Conference acknowledges the deeply tragic impact that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has had since the early 1980s, claiming the lives of over 40 million people (World Health Organization, 2022), whilst also recognising that the treatment of HIV and AIDS has progressed significantly over the same time period; such that a […]
Conference motions
Conference notes the ‘LGBT+ Inclusion @ Work’ report from Deloitte in 2023, following a survey they completed across workplaces in 13 countries, including the UK. The report highlights its findings that less than half of respondents feel comfortable being out at work, because they are concerned about being treated differently, or may even have concerns […]
Conference notes that suicide is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 35 and in men under 50 in the UK. In 2020 over 6,000 people died by suicide in the UK and 75% of those who took their own lives were men. This equates to 16 people, 12 of […]
Whilst in our society we undoubtedly have a way to go when it comes to the recognition and acceptance of the diverse nature of gender, conference acknowledges that substantial progress has and continues to be made in this area. Within UNISON alone we have: 1)trained over 5000 trans allies; 2)negotiated our trans equality model policy […]
Conference notes that: 1)Most public service pension schemes pay pensions to widows of male scheme members in respect of contributions since 1972 or, in certain circumstances, 1978; 2)As a result of a Supreme Court decision in 2017, the Walker case, scheme members’ surviving same-sex spouses and civil partners, irrespective of gender, are treated the same […]
Conference notes that to reach net zero we need a clear energy policy that is fit for purpose. We have seen too many times Governments moving the goalposts when it comes to a clear vision of what we need to achieve net zero. We have seen the roll back on the current Tory Governments’ timelines […]
Conference notes the significant changes that have taken place across the Energy Sector in the last decade. Conference instructs the Energy Service Group Executive to undertake a review of the Service Group Executive constitution and bring any proposals changes to the current terms of reference to Energy Conference 2025.
Government proposals in effect will ban the right for workers to raise genuine concerns concerning pay and working conditions through strike action. The new law is insisting on Minimum Service Levels, during strikes in areas where our members work. Ambulance, Border control and some passport workers will be affected, but this law can be extended, […]
Conference notes that in January 2024 UNISON joined the protest in Cheltenham against the Tories’ new Minimum Service Levels Act 2023, and a day of historical strike action took place in Northern Ireland. Conference notes that the last year has seen a high level of organising and bargaining in UNISON. The ‘One UNISON’ campaigns of […]
The fight for decent working hours has always been at the heart of union campaigning. Trade unions fought for an eight hour day in the 19th century and a two-day weekend in the 20th. In the 21st, it is time to take the next step and win a four-day week with fair pay for all. […]
Conference acknowledges the importance of self-organisation within UNISON as it allows marginalised groups within the union to challenge discrimination in the workplace and to campaign in wider society. Conference also notes that members of self-organised groups are a valuable resource to the energy service group as they have knowledge and experience of how our workplaces […]
Conference notes that 2024 is UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers and welcomes the opportunity that this provides to promote UNISON as the union for LGBT+ workers in the energy sector, raise awareness of LGBT+ rights, challenge discrimination, negotiate LGBT+ inclusive policies and recruit and activate LGBT+ members in the energy industry. The year highlights the […]
Conference is appalled at the ongoing funding crisis in local government, which is now resulting in an existential threat to the future of many councils across the UK. Extensive UNISON research from last autumn revealed that councils across the UK were facing a funding shortfall of £3.56billion in 2024/25 and a cumulative funding gap of […]
Police and Justice staff are well established members of our union and have been for decades. Police and Justice members work in very difficult circumstances both protecting the public and enforcing the law. The needs of these members are no different to that of other service groups. These members support our union and act with […]
This conference recognises the urgent need to commence negotiations across the energy sector for a just transition for the energy workforce supporting the crucial role that unions play in ensuring workers are protected and empowered throughout this transition. We believe that by promoting union-led just transition initiatives, we can create a sustainable and equitable future […]