After the shock result of the general election, this was no ordinary year for the members convening for the national delegates conference and a trio of service groups conferences in Glasgow.
But UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis reflected the quiet determination of the delegates when he told them: “Our union is in the firing line like never before. But if we decide to fight, no-one can stop us.”
Mr Prentis made three key pledges that will be immediately implemented:
- treble the number of fighting fund organisers to 300, with the role of supporting branches (for more info and to see how an organiser could help your branch get in touch with your regional office);
- double the union’s legal funds, identifying key cases with which the union can challenge the government’s agenda in the courts;
- prepare for a “massive demonstration” against austerity to take place during the Tory conference in Manchester.
The prospect of a Tory majority government for the next four years informed most of the debates during the NDC and the local government, energy, water and environment and transport conferences.
Key themes during the week included the government’s austerity agenda, low pay and the campaign for a living wage, increased privatisation and dismantling of public services, massive job losses – with close to one million more cuts anticipated between now and 2020 – a concerted assault on trade union rights (including proposed anti-strike legislation and cuts in facility time) and the imminent threat posed by TTIP, the trade deal being hatched between the European Union and US that if implemented “will drag public services into the private sector.”
Many delegates spoke about how low pay was afflicting members, particularly women. Since the financial crisis, almost one million more women have moved into low-paid and insecure jobs, with one in eight on zero-hours contracts, and many forced to turn to food banks and payday loan sharks to solve their problems.
Organising was regarded as a crucial tool in UNISON’s response to the crisis. It was agreed that the union should continue to build membership and density, alongside a concerted bid to attract new stewards, support and nurture existing ones and improve their training.
It was also agreed that the union should continue to campaign against Ukip, and review its response to the UK’s growing devolution.
Mr Prentis urged members to reflect on their successes during the coalition government, including record recruitment, fruitful lobbying of local authorities to adopt the living wage and sign up to the ethical care charter. There were also numerous examples of NHS services being saved from privatisation.
The spirit of conference was typified by their support for Glasgow colleagues under duress.
Delegates poured onto the streets of the city in support of 70 homeless caseworkers who were in their 12th week of industrial action over pay. And they voiced their support of a Glasgow gardener who, ironically, had been dismissed from his job at the conference venue.
As one of the striking caseworkers commented: “The message of this demonstration and this conference has been that ‘no-one will be left behind’.”