- Conference
- 2006 Local Government Service Group Conference
- Date
- 20 February 2006
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference recognises UNISON’s strong and consistent support for council stock. 2005 National Delegate Conference motion 51 builds on previous policy and continues the thread of Local Government Motion 37 (2004) and National Conference Composite D (2004) entitled “Housing”.
Conference recalls the yearly Housing Seminar held nationally for UNISON activists and members. A key aim of this is to promote UNISON policy and develop our expertise in fighting to both retain and grow council owned housing.
Conference also recognises that despite its efforts and those of a great many others, traditionally owned council stock is being transferred into the RSL Sector.
As at October 2005 UNISON had approximately 24,000 members employed by Housing Associations, 21,000 of whom are based in employers with 20+ members given the 400,000 workers in Housing Associations. There is considerable scope for increasing membership numbers and activism throughout Housing Associations and in seeking to achieve greater recognition from RSL employers.
Conference believes there is good work already being done in organising in this sector, for example in the South East and Eastern regions, where regional forums are active for this group of members.
In the Eastern Region a network of Housing Association Stewards and members has been running for three years. This Network provides formal training for Housing Association Stewards and a programme of meetings for the exchange of ideas, issues and for the promotion of UNISON.
The Network produces and distributes a newsletter for all Housing Association members and seeks to bring sometimes isolated and dispersed stewards and members into the UNISON mainstream, encouraging greater awareness and activity, thereby increasing membership and empowering all activists and members across the sector.
Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to:-
1)Request that each UNISON Region organises a Network of Housing Association Stewards and Members
2)Develop a focus of organising and recruiting activity across Housing Associations, working on the foundations made during the Guinness Trust, MHA and other recognition projects.
3)Organise a one-day National Seminar for activists in Housing Associations focusing on their needs and UNISON activity in RSLs