- Conference
- 2012 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 1 January 2012
- Decision
- Carried
Conference recognises that never has UNISON faced such an unprecedented fight for quality public services and members’ jobs. The public sector is being penalised for an economic crisis that is not of our making. The Coalition government’s policies are hitting public services hard across the board with threaten essential services. Not only are jobs at risk but so are terms and conditions of employment as we see the government’s steamrollering ahead with their intent of wholesale privatisation of the public sector.
Conference believes that the November 2011 Economic Statement by the Chancellor will have enormous implications for the UK economy and public services as it confirmed austerity measures were not working.
Conference is appalled at the rising toll of those losing their jobs as unemployment (2.6 million) stands at an 18 year high with record numbers of women and young people unemployed. Job losses in the public sector in the third quarter of 2011 were 13 times larger than private sector job growth. Effective demand and retail sales are falling and living standards are under continued decline and pressure from rising prices. Conference condemns directors of the top UK economies who have continued to arrange substantial rises (49% in 2011) in pay and bonuses during this period, now 145 times the average pay of their employees.
There is nothing in the Westminster governments strategy; current, past or future, to address the immediate challenges or build a new model of growth in the longer term. Conference continues to be convinced that an alternative economic strategy is desperately need to secure jobs, improve confidence and spending power and re-inflate the economy. Such a strategy would complement new priorities given to tackling both disadvantage and growing social need.
Conference totally rejects the approach put forward by Ed Balls and Ed Miliband that Labour will not reverse cuts made by the Con Dem Alliance, and condemns their refusal to support our members who have been forced to take action to defend jobs, services, pensions, pay and conditions.
Conference recognises the positive work developed and delivered through the STUC Better Way campaign highlighting the alternatives to the austerity programme and the crucial contribution public services make to the Scottish economy. UNISON Northern Region and Northern TUC launched a regional campaign under the banner of the Northern Public Services Alliance (PSA) to lead the campaign to defend public services. The success of the Northern region model has now been adopted by several other regions now.
The Chancellor has laid down the gauntlet with possible public sector pay restrictions at 1% for two year after the freeze ends, possible pension contribution increases and the encouragement of local not national pay bargaining.
UNISON needs to develop new ways of organising to engage beyond our usual ranks. Our membership is diverse and there is an urgency to engage with those most severely hit by the government’s policies such as students, women, young members, and our self organised groups. UNISON should be leading on building our own coalitions and alliances which are open, democratic and participatory, and which provide the space and opportunity for genuine discussion and dialogue, sharing ideas and tactics.
Conference therefore resolves to call on the National Executive Council to continue to campaign for UNISON’s Alternative Budget proposals, including:
1) the retention of the 50% top rate of income tax, and;
2) for new taxes on the financial sector including the Robin Hood Tax on transactions;
3) the reversal of cuts in Corporation Tax;
4) a crackdown on tax avoidance strategies by major economic stakeholders and introduce measures which genuinely tackle tax avoidance and evasion.;
5) a public investment programme to create skills and jobs;
6) the end of public service job losses and artificial pay curbs;
7) a temporary cut in VAT to boost spending;
8) an end to commissioning Trident replacement.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to:
a) revitalise the ‘Million Voices’ campaign materials to maintain their reference to the ongoing economic situation and bring together at local level trade unions, community and voluntary groups, faith organisations and service users;
b) further highlight the effects of the official pay freeze on our members and other factors dragging down pay levels, publicise the impact of cuts on women, young people, those with disabilities, Black people and welfare claimants and campaign on these issues;
c) continue to incorporate our vision of an alternative, and our political education materials into all training courses;
d) further develop our opposition political strategy;
e) through our regions, branches and the STUC, ICTU, CYMRU/Wales TUC and regional TUCs, build up a rolling programme of publicity events, to highlight the local effects of coalition policies and publicise the union’s alternative strategy;
f) organise and educate in workplaces through recruiting, promoting our alternative agenda and giving members the confidence to fight and campaign for a positive bargaining agenda including no privatisation, avoiding compulsory redundancies, investment in learning and development, health and well being, work life balance and trade union/workforce engagement while supporting branches who take on employers who reject such an approach;
g) urge the Labour Link to ensure that our Alternative Budget proposals are positively promoted within the Labour Party.