End Ring Fencing of Local Government Finance

This Conference notes with concern the continued practice of ring fencing local government finance to initiatives decided by National Governments. The practice of ring fencing has a number of negative effects on local government and these include: 1)The fact that such money is often dressed up in the media as new money for existing services […]

Modernisation of Public Services

Conference notes the continuing commitment of UNISON members in Local Government to improving the quality of services provided to local communities. UNISON members work with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in these communities and are fully aware of the need for improvements in the range, quantity and quality of services provided. This is necessary […]

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

Conference notes that a large proportion of the 6% of Black and Minority Ethnic Workers (BME) who work in the public sector work directly for or indirectly with local Government and believes that the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RRAA) provides UNISON with an opportunity to improve the recruitment and organisation of black members. Conference […]

General Agreement in Trade in Services (GATS)

Conference recognises the serious impact on the powers and democratic freedoms of local authorities as a result of the general Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). We believe GATS will have a serious impact on a range of services including Education and Social Services. In particular, GATS will over-ride local negotiations and contractual conditions agreed […]

2002 Pay Campaign

This Conference applauds the action of UNISON members in local government in both organising and delivering effective strike action in such overwhelming numbers on 17 July 2002 in pursuit of the local government pay claim. However, this Conference expresses intense concern about the decision by the Trade Union Side of the National Joint Council (endorsed […]

Equality in Employment Regulations – Implementation Issues

Conference notes that in October 2002 the Government published draft regulations required by the European Union Employment Directive which will outlaw workplace discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and of religion and belief from December 2003. Conference further notes that the Employers Organisation has published a brief guide to the main provisions of the […]

Consultation Arrangements on the Procedure for the Suspension of Industrial Action During National Pay Disputes

This Conference instructs the National Service Group to draw up a consultation document on the issue of the circumstances under which a National Sector Committee is able to suspend industrial action in response to an improved offer. The consultation document to set out current policy and invite comments and amendments from regions, branches, national sector […]

Arms Length Management Organisation for Council Housing

This Conference notes with alarm the speed at which Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) have been pushed through by central Government. John Prescott’s office has been pushing ahead with ALMOs despite the fact that: 1)Financially, start up costs have been massive 2)They have expanded the amount of highly paid Managers while effects on employment contracts […]

Frozen Holiday Pay

This Conference notes with concern that unknown thousands of UNISON’s lowest paid members including catering assistants, cleaners, care workers and gardeners who work for local authorities and in the private sector (because of outsourcing) are still owed varying amounts of leave entitlement which was placed in suspension over twenty years ago. Conference is also concerned […]

Single Status

This Conference notes the continuing debacle whereby the majority of Council’s have failed to implement Single Status: 1)That Job Evaluations under the National or London Schemes have not been carried out. Our members continue to be paid with out of date grades and job descriptions. That there is no prospect of equal pay issues, particularly […]

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill

Conference deplores the fact that during the Labour Government’s second term of office, asylum and immigration legislation remains oppressive and racially discriminatory. This Conference further condemns the Labour Government’s proposal in the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Bill that proposes to withdraw the right of appeal from asylum seekers in this country. Conference applauds the work […]

Employer Recognition of Branch Self-Organised Disabled Members’ Groups

The National Disabled Members’ Committee is concerned that employers such as Birmingham City Council do not recognise UNISON’s self-organised groups. As a result members are not allowed paid time off to attend meetings during work time. For the disabled members’ group this makes it difficult for members to get involved and to play an active […]

Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation otherwise known as female circumcision is a practice carried out on thousands of women and girls throughout the world annually. This can result in long term problems for disabled black women. Once circumcised a woman will experience ongoing problems with associated infertility, infection and bladder associated problems. We call upon the National […]

Lack of Recruitment for Disabled Ethnic Minorities Within the Police Staff

Conference the Black Members’ Caucus wish to raise concerns regarding the lack of recruitment of disabled ethnic minorities within the police staff. Whilst there is a drive to recruit ethnic minorities within the police, there is no focus on targeting disabled ethnic minority staff. Therefore we call upon the National Disabled Members’ Committee to liaise […]

Getting Information to Isolated Disabled Lesbian and Gay Members

Conference notes that disabled lesbian and gay members are most vulnerable to discrimination when they are isolated from information, support and advice. Conference is concerned that information on self-organised groups and network days often does not reach isolated members, including disabled lesbian and gay members who are not out in the branch. Conference calls on […]