Bullying in the workplace

Public sector cuts have had an unprecedented impact on women, with increasing numbers accepting redundancy and voluntary early severance. Those women who remain in the workplace are experiencing an increase in bullying behaviour as work pressures mount; unrealistic deadlines are set; performance expectations raised unreasonably and fears and uncertainties about individuals positions increase. Vulnerable clients […]

Campaigning for a living wage

UNISON continues to support the campaign for a living wage recognising that the National Minimum Wage is not sufficient and that the living wage takes into account the real cost of living and is independently calculated. In London the London Living Wage is set annually by the Greater London Authority (the current hourly rate is […]

North South divide – the disproportionate impact of government cuts

The North East economy was growing at the same rate as London until 2009. Until 2008 there was an increase of over 11.2% in the number of North East residents in work, against a national average of 9.2%. Compare this to where we are now with an unemployment figure of 12% the highest in the […]

Young, gifted, Black and unemployed

Conference believes that the level of unemployment amongst young Black people in the UK is a disaster. The current economic crisis has had a severe effect on the livelihoods and futures of Black workers, especially young Black workers. Research has shown that since the recession started, an alarming 48% of young Black people are currently […]

Cuts and the Black member experience

Black members are on the brink of economic meltdown from the coalition governments’ cuts, scapegoating and hypocrisy. The cuts to public services have directly affected Black members and the most vulnerable in our society, creating anger and a real sense of injustice. Conference is deeply concerned that despite over 40 years of anti-racism legislation, Black […]

Defeating the ConDems – a union strategy

The public sector cuts and job losses are not just a response to the economic conditions facing the country. They are a sustained ideological attack on public services driven by a right wing Tory Party who have pulled their Liberal Democrat collaborators into supporting them in the ConDem Coalition. These cuts are an attempt by […]

Schedule B Fatal Accident Benefit

Insert new Schedule B 2.8.3 and renumber accordingly: “2.8.3 The above benefit will rise in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) immediately after the National Delegate conference each year. However if the RPI falls into a minus percentage the above benefit will not be reduced.”

Schedule B Accident Benefit

Insert new Schedule B 2.7.3 and renumber accordingly: “2.7.3 The above benefit will rise in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) immediately after the National Delegate conference each year. However if the RPI falls into a minus percentage the above benefit will not be reduced.”

Schedule B Death Benefit

Insert new Schedule B 2.6.3 and renumber accordingly: “2.6.3 The above benefit will rise in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) immediately after the National Delegate Conference each year. However if the RPI falls into a minus percentage the above benefit will not be reduced.”

Women and the cuts

Conference condemns the continued attack on women and the price they are paying for the harsh austerity measures. Women’s unemployment stands at a 23 year high, with a staggering 1.09 million women unemployed. Cuts in public sector employment are having a disproportionate effect on women, and women in communities across the country are struggling to […]

Opposing the far right

Conference notes the continued threat of the far right and how these extremist groups are exploiting the impact of austerity measures to gain support. In the last year we have seen an increase of attacks on mosques and firebombing of shops owned by minority groups. British Muslims, heavily targeted by the likes of the British […]

End child poverty

Conference is deeply concerned that the UK has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the industrialised world. It is a national disgrace that the UK has proportionally more children in poverty than most rich countries. Almost four million of our children will grow up in poverty and these numbers are rising. This […]

Rule I Disciplinary Action

Rule I 8.5 Add at end “up to a maximum of 36 months;” Rule I 8.6 Add at end “up to a maximum of 36 months;”

Stop disability hate crime

Conference is concerned about the level of hate crime aimed at disabled people. Although there is no legal definition of disability hate crime the Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) agree that it can be defined as “any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other […]

Disability leave

Conference recognises that distinguishing between general sickness absence and disability-related sickness absence is vital as it helps remove the disadvantage and discrimination experienced by disabled people in the workplace. In the current climate of recession and redundancy it has never been more important for disability leave policies to be negotiated and implemented by employers, failure […]