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Tuesday 21 June No 2 - Reports
It should be in Scotland... That G8 Leaders Make
Poverty History
First Minister Jack McConnell welcomes delegates
 Scotland's
First Minister Jack McConnell pulled all the right strings in welcoming
Conference to Glasgow.
A man who knew his audience, Jack congratulated UNISON on its campaigning
record and, in Scotland, its active role campaigning for a ‘yes,
yes' vote in the referendum for a Scottish Parliament.
"It is a great time to be in Scotland. There's a spring in its step
- six years on from devolution, Scotland is a land full of ideas,
talents and innovation", said Jack.
"Next Thursday we've got the ban on smoking in public
places. That will save lives in years to come."
Voicing a commitment to improving of public services,
and delivering a long-term solution to Scotland's economic growth,
Jack continued, "We are determined to reverse the population decline.
We are proud to have new people coming to our country.
"Those people are welcome and we will not have the
prejudice that exists elsewhere. We will create a more dynamic Scotland,
more diverse and will celebrate this rather than being afraid."
On July's G8 Summit at Gleneagles, Jack said, "It
is time to Make Poverty History. Thank you for your support in the
Make Poverty History Campaign.
"Let's put the maximum amount of pressure on these
eight men who can change the lives of 800million people.
"I'm convinced that doing nothing cannot be an option
at any time, but particularly not at this time."
Describing his visit to Malawi last week, Jack said,
"Such commitment, such resources, talent of people." He welcomed
the commitment to reduce debt to certain countries, but recognised
that this is not enough.
"Scotland is proud, very proud, to have the G8 summit
in our country. This is a modern day country with fantastic countryside
and good cities.
"It should be in this country, that the G8 leaders
make once in a lifetime decision that poverty in Africa should no
longer be a sore on this planet."
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President's Address
A roller coaster year of mixed emotions
"This year has been a roller coaster of mixed emotions
- great joy and sadness", said Pauline Grant in her Presidential
Address.
First was, " The earth shattering tsunami disaster
claiming over 300,000 lives and affecting millions" which created
a response that "teaches us to look for and acknowledge the good
in human beings".
Second, there were all the elections. Starting with
UNISON's 79% membership endorsement of Dave Prentis, which continues
to make him as quoted from the Guardian, "One of the top ten most
influential people in the country".
Then there was the resounding 85% YES vote to retain
the Political Fund. Pauline reminded members of the urgent need
"to get rid of this outdated piece of tory legislation introduced
by that bloody woman - Margaret Thatcher!"
"Surely no one can have missed the fact the Labour
Government was returned for a historic third term" Pauline teased
the delegates. The opportunity this provides UNISON is that the
Warwick agreement commitments, developed through negotiations by
Dave Prentis at the National forum in July, will ensure UNISON has
an even better leverage to continue campaigning for its members,
"better job security, better pensions, better holidays etc".
Pauline reassured the delegates that "whilst strongly
welcoming the Government's agreement to revoke the change to the
local government Pension Scheme, UNISON is not naïve as to believe
that Government was persuaded by just listening to the people.
"UNISON is committed to ensuring genuine negotiations
on all our public sectors". Pauline, reminded delegates that even
if the Equal Pay Act had been in force since 1975, "we still have
employers refusing to carry out pay audits and close the gender
pay gap".
UNISON was "pursuing the introduction of fully funded,
equality proofed pay systems across the board" with no exceptions.
Pauline paid tribute to the 1,200 members in Carlisle,
Cumbria who had won backdated pay awards, ranging from £5,000 to
£200,000 and was delighted at the equal pay case won by UNISON against
South Wales Police, both good demonstrations of a determination
to battle against such injustices.
Third, Pauline outlined how UNISON at the European
level, had "used the European courts to good effects to fight for
the rights previously denied, for low paid, women members and others
subjected to the humiliation of discrimination" and UNISON would
continue to campaign against the "privatisation and procurement
policies."
Fourth, Pauline was grateful for the support she has
received from UNISON members during her presidency. During this
period Pauline, represented the trade union movement at the lighting
candle in Westminster Abbey as part of the 'Make Poverty History'
campaign. She also had the honour of "being asked by Amnesty International
to act as an ambassador for the creation of a trade union room at
their newly opened Human Rights Centre".
During her presidency, Pauline supported a project
(Phelophepa Health Train) helping to tackle the pandemic of HIV/AIDS
in South Africa and this was going to be launched at Conference
today. She appealed to delegates to support the Phelophepa Health
Train, which employs medical students in their third and final year
at Witsvalterstrand University, "to bring hope, healthcare and support
to the poor and marginalised of rural South Africa tackling HIV/AIDS
across the region."
Fifth, Pauline paid tribute to the Migrant community
in the UK. "In the UK, 4.72 million foreign born people account
for 8% of our total population of 59 million. 43% of nurses and
31% of doctors entering the NHS were trained outside the UK.
"Migrants contribute 2.5 billion more in taxes and
national insurance than they consume in benefits and public services".
Following these overwhelming facts, Pauline rallied the delegates
to remain vigilant in supporting UNISON's campaign to end the exploitation
of migrant workers and bring in new legislation to stop practices,
such as the "Philippino nurses who were having to pay £5,000 to
agencies in their country to secure employment and then luring them
into jobs with sub-standard accommodation and employers who withheld
their passports".
Sixth, as a member of the Board of UIA, UNISON's own
insurance, since 1992 and more recently in 2000 as the Chair, Pauline
encouraged delegates and UNISON 1.3 million members to use UNISON's
own insurance.
Finally, Pauline thanked all in UNISON for giving
her the great honour of "being your president". It had been a privilege
to serve UNISON, together with her NEC team and she hoped that delegates
would have a very good conference.
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