Conference recognises that the recent UK Supreme Court ruling [For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent)] concerning the legal definition of sex has caused significant concern across the LGBT+ structures of UNISON, particularly among Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse members. The judgment has been interpreted by some as undermining the rights and […]
Conference motions
We note that UNISON has been at the forefront of fighting for Equal Pay and tackling the Gender Pay Gap. However, the experience in pensions is very different. Government Actuary’s Department statistics indicate that the Gender Pension Gap in England and Wales is 63 percent in the NHS Pension Scheme, and 49 percent in the […]
Being a branch officer and being able to support your colleagues is undoubtedly a privileged position and one that can be extremely rewarding. However, anecdotally we hear that many branch officers, particularly workplace stewards and branch secretaries are suffering from burn out. Workloads are high but not measured or capped, casework is complex and often […]
Conference believes that it is imperative that UNISON takes proactive steps to support and empower young single mothers in the workforce. The union should recognise the vital role that this group of workers play in the workforce and acknowledge the unique challenges they face. The increasing number of young single mothers in various sectors highlight […]
Conference notes that the engagement and retention of Young Members can be challenging. However, engaging with young apprentices can often present additional challenges, with there often being little to no education on what a union is, while also feeling that their employment is tentative. Despite the fact there are approximately 135,000 Young Members in UNISON, […]
Conference notes: 1)The failure of central government and devolved national administrations to fund higher education properly has led to a major funding crisis across the UK. Many higher education institutions are struggling financially, and some are likely to be close to bankruptcy if student recruitment and retention does not improve; 2)The £9,000 tuition fee for […]
Conferences notes: 1)Public services have been left to crumble. Tens of billions of pounds of funding shortfalls for NHS, education, housing and local authorities exacerbate the enormous detrimental impact of years of underinvestment and privatisation of key services; 2)All of these services have been significantly worsened as a result and many are on the brink […]
Where appropriate: Replace: “Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations, Lower Ground Floor, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX” with: “8th Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL” Where appropriate: Replace: “his/her” with “their” “her/his” with “their” “she/he has” with “they have” “she/he is” with “they are” “she/he shall” with […]
Conference notes that the year of LGBT+ workers finished at the end of 2024. This year followed the years of young members, disabled members and in 2023 the year of Black workers. In a union of one million women workers, we have seen how intersectionality is woven into our very fabric and is throughout our […]
Conference notes the publication in July 2024 of UNISON’s partner organisation the Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) report “Work it out: advancing migrant worker’s rights”. This report outlines that “in the care sector in particular, we are seeing a record number of workers without enough hours or pay, having their visas curtailed due […]
Rule A.1 Name of the Union In Rule A 1 delete the second sentence after “the Union” Rule F 1 List of Regions In Rule F 1 delete: “Cymru/Wales” and replace with: “Cymru” Rule Q Definitions REGIONS delete: “Wales” and replace with: “Cymru” DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS delete: “the National Assembly for Wales” and replace with: “Senedd […]
Conference notes: 1)That in recent years LGBT+ people, and particularly Trans people, have been at the sharp end of attacks. This has been a conscious part of scapegoating by politicians with the ‘war on woke’ as they seek to divide and weaken us; 2)Anti-Trans rhetoric leads to physical assaults. Home Office statistics in 2023 revealed […]
Conference notes that Kinship carers are family or friends who step up, often during an unexpected crisis, to care for a child when their parents are not able to. This may be because the parent has died, is unwell, has gone to prison, is experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol, or are neglectful or abusive. […]
Conference notes the damage to public services caused by 14 years of austerity and Tory Government. Local government, the NHS, education, social care and police and justice have all been starved of the funding and investment they need to serve our communities. School and hospital buildings have been left to crumble. Jobs have been lost. […]
Industrial disputes – better and stronger in UNISON! Context: 1)The Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill means strike laws are set to change dramatically, lifting the restrictions that have stifled industrial action and, since 2016, have prevented some UNISON disputes progressing beyond ballot stage. 2)The union must use these changes in strike laws to deliver not […]