PROTECT UNIVERSAL BENEFITS

On Sunday 7 October 2012, the Prime Minister, David Cameron gave an assurance that he would not cut universal benefits for pensioners such as free bus passes and winter fuel payments. This statement is the exact opposite of that made by his Coalition partner, Nick Clegg who has stated his support for stripping so-called “rich” […]

Failure to act on National Conference Motion 62

The South East Regional Police & Justice Committee wishes conference to acknowledge its grave disappointment that the Union in General has failed to act on the National Conference Motion 62 to promote and publicise the PCC elections in November. Conference instructs the SGE to raise this with National Office and require a report as to […]

Olympics Bailout the true cost

Conference notes with concern the failure of G4s to fulfill it’s contract to provide security services for the London 2012 Olympics between 29th July and 17th August 2012. The use of Police Officers and Armed services to fill gaps put additional strain on local policing services and additional cost to the exchequer/Tax Payer. Conference believes […]

Protection of pensioner exemption from national insurance contributions

In the 2011 budget, the Chancellor revealed plans to merge income tax and national insurance, asserting “It is time that we take this historic step to simplify our tax system and make it fit for the modern age”. At present, those who have reached state pension age are exempt from paying any further national insurance […]

Care in Retirement & the National Pensioners Convention Dignity Code

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has produced a Dignity Code to uphold the rights and maintain the personal dignity of older people, within the context of ensuring the health, safety and well being of those who are increasingly less able to care for themselves or to properly conduct their affairs. Copy attached below. Signatories to […]

QUALITY AND OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK TARGETS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis (literally meaning porous bones) occurs when the trabecular structure of bones becomes thin causing them to become fragile and break more easily. By far the most likely people to suffer from osteoporosis are older people, and particularly older women. At the end of last year, after many years of campaigning by the National Osteoporosis […]

RETIRED MEMBERS’ ANNUAL REPORT TIMETABLE

This Conference recalls that a motion was submitted by the South East Region to last year’s Retired Members’ Conference agenda, on the above subject, which was ruled non-competent by the Standing Orders’ Committee being ‘Beyond the Remit of the Conference’ since the timetable for all UNISON’s annual reports is set by the National Executive Council. […]

Basic State Pension/Pension Credit Guarantee

This National Retired Members Conference is concerned that the Basic State Pension (BSP) and Pension Credit (means-tested) are still well below the poverty level. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Minimum Income Standard for 2011 for a single pensioner, excluding rent or mortgage, is £154.62 per week, and for a pensioner couple £232.74 per […]

Security of Tenure

Conference is concerned to learn that some residents in care homes may not have security of tenure and that due to a number of factors could find themselves being evicted at short notice. Conference condemns the continuing privatisation of the residential care sector which seems largely to be responsible for this alarming new problem and […]

Scottish Police Value Added Tax (VAT) liability

The Scottish Government has put a Police and Fire Reform bill before Parliament. One of the aims of the bill is to realise considerable savings through the efficiencies of rationalisation. The new Police Service for Scotland will involve an amalgamation of the current 8 Forces and Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) into one Scottish Force. […]

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) being used as Police Officer Apprenticeships

This Conference notes the increasing use of the PCSO position as a stepping-stone into the rank of Constable. Some forces, including the Metropolitan Police, now require new Police Officers to serve a period of time as either a PCSO or a Special Constable before becoming a Police Officer. This Conference believes that the role of […]

Grievance Procedures

Conference believes that in a time of cuts, there has been an increase in the use of grievance procedures to attempt to resolve difficult issues ranging from bullying in the workplace to favouritism. Conference notes that different employers have many different ways of dealing with and resolving grievances, and there is a wide variation in […]

Recruitment Materials for shift and weekend workers

Conference, the threat included amongst the Winsor recommendations to withdraw shift premia and weekend working allowances present Unison with an opportunity to recruit staff in occupational groups where the removal of these elements of pay would have a massive impact. This motion calls for Unison to produce specific recruitment materials aimed at these workers .

Loss of allowances owing to Winsor

Conference, the Winsor recommendations would mean that many of our members would lose a substantial amount of pay , and pension, because they will no longer receive shift premia or weekend allowance. This loss will mean people may lose their homes, will fall into debt, may decide they cannot afford to start a family, or […]

Uniforms in probation

This conference deplores the attempt by a probation trust to impose uniforms on some staff as part of their terms and conditions. This is a unilateral imposition and it is not motivated by health and safety requirements. This conference urges Unison probation negotiators to continue to seek to protect terms and conditions for all staff […]