Hundreds of public service workers in Caerphilly County Borough have issued a joint message urging local residents to get behind the new lockdown rules.
The statement from council workers belonging to UNISON, GMB and Unite trade unions encourages local people to work together to defeat the virus with a collective effort across all generations.
The trade unions have taken the unusual step of issuing a public statement because they say council workers have fought tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep services running for the benefit of the community and the very least we can do is abide by the rules that will make everyone safer.
UNISON, GMB and Unite single out the efforts of school support staff, care workers, refuse workers and others who continue to put themselves on the front line for the sake of Caerphilly County Borough residents and their families.
Lianne Dallimore, spokesperson for the unions said,
“We recognise our responsibilities are not only to council workers but also to the people of Caerphilly County Borough. Our trade unions were grown from this very community and we have a role to play in making sure everyone is safe and healthy.
“We hope our message resonates with everyone and ask that people think carefully about their actions for the safety of us all.”
Notes for editors
The joint statement posted by trade unions on their social media reads:
Urgent message to Caerphilly County Borough residents from your public service workers
Unions UNISON, GMB and UNITE who represent Caerphilly council staff are calling on all Caerphilly County Borough residents to respect the new lockdown rules.
The only way to defeat this virus is by solidarity from all generations.
We stand shoulder to shoulder – two metres apart- with everyone in lockdown, but this must be a collective effort.
Hundreds of your council workers have fought tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep services running for the benefit of the community.
School support staff, care workers, refuse workers and others continue to put themselves on the front line for the sake of residents and their family members. The very least we can do is abide
by the rules that will make them, and us, safer.
Whilst we’d all love to get back to normal, we do not want to see more lives lost in Caerphilly when this loss is so easily prevented by following the new guidelines.
The availability and turnaround of testing will be key to keeping track of new cases. If residents do their bit, then so must government by prioritising test, track and trace.
Let’s work together Caerphilly!
Yours in hope and solidarity, UNISON, GMB and UNITE (Caerphilly Local Government Trade Unions)
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Cymru Wales press officer on 07816 53 83 97
