Information and Consultation Directive

Conference believes that effective worker information and consultation is crucial, promoting the fairer treatment of the workforce and improving organisational performance. Too often employers consult the workforce inadequately or not at all, souring relations, depressing morale, and frequently leading to the implementation of decisions that are inappropriate and fail to reflect the reality of public […]

Choice, Equity and Accountabiilty in the NHS

Conference applauds the work of the union in campaigning against the introduction of foundation trusts and highlighting the marketisation of the NHS. Conference applauds in particular the sustained campaigning through the Labour Link which led to the overwheling rejection of foundation hospitals by the 2003 Labour party conference. Conference also recognises the important role played […]

Rule H.6 Local Levies

Rule H.6.1 after “local purposes”, insert “,in accordance with a scheme approved by the National Executive Council,” Rule H.6.1.2 first sentence, delete “either”, and all after “members of the branch”. Delete Rule H.6.1.2 (a). Rule H.6.1.2 (b) delete “retention/remission”, and insert “funding”. Renumber Rule H.6.1.2 (b) as Rule H.6.1.2 (a). Add new Rule H.6.1.2 (b): […]

Rule B.1.9 At Work and in the Community

Rule B.1.9 delete “all” and insert “the United Kingdom Government, devolved administrations and all other”

English Regional Assemblies

2004 is likely to be a significant year in determining the future governance of England as three regions hold a referendum on directly elected assemblies. UNISON has consistently opposed, and continues to resist, the reorganisation of local government that will take place following a yes vote. Over the past year UNISON has resisted the government’s […]

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”

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 […]

Pensions

Conference notes that: 1)the UK continues to face a crisis in its pensions provisions for the future; 2)despite government initiatives such as raising payments to the poorest pensioners, free eye tests and the winter fuel allowance, too many pensioners are still condemned to live and die in poverty; 3)there are widespread moves in private sector […]

Restoration of the Value of the State Pension

Conference notes the introduction of the pensioner credits scheme and notes that more than one million pensioners have not made application for such credits. The low take-up rate of these means-tested benefits was thoroughly predictable Conference believes that restoration of the state pension scheme to its former monetary value is the proper way forward and […]