Date: 25 JULY 2008

GLASGOW EAST - UNISON REACTION

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis said: "This was a terrible result for Labour and the Government must listen to what the voters in Glasgow East said. It cannot be business as usual, there has to be a change of direction - a change that shows that the Government is listening and is willing to reconnect with its core supporters.

"Public sector workers, the core vote, have been reeling from massive price hikes and a draconian pay policy that affects only them. How on earth does the Government think that it can keep their support if it continues to ignore their issues. Public service workers need to feel valued for the essential services they provide to our local communities. They need to feel that their Government stands up for them.

"And the Government should move into the 21st century by ditching a privatisation agenda that failed in the 80s and 90s. Big multi-nationals shouldn't be allowed to make huge profits out of our schools and hospitals and then walk away when things go wrong.

"The Labour Party must examine seriously how it can reconnect with its core vote before it's too late."

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