- Conference
- 2006 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 8 February 2006
- Decision
- Carried
Conference condemns the proposed European Union Directive on Services and the support given to it by the British government. Conference believes that the Directive is a direct attack on public services and employment and collective bargaining rights. Conference further believes that the Directive will undermine, by liberalisation and market competition, public health, public security, the environment and equality.
Moreover, Conference believes that the Services Directive is part of a wider, coordinated attack on the social and employment rights won by trade unions over the past 15 years. Conference condemns the inaction by member state governments on the Temporary Agency Workers’ Directive and the weakening of the Working Time Directive.
Conference also condemns further liberalisation measures such as the Port Services Directive.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to:
1)continue to lead the campaign in the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and in Britain against the European Union Services Directive and the wider European neo-liberal agenda, and to build alliances with a broad range of civil society organisations;
2)work with the European Federation of Public Service Unions, UNI Europa and the European Trade Union Congress (ETUC), as well as with sister public service unions throughout Europe, to build support for a framework directive protecting public services from further liberalisation measures under the European Union Internal Market;
3)oppose any attempt to reintroduce the European Constitution or to cherry-pick elements of it and to campaign for a referendum in the United Kingdom if any such attempt is made;
4)raise awareness with UNISON members, branches and regions of how these matters impact on our communities.