that the union is doing to lobby government to deliver on their promises too keep workers safe, to protect incomes and to defend jobs. We are engaging constructively with ministers and officials at all levels, but we will not tolerate any backsliding on commitments given. Our members always come first.

 

This union is built on the values of dignity and security for all workers. Please reassure our members that we are fighting for them night and day. You have the full support of our union in your defence of them.

 

Thank you again for everything that you are doing. Keep yourselves and your families safe, and remember, our solidarity and our strength will get us through.