- Conference
- 2003 Local Government Service Group Conference
- Date
- 20 February 2003
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the continuing commitment of UNISON members in Local Government to improving the quality of services provided to local communities.
UNISON members work with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in these communities and are fully aware of the need for improvements in the range, quantity and quality of services provided. This is necessary to improve the opportunities available and realise the potential of people as well as generally improving the quality of life.
Conference notes that this commitment to improving services is in stark contradiction to the demands from Government, Tory and senior service managers for “modernisation”. These calls are often a cover for attacks on jobs, conditions and trade unionism. Their attempts to portray workers in public services, including local government and the fire service, as unwilling to improve services and develop flexible responses to the needs of communities is not only wrong but also insulting.
Public service workers have developed flexible and innovative responses to community needs over many years. However, this has often been undermined by a lack of investment, poor or no training and a general lack of resources.
Conference re-affirms its commitment to campaign for quality public services and for:
1)Increases in funding for local services
2)Massive investment in workforce training
3)An end to the low pay culture in public services
Conference further resolves, in line with the Positively Public Campaign, to campaign for services to be planned on the basis of the needs of the communities we serve.”