Conference notes that the Government is implementing the Leitch Review of Skills through new programmes and legislation and significantly increasing the resources for attaining qualifications through workplace training. Conference also notes the Governments ambition to increase opportunities and skills for young people by increasing the age for leaving school or training to first 17 and […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that fall out from the crisis in the financial sector, internationally and domestically, is leading to reduced predictions of economic growth this year and a possible increase in unemployment. Conference notes that this may put further pressure on public services as tax revenues available for investment are reduced and spending on social security […]
Conference deplores the decision of the House of Lords in the YL case that human rights legislation does not extend to elderly people in private care homes. This decision was taken despite evidence of human rights abuses such as residents being fed breakfast while seated on the toilet and care home residents not being given […]
Conference agrees that spending should meet UNISON’s organising objectives and priorities. A principle priority is combating pay inequalities and securing equal pay for work of equal value for all our members, in properly evaluated and negotiated framework agreements. Conference notes that establishing equal pay for our members was one of the founding principles of the […]
Conference reaffirms its decision of 1998, confirming the right to organise, campaign and communicate to change, modify or replace policy through the constitutional channels of the union, while acting within agreed union policy. Conference reaffirms its view that this right is universal and includes: 1)the right of branches, regions, service groups and self-organised groups to […]
This Conference notes with concern the policy of companies within the energy industry to close final salary pension schemes. This has moved forward with the announcement by Centrica pensions to fundamentally change their entire pension portfolio, where the protected final salary scheme is to be transferred resulting in increased contributions and reduced benefits for our […]
Conference is deeply concerned that Black workers experience severe disadvantage in job promotion and career progression prospects. In line with UNISON’s objective of negotiating and bargaining on behalf of members and promoting equality, Conference calls upon the National Energy Service Group Executive to work with the National Black Members’ Committee and the NEC to: 1Produce […]
This Conference believes that energy companies continue to discriminate against disabled workers despite their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. Harsh sickness absence policies that fail to take account of disability related leave (as advised in the Code of Practice for Employment and Occupation), capability procedures that fail to recognise that performance can be affected […]
Doncaster & District Health Branch firmly believe that the current basis of the composition of Foundation Trust Boards is not conducive to good partnership working as Trade Union Representatives are not allowed on these Boards in any formal capacity. Guidelines issues by the Department of Health confirm this position and the branch is concerned that […]
Conference proudly acknowledges that the activists and staff who support our health members at UK, regional and branch levels are second to none in their commitment, knowledge, skill and expertise. Conference recognises the enormous amount of work that has been done for the benefit of our members and UNISON in the face of huge challenges […]
The NHS has many staff at every level, up to and including Executive Directors and Chief Executives, who work for or have interests in private healthcare providers. This is particularly relevant in the ambulance sector. Private healthcare providers who actively compete for and win Patient Transport Services contracts in England, have been historically staffed by […]
Increasingly workers in the NHS face car parking charges as a ‘tax’ for working in an essential public service. We should start with the premise that parking should be free. Conference, therefore, seeks the issuing to branches of a negotiating guide and a national campaign on car parking based on the following principles (to be […]
In the last five years the government has worked hard to introduce an unprecedented amount of legislation on equalities seeking to bring about an end to discrimination. However, despite these measures, many organisations are still failing to achieve their minimal compliance measures such as having an equality scheme and action plan on their web site, […]
Conference is concerned about the high levels of uncertainty and change continuing to take place in primary care across the UK. Many of these hold major risks, not just to the employment rights and security of members, but for the future of the NHS as a publicly owned and operated resource, providing healthcare free to […]
Conference notes that the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework is an important part of Agenda for Change. It provides a single, consistent, and explicit framework for annual review and development of staff, and is the driver for pay progression. The KSF gives staff a contractual right to access learning and development opportunities and thereby provides […]