Unison launches charter for public services

Unison has launched its new Charter for the Public Services 2001
and aims to get policy makers, the voluntary sector and employers
signing up to its 25 pledges.

The charter builds on Unison’s six key principles in its
public services manifesto of democratic accountability, effective
delivery, adequate funding, equality of access, fairness at work,
and partnership at work.

Commitments in the charter include “for public authorities to
provide the services by consulting freely with public and staff
without compelling them always to find cost savings, as has been
the unfortunate experience under Best Value”.

Also, it says “local councils will continue to have the lead
role in directly providing public services and staff training and
development will increase in order to deliver improved and
modernised services. Healthcare services, including new areas like
intermediate care, should be provided by directly employed
staff”.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, said: “This charter
brings together so much of what Unison is campaigning for. It
embodies our commitment to properly funded public services, run for
the common good by a dedicated and fairly treated workforce”.