An article published in the Independent on 30 September 2016 revealed measures which will be introduced in April 2018 that will result in thousands of pensioners being hit by a new bedroom tax. This is despite the Government’s promise to protect the elderly from the hugely controversial benefit cuts. Pensioners are poised to lose at […]
Conference motions
On 23 June 2016 the “leave” result of the European Referendum was announced. Conference notes that it is expected that the two year process of withdrawal from the EU will be painstakingly negotiated between the UK government and the EU. Currently very little content of the government’s negotiation strategy or timetable has been revealed or […]
This conference is concerned at the recent NPS proposal to extend the use of private providers to cover waking nights in Approved Premises. The issuing of letters to ‘identified’ individuals that they may be TUPE’d over to private providers in 2017 is seen as a premature and provocative act on behalf of the employer. This […]
This Conference agrees to update the Police & Justice Constitution to reflect that Conference in 2015 did not support a proposal to introduce direct elections for sector committees. Conference therefore agrees the following amendments to the current Constitution In Section 3 Sector Committee, 3.1 Delete “recognising that currently, in accordance with Rule 3.7.3, any sector […]
Conference is concerned to note the impact that the previous government’s ‘Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) agenda’ had had on a previously successful and effective Probation Service. As well as a significant dramatic loss of jobs in the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) we have also seen the imposition of untested payment by results models of working, and […]
Conference notes the sustained attack on trade unions and trade union members carried out by the Tory government through what is now the 2016 Trade Union Act. Conference welcomes UNISON’s strong response during the passage of the Bill and affirms that our response now must be to increase our strength, recruiting more members and encouraging […]
Conference notes that in-service equality training for police and justice staff has many important functions. It helps make the workplace a safe place for all, gives staff the chance to have more equal access to career development and opportunities; and improves service delivery. For example, it can help staff to see beyond societal stereotypes and […]
Conference, Disabled members are concerned about monitoring, or the lack of it, within the National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) In the 2016 report “Equality Analysis of NPS Operating Model: Service Users and Staff” shows that staff declaration rates for disabled staff (and many other protected characteristic) in the NPS are at […]
Conference recognises the difficulties that Forces are having in maintaining 24 hour operational cover as a direct consequence of police budget cuts. Many departments have experienced redundancies coupled with an increase in the use of stand-by as a way to provide night-time cover when unsocial enhancements have been withdrawn. Colleagues such as Crime Scene Investigators […]
Conference, in years past much welcomed legislation has been introduced to protect the rights of people with disabilities, including protections relating to work. Despite that, it is possible that these supportive words don’t always translate to the workplace, resulting in our colleagues who are disabled being treated inappropriately or less favourably. Others who witness such […]
Conference is concerned that the Government proposals on emergency service collaboration is a threat to the further erosion of Police Staff roles. The initiative seeks to collaborate all ‘blue lights’ through the sharing of facilities, control rooms and support services and poses a further threat to Police Staff jobs. The work has started in many […]
Conference welcomes and commends the work done by the Service Group Executive over recent years to oppose volunteers as a replacement for the committed, experienced, well trained and accountable police staff lost due to the brutal budget cuts imposed since 2010. While the introduction of volunteers has not been consistent throughout all forces, what is […]
Conference is concerned that hundreds of thousands of carers over retirement age receive no Carers Allowance in recognition of their efforts in caring for their sick, frail or disabled family members, friends or neighbours. In a press release of May 2016, Age UK estimates that carers aged over 80 now number 417,000, most of them […]
Conference notes that there is growing evidence of elderly people suffering from loneliness. By deduction, this will include a large number of UNISON retired members. Recent research has found:- • 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once […]
Conference notes that many pensioners in the UK are losing their lives through cold. It has recently been revealed that 43,000 pensioners lost their lives last year, largely assumed to the bad weather. Yet not one politician from any party uttered a word about this national disgrace. We repeat not one of our so called […]