Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to work with all relevant bodies to push for further initiatives in pension provision for low earners and those not in permanent employment. Conference welcomes the announcement in the Queen’s speech that new legislation is to be introduced aimed at encouraging employers to provide good quality pensions for […]
Conference motions
Conference welcomes the recent decision by Amnesty International to back abortion in cases of rape, incest or violence, or where the pregnancy jeopardises a women’s life or health. Conference sees this as a huge step forward for women’s rights worldwide, especially in areas of conflict where rape is used as a weapon of war or […]
Conference joins with the Fawcett Society in welcoming third-wave feminism, and in so doing recognises that as the largest women’s union in the UK, UNISON, has a significant role to play in the new feminist struggle. UNISON women belong to a global sisterhood fighting oppression the world over, from Tabitha Khumalo risking her own safety […]
Conference is concerned at the lack of funding for women’s sector organisations which has resulted in the closure of much needed Rape Crisis centres. In 2007 only 32 Rape Crisis centres remained in England and Wales, compared to 84 in 1985, and in July 2007 it was estimated that half of these would be closed […]
Over the past twelve months the rising prison population has been an ever present news item. Although Conference accepts that there will always be a necessity to imprison women for serious criminal offences, the female prison population has risen by 173% over the past decade. However, the overwhelmingly majority of female prisoners are sentenced for […]
Violence against women’ refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm to women. It includes, but is not limited to, domestic violence, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour, rape and sexual assault, femicide, trafficking and sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, […]
Conference applauds the work undertaken by women members of UNISON, led by the National Women’s Committee and assisted by women in specialist organisations, to raise awareness of the links between some chemicals in everyday use and breast cancer. Conference urges that this work continues, reinforcing our understanding of the chemicals and products to avoid, and […]
This Conference notes with alarm the scourge of gun crime across Britain. This Conference believes that whilst gun crime impacts onto all citizens of the UK and workers providing public services – health, housing, education, social services – it has a disproportionate impact on women members, both in their role as providers of public services […]
This conference recognises that it is a long established fact that women with caring responsibilities may suffer a detriment when they retire because of a reduction in pension. For many years, women’s choice has been between having a career and a comfortable retirement or raising their own children and being poor in retirement. Some women […]
This conference notes that women are predominantly responsible for ensuring their children attend medical appointments such as post-natal development clinics, child assessment clinics, baby clinics, medical and dental appointments. This means that women have to take time out of a working day to accompany them, often having to use annual leave, time off in lieu […]
This Conference notes that the Government is committed to introducing a Single Equality Act in this Parliament. The Government launched the Discrimination Law Review in February 2005 with the task of undertaking a comprehensive review of discrimination legislation, making recommendations that would simplify and modernise the law and ensuring better enforcement and compliance. Conference supports […]
Conference notes that two in five women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, although it affects people of all ages. Despite this condition affecting around 40% of women over the age of 50 only 30% of NHS trusts offer automatic bone scanning to women following breaking a bone. Therefore […]
This Conference condemns the continued failure of Government to address the funding deficit in Social Care. The continued rationing of Social Care to those with the highest level of need means that more and more people with low and moderate needs are no longer eligible for services. Without that early intervention these people accelerate to […]
Conference deplores the fact that efficiency reviews across the UK are leading to a deterioration in the delivery of public services. Conference believes that these so-called “efficiencies” mask the effects of inadequate funding of local government and deplores the negative impact on services, staff and users. Stringent efficiency targets have been set in all four […]
Conference notes that in the last year major reforms have been announced to local government in England (Local Government White Paper 2006) and Wales (the Beecham Review – ‘Delivering Beyond Boundaries’). A major reorganisation of local government is also taking place in Northern Ireland. Conference condemns the fact that the proposed reforms will turn councils […]