HUMAN RIGHTS AND ELDER ABUSE IN CARE HOMES

The human rights now enshrined in legislation should affirm the equal dignity and worth, to which we are all entitled, but the human rights of our sector of society are daily and routinely violated and this needs to be stopped. Elder abuse is a shameful by-product of age discrimination and as such is totally unacceptable. […]

A NATIONWIDE CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL SCHEME

Conference will be aware that the Concessionary Bus Travel Act (CBT) 2007 came into force on 1 April 2008. The Act provides free, off-peak travel (valid between 9.30am-11pm weekdays and at all times on weekends and Bank Holidays) for pensioners and disabled people in England. This has been welcomed by pensioners but there have been […]

FUEL POVERTY

In the March 2008 Budget, Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, did not totally ignore the plight of pensioners and increased the fuel allowance by £50 to £250, a one-off payment to be paid in the autumn. But the Budget has once again failed to deliver on the eradication of pensioner poverty. Because of rapidly […]

THE CENTENARY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STATE PENSION 1909 TO 2009 – THE NEED TO STILL IMPROVE STATE PENSION PROVISION

Conference notes the work that was undertaken by UNISON to mark the centenary of the May 1908 Old Age Pensions Act. This highlighted the proud role that trade unions played in the struggle to establish the older generation’s right to an adequate income and dignity in their later years. As a result of the Act, […]

Assistive Technology

Conference notes with concern the poor record of Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and individual forces in introducing assistive technology for disabled police staff. Assistive technology is the provision of software applications which allow workers with disabilities to access IT which otherwise would be denied to them. Conference notes that recently introduced police software packages, […]

National Contact Management Programme

Conference notes that the National Contact Management Programme (NCMP) aims to improve public/police interaction through the introduction of a standardised approach to contact management and the provision of guidance, which serves to support, shape and drive improved citizen focussed service delivery. Conference further notes that, when effectively implemented, the National Contact Management Programme is meant […]

Future Role, Powers and Equipment of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)

Conference notes with concern the continuing lack of consistency over PCSO powers, uniform, role and equipment across England and Wales. Conference is particularly disappointed that: 1)The original concept of standard powers for PCSOs was significantly watered down by stakeholders; 2)The continuing discretion allowed to Chief Constables over PCSO powers has resulted in a patchwork approach […]

Branch International Relations Officers

Conference affirms its commitment to UNISON’s International ideals and is disappointed at the lack of committed Branch International Relations Officers in the Police sector. Conference therefore encourages all branches to recruit Branch International Relations Officers and instructs the Service Group Executive to work closely with the national International department to develop this work and to […]

Challenging Racism in the Workplace

Conferences notes that a Labour Research Report from 2001 identified that not all employers were doing all they could to comply with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The 2000 Act amended the 1976 Race Relations Act to place a General Duty on all public authorities to promote race equality. Conference notes that the General […]

Representation of Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) Committee on Police Staff Service Group Executive

Conference notes that in 2005, Conference voted to establish a Shadow SOCA Committee to represent members’ interests in SOCA. The Shadow Committee elects two representatives to the Police Staff Service Group Executive, namely; ·One National Crime Squad (NCS) representive ·One National Crime Intelligence Squad (NCIS) representative ·· Conference also notes that it was agreed to […]

UNISON RETIRED MEMBERSHIP

This conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to: i.Issue publicity material to ensure that retired members and branch secretaries are aware of the existence of UNISON Rule 6.1 whereby a retired member may become a member of the branch based closest to her/his place of residence; ii.Ensure that the necessary transfer documentation is available […]

MERGED RETIRED MEMBERS’ SECTIONS – CARD VOTES AT RETIRED MEMBERS’ CONFERENCES

This Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to ensure that where merged retired members’ sections exist, administrative arrangements are in place for the inclusion of retired members from all the branches concerned in card votes at retired members’ conferences.

Disability Discrimination in sickness absence, capability and disciplinary procedures

This Conference believes that Police Authorities continue to discriminate against disabled workers despite their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and their responsibilities according to the Disability Equality Duty. Harsh sickness absence policies that fail to take account of disability related leave as advised in the Code of Practice for Employment and Occupation, Capability procedures […]

Violence and aggression towards Staff

Conference is concerned that violence and aggression towards Police Staff members is on the increase. Conference notes the necessary personal protective equipment and training for front line operational staff is not forthcoming from certain forces. Conference believes that this training and basic equipment is sadly a necessity in the modern policing environment and that the […]

Protecting Members in the Custody environment from false allegations

Our members working in custody are vulnerable to all sorts of false allegations from detained persons; these allegations have included physical and sexual assault. Once the allegations are made our members are put under immense pressure for long periods of time until investigations are complete. This causes not only difficulties at work, but home also. […]