Conference notes the increasing number of severe weather events taking place across the world, including the UK, because of global warming and climate change. The science is clear that this is because of the burning of fossil fuels and that these events will only be more frequent and more serious in the future. Conference recognises […]
Conference motions
Conference acknowledges that despite the significant presence of Black workers in frontline roles within local government, they remain disproportionately underrepresented in managerial and senior positions. Instead, they are often concentrated in lower-level roles, facing systemic barriers to career progression. Research indicates that institutional racism continues to shape the experiences of Black workers within organisations, leading […]
Conference notes that the government’s Employment Rights Bill included legislation to reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) for England, which the Coalition Government had abolished. Conference welcomes the reintroduction of the SSSNB, which will give members working in schools a full voice in negotiations on national pay, conditions and career development. Conference in […]
Conference notes the rapid spread of new technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) across UK local government. These new systems promise increased efficiency and productivity, and as such can appear to be attractive to local service providers grappling with the sector’s entrenched issues of underfunding, under-resourcing and steadily growing demand. Conference recognises the many potential […]
Conference notes that the NJC Green Book was agreed in 1997. As part of this, ‘Single Status’ – a single pay spine for all council staff up to spinal column point 49 at the time in England, Cymru/Wales and Northern Ireland – was agreed. The Green Book includes the NJC job evaluation scheme, an equal […]
The new Westminster Government has stated that investment in early years education will be a priority. They have announced welcome increases in early years pupil premium payments and committed to the expansion of early years provision in schools. Expansion of funded early years to children of working parents from nine months as well as increased […]
Conference notes that migrant workers working across local government services face workplace discrimination and exploitation linked to their visa status. The complexity of the UK’s immigration system means that different visa types can lead to different challenges for members and branches. Many migrant workers across public services have been affected by changes to the skilled […]
Conferences notes that the bargaining framework for many UNISON members in local government is changing. The government’s Employment Rights Bill, published in October 2024 included clauses to reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) and to put in place the means to create a fair pay agreement in adult social care. Conference welcomes these […]
Conference notes that UNISON members in local government have seen sustained and repeated cuts in the real value of their pay over the last 15 years. Those covered by the NJC in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have lost more than a quarter of the value of their pay. While the rate of inflation has […]
Conference condemns the actions of successive Conservative governments over the last decade that has resulted in local authorities facing an existential crisis. For years, UNISON and the Local Government Association have demanded a sustainable, long term funding settlement and updated distribution mechanism to allow councils to actively support their communities. Now there is a change […]
Conference notes the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, which will significantly impact our members’ employment in every region of England. The proposals could diminish the role of district councils in strategic governance by reorganising or consolidating them into unitary authorities. The remaining district councils will be expected to focus on hyper-local service delivery […]
Conference notes the results of the local elections in England on 1 May 2025. Conference notes with concern Reform UK’s recent electoral gains, which signal a significant political shift with serious implications for local government. Conference expresses its concern and dismay that Reform UK now control 10 English local authorities, spanning six UNISON regions. Reform […]
A survey conducted in 2023 by Censuswide found that many young people in the UK were considering delaying or deciding not to have children. More than half cited financial reasons as the number one reason for this. Conference notes that statutory maternity leave in the United Kingdom is issued for up to 52 weeks. Local […]
Unison and other unions were told in 2022 that the local government employers would not negotiate on car allowance rates. The employers told us this was now a local issue despite the rates being part of the Green Book. Mileage rates have not changed since 2011 and have been significantly eroded by inflation. UNISON estimate […]
Conference is concerned that disabled members in local government are being penalised for using their cars to travel to and from work and for work purposes. Disabled workers often have no option but to use their cars for work as public transport is either inaccessible or inappropriate for their needs. Current NJC mileage rates for […]