- Conference
- 2024 National Community Conference and Seminar
- Date
- 16 November 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes UNISON’s Organising Recruitment Strategy Development (ORSD) project recommendations and the linked Organising, Recruitment and Retention Plan which seeks to secure:
Disaggregated membership targets of 1% growth in each regional service group;
A 10% increase on 2022 levels of recruitment of stewards, Health & Safety reps and UNISON learning rep roles;
Appropriate training and development for any elected role undertaken as set out in the National Executive Council (NEC) scheme of accreditation.
Conference notes that throughout our structures in Community, Health and Safety issues are integral to our working conditions and have a direct impact on our ability to safely deliver services to the public and protect ourselves at work.
Conference further notes, and celebrates the invaluable work done on the behalf of the British trade union movement by the Hazards Magazine and Campaign through the Greater Manchester Hazards Centre since its inception and that its tireless campaigning for the health and safety of working people at local, national and international levels is probably unmatched anywhere in the world, exemplifying the value and reach of an indispensable campaigning organisation.
Conference acknowledges how the Hazards Campaign has exposed the real extent of work-related ill-health and injury in the United Kingdom, which places an intolerable burden on victims, communities and the public purse. It has exploded government-fuelled lies about a supposed “compensation culture” and “burdens on business” posed by workplace health and safety regulation and its enforcement.
Conference further acknowledges that this work has underpinned many UNISON campaigning and bargaining initiatives and assisted us to recruit, train and educate many Health and Safety representatives.
Conference therefore calls upon the Community Service Group Executive to:
a)Work with the National Executive Council (NEC), the National Health and Safety Committee, Learning and Organising Services (LAOS), regions and branches to actively promote the function of Health and Safety representatives in Community workplaces.
b) To highlight the key role that Health and Safety representatives play in delivering the objectives of ending violence at work across all our sectors.
c) Highlight and promote the work of the Hazards Campaign and the value their work adds to the understanding of safe workplaces and practices through all appropriate media.
d) Continue to promote the End Violence at Work Charter in Community.
e) Encourage branches and regions with Community members to affiliate and promote the work of the Hazards Campaign which is so vital in supporting the development of our Community Health and Safety representatives.
