Victims of Domestic Abuse

Conference believes our members are often placed in a vulnerable position when they are victims of domestic abuse. The employer tends to follow their own domestic abuse policy which relates to that of a service provider and not that of an employer. The absence of such policies often leaves our members open to further vulnerabilities […]

Police Staff Training

This Conference notes the importance of better training for Police Staff. Police Staff for many years have been treated differently from police officers when it comes to police training. This Conference calls upon the Police Staff Service Group to listen to police staff needs, and lead a campaign to identifying training needs, in particular in […]

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Guidelines on Staff Complaints

Confusion exists regarding the right of Police Staff to raise complaints with the IPCC regarding the service they receive from the police as service provider as tax paying citizens. The IPCC guidance suggests that our members are unable to make complaints about service provision issues within their own force. Conference therefore instructs the Service Group […]

White Ribbon Campaign

Conference condemns Domestic Violence and abuse in all forms and guises. Conference therefore instructs the Service Group Executive to support International White Ribbon Day on 25th November 2008 by circulating to all branches UNISON’s advice on dealing with Domestic Violence and abuse and an information sheet on the White Ribbon Campaign.

Disabled Police Staff – the poor relation?

This Conference is concerned that police staff struggle to get the same level of support offered to police officers. Reasonable adjustments are not easily available and little regard is taken in the Personal Development process to ensure that police staff are afforded appropriate opportunities to develop their careers and enjoy the range of job opportunities […]

Support to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in the Press

Conference notes the positive actions undertaken by the Police Staff Service Group National Officer and the UNISON General Secretary in supporting Police Community Support Officers after a tragic accident in Manchester, where our colleagues were abused and attacked by the national press. Furthermore Conference notes the letter sent by the General Secretary to the Press […]

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and the Police Federation

Conference notes that at the 2008 Police Federation Conference reference was made on a number of occasions in a negative manner to the role of Police Community Support Officers. Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to request consultation and discussion with the Police Federation in relation to the role of PCSOs and the negative comments […]

Outsourcing by Another Name!

Conference is concerned by the increase in shared service working involving the transfer of business to private companies; this is not a shared service it is outsourcing. Conference motions on this issue have been before you – motion 13 in 2005, motions 2 and 6 in 2006 and motion 9 in 2007. The Trade Union […]

What is an Exigency of the Service?

Conference you may recall this issue being raised a few years ago by the North West Region. Yet Conference it has become a phrase that is now being used almost on a daily basis when managers want to change/cancel annual leave, rest days, shifts etc. Merseyside’s Chief Constable, on a forum, agreed with Chief Constable […]

Unjust Sickness Self-Certification

Conference Motion 2 in 2007 was overwhelmingly carried. To date Conference notes that there has been no work undertaken by the Service Group Executive (SGE) on this issue other than a mention in the recently circulated draft Attendance Management Document. Conference notes with great concern the practice of self-certification being withdrawn. It is common practice […]

Flexible Working

Conference is appalled that police forces are using the notion of flexible working to pursue an agenda of rationalisation which in reality is a cost cutting exercise and one based on more ‘for less’. UNISON condemns this practice that requires our members to work longer hours for no increase in salary, a pay cut by […]

NOT FOR SALE

This conference is pleased to note the research commissioned by Harriet Harman as part of her key priorities. This report published on Tuesday 29th January 2008 confirms that advertising women for sex is widespread in local and regional newspapers. Three quarters of the papers examined for the research carried advertisements for women or services offered […]

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Conference applauds the Law Lords for their landmark decision on 30 January 2008 ruling that courts will in future have discretion to extend the six-year limit for claimants in cases of deliberate assaults. Conference congratulates Mrs A for her persistence in pursuing this for 20 years and supports her in her claim for substantial damages […]

ABORTION RIGHTS

Conference notes the announcement in the Queens Speech in November 2007 that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill would start its progress through the House of Lords almost immediately and would be debated in the House of Commons in the Spring of 2008. Whilst not the primary focus of this piece of legislation, the first […]

Rising Prices and Fuel Poverty

The definition of fuel poverty is generally accepted as an individual or family who spend more than 10% of their disposable income to keep warm. In 2002 when the fuel poor numbered 2m, as a developed country, we were rightly appalled. How then should we be reacting as the number rose to 4m in the […]