The need to grasp the nettle

On a motion for Standing up for care workers, Unite delegate, EC women’s seat member and social worker, Angela Duerden, spoke on behalf of Unite support of Motion 48.

She said, “Congress, it is right that this motion is one of the first to be debated today. It is recognition of the urgency of this issue.

“This government is faced with many urgent tasks, but none are greater than the need to grasp the nettle and end the long-ignored crisis in social care. That means fair pay, fair treatment, sustainable funding, safe workplaces and ultimately a National Care Service.

“Let us be under no illusions as to what that will take. To achieve it we must – finally – kick out the profiteers whose only priority is extracting every penny of profit from the most vulnerable in our society.

“The solution is a properly funded, integrated National Care Service that provides universal social care for those who need it and is publicly provided. That also means insourcing – bringing vital care services into the health service or local authorities.

“That is how the elderly, the vulnerable and the disabled will finally receive the fully-resourced support they need – while also recognising, rewarding and respecting social care workers.

“Unite also fully supports the amendment from the GMB on the vital importance of improving pension schemes in this sector. Pensions are deferred pay.

As we campaign for public sector pay restoration – for the real terms pay rises we have been denied since the austerity offensive began – that must include deferred pay.

“Secondly, it cannot be allowed that the moment social care workers retire they are faced with a pension which does not support the cost of living and a crumbling of the social care system they themselves may now need to rely on.

Angela concluded, “That is a recipe for pensioner poverty. We cannot allow it. This government cannot allow it.”

The motion was carried unanimously.

By Amanda Campbell

Pic by Mark Thomas