Including More Retired Members more effectively at Self-Organised Group Conferences

Conference notes that: 1)In 2014, UNISON amended its rules to allow the retired members’ organisation to send two representatives of relevant retired members to each self-organised group (SOG) conference; 2. For the first five years, the retired members’ national committee (NRMC) picked these representatives but from this year self-nominations will be considered and voted on […]

National Self-Organised Group Conferences – Representatives of Relevant Retired Members

Conference notes that, since Rule D7.8 was amended in 2014, the National Retired Members’ Organisation has sent two representatives of relevant retired members to each National Self-Organised Group (SOG) conference. It further notes that the Retired Members’ National Committee (RMNC) chooses these representatives, but Conference continues to think it would be better if, in future, […]

National pay bargaining for Wales / a Welsh National Joint Council

Conference notes that local government has been a devolved responsibility of the Welsh government since 1999, with local authority financial settlements determined by Welsh government rather than Westminster. Since that time we have witnessed an increasing divergence of approach towards local government between England and Wales, with regards to funding, council tax, approaches to outsourcing […]

Equal Pensions (2)

Conference notes that some trans women remain cheated of arrears of State Pension due as a result of a European Court of Justice decision because the United Kingdom government, relying on domestic provisions on non-retrospection, refuses to backdate payment to date of transition. Conference instructs the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender committee to work […]

Working for Inclusion

Conference believes a growing number of people identify with sexual orientations or gender identities outside of or in addition to the traditional concepts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT). Conference believes that the most obvious place for these identities to be represented is within the LGBT Self Organised Group (SOG) due to the fact […]

Root and Branch

With a static or decreasing number of members in our branches we need to review how we organise within the Water, Environment and Transport Service Group (WET). As moves are made to change our branches we need to find a structure that suits us before one is imposed. There seems to be a coordinated effort […]

NJC for Wales

Conference notes the inability of the current National Joint Council (NJC) to effectively negotiate on behalf of UNISON members. Primarily this is because of intransigence from the employers’ side buoyed by a hostile Westminster Government. Conference recognises that the current NJC arrangements restrict the ability to negotiate on a National basis within Wales with a […]

Smoking in Customer’s Premises

This Water, Environment and Transport Conference 2014 welcomes legislation banning smoking in workplaces etc. One area that wasn’t addressed however and continues to give our members health and safety concerns is visiting customer’s residential properties whereby the occupiers’ smoke. We call upon the Water, Environment and Transport Executive to produce appropriate guidance which will include […]

DEFENDING THE WOMEN OF COLOMBIA IN THEIR PEACE PROCESS

Conference notes that the people of Colombia have been subjected to neo-conservative governments for the last 20 years which have openly embraced all aspects of the free market with no restrictions on how these operate. In this context there are peace negotiations taking place in Havana between the Colombian Governments and FARC. The real likelihood […]

Work Experience Schemes and Other Unpaid Work

Conference notes that: 1. The economic recession that began in 2008 has had profound effects upon the labour market leading to growing inequality and a growing distinction between “core” and “peripheral” workers. Among the worst affected are young workers and workers already subject to prejudice and discrimination on grounds including disability, gender, gender identity, race, […]

EM2 – Hate Crime

On Monday 5th November 2012 a man was arrested and subsequently released with a caution after he admitted a public order offence for a homophobic attack on two Manchester residents on a train from Blackpool. Delegates may have seen this posted on YouTube. Conference is aware of the high profile case of the racist Jacqueline […]

Cross-functioning across Clean and Waste Sites.

The latest reorganisations within several of the water companies seem to have turned the clock back and brought clean and waste water operatives working together and cross functioning across sites. This seems to us to be a backward step. The risk of contamination to workers and the public was a major reason why these streams […]

AMENDMENT TO RULE D.4.6.1

In Rule D.4.6.1 at the end add: “and of relevant retired members who shall have the right to speak but not to vote”

AMENDMENT TO RULE D.4.5.1

In Rule D.4.5.1 after “level,” add: “representatives of relevant retired members who shall have the right to speak but not to vote,”

CONFERENCE TIME – A WASTE OF TIME

Conference recognises the importance of ‘workshops’ to raise awareness, educate and inform members but not at a cost of conference time. Conference also understands that it is important for Caucuses to meet but not at the cost of conference business. Conference notes that at last year’s conference and previous years we have rushed through business […]