We remember Thabitha Khumalo from Zimbabwe who as a guest speaker at 2006 National Delegate Conference gave an inspirational speech about the struggles for basic rights that women face in her country. Every year at National Women’s Conference motions are proposed and carried supporting our sisters overseas. In recent years, Conference has supported women of […]
Conference motions
Conference welcomes the changes to the representation to National Women’s Conference which enables all branches to send at least one delegate to National Women’s Conference that came into effect in 2008. However, this has disadvantaged the very small number of large branches, which emerged following changes to public services structures. Many of these branches have […]
Conference welcomes the closer working together of the self organised groups and young members through the Equality Liaison Committee. There are many cross cutting issues which affect women in different ways and this needs to be addressed on a joint basis. However, conference is concerned that this joint working may be the first step towards […]
It is a tragedy that in the 21st century poverty remains a reality in Britain today. With a looming recession the situation is likely to get worse. UNISON’s Northern Region suffers with higher deprivation than any other part of the country outside London. This affects women’s life chances, health and well being, educational attainment and […]
Conference welcomes recent legislation aimed at ensuring more equal access to goods, facilities and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people – especially as this means more equal access to healthcare provision. These legislative changes are only recent and many reports highlight the entrenched disparities in the provision of health services for LGBT […]
Conference notes that European Union law provides protection against employment discrimination on all equality grounds, but there is currently no protection in EU law against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, age, disability and religion or belief in social protection, goods and services, health care and education. Discrimination on the grounds of race and gender […]
In October 2008 the Post Office released a set of commemorative stamps celebrating the contribution of women who have sought to progress women’s issues throughout history. They include amongst others, Marie Stopes, a frontierswoman on the use and availability of birth control, Barbara Castle for her work to bring about the implementation of the Equal […]
In September 2008, there were distressing reports from China of many infant deaths because their formula milk had been corrupted with melamine. Previously as a predominantly rural/agricultural nation most of the tragic victims would have been almost exclusively fed on their mother’s breast milk. In the rapid expansion of China’s struggle to become an industrialised […]
Conference believes that there is a need for an increase in the Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). Many new mothers are forced to return to work earlier than the would like due to financial considerations. These new mothers lose out on precious time with their babies as they simply cannot afford to remain at home. Some […]
This National Women’s Conference is concerned at the impact that substance abuse can have on pregnant women and their babies. Substances that can affect the foetus are: 1)Cannabis 2)Heroin 3)Methadone 4)Cocaine 5)Crack cocaine 6)Crystal methamphetamine 7)Prescription drugs 8)Nicotine 9)Alcohol Education on the hazards of misusing substances during pregnancy is urgently required and the Government should […]
This National Women’s Conference welcomes the Government commissioned Corston Report and its recommendations in respect of women in prisons in the UK. In particular, the recommendations of small multifunctional non custodial centres widely dispersed across the country. As the Corston Report states prison is not the best place for non violent women offenders that do […]
Domestic violence continues to be a matter of concern to women in UNISON. Despite the fact that there have been many motions to the National Women’s Conference on this issue there are still many of our employers who do not have domestic violence policies for their own staff. Given the increase in the use of […]
Delete standing order 3.5.2 and standing order 5.3, replace with : 3.5.2in the absence of a delegate of the branch, the motion or amendment may be moved by the Regional Delegate from the region to which that branch belongs, only where prior notification has been given to the Standing Orders Committee, but may not be […]
Delete standing order 4.1.1 and replace with 4.1.1such members of staff as have been authorised by the General Secretary to attend Conference
Delete Standing Order 2.4.7 and replace with : 7.The Standing Orders Committee will, from time to time, issue guidelines in order to assist with the smooth running of Conference and submission of motions and amendments. Such guidelines shall be consistent with these Standing Orders and amendments will be ratified by the Standing Orders Committee at […]