Conference believes that, in the light of the Equality Act 2010, many employers are now confused about their legal duties and ignorant about good practice on workforce monitoring in respect of sexual orientation and gender identity. Conference further believes that we can use this confusion as a bargaining opportunity to push our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that: 1.The Localism Bill is aimed at ‘a radical shift of power from Westminster to local people, increasing citizen participation, promoting community ownership, lifting inspection burdens on councils and removing regional government’. 2.The ‘Community Right to Challenge’ is presented as a measure to encourage the involvement of charities, social enterprises or employee mutuals […]
Conference remembers the fantastic hospitality enjoyed during Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Conference 2007 at the Glasgow LGBT Centre. Conference is disappointed to learn that, for various reasons, this facility has been withdrawn, leaving a huge gap in the provision of services for LGBT people in Glasgow. Conference notes that Glasgow City Council announced […]
Conference notes the good work that has been achieved in self organisation and representation for Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) members at a national level. However, there is still a disproportionate amount of Black LGBT members represented at regional delegation level at National LGBT Conference, within regional LGBT groups and markedly so at […]
Conference welcomed the approval of the Equality Act in 2010, the final legislative act of the last Labour government. But this Tory-led government has shown that they are not committed to equalities. Savage public service cuts are affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) workers and provisions for LGBT service users. This government is backtracking […]
This Conference recognises that there are some advantages of being retired. One of these is the freedom from the time constraints imposed by employment. For the first time since starting school we should have the freedom to act spontaneously with only the need to advise others of our intentions as a matter of courtesy. Due […]
This Conference is very concerned about the ongoing government cuts in services and instructs the National Retired Members Committee and calls on the National Executive Council to: i. Initiate a strategy which will encourage retired members to support working members in their Branches during this very difficult time; ii. Ensure the strategy is given the […]
The European Parliament has designated 2012 as the European year for Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations. (European year 2012) MEPs believe that more should be done to enable older people to realise their potential for well-being and participation in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it. Conference […]
Conference believes that any reform of the NHS must take into account the needs of older people – the NHS’ largest patient group. Conference notes that the Health and Social Care Bill will alter fundamentally the NHS as we know it and undermine the basic principles on which it was founded in 1948. Conference is […]
Brains for Dementia Research is a partnership between Alzheimer’s Research Trust and Alzheimer’s Society which aims to promote brain donation and to develop a network of brain tissue banks for dementia research. The project is being run in association with the Medical Research Council. Alzheimer’s disease is probably the best known cause of dementia but […]
The effect of the changes proposed and ongoing by the government are having adverse effects for pensioners, which will increase as the changes are implemented and efficiency drives accelerated. Already cataract operations have been reduced as have operations for replacement hip and knee joints. These ailments are more prevalent amongst the elderly who will increasingly […]
Conference notes that the Branch Retired Members’ Handbook contains some advice on setting up retired members’ sections. Conference considers however that more detailed advice and information is needed than that which appears in the Handbook. Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee, following consultation with branches and the regions, to produce such information as part […]
Conference notes that eligibility for initial payment of the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) is dependent upon the claimant reaching state retirement age by the last week in September each year (of particular benefit to those with birthdays between March and September) and that those who reach this milestone in subsequent winter months do not receive […]
The proposals for differentiation of retired members’ pensions proposed for 2015/16 is a form of discrimination affecting existing pensioners. The proposal if implemented will mean that the existing 14 million current British pensioners will lose approximately £53 per week. Conference therefore calls on the Retired Members’ National Committee to join with other organisations including the […]
Conference deplores the continuing use of 084 nos by many organisations as the only means of contacting them by ‘phone. Despite claims that 0845 are ‘lo-call’ cost, they are rarely as cheap as a local call or indeed a geographic call and are used as a means of raking in extra money. Conference believes that […]