1. Brexit and its border implications
John Patrick Clayton
UNISON Northern Ireland

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

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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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