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 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 […]

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 […]

Contractor Deaths on Water Sites

This Water and Environment Conference is very concerned about the decline in safety standards on sites such as those managed by United Utilities whereby three sub-contractors (including one aged 17) have died since Autumn 2003″. We call upon UNISON’s lay and paid officials on the (National) Water and Environment Service Group Executive with responsibility for […]