Conference, Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia are inherited, genetic conditions which is caused by both parents being carriers of the haemoglobin otherwise known as the S gene, for thalassaemia its either A – Alpha or B- Beta. If both parents are carriers there is a 1 in 4 chance of any children produced within the relationship […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that since the Conservation/Lib Dem Coalition Government came into power there have been announcements of excessive cuts to public spending amounting to £1.166bn. The Area Based Grants available to Birmingham City Council via the Department for Education would normally be £31 .638 million this is set to be reduced to £7.582 million 24%. […]
Conference believes that young Black people are amongst those most likely to suffer as a consequence of the damaging policies being pursued by the Con-Dem Government. Conference also believes that: ·the job losses predicted by the Treasury of up to 600,000 jobs in the public sector and up to 700,000 in the private sector will […]
Conference is concerned about the plight of the South African girls highlighted in Channel 4’s Dispatches titled “The Lost Girls of South Africa”. The programme followed four girls aged 11 and 13 struggling to come to terms with their rape and the social stigma attached to it. From the comments posted on the Channel 4 […]
In November 2009 Conference notes that this Government introduced a two – phase increase to Air Passenger Duty (APD) Tax – the next increase is planned for November 2010. APD falls into four band, with passengers being charged according to how far they fly. The increases will hit the medium and long haul travellers the […]
This Conference notes with concern the under representation in UNISON structures and the seeming lack of involvement of South Asian women in UNISON. As part of UNISON’s approach to equality and its own equality scheme it is essential that this issue is addressed. Therefore Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee (NBMC) to; 1.Carry out […]
Conference, The Coalition Government has announced huge scale spending reviews across many of the Public Services employer groups. As much as 40% reductions have been tabled alongside the other various forms of efficiency savings that have been introduced. We believe that the swingeing cuts will have a disproportionate effect on Black Workers, and predominantly the […]
The Government has formed an independent Public Service Pensions Commission to undertake a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision by Budget 2011. We believe that the fact that private sector pensions are inadequate does not mean that public sector pensions should be. This action if taken will have a detrimental effect on Black […]
Conference notes the devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the Caribbean Island of Haiti. Reports have revealed that over 200,000 Haitians have died, including nursing staff, volunteers and other aid workers. The Haitian government estimate that 1.5 million have been left homeless in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and are sleeping on the streets […]
This conference would like to raise the issue of the current process of electing Black NEC members to the reserved Black seats. Presently this process is open to the whole membership of our union. We believe that any election to these seats should only be voted on by Black members as the seats are for […]
This conference notes that the RMS system still does not record data on the ethnic origins of all our members. Information is collected on members joining branches, however a member could change job in their workplace and never complete a membership update form. In order to have accurate records on the ethnic origins of all […]
UNISON was actively instrumental in winning August 23 as the National Slavery Memorial Day in 2007. However the response of our union in leading and organising Black workers and others to commemorate this day has been very low key or in some cases non-existent. The union must commit to a regionally supported event and an […]
This conference welcomes the work of UNISON’s International committee, Labour link and UNISON departments working on a range of issues. However, there is concern that the needs and interests of Black members appear not to be taken as seriously as other sections of UNISON. For instance, the non participation of UNISON at the UN World […]
Conference welcomes the launch of the UNISON Million Voices campaign which aims to encourage public service workers and public service users to speak up for public services as the essential foundation of a strong economy and a fair society. Conference notes with concern the severe negative impact of the economic crisis upon Black workers and […]
The number of Black Members attending National Delegates Conference is significantly low. Often Black Members in our branches are not aware or provided the opportunity to attend National Delegate Conference, despite UNISON having rules on proportionality and fair representation. Currently National Black Members Committee mandates 2 members to attend NDC in line with their constitution. […]