Conference instructs National Disabled Members Committee to give a written report back to next years conference along with a presentation on proposals on how to speed up the adoption of disability leave policy by employers where we organise across the UK. The report will need to look at why it has been adopted by some […]
Conference motions
It is estimated that the Governments house building target of 150,000 homes in England over four years will fall short of the number needed by nearly quarter of a million. Up to 5 million people are on housing waiting lists and 2.5 million families are living in overcrowded conditions. Where does this leave disabled people […]
Conference agrees that the flexible working arrangements which have been adopted by employers are of immense value to many disabled workers as well as workers with care commitments for a disabled member of their own household. The fact that employers in the public sector have signed agreements with unions to implement various family and disabled […]
The Government’s Big Society idea is not convincing as a progressive vehicle for advancing social justice and equality for disabled workers. For a start its context goes hand in hand with deep and reckless cuts in public spending that are already producing disproportionate reductions in the living standards of disabled people. Government attacks on the […]
This Conference notes that many Regional Disabled Members Committees hold pre-conference training sessions for delegates to the National Disabled Members’ Conference. However, not all delegates can attend these meetings and it is useful to be able to hold a regional meeting at the conference itself. It can be difficult to timetable such an event in […]
The European Parliament has designated 2012 as the European year for Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations. (European year 2012) MEPs believe that more should be done to enable older people to realise their potential for well-being and participation in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it. Conference […]
Conference believes that any reform of the NHS must take into account the needs of older people – the NHS’ largest patient group. Conference notes that the Health and Social Care Bill will alter fundamentally the NHS as we know it and undermine the basic principles on which it was founded in 1948. Conference is […]
Brains for Dementia Research is a partnership between Alzheimer’s Research Trust and Alzheimer’s Society which aims to promote brain donation and to develop a network of brain tissue banks for dementia research. The project is being run in association with the Medical Research Council. Alzheimer’s disease is probably the best known cause of dementia but […]
Conference is aware that Britain has one of the lowest state pensions in Europe and that 2.5 million older people are living below the poverty level. The trade union movement is understandably most concerned with improving occupational pensions, but the active support from UNISON and the Trades Union Congress is necessary for a successful campaign […]
The effect of the changes proposed and ongoing by the government are having adverse effects for pensioners, which will increase as the changes are implemented and efficiency drives accelerated. Already cataract operations have been reduced as have operations for replacement hip and knee joints. These ailments are more prevalent amongst the elderly who will increasingly […]
This Conference recognises that there are some advantages of being retired. One of these is the freedom from the time constraints imposed by employment. For the first time since starting school we should have the freedom to act spontaneously with only the need to advise others of our intentions as a matter of courtesy. Due […]
This Conference is very concerned about the ongoing government cuts in services and instructs the National Retired Members Committee and calls on the National Executive Council to: i. Initiate a strategy which will encourage retired members to support working members in their Branches during this very difficult time; ii. Ensure the strategy is given the […]
Conference notes that the Branch Retired Members’ Handbook contains some advice on setting up retired members’ sections. Conference considers however that more detailed advice and information is needed than that which appears in the Handbook. Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee, following consultation with branches and the regions, to produce such information as part […]
Conference welcomes the decision of the National Retired Members’ Committee (NRMC) to offer retired member support to branches and regions in the recruitment of new members and in campaigning. Conference is concerned however that branches and regions for their part give full support to non-social retired member activity. The NRMC is instructed to request the […]
Conference deplores the continuing use of 084 nos by many organisations as the only means of contacting them by ‘phone. Despite claims that 0845 are ‘lo-call’ cost, they are rarely as cheap as a local call or indeed a geographic call and are used as a means of raking in extra money. Conference believes that […]