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.
Click here
for pdf directions to the meetings
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