This conference is concerned that proposed changes being introduced by energy retailers to roll out SMART meter installations will have a disproportionate affect on disabled workers and disabled customers. Based on previous experiences disabled meter readers have been forced out of contractual work into self employed status. Disabled people want the assurance that energy workers […]
Conference motions
Conference approves the attached Constitution of the Energy Service Group.
Conference believes that it is essential that the United Kingdom has a sustainable energy policy that ensures security of supply, affordability and environmental protection. Conference notes the failure of the last and present Governments to promote positively clean coal technology and is concerned that the cuts in public expenditure will seriously increase the number of […]
Conference notes that over the next few years the Energy Retailers will be pushing ahead with a national roll out of SMART meter installations. This will be a massive logistical exercise involving many thousands of workers and the probable extensive use of contract labour. Conference endorses UNISON’s position on SMART meters that seeks to emphasise […]
Conference notes that within the energy sector there is an increasing trend of ownership of gas and electricity distribution networks by pension funds and private equity consortia. The sale of network businesses by National Grid, EDF and United Utilities to such owners will likely be added to by other companies seeking to raise funds for […]
Conference notes that four of the big six Energy Companies in the UK are owned by overseas European based multi- nationals. Each of these four companies either already have, or are eligible for, a European Works Council (EWC). Recognising that UNISON has a significant membership base in all the UK’s energy companies it is important […]
Conference notes with great concern that many local bus services, particularly those serving rural areas, face an uncertain future. A high proportion of the funding for subsidised and tendered services comes from local authorities who themselves face significant cuts in their grant income from Government. The continued viability of many community transport undertakings and the […]
2011 marks the beginning of what may become the most serious threat since 1989 to jobs and services provided by the UK’s water industry. Whether in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland the present industry structure is likely to come under attack from both regulators and governments. With a new White Paper from the Government […]
Conference deplores the Con- Dem Government’s attacks on jobs, services, pensions and pay in the public sector as their only solution to the economic crisis brought about by the irresponsibility of the banking sector. Conference condemns those banks that continue to award large bonuses to the very people whose actions have caused the economic difficulties […]
Conference is alarmed over the developments taking place in British Waterways. Despite UNISON’s opposition the Government has gone ahead with its plan to convert British Waterways into a charitable trust, bringing to a close a proud history of public ownership and management of the nations’ canals. However, Conference is pleased to note that the Scottish […]
Conference notes the report “Apprentices and Gender” produced by the TUC and YWCA in October 2010. Conference is concerned that the report finds that “although the problems of occupational segregation, gender stereotyping, poor careers advice, low pay and lack of progression for women in the apprenticeships system is well documented and well understood, little progress […]
This Water, Environment and Transport Conference deplores the continuing anti-union behaviour of management at UK based National Express Group’s North American yellow school bus subsidiaries. We note that National Express Group has declined to introduce a freedom of information policy in order to protect the human rights of their employees by being able to join […]
This WET Conference is aware that private drains and sewers will soon be “insourced” to the water industry probably by the end of 2011. While the extra work is obviously welcomed as a source to retain existing staffing levels, it is imperative that as well as the work the existing employees who do the work […]
This Water, Environment and Transport Conference notes that the Environment Agency is likely to suffer job losses as a result of funding cuts by the coalition via DEFRA. As part of the job losses it is obvious that some of our activists will also be victims of the cuts as will the membership density levels […]
This 2011 WET Conference notes that as part of the coalition’s comprehensive spending review was the announcement that the carbon reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme is to become a new carbon tax on public sector organisations like the Environment Agency, British Waterways and Passenger Transport Executives and larger companies like those in the water industry. […]