Putting Disability at the Heart of Government

Conference is concerned that the location of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) and Minister for Disabled People in the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) stigmatises disabled people as workshy, benefit scroungers. It suggests that the only policies that impact on disabled people are those related to benefits, particularly welfare reform. This is not […]

Welfare Reform and Disabled People

Conference is concerned that the current changes to welfare reform are destroying the lives of disabled people. Disabled people are twice more likely to live in poverty than other citizens, with roughly a third living in poverty at some point in their lives. This is unacceptable and avoidable, but will only get worse with the […]

Alternative to the Bradford Factor

The Bradford Factor or Bradford Formula is used in human resource management as a means of measuring worker absenteeism. The formula’s theory is that short, frequent, and unplanned absences are more disruptive than longer absences.Therefore it is more detrimental to disabled employees, especially those who do not declare or identify as disabled or care for […]

Recognition of the Branch Disability Officer Role

A few years ago the position of Branch Welfare Officer became a rule book position due to the necessity of that role. With the amendment of Rule D.4.2 carried at National Delegate Conference 2013 we believe the role of the Branch Disability Officer has changed and thus the role will become more pro-active within the […]

Disability Hate Crime

Disability hate crime is a criminal offence which is perceived by the victim as action motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability. But disability hate crime is too often overlooked and unreported. Even so more than 1700 disability hate crimes were recorded by police in England and Wales […]

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – MODEL BITE-SIZE SEMINAR

This Conference recognises that in this current political climate the Tory-led Coalition Government is systematically eroding the employment and civil rights of disabled people, it is therefore crucial that UNISON ensures activists are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge to assist them in challenging public service cuts and to deal with discrimination cases being […]

ACCESS TO WORK – INADEQUATE BUDGETS

This Conference recognises that the Department for Work and Pensions Access to Work Scheme has been vital to many of our disabled members’ reasonable adjustment needs in public service workplaces. An adequate package of support to meet the cost of adjustments can play a significant part in disabled people’s employability, it can affect career prospects […]

Increasing the Participation of Deaf Members

Conference recognises and commends the work that the National Disabled Members Committee has undertaken with regards to Deaf issues However, Conference is concerned that, because of cultural and linguistic issues, prejudice and the workplace environment – it can be more difficult for Deaf members to participate in UNISON’s branch, regional and national democratic processes or […]

British Sign Language (BSL)

Conference welcomes the British Deaf Association (BDA), Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) and the Signature campaign for British Sign Language – Recognition and Beyond Conference notes that BSL has been recognised by Government (since 2003) as an indigenous ’language in its own right, regularly used by a significant number of people’ this was after […]

Disabled members and the “spare bedroom tax”

Conference notes the changes to Housing Benefit Legislation which is leading to additional pressure on those renting in the private sector. Disabled people over the last decade have been made to make hard decisions about the appropriateness of their accommodation due to the restrictions of housing benefits which prevents them having an extra bedroom. This […]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenda (LGBT) learning disabled People

Conference notes that that there are about 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability and that approximately 8%-10% of the UK population are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT). Disability discrimination and discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity still occurs in the workplace and UNISON has persistently campaigned […]

What next after the NJC Pay Consultation?

The conference notes that the employers supposedly final offer of 1% for 2013-14 and the deletion of scale point 4 from October 2013 made on 24 April. Conference also notes that the offer is currently well below the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate of around 3% and does not meet our claim for a […]

Future Directions dispute in Rochdale and the use of anti union laws

Conference deplores the use of anti union legislation by Future Directions, a Community Interest Company, to frustrate a 96% vote for industrial action by its workforce in Rochdale on a ballot turnout of 72%. On 24 May 2013, the employer secured an interim injunction to restrain a three day strike (barely 12 hours before it […]

SJC Local Government Pay 2013

The Scottish Joint Council employers made a final pay offer last November of: 1)1% increase on all spinal column points from 1 April 2013. 2)Introduction of a Scottish Local Government Living Wage set at £7.50ph (The living wage element to be applied after the 1% uplift) 3)Potential for detrimental changes to terms & conditions next […]

The Ageing Workforce

This conference recognises that the changes to the State Retirement Age will create enforced working until the age of 68 will be a financial disaster for many disabled members. While some workers will be able to meet the demands of their jobs, many more will find their physical and mental health will reduce their ability […]