UNISON National Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges Seminar 2015

24 – 25 April 2015

The Village Hotel & Leisure,Club Swansea,Langdon Road,Off Fabian Way, Swansea, SA1 8QY

This year’s national seminar takes place in Swansea on 24 – 25 April 2015. The Further Education and Sixth Form college sector continues to face challenges from funding cuts, attacks on pay and conditions and threats of privatisation. On the agenda at the event are keynote speakers which will include presentations on the opportunities presented by the forthcoming election, pay, equalities, challenging attacks on jobs and conditions of service and campaigning with the National Union of Students

Cymru/Wales communications forum

20 March 2015 10:30am–3:00pm

Maldron Hotel, St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1GD

The communications forum will allow branch communication officers from across Wales to develop skills and share experiences about undertaking the branch communications role in order to improve UNISON’s profile across the region

Energy branch seminar

7 – 9 November 2014

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Trinity Street, Chester, CH1 2BD

Chester
The seminar is an opportunity for members of the executives, branch activists and officers to discuss the key workplace issues

Bi Con

31 July – 3 August 2014

Leeds Trinity University, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5HD

BiCon is a weekend-long gathering for bisexual people, their friends, partners and others with a supportive interest in bisexuality

Bi Con 2014

31 July – 1 August 2014

Leeds Trinity University, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5HD

BiCon is a weekend-long gathering for bisexual people, their friends, partners and others with a supportive interest in bisexuality

What future for public services in the austerity-ravaged north?

20 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

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

This meeting will look at how we can maximise the potential of regional economies by promoting the value of public services and protecting the public sector workforce.

“Open public services” agenda: Turning the tide on privatisation using the new UK public procurement regulations

19 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

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

Discuss how the new “social provisions” in the UK and Scotland public procurement regulations will provide new procurement opportunities for branches and regions to campaign for commissioning and contracting authorities to improve employment terms and conditions.

Show Racism the Red Card – challenging racism in the workplace

19 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

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

Speakers include Ged Brebby, Leroy Rosenior, Clare Williams and Liz Snape.

Low pay and austerity – the UNISON members’ experience

19 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

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

Great claims are made about the efficiencies and value for money which derive from outsourcing public sector jobs. But is this as a result of attacking the terms and conditions of workers rather than more efficient management?

Colombia: protests, peace and public services

19 June 2014 1:45pm–2:45pm

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

Come and hear first-hand about being a trade unionist in the most dangerous country in the world to be one, about how the public sector are organising and on the Colombian peace process and the work being done by British and Irish trade unionists in support of social justice in Colombia.

Got/get active

18 June 2014 7:00pm–8:00pm

Renaissance Room, Thistle Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GS

Start your evening with a conversation with fellow UNISON activists about organising in inventive and new ways. Hear from fellow UNISON members who have succeeded in winning victories by mobilising their colleagues effectively.

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.

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.

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.