Conference will recall the horrific events of the Holocaust and the millions of lives that perished as the Nazis pursued mass genocide. This included people with disability that were put to death because of their disability. Their story should never be forgotten. The Holocaust began as early as July 1933, when the Nazis passed a […]
Conference motions
Conference notes the increased drive, in both the public and private sectors, to close workplaces and centralise operations. Frequently this leads to increasingly length, both in time and distance, and difficult commutes to work. This impacts disproportionately negatively on disabled workers. At the same time, continuing and rapid advances in information and communications technology have […]
Conference is concerned that the failure of some employers to make reasonable adjustments to sickness absences procedures is preventing an increasing number of Disabled Members from being able to access essential medical treatment. The usual process of informal and formal sickness hearings often culminating in a formal warning that includes the threat of dismissal is […]
Conference is concerned that although the government has officially “revised its intentions” to force all schools to become academies this is still their intention. The government says “all schools will be made to convert where the local authority can no longer viably support them where a critical mass of academy schools exists.” Underperforming schools and […]
That this Conference notes with great concern the cuts that have been made across the different regions in the UK to socially necessary bus services by local authorities and the impact that this has on disabled people and their ability to access vital public services. We also note the move towards more unstaffed stations, thus […]
This conference believes that many Disabled LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) people are unaware of their rights with regards to accessing suitable housing. This conference notes that the current governments attack on Housing Benefit for young people disproportionately affects young disabled LGBT people, forcing them into unsuitable accommodation. The Albert Kennedy Trust reported in […]
This Conference notes with great concern the high number of disabled workers experiencing bullying and harassment at work, with research by CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) highlighting that 37% of disabled workers have experienced bullying and harassment, compared to 18% of non-disabled workers. Further research from Cardiff University highlighted that the type of disability […]
Self Organised Groups (SOGs) and the young members and retired members organisations are the equality life blood of UNISON. A key part to achieving equality is the organisation of groups of members who face prejudice and discrimination. Disabled members issues are trade union issues. We welcome UNISON’s continued commitment to equality and to tackling discrimination, […]
Conference, many of you will have woken up in dismay at the outcome of the European Referendum. While the outcome of the vote was clear what happens next is not. There is no timetable or exit strategy in place for the UK to leave the EU. Disabled Members are concerned that we will not only […]
At Conference it is noted with concern that some members are still having problems getting reasonable adjustments implemented in their workplace. For the fortunate ones that do manage to get them they are not followed through or monitored and kept up to date as their needs change. Some employers are also still too quick to […]
Conference agrees that access to further and higher education benefits not only the student, but society as whole. We especially note that for disabled people whether at sixth form level or already in work, further and higher education for a disabled person helps to level the playing field and expands disabled access to levels it […]
This Conference believes that young disabled people in particular are being subjected to ignorance and discrimination because of disabilities that are not immediately apparent. The impact of such disabilities can lead to people being wrongly labelled as “lazy”, or worse, and feeding the stereotype of those with invisible/non-apparent disabilities. This Conference also believes that young […]
Composite B BLACK MENTAL HEALTH. Conference, the theme of mental health crops up a lot at these conferences and with good reason. The Mental Health Foundation which is the leading mental health research organisation in the UK states that black people from the UK are: More likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems More […]
This conference notes the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Race Relations Act in 2015 and the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Race Relations Act next year. Conference notes that the 1976 Act was instrumental to the development of racial equality for Black communities and Black trade unionists in that in addition to the definitions of […]
Conference, we are experiencing many attacks to our funding in the housing association sector with the 1% cut to rents and the right to buy. Where are housing associations going to make the cuts to balance their books? We know from our experience elsewhere it will be the usual response by employers to cut terms […]