2024 National Women’s Conference

15 – 17 February 2024

Brighton Centre Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2GR

UNISON’s National Women’s Self-Organised Group Committee has agreed to hold a National Women’s Self-Organised Group Conference from 12pm Thursday 15th February to 1pm Saturday 17th February 2024.

We have now opened the Online Conferencing System (OCS) to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements.

Please note the deadline to submit motions on OCS is 12.00 noon on Friday 13th October 2023

UNISON’s National Women’s Self-Organised Group Conference takes place over Three days. All delegates and visitors may attend all sessions of conference but voting on motions is restricted to delegates only. Delegates should attend all sessions of Conference.

The conference bulletin will have further information on motion submission from the SOC and submission deadlines.

Delegates should contact their branch to be registered through the OCS.

Registration and Enquiries

If you want to attend the conference, please contact your branch who can register you as a delegate or visitor on the Online Conference System (OCS). Once you are registered you will receive an email confirmation from OCS. Deadline for registration is Thursday 23rd November 2023 at 12pm.

Use the link below to search for your branch details:

Click here for UNISON Branch Finder

Travel Arrangements

Please consider the impact on the environment when making your decision on how to travel to Conference. Branches are asked to book all travel arrangements for Conference through Stewart Corporate Travel via email at unison@stewarttravelmanagement.com or call 0800 091 4272.

Please advise Stewart Corporate Travel if your delegates have railcards.

Travel can also be booked online using the Steward Travel Online Portal at https://www.gtp-marketplace.com/

Branches are reminded that:

  • Travel costs for Delegates only will be funded from National Office
  • Travel costs for Visitors must be paid for by the branch. Please note that a booking fee is applicable – further details from Stewart Corporate Travel.

Conference Travel should be booked by the cheapest possible means.

Driving is discouraged for conference unless delegates are travelling together or as a reasonable adjustment. Total reclaimable will be the cost of standard tickets or cost of car travel – whichever is the lesser.

The 250 mile / upgraded or 1st Class travel rule is not applicable for conference travel

All travel requests (including upgraded or 1st Class Travel or Driving) as a reasonable adjustment must be reviewed and authorised by the Head of Conferences.

Branches are responsible for funding their delegates’ and visitors’ attendance at conference.  Subsistence should cover the cost of accommodation, meals, childcare, dependent care and facilitation.

Branches are reminded of the Organising for Equality guidelines which state that “Branch delegates to self-organised group conferences should normally be given the same level of subsistence as branch delegates to other UNISON conferences”. The guidelines can be found at: https://www.unison.org.uk/search/organising+for+equality+guidelines/

Any branches that may suffer financial difficulties as a result of these procedures may apply in writing to the Finance Officer for consideration for additional branch funding.

Reasonable adjustment requests for travel should be made by 12pm  Friday, 05 January 2024

Accommodation

Booking accommodation – please book any accommodation required with a reputable provider with a generous cancellation policy. Please ensure that members have written confirmation of any booked and paid for accommodation.

Branches are encouraged to arrange accommodation through Visit Brighton Accommodation Booking Service.  Using the Booking Service supports the work of our members in local government and ensures our continuing ability, as a not-for-profit organisation, to secure preferential rates for our conference venues.  For full details of current availability and for bookings please go to:

Link: https://book.passkey.com/go/UNWC2024

Email: delegates@visitbrighton.com

Phone: 01273 292626

Timetable

Time Dates
Deadline for Submission of Motions on the OCS 12:00pm Friday, 13 October 2023
Publication of Preliminary Agenda Friday, 17 November 2023
Deadline for Submission of Delegates on the OCS 12:00pm Thursday, 23 November 2023
Deadline for Amendments to Motions on the OCS 12:00pm Thursday, 07 December 2023
Deadline for babysitting and crèche requests on the OCS 12:00pm Thursday, 04 January 2024
Deadline for reasonable adjustment requests for access on the OCS 4:00pm Thursday, 04 January 2024
Publication of Final Agenda Friday, 05 January 2024
Deadline for Submission of Emergency Motions on the OCS 17:00pm Friday, 09 February 2024
Deadline for reasonable adjustment requests for travel 12:00pm Thursday, 01 February 2024
Deadline for Submitting Change of Delegates on the OCS 11:59pm Monday, 12 February 2024

Personal Pronouns

It is now possible to add your personal pronouns to the online conference system so that they can appear on your credentials.

For information on how to do this, please visit the UNISON website, click on events, choose your conference and scroll to the documents at the bottom of the page and open “Personal pronouns in OCS – User guide”.

If you require help, please email the conference team, conferences@unison.co.uk or telephone, 0207 121 5123.

Resources