National Black Members Conference 2025

Statement from the National Black Members Chair’s Group, January 2025

Dear Members

I’m writing this hoping everyone arrived home safely following the sudden cancellation of our National Black Members Conference on 16th January 2025.

National Black Members Chairs’ group are disappointed that the conference had to be cancelled at such short notice. Many of us were on our way to Llandudno when we were informed and had to turn back.

We would like to thank you for your understanding that the reason for the situation was beyond our control. The issues with the water supply caused by the burst water pipes in the North Wales / Llandudno could not have been foreseen. There was a health and safety risk that we could not ignore. We want to thank you for your continuing support and trust in us.

We had several discussions with the conference team about Llandudno as a venue leading up to the conference and raised concerns around the possibility of transport disruptions before the conference. We were reassured that due diligence had been done. The situation was a genuine emergency that could not have been foreseen

We also want to acknowledge the sterling work by our national officers, conference staff and others to help both those members who had arrived in Llandudno, and those on their way, to get accommodation for the night or travel home. It is greatly appreciated. 

I want to reassure you, as the Chair, that I and the Chairs’ group, together with the national officers and the conference team have been discussing how we can reschedule our conference at a time and venue that is appropriate. We have reassurances from the General Secretary that a full review of the cancellation will be undertaken. We will continue to liaise with the National Black Members Committee to update you on progress on both these matters.

I am pleased to inform you that the rule book allows us to extend the democratic mandate of the existing committee in the interim period from now up to the rearranged conference and AGM cycle.

Our proposal for the rearranged conference is that it should be 100% the same, the same delegates to remain in place and enfranchised, no new process for getting delegates, except to exchange a delegate in the usual way via OCS, and no scaling down. Any access issues should be met, anyone out of pocket as a result of the cancellation should be reimbursed.

We acknowledge the frustrations, anger and financial detriment that members experienced as a result of the cancellation, and encourage delegates to share your experiences to help the review.

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Please email the conference office (conferences@unison.co.uk) and copy the equalities unit (EqualityUnit@unison.co.uk)

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We will also be working with the national officers to engage in discussions with SOC to ask for the process to allow submission of emergency motion to the new scheduled conference to be put in place.

Thank you once again for your understanding and cooperation. You will hear from us again in due course.

Jare Oyewole, Chair, National Black Members’ Committee