Leading United Kingdom trade union cautious about return to work

The general secretary of a leading union is calling on the government not to “cut corners” or “play fast and loose with employees’ safety” as people are encouraged to go back to work.

Speaking after the PM’s speech, the general secretary of Unison, Dave Prentis, warns: “If safety isn’t paramount, then infections will increase and there’ll be a second wave that risks overwhelming the NHS and social care.”

He says many health, care and other key workers use trains, buses and the Tube to get to work, saying their safety “must not be compromised by crowded public transport”.

And he says the government “must ensure the NHS and the care sector have guaranteed supplies of protective equipment and there’s a comprehensive test, track and trace programme in place before any mass return to work”.
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