Brexit and its border implications John Patrick Clayton UNISON Northern Ireland

UNISON Northern Ireland 1.3 million members (UK) 40,000 (Northern Ireland) Supported a remain vote 56% vote to remain in Northern Ireland

Political situation A ‘hard’ brexit? No Northern Ireland Executive or Assembly Lack of coordinated policy and strategy in Northern Ireland

Irish Congress of Trade Unions UNISON affiliate member Largest civic society group on island of Ireland Pursuing policies to ensure working people do not pay the price of Brexit ‘Brexit – the Key Issues’ (ICTU, 2016)

Impact on Good Friday Agreement Common membership of EU part of conditions in which agreement was reached Concern that Brexit will negatively affect agreement Protection of agreement must be negotiating priority

Equality and rights protections EU law underpins worker’s rights and equality laws in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Assembly has competency in this area Possibility for rights to be weakened Great Repeal Bill Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland required

Implications of a border for workers 20,000 regularly commute for work and study Public service workers living in border communities Can Common Travel Area be sustained? UK could recognise right of all EU citizens to travel freely to the UK; recognise rights of Irish citizens to work

Implications for public services in Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Maintaining workforce levels Uncertainty challenges recruitment and workforce planning Recognition of qualifications and regulations No accurate baseline figures, but clear services are highly dependent on EU migrants

j.clayton@unison.co.uk www.unison-ni.org.uk Thank you j.clayton@unison.co.uk www.unison-ni.org.uk