- Conference
- 2015 Special Local Government Conference
- Date
- 18 January 2015
- Decision
- Carried
This conference notes that:
1)encouraging members to vote in union consultations is vital, both so that we can reflect the wishes of our membership and so that we can demonstrate strength of feeling amongst the membership to the employers;
2)low turnout in union consultations is a problem which we should try to combat as much as possible;
3)using the internet can be a fast, secure and extremely cheap and effective way of communicating with some members (although of course not all members have internet access, or are IT literate);
4)using online services such as surveymonkey can significantly increase turnout in union consultation exercises and indicative ballots. For example Camden UNISON’s last paper indicative ballot in 2011 had a 20% turnout, but its first overwhelmingly electronic ballot over surveymonkey (with paper ballots to those whose e-mail addresses they did not possess) had a turnout of just under 40%;
5)using online services such as surveymonkey is no less secure (and is often more secure) than paper ballots (which may go to the wrong address, or could be photocopied to allow multiple votes) or shop meetings (where members may attend different meetings and vote multiple times);
6)in some recent consultations, such as the vote on the 2014-16 pay offer, UNISON nationally has forbidden branches from consulting with members electronically.
This conference resolves to:
a)encourage maximum participation of members in union decisions;
b)allow branches to determine the most effective methods to consult with their members;
c)overturn the ban on secure forms of electronic consultation with members
d)call on the Service Group Executive to update and re-issue guidance as a matter of urgency.