- Conference
- 2008 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 22 February 2008
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference agrees that spending should meet UNISON’s organising objectives and priorities.
A principle priority is combating pay inequalities and securing equal pay for work of equal value for all our members, in properly evaluated and negotiated framework agreements. Conference notes that establishing equal pay for our members was one of the founding principles of the union
Conference recognises the need for a balanced approach between litigation, negotiation and industrial action, where necessary and appropriate within the union’s rules, in addition to addressing the media challenge.
Conference recognises that UNISON faces potential extensive litigation to secure members’ legal rights, and to defend the union against legal attacks at all levels. Conference believes that in dealing with all these aspects of this union must remain united and continue to maintain maximum solidarity, offering every support to members. All sections of the union must be involved.
Conference affirms that all branches need to play their part in meeting this challenge. It is only by every branch contributing and supporting the fund that we can defend our women members and win what is rightly theirs. Conference also notes the attacks on lay activists in a number of regions. These individuals have defended and promoted our strategy and now need our full unequivocal support.
Conference believes that in dealing with all these aspects of this union must remain united and continue to maintain maximum solidarity, offering every support to members. All sections of the union must be involved.
Conference notes the extensive consultation with regions and branches ‘Meeting the Financial Cost of the Equal Pay Challenge’, and agrees:
1)to set baseline budget figures for 2008 at 2007 figures, £158 million;
2)a top-slice of 2.5% will apply, any subscription income increase in 2008 and beyond above this will be included in baseline budget calculations, maintaining a 2.5% top-slicing to the dedicated fund;
3)to continue to allocate £4.5 million per year to a dedicated budget to meet this challenge, if necessary, but from national funds only;
4)to maintain the Branch Funding Formula of 2001, agreed per Rule H.4.1;
5)branches facing budgetary pressures should consult regions on a managed budget, with possible transition access to Regional Pool Funding, with recourse to appeal, Rule H.5.1 Subscription Appeals Committee.
This approach will be the subject of annual review and report to National Delegate Conference. The accounts of the dedicate fund will be an appendix to the financial statement and accounts.
The report to National Delegate Conference in 2009 will include:
a)dedicated fund balances at the start of the year;
b)dedicated fund balances at the year end;
c)the amounts spent on external legal fees during the year;
d)whether the fund is still needed or not in 2009 and beyond;
e)proposals for the future of the fund in 2009 and beyond.