Public Services in the Developing World

UNISON, one of the largest public service trade unions in the world, is rightly proud of its strong record on championing quality public services and challenging privatisation in the UK. We also have a long history of international solidarity with sister unions around the world. These two aspects of our work are inextricably linked. In […]

D3.7 SECTORS

Rule D 3.7.1 Insert “and D 3.7.5” after “D 3.7.4” Add “D 3.7.5 D 3.7.5 The National Executive Council shall have the power to establish cross service sectors representing members in two or more service groups as the basis for policy formation, collective bargaining and the representation of occupational and professional issues. .1The organisation and […]

D3.4 Service Group Conference

Rule D 3.4.6, Add new “D.3.4.6.5Two representatives of each Service Group Regional Committee.” Re-number remaining points

Pensions White Paper and Restoration of the Link

Conference notes that on 25 May 2006 the government published a Pensions White Paper setting out how it planned to implement the recommendations of the Turner Report. The White Paper contains some positive proposals intended to increase the value of the state pension in the light of the decline of many occupational pensions and include […]

Mental Health Legislation

Conference welcomes some positive aspects of the Mental Health Bill that intend to make mental health services more able to respond to the complex, emotional and medical needs of people experiencing mental ill health. However, Conference is concerned that: 1)the proposed increased use of Community Detention Orders may jeopardise opportunities for disabled people to become […]

Charter for Change for LGBT Equality

Conference welcomes advances in legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. These include Gender Recognition and Civil Partnership, outlawing of sexual orientation discrimination in goods, facilities and services and the promised Single Equality Act, which should enact duties across all grounds to actively promote equality as well as combat discrimination. However, disadvantage and […]

GUIDANCE TO MEMBERS ON SUPPORTING ASYLUM SEEKERS

Conference notes the continuing inhumane policies of the Government in relation to asylum seekers. Conference notes that UNISON members working in local government provide many services to asylum seekers and that many services are of a statutory basis. It is noted that legislation concerning asylum can contradict or in some cases over-ride other legislation in […]

Building Equality and Diversity in the National Offender Management Service

This conference notes that the probation service in England and Wales has a tradition of working proactively on equality issues and well established equality networks for the various diversity strands. Conference expresses concern that this is not being effectively carried forward in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), particularly in the context of the mixed […]

Cuba

Conference congratulates UNISON’s International Department and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign on producing the excellent ‘Made in Cuba’ pack about Cuba’s unique health service and its international solidarity work in the Caribbean and Pakistan. Cuba’s achievements, internationalism and resistance to United States (US) backed aggression has become an example and source of inspiration among nations throughout […]

Definition of Violence Against Women

Research at national and international level has consistently shown that domestic violence is a form of gender specific violence. The recent report into violence against women by the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) acknowledges the role of violence against women in perpetuating the subordination of women in all societies throughout the globe. Violence […]

YOUNG MEMBERS DEMAND BETTER PENSIONS

Conference notes the results of the UNISON 2006 Young Members Survey, which demonstrated that the policy issue of greatest importance to our young members is improved pensions provision, which was rated as important or very important by 89% of UNISON young members. Conference therefore expresses our great concern at recent and current attacks upon pension […]

THE DISABILITY EQUALITY DUTY: EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

This Conference congratulates the work undertaken by local government branches that have used the Disability Equality Duty to eliminate institutional discrimination in the workplace. We are however concerned with reports that employers may not be meeting their new duties with regard to: 1)Identifying positive as well as negative outcomes especially in the recruitment of disabled […]

WORKPLACE POLICIES ON DOMESTIC ABUSE

Conference notes that the Home Office has funded a three-year project for the Local Government Association to identify and promote good practice of councils and partner organisations in addressing domestic violence. In their guidance leaflet “Local Government’s Role in Tackling Domestic Violence”, one of the stated aims is to “develop domestic violence employment policies for […]

Local Government Service Group Executive Report

This Conference receives the report of the Local Government Service Group Executive.

MATERNITY AND CARERS RIGHTS

Conference welcomes the new rights for parents and carers to be introduced in the Work and Families Act, which will come into force in April 2007 It notes that parents and carers struggling to achieve work life balance will now be able to take advantage of the following improvements: 1.Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance and […]