Maternity Rights for Students

This conference congratulates trainee midwives Clare Fletcher and Tracey Parkes as women trailblazers who decided to stand up and be counted in order to win improvements in maternity rights that will benefit many others. This conference also applauds UNISON for its committed support of their case, and its determination to follow it through with high-profile […]

Pensions

Conference notes that a major achievement of the Pensions Review was the removal of discrimination against unmarried same sex partners and addressing past injustices such as post retirement marriage. The deeply unpopular raising of normal pension age to 65 (NPA65) which was detailed which was detailed in the Review Document predicted the financial package as […]

Hospital Cleaning/infection/MRSA

Since the contracting out of Cleaning/Domestic Services/Housekeeping/Facilities to PFI this conference notes the extent of media coverage into Hospital Acquired Infections/MRSA. Television documentaries and newspapers have reported widely on the problems associated with MRSA and bed shortages, excessive movement of patients, rapid throughput and high levels of bed occupancy to meet performance targets, lack of […]

Agenda for Change and Black Workers

Conference notes that with Agenda for Change now implemented it will have a profound effect on low-paid black workers. Black workers already represent a high proportion of the low paid sector. With Agenda for Change and the implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework, many black members are likely to be disadvantaged in being able […]

Union/Life Balance

Conference welcomes the work carried out by the National Women’s Committee in promoting the need for a work/life balance and flexible working. Conference also believes that there is also a need for a union/life balance and notes with concern that at last year’s National Women’s Conference the black caucus was held at 6.00 p.m., one […]

S.O.14 Limit of Speeches

Delete 14.1 and replace with: “The mover of a motion or an amendment shall speak for no more than five minutes, and each subsequent speaker shall speak for no more than three minutes.”

S.O.15 Points of Order

Delete 15.3 and replace with: “The Point of Order shall not be debated or amended, and the Chairperson shall make an immediate ruling under S.O.6.1.”

Chemicals and Breast Cancer Prevention

Conference congratulates the National Women’s Committee for its joint campaign with the Women’s Environmental Network for breast cancer month last year called the big see. The campaign raised awareness amongst many of our women members about the links between some toxic chemicals in everyday use and the rising incidence of breast cancer. Many hundreds of […]

Women and Sport

Conference notes the success of Euro 2005, the EUFA (European Football Associations) women’s tournament played in England last summer. Conference applauds the BBC for its comprehensive coverage of the event, with both live matches and highlights on every evening games were played. This brought the women’s game to a much wider audience and at the […]

Increasing the Number of Motions Submitted to National Delegate Conference by Self-Organised Groups

Conference notes that at present the Self-Organised Groups (SOGs),as well as regions, the Young Members’ Forum and retired members, are only permitted to submit a total of two motions, including any rule amendments, to National Delegate Conference. Furthermore, a proposal to increase this to four motions was defeated at National Delegate Conference 2005. Conference believes […]

Access to IVF

Conference notes that the government recently carried out a comprehensive public consultation on the Human Fertility and Embryology Act. Matters subject to the review included: 1) access to IVF – at the time of launch of the consultation the government reiterated its view that it considered that it is in the best interests of a […]

Pension Holidays

Conference recognises that pension holidays taken by employers and without consultation have caused a deficiency in public service pension funds. Many women rely on their private pensions to top up the state pension, as many will not qualify for the full state pension, putting many women below the poverty line in retirement. Conference believes that […]

Breast Awareness

Conference notes with pride the work which has been undertaken by UNISON’s women’s organisation in campaigning on the issue of breast cancer awareness, access to services and the causes and prevention of breast cancer. Conferences agrees that it is essential for world class breast cancer services, provided by the National Health Service, to be available […]

Minimum Subsistence and Facilities for Women

Conference is concerned to note reports that some delegates to National Women’s Conference are paid subsistence rates lower than those for their branch delegates attending National Delegate Conference. It is clear that not all branches have a consistent policy for subsistence for their members which can lead to discriminatory policies in respect of subsistence rates […]

Women Migrant Workers: Their rights and our Responsibilities

Conference welcomes the work that UNISON has done in respect of representing and organising overseas workers in the public sector. However, this motion is to raise through the National Women’s Conference the issues facing women migrant workers who are encouraged to come to the United Kingdom (UK) to work, either by choice or those who […]