EQUAL RIGHTS OVER INHERITANCE

Conference notes that in a recent survey, 51% of the population prefer to remain living together in long-term relationships without feeling the need to go through a ceremony of marriage. If UNISON members reflect society, then this would mean over half a million members, including retired members, will find themselves in this position. There is […]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS – GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS

Conference notes that the government is proposing new Local Government Pension Scheme investment regulations and asset pooling. Whilst there could be advantages in the pooling of LGPS funds, should this go forward, the proposal also gives new power to the government to decide where council pension funds make investments. As such, Conference fully endorses UNISON’s […]

FRAUD AGAINST OLDER PEOPLE

We have taken this heading from the title of an evidence review commissioned by Age UK, and published in April 2015. The review is seen as a way of bringing attention to this problem at a time of increasing risk and vulnerability. It is suggested that, among other things, the recent reforms to private pensions […]

Further Education Pay

Conference welcomes the first ever national agreement for FE staff in Scotland and that we are moving towards new national bargaining through the establishment of a new National Joint Negotiating Committee in Scotland. Employers and trade unions have also committed to negotiate a new single pay structure and new single set of conditions of service […]

Local Government Trading Companies

Conference we know that many councils have now established local trading companies. As you know these trade as separate companies to the council, but are wholly owned by them. Within local UNISON branches we are told that the reasons behind these companies being established normally falls into two categories: 1)Service delivery model, where they do […]

Stress and Overwork

Conference we remain concerned at the cuts and extreme pressures on local government workers and the real crisis in Councils across the UK, and support the need for more resources and investment by Scottish and UK Governments. The Westminster government’s slash and burn response to the economic crisis, and their austerity measures have resulted in […]

Members in Schools – Career Development

Conference, all staff in schools carry out increasingly diverse and responsible roles, yet many have very little opportunity for developing their careers. We know that if staffs are given the opportunity to progress in their career, it results in improved morale, performance and expertise thereby improving the performance of the school. It is vital that […]

Area Reviews

Conference notes with concern that in September 2015 the Government announced a review of post-16 education and training. Area based reviews have begun, effecting members in colleges across England. Conference believes that these reviews are likely to result in further cuts, job losses and site closures, in a sector where members have already faced severe […]

Single Status and Local Government Pay

Conference, we all know the plight of local government pay and the impact that in real terms we have seen a 20% pay cut in the last 10 years for our members. With minimum pay awards, many councils have added a local pay supplement to ensure that some of the lowest paid employees are paid […]

Impact of Low Pay on Black workers in Local Government

Equal pay cases relate to gender pay discrimination but unequal pay affects a significant number of employees in the other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 including race. Recent research published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ‘Is Britain Fairer’ shows significant hourly pay gaps between white men and Black men especially Pakistani, […]

National Housing Forum

This National Service Group Conference notes that the Government’s policies on housing are serving to intensify the acute housing shortage in all parts of the country as well as leading to housing costs which are unaffordable to huge numbers of people. This is leading to major housing and social problems with a particular impact on […]

Schools Funding

This Conference notes: 1)The proposal included in the Comprehensive Spending Review to create a single national funding formula for schools in England; 2)That this could cut funding for schools in cities and metropolitan areas in particular by as much as 20%; 3)Support staff, who make up 1 in 3 of workers organised within the local […]

Dress Codes in Local Government

Conference notes that many employers covered by our local government service group have dress codes for some groups of workers. Many of these date back to a time when there was little overlap between what was considered male and female clothing and have not been re-examined since. Conference acknowledges that dress codes and uniforms can […]

Negotiating Equality in Local Government in a Climate of Ever Harsher Cuts

Conference is concerned that hard won equality gains in local government are at risk as local government bears the brunt of the harshest public sector budget cuts to date. Conference notes that local government used to be an equality trail-blazer in terms and conditions for staff and also in the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of […]

UNISON local government members supporting refugees

Conference is pleased to note that funding for refugee resettlement is to be increased. Whilst this targeted funding is welcome, it also raises concerns for staff working in local government who are already under extreme pressure from cuts in local government jobs and services, allied with increased demand from existing service users. Conference believes that […]