WITNESSES TO THE HOLOCAUST

Conference will recall the horrific events of the Holocaust and the millions of lives that perished as the Nazis pursued mass genocide. This included people with disability that were put to death because of their disability. Their story should never be forgotten. The Holocaust began as early as July 1933, when the Nazis passed a […]

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS AND SICKNESS ABSENCE POLICIES

Conference is concerned that the failure of some employers to make reasonable adjustments to sickness absences procedures is preventing an increasing number of Disabled Members from being able to access essential medical treatment. The usual process of informal and formal sickness hearings often culminating in a formal warning that includes the threat of dismissal is […]

HOMEWORKING

Conference notes the increased drive, in both the public and private sectors, to close workplaces and centralise operations. Frequently this leads to increasingly length, both in time and distance, and difficult commutes to work. This impacts disproportionately negatively on disabled workers. At the same time, continuing and rapid advances in information and communications technology have […]

FORCED ACADEMISATION AND DISABLED PEOPLE

Conference is concerned that although the government has officially “revised its intentions” to force all schools to become academies this is still their intention. The government says “all schools will be made to convert where the local authority can no longer viably support them where a critical mass of academy schools exists.” Underperforming schools and […]

ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR YOUNG DISABLED LGBT PEOPLE

This conference believes that many Disabled LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) people are unaware of their rights with regards to accessing suitable housing. This conference notes that the current governments attack on Housing Benefit for young people disproportionately affects young disabled LGBT people, forcing them into unsuitable accommodation. The Albert Kennedy Trust reported in […]

ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

That this Conference notes with great concern the cuts that have been made across the different regions in the UK to socially necessary bus services by local authorities and the impact that this has on disabled people and their ability to access vital public services. We also note the move towards more unstaffed stations, thus […]

COMBATING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

This Conference notes with great concern the high number of disabled workers experiencing bullying and harassment at work, with research by CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) highlighting that 37% of disabled workers have experienced bullying and harassment, compared to 18% of non-disabled workers. Further research from Cardiff University highlighted that the type of disability […]

PROMOTE SELF ORGANISED GROUPS (SOGs) AND THE YOUNG MEMBERS AND RETIRED MEMBERS ORGANISATIONS

Self Organised Groups (SOGs) and the young members and retired members organisations are the equality life blood of UNISON. A key part to achieving equality is the organisation of groups of members who face prejudice and discrimination. Disabled members issues are trade union issues. We welcome UNISON’s continued commitment to equality and to tackling discrimination, […]

TAKING OUR RIGHTS FORWARD

Conference, many of you will have woken up in dismay at the outcome of the European Referendum. While the outcome of the vote was clear what happens next is not. There is no timetable or exit strategy in place for the UK to leave the EU. Disabled Members are concerned that we will not only […]

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

At Conference it is noted with concern that some members are still having problems getting reasonable adjustments implemented in their workplace. For the fortunate ones that do manage to get them they are not followed through or monitored and kept up to date as their needs change. Some employers are also still too quick to […]

END CUTS TO DISABILITY COLLEGES AND DISABLED STUDENTS FUNDING

Conference agrees that access to further and higher education benefits not only the student, but society as whole. We especially note that for disabled people whether at sixth form level or already in work, further and higher education for a disabled person helps to level the playing field and expands disabled access to levels it […]

INVISIBLE DISABILITIES

This Conference believes that young disabled people in particular are being subjected to ignorance and discrimination because of disabilities that are not immediately apparent. The impact of such disabilities can lead to people being wrongly labelled as “lazy”, or worse, and feeding the stereotype of those with invisible/non-apparent disabilities. This Conference also believes that young […]

Schools Funding

This Conference notes: 1)The proposal included in the Comprehensive Spending Review to create a single national funding formula for schools in England; 2)That this could cut funding for schools in cities and metropolitan areas in particular by as much as 20%; 3)Support staff, who make up 1 in 3 of workers organised within the local […]

UNISON local government members supporting refugees

Conference is pleased to note that funding for refugee resettlement is to be increased. Whilst this targeted funding is welcome, it also raises concerns for staff working in local government who are already under extreme pressure from cuts in local government jobs and services, allied with increased demand from existing service users. Conference believes that […]

Bullying and Young Members

Conference recognises that the cuts in local government are adding to the already high levels of overwork. Staff are being asked to carry a heavier workload due to the reduction in staffing levels but continuing and sometimes increasing demands for services. In many councils the number of managers has been reduced with remaining managers expected […]