- Conference
- 2009 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 23 February 2009
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference believes that the current recession, caused by the greed and irresponsibility of speculators in the City, demonstrates once again the fundamental importance of public services.
Public service workers around the country are on the front line of protecting individuals and communities from the ravages of market forces. In every single service UNISON members must deal with the consequences of unemployment, fuel poverty, home loss and increased debt, as well as provide those fundamental services to cope with family breakdown, crime, health and mental health issues and community collapse.
Conference reiterates its belief that public service workers also have an essential role to play in laying the foundations of a fairer society and more sustainable economy for the future. In the years ahead we are going to need well-trained, fairly rewarded and highly motivated public service workers to improve the quality and availability of childcare, community health services, affordable housing, environmental protection and planning, and care for the elderly.
Conference notes that there remain formidable obstacles to realising this vision. Many services still suffer from under-funding and under-staffing, while demands on services continue to increase as a result of a growing and ageing population, accelerating social and economic change, and new environmental challenges. Real investment has however been visible in improvements for service users where it has been made. It is clear that the policies of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, who have called for cuts to public spending, would make current problems even worse.
Against this background Conference is deeply concerned that public spending growth is now slowing, and is set to contract even more sharply after 2010 in an attempt to reduce the public deficits resulting from this recession. Myths are being created that seek to shift blame from the deregulated financial sector as the cause of this crisis on to so-called expensive tax-funded public services, and the performance and working conditions of those who are employed to provide them.
Conference believes that the effect of this squeeze on spending relative to social need will be increased workloads and restricted pay for staff, with inevitably negative consequences for morale, productivity, recruitment and retention, and service quality.
Conference is especially concerned that resource limitations, combined with the weak accountability of commissioners and the lobbying power of the private “public services industry”, will result in increased outsourcing and privatisation, where:
1)“Shared services” are developed and essential functions of public bodies
are being handed over to private companies looking to maximise profits;
2)In the name of “personalisation” vital care services are being wound down with those in need forced to make their own arrangements in an unregulated and largely casualised private market.
Conference notes the unequivocal evidence highlighted by the UNISON Positively Public campaign, including the recent report on the rise of the “public services industry”, which shows that the effect of this process will be to worsen terms and conditions for staff, and increase costs and risks to service users and the public purse. UNISON will continue to support members who undertake local campaigns for public services and lawful and legitimate action in relation to local disputes.
Conference believes that there is now an unanswerable case for fair taxation, accountable public provision and regulation, and the full involvement of staff and their trade unions in developing and improving the services people need, and that the union must make its voice heard.
Conference notes that in order to maximise our influence this campaigning must:
a)Gather the evidence and arguments needed to win the policy debates;
b) Intervene effectively in national, regional and local media;
c) Develop innovative ways of communicating directly with members and the public;
d) Provide opportunities and resources for branches and members to get involved in developing the campaign and taking it out to local communities.
Conference therefore calls on the National Executive Committee to commit resources to continue to develop innovative and high profile campaigns that:
i) Encourages branches and regions to take the public service message working with local Trade Union Councils out to their communities making the best use of their local media;
ii) Highlight the vital work of public service employees who are helping people through this recession and building a better future for our society;
iii) Dispel the negative myths around public service jobs and the impact of public spending and improve public understanding of the social and economic value of tax-funded public services;
iv) Expose the damaging impact of under-funding, under-staffing, poor pay and conditions, privatisation and under-regulation on service quality and the wider public interest;
v) As part of the Positively Public campaign to highlight the ongoing crisis within PFI and Public-Private Partnerships continue to promote a positive agenda for public service improvement based upon public accountability, user involvement and the empowerment of public service workers.
Conference also calls for the best use of UNISON’s political funds to maximise these objectives.