I know you are all worried.
So are we all, but UNISON members are also key players in managing this crisis, providing as we do vital public services including being the biggest union in the NHS and local government, and that is a comfort to me at least.
So much of the advice we have been given by Government is woolly and that has been reflected in some of things done and said by employers. UNISON nationally and Plymouth in UNISON locally is working on making that advice clearer and better and we will continue to do so throughout this crisis.
Of course we don’t have all the answers but we are dealing with lots of queries and helping lots of members with individual problems as they arise.
We are also attending to the broad trade union mission to ensure that everybody is kept as safe at work as possible and suffer no financial detriment if they cannot work.
The national UNISON website has up to date advice so mostly I will refer you to it directly in order that this page keeps pace with developments https://www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work/
Many of our members work in schools and they can find information here https://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/education-services/key-issues/covid-19-closures/
Many more work in the NHS here is a link for you https://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/health-care/big-issues/covid-19-advice-health-workers/
And here is further guidance on PPE etc. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
We have already been involved in discussions with employers about things like offering home working to staff with childcare needs and with staff in schools about payment for additional hours if their school opens to the children of key workers during holidays
