Localism Bill, Religious Exemption and Discrimination

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 […]

Glasgow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Centre

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 Conference is disappointed to learn that, for various reasons, this facility has been withdrawn, leaving a huge gap in the provision of services for LGBT people in Glasgow.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 […]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Black Members – Increasing Participation and Representation

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 […]

Not Delivering on the Equality Act and Attacks on the Equality and Human Rights Commission

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 […]

Stopping Public Sector Pension Hacking

Conference believes that this government needs to learn to have some respect for hardworking public sector workers and we know a thing or two about respect. The quick fix hacking axe of the coalition government is decimating public services and ruining people’s lives. We will not allow government to hack away our hard earned pensions, […]

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Conference notes with concern the problems some disabled members encounter in attaining and/or receiving information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; especially whilst requesting information where some constraining time limits are involved. Both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will not currently send information and letters […]

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FAILURE TO MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

The Disability Discrimination Acts introduced for the first time a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. The Equality Act outlines three areas where employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments. These are: a) Adjustments to a provision, criterion or practice; b) Adjustments involving the provision of auxiliary aids and services; and c) […]

FAIR REPRESENTATION FOR DISABLED MEMBERS IN UNISON

This conference is concerned about the level of discrimination currently faced by disabled people including the State Orchestrated Discrimination that this government implements against us on a daily basis. To fight this effectively we need to ensure that disabled people are represented at all levels of society including in our own union. Branches and regions […]

RESERVED DISABLED MEMBERS’ SEATS ON UNISON’S NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

This conference is concerned that positive action measures have been afforded to members of self organised groups that have not been afforded to disabled members, in particular in the union’s advice on the scheme of branch representation and in the union’s rule book provision to address the underrepresentation of women and black members. Whilst this […]

NDMC WORK PROGRAMME

This Conference is concerned that the work programme from the Disabled Members Conference does not appear to have acted upon by Branches and Regions. This Conference is also concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the work of the National Disabled Members Committee Conference therefore calls upon the NDMC to: 1.publish the work programme for […]

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS AND DISABLED WORKERS

Conference agrees that the flexible working arrangements which have been adopted by employers are of immense value to many disabled workers as well as workers with care commitments for a disabled member of their own household. The fact that employers in the public sector have signed agreements with unions to implement various family and disabled […]

The Big Society and Disabled Workers

The Government’s Big Society idea is not convincing as a progressive vehicle for advancing social justice and equality for disabled workers. For a start its context goes hand in hand with deep and reckless cuts in public spending that are already producing disproportionate reductions in the living standards of disabled people. Government attacks on the […]

Conference Timetable and Regional Meetings

This Conference notes that many Regional Disabled Members Committees hold pre-conference training sessions for delegates to the National Disabled Members’ Conference. However, not all delegates can attend these meetings and it is useful to be able to hold a regional meeting at the conference itself. It can be difficult to timetable such an event in […]

2012 – European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations

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 […]

Stop the Damaging Health Reforms

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 […]