Concessionary Fares

Conference is conscious that pensioners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and some areas of England currently enjoy schemes which allow them free use of public transport. It is also aware that there are schemes where reduced rates are available subject to local authority boundary limitations. This appears to be a post code lottery and […]

Free Travel Pass

Progress has been slow towards achieving a free travel pass on all public transport for those reaching the accepted national retirement age and over. At present discrimination exists as 20 per cent of the country have a free travel pass and 80 per cent do not. Conference instructs UNISON National Retired Members’ Committee, and calls […]

NHS Dentistry

Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to take appropriate steps to ensure the government addresses the problem of lack of National Health Service dental provision. The shortage of such dental practices is discriminating against older people on low incomes who are unable to afford private treatment.

Restoration of the Value of the State Pension

The pension credits scheme was introduced in October 2003 but many pensioners have still not applied for this means-tested benefit. John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, has confirmed that the surplus in the national insurance fund this year amounts to £30 billion. The government actuary has ruled that £5 billion has to be retained […]

Packaging Standards

Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to make representation to the appropriate organisation responsible for packaging standards, with a view to easing the opening of packages, jars and bottles for older people. Considerable difficulties are experienced in opening packages, jars and bottles, especially when suffering with fingers and hands crippled with arthritis/rheumatism and so […]

Review of the National Lay Membership Structure

This conference notes the actions taken to date by the Executive regarding the review of the Energy, Transport and Water and Environment service group structures at national level. Conference notes the outcome of the consultation exercise with all three service groups. Conference further notes that the majority of Water and Environment branches who responded have […]

Police Staff SGE Annual Report

This Conference receives the report of the Police Staff Service Group Executive.

Use of Titles to DEscribe Police Staff

Conference welcomes the tremendous effort in furthering our professionalism through our name – Police Staff. However, some of our colleagues in the Staff Associations (ACPO, PSA and Federation) insist on using other terms to differentiate our professionalism. The use of such terminology could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to ensure less favourable development towards […]

Additional National Resources for Service Group

The Police Staff Service Group is still in its infancy and since its inception, much work has been done by our Service Group Executive to raise the profile of UNISON members employed within the Police Service. With the introduction of the Police Reform Act and the many other initiatives being introduced in the Police Service, […]

Disability Discrimination Act

Conference welcomes the inclusion of our police colleagues within the Disability Discrimination Act, therefore dismantling another barrier within the Police Service. Conference is concerned about the effect this will have on police staff roles, responsibilities, development, job evaluation and the roll-out of the Civilianisation Programme. Conference is further concerned that there will be a disparity […]

PFI Two Tier Workforce

Conference remains opposed to all PFI and believes that all services connected to the police service must remain in the public domain, obtaining value for money. Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)write to the Home Office and APA to reinforce UNISON’s position in relation to PFI; 2)write to the APA/CCs/Home Office and PSC […]

Regionalisation

Conference notes that it is still very unclear on how regionalisation will impact on policing and police forces. Conference is extremely disappointed that UNISON appears to have forgotten the Police Service Group and only appears to have concentrated on its impact on Local Government. Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to produce a comprehensive report […]

Links with Other Associations/Agencies

Conference welcomes the continued efforts of the Service Group Executive in harmonising liaison between differing agencies. Conference believes that such relationships are invaluable in furthering our efforts in securing improved working lives for our members. Conference therefore instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)continue to improve our working relationship with the HMIC, ACPO, the Police […]

Police Staff Council Joint Advice

Conference notes with growing concern that policies developed by ACPO for police officers are continuously being put forward by Forces for implementation for police staff. Branches are frequently put under pressure to agree to their implementation or they are unilaterally enforced. Refusal to accept or to enter into discussions is putting unnecessary pressure on branches. […]

Volunteers

Conference deplores the use of volunteers in the police service and instructs the Service Group Executive to institute a campaign of non co-operation of their use.