Broadening the Trade Union Movement’s Understanding of Equality

Conference welcomes the increasing recognition of lesbian and gay rights as bread and butter trade union issues, evidenced by: 1.The solid body of UNISON policy and work on lesbian and gay equality; 2. 2. ever increasing numbers of unions represented at the TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference; 3. the success of the 2nd […]

Retired Members’ Conference Dates

This Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to negotiate with the Conference Section for all future National Retired Members’ Conferences to be held on Wednesdays, with workshops on Tuesdays.

The Disability Bill

This Conference is disappointed to learn that despite the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to bringing full civil rights for disabled people, the promised Disability Bill is not now to be in the Queen’s speech in the autumn. Lord Ashley at the All-Party Disabled Members’ Group meeting on 9 July 2002 stated that “Implementation of the […]

Registration Fee – Power of Attorney

Conference notes that many pensioners are no longer capable of running their own affairs and that power of attorney is required in most cases. Conference condemns the decision of the Lord Chancellor, taken in July 2002, to increase the fee to register a power of attorney from £50 to £220. Conference calls upon the National […]

A Simpler Way to Better Pensions

Conference notes the publication of the report by Alan Pickering published in July 2002. Conference is concerned at many of the proposals set out in this report. In particular, Conference registers its disagreement with the following: 1)Change of pension accrual rate from 1/80th to 1/100th (one per cent); 2)Change of definition of pensionable salary to […]

Stop the War

Conference notes that there is a rich and lengthy history of pacifism and non-violence that has run through the Lesbian and Gay movement and Lesbian and Gay Trade Unionism. With the increased hysteria and hypocrisy surrounding current rhetoric displayed by the British and American Governments it is important to remember that:- 1.It is the British […]

Getting Information to Isolated Members

Conference notes that one of UNISON’s stated priorities is to improve the flow of information to members. Conference also notes that it is often the very members who are most vulnerable to discrimination who are most isolated from information, support and advice. Conference is concerned that information on the self-organised groups often does not reach […]

International Lesbian & Gay Association

Conference condemns the homophobic position of countries that voted to reject the International Lesbian and Gay Association’s (ILGA) application for consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on 30th April 2002. Conference notes that at least two thirds of these countries operate laws criminalising same-sex relationships. Conference is appalled that […]

LogOUT – The UNISON Local Government Lesbian & Gay Network

Conference urges Regional Lesbian and Gay Groups/Committees each to appoint a regional contact for the Local Government Network.

Britannia Building Society

Conference recalls resolutions of earlier conferences expressing concern whether the UNISON PLUS partner companies offer UNISON members a consistently non discriminatory service. It recalls particularly the resolution of the sixth conference which instructed the National Lesbian and Gay Committee to work with the National Executive Council to remind companies of the importnat that their policies […]

Sale of the Millenium Dome

Conference notes: 1.That the Millenium Dome was built and funded as a facility for all people of the UK and not for the vested interests of private business. 2.That the proposed sale will transfer its use to a company that is backed by Phillip Anschlutz, who has a long history of supporting homophobic religious groups […]

Religious Schools and Other Religious Employers

Conference notes: 1.That the Church of England controls about a third of English schools despite having the active support of only about 3% of English people. 2.That the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, which applies in England and Wales, enables governing bodies of religious schools to employ teachers who have a commitment to the […]

Campaign for Reparation

Conference is appalled that the current Government refuses to recognise slavery as a crime against humanity, claiming it was “legal at the time”. Conference condemns the current Government for opposing reparation at the United Nations’ Anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa last year. Conference recognises slavery as a heinous crime against our Black brothers and […]

Recognition of our Families and Partnerships

Conference welcomes the broadening of the debate on recognition of lesbian and gay partnerships. Conference notes that the Government has set up a team in the Women and Equality Unit to look into the issue of civil partnership registration and its associated rights and responsibilities and welcomes the participation of UNISON members in a survey […]

UNISON’s 10th Anniversary

Conference notes that 2003 will be UNISON’s 10th Anniversary. This will be a milestone anniversary of the coming together of the original 3 unions (COHSE, NUPE and NALGO). These 10 years have seen many achievements that UNISON should be proud of. Therefore this anniversary should be an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and renew […]