Rule Q Definitions

Rule Q add: “REGIONS means the organisational structure between branches and the National Executive Council based on the union’s administrative regions of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”

Rule Q Definitions

Rule Q add: “DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS means the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.”

Rule F.3.1.5 Functions of Regions

Add new Rule F.3.1.5: “F.3.1.5 consult with devolved administrations on public services and relevant economic, political and social issues.” Renumber subsequent paragraphs.

Rule D.2 National Executive Council

Rule D.2 National Executive Council: Functions and Authority D.2.1 First sentence, insert at end “and a young members’ seat”. Add new Rule D.2.5 Young Members’ Seat “D.2.5 Young Members’ Seat With effect from close of National Delegate Conference in June 2005, there will be an additional representative for young members elected from a national constituency […]

Rule C.2.6.1 Retired Members

Delete Rule C.2.6.1 and replace with: “C.2.6.1A member may apply at any time for retired membership if she/he has had at least two year’s continuous membership immediately prior to their retirement from employment within those areas of work set out in Rule C.1 and who are in receipt of a pension and who are not […]

Rule B.2.7 Union Democracy

Add new Rule B.2.7: “B.2.7To devolve to regions policy making responsibility in relation to devolved administrations while maintaining the integrity and unity of the union in accordance with the Protocol issued under Rule D.2.8.5.”

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 […]

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”

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]