- Conference
- 2022 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 27 June 2022
- Decision
- Carried
Conference recalls the resolution of the 2016 Retired Members’ Conference, motion 35 as amended, “Retired Members at Self-Organised Group Conferences” which instructed the National Retired Members’ Committee (NRMC) to:
“seek the views of retired women members, retired Black members, retired disabled members and retired lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and, subject to gaining their support, liaise with the National Executive Council and the SOG (Self Organised Group) National Committees about submitting a relevant rule change to National Delegate Conference to allow these groups of retired members to … submit motions and amendments to respective SOG conferences”.
Conference notes that:
1)NRMC reported in 2017 that a survey had been produced and, in response to a question, said it would be launched at the 2017 conference;
2)There was, as far as anybody could tell, no launch but the survey was put on the retired members’ page of the UNISON website about that time. It closed on 8 December 2017 but remained there for many months, its result kept secret; and
3)NRMC’s 2018 annual report made no reference to the matter but, replying to a question, NRMC said a majority or the survey’s respondents identified the issue as “crucial”.
Conference is glad to learn at last that its 2016 proposal gained the support of relevant members.
Conference also recalls motion 41, “Retired Members at Self-Organised Group Conferences – Three Years On” submitted to 2019 Retired Members’ Conference which noted the position as it then stood and commented on the rate of progress but was not reached for debate so referred to NRMC.
Conference further notes that Standing Order 10.1 requires NRMC to:
“report to the relevant branch or submitting body its decisions on motions and amendments outstanding at the end of conference”
but that, at the closing date for the submission of motions to this conference, NRMC had yet to do so with respect to motion 41 of the 2019 conference.
Conference repeats and confirms the remaining instructions in its 2016 resolution subject to complying with any rule, interpretation of rule or regulation introduced or altered subsequently.
Conference observes wearily that this matter has, so far, taken six years and the mover of motion 35 at 2016 conference has not lived long enough to see its outcome.
Conference therefore further instructs NRMC to take a less tardy approach and to bring forward a detailed report next year with firm proposals and timescales to bring the matter to a conclusion.