Divided we fall – invest in Agenda for Change, don’t destroy it

Conference notes that on 11th January 2024 the Department for Health and Social Care published a consultation “to consider the benefits and challenges of a separate pay spine for nursing staff, and to explore other potential approaches to supporting the career progression and professional development of nurses.” The consultation, which covers England only, put forward […]

Put NHS pay right 2024-25– building to win

Conference notes that on 20th December 2023, the Westminster Health Secretary wrote to the NHS Pay Review Body to formally commence the 2024-5 pay round – asking it to make recommendations on pay for the Agenda for Change (AfC) workforce in England. On 10th January 2024 the Northern Ireland Department of Health followed suit and […]

Standing up for PA and AA members

Conference is concerned by the heated and at times unpleasant debate that has been growing around the roles of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) in the NHS. Conference notes that several issues have caused the debate to intensify in recent weeks – the laying of the Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order (AAPAO) […]

Energy policy fit for net zero.

Conference notes that to reach net zero we need a clear energy policy that is fit for purpose. We have seen too many times Governments moving the goalposts when it comes to a clear vision of what we need to achieve net zero. We have seen the roll back on the current Tory Governments’ timelines […]

Review of the Energy Service Group Executive Constitution

Conference notes the significant changes that have taken place across the Energy Sector in the last decade. Conference instructs the Energy Service Group Executive to undertake a review of the Service Group Executive constitution and bring any proposals changes to the current terms of reference to Energy Conference 2025.

Workplace Pensions in the Bus Sector

Conference notes that before deregulation of the Bus Industry in 1986 many bus services were run directly by Local Authorities, therefore the employees were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Since deregulation, bus company employees have been enrolled in vastly inferior Defined Contribution Schemes by their private sector employers. When they retire , it […]

Divest the SEPA pension fund from fossil fuels

The failure again of the latest COP climate talks, COP28, to provide an unambiguous statement on the phasing out of fossil fuels is both ‘dangerous’ and ‘devastating’, leading climate scientists have stated. One climate scientist said that it is a “tragedy for the planet and our future” whilst another scientist described it as “the dream […]

Dandy – But not as you know it

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 […]

Paid – ‘Wellness Days’ for WET Members.

UNISON’S Yorkshire Water Branch and the company’s Occupational Health team have had a strong working relationship over many years, sharing and promoting ideas for a healthy working environment. In a recent meeting the health team shared that a staggering 52% of all referrals are linked to poor mental health. Conference notes that time away from […]

The importance of self-organisation in energy

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 energy service group as they have knowledge and experience of how our workplaces […]

The importance of self-organisation in WET

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 […]

Year of LGBT+ Workers – Embedding LGBT+ Equality in Energy

Conference notes that 2024 is UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers and welcomes the opportunity that this provides to promote UNISON as the union for LGBT+ workers in the energy sector, raise awareness of LGBT+ rights, challenge discrimination, negotiate LGBT+ inclusive policies and recruit and activate LGBT+ members in the energy industry. The year highlights the […]

Year of LGBT+ Workers – Embedding LGBT+ Equality in WET

Conference notes that 2024 is UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers and welcomes the opportunity that this provides to promote UNISON as the union for LGBT+ workers in the WET sectors, raise awareness of LGBT+ rights, challenge discrimination, negotiate LGBT+ inclusive policies and recruit and activate LGBT+ members in the WET industries. The year highlights the […]

A call for tougher measures on illegal raw sewage discharges by the water industry

This service group conference is deeply concerned about the levels of illegal sewage discharges by the water industry into rivers. We believe that the current prohibitions against the illegal dumping of sewage waste are woefully inadequate. Worth noting is that releasing sewage into rivers and seas is allowed in the UK to prevent pipe systems […]

Self-Regulation

WET Conference 2024 recognises what UNISON predicted that self-regulation of the water industry has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in sewage discharges all over the UK during all weather conditions. We call upon the WET Executive to lobby an incoming government to overturn this legislation and work with organisations such as surfers against sewage to […]