Many of our members were hit hard during the Covid restrictions.

Some have gone from reduced working time to demands to work more hours – and harder – than ever before. This in the midst a cost-of-living crisis that’s left many struggling.

Some are still on reduced pay post-pandemic, while others have seen only small increases in their incomes.

That’s why our division is fully focused on improving pay for members in 2022, while protecting them from attacks on working conditions in an environment so different from than the one we knew before Covid changed everything.

We have had some successes. Job protection for many of our members in a torrid time, achieving pay increases in an uncertain economic climate, improving hybrid working for members – which is something we will continue to focus on this year and next.

We’ve also worked hard through ICTU to achieve real advances like the new legal right to paid sick leave, which passed into law earlier this week.

I understand the many sacrifices our members have made over the last couple of years, and our focus now must be on rebuilding their terms, conditions and work-life balance.

Ultimately, the Services and Enterprises Division wants to achieve this by embedding our divisional strategy into all aspects of our work. The 2022 priority is “organising to create a stronger, more powerful union that delivers for members.”

Firstly, we are focused on organising and recruiting members to increase our strength in the workplace and deliver more for members.

Secondly, we want accurate membership data for effective communications to members, and to be able to understand our strength.

Finally, we want to support branch development, to strengthen, diversify and grow. This includes increasing the number of workplace representatives and supporting them to carry out this important role.

We are a relatively small division with big ambitions for the people we represent. By focusing on organising and recruitment and delivering for our members, we intend to grow in size and influence – and to use that influence to improve living standards for members across all our branches.