Conference motions

A survey conducted in 2023 by Censuswide found that many young people in the UK were considering delaying or deciding not to have children. More than half cited financial reasons as the number one reason for this. Conference notes that statutory maternity leave in the United Kingdom is issued for up to 52 weeks. Local […]

Unison and other unions were told in 2022 that the local government employers would not negotiate on car allowance rates. The employers told us this was now a local issue despite the rates being part of the Green Book. Mileage rates have not changed since 2011 and have been significantly eroded by inflation. UNISON estimate […]

Conference is concerned that disabled members in local government are being penalised for using their cars to travel to and from work and for work purposes. Disabled workers often have no option but to use their cars for work as public transport is either inaccessible or inappropriate for their needs. Current NJC mileage rates for […]

Conference notes that our members employed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) work tirelessly to ensure the public eats safe and clean meat, dairy and seafood. Our membership is not getting any younger, so we must widen our reach to attract other roles within the Agency. Conference also notes […]

Since the establishment of the Scottish Joint Council and National Joint Council agreements, our members have seen significant decline in their terms and conditions, pay and protection arrangements. This may also be the case in other local government bargaining areas. The decline has resulted in a post code lottery across all local authorities – this […]

Conference, stress caused by OFSTED has featured frequently in the news over the past few years, with reports on how the pressure of OFSTED has detrimentally impacted the health and wellbeing of headteachers and teachers in schools. But sadly, the impact a visit from OFSTED has on support staff is often overlooked. When a school […]

Conference notes the significant increase in workplace violence and aggression against our members, everyone has the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence. We urgently need action to strengthen legal protections, employer actions and enforcement activity to better protect workers exposed to violence and aggression. There has been […]

In the last two years in particular, pay awards have not been approved and implemented until later in the year due to struggles over pay. Therefore, months of backpay has been paid in one lump sum. For many part-time staff, this means that for that one month only, they hit the threshold to pay tax […]

Conference, local councils, have a legal duty and responsibility to manage their finances in a prudent manner. Bankruptcy of a council can have severe implications for the economic stability and well-being of its employees, particularly those from marginalised communities such as Black workers; As we know, from various reports Black workers often face disproportionate challenges […]

Almost 14 years of austerity measures and continuing starvation of funds for public service have now taken its toll on all services which has left them with very few resources to provide the vital support all service users require and very much need. One of these services is Education. Since 2010 we have had a […]

Many social work students, felt greater discrimination on placements, stereotyped and told by supervisors their accents, attitudes and mannerism would hinder their progression. This all starts at the point that they become students. When you realise that the training is based on white middle class British population, you can understand why they feel so invisible […]