RPI not CPI for indexation of pensions

Conference condemns the decision of the coalition government to change the indexation of pensions from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from April 2011. Conference believes that this change in indexation from RPI to CPI together with the rising cost of living will result is a significant increase in pensioner […]

Elder Abuse

Currently the process and systems to protect older people throughout the United Kingdom are only based on guidance. We believe adult protection should have the same status as child protection. Every year nearly half a million older people in the UK are suffering some form of physical, psychological, financial and/or sexual abuse. Whilst abuse and […]

Winter Fuel Allowance

Conference is very concerned that in the coalition government’s Budget on 23 March 2011 it reduced the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) by £100 (down from £400 to £300) for the over 80’s households and by £50 (down from £250 to £200) for the under 80’s households. In view of the horrendous rise in fuel costs […]

Cheques

Conference notes that the Payments Council announced in July 2011 that the proposal to discontinue the use of cheques from 2015 has been withdrawn for the foreseeable future. Conference applauds the success of the campaign to get the Payments Council to reverse the decision to abolish cheques. Conference further notes that serious damage has been […]

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Conference notes with concern the problems some disabled members encounter in attaining and/or receiving information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; especially whilst requesting information where some constraining time limits are involved. Both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will not currently send information and letters […]

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FAILURE TO MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

The Disability Discrimination Acts introduced for the first time a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. The Equality Act outlines three areas where employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments. These are: a) Adjustments to a provision, criterion or practice; b) Adjustments involving the provision of auxiliary aids and services; and c) […]

EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM CRITICAL ILLNESS

This Conference is concerned that there is no employment protection for staff who are critically ill and at risk of being made redundant due to government cuts. Critical illness is often related to a disability and there are further complications when a disabled person has a critical illness. During this time of wide spread budget […]

FAIR REPRESENTATION FOR DISABLED MEMBERS IN UNISON

This conference is concerned about the level of discrimination currently faced by disabled people including the State Orchestrated Discrimination that this government implements against us on a daily basis. To fight this effectively we need to ensure that disabled people are represented at all levels of society including in our own union. Branches and regions […]

STOP STATE ORCHESTRATED DISCRIMINATION

Conference is concerned about the State Orchestrated Discrimination aimed at disabled people. We have fought prejudice, attitudes and institutional discrimination but none of these are as the fight we now face. This isn’t about employers or service providers discriminating. The government won’t support our fight against State Orchestrated Discrimination because they are causing it. The […]

STOP DISABILITY HATE CRIME

This Conference is concerned about the level of hate crime aimed at disabled people. Any incident which is believed by the victim to be motivated by prejudice or hate is a hate incident. All hate crimes are hate incidents but not all hate incidents are hate crimes. Although there is no legal definition of Disability […]

SICKNESS ABSENCE AND DISABLED PEOPLE

The disability discrimination act 1995 introduced a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. The Equality Act 2010 outlines 3 areas where employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments. These are: – Adjustments to a provision, criterion or practice – Adjustments involving the provision of auxiliary aids and services – Adjustments to physical […]

FUEL POV ERTY, TAX EXCLUSION AND DISABLED DRIVERS

This Conference recognises the importance of independent mobility as a civil right for disabled people, we also regret that in the 21st Century the majority of public transport vehicles and transport infrastructure remains inaccessible to a great number of disabled people. Disabled people continue to face greater living costs associated with disability and this applies […]

RESERVED DISABLED MEMBERS’ SEATS ON UNISON’S NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

This conference is concerned that positive action measures have been afforded to members of self organised groups that have not been afforded to disabled members, in particular in the union’s advice on the scheme of branch representation and in the union’s rule book provision to address the underrepresentation of women and black members. Whilst this […]

APPRENTICESHIPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Conference notes that many young people leave school with good exam results and the hope and dreams to gain full employment, more education and to expand their horizons for growth and independence. It’s well known that most disabled young people, due to lack of support during difficult times come out of education with lower grades […]

ACCESS TO DISABILITY INFORMATION ON LINE

This Conference is concerned about the lack of information on the Rights of Disabled members at work on the UNISON website. Conference therefore calls upon the National Disabled Members Committee to: 1.Work with other bodies within UNISON who update the website to: a) Produce relevant information on the rights of disabled members at work b) […]