Features
Making the union's mark: general secretary Dave Prentis, president Pauline Thorne and delegation member Rena Wood addressing congress.
|
Awards for anti-racism work, opposing privatisation of public services, getting a fair deal for women in the workplace – it's been a busy week for UNISON
UNISON at the TUC
UNISON has had a busy week at this year's TUC Congress in Brighton.
Not only was the union's pioneering anti-racist work recognised but major
motions on battling against privatisation and ensuring women get a fair
deal in the workplace were backed overwhelmingly by Congress.
Read all our TUC reports in our 
news
section
Union's anti-racist work recognised
UNISON's campaigning work tackling racism was recognised by the broader
labour movement when the union received a TUC equality award at the congress
in Brighton.
The union's anti-BNP campaign in the run-up to the June elections scooped
the top award for unions with more than 100,000 members.
Building on its ‘No racism: No them and us’ campaign from
last year, the 2004 initiative set out to help members in local authorities
across the UK counter the threat posed by the BNP in this year’s
local government elections.
Collecting the award, with Rena Wood of the union's Manchester branch,
general secretary Dave Prentis commented: "This award acknowledges
our work in building the confidence of our activists to help them challenge
the BNP, and, as a result, many new members have been recruited, attracted
by our hardline stance on tackling racism."
More from here
'Privatisation is not yesterday's debate'
The TUC backed UNISON's call for an end to the privatisation of the public
services and for the government to honour the promise on ending the two-tier
workforce.
Moving composite motion 10 in support of public services, UNISON general
secretary Dave Prentis said the union has noted the government's unprecedented
investment in public services, but opposes its continued pursuit of privatisation
and increased marketisation of the sector.
"It is such a tragedy that this term has been characterised by our
differences rather than the values we hold in common," said Prentis.
"But I make no apology for that. UNISON will continue to oppose market
based reforms that destroy our public services."
More from here
Committment to a fair deal for women
The trade union movement will campaign to make a fair deal for women a
reality, thanks to an initiative from UNISON.
The TUC overwhelmingly backed a UNISON motion calling for an end to pay
discrimination faced by women in all sectors.
UNISON's Jane Carolan, told delegates that women should not have to beg
to be treated equally to men.
"Women took industrial action to achieve equal pay and those efforts
led to the Equal Pay Act of 1970," she said.
"But nearly three generations later in 2004 while we’ve had
30 odd years of equal pay legislation we don’t have equal pay. So
when Blair talks of eradicating the gender pay gap in another generation,
there is only one answer – No. We’ve waited long enough."
More from here
The TUC also recognised the union's work outside the conference hall, presenting it with a national equality award, collected from TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady by Dave Prentis, Rena Wood and national black members' officer Wilf Sullivan.
And University Hospitals Birmingham member Mary Locke received individual recognition when she was named union learning rep of the year. She is pictured receiving her award from TUC president Roger Lyons and being congratulated by Dave Prentis (below)
All Pics: © Jess Hurd and John Harris / reportdigital.co.uk |
LOTS MORE FEATURESIncluding stress in the workplace, getting out of debt and the pensions crisis more... |
© Copyright 2008
