Local government pension scheme members – time to govern your money

18 June 2014 6:15pm–7:15pm

Syndicate 2, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

The fringe meeting will discuss and debate the reforms to LGPS governance, what it means for the union and for union members who want to become pension fund reps, to discuss the organising programme to support this work.

Getting a government with a commitment to equality

18 June 2014 6:15pm–7:15pm

Meeting room 9, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

The current government has turned back the clock, deepened disadvantage and ridden roughshod through hard-won equality protections. We must engage everyone with an interest in equality as we prepare for May 2015.

Life after brain injury? Improve services now

18 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndicate 2, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Annually 1-1.4 million people attend a UK hospital with a head injury and 135,000 are admitted to hospital.

Employment rights and trade union freedoms – a post-election agenda

18 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Auditorium, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Current government attacks on collective bargaining and facility time and their systematic weakening of employment rights, trade union freedoms and access to justice leave workers vulnerable. So what do we want to see from a Labour government?

Keeping our voice – winning the political fund ballot 2014

18 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndicate 3, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Every 10 years unions have to hold a ballot of their members to maintain their political fund and our campaigning voice. This meeting sees the launch of our ballot campaign for a YES vote in the ballot which will take place in November 2014.

Violence against women – a trade union issue

18 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndicate 1, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Our members working in the voluntary sector are being directly affected by these job losses, whilst members experiencing domestic abuse are at risk of disciplinary measures directly related to absence and performance as a result of their experiences. This fringe meeting exploring why this remains a priority for women in UNISON as activists, members, service users and providers, and why our campaigning work must continue.

Cuba and Venezuela: a better world is possible

17 June 2014 6:15pm–7:15pm

Syndicate 1, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Cuba and Venezuela are at the forefront of the progressive changes sweeping the region. The fringe focuses on these alternatives to austerity budgets, showing what can be achieved when the needs of people are the priority.

Branch resources review

17 June 2014 6:15pm–7:15pm

Auditorium 1, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

The branch resources review group will provide background, update and clarification on the review to date culminating in the report back to conference , their interim proposals to the 2014 NDC and their proposed next steps.

Palestine: a vital issue for trade unionists

17 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Meeting room 9, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Palestinian people remain under occupation and the international community is failing to recognise and act against Israel’s continued breaches of international law. Join us to discuss what the next steps are in support of justice and Palestinian human rights.

Stop TTIP: why the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership is bad news

17 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

The Old Box Office Room, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

UNISON believes TTIP is a profound threat to public services which will not only lead to further liberalisation but which will make it harder for government to regulate private companies providing public services and could effectively prevent a future government bringing those services back in-house.

Scottish referendum – self-determination or bare-faced cheek?

17 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndiucate 2, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

On September 18 this year resident voters in Scotland will vote in a referendum: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”. What are the issues for UNISON, our members at work, the public services we provide and the communities we live in?

Campaigning at local level to save services and jobs – new challenges and new opportunities

17 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndicate 3, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

This meeting will offer an opportunity to think about how we raise our game in local campaigns to ensure that saving public services is high on the political agenda.

“Cut Stress Not Jobs” – how to use H&S issues in the workplace to aid organising and recruiting

17 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

Syndicate 4, The Brighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2GR

Continued attacks on jobs and pay have left our members feeling under threat and facing unprecedented levels of stress. Discuss how these factors are impacting on our H&S at work – what we can do to organise and campaign to fight back, and why recruiting more members will help in our struggle to keep us safe and healthy at work.

Energy conference 2014

16 June 2014 11:00am–6:00pm

The Brighton Centre

The national conference of UNISON’s energy service group, to discuss issues and set policy affecting members working in the energy sector.

Local government conference 2014

15 – 16 June 2014

The Brighton Centre

The national conference of UNISON’s local government group, to discuss issues and set policy affecting members working in the local government sector.