Unison women’s conference pushes 26 March demo

The TUC national demonstration against cuts on 26 March was the clear focus at Unison women’s conference last week.

Some 350 delegates came this year—and it was much angrier and more political than in some previous years.

General secretary Dave Prentis spoke about 26 March—but it wasn’t just Prentis.

Lots of speakers from the floor said they’d be there, and they’d be bringing their families.

Gail Adams, head of nursing, said everyone should think of which 10 people they’ll bring to the demo.

In the big health fringe meeting a national officer asked who was coming—and most people in the room put their hands up.

The union had laid on a huge stall of publicity for the protest, with “I’ll be there” postcards for people to sign up.

There was much talk of workers going in uniform to form a “visible presence” on the protest.

And the motion prioritised to put forward to Unison’s national conference was on fighting the cuts.