Fighting for an Accessible Welfare System

Conference notes that eligibility and assessment processes for welfare benefits and public services are rapidly moving to online platforms. For example, applications for Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit, Access to Work, and Universal Credit almost invariably need to be made online. Conversely, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) can only be applied for using a paper form, […]

Suicide awareness training for stewards

With the appointment by the government of a minister who is tasked with reducing suicide rates nationally, the need for all stewards to be trained in suicide awareness has never been clearer. Suicide is everyone’s business and touches families whatever their class, age, gender or family situation. Last year nationally 6,213 people completed suicide and […]

Rule B Union Democracy

B 2.3 Delete “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members” and insert “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) members” And D 5.1.4 Delete “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members” and insert “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) members”

Raising the profile of Black activists

UNISON is committed to fair representation and proportionality (Rule D4.1). However, within the WET sector we do not see enough Black members represented at branch, regional and national committee level. Raising the profile of Black activists within Water, Environment and Transport employers and increasing the number of Black members involved at branch, regional and national […]

Tackling Racism at Work

Conference condemns the continuing rise is racism and fascism across the UK. Conference believes that those who face racism should be at the forefront of the campaign for race equality and that our self organised structures are integral to this work. Conference also believes that all members have a role and a responsibility to challenge […]

Gun and Knife Crime – Time to Stop the Senseless Killings

The number of deaths as a result of gun and knife crime in London, and inner cities across the country, continues to make the news with the number of innocent lives lost seemingly increasing on a daily basis. The right wing press claim that the situation is a result of ‘lawless Britain’ but the truth […]

Recruitment and Retention of Members

Conference notes with pride the increase in UNISON membership during 2018 and commends the effort made by branches and activists towards this significant achievement in the face of unrelenting Tory cuts to public services. Throughout the decade of austerity UNISON has managed to mitigate membership losses and recruit new activists through its key Meeting the […]

Nelson Mandela: Inspiring Future Generations

Conference notes that 2020 will be the 30 year anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from captivity. Conference believes that Mandela’s life, sacrifice and values are inspirational to us today in our struggle for justice and equality. Conference notes with pride the role of trade unionists in the Anti-Apartheid movement and that Nelson Mandela […]

Rule G Branch Officers

In existing rule G 4.1.6 insert after “branch secretary,” “branch chair”

Rule G Branch Meetings

Insert a new Rule G 3.4.4: “G 3.4.4 Agree any proposals for branch honoraria in line with the National scheme. Should the meeting be inquorate then these proposals should be considered by the Regional Council or the relevant delegated Lay body in the region.” Renumber existing Rules accordingly.

Rule C Obligations of Membership

Delete current C 6.2 and replace with: “C 6.2 Details of where the rulebook may be downloaded from the UNISON website will be provided to each new member when they join. Hard copies of the rulebook may be requested.”

Rule G The Branch Secretary

In G 4.2.4 at the end of the sentence insert the following: “and the law with particular reference to the Data Protection Act 2018”.

Schedule B Benefits of Members in Education

In existing Schedule B 2.3 after “above” delete the full stop and insert “with the exception of holding office. Persons in this category of membership shall not be entitled to hold any office in the Union.”

CURBING CORPORATE POWER

Conference notes that the revenues of the three largest corporations in the world, including Wal-mart, were higher than the gross domestic product of 110 countries, 55% of all nation states and that 66 individual people own as much wealth as 3.6 billion people. Whilst trade and investment agreements give corporations extraordinary rights that enable them […]

Developing Organising Resources in Branches and Regions

Conference recognises the major organising challenges facing branches and regions. Austerity, the continuing fragmentation of public service delivery as well as the loss of experienced activists through cutbacks, amongst other things, have contributed towards making the job of a UNISON activist ever more difficult. Conference believes that to meet these challenges, the union needs to […]