Christina McAnea, the head of Britain's largest trade union Unison, has issued a strong demand for private sector workers to receive the same pay and conditions as their public sector counterparts under Labour's proposed New Deal for Working People.
Speaking at Unison's annual conference in Brighton, McAnea emphasised the need for fairness across all sectors, stating that private firms providing public services must not be allowed to undercut workers' rights.
Key Demands from Unison
McAnea outlined several critical points during her speech:
- Equal pay and conditions for private sector workers delivering public services
- Stronger enforcement of employment rights
- An end to exploitative practices in outsourced services
Labour's New Deal Under Scrutiny
The union leader's comments come as Labour prepares to implement its New Deal, which promises to transform workers' rights in Britain. McAnea warned that the plan must include robust measures to prevent private companies from circumventing fair pay agreements.
"We cannot allow a two-tier workforce to develop," McAnea declared. "Whether you're employed directly by the council or by a private contractor, if you're doing the same job, you deserve the same pay and conditions."
The Challenge of Enforcement
McAnea highlighted particular concerns about enforcement, noting that without proper mechanisms, even the best policies could be undermined. She called for:
- Clear penalties for non-compliance
- Regular audits of private providers
- Whistleblower protections
The speech has intensified debate about how Labour will balance its pro-worker agenda with the realities of public service delivery through private contractors.
