National Delegate Conference 17-20 June 2008
UNISON to review democratic processes to build involvement: "We live in
a changing political world and our processes require periodic review", Said Mike
Kirby.
We must defend the NHS for the benefit of future generations: "The NHS
is not bricks and mortar. It is not about who manages it. It's about the staff
who work in it, who provide the services to patients and who are dedicated to
it", says Mick McGahey.
Public services, publicly owned, with public investment and democratically
controlled UNISON pledged to campaign around an alternative agenda for
public services as the necessary foundation of a fair, cohesive, democratic and
prosperous society.
Funding formula agreed to fight for equal pay: Conference threw its
weight behind Glasgow City's proposals for funding the challenge of securing
equal pay for all our members and reaffirmed this as one of the union's founding
principles.
Cross service action to challenge PFI and shared services - UNISON will
develop cross-service and cross-regional strategies to challenge outsourcing in
all its forms and will campaign for a change in this government's "direction of
travel" on this - Lilian Macer
Would we rather big business looked after our mums and dads, or dedicated
carers? - Home care services are essential for our most vulnerable
groups and should be kept in house to ensure the services are of the highest
standards, South Lanarkshire's John McLaughlin tells Conference.
Review of political fund to involve members more: Gordon McKay calls for
more members to get directly involved in building Labour policies that defend
public services.
Gun and knife crime: Unions must tackle causes and protect staff.
Recruit, organise and deliver support to activists: Conference laid
out six-point strategy for organisation and recruitment, the lifeblood of the
union, while Edinburgh’s John Stevenson underlines the need for support for that
‘nuts and bolts’ work of the union.
Raise our people up or our people will bring you down! Dave Prentis,
UNISON General Secretary, warns Labour
Rulezzzzzz - No way! John Stevenson brings the biggest laughs of the
week as the rules debate brightens up.
Reduction in qualification time will benefit new members and support
recruitment: In a significant move, conference agreed to reduce the
qualifications period for UNISON legal assistance from 13 weeks to four.
Hopes fulfilled as Leroy shows Racism the Red Card
UNISON condemns violence and abuse against trade unionists in Colombia:
UNISON condemned the continuing violence and abuse against trade unionists,
social movements and civic society organisations in Colombia and pledged to
support its sister trade unions and play an active role in Justice for Colombia
and the Colombian Solidarity Campaign - plus
Colombian trade unionist 'disappeared'
Public services define a country: James Clancy, President of Canadian
public services union NUPGE (National Union of Public and General Employees)
UNISON Scotland launches migrant workers’ charter - As Conference
debates how to combat the far right, UNISON Scotland will today (17 June) take a
number of migrant worker members to the Scottish Parliament to talk to MSPs, and
to launch a Migrant Workers' Charter, outlining a range of 'good practice' for
employers to follow.
Enforcing equality and union rights - A Trade UNion Freedom Bills - Alan
Bradley, Dumfries and Galloway welcomed UNISON's commitment to challenge unfair
treatment in the workplace
An end to injustice, prejudice and discrimination - President's Speech
Show Racism the Red Card - Scotland's long association with SRTRC, the
anti-racist educational charity which uses football as a focus, was in this
motion.
Welcome to Conference
from UNISONScotland Convenor Mike Kirby
UNISON
National Delegate Conference meets weeks after the electorate in England have
passed judgement on New Labour under Gordon Brown's leadership.
Like the voters in Scotland in 2007, they saw that there was an alternative.
What gives cause for concern is that their alternative is a dangerous mix of
"BO-JO the Clown", "Citizen Dave" Cameron's thinly veiled return to Thatcher's
legacy, and support for the BNP.
This move to the right will have severe consequences for Scotland and the
other devolved administrations, whatever the direction of the debate on future
powers of the Scottish Parliament.
Meanwhile, Brown sees six million public service workers as an easy target in
a 2% pay freeze, while even their flawed measure of inflation, Consumer Price
Index, races over 3% and other common measures are over 4%. Industrial action
ballots are under way in health and local government, to join other public
sector workers already taking action.
Brown doesn't require to listen. He needs to act.
The May draft Queen's speech, setting out government legislative plans to
December 2009 is intended to be his defining response. Can you recall what's in
it? Described as "stunningly unmemorable".
If New Labour drifts towards a defeat at the next general election, it will
be a monumental betrayal of those it claims to represent.
The trade unions presented their list of demands in the Warwick Agreement.
The Agency Workers proposal is a start. Measures to address tax evasion would
provide another budget, to spend on public services. It could get back on target
to really redistribute incomes and tackle child poverty. It could provide public
investment in public services, instead of transfers of large wads of cash to PFI/PPP
profits for business. A fairer deal on trade union rights is possible.
UNISON Conference will debate some of these issues, in building upon current
policy.
Don’t forget the meeting of Scottish Branches on: MONDAY 16 JUNE 5.30PM
Royal Bath Hotel, Bath Road, Bournemouth within an approximate three minute walk
of the BIC, located on Bath Road. Tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival.
Local Government Branches will also meet at 5.30 on Saturday 14 June in
the Garden Room, East Cliff Court Hotel, East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth.
Scotland’s
Public Service Union
