Conference is opposed to recent proposals to limit the right of individuals to take early retirement from the age of 50 onwards. Conference considers that this is part of an ongoing exercise by the employers and the government to make people work longer and, by implication, have less time in which to enjoy their pensions. […]
Conference motions
Following a survey undertaken by Aston University and commissioned by the Department of Transport earlier this year, it was found that many elderly drivers were driving under the influence of drugs, in the form of strong medications issued legitimately, and prescribed by doctors who were not aware that the patient was intending to or in […]
Conference is alarmed at the threat to the Local Government Pension Scheme posed by the government’s plans to introduce amended regulations. Conference sees this as part of a wider move to undermine pensions in general. Conference calls on the National Retired Members’ Committee and all retired members’ sections to support the TUC’s Pay Up For […]
Conference is conscious that pensioners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and some areas of England currently enjoy schemes which allow them free use of public transport. It is also aware that there are schemes where reduced rates are available subject to local authority boundary limitations. This appears to be a post code lottery and […]
Progress has been slow towards achieving a free travel pass on all public transport for those reaching the accepted national retirement age and over. At present discrimination exists as 20 per cent of the country have a free travel pass and 80 per cent do not. Conference instructs UNISON National Retired Members’ Committee, and calls […]
Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to make representation to the appropriate organisation responsible for packaging standards, with a view to easing the opening of packages, jars and bottles for older people. Considerable difficulties are experienced in opening packages, jars and bottles, especially when suffering with fingers and hands crippled with arthritis/rheumatism and so […]
Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to take appropriate steps to ensure the government addresses the problem of lack of National Health Service dental provision. The shortage of such dental practices is discriminating against older people on low incomes who are unable to afford private treatment.
The pension credits scheme was introduced in October 2003 but many pensioners have still not applied for this means-tested benefit. John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, has confirmed that the surplus in the national insurance fund this year amounts to £30 billion. The government actuary has ruled that £5 billion has to be retained […]
This Conference receives the report of the Police Staff Service Group Executive.
Conference welcomes the tremendous effort in furthering our professionalism through our name – Police Staff. However, some of our colleagues in the Staff Associations (ACPO, PSA and Federation) insist on using other terms to differentiate our professionalism. The use of such terminology could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to ensure less favourable development towards […]
The Police Staff Service Group is still in its infancy and since its inception, much work has been done by our Service Group Executive to raise the profile of UNISON members employed within the Police Service. With the introduction of the Police Reform Act and the many other initiatives being introduced in the Police Service, […]
Conference welcomes the inclusion of our police colleagues within the Disability Discrimination Act, therefore dismantling another barrier within the Police Service. Conference is concerned about the effect this will have on police staff roles, responsibilities, development, job evaluation and the roll-out of the Civilianisation Programme. Conference is further concerned that there will be a disparity […]
Conference remains opposed to all PFI and believes that all services connected to the police service must remain in the public domain, obtaining value for money. Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)write to the Home Office and APA to reinforce UNISON’s position in relation to PFI; 2)write to the APA/CCs/Home Office and PSC […]
Conference notes with pleasure the work that is currently being done on ageism and, notes with some degree of caution, the occasional remarks from our Prime Minister and members of the cabinet about the opportunities for us to carry on working to age of 70 and beyond. Conference is also aware that within the Police […]
Conference recalls a lengthy motion agreed at last year’s conference regarding Police Communications and Joint Control Rooms. It also recalls that the motion identified the many problems suffered by members within this area of work. With the role out of Airwaves the workload has increased without an increase in staffing. With sickness in these rooms […]