College of Policing

Conference recognises the need for the Police & Justice service group to engage with the college to ensure so far as we are able, that the interests of Police Staff are represented adequately in their own right and not overshadowed by issues relating to police officers. We have been given the opportunity to have position […]

Pledge to Close the Health and Care Gap

NHS and Local Government leaders have announced a shared commitment to ‘close the gap’ between the health and care systems. A series of pilot projects will begin in the autumn of 2013 to explore new ways of pooling budgets, speeding up discharge from hospital and conducting assessments. This initiative is to be welcomed – if […]

Medication Packaging and Content Issues

Modern day packaging of many types of medication is becoming increasingly difficult for elderly people to cope with, in particular the ‘bubble strip’ type packaging of tablets. This type of packaging often results in the user suffering finger cuts and sometimes the destruction of the capsule encased in the ‘bubble’. In addition to difficulties with […]

Tax Relief on UNISON Subscriptions

Conference notes that roles in Police and Probation Services have developed over the years, with many roles requiring specific qualifications and ongoing vocational accreditation, and this is only likely to increase in the future. Our Police Officer colleagues are able to claim some tax relief on the subscriptions they pay to the Federation and within […]

TUC Pensioners’ Committee

This Conference considers that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Pensioners’ Committee is not as effective as it could be and that as a result the TUC sometimes fails to gain pensioners’ support for its aims and campaigns etc. Conference considers the committee would be more effective if: 1)Its constitution and purpose were clearer and more […]

Removal of Gender Discrimination in Pension Provision

Conference notes that the median income of a woman pensioner is less than two thirds that of a man and that two thirds of pensioners living below the poverty line are women. This shocking injustice is the result of lifelong discrimination at work. In general compared to men women earn less so they save less […]

Scottish Independence and possible impact on Pensioners

This Conference notes the referendum on Independence for Scotland will be held on 18 September 2014 and if carried it is likely Independence will be gained in 2016 – less than 3 years from now to totally separate the existing integrated financial systems and set up new systems for both Scotland and England/Wales/Northern Ireland. Even […]

Attacks on Facility Time

Conference notes that there continues to be attacks on trade union facility time from the right wing media, government and such groups as the Trade Union Reform Group whose Chairman is Aiden Burley MP for Cannock Chase. The Trade Union Reform Group has been addressed by Eric Pickles MP and notes amongst its supporters Dr […]

The Day of the Africa Child

The 16th June is another historic day celebrated all over Africa, this is the day of the African Child. On the 16th June 1976, thousands of Black school children took to the street of Soweto, South Africa. In a march more than half a mile long, they protested the inferior quality of their education and […]

Black Members Representation at National Black Members Conference

Conference is concerned with the current Online Conference System (OCS) and the representation at the National Black Members Conference. Black members are a disadvantage group and self-organised groups should be able to self-organise as currently stated in UNISON rules to meet and share their concerns and aspirations. To work within a flexible structure to build […]

Discrimination in the Workplace

Conference notes the benefits that Learning and Development in UNISON provides to our members. It is also noted that the assistance, advice and guidance provided by Regions and Branches is counter to and in some cases in the absence of any learning and development opportunities provided by employers. Conference recognizes that the experience of many […]

Racism Isn’t Being Tackled

Conference notes, according to research carried out by Durham, Northumbria and Teesside universities, Police forces in the North East are failing in their duty to tackle racism in the region. The report explores issues relating to the increasing black and ethnic minority populations in the region and highlights racism in both urban and rural parts […]

Stop the Deportation of Overseas Students from the London Metropolitan University

Conference is appalled at the Coalition Government’s attack on international students with a move to deport more than 2,600 students currently studying at London Metropolitan University. The University’s licence to teach and recruit students from outside of the European Union was revoked on 29th August 2012, which means that these students most of which are […]

Stop cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Conference is deeply concerned about the Coalition Government’s plan to drastically cut the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) budget and staffing by 2015. Conference believes that these cuts represent an attack on equalities and amount to bringing an end to the EHRC as we know it and stripping it of most of its powers. […]

Out Of Many We Are One – Hope for Real Independance and LGBT Equality in Jamaica

Conference welcomes the election of Portia Simpson Miller as the first woman prime minister of Jamaica and celebrates the 50th Year of Jamaican Independence. Conference notes that Jamaica’s last prime minister had said he would not allow any homosexuals to serve in his cabinet. But Portia Simpson Miller said in a national TV debate in […]