Schedule B Benefits of Members in Education

In existing Schedule B 2.3 after “above” delete the full stop and insert “with the exception of holding office. Persons in this category of membership shall not be entitled to hold any office in the Union.”

Rule G Branch Officers

In existing rule G 4.1.6 insert after “branch secretary,” “branch chair”

Rule G Branch Meetings

Insert a new Rule G 3.4.4: “G 3.4.4 Agree any proposals for branch honoraria in line with the National scheme. Should the meeting be inquorate then these proposals should be considered by the Regional Council or the relevant delegated Lay body in the region.” Renumber existing Rules accordingly.

Rule C Obligations of Membership

Delete current C 6.2 and replace with: “C 6.2 Details of where the rulebook may be downloaded from the UNISON website will be provided to each new member when they join. Hard copies of the rulebook may be requested.”

Developing Organising Resources in Branches and Regions

Conference recognises the major organising challenges facing branches and regions. Austerity, the continuing fragmentation of public service delivery as well as the loss of experienced activists through cutbacks, amongst other things, have contributed towards making the job of a UNISON activist ever more difficult. Conference believes that to meet these challenges, the union needs to […]

CURBING CORPORATE POWER

Conference notes that the revenues of the three largest corporations in the world, including Wal-mart, were higher than the gross domestic product of 110 countries, 55% of all nation states and that 66 individual people own as much wealth as 3.6 billion people. Whilst trade and investment agreements give corporations extraordinary rights that enable them […]

Towards a more inclusive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Self-organised group

Conference notes that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) self-organised group (SOG) has always sought to be fully representative of its diverse membership, in line with UNISON’s rules. It notes that the LGBT SOG works with inclusive, umbrella definitions of bisexual and transgender. Its bi network is for all members who feel attraction to […]

Public services and EU exit

Conference, on behalf of public service workers in the East Midlands and the rest of the UK, is horrified at how the UK Government has conducted EU exit negotiations so far. The turmoil in the Westminster Parliament does not give workers any confidence that their best interests are being served whatever deals or legislation finally […]

Apprenticeships

Conference recognises that apprenticeships can be a useful tool that provides individuals with a real chance of gaining meaningful employment and addressing the skills gap in the workplace. The UK’s skill shortage is costly, damaging to growth, and could worsen because the skills that we need are changing and this could be compounded as Brexit […]

Recruiting and organising fire and rescue staff

Non-operational fire and rescue staff are a key but often overlooked part of the fire and rescue service. Technicians, driving instructors, administrators and many others work tirelessly alongside fire fighters and control room staff to keep businesses, communities and members of the public safe. The severe cuts to public spending in local government and their […]

Regional Pay Bargaining

Conference notes that the new NJC pay spine is not only being adopted by councils who had moved away from the NJC, but also by multi academy trusts who are increasingly coming onto NJC conditions. Both recognise the benefits of the new NJC pay spine in providing stability by future proofing them against future National […]

Abolish NHS Car Parking Charges

The exorbitant cost of car parking at hospitals and GP surgeries is putting an increasing financial burden on patients and carers, especially women who are traditionally the main carers for elderly family and children who need routine and regular appointments. For more serious ailments and long term stays in hospital, the cost become so expensive […]

Review of the Devolution Protocol

Post Brexit political scene merely heightens the constitutional debate in a “disunited kingdom” of growing civic nationalism and regionalisation, the unsettled will for political change, the growing plurality of politics, which will have further implications for government and governance. In turn, these are issues of plurality and diversification for the trade union to address in […]

Disability History Month

Conference believes that UNISON should celebrate Disability History Month on an annual basis. Disability History Month was set up in 2010 to provide a platform to focus on the work that has been done to fight for equality for disabled people. Each year the month has a theme – for example, the 2018 disability history […]

The Crisis in Social Care

Conference notes with alarm the ongoing crisis in social care and continues to be appalled by the cuts being made to vital social care services. Conference notes that, although social care has been relatively protected compared to other council services, care spending per adult resident has fallen substantially since 2009-10. Conference believes that the sector […]