UNISON’s Anti-Racist Strategy

Conference notes that the National Executive Council as part of its overall objectives for 2004/5 has identified a number of priorities that inform UNISON’s race equality work. These are: 1)developing and implementing an anti-racist strategy across the union; 2)tackling racism in the workplace; 3)the effective implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act; 4)promoting respect for […]

Trade Union Education and Organising

Conference notes: 1)the effective development and delivery of education provision for UNISON activists and potential activists at branch, region and national level across UNISON, which enables in the region of 10,000 activists a year to access training; 2)the successful roll out of training for a new stream of activists, union learning representatives and lifelong learning […]

Offshoring

Conference is concerned that an increasing number of UK jobs are being offshored. The establishment of call centres in India and elsewhere has so far resulted in the loss of 1,500 jobs affecting UNISON members in the energy and water companies. While in the last two years 50,000 jobs in the UK finance sector alone […]

Occupational Pensions

Conference notes the growing retreat by employers from the provision of good quality occupational schemes. This includes not only the closure of final salary schemes, but also moves to downgrade schemes by worsening accrual rates, increasing employee contributions and raising retirement ages. Conference believes that unless the above trends are reversed, the results will be […]

Policy Development, Bargaining and Devolution

Conference approves the recommendations contained in the National Executive Council’s report on Policy Development, Bargaining and Devolution: 1)The need for a clear set of basic values and actions to underpin the relationships between the UK level union and UNISON regions should be addressed through a devolution protocol. The protocol will incorporate an information and communications […]

Rule A.3 Anti-Discrimination Policy

Rules A.3, B.1.2, B.1.3, B.1.6, B.1.7, B.2.6, D.2.11.3, I.2.3 and Q Fair Representation after “sexuality,” insert “gender identity.” Rule B.2.3 delete “lesbians and gay men.” and insert “, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.”

Rule P.1.3.6 Application of Standing Orders

Add new Rule P.1.3.6: “P.1.3.6Standing Orders Committees for Service Group Conferences, in exercising powers in accordance with Rule P.2.3, shall have regard to the national negotiating machinery in devolved administrations. The Standing Orders Committee may make recommendations to restrict voting to representatives of members covered by that machinery which shall be subject to ratification by […]

Organising in the Community and Voluntary Sector

Conference notes that substantial progress has been made in recent years in improving UNISON’s membership base and organisation in the community and voluntary sector. At the end of 2003 UNISON membership in this sector had reached in excess of 42,000, a 40 per cent increase since the adoption by Conference of a national organising plan […]

Workforce Development

Conference believes that the Labour government has identified a huge deficit in the skills base of the country and has made positive efforts towards raising the skills levels of the workforce. The quantity and quality of skilled labour are important determinants of economic performance. Increasing the skill and qualification levels of the population increases the […]

Schedule C.5 Elections

Schedule C.5, third sentence: After “statements” insert “of a discriminatory, disparaging, racist or sexist nature or”

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 […]

Challenging Homophobic Harassment

Conference notes: 1)the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, which protect workers against discrimination, specifically including harassment, on the grounds of sexual orientation; 2)the seeming acceptability in certain circles of homophobia, including a number of famous music acts which encourage listeners to attack or even kill gay people; 3)a lawsuit registered with Cook County circuit […]

Devolution

Conference welcomes the recent consultation exercise conducted by the National Executive Council on policy development, bargaining and devolution. In doing so, it also reaffirms the policy established by Composite L carried at the 2003 National Delegate Conference which agreed that UNISON’s continuing commitment to regional democracy relied on the government precluding the abolition of county […]

Removal of Intolerable Sickness Absence Sanctions

Conference condemns the introduction of intolerant and mandatory sickness absence sanctions such as the Bradford score, when used as part of managing attendance policies. The Bradford score can be set at any trigger point, whereby after a number of days off or a number of spells of absence a management action occurs. This crude approach […]

Devolved Government and Transport

Conference notes the statement by Alistair Darling, MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, which foresees the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly and Regional Assemblies in England taking more responsibility for transport. Conference welcomes this development which is an important step in delivering better and more integrated public transport services. Conference acknowledges, however, that this development […]