Strengthening self-organisation in police and justice branches

Conference notes the National Executive Council review on strengthening self-organisation, which reported to national delegate conference this summer after two years work. The review confirmed that self-organisation can revitalise union membership and organisation by providing ways for under-represented groups of members to get involved. The review also stressed the importance of integrating equality issues and […]

Tackling transphobia in our police and justice workplaces

This conference welcomes growing awareness of prejudice and discrimination against transgender workers. However, this is still an equality area that is relatively unknown and there is much work to be done within our police and justice service group. Conference notes that a number of police and justice branches are currently dealing with transphobic discrimination against […]

Lack of ACPO and APCC voice against Cuts to Policing

The North West Regional Police and Justice Committee is extremely concerned that there is no action/response from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) or the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) at a national level to identify the current and prospective impact on on-going cuts to policing budgets is having on delivering a […]

Mental Health within the Workplace

Our activists have become aware of the lack of awareness of officers and staff with regard to mental health issues within the workplace, in particular Staff who are returning to work after illness. Return to work plans tend to be mechanistic and focussed on the basic HR issues with little regard to the individual circumstances […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Platform 51 and YWCA Scotland

This Conference welcomes the work of Platform 51(the operating name of the YWCA England & Wales), and YWCA Scotland, to support girls and young women as they seek to achieve their potential. This Conference believes that the possibility for joint work with these bodies deserves to be explored in order to identify joint campaigning opportunities […]

WOMEN in RURAL COMMUNITIES

Conference acknowledges that many of the cuts in public services have hit rural communities, already poorly served, harder than urban areas. Women who are already on lower incomes and reliant on diminishing benefits and public services are particularly disadvantaged. A recent survey conducted in the South West revealed that women are more likely to be […]

Universal Credit

The Government’s proposed Universal Credit scheme, one of their flagship policies, is intended to consolidate benefits and tax credits into one single payment, thereby reducing complexity and administration costs significantly. The Government claim is that the new scheme will provide a greater incentive for people on benefits to work and ensure that they do not […]

Endometriosis – campaign for early diagnosis to improve girls’ education and future

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the womb lining is found outside the uterus. It affects an estimated 10% of women of childbearing age and has affected girls as young as 11 years. Its cause is unknown and diagnosis difficult and for those who suffer from the condition it can be chronic […]

Representation of Women in the Media

The recent submission by women’s groups to the Leveson inquiry highlighted the relentless sexual objectification of women and girls in the press while topics such as rape and trafficking continue to be trivialised and made into a joke and women are still being blamed for being sexually assaulted. Actress and author Lucy Holmes is creator […]

68 is too late

Conference notes with concern that the Government wants to increase the state pension age to 68. This will mean that the United Kingdom will have the highest retirement age in Europe. The proposed changes to the state pension age are disproportionately impacting on the lives of women. The accelerated state pension age rise for women […]

Our tradition is equality and human rights – not oppression

Conference notes with concern that in September 2012 the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council adopted a resolution from Russia which linked human rights to ‘traditional values’ by a vote of 25 in favour and 15 against, with 7 states abstaining. This resolution was an unmistakable attempt to try to block the progress of women’s […]

PRIVATISATION AND HOMECARE SERVICE

Conference condemns the ongoing political drive to increase the proportion of domiciliary care jobs, which are done by women, being outsourced to the private sector. All the evidence shows that the privatisation of domiciliary care services results in reduced service provision to the most vulnerable and the reduction in the terms and conditions of our […]