Soma Mining Tragedy

Conference will be aware that on 13 May 2014, an explosion at the coal mine in Soma, Manisa, western Turkey caused an underground mine fire which burned until 15 May killing a total, 301 people in what can only be described as the worst mining disaster in Turkey’s history. The mine, operated by coal producer […]

Colombia

Conference condemns the persecution of Colombian unionists and political activists. 15% more trade unionists were killed in 2013 than in 2012. Congress deplores that 26 members of union backed Patriotic March, Colombia’s largest opposition movement, were killed in 2013 and many imprisoned, including two of its leaders. National Organiser Huber Ballesteros, who is also an […]

Zero Hour Contracts

Conference notes the continuing and increasing use of zero hour contracts within the private home care sector and welcomes the work undertaken to promote UNISON’s Ethical Home Care Charter. Conference recognises that the procurement policies used by councils and other public bodies which focus on costs effectively encourages a race to the bottom in the […]

Rule D Retired Members’ Organisation

Insert new Rule D 6.3: “D 6.3 Such Retired Members’ Sections may formulate motions and proposals to the Branch Committee and the Regional Retired Members’ Committee.” Renumber subsequent paragraphs.

Rule D Retired Members’ Organisation

Insert new Rule D 6.4: “D 6.4 Such Retired Members’ Sections shall have adequate and agreed funding for retired member activity and access to other resources subject to union guidelines.” Renumber subsequent paragraphs

Rule C Becoming a Member

Rule C 5.1 Delete second sentence “Any person……UNISON membership.”

Rule D Retired Members’ Organisation

Rule D 6.2 Delete existing Rule D 6.2 and replace with: “The retired members in a Branch may form a retired members’ section within the Branch and elect annually a retired members’ secretary and such other retired members’ officers as may be determined by them and also elect representatives to other levels of the retired […]

Schedule E Political Fund Ballot

Schedule E 2 Delete “Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LW and replace with: “22nd floor, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London, NW1 3JJ.”

Schedule E Political Fund Ballot

Schedule E In 7. (d) delete “under these rules;” and replace with: “as specified in Section 78 of the Act; ” In 7 (i.) delete “;” replace with “.” Delete “and” Delete 7. (j) In 18 (a) insert after “be sent a voting paper by post”: “to his/her home address or another address that the […]

Rule D Retired Members’ Organisation

Rule D 6.6 add at end: “The National Retired Members’ Organisation may send two representatives of relevant retired members to each National Self-Organised Group Conference, with the right to speak but not to vote”.

Budget Cuts and the Impact of Austerity on Black Workers and Communities

Conference condemns the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition for the widespread and unprecedented destruction of public services that has resulted from the savage and unprecedented reductions in central government funding to local government, health, education, police, probation and the rest of the public sector. Public sector workers have borne the brunt of this in job losses, the […]

Bringing in the LGBT Vote for Public Services, Jobs and Growth

Conference recognises the importance of getting UNISON’s campaign messages out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, particularly as we approach the next general election. Conference notes the Tories’ success in convincing many of the lie that their devastating cuts to jobs and public services are fair, necessary and good for the economy. They […]

Mental Health in Children and Young People

Mental health problems affect about one in ten children and young people. Mental illness come in may forms including depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives at home and at school, college or university. It can lead to self harm and suicide – particularly […]

Challenging Discriminatory Practices, Defending Public Services

Conference as well as forming a significant part of the public sector workforce Black people are also primary users of public services. Cuts to funding are closing services while putting significant pressure on those remaining staff, as well as community and voluntary organisations supporting Black people and other vulnerable communities at a time when they […]

Attendance Management

Conference is concerned that in the 21st Century some employers are still using draconian sickness absence polices, such as the Bradford Factor, which we know can discriminate against disabled workers. Absence from work due to a disability should be recorded separately and treated differently to non-disability related sickness absence with a separate policy explaining the […]