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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

HIV, AIDs and Poverty

Conference notes the International Conference on HIV and AIDS held in South Africa last year. Conference also notes that certain comments made by President Thabo Mbeki made causative links between AIDS and poverty to African States. This Conference wishes to make clear:- 1.While we accept poverty is a definite factor in terms of access 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.

Working More Effectively with the Service Groups

Conference recalls the resolutions of earlier conferences which have recognised the need to strengthen the National Lesbian and Gay Committee’s capacity to exert sustained influence upon collective bargaining and upon the work of the service groups at national level. Conference notes that, as things stand now, it is a matter of chance whether each of […]

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 […]

Opening Doors for Older Lesbians and Gay Men

Conference congratulates the work carried out by Age Concern in highlighting the needs of older lebians and gay men in respect of service provision. Conference applauds Age Concerns’s Conference “Opening Doors” held in April 2002 which brought service providers, policy makers and service users together to discuss the needs of older lesbians and gay men. […]

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and “Disclosure”

Conference notes: 1The importance of ensuring that young people and vulnerable adults are protected from members of society who may wish to cause them physical, mental or sexual harm; 2)That the Government has introduced the Criminal “Disclosure” process in order to achieve these aims, and will continue to support the Government in achieving these goals. […]

Sex Discrimination Act

Conference notes that the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 outlaws discrimination against somebody on the grounds they are maaried but not on the grounds that they are unmarried. Conference calls for an amendment to the act so it provides equal protection for married and unmarried people.

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 […]