Removing barriers for disabled workers

This Conference is concerned that research has consistently shown that within the Higher Education sector, disabled staff are not having their access needs met and institutional discrimination against disabled staff is widespread. Disabled workers in Higher Education institutions are disproportionately selected for redundancy, and can face both direct and indirect discrimination when trying to get […]

Campaigning for £10/hour minimum wage across higher education

Conference notes that: 1)In-work poverty is a major issue facing all trade unionists, which should be given urgent attention if we are to address the welfare and confidence of working people and their dependents. 2)UNISON National Delegate Conference (NDC) 2016, (motion 22 as amended) voted to: a)Campaign for a proper living/minimum wage of £10/hour. b)Ensure […]

Higher Education workers deserve fair pay

Conference notes that members in Higher Education have lost the equivalent of between £1,585 and £8,248 over the last six years, while at the same time having to deliver a professional service despite severe cuts, redundancies, reorganisations and increased workloads. Members continue to carry out their duties even though their pay has failed to keep […]

Timing of Higher Education (HE) Conference

This conference notes that: a)Branches should feel fully involved in the formulation of the new Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES) pay claim or in the organisation of the pay campaign. Currently, the Higher Education (HE) Service Group Executive (SGE) pay motion is presented to delegates at the HE Branch Seminar in October […]

Organising Outsourced Workers

Conference believes that keeping existing services in-house should be the default position for higher education employers on the grounds that in-house services offer better quality, accountability, efficiency and social value to universities, workers and students. Conference also believes that workers employed by contractors should benefit from union recognition and collective bargaining to defend and improve […]

Organising and Recruiting in Higher Education

Conference notes that the higher education system in the UK is undergoing unprecedented and damaging reforms and changes. Along with severe job losses, outsourcing and restructuring the sector faces numerous challenges as we see increasing marketisation. These challenges have a direct impact on the way we organise and recruit in workplaces. Yet we know that […]

Workplace Bullying

Conference notes that in recent years, along with increased workloads, increased demands from employers and an increase in work place sickness levels, work place bullying is also on the increase. Unfortunately bullying is no longer exclusive to the school yard, and many adults some of whom experienced bullying in childhood have gone on to suffer […]

UNISON HE Members & Reps Require Improved Mental Health Support

Conference notes that UNISON Higher Education Members are under unprecedented amounts of stress. It is further acknowledged that contributing factors include restructuring, redundancy, inadequate pay and the rising national cost of living. Mental health illnesses take many forms and often make it difficult for both the employer and affected employees to recognise the symptoms, thus […]

Trans inclusion in higher education workplaces

Conference welcomes the increasing numbers of trans members participating in UNISON’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group and growing acceptance of trans equality as an issue that must be addressed in all workplaces. However, Conference notes the recommendations of the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee Inquiry into Transgender Equality, which found persistent and widespread […]

Diamond Review

Conference notes the Diamond Review in its final set of recommendations attempts to create a long term, financially sustainable model which also preserves Wales’ distinctive approach to Higher Education. Key proposals include: A shift from the Tuition Fee Grant towards increased maintenance support. “The focus of undergraduate support for those studying on a full-time basis […]

Where next with the Housing crisis for women?

This generation is facing a housing crisis that is supporting ‘generation rent’ and the ‘boomerang’ generation. The majority of young women, the low paid, and those on a fixed income (including disabled and/or retired women) are struggling to find acceptable and affordable housing as private rental costs continue to rise. Between 2014 – 15 (Guardian […]

Brexit- the women’s voice

The impact of Brexit is still unclear. What must be argued for is that the voice of women is at the negotiating table. Women continue to be under-represented in Parliament and wider Civic Society. The impact of the Conservative Government’s policies of austerity are having a disproportionate impact in the North East, and women continue […]

Cuts to domestic abuse support services

As cuts continue around the country one area which continues to suffer is the support for domestic abuse. It is seen as an area to easily make cuts when in fact these are the very services which are saving women’s lives. Leaving any relationship can be a difficult and challenging time, but imagine having to […]

Pregnancy discrimination

Since the Tories have been in power, employment laws have become lax, the laws which are in place to protect our most vulnerable in society continue to be flouted and used by employers to stifle members. Basic principles are failing to be followed resulting in many women being discriminated against. This is often the case […]

Protecting the right of EU Women working in social care

On the 23rd of June, the country voted by a narrow margin of 52% to 48% to leave the EU. If we look at all the sectors that UNISON represent we will see women EU members working, and contributing having settled in Britain. With women making up 77% of UNISON’s membership, it is not difficult […]