Make Poverty History

Conference welcomes and supports the 2005 Make Poverty History (MPH) campaign. Conference affirms that it is a fundamental role of trade unions to organise and campaign to ensure sufficient income and appropriate support from public services for all to live a decent life, free from poverty. Trade unions, aid agencies, campaigning organisations and faith organisations […]

Work Life Balance

Whilst Conference welcomes UNISON’s work on work life balance/family friendly policies the changing demands of the workplace mean that women in the main, and increasingly men, find it harder to juggle the pressure of work, family, and other caring and outside responsibilities. There are a number of issues which need to be highlighted and addressed: […]

Employment Rights

Conference reaffirms its belief that decent employment and trade union rights for all is one of the foundation stones of a just and civilised society. Conference welcomes the improvements in the law brought about by the Employment Relations Act, such as additional protections to prevent employers from engaging in union-busting activities, and new measures to […]

Anti-Terrorism Act

Conference welcomes the return to the UK of the British citizens who have been held without trial in Guantanamo Bay but believes that the practice of detaining such suspects without trial should never be tolerated. Conference therefore welcomes the growing number of voices calling for this practice to be ended in the UK. Conference especially […]

Identity Cards

The government has admitted that the introduction of compulsory identity cards and the establishment of a National Identity Register will not in itself overcome international terrorism. Likewise, it has been admitted that benefit fraud is only a tiny part of the problem in the benefit system. Given the cost of introducing the scheme and the […]

Developing a UNISON Vision for the NHS

Conference notes that, despite the record levels of investment going into the National Health Service (NHS), many NHS patients and staff are failing to experience the improvements that should be occurring. Too often, there exists a gap between the rhetoric about the positive changes that are supposed to be taking place in the NHS and […]

Rule D.1.7.7 The Right to Attend and Speak

Delete “15” and replace with “14”

Rule B.1.6 At Work and in the Community

Add new Rule B.1.6: “To promote and improve the health, safety and welfare of members in the workplace.” Renumber rest of Rule B.1.

Rule G.6 Health and Safety Representatives

Add new Rule: “.6Health and Safety Representatives 6.1 One or more health and safety representatives shall be elected annually for each work group or workplace by the members in that group or workplace in accordance with branch arrangements 6.2 The election of each health and safety representative shall be reported to the branch for ratification […]

Rule G.2.2.4 The Branch Committee

Add new Rule G.2.2.4: “.4shall recruit and organise members in all employers and workplaces within the scope of the branch;” Renumber.

Rule G.2.2.3 The Branch Committee

Add new Rule G.2.2.3: “.3shall co-ordinate health and safety activities conducted by health and safety representatives;” Renumber rest of Rule G.2.2.

Disability Discrimination and Health and Safety at Work

Conference welcomes guidance produced by the European safety and health agency that says that health and safety issues should not be used as an excuse for not employing or not continuing to employ disabled people. Its factsheet adds that a workplace that is accessible and safe for disabled people is also safer and more accessible […]

Restructuring of Public Services and UNISON Organisation

Conference notes that since 1993, when UNISON was established, the delivery of public services in the United Kingdom (UK) has been subject to widespread change and restructuring. The impact of change has been felt union-wide but in diverse ways with some services being more closely integrated, for example further and higher education, whilst others have […]

UNISON’s Pension Campaign

Conference condemns the attack on the public sector pension schemes and congratulates the National Executive Council on its high profile campaign to defend and improve the pensions of public service workers, including submissions and discussions with government, active participation in Trade Union Congress activities such as the lobby in November and the day of action […]

Beyond the General Election – UNISON’s Vision

Conference welcomes the expected return of a Labour government for a third term in office but expresses concern at the tone and direction of parts of Labour’s election manifesto and campaign, which often pandered to the perceived interests of middle England instead of presenting a clear alternative to the individualistic and xenophobic vision of society […]