- Conference
- 2016 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 9 February 2016
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the Community and Voluntary sector is a growing a part of the delivery of public services.
Conference notes that many employers in this sector have little track record or culture in dealing with trade unions. As a consequence there are many instances where employees suffer from poor terms and conditions of employment as well as far from acceptable standards of dignity at work and enforcement of health and safety standards.
Conference notes UNISON Scotland’s Organising for Growth Strategy, which is informed by previous resolutions of National Delegate Conference and the experience of other regions, has delivered key gains in the Community and Voluntary sector including the living wage, and new recognition and procedural agreements, Working Time Directive arrangements and new employment contracts across a range of employers in the Community and Voluntary sector. This initiative has driven up levels of recruitment and organisation by taking up a number of campaigns on a range of issues of concern to members such as employer tolerance of violence towards staff by clients and provision of suitable clothing.
Conference also notes that the Community and Voluntary sector often involves dealing with smaller bargaining units than is the case in many other areas where UNISON organises and so initial efforts at creating or building organisation may need proportionately greater resources than some other areas.
Conference resolves to:
1)Make recruiting in, organising with, and delivering for workers in the Community and Voluntary sector a key priority for UNISON;
2)Examine the experience of UNISON Scotland’s Organising for Growth strategy with the aim of developing a UK wide approach to recruiting, organising and bargaining in the Community and Voluntary sector based on the successes of the Organising for Growth model applicable across UNISON.
