PENSIONERS’ BEDROOM TAX

An article published in the Independent on 30 September 2016 revealed measures which will be introduced in April 2018 that will result in thousands of pensioners being hit by a new bedroom tax. This is despite the Government’s promise to protect the elderly from the hugely controversial benefit cuts. Pensioners are poised to lose at […]

EXITING THE EU – GIVING RETIRED MEMBERS A VOICE

On 23 June 2016 the “leave” result of the European Referendum was announced. Conference notes that it is expected that the two year process of withdrawal from the EU will be painstakingly negotiated between the UK government and the EU. Currently very little content of the government’s negotiation strategy or timetable has been revealed or […]

Commitment to double waking night cover

This conference is concerned at the recent NPS proposal to extend the use of private providers to cover waking nights in Approved Premises. The issuing of letters to ‘identified’ individuals that they may be TUPE’d over to private providers in 2017 is seen as a premature and provocative act on behalf of the employer. This […]

ACCESS TO WORK

The Access to Work (AtW) programme is designed to provide disabled people with practical support to stay in employment. However, there have been significant problems with the scheme’s operation. Conference notes that the Work and Pensions Select Committee has concluded that the scheme helps “only a minority of the people it could benefit” and that […]

EQUALITY ACT AND DISABLED PEOPLE

Conference following a suggestion by Baroness Thomas of Winchester, herself disabled, the House of Lords appointed a post-legislative scrutiny committee to look at the impact of the Equality Act 2010 on disabled people. The Committee’s remit was to consider: • Why change was needed; • If the Act has been successful; • If the Government […]

IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE ON DISABLED WOMEN

Conference the menopause affects women in many different ways; and just like periods, it is something rarely discussed. We know that the menopause effects different ages and last for different periods of time. The symptoms can be very different from one woman to the next. There are at least 34 recognised different symptoms for example: […]

END THE EXTRA FINANCIAL BURDEN PLACED ON THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON

This conference instructs the NDMC and calls upon the NEC (National Executive Council) to use any means at the disposal to ensure that the unfavourable situation that exists against blind and partially sighted people who use a tablet or similar device to access “text to speech” is ended. The market has spotted a gap in […]

SUPPORTING BLACK MEMBERS WITH DYSLEXIA AND DYSPRAXIA

Conference notes that Dyslexia/Dyspraxia are the most common causes of reading, spelling and writing difficulties. 1 in 10 people are estimated to experience these problems. Research shows that Black people are disproportionately affected. Dyslexia goes beyond reading/writing difficulties. The issues faced by Black Members are often misdiagnosed as performance related. Managers are quick to initiate […]

SUPPORTING BLACK MEMBERS WITH SICKLE CELL, THALASSEMIA AND LUPUS

Conference notes that Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and Lupus disproportionately affect Black people, who may have increased bouts sickness, hospitalisation, infection and associated illness. These absences often trigger disciplinary & capability procedures. We call on the National Disabled Members Committee to: 1. review existing literature and add references to Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and Lupus where not […]

TRADE UNION ACT AND DISABLED WOMEN ACTIVISTS

Conference welcomes the successful campaigning by UNISON which has led to the Trade Union Act not being as draconian as was originally intended, however, its implementation will still have a massive impact on UNISON’s ability to organise in the work place, facilities time and our equalities work. Being activists in our union without dedicated facility […]

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

Conference recognises that many disabled women are not aware if a disability leave policy exists in their workplace or how to make use of it if one should exists. Currently sick leave due to disability being inappropriately classified as sickness absence can lead to disabled women facing disciplinary or capability action. Although disabled women may […]

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS V INCAPABILITY PROCEDURES

Conference notes that many employers have introduced Capability Procedures which are designed to make it easier to terminate contracts on the grounds of either ill-health or performance. We believe these procedures are disproportionately targeted against disabled workers. Conference notes, with concern, that reasonable adjustments are never exhausted and in some cases are not considered at […]

Police & Justice Constitution

This Conference agrees to update the Police & Justice Constitution to reflect that Conference in 2015 did not support a proposal to introduce direct elections for sector committees. Conference therefore agrees the following amendments to the current Constitution In Section 3 Sector Committee, 3.1 Delete “recognising that currently, in accordance with Rule 3.7.3, any sector […]

Staff care = staff retention

Conference is concerned to note the impact that the previous government’s ‘Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) agenda’ had had on a previously successful and effective Probation Service. As well as a significant dramatic loss of jobs in the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) we have also seen the imposition of untested payment by results models of working, and […]

Recruiting and organising LGBT members in police and justice

Conference notes the sustained attack on trade unions and trade union members carried out by the Tory government through what is now the 2016 Trade Union Act. Conference welcomes UNISON’s strong response during the passage of the Bill and affirms that our response now must be to increase our strength, recruiting more members and encouraging […]