This Conference is aware of the need to communicate effectively and regularly with retired members. Unlike most working colleagues retired members do not have a workplace or an administrative base at which they can be reached. Retired members live at home. They rely on the Royal Mail or on email for their information from UNISON. […]
Conference motions
A recent study by Age UK showed that a total of 2.7 million people aged 65 and over do not use the internet, equivalent to around one in five (22%) of this age group. This group of people are becoming left behind and excluded from an increasingly digital world. From this point of view, a […]
“This Conference notes the decline in available public toilets, which according to a survey undertaken by the Royal Society for Public Health in 2019, means that three in every four people in the UK reported a lack of public toilets in their area. This matter has a particular impact on older people as well as […]
Conference notes that some banks, not content with closing down branches and reducing physical access to banking, are now unilaterally informing customers that their accounts have moved “on line” and that they will no longer receive statements by post. This policy discriminates particularly against older people who either cannot afford to have internet access or […]
Conference notes that, despite the Triple Lock formula, pensioner poverty is rising in the UK. A recent Report by the Fabian Society also shows that the number of 60 year olds who are not yet eligible for the State Pension, living in poverty, has tripled since the Tories took power in 2010. Conference also notes […]
Conference notes that workers with a disability encounter significantly more hurdles than their non-disabled colleagues. We applaud the great work done both within our WET Sector and the Self Organised Groups (SOGs) structures. However, we know there is always room for improvement when it comes to inclusion. Conference is aware when someone meets the definition […]
Conference acknowledges the importance of self-organisation within UNISON as it allows marginalised groups within the union to challenge discrimination in the workplace and to campaign in wider society. Conference also notes that members of self-organised groups are a valuable resource to the WET service group as they have knowledge and experience of how our workplaces […]
This conference notes: The Canal and River Trust was formed in 2012 from British Waterways, and the organisation and its dedicated workforce has worked hard to remove people’s perception and image of run-down canals. The Trust’s 2000-mile network is close to many people. Canals are not just about boats and boating – the Trust’s strapline […]
Conference is well aware that disabled workers are paid £3,700 less than non-disabled workers. But conference notes that disabled women are paid even less than disabled men. According to TUC analysis, disabled women face an even bigger pay gap of over £7,000 a year. The gap also increases as women age. Conference recognises that there […]
Workplace Sexual Harassment Numerous surveys run over the course of the pandemic have demonstrated an increase in workplace sexual harassment, with most experiences being online. Homeworking has left women workers unsafe and unprotected from sexual harassment at work. Current protections are clearly not enough. Women have experienced harassment on various online platforms and felt unable […]
Please note, in this context, when we refer to Women, the term encompasses women and pregnant people. Conference notes that there is currently a disparity around attendance management policies for pregnancy losses of less than 24 weeks gestation when compared to pregnancy related illness in an ongoing pregnancy. Our members can unfairly fall through the […]
Conference notes and welcomes the new protection from redundancy for pregnant workers and new parents. Conference thanks Dan Jarvis MP for working in support with UNISON on the new law – the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill – to prevent employers from laying off expectant mothers and new parents, by extending redundancy […]
Conference wishes the following to be considered as one of the choices for the two motions and/or amendments to Rule to be submitted by the Retired Members’ Organisation to National Delegate Conference 2024 in accordance with Rule D.1.10.4: “Rule D – Structure of the union at national level. In Rule D.2 – National Executive Council […]
Almost 1,000 ticket offices are set to close across the country with the loss of thousands of jobs and creating accessibility problems for different types of travellers, especially for older people and persons with disabilities not using smart phones or computers, without ticket offices and on station support a huge swathe of passengers could be […]
There are almost 11 million people aged 65 and over in the UK which represents nearly 20% of the total population. Yet the government continues to ignore the plight of many pensioners and to place the interests of developers and the private sector housing providers before the housing needs of older people. Many pensioners facing […]