No more meaningless killings!
A mother fights for justice for her son
 Guest
speaker, Jocelyn Hurndall gave one of the most powerful, moving
and measured speeches to Conference ever heard, urging support in
her family's fight for truth and justice for her 22 year old son,
Tom, who was shot in cold blood by an Israeli soldier in Palestine
in April last year and tragically died in January this year after
eight months in a coma.
Tom was a photographer observing and recording the work of a peace
group in Gaza and the activities of the Israeli army. He was shot,
whilst trying to help a young child evade gunfire.
The Israeli soldier has admitted shooting Tom, but not his intent,
in spite of strong evidence to the contrary. He is currently standing
trial, with a defence stating that he's being "hung out to dry"
and "scapegoated".
The next trial date is set, and Jocelyn's 19 year old son has been
refused entry to Israel to see justice being done for his brother,
if indeed justice is done. Jocelyn highlighted the fact that thousands
of innocent civilians have been killed, injured and brutalised by
the occupying Israeli forces.
Rarely are the perpetrators brought to account for their actions,
and when they are the penalties are paltry. Jocelyn said "We hope
that the prosecution of the soldier will send a message to all soldiers
in the occupied territories.
"They cannot commit breaches of human rights whether these
be killing, maiming, humiliation, the destruction of homes or the
collective punishment of whole communities."
"We wish every Israeli soldier to get the message very clearly
that they cannot shoot with impunity, that they are answerable for
their actions."
The Palestinian Prime Minister had met with Jocelyn and passed
on his debt of gratitude for Tom's service to Palestine.
In contrast, our own Prime Minister hasn't yet given Jocelyn the
same courtesy of meeting with her. Perhaps unsurprising, considering
the British Governments alacrity in welcoming Israeli Prime Minister
Arial Sharon into our country, and Jack Straw's comment regarding
the supply of "components" to Israel - that if Britain didn't then
somebody else would.
Jocelyn said "Unlike the present government we will continue to
fight for justice."
By the end of Jocelyn's speech, many of the delegates had been
moved to tears, touched not only by her loss, by the senseless waste
of a young life, but also by her bravery and her determination to
continue her fight for justice and to bring an end to these meaningless
killings.
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All 'out' for a real rule change
The NEC's amendment to Rule A.3 makes clear that our anti-discrimination
policy applies to bisexual and transgender members. The NLGC has
also submitted an amendment to Rule D.4.1.4 - Self Organised Groups
- that will, for the first time, show our bisexual and transgender
members that they are integral to our organising in our union, not
just on the periphery.
The NLGC has done much work since the 2002 National Lesbian & Gay
Conference first debated this matter, and we thank all members for
their contributions, both for and against. We will continue to consult
with all members with the SOG on the future of the National Committee,
as well as the work for regions in the future.
Please go all 'out' to support these amendments to rule today,
so that the future can be more 'in'-clusive.
The rule change is supported by Scottish L&G Committee
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Weed out confusion and focus on what's important
Hamid Rasheed ,Perth & Kinross, Scotland spoke in support of motion
68, UNISON Anti-Racism Strategy, which was carried unanimously by
Conference. Hamid welcomed the NEC's overall objectives of 2004/5,
which inform UNISON's priorities on race equalities work.
"The strategy should weed out confusion and set focus on work such
as combating the BNP and far right, said Hamid.
"This strategy should use race as bargaining agenda, for example,
to overcome workplace discrimination and ensure effective implementation
of the anti-racism strategy."
Hamid continued, "It should also make it easy to organise and lobby
for asylum seekers and refugees to end their continued persecution."
Hamid said "In Scotland we have formulated our anti-race strategy.
We are working on it and we will be very happy to share our experiences"
Conference was therefore urged to support this motion as it called
for synergy and innovative approaches, which will make it possible
to root out discrimination in all forms.
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Friday priorities from Scotland
- Comp B: End the two-tier workforce
- Comp I: End the Occupation of Iraq
- Motion 16: Offshoring
- Comp J: Solidarity with Colombia
- Motion 23: Management of H&S regs to include stress
- Motion 20: Removal of intolerable sickness absence sanctions
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Policy development, Bargaining and Devolution. Is devolution a
Scottish and Welsh issue?
Fringe Meeting Tuesday 22nd Report by Andy Ferguson, Scottish
Communications & Campaigns Committee
Is devolution a Scottish and Welsh issue? Not any more was the
view expressed at a Tuesday lunchtime fringe meeting chaired by
Jane Carolan.
The report due for Thursday's agenda outlines the NEC strategic
overview of possible implications devolution will bring to the English
Regions under the Government White Paper - "Your Region - Your Choice".
The Welsh experience presented by Malcolm Wing highlighted the
vagaries Welsh local and national government. Mike Kirby recounting
the huge advances made in Scotland, particularly in the fields of
lobbying MSP's and the subsequent influence UNISON Scotland exerts
on them.
He welcomed the influence UNISON held within the multi party Scottish
system elected on a proportional representation model with a large
number of current UNISON members holding seats.
He further stressed that UNISON in Scotland was committed to remaining
a strong, vibrant part of UNISON in the UK and was wholeheartedly
against federalism.
With the impending referendum scheduled for later this year it
is imperative that the English regions heed the three main challenges
highlighted in Mike's presentation.
"How do we address the apparent democratic deficit for England?
"How do we address the regional inequalities and the new regional
approaches to public policy, so that policies are better matched
to the diversity of regional conditions?
"How do we meet the challenges for Trade Union organisation,
including our institutional and individual capacity and the subsequent
capability to respond? "
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