Sharon says
Over her first year in office Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has given some inspiring speeches and has spoken out on a range of topics. Here’s a brief selection
‘In the vanguard of change’
Unite policy conference, October 2021
"Unite is going to be in the vanguard that can change what is happening to workers. Their voice must be heard. We have to concentrate on defending jobs, pay and conditions. We will not accept further attacks on workers’ living standards. It’s time we put a stake in the ground on that."
Proud
Wear Red Day, October 2021
"Unite has long been proud to be involved with the great work of Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) – for its anti-racist actions on the football pitch, for BAEM workers everywhere and across our communities. Unite has an absolute zero tolerance on racism, like SRtRC and we will not rest until all forms of this insidious hatred are removed from our sports fields, our communities and moreover our workplaces."
‘Game changer’
On legal case which ruled that no employer can ever offer their employees inducements to undermine union collective bargaining, October 27, 2021
"With the support of their union the workers stood firm. Now they have won an historic case that creates a legal precedent for every union member across the UK. It means that employers cannot subvert or by-pass union collective bargaining processes by offering their workforces inducements of one type of another to abandon union mandates. That is momentous.
"This judgment is a game changer. It means that employers cannot ignore legally established collective bargaining rights just because they suddenly choose to ignore them or subvert them. Every worker should realise now that it’s in their interest to be a union member."
On GS’s first 100 days
December 2021
"Unite is now dedicated to doing what it says on the trade union tin – fighting for jobs pay and conditions. Unite reps and officers across the UK and Ireland are busy making that a reality.
"The pay deals won for Unite workers in my first 100 days are a cast-iron confirmation of that. We are winning better deals for Unite members and we intend to continue to do just that for the next 100 days and beyond.
“In recent months, Unite has won £50 million in pay rises for tens of thousands of workers, supported by the biggest strike fund in the country and union reps totally focused on defending and improving jobs, pay and conditions. We will not be deterred from this path in any way, shape or form.
“We stand ready to defend our members against any and all attacks.”
‘Get me home safely’ campaign
March 2022
“Employers need to take responsibility – they cannot say that it is nothing to do with them. We will not allow them to disregard workers in this way. If you have workers working late at night, you need to ensure that they get home safely. Caitlin’s employer used the pandemic as an excuse to stop taxi travel payments. That would have prevented her from being assaulted – saving pennies that could cost a life.”
On Unite’s ground-breaking profiteering report
June 2022
“The weight of evidence shows that the UK is in the grip of a profiteering crisis. Workers’ wages and what they can buy, are being squeezed by corporate wreckers pursuing runaway profits, quite literally at our expense.
“Unite’s report exposes the truth. It’s not hard pressed workers who are driving inflation, it’s whole swathes of corporate Britain. In the last six months company profits were responsible for almost 60% of inflation.”
“It’s not just energy companies. There are businesses right across our economy and their directors who have made vast sums of money from Covid 19 and the inflationary pressures that have followed.
“Those who have profited from the crisis should pay for it.”
On unfair tipping in hospitality
June 2022
"This victory sends a clear message throughout the hospitality sector that Unite will challenge and overturn unfair tipping policies – and that this union will not rest in the defence of the jobs, pay and conditions of our members."
‘Massive pay cut for NHS staff’
June 2022
"This offer is nothing other than a massive national pay cut for NHS staff. After everything they have been through with the Covid pandemic and the service this workforce gives this country day in, day out, this is a kick in the teeth from the government and an insult to staff and patients alike."
On NHS ‘national pay cut’
August 2022
"The economy is not working for everyday people. Politicians have failed; they do not represent the interests of workers. That is why we must now take action ourselves. We are not going to get change by lobbying in Westminster. The only way we are going to get change is by doing this ourselves. "This ballot is a chance for our members to have their say, and whatever they decide, they will have the full backing of their union, Unite."
Compiled by Hajera Blagg
