The OFWAT Price Review

Conference notes that the new OFWAT period of price review begins on 1st April 2010. Based on OFWAT’s interim determinations and the companies’ responses to them it appears likely that the next five years will witness the introduction of a tighter financial regime. This, combined with more pressure arising from the Cave Review, will lead […]

Water and Sanitation as an Essential Public Service and the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

Conference welcomes UNISON’s publication of the report ‘Sewerage Works’ and confirms its belief that sewerage has the potential to make a significant contribution to the sanitation needs of the many thousands of people living in urban squalor throughout the developing world. Water and Sanitation services are essential for life and it is universally accepted that […]

Free ManSour Osanloo

Conference regrets that, despite his poor health, Mansour Osanloo, leader of the Iranian bus workers union, remains in prison in Iran for his trade union activities. Conference notes that UNISON has actively supported the campaign by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and Amnesty International to free Mansour Osanloo and other trade unionists detained by […]

Quality Public Transport

Conference notes that with the increasing use of Smartcard technology a significant number of jobs of data collection staff are under consideration by managements. Since de-regulation over 20 years ago the quality of public transport by bus is no longer paramount in the strategies of many bus operators. The media continues to report that a […]

No National Identity Cards for Airport Workers

Conference confirms its opposition to the proposal to require airside workers at UK airports to hold national identity cards as a condition of employment. Despite the opposition of UNISON and the other trade unions the airside workers at Manchester Airport and London City Airport will have to apply for an ID card in the next […]

Merger of the Water and Environment and Transport Service Group Executives

Conference welcomes the decision of the NEC to approve the merger of the Water and Environment and Transport Service Group Executives. Conference notes that the Executive’s planning for the merger of the two service groups was unavoidably delayed while the NEC consultation on the review of service groups took place. Consequently there has not been […]

LAP DANCING – NORMALISING THE SEXUAL OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN

This Conference welcomes the announcement in the Queen’s speech in December that tougher licensing of lap dancing clubs will be included in the Home Office Policing and Crime Reduction Bill. Tougher licensing will allow gender equality to be considered in licensing processes and will protect the rights of women in the industry, by placing clubs […]

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT – YOUNG WOMEN AND PENSIONS

As women we need to ensure that young women are aware of the benefits of paying into a pension scheme at the earliest opportunity. In 2007, research by a private bank showed that over half of women aged between 35 and 44 had made no pension provision – apparently believing that they could rely on […]

‘Special Class’ status in NHS pensions for front line ambulance staff

The NHS currently has two pension schemes operating. The “NHS Pension Scheme” has been offered to all staff who joined the NHS before 31 March 2008. The “New NHS Pension Scheme” has been offered to all staff joining since 1 April 2008. Staff in the original ‘NHS Pension Scheme’ have a one off option of […]

NHS Pension Scheme

The NHS Pension Scheme dates back to 1948. It is a statutory, occupational (connected to NHS employment) scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a voluntary scheme in which members can join at any time during their employment within the NHS. The normal retirement age is 60 for both men and women, although there are provisions […]

Organising Members in Mental Health services

Conference recognises that nationally Mental Health services have been underfunded for many years, and still remain a ‘Cinderella’ service in the NHS. One effect of this is that mental health workers are not seen as having a high status within the NHS, and other health workers may have little knowledge or understanding of their position. […]

Pay Determination in the NHS

Conference recognises that the historic decision made at the 2007 Health Conference, to bring all health workers (except doctors) within the remit of the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB), was made after many years of non-clinical staff having their interests put in second place after clinical groups. The Pay Review Body (PRB), which previously covered […]

Top Up Payments

This conference believes the introduction of top up payments for private treatments not available on the NHS will lead to a two-tiered healthcare system which already exists to some extent. This could lead to a situation where those who can afford to pay for the newer, more expensive treatments will get them and the poor […]

Travel costs following organisational change

Conference calls on the HSGE to raise the issue of travel costs following organisational change at the NHS Staff Council. We believe that staff forced to relocate as a result of organisational change should 1. Be paid a full realistic cost for the additional travel incurred. 2. Be compensated for any additional costs such as […]

NHS Counter Fraud

Conference notes with concern the number of cases that are being handled by NHS Counter Fraud Service covering England and Wales and other agencies. Conference notes the lack of transparent guidelines on what cases are referred to NHS Counter Fraud Service and what cases are handled locally by employers. Conference also notes with concern the […]