Conference believes that council tax is an inherently unfair tax which does not properly reflect people’s ability to pay. More importantly it is not based on an equitable system for calculating amounts that should be paid. This is most clearly demonstrated by the current system of council tax collection, which specifically affects pensioners who pay […]
Conference motions
Conference condemns the decision to remove the entitlement to concessions for pensioners attending day and evening classes other than for those in receipt of pensions credit. For many decades all pensioners could access day and evening classes either free or at a nominal cost. This allowed many people who had not previously had access to […]
Conference regrets that in his March 2007 budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, again failed to increase the basic state pension to restore its value if the link to average earnings had not been broken by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government. Pensioners should have an immediate rise now to restore the pension value and […]
National Retired Members Conference is to be congratulated on producing the Annual Report for questioning by members in advance of the National Retired Members Conference. However, the time scale for questioning in 2006 was inadequate. There does not appear to be any reason why the Annual Report is not circulated to retired members in June. […]
Conference does not believe that a ‘Social Europe’ which gives priority to the needs of working people and their families is possible on the basis of the fundamental treaties of the EU which promote freedom for capital and monetarist financial policies. Conference notes that the European Directive on Services was adopted at the end of […]
This Conference notes that the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) being conducted by the Chancellor will set the UK Government’s spending priorities up to 2011 and that it is perfectly possible to combine sound management of the economy with ample provision of high-standard public services. Already we know we face a tougher spending environment than previously, […]
Conference believes that the provision of free travel is beneficial to the health and well-being of people over 60, and greatly enhances their quality of life. The government included in the 2005 budget, the introduction of free local bus travel for pensioners in April 2006. However, implementation has been costly and complicated. There have been […]
Conference, recognising current UNISON policy is firmly in favour of nuclear disarmament, is appalled by the intention of the United Kingdom (UK) government to replace the Trident nuclear weapon system. Conference recognises that the vote taken in the Westminster Parliament on 14 March does not signify the end of the process to replace Trident, with […]
Conference continues to be concerned at the growing housing crisis. The housing market is now such that in many areas home ownership is not an option for many of our members. Even “key worker” housing schemes are becoming unaffordable for the very key workers they were set up to help. Currently there are three million […]
Conference notes that a survey undertaken by Campaign Against Arms Trade in 2006 revealed that the 99 United Kingdom (UK) local authority pension funds invested at least £723 million in the world’s eleven largest military-producing companies and the UK’s five largest weapons manufacturers. A number of these pension funds also held additional investments in pooled […]
Conference notes the recurring theme in both the literature and the media of shortages of Registered Nursing Staff, appropriate skill mix and overall staffing levels and believes that the recent financial crisis has exposed the extent to which the NHS relies upon agency staff, bank staff and overtime – often unpaid – to carry out […]
In the early 1980’s Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and other NHS staff took industrial action over pay. This action led to the creation of the Nurses and Other Health Professionals (Pay) Review Body which since its formation in 1984 has, in most years, recommended above inflation pay awards. Occupational Groups not covered by the Pay […]
Conference notes the ground-breaking deal made with the Government, NHS Employers, the Confederation of British Industry and the NHS Business Services Authority for Soft Facilities Management employees working for private contractors in October 2005. Following on from this similar agreements have been made in Scotland and Wales. The Joint Protocol began the process of raising […]
Conference is encouraged by the events of this past year, where UNISON has given its support to the NHS Logistics strike in September 2006, the NHS Together Lobby in November 2006 and also the Outsourcing Conference in December 2006. Conference congratulates the members from NHS Logistics for their show of solidarity during the month of […]