WE STAND TOGETHER TO SAY NO PLACE FOR HATE CRIME

Conference believes that all forms of hate crime are abhorrent. Conference notes the rise of reported hate crime incidents in the United Kingdom (UK). In 2014/15, there were 5,597 ‘sexual orientation’ hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, a rise of 22% on the previous year, and 605 ‘transgender identity’ hate crimes, […]

TRANSGENDER – NEXT STEPS IN TRANS INCLUSION

Conference welcomes the increase in the numbers of trans people participating in UNISON lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activities and events, both at a regional and national level, with more trans members than ever before attending both conference and the trans network meeting. Conference we celebrate the achievements made around transgender issues over the […]

Colombia

Conference notes that the peace talks between the government of Colombian and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) which began in 2012 are likely to be concluded in 2016. Conference joins with the Colombian trade union movement and civil society in supporting the peace process. However, like them we share the concern that lasting […]

Devolution and Combined Authorities

Conference notes the development of the devolution agenda and further notes that: 1)Local government is a devolved matter in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; 2)The Scotland Bill devolves more powers to the Scottish Parliament from April 2017, the Wales Act 2014 devolves some tax and borrowing powers to the Wales Government National Assembly for Wales […]

Local Government Finance and Protecting Members Jobs

Conference is aware that local authorities are in unprecedented financial times. Conference notes: 1)the major changes taking place in the role of local government; 2)the government has now announced that it will end contributions from the national taxpayer through the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) from 2020/21 and the reduction in revenue support grant of more […]

PROTECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF SEX WORKERS – DECRIMINALISATION FOR SAFETY

Conference notes that the resolution “LGBT and sex worker organising and the fight against HIV” adopted by 2015 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Conference recognised that: 1. Amnesty International’s decision making forum, the International Council Meeting (ICM), had voted to adopt a policy to protect the human rights of sex workers and to advocate […]

AFTER BREXIT – HOLDING TRUE TO THE VALUES OF THE L

Conference condemns the racism, xenophobia and anti-immigrant tone evident in much campaigning in the lead up to the vote on European Union (EU) membership on 23 July. Conference further condemns the lies told about the link between EU membership and the future of the United Kingdom (UK) in relation to the economy, migration, human rights […]

Decision of the UNISON NJC committee to accept two

Conference deplores the decision of the National Joint Council (NJC) Committee, on 27 April 2016, on a divided vote, to accept the pay offer from the employers for local government workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (the Local Government Association – LGA). This decision is deeply flawed for a number of reasons: 1. The […]

Social Care Crisis

Conference notes with concern the continuing pressures on council-funded social care services. Conference believes there is a serious crisis in social care in the UK. This crisis has been developing for a few years and is reaching a critical point. We believe that this crisis is affecting all areas of social care, with children’s social […]

EU Trade Agreements

Conference notes that negotiations are continuing on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) whilst ratification process of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is likely to start this year. Conference notes that the trade agreements will have a huge impact on future global trade and investment […]

Branch Self Organised Groups

Conference celebrates the fact the since the birth of UNISON self-organisation has had an essential and continuing role in the development and participation of Black, Women, Disabled people and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender members. However, many of UNISON branches do not have their own local Self Organised Group (SOGs). One of the barriers to […]

OPPOSING PROPOSALS IN THE MAY 2016 QUEEN’S SPEECH

Conference notes that on 18th May 2016 the Government’s proposals to force maintained schools to become academies in England were announced alongside limits on local authorities’ role in school improvement and a revised national funding formula for schools. The stated aim in these proposals is for all schools to become academies with the Secretary of […]

Housing Crisis

Conference notes that the UK faces an acute housing shortage, particularly in the South East of England, but also impacting in a significant way on many other parts of the country. This has led to rising housing costs which are unaffordable to many, leading to both housing and social problems: 1) House prices in the […]

LGBT SELF-ORGANISATION – INCREASING STRENGTH AND I

Conference affirms the benefits of attending this lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) conference, including opportunities to discuss current issues, shape the direction of UNISON’s LGBT work, learn more about UNISON and be re-energised for the coming year of activism. Conference believes that many of our regional groups, LGBT branch self-organised groups (SOG) and the […]