Josie Irwin
josieirwin.bsky.social
Josie Irwin
@josieirwin.bsky.social
Likes hill walking, mountains & South Downs, opera and football, Chelsea FC. Works for UNISON. Lives in Lewes, East Sussex.
Ministers need to think again and pay WASPI women compensation @unison.org.uk @WASPI
March 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
“This announcement will have left NHS England staff reeling,” UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea on news NHS England is to be abolished.

“Ministers must reassure employees there’s a robust plan to rejuvenate a flailing NHS and deliver for working people.”

Full statement: unsn.uk/3RaULxi
March 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
MPs will debate #WASPI compensation on Monday, 17 March. Vote will not be binding on the government.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/32...
MPs to debate a petition relating to compensation for women affected by state pension changes - Committees - UK Parliament
On Monday 17 March, MPs will debate a petition relating to compensation for women affected by state pension changes.
committees.parliament.uk
March 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
“The way this has been handled has created a real sense of chaos,” UNISON head of health Helga Pile

Helga talks to Adrian Chiles on BBC Radio 5 Live about the impact on staff of the government's announcement that NHS England is to be abolished.
March 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Thank you to North West UNISON for welcoming UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea and head of equality @josieirwin.bsky.social Irwin to a fantastic International Women’s Day event 💜

Great speakers from @thompsons.law @fawcettsociety.bsky.social society and Labour historian Professor Mary Davis
March 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Today's women have so much to thank their campaigning predecessors for. So much has changed - for the good. But misogyny remains a threat. The fight for equality goes on.
International Women's Day - the fight for equality

Women have always been central to trade unions and the struggle for a more equal society from the Bryant and May matchgirls to the fight for recognition and equal pay.
#IWD2025 #AccelerateAction
March 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
“You can check your pension age on the Govt website” says DWP boss. Funnily enough, that’s what #WASPI women did, and until 2016 it gave them the wrong age. Maladminstration requiring compensation.
www.express.co.uk/finance/pers...
WASPI update as MPs probe DWP's 'remarkable' reason for not compensating
The Ombudsman previously suggested payouts up to £2,950 but the Government said recently there would be no compensation.
www.express.co.uk
February 2, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Unfortunately UNISON’s National Black Members Conference, due to take place this weekend in Llandudno, has been postponed.

A burst water main in the local vicinity has meant hotels have closed and they are unable to accept delegates.
January 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Survey that Labour relies on to say #WASPI women knew of pension age changes only asked around 200 women born in 1950s - therefore designated as WASPI women. Cherry picking unreliable data to suit a decision that flies in the face of justice. @lizkendallmp.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
'I'm a Waspi woman and I'm furious - I had no idea my pension age would change'
In December, the Prime Minister referenced a 2006 survey which stated 90 per cent of Waspi women were aware of the pension age rise and understood its impact
inews.co.uk
January 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
At least 35 Labour MPs have now spoken out publicly criticising the government for not offering compensation to #WASPI women hit by pension reforms.
://labourlist.org/2025/01/women-state-pension-age-waspi-increase-labour-mps-vote/ – via LabourList
WASPI women compensation row: List of Labour MPs speaking out grows to 35 – LabourList
At least 35 Labour MPs have now spoken out publicly criticising the government for not offering compensation to WASPI women hit by pension reforms. The…
labourlist.org
January 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
You can see the sneer on the faces of those who wrote the report in the conclusions. It's as if #WASPI women never paid tax. Disgusting doesn't go near it. @waspicampaign.bsky.social @unison.org.uk
The DWP tried to bury this so deep it couldn't be found: the report on their decision on compensation for #WASPI women. This and the fact that we only got 10 minutes’ notice of the announcement in Parliament shows their utter contempt of WASPI women.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676143...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Misogyny and violence against women are rising at alarming rates worldwide. There's a socialist and cultural issue that must be addressed.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea commenting on the French rape trial that has led to almost 50 men being sentenced today to more than 400 years in prison. https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2024/12/cultural-change-is-needed-to-protect-women-from-abuse/
December 19, 2024 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Who are migrant workers?

Doctors, care workers, nurses, teachers, healthcare assistants, paramedics, students, your neighbour, our grandparents.

Today is International #MigrantsDay, we’re looking at the contribution migrants make and the UK's story of migration.
December 18, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Opinion: Inspiring action and change for disabled workers | UNISON National https://buff.ly/3Dps2l6
Opinion: Inspiring action and change for disabled workers | Article, News | News | UNISON National
UK Disability History Month helps to recognise the valuable role disabled people play at work and in society
buff.ly
December 18, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
‘These are women who have had the rug pulled from underneath them’

Josie Irwin, UNISON head of equality, on BBC Breakfast on the women affected by age-related changes to the state pension @waspicampaign.bsky.social
December 18, 2024 at 12:42 PM
Wrong decision. Stunning disregard for women who worked in low paid jobs in public service. Bad political choice. The Government must rethink this @waspicampaign.bsky.social
🧵#WASPI response to today's Govt decision to ignore PHSO recommendations on compensation:
"The Government has today made an unprecedented political choice to ignore the clear recommendations of an independent watchdog which ordered ministers urgently to compensate WASPI women nine months ago.
1/
December 17, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
Horrifying data and experiences of violence experienced by staff including students. No national data base exists to inform learning and Prevention. Urgent leadership needed. #SFAConference2024 @kimsunley.bsky.social @josieirwin.bsky.social
@patientsafetylearning.org
December 10, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
#WASPI women need to know what “working at pace” means. Without a deadline, it is meaningless. We need firm implementation dates for a proper compensation scheme.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
December 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Hello! I've just joined bluesky. Looking forward to thoughtful discussion and interesting posts.
November 20, 2024 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Josie Irwin
When a respected reporter asked Sir Keir Starmer ,on his flight to a world summit in Rio de Janerio ,about #WASPI women he said “The DWP secretary will be making a statement on this in the not too distant future.”

www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Sir Keir Starmer tells Waspi women there will be pension update ‘in near future’
The Prime Minister was speaking at the G20 summit.
www.standard.co.uk
November 19, 2024 at 10:38 AM