Government proposals in effect will ban the right for workers to raise genuine concerns concerning pay and working conditions through strike action. The new law is insisting on Minimum Service Levels, during strikes in areas where our members work. Ambulance, Border control and some passport workers will be affected, but this law can be extended, […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that in January 2024 UNISON joined the protest in Cheltenham against the Tories’ new Minimum Service Levels Act 2023, and a day of historical strike action took place in Northern Ireland. Conference notes that the last year has seen a high level of organising and bargaining in UNISON. The ‘One UNISON’ campaigns of […]
The fight for decent working hours has always been at the heart of union campaigning. Trade unions fought for an eight hour day in the 19th century and a two-day weekend in the 20th. In the 21st, it is time to take the next step and win a four-day week with fair pay for all. […]
Conference is appalled at the ongoing funding crisis in local government, which is now resulting in an existential threat to the future of many councils across the UK. Extensive UNISON research from last autumn revealed that councils across the UK were facing a funding shortfall of £3.56billion in 2024/25 and a cumulative funding gap of […]
Police and Justice staff are well established members of our union and have been for decades. Police and Justice members work in very difficult circumstances both protecting the public and enforcing the law. The needs of these members are no different to that of other service groups. These members support our union and act with […]
Unison and other unions were told in 2022 that the local government employers would not negotiate on car allowance rates. The employers told us this was now a local issue despite the rates being part of the Green Book. Mileage rates have not changed since 2011 and have been significantly eroded by inflation. UNISON estimate […]
A survey conducted in 2023 by Censuswide found that many young people in the UK were considering delaying or deciding not to have children. More than half cited financial reasons as the number one reason for this. Conference notes that statutory maternity leave in the United Kingdom is issued for up to 52 weeks. Local […]
Conference is concerned that disabled members in local government are being penalised for using their cars to travel to and from work and for work purposes. Disabled workers often have no option but to use their cars for work as public transport is either inaccessible or inappropriate for their needs. Current NJC mileage rates for […]
Since the establishment of the Scottish Joint Council and National Joint Council agreements, our members have seen significant decline in their terms and conditions, pay and protection arrangements. This may also be the case in other local government bargaining areas. The decline has resulted in a post code lottery across all local authorities – this […]
Conference notes that our members employed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) work tirelessly to ensure the public eats safe and clean meat, dairy and seafood. Our membership is not getting any younger, so we must widen our reach to attract other roles within the Agency. Conference also notes […]
Conference notes the significant increase in workplace violence and aggression against our members, everyone has the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence. We urgently need action to strengthen legal protections, employer actions and enforcement activity to better protect workers exposed to violence and aggression. There has been […]
In the last two years in particular, pay awards have not been approved and implemented until later in the year due to struggles over pay. Therefore, months of backpay has been paid in one lump sum. For many part-time staff, this means that for that one month only, they hit the threshold to pay tax […]
Conference, stress caused by OFSTED has featured frequently in the news over the past few years, with reports on how the pressure of OFSTED has detrimentally impacted the health and wellbeing of headteachers and teachers in schools. But sadly, the impact a visit from OFSTED has on support staff is often overlooked. When a school […]
Conference affirms that employers have a legal duty to protect both the health, and the safety of their employees in relation to the activities of the employer. Conference notes that work related stress is defined as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them’. Stress is a […]
The question of the constitutional future of the United Kingdom is becoming more prevalent amongst society and UNISON members. In the previous decade, the UK has been embroiled in constitutional arguments, the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 and Brexit in 2016. However, it is not only these era defining events that call into question the […]