Conference is concerned that the location of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) and Minister for Disabled People in the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) stigmatises disabled people as workshy, benefit scroungers. It suggests that the only policies that impact on disabled people are those related to benefits, particularly welfare reform. This is not […]
Conference motions
Conference is concerned that the current changes to welfare reform are destroying the lives of disabled people. Disabled people are twice more likely to live in poverty than other citizens, with roughly a third living in poverty at some point in their lives. This is unacceptable and avoidable, but will only get worse with the […]
A few years ago the position of Branch Welfare Officer became a rule book position due to the necessity of that role. With the amendment of Rule D.4.2 carried at National Delegate Conference 2013 we believe the role of the Branch Disability Officer has changed and thus the role will become more pro-active within the […]
The Bradford Factor or Bradford Formula is used in human resource management as a means of measuring worker absenteeism. The formula’s theory is that short, frequent, and unplanned absences are more disruptive than longer absences.Therefore it is more detrimental to disabled employees, especially those who do not declare or identify as disabled or care for […]
Disability hate crime is a criminal offence which is perceived by the victim as action motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability. But disability hate crime is too often overlooked and unreported. Even so more than 1700 disability hate crimes were recorded by police in England and Wales […]
This Conference recognises that in this current political climate the Tory-led Coalition Government is systematically eroding the employment and civil rights of disabled people, it is therefore crucial that UNISON ensures activists are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge to assist them in challenging public service cuts and to deal with discrimination cases being […]
This Conference recognises that the Department for Work and Pensions Access to Work Scheme has been vital to many of our disabled members’ reasonable adjustment needs in public service workplaces. An adequate package of support to meet the cost of adjustments can play a significant part in disabled people’s employability, it can affect career prospects […]
Conference recognises and commends the work that the National Disabled Members Committee has undertaken with regards to Deaf issues However, Conference is concerned that, because of cultural and linguistic issues, prejudice and the workplace environment – it can be more difficult for Deaf members to participate in UNISON’s branch, regional and national democratic processes or […]
Conference welcomes the British Deaf Association (BDA), Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) and the Signature campaign for British Sign Language – Recognition and Beyond Conference notes that BSL has been recognised by Government (since 2003) as an indigenous ’language in its own right, regularly used by a significant number of people’ this was after […]
This conference condemns and is opposed to the decision made on 9th May 2013 by the Ministry of Justice to forge one new National Probation Service for England and Wales to manage high risk cases whilst the majority of the current work undertaken will be privatised. The Government propose to 1)Dismantle the very bodies who […]
Conference applauds the success of the West Midlands Police branch in fighting privatisation of the police service at West Midlands Police. Conference further notes that this success was achieved by: 1)The branch developing a proper plan and working jointly with the West Midlands Regional Office and the National Office. 2)Lots of branch activists taking an […]
This conference notes its concern that recent developments within the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)/Crime Prevention Initiatives (CPI) include the decision that some Crime Prevention work currently undertaken by Police staff/officers will now be able to be carried out by private consultants (retired Police Officers/staff). There has been no consultation with Forces, UNISON or […]
Conference notes with grave concern the Government’s plans to break apart the Probation Service in England and Wales, as set out in ‘Transforming Rehabilitation: A Strategy for Reform’, published in May 2013. If the plans were to be achieved, it would lead to: 1)The splitting of the current Probation workforce into: a)a small residual public […]
Following the merger of Scotland’s Police Forces it is anticipated that forces in England and Wales are likely to face similar proposals. To ensure Regional Service Groups and Branches are in a position to respond to the challenges which will arise it is important that we develop a coherent national strategy. Conference therefore calls upon […]
Conference welcomes the initiative led by the Home Secretary to improve standards of integrity in the police service in England and Wales. Conference notes that: 1)A number of chief constables in England and Wales have been suspended and others have been the subject of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) or criminal investigations. 2)The Leveson […]