Conference motions

Conference notes that an estimated 9 million of the UK’s 11 million pensioners rely on some form of income from savings as an integral part of their income, and that the value of this income has dropped significantly in value amid the economic downturn. Such savings – put aside from income when employed – were […]

Conference regrets that in his March 2009 budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, again failed to increase the basic state pension to at least poverty level. He pledged to raise the basic state pension in 2010 by 2.5%, even if the annual rate of inflation, as measured by the RPI is less. This […]

This Conference notes the publication of the Government’s Green Paper on Care and Support on 14th July 2009. Conference further notes that responses are required by 13th November 2009. Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to ensure that the response of UNISON includes the requirement to make the provision of care both free and […]

In Standing Order 4.1 delete current wording and replace with: ‘The mover of a motion or an amendment shall speak for not more than five minutes and each succeeding speaker for not more than three minutes, except where the Standing Orders Committee have decided otherwise.’

Delete SO 8.8

In Standing Order 8.1 delete current wording and replace with: ‘Motions and amendments will normally be considered in the order in which they appear on the final agenda.’

Insert new Standing Order 9 entitled ‘Withdrawals of Motions and Amendments’ 9.1 A motion or amendment which appears on the Final Agenda may not be withdrawn without the consent of the Standing Orders Committee, whose decision shall be reported to Conference. 9.2 If a motion be withdrawn with the consent of the Standing Orders Committee, […]

Under Standing Order 2.3.4 insert new ‘6’ ‘Issue guidelines from time to time in order to assist with the smooth running of Conference. Such guidelines shall be consistent with these Standing Orders.’

Conference deplores the increasing use of 0870 and 0871 nos by all manner of organisations as the only means of contacting that organisation by phone. Much of the reason for this is the revenue sharing option these numbers offer which allows the organisation to rake in extra money while receiving calls from customers. Most organisations […]

This Conference is aware that due to the statistical increase in the ageing population, many of our retired members who are part of this ageing population may not have in place a procedure to ensure that their personal wishes and affairs are in order. Conference also recognises the distress that results in many circumstances when […]

This Conference condemns the poverty and debt that pensioners are now facing due to the recent economic collapse of the financial system. On top of all the hardship brought about by the combined action and inaction of the Government, many pensioners must now face a financial penalty of fifty pence a month on their telephone […]

Conference welcomes the Government initiative that councils provide free swimming facilities for the over 60s. Conference notes however that not all councils are providing this facility. Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to campaign to get all councils to provide this facility.

Conference notes with concern that there is no specific law which addresses Elder Abuse and makes it an aggravated offence, as is the case with child abuse. Conference therefore instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee, and calls upon the trade union movement, to urge the legal establishment and HM Government to make Elder Abuse an […]