Conference notes the statutory guidance on ‘Safe, Strong and Prosperous Communities’ which replaces existing guidance from 2003 on ‘Best Value’. The sections which deal with workforce issues – including the ‘Best Value Code of Practice on Workforce Matters’ on the two tier workforce – are also withdrawn and replaced. The Best Value Code followed the […]
Conference motions
Conference notes: 1.that current government policies envisage a major expansion of collaboration and shared services to both ‘join-up’ delivery and to meet the requirements of harsh efficiency savings, affecting all parts of the UK and this especially impacts on members in local government.. 2.that Government policy is pushing an agenda of shared services as part […]
Conference is appalled that police forces are using the notion of flexible working to pursue an agenda of rationalisation which in reality is a cost cutting exercise and one based on more ‘for less’. UNISON condemns this practice that requires our members to work longer hours for no increase in salary, a pay cut by […]
This Conference notes with concern that gang culture is widespread amongst some young people within some parts of the UK. Increasingly, young people are joining gangs, often carrying imitation or real firearms and knives, both for protection and as part of their image. Conference believes that the devastating consequences of gun and knife crime across […]
Conference notes that recent months have seen sections of the media and politicians attempt to discredit multiculturalism by holding it responsible for various social problems. Conference condemns in particular statements made by government ministers and media coverage designed to create a climate of Islamophobic hysteria and isolate, demonise and even criminalise Islamic religious practices, choice […]
Conference welcomes the fact that UNISON has adopted comprehensive policy on Palestine at successive national delegate conferences in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Conference notes that 2007 marked the fortieth anniversary of the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. 2008 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the “Nakba” which […]
Conference notes the Government’s eventual recognition that the pensions-earnings link should be restored and that employers should no longer be able to evade taking some responsibility for their employees pensions. Conference does not, however, accept the Government’s proposals that: 1)the link will not be restored before 2012; 2)even then, restoration will only occur “subject to […]
Conference notes: 1)composite E passed at 2007 National Delegate Conference of UNISON, regarding Home Care; 2)that despite the sentiments of this motion, the Employers and Government have accelerated the drive to privatise and destroy publicly provided health and social care services; 3)this has led to the undermining of conditions and pay for a predominately (and […]
Conference notes that services delivered under the auspices of “Local Strategic Partnerships” (LSP’s) will have an increasingly significant impact on UNISON members in many Service Groups; but it will impact in particular, and sooner, on members in Local Government because of the leading role local authorities have in LSP’s and the planned shift in funding. […]
Conference welcomes the increased flexibility that has been given to local authorities to focus their spending on local needs. The conversion of many ring-fenced grants in both England (through Area Based Grants) and Scotland (as agreed in the Scottish Local Government Concordat) to general funding is welcome. The burden of assessment of council services is […]
Conference welcomes the Make Public Services Count campaign in response to the Government’s continued reform agenda for public services. 1)the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review means public bodies have to deliver at least 3% year on year efficiency savings; 2)the Government’s financial settlement for local government means many Councils will face major cuts over the next […]
This conference notes the proposal for the Prime Minister to bring forward a Bill of Rights for Great Britain. Conference expresses concern at Government hostility to the inclusion of socio-economic rights in such a Bill. Conference further notes that work has been underway in Northern Ireland to produce a Bill of Rights – including socio-economic […]
Rule P.11 Add a new rule: ‘P11.3 For Service Group Conferences, the Service Group Regional Committee may submit ‘Emergency Motions’ in writing, signed by the Secretary and Chairperson and sent to the Standing Orders Committee at least five working days before the commencement of the Conference, except if it relates to events which take place […]
Rule D3.5.8 Add new rule D.3.5.8 ‘No member who holds a seat on the National Executive Council as a service group representative under Rule D2.3 can hold any other seat on a service group executive at the same time.’ Renumber rest of Rule D3.5
Conference notes the continuing advances in individual employment rights in the coming years but believes that there are three areas to prioritise in 2008 and 2009: the enforcement of employment rights, the collective rights of trade unions and the achievement of a single equality act. The legal right of agency workers to opt out of […]