Conference notes that, for many UNISON disabled members, barriers still exist in the workplace, making it as difficult as ever to sustain their employment. In spite of legislation in the form of the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty, and despite the pioneering efforts of the 30+ signatory bodies to the first Disability Employment […]
Conference motions
Conference we are becoming more aware of the barriers faced by members with neurodiverse conditions that may be hidden and we note the great work done by Unison to raise issues around this with members and employers. There are many hidden disorders that may affect our members health and wellbeing such as eating disorders, type […]
Conference, assisted dying is an emotive and complex issue which people hold differing and strong views about. The issue can be polarising. But what is meant by assisted dying is often unclear. Is it do not resuscitate (DNR)? Withdrawal of treatment? Assisted suicide? Or, voluntary euthanasia? Common arguments against assisted dying are based on appealing […]
Conference notes that before deregulation of the Bus Industry in 1986 many bus services were run directly by Local Authorities, therefore the employees were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Since deregulation, bus company employees have been enrolled in vastly inferior Defined Contribution Schemes by their private sector employers. When they retire , it […]
The failure again of the latest COP climate talks, COP28, to provide an unambiguous statement on the phasing out of fossil fuels is both ‘dangerous’ and ‘devastating’, leading climate scientists have stated. One climate scientist said that it is a “tragedy for the planet and our future” whilst another scientist described it as “the dream […]
Conference notes that workers with a disability encounter significantly more hurdles than their non-disabled colleagues. We applaud the great work done both within our WET Sector and the Self Organised Groups (SOGs) structures. However, we know there is always room for improvement when it comes to inclusion. Conference is aware when someone meets the definition […]
UNISON’S Yorkshire Water Branch and the company’s Occupational Health team have had a strong working relationship over many years, sharing and promoting ideas for a healthy working environment. In a recent meeting the health team shared that a staggering 52% of all referrals are linked to poor mental health. Conference notes that time away from […]
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 WET 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 WET sectors, raise awareness of LGBT+ rights, challenge discrimination, negotiate LGBT+ inclusive policies and recruit and activate LGBT+ members in the WET industries. The year highlights the […]
WET Conference 2024 recognises what UNISON predicted that self-regulation of the water industry has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in sewage discharges all over the UK during all weather conditions. We call upon the WET Executive to lobby an incoming government to overturn this legislation and work with organisations such as surfers against sewage to […]
This conference calls upon the WET Executive to work with UNISON’s H&S section to organise a one day seminar to allow branches to highlight the many H&S issues experienced by UNISON members covered by the WET Service Group to assist in a work programme which will improve the working lives of our members.
1)The best way to protect the environment – retaining the Environment Agency Conference, the Environment Agency is the foremost environmental regulator in England. We tackle waste crime and pollution incidents, regulate major industry and contaminated land, manage our flood defences and plan for drought and we protect our fisheries and enhance our habitat. Our 13,000 […]
Conference condemns the ever-increasing amount of disappearing bus services in our communities and the consequent impact on UNISON members employed in the public transport industry. Many parts of the country apart from London, have seen declines of more than two thirds on the level of bus provision and commuting has dropped by almost 50% since […]
This service group conference is deeply concerned about the levels of illegal sewage discharges by the water industry into rivers. We believe that the current prohibitions against the illegal dumping of sewage waste are woefully inadequate. Worth noting is that releasing sewage into rivers and seas is allowed in the UK to prevent pipe systems […]
UNISON, as a leading public service union, has always been at the forefront of advocating for workers’ rights and welfare. In a rapidly changing work environment, innovative and effective recruitment strategies are crucial for UNISON’s continued growth and influence. UNISON Branches in the Water, Environment and Transport sectors recognise the need for such innovation in […]