Police and Justice Pay Consultation Procedures

This Conference notes that since the current pay consultation procedures were last agreed, the use of electronic voting in consultative ballots has proved to be an effective way of increasing the participation rate of our members. This Conference therefore calls upon the Service Group Executive to include the option of using electronic systems in consultative […]

Non-Binary Uniforms

Conference notes that sex-specific uniform enforces unhelpful gender stereotypes by limiting personal and gender expression in the workplace. It also reinforces gendered expectations of behaviour within the workplace, such as who should take on the role of carer as opposed to leader. In a traditionally male dominated workplace, the effect is limiting for all workers. […]

LGBT+ Workers Health and Well Being

Conference notes that the police and justice sectors used to be equality trail-blazers in terms and conditions for staff and also in the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of health service delivery. This, coupled with a strong public service ethos, has contributed over the years to high numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) […]

Operation Hampshire

Policing has its inherent risks and police staff and officers face conflict and violence on a regular basis. Being assaulted at work is an operational risk but is not something that should be considered as acceptable or part of the job. Those working in the police service deserve, and have the right to full victim […]

Body Worn Video – The Right Equipment for the Job

The September 2020 Officer and Staff Safety Review and National Police Safety Survey undertaken by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing (CoP) was a comprehensive project to look at the risks associated with working in the police service and to crucially make bold recommendations to protect both those working in […]

Robust Green Skills Training for employees in the Energy Sector

Conference notes addressing the climate change challenge requires a fundamental restructuring of the energy supply sector, moving away from the world�s fossil fuel-based system to one that relies on clean, renewable sources. The transition to a greener economy requires new skills. Skills needed for the newly emerging jobs, and skills needed for the adjusted existing […]

No going backwards on LGBT+ equality in Energy

Conference acknowledges that even before Covid, equality was increasingly being seen as a luxury in many Energy workplaces, with some employers barely abiding by the law. There is now a risk of going backwards. Conference recognises that equality is at the heart of UNISON, and that self organisation is an essential tool to achieving UNISON�s […]

Facilitating Disabled Workers to continue to work from home post pandemic

Prior to the pandemic there seemed to be practices within Energy employers where managers suggested that jobs such as back-office work and call centre work couldn�t be done from home due to technological limitations. People�s physical and mental difficulties can mean their conditions make it hard for people to get to and from offices. This […]

Accessing reasonable adjustments during COVID-19

Conference notes that a UNISON survey of disabled members working from home during COVID-19, including Energy workers, found that 53% did not receive any reasonable adjustments from their employer to help them to overcome the barriers they faced as a disabled person working from home. Only 5% had help from Access to Work, the flagship […]

Organising in Energy as we drive towards Net Zero

This special energy conference notes that to achieve Net Zero substantial investment will be needed within the Energy sector, both with established employers with whom we have an existing relationship, and likely new (and as yet not in existence) employers too) This could and should bring about new job growth within the energy sector over […]

UNISON Energy workers and the drive to Net Zero and Carbon Neutrality by 2050

This special energy conference notes that in November in Glasgow the previously delayed (due to Covid restrictions) COP 26 will take place. This will bring together nations from across the world to report on progress made since the COP 21 Paris Agreement was reached in 2015. This conference also notes that since 2015 the UK […]

Addressing inequality in the Energy Sector for Black workers in a post pandemic world

At its inception in 2016, the Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership, made up of 30 utility organisations; gas, power, water, and waste management, recognised the underrepresentation of Black workers across the sector, citing, �Workforce diversity and inclusion levels for the sector continue to be below the UK averages, with only 7% of the sector�s employees […]