UNISON’s special delegate conference confirmed

New one-off, online event will take place in June, after national delegate conference cancelled due to the pandemic

UNISON has confirmed the dates for a special delegate conference this summer.

The union is unable to hold its usual national delegate conference (NDC) in the normal way due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

But a new, one-off event will take place online from Tuesday 15 June to Thursday 17 June 2021.

The special delegate conference will look and feel very different to NDC, but the union’s national executive council (NEC) felt that it’s important to give members and activists a platform to discuss the issues the union faces and use the union’s democratic processes to shape how the union will work in the future.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “I know just how hard UNISON branches have worked to support our members through the pandemic and what a strain this has placed on them.

“But it is also essential that, even in challenging times, there is an opportunity for branches to shape the decision-making of our union.

“This year, we are striving to keep our union’s proud democracy alive with a special delegate conference and I encourage you all to take part.”

Motions should be submitted via the OCS and should follow one of three themes:

  • the branch resources review;
  • the impact of COVID-19 on UNISON members, public services and working life;
  • securing an equal and sustainable post-pandemic settlement.

Further information on speakers will be sent to relevant branches in due course.

Delegates should be registered as normal through the OCS, but the union understands that, in these unprecedented circumstances, attendance at this special event may be affected, so after the deadline for branch registration has passed, an assessment will be made if the event can proceed.

All of the above information has been sent to branch secretaries.

Information on arrangements for the local government, energy and WET online events will be announced shortly.

More information on the special delegate conference