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Tuesday
19 June
49 Young Workers and Temporary
Contracts (CARRIED)
Increasing number of temporary and fixed
term contracts, particularly as it affects young
people. NEC to campaign against their use; conduct
research on the effects; lobby local MPs and
Government to legislate to stop inappropriate
use of these contracts. Branches to negotiate
to reduce numbers. Branch supported
58 A Living Pension (CARRIED as amended
by 58.1 and 58.2)
NEC to pursue a number of objectives to
ensure a living pension, including it remaining
a feature of UNISON's Campaign for a Living
Wage - compulsion in occupational pension schemes;
good second state pension for moderately paid;
basic threshold of pension provision; removal
of five-employee exemption; fair transfer between
schemes; increased (and achievement of) member
representation on administration of schemes;
and restoration of the link with earnings.
Branch supported motion and amendments.
Comp. E Living Wage (CARRIED)
Agreed to call on NEC to continue to give
full publicity to UNISON policies on this issue;
to pursue the campaign - using links with Labour
Party and developing evidence on the detrimental
impact of low pay. NEC to develop and support
local and regional living wage campaigns with
a number of suggested objectives, particularly
naming and shaming low paying employers. Branch
supported
Comp. D Fair Wages and a Two-tier workforce
(CARRIED)
NEC to mount a campaign to bring issue to
public attention and, with relevant parties,
to ensure a number of related issues i.e pension
provision and fair wages legislation are carried
through. Conference further called on the Government
to ratify ILO 94 and establish rules on public
procurement. Branch supported
Comp. F Trade Union Rights (CARRIED)
Principles set out for lobbying Government
to improve Employment Relations Law, particularly
to bring UK into line with International Standards.
Work programme set out. Branch supported
- amendments we opposed were withdrawn. Motion
65 on repeal all anti-TU laws not heard
48 Term Time Workers (CARRIED)
Congratulated those responsible for the
work done to date and instructed NEC to follow
a strategy inc legal challenge; term time workers
bargaining agenda; public campaign to promote
fair pay and conditions. Branch supported
157 Legal Aid Procedures (CARRIED as amended
by 157.1)
NEC instructed to review legal aid procedures
by January 2002 and that branches are informed
of most efficient means of processing requests.
Branch supported. Also supported amendment
after listening to debate.
146 Women's Self Organisation (CARRIED as
amended by 146.1)
Reaffirmed commitment to self-organisation
and agreed that NEC should liaise with SOGs
on strategies for their future role, ensuring
full discussion and with National Womens Committee
on the review of women's structures outlined
in the motion. Further Conference reaffirmed
its commitment to women's officers (in every
region listed in Rule Fl). Branch supported
motion and amendment.
(*) 52 Tuition Fees (CARRIED as amended
by 52.1 and 52.4
NEC, in consultation with relevant bodies,
to mount a campaign for the restoration of grants
and reimbursement of tuition fees. Also noted
the different development in Scotland. (52.2
Fell and 52.3 Lost). Branch supported motion
and 52.4 (listen) but opposed 52.3 as per mandate
since boycott not backed by NUS.
67 Disability Discrimination Act (CARRIED)
NEC to work with National Disabled Members,
and other relevant bodies, for full repeal and
replacement of DDA. In the interim to bring
present DDA in to line and with same status
of RRA and SDA legislation and close loopholes
in DDA which emphasise difference with other
discrimination legislation. Branch supported
Wednesday 20 June
Composite A Economy (CARRIED) (Amendment A.1
LOST)
NEC to co-ordinate effective campaigns,
with appropriate bodies, for: increased resources
for national, regional and local bodies; reform
of Regional Selective Assistance; Government
commitment to full employment, ending of child
and pensioner poverty; investment in public
services; implementation of European measures
on rights of workers; return to public ownership
or rail, public utilities and denationalised
industries; halt to privatisations and PFI schemes.
Branch supported motion. opposed A.1 no
compensation in renationalisation.
Composite C Public Services (CARRIED) (Amendment
C.1 LOST)
The Branch had major part in this keynote
motion that set out a 14 point strategy on Public
Services, based on the fundamental principle
that public authorities must have the lead role
in directly providing services. A major demonstration
in conjunction with the Durham Miners Gala in
July to back UNISON's 'Positively Public'. Also
demands rules to ensure contractors cannot pay
less favourable conditions or pensions. Review
press, public relations and internal publications
to emphasise the case for direct provision of
public services. In particular to seek
to establish a Commission on Social Need and
Public Finances. Branch supported
motion and our call for Social Need Commission
was part of Composite. Natalie to speak
but not heard. Opposed C.1 for money
to Labour to be withheld. Anger justified but
danger of losing influence - in any case it's
up to those who pay the money, APF members.
(**)19 Best Value (CARRIED)
Concern was expressed at the policies of
Government which attack the interests of UNISON
members and the community. NEC called on to
make clear its opposition through a national
campaign against privatisation and for high
quality, well funded public sector services.
Mandate was to oppose because motion added
nothing to the debate, however issues raised
in debate were consistent with policy and it
would have been negative to oppose. Branch therefore
supported in the interests of unity.
13 The General Election and the Next Government
(CARRIED as amended by 13.1,13.2,13.3, 13,4,
13.5) Call on the Government to deliver
an agenda for change based on eleven (major)
principles. An extensive programme for campaigning
also outlined e.g clear leadership; work through
APF; through TUC etc; maintaining high profile;
working with employers and Government' and supporting
members who take official action in support
of UNISON's priorities. Amendments added more
evidence, detail of campaign and work with political
funds and included the Positively Public
Campaign and Charter. Branch supported motion
and amendments except 13.5 (Branch Cttee mandate)
138 TUC Millennial Challenge - Union Mergers
(CARRIED)
NEC instructed to develop strategy to build
on democratic, industrial unionism and to develop
working relationships with sister unions as
well as looking for possible mergers. Branch
supported
(*) 163 Branch Funding (CARRIED as amended
by 163.2,163.6,163.8)
Conference approved the recommendations
contained in the NEC Report. Amendments changed
Section 9 a) to '2000'; Section F 15) addition
of paragraph in relation to self-organisation;
and Section G on the Regional Pool (163.4,163.5,163.7
LOST) (163.1 was REMITTED). Branch supported
motion and amendments .2 (Mandate to Listen
to S and confirmed this would help protect Hardship
Fund by making start date 2000 instead of 1999),
.6, .8. Opposed .1, .4, .5, .7 as per mandate.
148 Resource Allocation (CARRIED as amended
by 148.1)
NEC to work to ensure that there is one
set of work priorities for UNISON. related to
effective organisation, with equalisation of
resources and the setting of achievable targets
for recruitment, organisation, representation
and support for local bargaining. The Amendment
welcomed the high priority accorded to branch
development and added need for greater coverage
of local negotiations in UNISON publications.
Branch supported motion and amendment
136 Organising Members Subject to Transfer
(CARRIED with 136.1)
NEC directed to ensure that branches/regions
develop organising plans to ensure that members
subject to transfer are supported throughout
the process, and that all reasonable efforts
are made to secure recognition with the new
employer. Also to lobby for amendments to TUPE
legislation and to trade union legislation on
rights to time off. Branch supported motion
and amendment
Composite L For a Nationally Co-ordinated
Fightback Against PFI (25 & 25.1) (CARRIED,
L1 Lost) Conference applauded the Dudley
Group of Hospitals for its strike against the
effects of PFI. NEC instructed to organise a
national coordinated campaign against PFI, inc
issuing campaigning materials; use of commissioned
research; working with relevant bodies to make
our case; support for official legal strike
action where appropriate. Also a national day
of action, including a Positively Public Rally
and Lobby of Parliament. Branch supported
motion and opposed amendment for a meaningless
conference as mandated.
Motions:145, 170 withdrawn. 16, 26, 27 fell.
131.1, 163.3 withdrawn
Thursday 21 June
131 The Labour Government - What do we get
for our money (CARRIED)
(Card Vote No.1: F: 478,088; A: 386,226) (Amendment
131.1 Withdrawn)
NEC to consult with APF and GPF committees,
service groups, self-organised groups, regions
and branches, and prepare a report for Delegate
Conference 2002 on the future of UNISON's political
funds. Branch opposed in line with mandate
because it challenged APF but misled where the
funds came from.
66 Article 13 Directives (CARRIED)
Conference noted the impact of the two EU
Article 13 Directives - the race directive and
the framework employment directive. NEC to lobby
government to implement directives; expressed
concern at the exemption of religious/belief
based organisations from the employment directive;
work with SOGs to press for reform of anti-discrimination
legislation. Branch supported
79 Confronting Hate Crimes (CARRIED)
NEC to work with relevant UNISON bodies
to develop policy that responds to hate crimes
and, working with other bodies raise the issue
through effective campaigning. To show support
to black people in Wales - 2002 National Black
Members Conference should be in Wales. Branch
supported
86 Race Relations and Racism at Work (CARRIED)
Conference reaffirmed UNISON's commitment
to eradicate racism and called on the NEC to
ensure effective racial equality policies are
negotiated with employers; provide relevant
training for accredited representatives; monitor
programme of work across the union and report
back to Conference 2002. Branch supported
87 Stephen Lawrence Report (CARRIED) (87.1
Withdrawn)
NEC to undertake a programme of action to
mobilise members to ensure McPherson Recommendations
are implemented in full; work with internal
committees to develop the work and with stated
external bodies to further UNISON objectives;
to provide support to branches, regions as they
combat institutionalised racism. Branch supported
75 Commission for Racial Equality (CARRIED)
Conference welcomed the Race Relations (Amendment)
Act 2000 and called on the NEC to develop national
and local bargaining support to address employment
issues of black workers; also to promote, with
TUC and CRE, good employment practice in the
public sector. Branch supported
Composite B - UNISON and a Single Currency
(CARRIED)
Vigorously promote union policy on monetary
union; request GPF to fund a national campaign,
in the event of a referendum; publicise internally
and externally; commission research on impact
of entry; sponsor a conference on unemployment
and trade union rights, involving other EU unions.
Branch supported
77 Next of Kin - Discrimination against
Lesbians and Gay Men in Public Services (CARRIED)
Conference noted a range of situations whereby
same sex partners are not allowed to be nominated
as next of kin. A commitment was given to researching
current practice, providing information for
members; campaigning for changes to law, polices
and practices which are currently discriminatory.
Branch supported
Composite H - Government Response to the
Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly
(CARRIED)
NEC. through the APF, to lobby to persuade
Government to provide free personal care for
the elderly and vulnerable where needs assessments
have shown the necessity and to ensure that
the Royal Commission's recommendations are implemented.
Branch supported
133 Organising - Our Future (CARRIED as
amended by 133.1 and 133.2)
Conference welcomed the organising and recruitment
initiatives of the last two years as part of
overall strategy, and agreed that this should
be a key focus for 2002 and that an agreed proportion
of income be allocated (within budget setting
process). Regional partnerships to be promoted.
Branch supported motion and amendments
46 Centralisation of Public Contact Services
(CARRIED)
NEC, with Health and Local Government Service
Groups, to consider staffing and delivery implementations
of growing incidence of merged control rooms,
and to give guidance to branches on campaigning
against this change and good practice for dealing
with the results of it. Branch supported
(**) 119 HIVIAIDS (CARRIED as amended by
119.2) (Amendment 119.1 LOST)
Conference noted that HIV/AIDS is now a
development crisis and both welcomed and called
for support for the 'Treatment Action Campaign'.
Also resolved: to support sister unions across
the developing world in promoting education
and behaviour change; to use all available international
labour movement channels to press UK Government
to take a lead in addressing this issue. The
amendment provided additional information about
the damaging actions of pharmaceutical companies
and added further action points. Branch supported
motion and amendments. Mandate to support 119.1
but on hearing realised it diverted the issue
from South Africa which the motion was meant
to be about.
RULES
1 A 2.2 Interpretation of Rules (Not carried
by required 2,3 majority) Branch opposed
8 C 7.4 Suspension (CARRIED) ) Branch
supported
9 D 1.6 Shared delegates (Not carried by
required 2,3 majority) Branch opposed
11 D Structure of the Union (CARRIED) Branch
supported
12 D 1.7.10 The Right to Attend and Speak
(Not carried by required 2/3 majority) (Card
No.3: F: 509,288 A: 450, 705) Branch supported
15 0 1.10.4 Conference Quorum and Procedure
(CARRIED) Branch supported
17 D 2.8 Powers (Not carried by required
213 majority) Branch supported
20 E Principal Officers (CARRIED) Branch
supported
23 Rule I and Schedule D (Disciplinary Rules)
(Not carried
by required 213 majority) (Card Vote No.2: F:
492,942 A: 482,669)
Things livened up in the rules debate, mainly
around Amendment 23 on disciplinary procedures
in which we had a special interest because this
branch set the review process off three years
ago.
Our view was that for two years in a row Conference
had rejected wholesale change to the disciplinary
rules. Even though we and other branches and
regions thought it was the best way, Conference
clearly did not.
Therefore a re-think was needed and the branch
backed the alternative 'incremental approach'
in supporting the Scottish Council amendment.
However, in discussions at Conference, it became
clear that the rule change could end up in suspensions
on vexatious allegations of harassment. It was
therefore withdrawn in favour of the NEC amendment
which tackled the same issue of clarifying suspensions
but limited it to prima facie cases of financial
irregularity.
The difficulty with the wholesale change proposed
this year in Amendment 23 was that it would
have enforced 'conciliation' as one of the decisions
of the investigating body. This would not be
acceptable in harassment, racism etc cases and
would put responsibility on the victim. This
contravened the branch position for the previous
two years. Branch opposed
24 I 8(3) Disciplinary Action (REMITTED)
Branch supported
(*) 25 K Legal Assistance (CARRIED) Mandate
to listen to detail, delegation satisfied and
supported
(*) 28 Schedule A Rates of Subscription
(CARRIED) Branch supported (mandate was to
look at in detail - supported on basis of debate)
Withdrawn: Motions: 61; 90; Comp
S Amendments: 120.1 Rule Amendments;
RA7; RA3O The following items fell; 10, RA26,
RA29
Friday 22 June
(*) 69 Stress in the Workplace (CARRIED
as amended by 69.1 and 69.2)
Raise the issue and have it recognised as
serious and real illness. Service Groups to
make it a priority and training materials to
be made available for branches and regions with
reports back to Conference and branches. Look
at high turnover of staff in eg social work
as a symptom and promote strategies like on-site
counselling. Branch supported motion and
amendments. No mandate on 69.1 but delegation
reassured report would go to branches /Conference.
152 Health & Safety (CARRIED as amended
by 152.1)
Recognise the important Health & Safety
work done in the union and continue to develop
Health & Safety support for branches, provision
of expertise and training and bring proposals
for improvements to Conference 2002. Branch
supported motion and amendment
88 The Lindo Campaign (CARRIED - 88.1 withdrawn)
Deploring police harassment of Sonia Lindo,
a UNISON member in Haringey, and her husband
Delroy who have been arrested and acquitted
19 times in the last four years. Now suing the
Metropolitan Police. Support for the campaign
backed and proceedings suspended for five minutes
to allow Sonia to address Conference. Branch
supported
114 Ethical Trading Policy (CARRIED as amended
by 114.1)
NEC to continue to push government to act
within ethical trading policy and against inconsistency
depending on trading partnerships with governments.
Support anti-slavery campaigns like Rugmark.
Branch supported and amendment on basis of
debate.
104 Human Rights and Bill of Rights (CARRIED)
Recognises work done by UNISON in Northern
Ireland, human rights and socio-economic rights
to be put at front of policy development. UNISON
should involve members in securing and exercising
these rights. Branch supported
(*) 108 UNISON Against Radioactive Waste
(CARRIED)
Shared concern with families affected by
loss of Russian nuclear submarine Kursk. Applauds
Gibraltar demonstration against nuclear risk
of leak from HMS Tireless. Call for removal
of all actual and potential nuclear contamination
from Devonport and other UK sites. Mandate
to S with reservations re NIMBY approach. Delegation
satisfied OK and supported
141 Integrating Young Members in UNISON
(CARRIED)
Young members are the future of UNISON.
Five point plan to use branch development to
increase young members, ensure young members
officer post filled, incorporate young member'
ideas, encourage young members to hold posts
at all levels, work with the Young Members Forum
to halt trend towards an ageing membership.
Branch supported
144 Support for Self Organisation in UNISON
(CARRIED)
Firm commitment to sufficient staff and
financial resources to all levels of self organisation,
especially in relation to disabled members who
are facing increased pressure in the workplace
from aggressive absence monitoring to bullying
and harassment with inadequate legislation to
enforce civil rights. Branch supported
18 Objective One Funding in Wales (REMITTED
along with 18.1)
Campaign to make funds available without
delay to all worthwhile projects. Support projects
that increase investment in public services
and tackle social need. Regrets a year lost
due to `Treasury intransigence' but welcomes
£1.8 billion investment. Branch supported
remittance
42 Modernising Public Services (CARRIED)
Talks with Government to create UK scheme
to train and re-train public sector workers
facing reorganisation. Commends initiatives
by the public service union 1199/SEIU in New
York and ideas developed by UNISON Northern
Ireland. Branch supported
60) Pension Rights (CARRIED)
Campaign with government, publicly and with
Labour Party for pension provision for nominated
partners rather than just in conventional marriages.
Branch supported
(*) 101 Robert Hamill Campaign
Support families' campaign for full judicial
enquiries into murder of Robert Hamill by gang
of loyalists in Portadown, and of Rosemary nelson.
£100 donation to Robert Hamill campaign.
Union to publicise these issues in branches,
TUC, sponsored MPs and Government. Mandate
to listen. Branch supported having heard
the story and considering it within policy.
162) Counselling Service for Lay Members
(CARRIED as amended by 162.1)
Investigation in consultation with Regions
to look at stress suffered by UNISON activists
on union duties and report back next year. NEC
supported but cautioned that issue so big that
timescale might not be met but work would start.
Counselling services and stress management courses
suggested. Branch supported - Our amendment,
speech by Kevin Duguid.
Emergency 1 - Racism and Fascism (CARRIED)
A comprehensive campaign outlined in a motion
inspired by existing policies but also the recent
events in Oldham. Concern about rise in vote
for BNP and recognition that the problem exists
across the UK. Political statements about and
treatment of asylum seekers has made problem
worse. Overt racism of Hague's statement condemned
but Labour also criticised for `criminalising'
asylum seekers. Backs Bill Morris's call for
campaign against voucher system and to offer
support, help and sympathy rather than prejudice
and suspicion.
Calls for seven point plan allowing asylum
seekers to work or receive income support; abolish
detention centres, full legal rights, implement
1952 Geneva Convention on refugees and scrap
voucher system and Asylum and Immigration Act.
Campaign to include work with TUC, WTUC, STUC
NI Committee of ICTU, other unions, anti-racist
groups and community groups for a National Demonstration
in Greater Manchester area this autumn. Branch
supported in line with branch policies and previous
voting patterns.
Comp. K - Employment Tribunals - Discriminations
Cases (CARRIED)
Review of criteria for assessing cases not
just on criteria of chances of success. Evidential
problems sometimes make this difficult to assess.
Review to ensure process more effectively reflects
union's commitment to challenging discrimination.
Branch supported
Comp. I - GATS (CARRIED - I.1 lost on a
card vote F: 406,561; A: 411,217)
Publicly campaign against General Agreement
on Trade in Services and the risk to public
services and enforced privatisation. Demand
government should not sign up and support activities
opposing GATS organised for 2001. Amendment
against outright opposition but for campaigning
on issues in GATS, a moratorium and pushing
government to ensure public services outwith
the scope of GATS was lost. Branch supported
motion and amendment in line with mandate.
(*) Comp. M - Democracy in UNISON (Withdrawn)
Withdrawn on basis of NEC statement.
168) Crèche Facilities for Visitors
at National Womens Conference (CARRIED,
168.1 withdrawn) Reinstate childcare at
National Womens Conference for visitors, recognising
that Conference is much smaller than National
Conference, many women first become involved
as visitors and recognising role of the Conference
in encouraging women members in activism. Branch
supported
(*) 47 Care Workers (CARRIED as amended
by 47.1)
Better training and a pay structure that
reflects the value society places on quality
care for vulnerable people. Highlights the very
low pay and poor conditions of care workers.
Amendment restates need for care services to
be publicly owned and accountable. Branch
supported. Mandate to listen to 47.1 and supported
because it did not divert as much as had been
thought.
151) Development of Stewards Organisation
(CARRIED)
Recognises the `cornerstone' role of Stewards,
Health & safety reps and workplace contacts
in the union. NEC calls for a comprehensive
strategy to recruit and support via a range
of issues like better access to advice and guidance
in dealing with members' problems, ensure all
receive induction training, better core support
materials, backing branches with support and
mentoring, customising materials for voluntary
sector, private sector etc, help in securing
time off and targeting younger members. Branch
supported
73) Working for Equality (CARRIED)
Proud of record of work on equality but
need to ensure it is `mainstreamed' and integrated
into all union's work and the union itself.
All organising and bargaining work to reflect
needs of all members, especially traditionally
disadvantaged in society. Branch supported
99) Fuel Poverty (CARRIED as amended by
99.1,.2 and .3)
Conference rushed through the agenda to
reach this (Anything to do with President Adrian
Dilworth coming from the energy group?) Acknowledges
great amount of work done by UNISON in conjunction
with others to tackle fuel poverty. Need to
continue the campaign and recognise the range
of factors that need to be addressed, housing,
low income, price of fuel etc. Also recognises
the results, misery, discomfort, ill health
and debt.
Carry on work already done and link with National
Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland to
build on this. Also local partnerships with
branches and employers across services to eradicate
fuel poverty. Stresses role of Local Government
and calls on Government to provide resources.
Campaign for more legislation including landlords
having to display and `energy rating' for properties,
do efficiency work and give energy advice. Branch
supported
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