This Conference believes black children, and especially black boys, are being failed by the education system, with OFSTED reporting “inequalities of attainment in GCSE examinations place African-Caribbean, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi pupils in a disadvantaged position in the youth education, labour, and training markets, and increase the likelihood of social and economic exclusion in later life….in […]
Conference motions
Conference applauds the contributions of the National Black Members’ Committee (NBMC), regional black members’ groups, branch black members’ groups, and the black women’s, the black lesbian and gay members’ and the black disabled members’ caucuses to the final report on the review of Black Members’ Organisation in UNISON. Conference welcomes the final report and sees […]
This Conference condemns the British National Party (BNP), the National Front (NF) and all parties whose policies and members attack the human rights of black people through their intimidatory campaigning and their use of direct physical violence. This Conference also condemns the shameful election of three BNP councillors in Burnley, and the significant number of […]
This Conference is angered that life-threatening products such as skin-lightening creams and so on can be produced in this country and shipped to Africa for sale, while being banned in this country. This Conference condemns the legislative loophole that permits products banned under health and safety legislation in this country to be exported from this […]
Conference notes the call of Amnesty International for a public inquiry into the mass killings of Afghan prisoners at the Kala-I Janghi Fort and other parts of Afghanistan and is conscious of the presence of British and United States (US) Special Forces on site during the massacre and heavy bombardment of the prisoners by the […]
Conference notes with grave concern that 300,000 children, boys and girls, are fighting as soldiers with government armed forces and armed opposition groups in more than 30 countries worldwide. Conference further notes that children are particularly at risk in Africa, parts of the Far East, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. The use of children […]
Conference opposes the British and US Governments unleashing an unending worldwide war against terrorism. We call upon Britain and the USA, and its allies, to cease all military actions and to withdraw from Afghanistan. Furthermore, we will vigorously oppose any continuation of this war to Iraq, Somalia, or elsewhere. We condemn the terrorist attacks on […]
This Conference welcomes the establishment of core objectives and associated priorities and as a much needed development. It has enabled our lay structures at national and regional level in partnership with staff to focus upon those key issues determined by our sovereign bodies. Conference also welcomes the initial work undertaken to apply both lay and […]
The future health of our public services is at a critical point, with a government committed to improving them after years of under investment, but increasingly choosing the private sector, not existing staff, as the solution to problems. Conference deplores the fact that the Government has responded to the need for better services by creating […]
This Conference welcomes the support of employers’ bodies for amendments to the Local Government Pension Scheme to the purpose of removing/amending those regulations which discriminate against non-married partners including same sex. Conference notes this matter now lies with the Government and that they have failed to progress the necessary changes to date as they are […]
Conference welcomes the priority given to improving member participation and particularly that this has been agreed as a key objective for the union. Improving membership participation is vital to ensuring that UNISON remains a member-led Union. However, it is with concern that Conference notes the loss of activists at local level and the increasing age […]
This Conference confirms that regional National Executive Council members need to be fully involved in the activities of their regional councils in order to maintain lay democracy in UNISON. Whilst recognising that regional National Executive Council members are elected by, and accountable to, the wider electorate of UNISON members throughout their region, Conference nevertheless believes […]
Conference applauds the contribution made by branches, regions and service groups in organising and supporting members employed in the community and voluntary sector and by private companies. Conference notes that an increasing number of UNISON members work in these sectors and for other non-public sector employers providing public services. Often these members are not covered […]
This Conference welcomes the statements made by the main political parties during the general election campaign and hopes that, in office, the Government will make evident its practical support for pensioners. However, Conference expresses its grave concern that the Government continues to refuse to implement the central recommendation of the Royal Commission on Long Term […]
Conference notes that the campaign against the privatisation of council housing is continuing and gathering strength. It congratulates UNISON members and tenants in Dudley and on the Aylesbury estate in Southwark for their successful campaigns for a ‘no’ vote in the tenant ballots. Conference further notes the outstanding success of the national, West Midlands Region […]