GMB Union has responded to legislation imposing mandatory vaccines for NHS and non-residential social care staff, voted on in Parliament today.
Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said:
"GMB’s position is consistent - we are opposed to legally enforced medical procedures as a condition of employment - it's heavy-handed and will deepen the health service’s devastating staff black hole.
“Our union has encouraged take up of the vaccine and booster jabs, but the Government needs to look beyond strong-arm tactics.
“While they’re asking front line workers to go above and beyond once again, they are still not paying these workers properly.
“Against the backdrop of covid, there is a cost-of-living crisis, key services face an understaffing crisis, and the people delivering them are enduring a wage crisis.
“That’s not good enough and it’s got to be confronted.
“All political parties supporting these measures should understand our key workers must be paid properly – it’s the least they deserve for everything they are doing for all of us.”
