Social Care

This Conference condemns the continued failure of Government to address the funding deficit in Social Care. The continued rationing of Social Care to those with the highest level of need means that more and more people with low and moderate needs are no longer eligible for services. Without that early intervention these people accelerate to […]

Efficiency Reviews and Shared Services

Conference deplores the fact that efficiency reviews across the UK are leading to a deterioration in the delivery of public services. Conference believes that these so-called “efficiencies” mask the effects of inadequate funding of local government and deplores the negative impact on services, staff and users. Stringent efficiency targets have been set in all four […]

Local Government Reform

Conference notes that in the last year major reforms have been announced to local government in England (Local Government White Paper 2006) and Wales (the Beecham Review – ‘Delivering Beyond Boundaries’). A major reorganisation of local government is also taking place in Northern Ireland. Conference condemns the fact that the proposed reforms will turn councils […]

Education

This Local Government Service Group supports a non-selective, comprehensive state school system, controlled by local communities. As such this LGSG opposes the Government’s Academy Programme which replaces democratically controlled local schools with privately run educational establishments, funded by a combination of central government, businesses and other private organisations. We have similar concerns over the creation […]

Local Government Pay and Negotiating Structures

Safe Staffing Levels

Conference notes the recurring theme in both the literature and the media of shortages of Registered Nursing Staff, appropriate skill mix and overall staffing levels and believes that the recent financial crisis has exposed the extent to which the NHS relies upon agency staff, bank staff and overtime – often unpaid – to carry out […]

Future Pay Determination in the NHS – an expanded pay review body

In the early 1980’s Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and other NHS staff took industrial action over pay. This action led to the creation of the Nurses and Other Health Professionals (Pay) Review Body which since its formation in 1984 has, in most years, recommended above inflation pay awards. Occupational Groups not covered by the Pay […]

Private Contractor Staff

Conference notes the ground-breaking deal made with the Government, NHS Employers, the Confederation of British Industry and the NHS Business Services Authority for Soft Facilities Management employees working for private contractors in October 2005. Following on from this similar agreements have been made in Scotland and Wales. The Joint Protocol began the process of raising […]

Privatisation of Administrative & Clerical Services – England

Conference is encouraged by the events of this past year, where UNISON has given its support to the NHS Logistics strike in September 2006, the NHS Together Lobby in November 2006 and also the Outsourcing Conference in December 2006. Conference congratulates the members from NHS Logistics for their show of solidarity during the month of […]

Social Enterprises

This Conference rejects the model of service provision encapsulated in the Social Enterprise concept and reaffirms its opposition to Social or Community Enterprises taking over NHS services and staff. Despite our opposition, the government has established a Social Enterprise Unit within the Dept of Health, and is promoting the setting up of such bodies to […]

Stop Privatisation and Marketisation of Our NHS

Conference is outraged that a Labour government is continuing to privatise NHS service and staff. Conference reaffirms our total opposition to the privation and marketisation of the NHS, in whatever from(such PFI and LIFT, use of the private sector to carry out NHS work, transfer of service to private sector ownership or management, Independent Sector […]

Local Government Pension Scheme

This Conference congratulates the Local Government Service Group Executive on the work it has undertaken to protect local government workers pensions. We especially applaud the work of the UNISON negotiating team for their diligence in ensuring, wherever possible, equality for all participants. Our pension’s campaign is also concerned with the rights of disabled people; disabled […]

Local Government Pension Scheme

This Special Conference believes that the current package of proposals for the new LGPS represents substantial improvements in benefits for all UNISON members and their families, namely: ·The retention of a final salary scheme ·1/60 accrual rate ·A more flexible definition for period for pensionable pay ·Improved early retirement factors ·Pensions for unmarried partners ·Increased […]

GUIDANCE TO MEMBERS ON SUPPORTING ASYLUM SEEKERS

Conference notes the continuing inhumane policies of the Government in relation to asylum seekers. Conference notes that UNISON members working in local government provide many services to asylum seekers and that many services are of a statutory basis. It is noted that legislation concerning asylum can contradict or in some cases over-ride other legislation in […]

Building Equality and Diversity in the National Offender Management Service

This conference notes that the probation service in England and Wales has a tradition of working proactively on equality issues and well established equality networks for the various diversity strands. Conference expresses concern that this is not being effectively carried forward in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), particularly in the context of the mixed […]