Going
through the motions
These positions
here and on the following pages were agreed by branches at Scottish
Council in April. They cannot bind branches who may have their own
individual mandates. However it is hoped that they will give a useful
overview of Conference.
The
Economy
Comp A:
The Economy - Motions 1 & 2, Amendments 1.1, 1.2 & 1.4
Addresses
the Economy and Taxation developing policy to expose the unequal tax
burden and need for increased public spending, a strong regional policy
and reflect the increasing public demand for an end to private ownership
of the railways.
Composite
A reflects this position but Amendment A.1 should be opposed as unrealistic
sloganising.
Support
Comp A
Oppose A.1, and Motions 3 and 5
Europe
Comp B:
UNISON and a Single Currency - Motions 6 & 9
Motions 6
- 12 develop the union's opposition to the single currency which is
seen as adversely affecting public services due to the Maastricht
convergence criteria, and calls for greater involvement of Europe's
social policy agenda - particularly Works Councils.
Support
Comp B and Motions 7, 10, 11, 12
Public
Services
Comp C:
Public Services - Motions 14 & 15, Amendments 14.1, 14.2, 15.1
A group of
motions (13-24) anticipate a second term for Labour, with 13 setting
out UNISON's agenda, which should neither be a wish list or a congratulatory
note. Composite C should be supported.
However Amendment
C.1. (15.2) while making good points about the excessive costs of
PFI, proposes a form of disaffiliation and reduction in Labour Party
donations which is a tactic to be determined by the APF in the light
of wider debates within the Labour Party.
Motion 13
would benefit from positive amendments (see Briefing at Conference)
setting out the roles of the APF and GPF in pursuing the agenda, a
higher profile for regional economy issues and a clearer description
of how we can work with employers to deliver common goals in improving
services and addressing the range of ways for delivering truly public
services.
The Fair Taxation
policy for public services (17) has been taken up by UNISON Scotland's
Public Finances Policy Pool looking at the range of alternatives (22).
Motion 19
on Best Value adds little to current policy but 23 calls for a closer
trade union monitoring of the range of Quangos governing public services.
Amendment
21.1 would oppose the opportunity for arms length companies in the
management of housing stock. This is available in England but not
Scotland where it could be an alternative to whole stock transfer.
We want that opportunity and should oppose the amendment.
Support
Comp C, Motion 13, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23
Oppose
Motion 19 and Amendments C.1 and 21.1
Privatisation
Motions
25 - 37
A dozen or
so motions seek to address the union's agenda in combating privatisation
particularly in health and housing.
Many motions
calling for a co-ordinated campign against PFI add little to existing
policy other than the ubiquitous national demonstration and industrial
action as a cure-all (26-28 & 30).
A positive
amendment to 25 setting the record straight on just what the union
has done is necessary (ie 25.1)
Support
25, 25.1, 32, 34, 35
Oppose 26-28, 30, 33, 36, 37
Bargaining
Agenda
Comp D:
Fair Wages and a Two Tier Workforce - Motions 38-40 & amendments from
Scottish Branches
The effect
of privatisation and TUPE in creating a two tier workforce could be
addressed be re-introducing a fair wages clause into contracts. 38-40
and the Scottish amendments provide this in Comp D and should be supported.
Challenges
arising from the modernisation of public services has prompted NEC
and Northern motions on Lifelong Learning. The particular challenges
facing social care, social work and health services, the Joint Futures
Initiative in Scotland and the concerns of particularly disadvantaged
sections of the workforce, youth, disabled and term time only workers
are taken up in this section of the agenda.
Support
Comp D
Support 41-43
Support 45-46, 48, 49 and 50
Education
Motions
51 - 52
The dangers
and detrimental impact of local management of resources in schools
and the adverse impact of tuition fees are issues raised by colleagues
in England and could benefit from amendments describing some progress
in Scotland.
Oppose 52.3
which is contrary to NUS policy.
Support
51, 52
Oppose 52.3
Pay
and Low Pay
Comp E:
Living Wage - Motions 54 - 56 and 56.1
How to progress
the campaign for a living wage is covered by Motions 53-57, with all
promoting constructive campaigning other than the superficially attractive
targets set by Sefton (57).
Support
Comp E, 53
Oppose 57
Pensions
Motions
58-62
The retired
members' organisation calls for a campaign for a Living Pension and
the NEC seeks an ethical investment policy.
Support
58-62 58.1, 58.2
Employment
Rights
Comp F:
Trade Union Rights - The Future - Motions 63, 64 and Amendments 63.2
and 64.1
The first
Labour Government has delivered on a range of trade union and employment
rights and challenged the unions to recruit to enforce those rights.
Comp F and Motions 66 and 67 set further challenges for a second Government
to extend those rights. But Motion 65, seeking a repeal of all anti
union laws is off the pace and sets an agenda off the mainstream of
the debate.
Support
Comp F, 66, 67
Oppose 65 and F.1
Health
& Safety
Motions
68-72
A group of
motions cover health and safety issues with Stress in the Workplace
(69) a high priority on the agenda.
Support
68-72
Equalities
Agenda
Motions
73-81
The National
Black members Committee have raised the issue of confronting hate
crimes (79) and other motions address ‘next of kin' issues for lesbians
and gay men in accessing public services.
Motion 75
calling for a clearer bargaining agenda post Stephen Lawrence Report
could have benefitted from an amendment highlighting UNISON's work
in this area.
Support
73-81
Racism
and Asylum and Immigration
Comp G:
Asylum and Immigration - Motions 84 and 85
Motions 82
and 83 set out an action list for various parts of the union in defending
asylum seekers from institutional and personal attacks.
Comp G (84
& 85) has much to support it but would have us affiliate to a campaign
group lacking democratic structures to allow UNISON to express its
views. Neverthless, support with qualifications.
86 and 87
set an agenda for public services addressing race relations and racism
at work. Other motions seek support for individual campaigns and would
have UNISON affiliate to the Anti-Nazi League, an organisation whose
democratic credentials UNISON has frequently questionned.
Amendment
90.1 from the NEC more accurately reflects UNISON's position and opportunity
to present its views.
Support
82 & 83
Support Comp G with qualifications
Support 86 & 87
Oppose 90
Support 90.1
Social
Policy
Comp H:
Government Response to the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care of the
Elderly - Motions 95, 96, Amendment 95.1
In a range
of Motions 93-100, some would seek to develop policy on the long-term
care of the elderly, which might benefit from the amendment of the
Scottish experience (95.1).
99 is the
Gas Branch Scotland motion to progress the agenda against fuel poverty.
Support
Comp H, Support 99
Civil
Rights
Motion
104
This motion
seeks the inclusion of social and economic rights in a Bill of Rights
in Northern Ireland; a similar objective is being discussed in Scottish
politics.
Support
104
Environment
Motions
106-110
Motion 106
calls for a vigorous campaign for the early implementation of an integrated
transport policy, support for existing fuel taxation policies and
describes as ‘misguided' the autumn 2000 fuel (few-el) protests.
Support
106-110
International
Comp I:
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) - Motions 117 & 118
The International
Agenda attracts 18 motions but experience suggests only a couple will
be debated. The Drop the Debt Campaign, Ethical Trade, International
Trade, Africa & HIV/AIDS, Iraq, Palestine, Turkey and Colombia all
compete for attention and taking account of current policy and consensus
117 (Comp I), 119 and 124 should be prioritised and are.
Comp I includes
117 & 118 but should be carried with the NEC amendments (117.1 & 118.1)
which accurately reflects recent developments and a trade union consensus.
For the same reason
oppose if unamended.
Support
Comp I only as amended by I.1.
Support 111 (as amended) - 116
Support 119 - 128
Industrial
Action
Motions
129 - 130
Currently
Scottish Council policy, remitted at 1994 and 1995 Conference favours
a review and motions 129-130 have amendments which do just that.
Support
129 - 130 as amended by 129.1, 130.1
Political
Funds
Motion
131
131 brings
into question the UNISON settlement on the management of political
funds agreed at 1995 Conference and would seek to break the link with
Labour, but is not honest enough to say so.
Oppose
131 and 131.1
Recruitment
and Organisation
Motions
132 - 148
As UNISON
seeks to re-steer itself to the organising agenda, a raft of motions
address different aspects of UK, internal and external organisation
in a constructive way particularly 138 from Scotland on union mergers.
147 seeks
a ‘police badge' and is a minor diversion. 145 on Self Organisation
is prioritised and the NEC's Amendment 145.1 takes account of the
process of the Strategic Review (see Annual Report) in realigning
resources to need.
But Amendment
146.1 would overtake that review and should be opposed.
Support
132 - 146, 145.1, 148
Oppose 146.1, 147
Constitutional
Matters
Motions
149, 150
Motion 149
seeks to re-open debates had at 1998 and 2000 Conferences. Should
we keep addressing this issue until an external political minority
get the decision they want?
Oppose
149, 150 Oppose 149.1
Stewards
Organisation
Motion
151
A report to
2002 Conference should address the development of shop stewards organisation.
Support
151
Replacement
Membership System
Comp J:
Motions 153 and 154
The NEC's
progress report on the new system. We know we've got lots of members
- now we may even know who they are!
Support
Composite J and hope for a better future.
Legal
Services
Comp K:
ETs Assessment Criteria for Discrimination Cases - Motions 158 & 159
157 seeks
a review of cumbersome mechanism for legal advice amd assistance requests.
Support
157, Support Comp K
Member
Services
Motions
161, 162
A comparative
review of services to members is sought by 161 but the practicalities
of a counselling service for members may be beyond the union's remit
or competence to deliver.
Support
161 Oppose 162
Branch
Funding
Motions
163 and 164
The proposals
are the product of considerable consultation with branches and the
more equitable proposals should be supported as opposed to the ill
thought out 164. The Branch Funding Working Party and the NEC will
oppose 163.5 and 163.7 and seek withdrawal of 163.3 in favour of 163.2.
Support
163
Oppose 164
Look out for more advice at Conference.
Rules
An unusually
short section of amendments to rules is dominated by amendments on
the Disciplinary Procedures.
After the
stalemate following a half-day of debate last year, motion 23 seeks
to re-open the whole issue, when the evidence was that the small numbers
of cases bringing the union into disrepute or abusing funds does not
require a wholesale review and that the ‘incremental' revision of
7 and 8 can address problems.
Amendment
1 from Bromley may appear attractive but would destabilise the proceedings
of Conference to persistent wrangles and disputes over rules.
Support
7 & 8
Oppose 23
Oppose 1
