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 […]

Dealing with Disability in the Workplace

This conference recognises the increased pressure put on disabled members by managers and supervisors being unaware of the responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This lack of knowledge puts additional strain on our disabled members and often results in them having to stay off work longer that required due to the lack of reasonable […]

Attitudes against Disabled Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people

Conference notes that despite the success of the 2012 Paralympics, attitudes towards disabled people have deteriorated in the current economic climate and this is exacerbated by the current Government. This government provides misinformation about disabled people and their benefit entitlements. This has led to a hate campaign by tabloid press and the scapegoating of disabled […]

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 […]

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 […]

Disability Access for Events

Conference recognises the work done at national level to ensure the access needs of disabled members are met when attending national events. Conference also notes the commitment of the union in ensuring disabled members are enabled to fully participate in all the work of the union. However, national events and circumstances are not always mirrored […]

Defending public health services

UNISON members in Northern Ireland are on the frontline of defence of the National Health Service. The Tory-led coalition’s strategy in Great Britain to weaken the provision of good health care by extracting billions of pounds in cuts has set the template for the Northern Ireland Assembly’s response to the cut in the block grant […]

Equality, cuts and lip service

Conference believes that the Equality Delivery System is a national programme designed by the NHS Equality and Diversity Council (Now the NHS Personal, Fair and Diverse Council) to ensure NHS compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and to help reduce inequalities in health and the workplace. The Equality Delivery System aims to move responsibility for […]

Stonewall health equality champions

Conference believes Stonewall is the largest LGB (lesbian, gay and bisexual) charity in the UK. Stonewall has been instrumental in LGB campaigns over the last two decades on issues such as section 28, civil partnerships, adoption rights for LGB parents and campaigns for workplace protection based on sexual orientation. Stonewall has good communication with all […]

Transgender data – protect confidentiality and protect staff

Conference believes transgender people have an extra level of legal protection when it comes to data in regards to their identity. It can be a criminal offence to not secure a transgender person’s identity data that you have obtained in a professional capacity. A breach of duty in regards to transgender staff or patient’s data […]

Supporting the training needs of all health care staff

Conference notes with concern the many negative effects of the fragmentation of the NHS in England brought about by the NHS & Social Care Act 2012. Two aspects which have had less attention than some are the impact on NHS workforce planning and on training for NHS staff. Conference believes that if the NHS is […]

Registration fees

Conferences notes with concern the Francis Review’s recommendation that more health staff become registered with registrant bodies and is concerned that members who are suffering from the third year of a pay freeze could face an additional cost of registration fees. Conference therefore calls on the National Service Group Executive to mount a campaign for […]

Reform the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Recent times have witnessed a slew of criticism being laid at the door of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the regulator for nurses and midwives. To summarise but a few of these issues: i)The organisation was roundly criticized for striking off nurse Margaret Heywood for her role in covert filming of care that exposed […]