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10. Motions
Emergency Motions
A. Council Budget
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities) and John Stevenson (Children &
Families)
This meeting supports the actions
of Branch Officers in organising a demonstration
in Parliament Square on Thursday 21st February at
which time the Council will be deliberating its
budget for the next three years.
We view the involvement of the Scottish
Government through their insistence Grant levels
must be underpinned by a freeze on Council Tax increases
as removing local democratic accountability and
the right of local politicians to determine the
level of services.
This will impact on staffing levels
with an increasing number of posts being lost and
on services which are of fundamental importance
to many of the most vulnerable in society.
We note the Branch Committee has already
raised these concerns through UNISON's Scottish
structures and instruct them to continue such a
campaign.
In the short-term the Branch should
make representations to the council meeting on 21st
February 2008 to express our concerns and to reiterate
the branch position that any single or collective
Compulsory Redundancy situation would leave us no
option other than to embark on a programme of Industrial
Action.
CARRIED
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B. Revised Local Government Pension
Scheme
Proposed by John Stevenson (Children
& Families) and John Ross (Services for Communities)
This meeting recognises continuation
of the Local Government Pension Scheme in its current
format is not sustainable due to the increasing
number of recipients. We note a full ballot of Local
Government employees will take place between 3rd
March 2008 and 21st March on the terms of the revised
scheme.
We congratulate our negotiators who,
during a period when many schemes are changing with
real detriment for contributors, have achieved real
improvements with those principally being:-
- retention of the final salary element
- movement to 60ths rather than 80ths
(ie full pension rights after 30 years rather than
40 years)
- pension benefits open to all partners
and not limited solely to spouses
- more open access to ill-health pensions
- a graduated payment scheme which
ensures members earning less than £24,000 (approx)
will pay less than current levels, between £24,
000 and £27,000 (approx) will pay the same as now
with those earning more than £27,000 (approx) paying
marginally more.
This will benefit over 60% of staff
with particular focus on the low-paid. - Protection
of Rule of 85 until 2020.
We call upon Branch Officers to support
the negotiators' recommendation for acceptance of
the revised scheme and to take measures to ensure
the widest opportunity for members to participate
in the forthcoming ballot.
CARRIED
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C. Pay Offer 2008
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities) and Irene Stout (Services for Communities)
This meeting supports the decision
of the Scottish Local Government Committee to reject
the derisory three year pay offer as tabled by the
Employers at the Scottish Joint Council and note
UNISON's rejection has been supported by all unions
party to the claim.
The pay offer was framed round increases
of 2.2% (2008/09), 2.3% (2009/2010) and 2.2% (2010/2011).
We note this issue is on the agenda for the next
meeting of the Scottish Joint Council.
If there is no movement in the offer
at that time we call upon our negotiators to withdraw
from further discussions and to immediately put
in place the required processes for an Industrial
Action ballot.
CARRIED
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D. UNISON Subscriptions Banding
Proposed by Kevin Duguid (Finance)
and Walter Weir (Services for Communities)
This Branch notes with concern that
UNISON staff are acting outwith the terms of the
Rule Book in relation to the calculation of subscription
bands and any subsequent refunds of overpaid subs
by including casual overtime payments.
National Rules have always applied
the principle that only contractual enhancements
should be included in the calculation of subs banding.
Experience demonstrates members have been denied
a refund of overpaid subs, this is wholly unacceptable
and therefore this branch resolves to:
1. Press UNISON nationally for our
members to be refunded their overpaid subs in full.
2. Take forward an appropriately worded
motion to National Delegate Conference 2008 to ensure
that this issue is clarified once and for all.
3. Issue letters to our affected members
advising them of the Branch's position and intended
action.
CARRIED
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E. Funding of Voluntary Sector
Proposed by Kevin Duguid (Finance)
and Thamara Mhura (Voluntary Sector)
This meeting notes with concern the
continuing impact of local and Scottish Government
budget crises on Voluntary Organisations who are
unable to be proactive in planning future provision
of services due to the lack of secure funding.
We recognise the majority of these
services are directly complementary to those provided
within the public service. With the removal of large
elements of ringfencing of Grant Aided Expenditure
allied to the decision of many authorities to date
to sign up to the Scottish Government's Council
Tax freeze continuing pressure is being applied
on budgets for the Voluntary Sector as the focus
in many areas is on in-house provision.
This is destabilising desperately
needed services which protect the most vulnerable
in society and places jobs at risk across the Voluntary
Sector. This branch believes UNISON has a responsibility
to engage with Holyrood, COSLA and the Voluntary
Sector to ensure financial stability is maintained
in the Voluntary Sector.
Furthermore, we call upon UNISON to
examine its role in the Voluntary Sector with a
view to developing structures which better support
members in one of the fastest growing employment
sectors in the UK.
As a branch we must strive to put
in place a more robust structure framed round a
more representative Shop Stewards Committee and
Branch Officers should make this a focus in the
coming months.
We also call upon Scottish Region
to convene a delegate conference / seminar with
a view to bringing forward a cohesive approach to
the reinvigoration of our organisation across the
Voluntary Sector.
If considered appropriate by this
Scottish forum we would also seek to build links
with other Regions on a joint approach to Westminster
but, in the interim, would call upon the Scottish
Committee to make representations to the Scottish
Government on the immediate funding problems facing
the Voluntary Sector. The terms of this motion should
be adapted for submission to appropriate Scottish
and National forums.
Council Budget, cuts, redundancies
(local action)
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1. Branch Levy
Proposed by John Stevenson (Children
& Families), John Ross (Service for Communities)
This meeting agrees the principle
of establishing a branch levy for the purpose of
supporting members who are involved in Industrial
Action which may be increasingly likely due to a
range of issues including budget cuts, single status,
shared services etc.
We call upon Branch Officers to enter
into discussions with appropriate Regional and National
officials with a view to developing a framework
which would then be the subject of a branch ballot
to establsh a local branch levy.
CARRIED
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2. *Organising to challenge the crisis
in council jobs and services
Proposed by John Stevenson (Children
and Families) and John Ross (Services For Communities)
This branch believes that there is
an impending crisis for local government jobs and
services and that the specific budget problems in
Edinburgh are a forewarning of potential problems
throughout Scotland.
The effects of this crisis will be
felt by workers in local government but also by
all UNISON members who depend on local services.
These problems arise from
1. A low treasury settlement for public
services 2
. The real cost of PPP/PFI projects
coming home to roost
3. Increases in need and in duties
imposed by the Scottish Government not being matched
by the necessary funding
4. Unrealistic efficiency targets
increased by 25% by the Scottish Government
5. The freeze on council tax rises
which removes the fundamental ability of councils
to take funding decisions based on local need and
local democracy and to respond to local circumstances
6. The huge shortfall (between £750
million and £1 billion) between what is currently
spent on local services and what will be raised
by abolishing the council tax and replacing it with
a national tax for local government. While this
not only presents a potential financial disaster
for local services, the tax will also damage both
local and Scottish Parliament democracy and accountability.
7. A distribution of business rates
that does not reward local investment in infrastructure.
UNISON Scotland fully supports the return of non-domestic
rates to local authority control. The return of
non-domestic rate setting would increase local democracy
and the accountability of councils.
8. The continuing woeful gap between
Scottish Government funding and the real cost to
councils in providing services for children and
vulnerable adults.
9. A failure to fund the real costs
of Equal Pay and Single Status
10. An approach to Shared Services
which is based on "cheapest is best” rather than
genuinely improved services.
11. While we welcome the removal of
some ring-fenced funding to allow more flexible
local management of resources, this is undermined
by the efficiency saving demands and the inability
to set local taxation levels.
In Edinburgh the situation is exacerbated
by the lack of ‘payback' from business rates from
the huge investment in Edinburgh in infrastructure
and other projects to attract business and investment.
This branch believes UNISON requires
to take a co-ordinated approach to meet these challenges
at local and national level. This should involve:-
a) A Scotland-wide strategy that challenges
these issues at parliamentary level, building on
the work already done to get our public services
message across to all political parties
b) Collating the experiences of branches
and, wherever possible, co-ordinating action against
cuts in jobs and services so that branches are not
left isolated.
c) The development of a strategy that
would seek to co-ordinate industrial action across
branches if that becomes necessary.
d) The development of links at local
and national level with user groups and community
organisations
The terms of this motion to be adjusted
as appropriate for submission to Scottish Local
Government Conference.
CARRIED
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3. *Defending and Improving Public
Services in Edinburgh
Proposed by Matthew Creighton (Associated
Bodies), Paul Clarke (Services for Communities)
This branch anticipates considerable
challenges in coming years arising from the policies
being pursued by the new political administrations
at Holyrood and at the City Council as well as those
of the UK Treasury. These include:
1. Lack of funding for equal pay and
single status
2. Excessively tight budget setting
driven by inadequate funding for local government
3. Re-organisations implemented without
sufficient forward funding
4. Rising requirements of statutory
services
5. Freeze on Council Tax rises and
the anticipated gap in funding for the proposed
so-called Local Income Tax'
6. Flawed funding models (PFI, PPP)
7. Disconnect between infrastructure
needs of the capital city and Business Rates being
administered at Scottish level.
8. Dangers of externalisation in the
Shared Services agenda 9. 2% efficiency savings
target
We recognise that in order to defend
and improve public services and the needs of those
who provide them, we will have to argue through
each of these issues in the public arena. In particular
we recognise that with relatively new administrations
and councillors/MSPs at Edinburgh and Scottish levels,
we should devote more effort to systematic lobbying
of our elected representatives.
We recognise that we will need to
organise more joint campaigns with service users
and public campaigns, and applaud the establishment
of the Social Care Campaign; and the regular and
effective use of media relations by the Branch.
We instruct the incoming Secretary
and Branch Committee to prepare plans to systematically
take UNISON's message to elected representatives
in Edinburgh through the mobilisation of members,
stewards and officers to lobby them on a case by
case basis. This will involve training programmes,
briefing materials, co-ordination and regular review.
We call on UNISON Labour Link to work
with and within the Labour Party around defence
of services and strategies for proper funding of
public services delivered by public services.
CARRIED
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4. Cuts to Home Care services for
adults
Proposed by Mary McCrea (Health
& Social Care), Marlyn Tweedie (Health & Social
Care)
This AGM notes that in August ‘07,
Edinburgh Council were forced to retreat from their
threat of closing 22 schools after an inspiring
and determined campaign. In September ‘07 a drastic
cuts package in the Health and Social Care department
has been implemented as a way of "balancing the
books”.
These cuts significantly attack the
resources and services available to support the
frail and disabled to remain in their own homes
with dignity.
As council social care workers, who
are committed to providing quality services, we
condemn this attack on our services and jobs. It
Means:
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6. Conversion of public holidays
to annual leave
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities), Irene Stout (Service for Communities)
This meeting notes the intention of
the City of Edinburgh Council to follow the example
of other councils who have converted a proportion
of their level of Public Holiday provision towards
an equivalent number of days which would be additional
to current Annual Leave provisions.
Whilst recognising there may be perceived
service provision improvements in keeping facilities
open on public holidays we are concerned such an
amendment to our working contract may lead to deterioration
in earnings potential for groups of staff who currently
work public holidays which attracts enhanced payments.
The removal of the status of Public
Holidays would also impact on those with children
where their local school would then be closed on
a normal working day thereby causing carer difficulties.
We call upon our negotiators to oppose
any amendment to the current provision and to seek
appropriate advice and guidance from the union should
the authority attempt to impose a unilateral variation
to contract.
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7. Flexible Working
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities), Irene Stout (Service for Communities)
This meeting welcomes progress made
by the government on issues of flexible working
with self evident benefits for parents of pre-school
children but remain concerned the strength of rights
does not extend to those responsible for youngsters
who are within the mainstream educational system
nor to those who may have dependant responsibilities.
We call upon the union at all levels
to pursue the extension of the current provisions
and request Labour Link to make similar representations
as appropriate to their locus.
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8. Supervision meetings/ training
needs analysis
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities), Irene Stout (Service for Communities)
This meeting recognises one of the
most fundamental purposes of supervision sessions
is the identification of ways in which an individual
can better perform their job. Fundamental to that
aim is the identification of training needs but
there is evidence investment in this area has been
regarded as a luxury by certain managers who view
this non-statutory expenditure as an "easy saving
" during times of budgetary problems.
We call upon branch officers to request
a breakdown of training expenditure over the past
4 years and to seek an indication from the Administration
of what they anticipate their level of expenditure
will be on training/education during 2008/2009.
Training/education opportunities are
fundamental to the provision of career opportunities
for our members and the ring-fencing of monies allocated
for that purpose should be an objective in the coming
years.
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Health & Safety
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9. Domestic Abuse
Proposed by Irene Stout (Service
for Communities), John Ross (Services for Communities)
We view with concern the failure of
many employers to act in any substantive way to
support their rhetorical statements of condemnation
of Domestic Violence when the victims are their
own employees.
There appears to be a failure to recognise
the impact Domestic Violence has not only on an
individual's personal life but also on their work
performance.
It is also recognised that several
years have elapsed since the union issued guidelines
for negotiating purposes and initiated the "Raising
the Roof” campaign but it is of concern there has
been no visible evidence that Domestic Violence
is still a material issue on the national agenda.
We call upon the NEC and regions
to provide updated campaigning and negotiating materials
for branches.
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Pensions and Superannuation
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Policy and Campaigning
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10. Asylum seeker children and families
Proposed by John Stevenson (Children
& Families), Irene Stout (Services for Communities)
This branch welcomes the developments
since it passed resolutions at the 2006 and 2007
AGMs to:-
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11. Updating the Rule Book
Proposed by John Stevenson (Children
and Families), John Ross (Services for Communities)
This Branch recognises that the current
branch rule book was drawn up in a spirit of negotiation
and compromise to reflect the traditions of the
four branches that came together to form the UNISON
City of Edinburgh Branch over 12 years ago. However,
12 years on there is a need to revise the rules
for the following reasons:-
1. Due to the need to merge traditions,
the rule book reflected the issues of the time and
developed into a lengthy document covering areas
that are no longer required in such depth.
2. Amendments have been made in a
piecemeal way over the years. The rule book as a
result is overly-complex and as such is not as accessible
as it should be
3. There will be a need over the next
year to change branch structures to reflect the
move to Single Status.
Given the wide range of changes needed,
this Branch believes that a succession of amendments
would further complicate the rules and therefore
instructs core branch officers to:-
i. Consult widely within the branch
and with relevant full time officers to entirely
replace the existing Branch Rules with a new Branch
Rule Book to reflect the updated needs of the Branch
and its members.
ii. To make the new rule book available
in advance to members and present it for their approval
to the 2009 AGM.
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12. Single Status and Branch Organisation
Proposed by Luke Henderson , Duncan
Smith (Services for Communities)
This union branch notes
(1) Existing branch policy is to
fight for a "no losers” single status deal whereby
nobody in the branch looses out financially.
(2) Once Single Status has been implemented
our union branch will need to be re-organised. With
the creation of unified terms and conditions for
both manual and APT&C, Branch Officer positions
such as Service Conditions Officers for APT&C staff
will cease to be meaningful. This union branch believes
(3) Branch Officers struggle to deal
with the volume of work that arrives at the branch
office. Where possible Stewards Committees and Departmental
Convenors should be at the forefront of dealing
with issues in their own department. However, Departmental
Convenors often find that they do not get adequate
facility time to deal with issues that arise. (
4) The re-organisation of our branch
can be a great opportunity to devolve power and
to empower Stewards Committees and Departmental
Convenors.
This union branch resolves therefore
(a) To fight for a significant increase
on the current arrangements of facility time to
improve the Branch's ability to meet the needs of
members.
(b) The allocation of facility time
should reflect this change in the role of Departmental
Convenors.
(c) That a dedicated Branch Officer
with sufficient facility time be given responsibility
for recruiting stewards and providing support to
stewards committees.
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13. Local Government Annual Conference
Agenda
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities), John Stevenson (Children & Families)
In considering the agendas of the
Local Government Annual Conference over the period
since the decision was made to make this event a
two day exercise it has become clear many of the
issues on the agendas have not had a national perspective
but have been relevant to particular negotiating
bodies.
It is also recognised that regions,
where appropriate, develop their own frameworks
for negotiations with their relevant employers'
groups. We do not consider it appropriate motions
be tabled at a conference when they do not impact
on all authorised delegations but which all currently
have the right to vote on.
We call upon the Conference Arrangements
Division to structure agendas for the Local Government
Annual Conference to allow for day one to consider
regional matters in separate forums which would
allow day two to focus on national matters. Such
processes would give true ownership to decisions
and also has potential cost benefits.
We call upon the Local Government
Service Group to consult widely on this proposition
with a view to reporting back to the2009 Local Government
Annual Conference.
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14. Shared Services
Proposed by John Mulgrew (Lothian
Valuation Joint Board), Elaine Wishart (Corporate
Services)
This Branch notes with concern that
the Council's Shared Service Agenda will have a
major impact on Member's working conditions and
job security. Under Council proposals to re-organise
Admin/Clerical, Home Based Services and Procurement
into cross Council single units there could be almost
500 job losses.
We call upon Branch Officers to co-ordinate
working groups and negotiating frameworks across
the affected areas once proposals are brought forward
by Council.
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15. Conference/seminar locations
Proposed by John Ross (Services
for Communities), John Stevenson (Children & Families)
It is noted that in the past few
years there has been an increasing use of conference
venues which are neither on the main national rail
spine nor easily accessible by air travel.
Whilst recognising the intention to
actively involve all regions in the activities of
the union, allied to the limited availability of
suitable conference accommodation, it should be
acknowledged that the current system incurs higher
travel costs, higher subsistence expenditure for
the majority of branches and creates a potential
barrier to open participation due to the need for
more time-off vis-à-vis travel arrangements.
We are also now seeing reluctance
from employers for attendance at conferences/seminars
when it entails significant travelling time in addition
to actual participation in the event.
We would request the Conference Arrangements
Division give cognisance to these factors and that
they enter into consultation with all layers of
the union with a view to creating a conference /
seminar organisational framework which is both cost
-efficient for branches and which recognises the
limitations of potential paid leave provisions within
individual branches.
Such consultation should be carried
out with a view to detailed recommendations being
brought forward to the 2009 National Delegate Conference.
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15a. Shared delegates
Proposed by Irene Stout (Services
for Communities), John Ross (Service for Communities)
This meeting welcomes the principle
of branch representatives being allowed to share
a delegate's position at a UNISON conference/seminar.
This provides for greater individual participation
within smaller branches who have limited delegations
and also provides for development opportunities
for those with limited experience of such forums.
Whilst we welcome this practice being
available in most of UNISON's events we note with
concern this principle does not apply within the
Self Organised Group framework and we call upon
the union's constitutional organisers to bring forward
suitable changes to the various relevant Standing
Orders to facilitate the ability for branches to
have Shared Delegates to all Conferences/Seminars.
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International
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16. International work of the Branch
Proposed by Matthew Creighton (Associated
Bodies), Gillian Lawrence (Children & Families)
This meeting applauds the international
relations work of UNISON. We recognise that as part
of an international movement our goals are affected
by political and commercial decisions taken at all
levels from the local to the global; and that our
support in turn can have important impact for trade
unions across the world.
We believe that in order to understand
the issues faced by our members we need to learn
from struggles and experiences dealing with similar
issues everywhere; and to develop policies which
are adequate to protect our members from the forces
of globalisation.
The meeting agrees that the branch
should continue with its current approach which
involves:
1) An International Activists network,
reporting through the International Relations Officer
2) An activity programme which is
flexible to respond to new developments but focuses
on:
