Over the last few years the department of Work and Pensions have started making big changes to policies and procedures that help disabled people gain and then keep employment. Who qualifies for this help from the various projects is no longer a question of whether you are a disabled person or not, but also what […]
Conference motions
Conference agrees that the introduction of the annual Winter Fuel Allowance for all people aged sixty and over in the United Kingdom has been one of the most successful social developments in recent history. UNISON has always been at the forefront when campaigning for social justice and dignity for those, who through no fault of […]
West Midlands Region is very concerned that members have to take Annual Leave to cover a phased return to work or attend medical appointments or treatment sessions. We therefore ask this Conference to call upon the National Disabled Members Committee (NDMC) to work with the National Executive Council (NEC) & Labourlink to lobby Parliament to […]
This Conference is concerned that the recession is having a disproportionately large impact on disabled workers. Unemployment is predicted to increase to almost three million by 2010 and disabled workers are particularly at risk when unemployment rises. Increased unemployment for disabled workers can lead to social divide, increase the prospect of discrimination due to unfair […]
There are a number of schemes in place which many Employers sign up to that would, if followed, be of great advantage to disabled workers. For these schemes to work effectively, it is essential that disabled workers must be allowed to self nominate and work in partnership with the Employers and scheme organisers to ensure […]
Conference notes that a recent report entitled ‘Promoting Safety and Security of Disabled People’ published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission showed that disabled people are at greater risk of being victims of targeted violence and hostility. The report stated that disabled people are four times more likely to be a victim of crime, […]
Conference welcomes a more accessible and inclusive UNISON Website. Conference requests that the National Disabled Members Committee work with the ‘Webmaster’ to look at different access mediums and that British Sign Language as well as text to speech interpretation is included in the access options available to our members. BSL as well as text to […]
This Conference notes that many disabled people are unemployed and find it difficult to obtain work. Some employers, particularly those in the Private Sector, see disabled people as an ‘expensive’ choice due to the need for access arrangements. The current economic climate means that it is now even more likely that employers will not take […]
We remember Thabitha Khumalo from Zimbabwe who as a guest speaker at 2006 National Delegate Conference gave an inspirational speech about the struggles for basic rights that women face in her country. Every year at National Women’s Conference motions are proposed and carried supporting our sisters overseas. In recent years, Conference has supported women of […]
Conference recognises that the issue of violence against women is something that many women feel passionately about tackling. Women who are not politically active in other ways attend Reclaim the Night events or support local refuges. Therefore this issue should be used as not only a campaigning issue but an organising one as well. There […]
This National Women’s Conference is concerned at the impact that substance abuse can have on pregnant women and their babies. Substances that can affect the foetus are: 1)Cannabis 2)Heroin 3)Methadone 4)Cocaine 5)Crack cocaine 6)Crystal methamphetamine 7)Prescription drugs 8)Nicotine 9)Alcohol Education on the hazards of misusing substances during pregnancy is urgently required and the Government should […]
Domestic violence continues to be a matter of concern to women in UNISON. Despite the fact that there have been many motions to the National Women’s Conference on this issue there are still many of our employers who do not have domestic violence policies for their own staff. Given the increase in the use of […]
Conference notes that The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a new public body which is being created with the intention of preventing unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. From October 2009, all individuals working or volunteering with vulnerable adults or children will be required to register with the ISA. This will affect […]
Conference congratulates the Million Women Rise Coalition (MWRC) on the success of the 2008 march and rally which saw over 5,000 women and girls gathered in London to protest male violence against women and endemic gender discrimination. The rally was addressed by a range of inspiring speakers from across the country, representing a broad spectrum […]
Conference applauds the National Women’s Committee for its previously undertaken work on sexual violence and the conference policy decisions to support the work of Rape Crisis. However there is much still to do. Conference believes that rape crisis centres are essential and distinctly different in their role to the government created Sexual Assault Referral Centres […]