The Funding Crisis in Further Education

The Government promised financial stability in FE in its “Success for All” reforms in 2002. It recognised that annual funding allocations lead to short-term planning, restricting the ability to take strategic decisions because of uncertainty about future income flows. A three-year funding strategy, with an extra £1 billion was promised. Additional funding has been consumed […]

Make Poverty History

Conference welcomes and supports the 2005 Make Poverty History (MPH) campaign. Conference affirms that it is a fundamental role of trade unions to organise and campaign to ensure sufficient income and appropriate support from public services for all to live a decent life, free from poverty. Trade unions, aid agencies, campaigning organisations and faith organisations […]

Work Life Balance

Whilst Conference welcomes UNISON’s work on work life balance/family friendly policies the changing demands of the workplace mean that women in the main, and increasingly men, find it harder to juggle the pressure of work, family, and other caring and outside responsibilities. There are a number of issues which need to be highlighted and addressed: […]

Employment Rights

Conference reaffirms its belief that decent employment and trade union rights for all is one of the foundation stones of a just and civilised society. Conference welcomes the improvements in the law brought about by the Employment Relations Act, such as additional protections to prevent employers from engaging in union-busting activities, and new measures to […]

Anti-Terrorism Act

Conference welcomes the return to the UK of the British citizens who have been held without trial in Guantanamo Bay but believes that the practice of detaining such suspects without trial should never be tolerated. Conference therefore welcomes the growing number of voices calling for this practice to be ended in the UK. Conference especially […]

Identity Cards

The government has admitted that the introduction of compulsory identity cards and the establishment of a National Identity Register will not in itself overcome international terrorism. Likewise, it has been admitted that benefit fraud is only a tiny part of the problem in the benefit system. Given the cost of introducing the scheme and the […]

Rule H.5.8 Subscription Appeals Committee

Delete H.5.8

Rule D.2.4 Additional Members’ Seats

Delete all after “date of election” and replace with “.”

Rule Q

RESERVED LOW PAY SEATS Delete “New Earnings Survey” and replace with “Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings”

Rule G.6 Learning Representatives

Add new Rule: “.6 Learning Representatives 6.1 Learning representatives shall be selected for each work group or workplace in accordance with branch arrangements 6.2 The selection of learning representatives shall be reported to the branch for ratification and issuing of credentials 6.3 Learning representatives shall: 6.3.1carry out the function of a learning representative as set […]

Rule D.2.6.1 Elections

Delete all after “later” and insert “.”

Schedule B Members’ Benefits

Delete existing Schedule B Replace with new Schedule B “Schedule B: Members’ benefits 1SCOPE OF MEMBERS’ BENEFITS The Union provides three distinct areas of assistance to support members. 1.1Rule book benefits listed in paragraph 2.1.1 are intended to provide a one off responsive service within a set range of criteria. 1.2Grants for education and training […]

Rule M.1 4 Trustees of Welfare Fund

Delete all of M.1.4 and insert: “1.4 Trustees of UNISON Welfare The UNISON Welfare Board of Trustees shall include NEC members who shall comprise no less than 50% of the membership elected by that body in such manner as it sees fit. Any vacancy in the Board of Trustees may be filled by the National […]

Rule F.1 List of Regions

F.1 insert “Cymru/” before “Wales”

Attacks on Public Sector Pension Schemes

Conference is alarmed at the attacks from the employers and the government on public sector pension schemes. This commenced last year with proposals to significantly reduce the benefits of the local government scheme including raising the age at which pensions would be payable. The government has now issued proposals for consultation which affect most public […]