- Conference
- 2003 Local Government Service Group Conference
- Date
- 21 February 2003
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes the current link between the Local Government Service Group Conference and the National Delegate Conference both being held in June.
Whilst it is recognised that there are cost savings achieved by the linkage, holding the Service Group Conference at this time is no longer appropriate.
Since the introduction of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November of each year, our conference has taken place some seven months after the event and effectively precludes lobbying or response to the Statement.
A move to a November conference would enable us to send very clear messages to the Chancellor as the budget is prepared and spending plans finalised.
Similarly, a November conference would also enable our national negotiators to advance a pay claim that had the full backing of the membership. The employers would know from the outset that UNISON gave total support to the claim and would not be tempted to test us as they did over the 2000 pay claim by making us hold ballot after ballot and consultation after consultation.
Conference believes that it makes sense to hold the Service Group Conference at the beginning of the economic planning cycle, not two thirds of the way through it and notes that employers’ organisations such as the CBI hold their conference in November for this very reason; to influence the Chancellor before the budget is announced.
The separation of the Local Government Conference from the National Delegate Conference would also help address the issue of delegates with child and caring responsibilities who are faced with organising for caring arrangements for up to 10 days when the two conferences are linked.
Conference therefore instructs the Service Group Executive to investigate the possibilities of holding annual Service Group Conference in or around November with effect from 2006.